Mar 15 19:20:46 106 PA

From Chronicles

Kingsdale - Nightingale

The hub of the Nightingale Nightclub is the large dance floor in the center of the club. Overhead are racks of lighting and the infamous speaker system that makes the Nightingale all the rage with Kingsdale's more affluent citizens. A large, carpeted DJ booth oversees the crowd gathered, blasting a mix of the latest techno/pop/hiphop mixes along with Pre-Rift favorites. The club is decorated in mostly drab black and grey colors, to give the place a serene atmosphere. No matter what time of day, there are a few patrons inside, and after 9:00PM, the club usually fills up, with a long line waiting to get inside. The tables are typical of nightclubs, and there is some seating around the dance floor. There is a section of bar stools near the bar, and a row of booths along the right and left walls. A set of black curtains separate a smaller, private room from the rest of the club. The bar is circular, with about 20 seat all around it. The bar has all the modern conveniences and sports a wide selection of liquor and beer, even a good selection of imports, though the prices are higher than elsewhere in the city, is manned by 3 bartenders at night, 2 during the day. Waitresses wander around the room in skimpy outfits. They march about with their black trays and handle themselves like professionals. Drink orders are punched into a small computer on the try and sent right to the bar. The patrons are mostly the upper class of the city. They sport the latest fashions the cand lub has an affluent atmosphere. No one is in armour or carries weapons that can be seen. Several large men in tuxedos are strategically stationed around the room. A little wire behind their ear proves they are in constant contact, and can hear even over the roar of the DJ.

Tuesday evening finds Tirzah seated at a table in the nightingale, drink before her, half finished salad to one side. A deck of cards being manipulated by her fingers. Not fancy manipulation, but she's not making a mess as she considers the cards and gets some familiarity for them.

Inspired by a recent conversation, Sage has decided to come to the Nightingale to listen music to try to pick out ones that she likes. She's over at the bar at this point getting a drink for herself. She leans her back against the bar as she waits, considering the music and the differences between this place and the Alibi.

After exiting the elevator, Leonard enters the nightclub sans cloak. There is not so much need of it when the chill outside is detoured around, even if the over garment does grant an air of intrigue or sophistication. Not mention the semblance of someone a little less... scrawny.

After giving the cards another shuffle Tirzah sets them down and turns to her drink. Though she gives them the occasional glance, as if the taunt and goad her to resume the manipulation. Sipping her drink she takes another bight of her salad and appears to be considering giving into the card's pleas.

When her gaze drifts towards the entrance, Sage's lips curl into a smile when she notices the man that wanders in. Pausing only to collect her drink, she wanders over towards the man. "Hey..." She says with a slightly raised voice, "Been a little bit since I've seen you."

"Good eve, Sage." Her smile is returned with the greeting, accompanied by a nod from Leonard. "Yes, I have been rather scarce. The library is currently serving as my second home... or perhaps first, given that I've already lost myself most of the past two days there."

Looking away from the enticing cards, Tirzah turns to observe a familiar meeting in a new setting. Smiling as her gaze settles on her lover and the shifter she casually brink her drink up to her lips for a slow but long swallow. Her gaze stiffens, a perfect scenario to test if eyes can truly be felt falling upon you.

An amused look enters Sage's eyes as the main speaks about his second home. "Ah... then, I shall need to find your hiding place since I work within the garden beyond the library." She comments, before pursing her lips and tilts her head slightly. "But, perhaps you could help me with something..." She comments, moving to stand beside the man as if to accompany him to wherever he might decide to settle. "Do you know much about music?" She doesn't seem to notice the stare yet, but it hasn't been long since Tirzah has begun.

Leonard chuckles. "It should not be difficult. I think there is a chair that has permanently molded itself to me." A hand lifts to rub at the back of his neck as his smile distorts in mild discomfort. "Or myself to it. Music? Very little, unfortunately. What are you wanting help with, exactly?" He arches a brow in curiosity.

The enticing calls from the cards are but the faintest of whispers as Tirzah's gaze holds to Sage. Flame drawn to the moth she sips her drink, content to observe for now. Her looks is searching, analyzing, as she cannot hear the exchange from this distance. Introduction, association, relation, request, hesitance. Very interesting.

Sage gives a soft chuckle of her own, "Perhaps a little of both... although, it seems like the chair might be getting the better of you." She muses softly, before giving a faint shrug. "Just trying to find a selection of songs that I like... suggestions to listen to wouldn't hurt." She says, before glancing in the general direction of Tirzah. Whether to notice her staring or to check on available seating is another matter. Soon enough, she's looking back to the man. "And... you can always tell me how things are going with Vixen." She adds with a little mischief in her tone.

"My lengthy reading aside," The lingering smile of Leonard's greeting increases by a factor of at least 4, "we are doing quite well. Would you like to sit?" Her glance towards seating is noted, though he doesn't follow it. "Preferably a booth. I am in dire need of ...padding."

Explanation, but no recognition as Sage's gaze pans over her area. Setting her drink back down Tirzah lets go of the gaze, experiment conclusive. Pulling her salad back into her attention she takes a moment to eat some more of that before her eyes return with a softer gaze as it takes in the wide smile. She flushes slightly as the flames lick inside.

"Ah... I think that should be easy enough to find." Sage says, offering to link her arm with his playfully as she gestures towards an empty booth. "Perhaps we can even flag down a waitress along the way." She notes, before she looks off to the side and rises her drink faintly to her partner in recognition. Yet, she seems to have her own plans for the time being.

Leonard's eyes drop to his now-linked arm, but only for a moment. A chuckle follows as he nods. "It suppose it is time I let the ladies do their jobs for a while." He then steps towards the indicated seating.

The lamb, gullibly escorted by the wolf, as the puma observes. And is finally acknowledged by her partner of predation, but not invited for the spoils. Smiling a content smile Tirzah raises her own glass in response, feeling comfortable since Sage's gesture went unnoticed by Leonard. Then a new variable comes into play, a lanky but confident fellow stopping at her table with a hello and noticeable glances at the cards.

Keeping a close eye to make sure that her gesture of linking arms doesn't offend the man, Sage gives the man a small smile but keeps a comfortable distance between them rather than leaning in close. << Perhaps in a moment. >> She murmurs into the other woman's mind as she leads the man over to the booth. She calls out softly to a passing waitress for the man before looking expectedly to the man with her. She disengages her arm from his and moves to sit on one side of the booth.

Leonard takes a seat opposite Sage and retraces mental steps back to her request for aid. "I'm not sure what to offer for musical suggestions, since I don't listen to much, myself. Most of what Vixen plays over the air is pleasant. She's the one to ask, I think." When the waitress arrives, he asks for a glass of wine and then pauses to inquire of his tablemate, "Would you care for something?"

Her attention partially diverted to the fellow proposing a challenge to her for a game of chance Tirzah cant spare the thoughts to form a reply. Though she does manage a grin and feelings of encouragement off in that direction before she gives a hesitant nod to the man. As he takes his seat and gives the cards an inspecting shuffle she asks him about his experience, admitting her lacks. He nods and appears confident but not overbearing.

With the other woman seemingly content enough not to form a negative response, Sage directs her attention towards the other man. A small smile coming to her lips as he recalls her request. She gives a faint shrug to the man's comment about not listening to much. "Then, perhaps you might be able to recall some of the songs you liked while listening and I could try to catch them the next time she airs them?" She suggests, "But, I suppose she may be the one to ask for a greater selection..." She admits, before pursing her lips to consider the man's question. "I wouldn't mind a little finger food." She admits, before sipping from her drink.

A sampler platter of appetizers is added to complete the current order before Leonard returns his attention fully to Sage. In lieu of knowledge, he offers effort. "I've not paid much mind, but I could make note in the future if that would help? Not that I have the slightest idea what you might like." A soft chuckle follows the admission and is likewise followed by the obvious question. "What DO you like, Sage?"

The cards are dealt out and Tirzah considers her five briefly before looking at the man. His bland expression quite practiced as he returns the gaze to see her smirking coyly. Putting a modest bet forward she exchanges one of her cards and looks to take in his response.

"Ah... so, you've been using the music as more of a background noise until her voice comes back then?" Sage asks softly with a hint of bemusement, "I'm still trying to decide. The music I'm used to from home tended to be made by other people in the settlement than what this city has... and most of my knowledge of the music is from what I've heard in clubs." She comments, "I've liked some songs and not others." She pauses to consider what else she could add.

"I don't listen with quite that much dedication." Leonard chuckles, "Most of the time. It is the source of much of the music I've heard lately, though. Books are more my media of choice, but I do enjoy hearing her commentary." His shoulders roll in a slightly sheepish shrug. "I have to listen like everyone else, since she doesn't give out any preferential treatment."

Her challenger shakes his head, turning his cards over to show he did not have a hand worth betting on. Nodding Slightly Tirzah recollects her bet and places her cards back in the stack, unrevealed. Small talk ensues as she shuffles for the next hand. One of her answers disheartens him, the frown obvious as she deals out the cards.

Sage gives a soft chuckle, with amusement sparkling in her eyes at the man's dedication. "I see..." She comments, "I'm sure Vixen would be glad to hear that you don't hang off her every word." She teases lightly with a wink, and an amused curl to her lips. She gives a gentle shake of her head. "Perhaps you could pass along that I would hearing a sample of different kinds of music from her to be better able to tell what kind I may like, though." She suggests.

Leonard nods, smile curling to mark the amusement as mutual. "I shall, as one of my many duties as unofficial messenger for the celebrity. So you are a wisely-named chef, a patient dancer instructor and now a soon-to-be music afficanado. Should I dare ask what you might put your talents to next?" When compared to several previous examples, a good mood must have had a drastic effect upon Leonard. Or perhaps he was kidnapped in the elevator and replaced with a more socialable facsimile.

The cards dealt Tirzah briefly glances at hers again as she waits for him to make his move. But he hesitates, looking at her to spy her position but just getting her cunning expressions. But it is clear to her, that is is the last question, not the cards that are on his mind as she asks him why he continues to play with her answer. Further curious she points out further deficiencies in her person. He nods, as they are clear to see and pushes his cards away before taking his leave. Perhaps dificient himself but her answer stands. Then finishing her drink she pays her tab, ready to head out. But not before she makes a stop.

The amused smile lingers on Sage's lips as he comments about being an unofficial messenger. The comment receiving a faint nod in acknowledgment. She chuckles at the man's rundown of her skills. "You're too kind..." She says, "And... yet, there is much you have yet to know." Her tone getting a musing quality. "Still, I'd hardly call myself a dance instructor for you'd quite quickly see how I only pretend to know how to dance should you nudge me out onto the dance floor with Tirzah." She pauses, "Perhaps you'd enjoy seeing what I can do with plants sometime... if you can tear yourself away from your books to visit the garden, of course."

"I did get a small taste of her talents..." Leonard notes with a bemused smirk before he switches to intrigue intrigue and a lifted brow. "So you are mysterious, as well. I will try to do my reading in the garden, then, so that you might further amaze me. Not to mention the water running in the fountain does help keep me from sitting too long without a break."

As she near the conversation's words become clear. Smiling mischievously she trails a finger across Sage's shoulders before kneeling beside Leonard. "Sweet lamb, how do you fair?" She asks him with a whimsical smirk. mmm mutton.

"I suppose so." Sage comments, figuring the man is talking about Tirzah's knack for spicing up simple dancing. Her own amusement returning as the man comments further. "Somewhat mysterious, I suppose." Amusement dancing in her eyes at the comment about the fountain. It is about this time that she's distracted by Tirzah's presense. She reaches out her hand to give fleeting contact with the hand that's moved over her shoulder. Her attention shifting to the woman as she kneels by the man. A brow raising at her words, before her gaze drifts to the man.

Leonard reveals himself as no impostor as he startles at Tirzah's heretofore unknown presence is not so any longer. "Oh! Hello, Tirzah... Lamb?" He does not seem to understand the reference to defenseless easy pickings, but the uncertain glance from one woman to the next helps him play the role quite well.

Tirzah snickers as the roles is played to perfection. "Just observed qualities Leonard." She says, her tone reassuring. "Watching you two is always fascinating, but I'm on my way out so I thought I'd say hi and bye." She explains, considering if she wants to say more. But donning a content smile she rises and turns to Sage, leaning in to offer a good bye kiss.

When the man doesn't seem to take offense to being called a lamb, Sage settles for giving Tirzah a mildly quizzical glance but may pick up on the aptness from the man's reaction. If she does, she gives no real sign of it. Having been seen kissing Tirzah in public before, she has grown a little less reluctant to show her affection. The good-bye kiss is accepted, but kept modest enough due to company at the table. Her pager goes off as the kiss comes to a close. "And, it seems to be my turn to say bye as well." She says, looking towards the man with a mildly apologetic look. "Duty calls." She adds before she begins to wriggle out from her side of the booth.

"Ah..." Leonard voices his deep understanding of Tirzah's explanation. The affection between the two is hardly unfamiliar to him, though he remains neutral. He doesn't recoil, nor stare, nor celebrate. Sage's beeping and subsequent excusing of herself does draw a flicker of less than thrill, to be quickly replaced by an understandingly friendly smile. "It won't dampen your evening overmuch, I hope. Good eve, then, to the both of you." Then, in serendipitous timing only Leonard can arrange, the platter of appetizers arrives.

Taking a moment to enjoy the kiss Tirzah smirks at the sound of the pager. "Well then, I will enjoy your presence until our paths divide." She promises with a loving smile as her hand seeks out Sage's. "Take care of your shepherdess little lamb." She says to Leonard with a wink in parting.

"Take care." Sage says with a small smile, "And, it shouldn't overly much... I do enjoy nature." She comments, before looking to Tirzah with a smile that warms. "Until then." She agrees, knitting her fingers with the other woman's as they head off.