Mar 18 15:16:12 106 PA.
From Chronicles
Kingsdale - Kingsdale City Museum (Garden)
Located to the east of the Library is an open garden that extends from the floor, up five stories to the skylight ceiling. The garden is forty feet across with a large, polished marble staircase circling the garden extending up to each floor. The staircase has dark, highly polished mahogany railings on both sides of the ten foot wide staircase. In the center of the garden is a fountain about ten feet across. The fountain depicts ten individuals of varying race and sex who supposedly founded the Kingsdale Library. A book placed on a pedestal is located in the center of the ten statues and spews forth water that flows past the statues feet and into the fountain pool. Marble benches circle the fountain and seem more decorative than functional. Marble paths circle the fountain and garden joining to many pleasant areas to think and enjoy the tranquility of the garden. Flowers seem in constant bloom and the hedges of the garden are said to be the healthiest and most beautiful in Kingsdale. The most striking thing about the central garden is that it is a hanging garden. Plants, flowers, and ferns line the walls extending from floor to ceiling on tiers. During the day sunlight enters the central garden filling the area with light that almost has a magical effect especially at noon when the sun is at its highest.
When it isn't death-filled fog, it's wind and rain in massive quantities. The hanging gardens give the illusion of the outdoors, at the least, and the lighting a modest substitute for sunlight. Leonard is (yet again, according to witnesses) seated upon one of the benches, reference materials on either side, as well as his lap. It is the latter that current holds his focus as he speaks softly to himself, and the microphone clipped to his collar.
Walking into the gardens in the early afternoon Tirzah takes a brief look around to see who's about. I slight smirk is given to Leonard as she passes by but she doesn't interrupt his seemingly large task. Walking over to Sage's alcove she peaks inside briefly, no dice. Letting out a soft sigh she walks over to a nice patch of grass and sits down for a moment to relax.
Leonard might not be utterly engrossed as the woman's passing is noted, if belatedly. There is no indication that the smirk was, however, as he glances up briefly to witness the peek and sit. "Last I saw her, she was making preparations of some sort. I expect she'll likely be back by at some time." He is helpful, if rather presumptuous of Tirzah's wishes.
Tirzah looks over at Leonard, chuckling lightly as she shakes her head. "Well that narrows it down. Sage prepares for everything you know. Pretty much every time I see her part of it is preparation. Usually for the said time so I don't mind at all. But that wont show me where she may be." She explains for him with a kind informative tone. "Not too bothered anyway, didnt find a new book to catch my interest so I figured I'd check for her. Now I consider other options." She says, giving him a considering stare.
"Preparations with the garden, that is." Leonard motions a hand in clarification, which then falls slowly to his lap under her stare. "Other options?" Rather than wither or wilt, he simply arches a brow with the inquiry. Lamb, perhaps, but not necessarily veal." Fluttering down from higher up in the garden, a small light coloured object descends towards the floor below. Whether by chance or an unseen guided hand, it seems to be on target for coming down on Tirzah. A flower head that seems to have been removed just before it started to give way to its death and lose of attraction.
Tirzah snickers at Leonard, giving her lips a moistening lick. "Probably seeing Alistair then." She concludes briefly as the delicate flower floats down before her. Before it reaches the ground though Tirzah reaches out with her link, ensorcelling it to float before her. She smirks at Leonard before blowing the just picked flower at him. "it occurs to me you probably saved all our lives on that field trip. I know next to nothing about you, but thank you."
Of all the comments he might have expected from Tirzah, the one he receives ranks somewhere under 'didn't even make the list of what isn't on the list.' To his credit, though, his jaw remains attached and his eyes only widen all the way. "...You're quite welcome. I was simply glad to be useful." His lips curl into a wry smile as he recovers. "In addition to none of us becoming feed for undead horrors in another realm."
For the time being, there doesn't seem to be any sign that the flower head floating down was noticed from above. Although, there does seem to be someone working away on one of the sections in the hanging garden portion.
Tirzah shakes her head. "You don't have to be modest, I rarely am. And if you continue to be so shy I'm really going to have a hard time knowing more about you." She notes with a wink before sending the flower back up into the heights, drifting side to side with the ventilation during its ascent.
Leonard's eyes drift upwards after bits of floral detritus drift down. "I was not modest by intent. I should have able to do much more. Other worlds and the beings that dwell within them are my specialty. Yet..." He motions to the data surrounding him, the smile leaving his wry. "...to learn anything of relevance has only taken...four days? A week?" He is forced to check a chronometer to verify what day it happens to be.
Eventually, Sage seems to work her way down the hanging garden getting closer to the ground level. She pauses at different displays to fuss over them. She begins to hum softly as it takes less concentration as her foot and hand holds demand less concentration lower down.
Tirzah nods, understanding Leonard. "Well relying on those of course. As useful as reference to the unreachable as they are, I always find books to pale to experience." She notes before drawing from her link again, raising herself up after the flower towards the recognized hum. "Excuse me a moment." She says to Leonard as she departs the level. "Hello my love, lovely flower." She compliments, the flower drifting back down on cue.
Perhaps that is much of the issue, insofar as excessive reference materials are concerned. "Of course..." His gaze lowers to the item on his lap, which he then closes and sets aside. He then rises to perform a long overdue and much needed stretch.
It isn't until her partner's voice comes that Sage turns her attention to the woman with a smile. "Hey..." She says softly, "I'm glad you liked it." She says softly, as she considers the floating number. She gets an amused look as a thought occurs to her. "Usually when someone cares deeply for another they fall instead of float..." She comments softly with a mild tease. "I'm just about done here." She adds.
Tirzah giggles, wit lighting her eyes. "Yes normal people do. But I'm so affectionate that I'll fly up to you just so I get to fall again." She notes before dropping herself back down to the company of Leonard. "Explorer of other worlds hmm? Whats wrong with this one?" She asks, no challenge in her tone, just curiosity.
Leonard rolls his shoulders, then straightens his arms to unkink them, as well. "Nothing, per se. I've explored more of this one than others, so far. Australia was rather pleasant, in fact." The recent memory returns a healthy portion of smile to his features.
There is some amusement in her features as the woman makes her comment, but Sage also seems pleased by the response as well. "Cute..." She comments softly, before going back to her progression through the different displays. It will all eventually lead her to the ground floor before too much longer.
Tirzah shakes her head, betraying her ignorance with her blank expression before hand. "Where?" She asks, never having heard of the place. "Never mind, I'm sure it was. Perhaps one day a client will desire to go there and i will guide and get to see as much first hand." She suggests, a bit of wonderment in her tone. "So why Kingsdale?" She asks openly.
"It was the second population center of any size that I found," Leonard chuckles, "and somewhat more tolerant than Whykin. There are ley lines here, the Guild, and a more open view. I see little reason to wander too far nor too long." He belatedly looks upwards again to offer Sage (or her feet) a "Good day."
Once she's satisfied that the main issues have been attended to, Sage makes a short hop down to the ground floor and looks over to the conversing pair. "Hey..." She offers to Leonard as she walks over towards them. She brushes her hands off lightly on towel that she pulls out of her bag that hangs from her shoulder.
Tirzah nods, smirking still. "Wondrous fates, we live today, by luck of the draw that you found us second instead of any number of places. That and you found someone to tether you. Guess I owe a thank you to Vixen as well." She notes with a smirk.
Leonard gives Sage a more proper smile now that she's at a level to see it. Said smile widens and curls as it turns back to Tirzah. "Yes, she is another very good reason for me to stay, or return quickly. I will gladly thank her on your behalf."
Offering the man a smile, Sage wanders up behind Tirzah to wrap her arms around the other woman. Her hands will remain near the other woman's waist should the woman allow the gesture. "So long as the thrills are better than the horrors, right?" She asks with the man with a playful tone.
Tirzah welcomes Sage's embrace, resting her hands over Sage's once they are clasped. Smiling widely she looks over to Sage. "What horrors?" She asks, her voice full of dramatic innocence.
"Oh! I thought the horrors were part of the appeal?" His smile returns to Sage, still twisted with mirth. "Or I'm just becoming more and more accustomed to them. The benefit of delving into unknown and dangerous lands is that I do try to learn and adapt, once I survive the initial trip." Once the other woman responds to her embrace, Sage lets herself lean a little against the other woman's back without truly resting her weight against the other woman. She glances between the two of them, before she gives an amused smile over her own. Her gaze settling on Tirzah. "Yes, I see what you mean, Leonard." She muses looking back to the man.
Tirzah cant help but feel like she's the brunt of a joke at her expense as she pouts slightly. "But I haven't even begun to unleash horrors on this world." She notes with a cunning smile. But then a though occurs to her and she pauses as she recollects. "Oh dear..." She manages, apparently still thinking out her realization.
Leonard looses a chuckle, bemused, but not berating at anyone's expense. "At least I'm not the only foolhardy one, even if I did require a few well-placed shoves to get there. Not that I am about to complain."
A playful grin is given at the man's chuckle, but she doesn't join in herself. She nods faintly to his words before she turns her attention back to the woman in her arms. << Nothing too evil now. >> She chides playfully as she slips into the other woman's mind.
Genuine worry clouds Tirzah's mind as she disengages from Sage's embrace to sit down with the weight of her thoughts. "On the trip, the harbinger took over Raja, a mind spell. But it could have easily been any of us.. I could have been me..." She voices her thoughts to help her analyze them.
Leonard is perplexed by the sudden shift in mood and topic. "Yet it wasn't you?" A reflexive and uncertain attempt at reassurance, which might be less than productive with the delivery. His brow arches to display his curiosity, but he offers nothing further. If Tirzah is seeking comfort from unpleasant thoughts, he's not exactly the one to grant it.
As the realization of what the 'oh dear' had involved, Sage doesn't resist as the other woman disengages from her embrace as she becomes thoughtful. She moves to sit beside the other woman and lay her hand lightly on Tirzah's shoulder. "Life is full of unpleasant possibilities." She comments, "But, we can't fret over everything that could happen... just deal with what does happen as best we can."
Tirzah nods in agreement to Sage's sage words. "You're right, its just.. It would have been bad. We could face a harbinger again, or more than one, or another foe with such power.. I have no defense against that.." Tirzah says, visibly shaken. Dealing with her own vulnerability is clearly not her strong point.
"They are not invulnerable nor omnipotent, Tirzah." Now Leonard has more information with which to work. "The Harbingers can be defeated and their abilities counteracted. IF it becomes a problem in the future." Yes, toss in the uncertainty and optimism. A gentle squeeze is given to the other woman's shoulder by Sage as she tries to help comfort the redhead. She glances to the man, considering his words before nodding faintly as they make sense to her. She looks back to the other woman with a small smile on her lips, "Are you complete by yourself?" She asks softly.
Tirzah visibly brightens at the question Sage poses looking up to her partner in wonder. "Of course not. You can protect me from that?" She asks in return, small tears of hope in her eyes. "Because the vision I just had, of some corpse making me think you were the enemy that killed my love. The rage that I would unknowingly turn against you. its not a pleasant scenario." She manages.
Leonard now falls silent as the concerns are revealed to be much more focused and personal. In lieu of interjection, he turns to organize his materials for return to the shelves.
Hoping with the words offered by both her and the man will break Tirzah out of the deeply concerning thoughts, Sage momentarily thinks she's accomplished it until the question comes. She pauses before asking, considering how to word her answer. "Not yet." She comments, before she tilts her head slightly and raises a hand to cup the other woman's cheek as she considers Tirzah. "Then, I would be more fully one with nature..." She says calmly.
Tirzah does not appear very comforted by that final admittance but reaches out to clasp Sage's hand for strength as she rises. "Then we will do what we must I guess." She states blandly, her persona very oddly cold. "Sorry for the dark ending to the meet Leonard. I'll take my leave." She offers as she takes one step away before looking at Sage to see if she'll follow.
"Everyone had concerns on that venture, Tirzah," Leonard turns from his straightened pile to offer a smile, if somewhat lean. "and just as many now, I'm sure. I understand."
With the man seemingly packing up to head off and her immediate tasks done in the garden, Sage ends up standing up as her partner begins to depart. She isn't quite sure what will distract the other woman away from such grime thoughts, but she has a feeling they may linger until the threat has passed. At the look, she begins to walk towards the other woman. "Do you want a little company with your dark thoughts?" She asks softly.
Tirzah smiles wanly. "Some of your light will keep them at bay until we find the inspiration to conquer them." She offers with strength of determination.
