Mar 11 03:11:16 106 PA
From Chronicles
The current game time is: Fri Mar 11 03:11:16 106 PA.
Zachary walks slowly through the park, well bundled against the cold with added mittens and scarf that match his sweater, coat sealed up and an extra layer or two under his pants. Meant for trapping in heat whilst out for a lengthy period. He seems to be lost in thought or at least thinking about something as he walks, though it doesn't stop him from pausing near a stand of brush, casually swiping some of the snow off the greenery for no true reason before he continues along, following one of the paths through the place. The sun is halfway through its morning climb, striving for that noontime height and there aren't too many in this neck of the park, making for a nice, quiet spot for some introspection.
The bench beside the water filled hole has an occupant. A woman dressed in a black raincoat, a black and white scarf around her throat, an umbrella in her hand, closed. She is idly feeding dry bread to the ducks, watching them with hazel eyes, a small smile on her face. Her thoughts are her own, hidden behind her face and eyes, revealing nothing.
Zachary slowly comes upon Maya as he walks, not recognizing her at first glance, still a bit away. But as he nears, he notices. His gaze curious as he pauses his walk. Lingering in that unseen spot for a moment before he approaches closer. "You have a preference for black," he makes note of. "A somber color that doesn't seem to fit your.. spirit." His words quiet, he coming up to the side of the bench as he speaks, head turned towards her.
At the sound of another, she turns her head, but the recognised voice brings a smile from her, and when she places him, she hops up from the bench, scattering birds, crumbs and umbrella in her hast. She ignores it, "You! From the hospital!" At that, she bounces, both feet leaving the floor for a moment before she offers him an enthusiastic hug.
Zachary starts at the hop up and shout and is very much unprepared to be hugged so enthusiastically. Thus is an easy, btu non-responsive target, going a bit rigid for a moment before he relaxes himself somewhat. "Y-yes.. that's me," he confirms, his hands lifting. Hesitating a moment in what to do before one gives her shoulder a kindly pat, the other hovering. "You seem to be doing well," he observes, obviously a bit uncomfortable.
She doesn't seem to notice before she releases him, turning back to grab up the umbrella. "I've got a job, and a place to live for the moment, and they have an excellent library, and there will be a pathology lab for me." She clenches her fists, holding them up into the air as she turns back to him. "Yes!" She grins at him before settling herself down on the bench.
"That's good to hear," Zach replies, as she settles, the tall elf considering the bench for a moment before his attention lifts, shifting to glance about. As if he plans something unsavory. Indeed, without so much as asking he steps over and, after a brief moment to consider the seat, settles himself down next to Maya. "Was it a job at the KEC or did you find another employer to take on your skills?"
Maya tucks her legs beneath her, sitting crosslegged as she returns to distribution of bread to the world's duck population.
Maya tucks her legs beneath her, sitting crosslegged as she returns to distribution of bread to the world's duck population. She props the umbrella against the bench itself, before she answers. "At the Knight's hospital, doing their pathology and stuff like that. Right up my street." She nods firmly, giving him a wide grin. "And you?"
"Knight's hospital?" Zach's brow crinkles slightly. "I think I've heard something of this place.. in the Dregs?" Uncertain, he looks towards Maya for confirmation, seeming a bit wary and concerned on that note. "I've secured a proper job at a garage that's on the landing strip. Simple, good work that provides me more than enough free time."
"It is in the Dregs. Just think, they have gang members there as security. It is a charity place, runs on the good will of the people." The enthusiasm bubbles over, and her eyes brighten. "Are you enjoying it? Is the company a good one?" She peppers him with questions, true interest in her eyes. The matter of her own work being in the Dregs doesn't bother her. [Public] "Ghost of RPs Past" Tiamat says, "Oh perfect. The dead parrot sketch"
On the other hand, Zach seems a bit dismayed that Maya is working in such a place, her description of the security only adding to it. "I.. yes, I am enjoying my work.. my boss is quite kind," he answers, though his thoughts are only half on it, he immediately asking, "Why would you work in such a place? It would be very dangerous.. there are gang members there as security?" The concept as illogical to his mind as water falling up.
Maya gives him a look of pure incredulity, shaking her head. The passion in her face shows as she leans forward. "Because it is needed. If one ignores the poorest of a community, one can never improve their standard of living. How can you expect a child from there to improve, if nobody helps them learn? Teaches them a trade? The way a society treats its sick and old reveals more about it than anything else..." The rant slows, not running out of breath.
Zachary doesn't seem to have much to say to that initially, even looking a touch ashamed in the face of those simple truths. "I suppose you are right.." Reluctantly admitted. His eyes dip for a moment, then rise to meet her own. "Still it is dangerous. I've heard many stories.. they can't all be false. You should be very careful. I would.. it would be an unfortunate thing if you were hurt."
"It is dangerous, but they are a mere product of their culture and upbringing." The passion is there still, her eyes glowing almost, as she stares into his eyes. "Of course, if you are raised to believe and find that your only route to improve your life is to use the violence others use to keep you down, then one must assume people will take that route..." The lecture almost complete. "Evil takes nothing to win but one good person doing nothing, you know." She nods firmly.
Zachary meets the continued lecture with a soft befuddlement, then simple acceptance. "These things I acknowledge," he responds. "But still.. you should be careful. Good intentions or not, there will be those who are not misunderstood and are merely bad." He glanced away, looking towards the ducks for a quiet moment before he observe, "You are very passionate.. that is a strength that few have in great abundance. It can be a weakness as well, if you let it grow too great."
Maya grins suddenly, leaving the lecture as she sits back on the bench. "Of course. There is evil in the world, and one be prepared to meet it, and fight against it." The simple statement is given with a firm nod, and then she grins once more. "Passion is a wonderful thing, but you have to pick your fights, and take only the ones you need to win." A hesitation, before she adds, "Like receptionists."
Zachary smiles slightly. "Yes.. like receptionists." He considers the ducks again. "When to withdraw.. just a difficult a question." His thoughts rolling about slowly now that the lecture is done. But he shakes his head after a moment and returns his attention to Maya. "Dare I ask what you do when you aren't working?" Regardless, he dares.
Maya nods quickly, her enthusiasm obvious for this as well as her work. "Lets see, I do like dancing. I love going clubbing. Computer games, too." She nods again, returning the question to him, "And you? You must do things when you are not working in a little garage..." She is teasing a little, her hazel eyes twinkling.
Zachary arches a brow subtly as Maya mentions computer games. Thus when she asks him, the first thing that comes out of his mouth is, "Well, I like to program computer games. That's one of my primary means of recreation. I've made a few.. nothing too complex. Adventure games and.." He pauses, a hitch hat comes before he adds, "..and other such things. I haven't the artistic touch for anything more complex."
Maya gives him a wide grin, listening to him with true interest in her eyes. "You make them for a hobby? You are clever!" She tosses a few crumbs to the duck, which replies with a quacking scold, that amuses her. "You should publish them properly, make your fortune." Out of bread, she taps the umbrella on the ground, scattering them.
"Yes, I have an advanced degree in computer science and programming, as well as training in artificial intelligence programming, though that is largely theory and concepts. But it can be useful when trying to give a character in a game an autonomous personality of sorts. Nothing close to a true AI, but near enough to breath in a semblance of life with proper writing." All of which Zach comments on with, if not the same intensity, a sense of enjoyment in freely expressing his interests. "I did sell some back in Lazlo.. they never made great sums, but it was enough to give some added money for personal use. I have considered attempting to sell them here as well."
Maya recognises and respects the rant of a true fanatic believer, listening without interruption. "You should perhaps try selling some here, see if that reporter person, the one with her own show, she could help you publicise... " An idea brightens her eyes and she leans forward again, "You could do one as a publicity stunt, give the proceeds to the hospital."
"I.. to the hospital?" Zach's brow furrows. "Perhaps.. though I do not release my games to garner publicity. I do so with a name that is not my own. They are.. mature games of appeal to a limited audience. I doubt the credits from it would be very much. Most a slight added stipend over time to supplement my modest pay."
"No but publicity would get you more sales, surely? And that might give the hospital a little more money too." The enthusiasm for his hobby shows as she runs ideas off the top of her head. "And then your faked name, that would get known around here and then you would sell more games from your reputation..." She nods firmly, as if this would all happen for certain.
"I don't know.." Zack's slow response, the suggestions obviously not taking firm hold just yet, with his wariness of demeanor. "Though it isn't as if my latest project is near to completion yet. I'm still.. stymied by a few characters. After having made a few, it gets tougher to dream up proper characters that are truly different." Though even as he says this, he considers Maya quietly, as if in a new light.
Maya is cheerfully in her own little world, where Zack has become a well known householder figure, rich beyond his wildest dreams. "You are stuck on a few characters? What are they?" Her interest is real, as she twists to face him, tucking her legs up beneath her, her elbows on her knees. "I mean, if you talk about them, perhaps you don't tell people. Are you one of the artists who keep their stuff secret until the last moment..."
"I.. uh.." Zachary stills his tongue and is truck with a sudden reluctance. "Well.. see it isn't that I want to hold it secret. It's just.. not something I usually speak about. The games are.." He frowns and pauses, obviously not quite ready to speak on such details just yet. Though he does make an attempt to formulate something coherent. "The characters are female. Most of them. And it's difficult to write for them. I don't have many women I know well enough to.. get a sense for how they are. I have my own ideas, of course, but those are limited."
Maya gives him a grin, understanding flooding her eyes, or possibly misunderstanding. "I see!" She chuckles, her eyes dancing, and she leans back against the bench's arm, tapping the umbrella on the floor. "Perhaps you should come clubbing with me, and meet lots of women so you can model your women on them!" The obvious answer, and she nods, as if it is decided. "So, when shall we go out?"
Zachary meets the suggestion with a brief flicker of non-comprehension before he shakes his had slightly. "Ahh.. no, that wouldn't do," he states. "To go to such a place.. it is not a natural environment in which to come to know how a woman thinks. Not that I would presume to know the mind of a woman, but in so much as one can know such things." Ever modest except when he's not. "These games.. they have a romantic theme to them. Nothing so.." The first word to come to mind discarded, exchanged for, "..simple as that."
The two are seated on the bench beside the water filled hole, Maya sitting crosslegged, facing him with her umbrella across her lap, discussing the topic with interest. Around them, ducks peck at the remains of some bread she was throwing. "Where would be a natural place? I like going clubbing and I behave naturally there. I have no interest in romance there." Crushing for any man who is interested romantically, perhaps.
One more pedestrian park-goer enters the cool grass and uneven grounds of the parkland. Although it might benefit him to do otherwise, Leonard walks with his hood doffed, feet leading the rest of him to no immediately apparent destination. His hands are tucked into pockets beneath the cloak as he braves the cool weather for a stroll.
Zachary seems particularly uncomfortable in that moment, the topic swinging in ways he's not used to. Thus he takes a moment to actually come up with a response. "Well.. not necessarily romantic.. but.." He pauses, some focus coming as he tries to find a way to express his thoughts. "I suppose a moment like this.. where two speak freely. It would.. express how they are to each other. Not necessarily romantic per se, but.. truthful. Pure in a way that a dancing club does not allow for." Though even as he says these words, he seems uncertain. He's dressed a bit more warmly, with scarf, mittens and a little extra in layers to keep the cold out.
"Do you think that talking is honest and truthful? People can lie even with their body language, hiding their thoughts and feelings..." The lecture mode rises again, "I mean, look at the gang members again, they pose as aggressive alpha males, but they are really scared, afraid someone might see through them. Watching someone at the club can tell you so much about them, the way they dance..." She pauses, perhaps for breath, and glances across, her gaze taking in Leonard.
Leonard continues his steps, somewhat lost in thought, the scenery or a combination of the two. If there is dishonesty in his posture, the melancholy is an adept ruse. The conversation on the bench does not appear to reach him, although the particpants are not wholly ignored when his wandering eye happens to meet Maya's cross-glancing gaze. A nod is offered her in recognition and, perhaps, greeting, yet he remains quiet.
"I don't.. what can dancing tell you?" Zach honestly confused now, the logic not parsing in his head. "People go to such places dressed how they do not usually. They go and act unlike themselves. There is untruth to find everywhere.. but I do not think that what I seek will be found there. Only in how a woman thinks and feels in the truest sense of the word.. not how she.. dances." Hopelessly lost when it comes to this sort of thing, he remains uncertain and oblivious to anything but this confusing talk.
"It tells you who they might want to be, or who they are when they are free of the daily toils." Maya's statement is absolute, as if she is sure of her answer. Leonard's greeting is met with a wide grin, and she untangles herself from the seat, scattering umbrella and a couple of other things. Then the black haired woman almost bounces up to him, offering a hug with wide arms. "You were at the club!" There is friendliness in her eyes and the grin.
Since hopelessly loss and/or confused appears to be the theme of the day, Leonard readily aids his fellow man in showing ZAchary that he is not alone in either. He is summarily hugged, unable to free hands from pockets in time even if he HAD expected the friendly assault. "Yes, yes I was... Hello." He is unsure what else to say just yet, although the minor absurdity of the moment (and the large grin) does draw a smile from him of its own accord.
When Maya reveals that someone else has come near enough to, perhaps, hear of what is being said, Zach clams up at once. Frowning faintly as he watches her bounce over to greet Leo. He lingers on the bench for a few moments, pushing his scattered thoughts back into order before he too rises up. Though he turns and lingers near to bench. "Good day," he offers in greetings to Leo, his voice softer and more reserved than the young woman.
The hug is enthusiastic and when Maya releases him, she gives him a broad grin, turning back to her perch. She settles on the end of the bench, glancing between the two men. "Zach, this is ... I didn't get your name, I think?" She speaks rapidly, cheerfulness in her hazel eyes. "He was in the club the other day. Would you say people are more or less honest when dancing?" Her interest in the answer is true, her gaze resting on the questioned man.
"Leonard," is offered to Maya before he nods to Zachary, "and I believe we met briefly in the library, if not formally. I'm not sure that I'm much qualified to answer that." His shoulders roll beneath his cloak as his eyes return to Maya and her question. "Not much of a dancer, myself... although actions do tend to be more honest than words."
Zachary nods to Leo's assessment of their brief meeting before. "Zachary," he supplies, the allure of simple, forthright responses all the more keen to him in this moment. Especially as the talk of before comes back again. "Perhaps you can tell some things from actions, but not enough for my purposes," he states, looking towards Maya. "I understand you are trying to assist me, but I do not think the line of investigation you suggest would be fruitful. What places I have been to.. it is hardly content that would apply." A soft abstraction, he still aware of Leo's presence in that. "But I do thank you for your attempts to help. It is kind."
Maya gives Leonard a grin at the introduction. "Maya." She supplies her own name, and then gasps, glancing at her watch. "Oh! I have to go, I'm on shift in five minutes!" She scrambles up, grabbing the umbrella and offering both men enthusiastic, if brief, hug, before she flees the scene of her crimes, her footsteps taking her rapidly towards the Dregs, and the hospital.
Leonard watches the energetic one dart off and glances back to Zachary. "Well, that was... different. I do hope I was not interrupting." He does make an educated hypothesis based on the man's reactions and his own personal experience. "Unless a respite was desired." Zachary meets the second hug much like the first, uncertain as to just how to respond. So he goes with the light pat of hand to shoulder again before the young woman zooms off. Leaving him, for a moment, speechless in her wake. He breathes out softly, then looks towards Leo. "We were merely talking," he asserts lightly. "She is.. interesting." The word vague enough to have many meanings." Though he doesn't seem too upset, his brow remains furrowed and for a moment he seems uncertain as to what more to say. Though as he considers Leo, he observes, "You seem.. sad."
"Confused. Confounded." Leonard offers with another rolls of his shoulders, then frees a hand to motion in the departing woman's last known direction. "They all seem to be very adept at promoting it. Wouldn't you agree?"
Zachary glances after Maya, though she's no longer present. "Yes.. so it seems." He shakes his head slightly. "It seems that such things are troublesome no matter where one might go. Intriguing and bothersome in the same moment." He thoughtful, turning slowly to sit back on the bench again as he brings his carryall forward to start rummaging though it.
Leonard chuckles with more bemusement than mirth and nods. "Well said. Just don't try too hard to apply logic. It's rarely worked for me." As Zachary rummages, his attention wanders absently over the pond and the ducks now in search of other carbohydrate prey.
"I suppose you have had troubles?" Zach's attention lifting to Leo for a moment as he pulls out a well worn, but neatly kept notebook. Swiftly, with a practiced air, he flips through the pages towards the empties. The thing is nearly filled, the neat lines of small, tightly scrawled script notable, though unreadable from a distance. And as the elf hunches over the notebook some to start scribbling rapidly within it.
"That could be an understatement..." His words trail off as Leonard turns back to notice the notebook. "Recording your findings on women?" A bit of mirth creeps into his words at the query. "It would be convenient if someone were to create or discover a manual for them."
"In a manner of speaking.." Zach falling silent for about half a minute as he scribbles furiously for that length. His not taking ended then, the notebook quickly closed. He looks up then and gives Leo an apologetic look. "Pardon me.. I like to record my thoughts when they are fresh, otherwise they degrade and blur over time." He pauses a moment, then offers, "I would speak with you on your troubles, but I am no scholar in the ways of women. I doubt I could give you any insight."
Leonard gives a nod. "That is quite alright. Some challenges must be won or lost on their own. I do wish you the best of fortune on those you might face." A slim smile finally curls his lips. "It will be intriguing, I'm sure. I suppose that I should return to my own."
Zachary breathes out lowly. "Fortunately, what I struggle on is less problematic. But yes, thank you for your words. Good luck with your trials. I think I shall seek a warmer place to relax for the day." He rises up from the bench and dips his head slightly. "HAve a food day," he adds as he starts to walk towards the park's entrance.
"I shall attempt to. Do stay warm." Leonard returns the nod as Zachary excuses himself and resumes his own steps.
