Mar 21 08:30:15 107 PA - Harry's Gym (Pool)

From Chronicles

On a tuesday morning, the pool at the gym is having a low tide of activity. Much of the city is going to work or sleeping off the night shifts. Most of the few lingering around now are the young or the old, who haven't yet been employed or are past their employment time. Vixen is not quite either, but she is here and she is relaxing on one of the lounges. THough she's dressed for swimming, she's not got a drop of moisture on her and seems content to lie stretched out and quiet under the warm lamps above. She even has a pair of sunglasses on to protect herself from the glare.

The lack of people is probably why Zyvis has chosen this time to swim, not as many families around to try and shield their children from him or the like, and hopefully the older people know better about what he is. One can dream perhaps. Wearing just a pair of shorts and with a large beach towel slung over one shoulder Zyvis heads into the pool area. He moves to find a place to set the towel down where it won't get wet or walked on before he heads towards the deep end of the pool and then crouches down at the edge and reaches down to see how warm the water is, probably preparing to go swimming since otherwise he's horridly underdressed.

Vixen does keep a casual watch on matters as she relaxes. So it isn't real hard to pick Zyvis out as he goes about settling. And as he tests the water, near enough for her to speak at a decent volume level with him, she offers a casual, "They keep the water warm. Won't shrivel up nothing, so jump right in." Her tone casually sly, a hand lifting to draw her sunglasses down so she can peer over top of them.

"I was more checking to see if it would wash off this white paint I was covered with as a child." Zyvis says with a playful grin since he recognizes the woman's voice. He pulls his fingertips out of the water and rubs his thumb over the wet tips and sighs, "Alas, it doesn't have the proper qualities." A chuckle is pulled from Zyvis lips and he stands up then dives into the deep end, cutting through the water with little drag thanks to his hairless physique and he starts to swim to the side, starting to do some laps in the deep end with practiced ease.

Vixen considers Zyvis before she says, "You don't look too bad for pale. But I'm not real partial to the tattoos. Never much went for face marks. Though it might be cause most face tatt guys are jerks." She smirks, then lifts her glasses up again as he jumps into the water. She doesn't have much draw to do so herself, but she'll happily watch him swim his laps casually. Something new to observe.

Zyvis can't really respond since he's doing freestyle laps, until he finishes the first set and then swims up to the edge of the pool nearest to Vixen. He drapes his arms over the edge and chuckles, "I like them." He gestures towards his face, "Adds a little color to the monochrome and helps set me apart from others of my kind. We don't tend to have identical tattoo's at the very least." He rolls broad shoulders in a shrug, "It's also for the psychological aspect too. I've more ran into bigger jerks and bigots that have no tattoo's at all, than do."

"Just personal experience," Vixen replies, considering Zyvis lightly once he's nearby again. The sunglasses still settled for now. "But yeah, too bad you can't just tell jerks by looking for a big sign on their face or over their head. Would save me a lot of grief, that's for sure. Have to pay more attention than that." She breathes out a light sigh, shifting her shoulders a little as she gets herself a bit more comfortable.

Zyvis pushes off from the edge of the pool and starts doing a casual backstroke set for a bit of cooldown but to keep his muscles still going. He chuckles as he swims, "Simple fact of life, the more people are around the more chance you have of running into undesirable elements. I've often thought about heading out into the wilderness on my own, or heading north to the clans of my people I hear about but... fact of the matter is I am sure some of them are big jerks too." He says with a wry smile as he continues to swim.

Vixen grunts lightly at that and shakes her head. "Won't catch me living out there. Might be more jerks here, but there are indoor pools, beds, heat, guys with guns on big walls and all that sort of stuff. Things I like a lot. Every time I go out there, I get tense.. cause you just don't know what you'll come across. Don't much like hat level of unpredictability."

"I don't really mind it... feels very comfortable to me." Zyvis says as he finishes this next set, once more pulling up along the section of the pool nearest to Vixen. "Then again... we have very different needs. That probably has much to do with it. You look at something and might think, 'Oh fuck.' I look at the same thing and think 'Tough meal.'" He chuckles and shrugs a bit, "But randomness? I don't think it's any different here. Everywhere is random and filled with uncertainty."

"Yeah, you got some random here. But you can trust more things than out there. Unless, I guess, you got people you trust to watch your back." Vixen rolls her shoulders slightly. "I don't trust a lot of people that much. Trust and friendship.. you got a lot of levels of that. People you really trust.. and people who are your real friends, ain't many of them, though some people get that mixed up in their head. Not me though."

Zyvis shakes his head, "Not what I meant." He gestures around, "All civilization does is give the illusion of certainty but nothing is certain. The Coalition could come roaring down on us, catching us unprepared with just a fraction of the forces they're using at Tolkeen and we'd be flattened. An army from a dimension nobody's even heard of yet could pour through a Rift to much the same effect. Maybe that invisible thing I'm trying to hunt was pregnant and breeds very fast and soon will overwhelm us." He shrugs a bit, "Life is full of uncertainty, and I think I prefer it that way. Without that, without not knowing what the day will bring, life would get horridly boring."

Vixen nods. "I guess so, but the army thing.. that's just reaching. Coalition could come rolling down here, but you've got to expect the Council has spies watching them like a hawk.. and any big troop movement would get seen for sure. So there would be warning.. days at least. Enough time to do what you have to. Same thing for that critter. Out there.." SHe motions north towards the gates. "You get.. minutes of notice at best, usually. Maybe a few minutes if you get lucky. And you don't have an army to hold back the nasty for a little while." She nods and breathes out again. "A lot of shit goes down here.. I'll admit it. But its better than being out there for sure. Especially for someone like me. You.. you could live out there better I'm sure. So it isn't so.. scary."

Vixen adds after a moment, "I like some boring. Life's been a struggle for me for a long time. And a little rollercoaster ride after for a few years. I suppose I am getting a little bored now, but there's something to be said for being just a little bored and having some stability."

"Maybe, then again, maybe not." Zyvis says with a shrug, "Look what happened to this world. One day it was all technological, from what I've heard everything was like a paradise. Then -bam- without warning, Magic comes back, Rift's open up, and everything went away and the human race was nearly extinguished. Complacency is bad. It leads to weakness and the inability to adapt. So for me, uncertainty is a good thing. It keeps us strong and on our toes." He smiles, "I -might- be able to live in the wilderness better than you, I can't say for sure, but that's really beside the point. There's stuff out there that will kill me dead just as easily as it would kill you, or any other human. Just like if someone were to walk in here and shoot a high explosive mini-missile right between us we'd both be toast." He shrugs again, "If you worry to much about the possibilities, then you can become paralyzed by them."

"Yeah, I don't like to worry," Vixen replies. "Don't know much about what happened before.. don't really matter much to me in the end, you know? BUt from what I hear, not much that could have been prepared for.. but who knows, people talk about all sorts of crap they don't know about. I just know I like being comfortable now. NOt real eager to put my life out too often. Though I guess I might be getting a little soft." She considers that with a light frown.

"I used to know this guy in the Burbs, old old human man, oldest person I knew." Zyvis says conversationally, looking off in the distance. "He always was digging for history. I asked him once why it mattered and he said that if we don't learn from history, we are doomed to repeat it." He shrugs a bit turning his attention back towards Vixen, "Don't know if he was right, but I know that if Magic were to just, go away as suddenly as it came back... we'd all be pretty fucked." He pushes off from the edge of the pool and starts to do another set of laps, at speed this time, swimming as fast as he can.

Vixen shrugs her shoulders and says, "Not me. Wouldn't effect none of my tech. And I wouldn't mind some of the crazy shit I've seen and heard of just going away. Leo'd probably be pretty depressed, but.." She shrugs, considering that. "I think he'd get over it. Eventually. But I doubt we've gotta worry about that. Or can, since if it does do that, probably won't be a damn thing anyone could do about it anyway."

Zyvis stops his laps again nearby, "You don't think it'd affect you?" He asks, "Really? What happens when there is literally nothing stopping the Coalition from steamrolling the continent. What's stopping other races that have even better tech that are here from taking over? One thing I've learned, is that Magic is the great equalizer to technology. Without magic, he whom has the best toys wins."

Vixen considers that, then shrugs her shoulders a little. "I guess so. But you know how things usually work.. no one can ever really stay in control. LIttle guys rise up, all that." He grimaces and adds, "Not really something that matters anyway. Talking about crap that's never really going to happen. That's all just opinion and such.. nice to talk about if you're in the mood to argue, but I'm not really feeling it right now." Not that that could be told before, of course.

Zyvis shrugs, "In a world of endless possibilities..." He says and leaves it at that as he starts to swim again, another set of cooldown backstrokes. "I still prefer to have my senses sharp. If no one can ever really stay in control, then nothing is ever immutable which means even Kingsdale could find itself disappearing. Or changed into a place I don't want to be. I'd rather be prepared and comfortable living in the wilderness, than being soft." He smiles wryly. "Anyways, sorry. Didn't mean to start up an arguement or anything like that."

Vixen shrugs her shoulders. "Just what happens," she replies casually. "Especially with me. I'm prickly. It's why some people don't like me, I guess. And maybe cause I don't make friends instantly like some people do." She shrugs faintly. "Juts shows who your real friends are. Tirzah's not one of them. She's got her own agenda, doesn't really give much a shit about me so its mutual. She's good for some occasional business, but.." She shrugs slightly. "Watch it with her. She likes to collect people that are useful to her, I think. And she drops you if you aren't anymore."

"I wasn't intending on inviting her along my hunt. She doesn't strike me as a hunter and if I am going to capture or kill that thing, I need people who can be quick, quiet, and... well hunters." Zyvis says with a shrug and a chuckle. He finishes his laps and then pulls himself out of the pool, heading to his towel to dry off, which doesn't take long due to the absolute lack of any hair, body or otherwise, for water to cling to. "Besides... to most people here I apparently have zero worth so... I doubt she will try to collect me."

Vixen shrugs. "You seem alright to me," she replies, her head turning towards him. She hasn't moved much and doesn't seem apt to do so anytime soon. "She's good if you have something big you want to blow up or destroy. And don't mind flash and fire. So if you ever have something like that, point her like a cannon and fire away. I'm not much a hunter.. at least no in your way. But I know the Dregs a bit. Not as good as I used to, but good enough. Been living on the outside, but I still go there almost every day. Can't keep a finger on the pulse if you don't."

Zyvis nods, "That is kind of you to say." but he still shrugs, "It doesn't matter in the end. I know my worth, I do not need the approval of others in order to be happy." He smiles wryly at that, wrapping his towel around his neck to drape along his shoulders. "The Dregs are very much like the Burbs. In a way I feel more comfortable there, than here in the more 'civilized' section of town. I do not know enough people there yet to really -know- it, but I am certain I could survive there indefinatly and easily if I wished to." He moves over towards an empty chair and sits down, "I think that is part of why I am going to hunt this creature down. There are many there whom will suffer and die at it's teeth and claws who have done no real wrong."

"That's the story every day in the Dregs, though," Vixen replies. "Hard to know what battles are worth fighting and which aren't. Fight too much and you'll be out of the game before you know it." She shakes her head. "But you never have a lack of people looking to fight that good fight. Most not really knowing what they're getting into. Most don't really get it.. if you could just change the Dregs, someone would have done it already. Think a bit too much of themselves, some. This Burbs place the same? Never been to a Coalition city."

"Oh I don't wish to change the Dregs. I have no illusions about reality. The Burbs is very much similar. To many people, no real law, living however they can in the shadow of a city." Zyvis says with a shrug, "There will be no turning the Dregs good, when you gather that many in a place certain things rise to the top. There are enough people in the Dregs that if they didn't like it they could go, forge their own path and make their own village or town, but they don't. I do not feel sorry for the people there, they have made their choice." He turns to relax in his chair after stretching his towel out on the chair before he does so. "No, I like the Dregs because of the life. The excitement. It keeps me sharp." He shrugs a bit then adds, "And there is plenty of food I don't have to try and morally justify eating there too. No, I don't want the Dregs or the Burbs to go all good at all." He smiles at that.

"The ones with the power do make it what they want. The gangs have the guns and the guys. Normal people don't. ONly thing that keeps the gangs in line is that the government will purge the place if things get out of hand. Which means if something in there starts to effect the nice areas of the city." She shakes her head slightly. "I'm just used to it.. even after living the 'high life' for a while."

Zyvis shrugs, "People aren't trapped there. They could leave if they chose to." Zyvis says simply. "No matter where you go, no matter how big or small a city. When you group a bunch of people together, d-bee or otherwise, there will be those who try to live off the other. Trying to change that is just as impossible as trying to clean out Mexico of Vampire or the Xticix in the north all by yourself." He relaxes and closes his eyes, "In the end, I like both places. The Dregs and the Burbs," He clarifies, "I can be who I am there. I can do what good I can without trying to starve myself."

"Physically, maybe. For real? They got no money, otherwise they'd live in a good place. They got no job prospects, because of who they are.. unless they're like me and have the chance. Can't live well out there.. no resources to start with, no armor, weapons." She lifts a hand towards him casually. "You don't got that problem. You got powers.. things you can do that you can live with. Most normal folk don't. Sure, there are some who are just shiftless and shit.. always the case, but lots of people can't just walk out, even if there aren't no bars holding them in."

"I disagree." Zyvis says, "People have survived much worse. Look what happened when the Great Cataclysm hit. There were lots of people who had no super technology, no magic. Yes, some of them died, but some didn't. Some formed up the small villages and townships that exist in the wilds today. They could learn by doing, or they could take advantage of those people who are willing to teach them but they don't. By their inaction, or their belief that they -can't- do something, they stop themselves from even trying." He shrugs, "I've had people in the 'Burbs come to me and ask me to teach them how to fight for example. Those people are making a choice to better themselves. Even the gangs, they are at least making a choice to better their lives the only way they know how."

Vixen shrugs. "I just think its real easy for you to say that. I'm sure you've had hard times, but I don't think you've ever been on the inside. So you just can't understand it. Easy to say, 'Get off your ass and do something', but not when you're in the sort of situation they are. NOt saying they're right for it, but you gotta know what its like. Hell, if everyone just 'did the right thing', world would probably be a better place. But that just doesn't happen. Mostly cause everyone has their own view of what's right and what ain't."

"I was born and raised in the Burbs Vixen." Zyvis says with a shrug, "Which, in a lot of ways is even worse than the Dregs. I don't even pretend to know everything about life in the Burbs, let alone here in the Dregs." He reaches up and laces his hands together behind his head as a pillow of sorts. "I do however respect those that are willing to try and make their lives better, than those that don't. There's nothing about me that makes me bullet proof or knife proof when facing a gang of thugs. I have to eat and sleep just like anyone else. I don't however, choose to simply accept my lot in life and merely exist." He shrugs a little, "I do what I can by virtue of my chosen eating habits. I could easily become just another full time predator, but I don't. So, honestly, I'm not sure just what you're trying to say."

"Ever had a family?" Vixen looks over towards him. "I mean, blood relations, people that were relying on you every day for food and protection? Kids that you'd rather protect than drag out into the unknown on the chance that you might start a little settlement and not get them eaten alive by something big? Most got a choice between that and sticking it out at the bottom of the barrel where at least you can be pretty sure that you can get food and some kind of shelter." She grins. "It's not just you physically, its who you are. Even if you're not a predator in the bad sense, you're one in the mental sense, I bet. You can't be like them because your mind don't work how ours does. Not saying that's bad.. probably good cause it makes you go out and do something. But that's not how most people are. Only reason I'm where I am is cause of how my mind works and that I got a few breaks amid the shit. And that I never had no one to take care of but me most times. A few things different and I'd probably still be in there."

Zyvis falls silent, "I did." He answers after a few minutes, "Have a family. Once." He doesn't open his eyes or change his posture at all though his tone does have some notes of sadness to it. "I wasn't raised by raccoons you know."

"People like you, though, right?" Vixen looks over towards him. "Other stalkers? I know everyone comes from somewhere. Goes back to being who you are. Way I hear it, you stalkers have instincts. Some people say you're like animals. I figured maybe that's half true. Got a little bit of that in there. Something a lot of people don't have."

"People are animals too. They just forget, or only remember bits and pieces. Or they corrupt what their instincts tell them." Zyvis shrugs a bit, "No matter what you are though, you have to have that drive in order to do something with yourself. Sure, I could go 'native', be nothing but a hunter, until I ran into something bigger and nastier than me then I'd be just as dead. But if people aren't willing to take risks, they're never going to change their lot in life. Why should I, or anyone else, go out of my way to help people who are... pointless. Existence in and of itself is pointless, it demotes someone to a pure animal state in another way. It makes them Prey. Without prey their is no predators. So it's still a choice as I see it, to be predator, or be prey."

Zyvis adds, "I do what I do, for the children who have yet to be able to make their choice."

Vixen nods and seems content with where things have gone, since the next thing she asks is, "So what do you do when you're not hunting or whatever else? You're the first stalker I ever talked to, so what'd you guys do for fun? Besides swimming, I guess. And hunting and that sort of thing."

"I like to play cards and dice." Zyvis answers with a smile, "Games of chance." He opens his eyes and rolls over on his side to face the woman, propping his head up on a hand and elbow. "I've thought about trying to learn how to operate power armor and the like. It seems like it would be fun and empowering." He smiles wryly, "Strange right, coming from a mutant like me." He shrugs, "I've always wanted to fly..." He looks thoughtful for a few moments, "To be honest, I like to hunt too. I find it... exhilarating. I must be something of an adrenaline junky."

Vixen smirks a little at that, remaining on her back and comfortable. "So I guess movies are out? Dunno about flying.. never learned how to drive anything more than cars.. motorcycles. But cruising around on one of those is pretty hot. Even if you're not a few hundred feet above the ground, flying along is pretty damn excellent."

"I've never seen one." Zyvis admits, "A movie. I love hovercycles. They're the closest thing I've ever been to really being able to fly, all on my own."

"You should see one," Vixen says. "Probably you'd be all action." She grins idly at that. "And I think I've laid out here enough too." She sits up, but doesn't stand just yet. "Me, I like music. I should play more, but just not feeling.. creative as of late. Kinda sucks, you know?" She looks at him again.

Zyvis shrugs, "I don't know. What is the point of a movie really? To escape from reality?" He gestures around and then rolls back over onto his back and stretches. "I rather... enjoy my life. I have no need to step beyond it into make believe. Then again, I could be totally wrong and they might be great. Hard to say never experiencing one."

Vixen chuckles and gets up, her arms extending over her head in a slow stretch. She's not too mindful of showing off a bit, but she's well toned, so there's no reason not to be. As she relaxes she turns to face him and says, "Let's put it this way.. most of the stuff you'll see in a typical action movie you'll never do in real life. It is a bit of escapism, but its the nice kind. Safe, where you can experience something fully without having it turn into a disjointed memory full of trauma, physical or not. Or maybe you'd get into dramas or romance." She grins and adds, "Though I dunno.. I'd never think a stalker would get off on romance stories."

He tilts his head to the side and asks, "Do you think just a psi-stalker cannot love?" Zyvis' tone is curious, and not insultive or insulted even as he too rises to sit up and then get to his feet without any showing off at all (But then Mr I cannot tan... eww). He bends down to pick up his towel, looking over at her curiously.

Vixen shrugs. "Can you?" She picks up a small bag she slid under the lounge. "I guess you can, but I hear some d-bees do it different ways. Though rumors ain't really all that reliable anyway. And I guess stalkers ain't really d-bees." She grins and adds, "Have you? Most romances are pretty sappy. Not really my bag, since its all just candy coated nonsense."

"We can." Zyvis says with a shrug, "My parents were very devoted to each other, and to my sister and I until the day they died." He wraps his towel around the back of his neck. "We are, in many ways, still quite human. Our emotional range was not changed. We love, we hate, and everything in between." He smiles a touch, "As for me personally, well, that's something to be discussed another day." He shrugs and then starts to walk for the door, "As for Romance movies, I cannot say. I am still trying to picture myself sitting still for long enough to watch any movie."

Vixen grins idly and starts off walking with him. "I guess so. But looks don't always say.. some people might look human, but they ain't. But I'll take your word for it. Not that it changes much for me, I tend to take most things case by case." She shakes her head, then lifts a hand in a casual sweep. "Anyway, c'ya." At which point she breaks off to travel towards the female change rooms. Cause she's not dressed for the cold at all.

Zyvis smiles over at her, "You are more enlightened than many, I think there is a great deal you hide behind that non-chalance Vixen. Even your namesake, I think, is a subtle camoflauge." He lifts a hand in a wave to the woman as he heads towards the men's changing rooms and whatnot, to get back into his armor and collect his weapons and the like so he too can head out into the weather comfortably.