May 02 07:45:32 106 PA

From Chronicles

May 02 07:45:32 106 PA

Kingsdale - Kingsdale City Museum (Library)

Early Monday morning is never the most joyous time for anyone, even those not dredging themselves out of sleep for a return to the daily grin. Perhaps even moreso for those not accustomed to it. Leonard is seated at a table, an array of items before him that includes a worn book, PDD, and a sleek pocket comp. His attention shifts between them, fingers tracing information on one before keying it into another.

Ema emerges from the stacks, clad in a pair of low riding blue jeans and a short T-shirt exposing more than a little midriff, canvased shoes on her feet making almost no sound as she approaches the studying Leo, "Doing some homework?" she asks with a grin, a few books clutched under one arm as she smiles down at you.

Leonard startles at the sudden question, reflexively flipping the PDD to face the tabletop. The moment passes as recognition sets in, however, and he looks up to offer her a smile. "Morning, Ema. Some homework, yes. A bit of planning before the planning, since the last meeting didn't go exceptionally well."

Ema shakes her head, eyes moving to the PDD briefly before looking back up at Leo, "No, it really didn't." she offers with a grin, "I can honestly say I came out their knowing about as much as I did when I entered." she shrugs, circling the table to take a seat opposite of you, her books set down on the chain beside her, "Though it was interesting to see the initial group dynamic. Quite the rag-tag group you have there." its a bit odd how casual she is at the moment, her usually flashy style completely repressed this morning.

"It was a bit premature, I admit." Leonard exhales a sigh, then smirks. "Well, none of us are professional military or the like. I'm not, at least. Dressing down, today?" Her attire hasn't gone completely unnoticed.

Ema grins, her eyes rolling as she sticks her tongue out of the side of her mouth, "I'm a real person, and a pretty normal girl, believe it or not, and sometimes I like to just come into the library and read for a bit, and not be molested." she smirks, "I served a bit of time in a military outfit, in another life, feel free to ask me any questions you might have, maybe i can help?" she shrugs, leaning forward in her chair.

Leonard chuckles, returning her grin with a wry smirk. "I think that I believe the military experience more than the rest. I'll be calling everyone back again to plan, now that we have all that we need, really. It looks to be far easier than I expected, but we should try to prepare for contingencies."

"Oh? Care to share this new revalation that has made this situation easier?" she pushes hair behind her ear, bells chiming, "I have to admit, after our last conversation, I didn't even know what exactly you wanted us to do. I assume we have a goal in mind now? Somethign a bit more concrete?"

Leonard nods, leaning forward in a mix of eagerness and discretion. The casual volume of his words lowers further. "We have a target, route, reconaissance, and transportation to and back. All we need do is plan and execute, with only a few requirements. This may also be just the first of many opportunities. A proving grounds, of sorts."

Ema Hrmphs, hands folding before her as her chin drops down onto them, one eyebrow arches as she stares at the table for a second, "Well, hooray for that, I guess. That should make it a whole bunch easier for us." she smiles up at you, eyes on yours as se regards you, "Who is this client that's giving you this info, if you don't mind me asking?"

Leonard switches off the PDD and pocket comp before him, slipping both back into his cloak. "Norwick, the man who approached myself, and later Bek. He is a man with some talent for magic, from what I've seen, and obviously has no love for the Coalition." His shoulders roll slightly as he then closes the book of maps. "Of course, he could have business as well as personal interests in this, since he is offering up quite the sum."

Entering the library Tirzah sports a good size satchel laden with books. Apparently returning she slides them through the scanner for return one at a time save one. The last dusty tome in the pile she slides over to renew before putting it back into the satchel. Making her returns neat on the restock cart for the librarian she smiles lightly, content.

"Anyway you could setup a meeting with this guy? I wouldn't mind asking him a few questions." she leans back, shrugging as she watches Leo, "Will be nice to have some work again, though, i've been getting a little bit bored, a little bit antsy lately, need some steam to blow off." she grins as she looks over to the side, watching someone walk by with a handful of books.

Emerging from one wing library Tirzah sports a good size satchel laden with books. Apparently returning she slides them into the restock cart for return one at a time save one. The last dusty tome in the pile she slides over to to a copier. Making her returns neat on the restock cart for the librarian she smiles lightly, content.

Leonard rolls his shoulders to Ema's question, Tirzah's presence not yet noted as he takes a sip from his paper-enclosed coffee. "He comes to me, but I can mention your name, specifically, if you wish." A chuckle follows. "I'm sure that you'll get plenty of opportunity to vent, especially if there are more tasks coming. You haven't found another... outlet, already? You seem pretty good at that." His brow lifts in a mixture of genuine surprise and mild tease.

Stepping over to the copier Tirzah goes about copying several pages in the book she has not yet returned.

"If you wouldn't mind, I don't mind risking my neck for a few creds, but a brief conversation wouldn't hurt. I want to make sure we're not getting into something bigger. Its a lot of money to be offering, and if he's got some sorta grudge or vendetta..." she trails off, eyes noticing Tirzah as she stretches her arms back over her head, "Anyway, I like to go in with Eyes Open, you know?"

"It would hardly surprise me if he has one," Leonard shrugs once more, "since most of us are less than welcome to the dear 'Emperor.' Still, his agenda is his, and I doubt he'll be too forthcoming. He shared with me what we needed to know, but what he omitted was likely intentional."

Tirzah finishes her copying, carefully tucking the loose papers back into her satchel. The she places the book back on the cart with the others. Looking about to find her next section of interest she notices Leonard and Emayn and walks over with her content smile.

"Either way, I'd like for him to be the one to tell me that, so if you could let him know, and we'll see what happens from there." the approaching Tirzah refreshes Ema's Smile as she offers a wave, speaking as she approaches, "Long time no See huh?" she say with a smirk, "whats up Tirzah?"

Leonard nods to Ema, then turns his attention at her greeting to offer Tirzah a smile of his own. "Good morning. How is your new friend?"

Tirzah nods to Leonard and Emayne and gives a half hearted shrug. "Just doing some research for my own ambitions." She explains elusively before looking to Leonard. "I havent checked on her yet today, but I assume she is eating, as usual. Why?" She asks curious about the interest even if its only casual.

Ema lets out a laugh, "I can't even begin to understand how you'd afford to feed something like that. The costs alone must be staggering..." she grins up at Tirzah, "Not may people would have taken her i, I think."

Leonard chuckles. "Not the easiest hunger to sate, for sure. Neither of you will take offense when I don't invite her into our apartment for the next meeting, I hope." The remainder of his coffee is consumed before he continues. "Still, having a rather large ally has it's benefits along with the risks. That is something that I'm considering, myself."

Tirzah shrugs, but her expression grows keen. "You both seem to speak as if you've met Meu, or maybe I outdid my explanation. The feeding is not as daunting as you might think. She's a great hunter so we just head out into the wilds and she hunts for a few hours. That and her winnings from the arena supplement the bill. Once i have a better feel for her i think I'll see if she can act as a grunt on my guiding trips as well." She explains to the pair.

"Can't say i've had the pleasure, but news travels fast, and she's hard to miss from a distance." she grins up at Tirzah, "Still, must be nice to have a friend like that, help keep potential rabble in line, huh?" she leans back in her chair, it leaning back on two legs as she rocks, "I'll have to check out this arena, I think, might be fun to have something to watch."

"Nor have I." Leonard rolls his shoulders in response. "I was merely estimating. It is good that you both have some form of arrangement, though. If she were to have just arrived here unbidden, I don't expect that the welcome would've been warm. How is everything else, then, Tirzah? I'm assuming that your trip was successful, but I've barely seen you or Sage since you left."

At the mention of Sage Tirzah trembles slightly and looks away, taking a moment to clear her head. Turning back she seems steady though there is a slight welling of tears. "The trip went quite well. I'm expecting Denma to be visiting in the next few days to proceed with the survey. That's actually why I'm here, he asked me to research mining here and though the city gave me the run around I finally found a lead."

Ema of coruse notices the change in Tirzah's features, and seems to be polite enough to let the topic slide past as she looks over to Leo questioningly, "Mining huh? Not the career choice i'd have guessed for you at first glance." she grins, eyes appraising once more of the woman before her, "Though I guess our first impression of each other didn't come in the most normal of circumstances."

Leonard's casual mirth dims at Tirzah's reaction, lips pursing and brow arching in a question that remains otherwise unasked. Instead, he comments on Ema's words. "It's all for a noble cause, actually, and not just a professional venture. At least, that is my understanding of it." He then smirks. "It wasn't in the hallway, was it?" That is the first time he recalls seeing both women together.

Tirzah smirks a Emayn pushing the reminder of Sage aside. "Oh guiding is still my career choice. The mining is just a side venture for an associate and the city." She clarifies, seeming quite recovered. Her look to Leonard is a bit confused. "In the hallway?" She asks, missing the reference.

"That'd be it, Leo," he eyes moving up to Tirzah again, "When I had my first meeting with our Dark Friend Ahriman?" she shrugs, "You were hardly the mining type that day, much more the knight in shining armor." a wink, and a grin follows. "Still, I guess it never hurts to diversify."

"Not the best of days for most of us, I'd say." Leonard nods as Ema confirms his guess, somber countenance remaining for the moment. In light of most topics provoking some sort of unpleasant connotation, he is quiet after that.

Tirzah nods catching on. "Oh right, Ahriman. I just saw it coming. He was pursuing me before though not so forcefully. Though I was shocked to see that position on another in the hallway my opinion of him was just verified and i felt kind of responsible because I didnt correct him earlier. He's form a very different time when our race was much less adept in many ways." She explains, shrugging again as she feels unsure about why she would defend him with her latter explanation.

Ema's eyes narrow a bit, regarding Tirzah a moment more, "You don't actually mean to tell me you believe that nonsense about him being thousands of years old, do you?" she shakes her head grinning, "I'm convinced he's just an Insane D-bee that can't handle the transition of living on rifts earth." she allows her face to get pensive, "Unless you know something I don't?"

Leonard shakes his head, his mirth returning in the form of a skeptical smirk. "I'm inclined to agree with Ema on that. He might be wholly inhuman, but immortality is a bit absurd. Had he the power he tries to imply, that altercation would have gone differently, or not existed at all."

Tirzah giggles shaking her head at them both. "Oh dont be absurd I don't mean to imply he is some deity. But there are some marks to his version of things. One is the questions I got to ask him thanks to Leonard, the other is the fact he can speak a form of elemental." She counters with a smirk. "No he is very mortal I think, by actions if nothing else. Because really, what would a god need with us? If it is truly a god it should be completely indifferent to anything we do, because nothing we can do will affect it." She offers in a moment of sageness.

Ema looks around and frowns, eyes scanning the room around her, eyes darting to doors and exits for a momenet before looking back to the two in her group, "He's definitely not indifferent, thats for sure, more than a little bit interested in our affairs, an almost human trait." she smirks shrugging as she goes to scoop her books off the chair next to her, setting them in her lap, as she scoots her chair back just a tad, "Dangerous, still, I think, but not in the way he'd like us to believe."

Vixen comes into the library smoothly, her hands sunk into the pockets of her coat, her eyes scanning the library from the first step in. She has an inkling of hte direction to go, but eventually she finds what she's looking for. And more. And she gets a sense for some of the talk, head cocked slightly to favor her special ear. "What's all this about?" Her eyes move over Tirzah and Emayn casually, her balanced expression lingering as she moves around to Leo. Standing behind his chair, she leans over and brushes her lips against his cheek before moving to the seat beside him.

"They wonder," comes a deep voice, a shadowy figure coalescing from a shaded corner, "if they may believe anything I say. If I have lied to them." Ahriman steps forward, an opened tome in hand. It appears to be something related to minerals, though the type is small and the pictures hand-drawn. "It was easy to be indifferent until a few hundred years ago. Nothing your kind possessed could harm me. Since this awkward transition, I have had to take a more ... interactive role with your kind." Flipping the book closed, the dark creature notes, "You are indifferent to the affairs of most animals lacking teeth sufficient to hurt you. Imagine rheesus monkeys with pistols, orangutans with laser rifles. You would pay closer attention then, I imagine."

"Maybe he's just too accustomed to frightening away the uneducated or skittish," Leonard rolls his shoulders in a shrug, "and begun to believe the tales he's caused." Vixen's question draws his attention, and a smile that only widens at her affection. "Morning, Vix. Just discussing..." His words trail off as he looks to the latest voice, who also happens to conveniently answer Vixen's question for him.

Tirzah smirks at Ahriman with his coalescence. "How convenient Ahriman, I was just clarifying for the others your difficulties but you work it fairly well. Though I imagine in the world of old we were closer to ants than monkeys and monkeys, well I doubt they were worth much notice. But the past is the past, we should look at the current world and its issues, more than how it was before." She suggests considering making her way out.

Ema watches the darklings approach, having seemed to be waiting for him to appear from behind the rows of books around them, a guarded look on her face despite the grin she holds, eyes flashing briefly to the spine of the book her carries, her attention only briefly split to acknowledge Vixen's arrival before returning to the shadowy being, "Must be terrifying to be out in the day with us, then, all armed and jumpy, just waiting to take a shot at our primal nightmare personified in such a little package." she shivers, the motion exaggerated as she offers a sympathetic smile, "you poor poor dear." her voice is soft, and only a little teasing.

Vixen starts slightly, almost as her rump touches the seat, her eyes flicking towards Ahriman when he emerges in that sudden manner. Her eyes narrowed before they take him in. Her lips barely mouthing the word, 'shadow man'. The eyes remain tightly narrowed as she takes in his words. "Talking like that you're asking to get shot up," she responds to the dark one. "You might want to watch how you phrase things, otherwise a monkey or few might decide you have too few holes in you."

Leonard simply regards the darkling with neutral interest. "Yes, alarming the wildlife is generally unwise." He never doubted that Vix would have any difficulties in knowing Ahriman when he was seen, but now isn't exactly the time to rub the fact home. "You're not out hunting for meat again, I'd hope. Dripping on the materials here would also be a poor idea."

Ahriman circles the group, staying further back towards the media section where the lights are kept dim. He glides more than walks, the top of his spiked hair kept at a precise five feet, ten inches off the ground. "I am farily certain," he adds, his black gaze sweeping over Vixen, "that in your language I cannot compare you to yourself in a fruitful manner. Monkeys are another tool-using species. I could have as easily said cyborg elephant, but this would have been a less useful mental image." He keeps walking, approaching Emayn, drawing silent as his eyes narrow. Staring at her silently.

Tirzah nods as she sees nothing new develop. "Well this was fun and distracting guys but i better go check on Meu, she's peobably hungry again." She explains the the group. Then turning to Ahriman she makes a more directed comment. "Denma has sent work that he will be here soon, if perhaps you wish to be involved." She informs him in offereing and then heads out.

Ema offers a brief wave to Tirzah, "See ya around," she offers, her attention focusing back to the Shadowy man, "What bring you out in the daytime, hmmms?" her face hard, eyes dark and slightly narrowed, darting towards your book choice once more, "I'm surprised you can bring yourself to read our literature, it must seem so bland."

"Or you could stop being difficult and call a human a human," Vixen replies simply, her eyes following where Ahriman goes steadily. "What are you? Or should I just go by how you're acting.. and how I've heard you've acted and call you a jackass? Cuts both ways." Tirzah's departure is left to its own, though the seeming common thread that she and Ema seem to share doesn't go unnoticed, her eyes flicking briefly towards the other woman.

Ahriman's eyebrows lift, disregarding Vixen as she speaks. He frowns, asking of Emaya, "The smaller one does not understand a metaphor. This is a human invention, yes? The metaphor?" He shakes his head, black mane falling behind him in a wave, and stares up. "I have been here some days now. It seems every time that bright orb has fallen, I find something newly interesting to investigate. Your science is something I haven't before seen. And your history!" He laughs, a deep, barking sound. "I read that a man named 'Columbus' proved the earth round by sailing to the edge of the world, and yet remember a certain man by the name of Aristotle who knew this over a thousand years before. No, your history is not bland. It is quite entertaining."

"Nothing endures forever," Leonard notes as he trails Ahriman with his eyes, "not even knowledge, unfortunately." He can't help but smirk at Vixen's observation, hand nearest her moving to rest on her leg. His attention otherwise remains on the darkling as he adds, smirk deepening with his sarcasm, "I'm glad you find it so amusing."

Ema seems almost taken aback a moment, "Next you will no doubt tell us you were both students of Plato? Or perhaps you were the whisper in the ear of the Athenians who had Aristotle's teacher killed for trying to pull the human race out of ignorance?" and eyebrow arched, face still cold, "Still..." she turns her head towards those across from her at the table, leaving the though unfinished as she stands, books under one arm as she slides a hand into the pocket of her jeans, checking for something, "It seems to have gotten a bit noisy here, odd for a library..." she nods Leo and Vixen's way, "If ya'll will excuse me?" turning to walk up to Ahriman, standing before him challengingly, "I wish I could say it was a pleasure, but I think you'd know I was lying..." A grin spreads on her face, for him only to see, "Still, it is a bit of change from our usual interactions, hmm?" a smile, and she turns to head towards the checkout.

"Vixen, not 'small one'," said young woman states, her eyes narrowed. "Metaphors are an easy way to mask disrespect in the haze of semantics. It's how you say it, not what you say." She glances towards Emayn and calls to her, "Wait up! Have you ever felt insulted when I call you chick? Despite it being considered by some a demeaning word?" The question tossed out just below the level that might call down a bevy of librarians with dictionaries in hand. She looks to Leo at his touch and smiles, one of her hands slipping over his quietly. "I'll be impressed if he finds cartoons amusing," she adds casually.

The dark creature shrugs faintly, explaining, "I was mostly in Persia at the time, but I read him. He was well-liked." Ahriman eyes Emayn slipping away, and lifts his book. Minerals of the World. Perhaps less entertaining now than it was some moments before. "I do not understand most of your cartoons," he speaks softly, watching that little Asian one leave. "They are specific to a time and a place and a morality, and I spend so little time in any one place that they become inscrutable."

Leonard chuckles, finally turning his full attention to Vixen for a moment. "I guess you won't be impressed, but that isn't an easy task, afterall." His free hand is lifted to give a parting wave in Ema's direction before he finally swivel back to Ahriman, dubious. "What seems little time to you sounds as if it could be a lifetime for most others. More than enough time to learn, at least for the rest of us."

"I suppose that's your loss, man. Nothing like a good laugh at some classic cartoon violence," Vixen replies to Ahriman. "People can make all sorts of long winded, profound observations about things that may or may not exist, but it doesn't get any better than a tight, clean gag with a cartoon mouse wreaking havoc no a cartoon cat. That stuff's timeless.. hear some collectors have the old stuff from centuries back." She looks to Leo. "I think I seen one once, but the guy could have been lying." She shrugs her shoulders. "Never learned much about stuff from back then." She lets Eam go for now, but makes a quiet note to herself regardless.

Alistair enters the library casually, quickly moving between the shelves to look for something, then he comes out the other end looking a little perplexed, and no books in hand. Spotting familiar faces nearby, he smiles and greets them, "Hello!" in a reasonably quiet tone so as not to be persecuted by the Library police.

"But do you know geology?" Ahriman's voice rumbles deeply, sounding like someone trying to kick-start a chain-smoking harley. He raises the minerals book to demonstrate, and waves. "I have been across this state, and into neighboring states as well. Unless by some rift or hidden in a jewelry store, I can divine nothing useful beneath the earth. A flat, useless land, whose sole interesting dimensional anomaly is too tightly guarded to explore."

From afar, Vixen is going to add the rest of the log from the Alibi and seperate the part with all the people at Leo's into a new log.

"I'd have expected you to cheer for the cat, in that case." A brief grin is flashed to Vix, and then Leonard's head shakes to Ahriman's question. "Geology? No, and a lack of easily excavated riches doesn't make the land useless..." There is likely more he would say, but he turns to Alistair's greeting, instead. "Morning." A wave is added, as well.

Vixen grins idly at Ahriman and replies, "I know how to do a lot of interesting things, but that ain't one of them. Dirt is dirt to me. Though I guess it has uses." Her shoulders roll slightly as she wonders, "Why're you looking and what for?" She then looks to Leo then and laughs lightly. "Most cartoon cats are total doofs, Leo. Not sure why they make the mouse smart.. I guess it's more fun to cheer for the little guy." She then looks to Alistair and nods to him. "Hey yourself. What's up?"

Alistair's brows hike up a little at what he does manage to catch of the topic, but he doesn't interject anything of his own opinion for the moment. He just smiles back at the greetings, "Oh, just me" he replies, shrugging his shoulders a little. "I was just looking for some books" he explains.

The shadowed being adds, "Bort. Beryl. Corundum. Crystalline minerals found in volcanic environments. Not even this great seizure of your planet has so disturbed the crust so as to allow them within a thousand miles." As Ahriman steps back into the shadows, they seem to thicken about him. One corner of the shelving gets an unnatural darkness to it, into which he begins to fade, Matching the colors about him, so as to be nearly invisible. "Though I may answer your question. You humans are poor individual hunters. You huddle in groups and fear the unknown. You fear predators. You fear one another. You take with you the frightening knowledge that the death of the individual is often necessary for the evolution of the species. The mouse is an allegory. He survives though he is weak, and alone, and inferior. He uses his wits against the predator, against the unknown. He is your hope for individual salvation. Me? I weep for the cat."

Leonard offers an observant, and grinning, appraisal of Alistair's quest. "I think you've come to the right place, then... and that sort of cheering I heartily agree with." The last is to Vixen, following her toon clarification, en route to his gaze returning to the darkling. Once there, his mirth dims right along with the area around Ahriman. "All the more reason to cheer for the mouse."

"You're 'up' without Cali being around?" Vixen casually tossing the playfully vague but innuendo dusted comment at Alistair before considering Ahriman as he speaks. She frowns in response to it and shakes her head. "Talk about over examination.. maybe that's why he doesn't find them funny." she suggests to Leo. She then looks.. toward where the shadow man should be. "Maybe you shouldn't think so hard about it and you'd laugh cause over thinking sucks the fun out of everything. Not everything in life is deep as the ocean." She slips her other hand under Leos, lightly enclosing it between both as she looks to him. "I bet you can guess I always cheer for the scrappy upstart."

Alistair blinks his eyes, "But - I ... um ... " he blushes, of course, "I meant - " he stops there, thinking of something to say, and after a few moments of spinning his wheels he tries to broach the other subject. "I think that is a misunderstanding of entertainment ... animals fear each other too. And they fight - evolution goes a little beyond genetic material these days."

That corner of the room flickers up to normal illumination, like a fluorescent light whose ballast kicked back on to high gear. The book, the darkling, gone. But is he really? He can't leave. It's sunlight out. He was just as mysteriously 'gone' before he spoke!

Leonard leans forward slightly, peering into the darkness that is, was, and may still be Ahriman. After a moment, he looks between the blushing Alistair and the woman at his side, shaking his head with a bemused grin. "Don't let her fluster you /too/ much, and you," he leans in to Vixen, "are more than scrappy, so I'm not surprised at all."

Vixen just grins in amusement at Alistair and states, "Now you're overthinking," she states, glancing back to.. huh, gone. Her eyes narrow and she glances around a few moments before she seems to give up on it for now. She looks back to Alistair and states, "The mouse dumps a tank on the cat and that's funny because it is. That's as deep as you have to think. Everything else is just pointless mental gymnastics." She looks to Leo and adds, "He is creepy as fuck.. wouldn't want that weirdo touching me out of the blue." She squeezes Leo's hand between her own as she considers a moment then muses aloud, "I wonder if he's vulnerable to the knee."

Alistair takes a breath and sighs, relaxing a little. "I was implying the cartoon was not meant to reflect reality because -" at the mention of the tank, "Right" he smiles, "So - how are things going? Did the wardrobe work out?" he inquires, tilting his head a little.

"Let's hope you don't ever need to find out the hard way," now Leonard smirks to her, "but I told you you'd have no trouble recognizing him... and I'll need to find some of these cartoons, now." The smirk almost melts away as he nods to Alistair. "Yes. She's filled it up without any problem whatsoever."

Vixen gives Alistair a sweet little smile. "There you go." She then nods, looking to Leo. "It's in place and not quite filled up. Reason I liked it was it gave me some room for more when I find some other nice tidbits. I'm always on the lookout for some nice duds. Especially leather. An outfit doesn't seem whole to me without a little leather in it."

"Mmm..." Alistair blinks his eyes, looking from one to the other, and then at floor at the mention of leather. Then he hops subjects again. "Oh! Cali and I will be going to Laramy to fix this generator" he mentions, brows hiking up a touch.

Leonard chuckles. "I'm becoming rather fond of leather, as well, and might need to do some shopping of my own. Which reminds me that you never did tell me if you picked up anything on your shopping excursion." His attention shifts to Alistair with his announcement. "Oh? I hope the two of you can make the trip more enjoyable than just work. She never seems to get away from the garage, or I rarely see her outside of it, at least."

"Really?" Vixen's casual response on the matter. "Well, that shouldn't be too hard, she's a whiz with gear. I know a little, but nothing like she does." She then looks to Leo and smirks faintly. "We'll have to see how a pair of leather pants fit you some day." She then considers Alistair again. "Just fixing the generator?" Her expression turned quietly thoughtful.

"It will be an okay trip I'm sure" Alistair smiles at the thought, and looks from Leo to Vixen. He nods his head a little, "Just that, Cali said it's starting to malfunction or wear down or something of the sort" he explains.

Leonard grins. "I'd suggest hitting it with a large stick, but I think I'd be the one hit for saying that. A master of the mechanical I'm not. Speaking of which," his grin swivels to Vixen, turning slightly apologetic, "I'll need your expert electronic talents on a few things, later."

"Well, if you two want some backup, let me know. I got my own transport and I'm handy with a pistol. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get some info on Laramy either. Let folk here know how things are going on that side of the field," Vixen offers, one hand lifting from Leo's to gesture casually. The other looks to lace fingers with him. "I could even give her a hand.. though my own knowledge is light. Maybe there will be a little room for the refugees there too." She turns her attention to Leo then, her brow arching a little. "What about? I know a fair share on some things.. like I told you."

"I think the stick would not work - the generator would win" Alistair comments, his brows hiking up a little with enough amusement to show that he got the joke. Looking to Vixen he nods, "That would be nice" he smiles, "I mean, also, Miss Sage said I should watch out for Cali around the person who maintains the generator" he blushes, "And me too."

"There's some data I need displayed," Leonard's shoulders roll, "and I'd find a way to make connecting a PDD to a vidscreen difficult, or the view upside down. Just something for our next little gathering, which I should arrange again soon." After that explanation, a brow is lifted to Alistair. "Is she having issues with the locals there?"

"Let me know when you're going then. I'll bring along my camera and we'll make sure people know they're being watched," Vixen offers with a casual grin. She then looks to Leo and nods. "Oh, that won't be a problem. I know how to deal with Audio/Visual gear. That'll be a piece of cake, we can get it set up tonight for you and your 'friends'." Her grin shifts to a smirk as she looks back to Alistair. "Yeah, any issues I should know about? If someone needs exposure, I ought to know about it."

"Miss Sage said this person had ... loose tastes, something like that" Alistair replies, looking from one to the other. "Oh - the CS, they are in that city" he adds, finding this an important tidbit to point out. "Apparently they won't mind Cali and I much, nor Miss Sage but ... " he looks to Leo.

Leonard nods to Vixen, then frowns as Alistair offers that last tidbit. "I didn't realize that they were in Laramy. Don't worry. I'm well aware of their distaste for me, and wouldn't go there. Certainly not if it would jeopardize anyone else."

"Then I'll go. I'm just normal ole me," Vixen murmurs casually, looking to Leo to give him a grin and squeeze his hand lightly again. She looks to Alistair again and says, "So a leach has his eyes on Cali over there? No problem. Nothing solves that bullshit faster than having a camera in your face. People tend to get real shy about things like that when the impartial eye is starting at them."

"I will ask this person to behave first" Alistair says, always taking the polite path at first. Nothing about what happens after! He smiles at Vixen and nods, "That might help" and then, looking to Leo he smiles sheepishly, "I think you would be the one least safe, it is better to avoid such traps after all. Especially if you're planning on giving them reason to dislike you more."

"If that doesn't work," comes Leonard's smirk to Vix, "there's always your knee. I doubt they can dislike me much more than opening fire on principle, then not worrying afterwards. Vix can help you two keep an eye out on things better than I could, anyhow. I'd just be looking at her most of the time, and not much good." Her hand twined with his receives a soft squeeze.

Vixen frowns a little and looks to Leo. "That's a good point.. you should give yourself a completely new look for what you got going, babe," she notes. "Make a persona that you only use for this sort of thing. THe less like you the better, since it will make sure they can't mark who you are by any details about how you dress." She looks to Alistair after that. "As for the perv, if he doesn't get the point, I'll just replace the impartial eye with my hand cannon." She grins another of those sweet little smiles. "It looks even bigger with me handling it."

"Mh, I see" Alistair's brows hike up at Leo recounts his potential uselessness, and Alistair appears amused - and the blushing. After all, what's Ali going to be looking at when Cali is bent over working on this or that? "Oh, but - I mean, I could just use ... " he points to his hand, "No need to start shooting people" he smiles sheepishly.

Leonard glances sidelong to the women gleefully mentioning handcannon... while holding his hand. "As much as I don't already wish to ever upset you again... I'll remember that you NOT smiling at me is a good thing. Besides," his free hand motions to Alistair, "isn't fending of obnoxious or amorous people from Cali part of his responsibilities?" A smile and nod to the other man follow.

Vixen laughs lightly. "I wouldn't mist a guy over that. It's the threat that makes the gun my favorite. The Long Pistol is an intimidating firearm. Luckily I'm pretty strong, so I can handle it easy. Adds to the intimidation factor for some people." She casually pats the side of her coat. Perhaps where said firearm resides. She then eyes Leo. "I'm the friend, I can do it too," she puts in. "And what about you and how you're going to dress for your little trip?"

Alistair opens his mouth as if to say something, but then he thinks better of it; a few moments later he smiles sheepishly and waves a hand, "I better go then, I should find those books and go do something useful" he comments, nodding his head.

"Tell her I said hello," Leonard lifts his hand to return the wave, "and that Vix can help." A smile is offered, as well, before he turns to Vixen. "I'm not planning to wave and introduce myself, and I'll be wearing armor, of course."

"See you later, man. Let her know to tell me if I should bring anything," Vixen adds. "I'll have some camping gear just in case, but won't pack too much yet." She then looks to Leo and shakes her head. "You should dress it up a bit.. make a persona. Trust me Leo.. never hurts to put a layer of abstraction between you and the bad guys."

"MMm... will do" says Alistair, nodding his head to the both of them - and then, he heads off. Perhaps in a somewhat un-characteristic rush. Nevermind the books.

Leonard considers her wisdom in this. "Well, it seemed better to me to remain as anonymous as possible, but..." His shoulders roll as he can't offer much argument. "Of course, in our current task, remaining unknown is specifically part of the details."

"Anonymous is something you aren't 99% of the time, babe," Vixen replies. "You can't change your armor, but that's fine cause armor is the same in a lot of places. But what you wear with it you can change." She smiles lightly. "Take it from someone that knows a thing or two about disguise. Even a light ruse can raise your invisibility in the heat of a moment. Don't want to be out there doing other things with the same look as you have for the trip you got coming. Right?"

"Of course not." Leonard nods. "I'm not disagreeing with you, Vix. It's just that, this trip, being recognized won't be an issue..." He pauses at that, with some concern tightening his lips. "but that's something to talk about elsewhere. If you have any fashionable suggestions, I'd love to hear them." Some of his smile manages to make a tentative return.

"It's always an issue," Vixen notes, prodding her finger at Leo. "You can never be too paranoid. But we'll talk about it later, sure. You show me what you're gunna wear then and I'll give you some ideas." She grins a little then and lifts his hand, lightly pressing the back against her lips for a moment. "How are you? I don't ask it often enough, just straight out.. so how are you?"

Leonard's smile becomes more solid with her gesture and question. "Anxious, and excited, and... probably more than a little paranoid, too. This is another of those thing I'd rather not screw up. Now, I have the information we needed, and it seems this will be much, much easier than I expected. Then again, that's enough to make me worry, too."

"Easy is ok," Vixen replies, "So long as you don't let it get you too relaxed. Even when things seem simple and alright, there can be unexpected stuff. That's why it's called unexpected.. it just drops in there when you don't expect anything to happen." She pauses, glancing about for a casual moment before she half rises from her chair and slips astride Leo's lap slowly. "I figure I shouldn't play it too much like this around that woman.. I was showing off a little before, I gotta admit. But if she's trying to be nice I suppose I should do something like that." Explained as she settles in and her arms lift to loosely wrap his neck. "But she's not here now."

"When have you even seen me relaxed?" The question is both jesting and rhetorical, until it becomes more realistic as he adds, "Other than when you're around." Not surprisingly, his arms lift into their assigned positions, regardless of the surroundings. "You're welcome to show off all you want, babe. I don't mind at all, but I /do/ think she's playing by the rules, now."

"And I know you'll tell me if she ever tries to play foul," Vixen murmurs, dipping to brush his lips with her own. "I'll make sure you have some good relax time when I'm around. Well, except when I'm in a fighting mood." She grins wryly at that as she gives her hips a little sway, languidly settling herself a bit more. "When are you not relaxed?"

Leonard nods. "I will..." The rolling of hips does pink his cheeks, and his words stop as whatever was on his mind slides off onto the floor. He can still grin well enough, though. "When you do that? Not that I have any complaints... except that I don't really want to be assaulted by any irate librarians, or ejected from the library."

Vixen allows herself a playful little smirk at the response to her little movement. The table makes for a good screen. "Don't worry. I might tease, but I don't like putting on that kind of show, Leo." She leans forward, her head dipping to lay against his shoulder. "So what about you.. when you're not relaxed? When is that? Maybe I can help you get more relaxed.. or is it just all the trouble we've been in recently?"

"You know me, Vix. I worry too much." Leonard decides to try and leave the entire show and tell portion untold, even if it is anything but unnoticed by him. "Or just overthink. Or, worse, don't think at all." His head shakes with a chuckle. "Or I just babble."

Vixen grins a little at Leo. "Babe, you just need to let things go sometimes," she murmurs, head shifting a bit to nuzzle into the side of his neck lightly. "And sometimes being quiet is the best thing you can do.. listening to people talk can tell you more than talking to them. Especially if they don't even realize you're there." Go with the flow and be invisible.. I know a bit about that, even though I sometimes forget to do it myself."

Leonard's grip about her firms, then relaxes as he sighs, not unpleasantly. "You're right, as usual, and good at making your point. Of course, you are one thing I have no intention to let go of, and I think I like you more when you're not quiet. When you are, I think something's wrong."

Vixen smirks a little. "Well, lets just say if I'm at your little pow wow, I might just take a back seat. Maybe occupy myself with Tiger a bit. I think he has to get used to people. And he's comfortable when I'm holding him, I think. Can't have him running off anytime someone else comes into the place."

Leonard nods, a smirk curling his lips to mirror hers. "You can always tell me what an idiot I was afterwards. Although, I think this one will go much better, now that I have specifics to share, answers to the questions. Should be more of an explanation of what we will be doing, instead of asking if anyone knows what we could do."

"Just sort of amuses me how eager some of them are," Vixen replies. "Like you could point and shoot them at whatever and they'll go running." She lifts her head an purses her lips. "Promise me you'll let me know if I ever get like that.. I don't want to be someone else's weapon."

"Isn't that basically what I'm doing?" His reply is light, even as his head shakes slightly. "I cannot ever imagine you as the the sort to just charge off when someone says to, unless you're the one deciding to go running. That is much more your style. I don't mind that they're eager, and able. It's me being the one pointing that has me worrying so much."

"Yeah, but you aren't chomping at the bit, ready to run off and start shooting shit without a plan.. I had to assume that guy had something up his sleeve." Vixen shakes her head a little. "People with money usually don't toss it out there without a plan for what they're buying. I wonder what his plan is." She frowns a little, her expression turned thoughtful, eyes slid to the side a little.

Leonard nods. "Oh, he has one, I'm sure, and I only know as much as he wanted me to know," She receives an affectionate squeeze before he continues, "but it's enough. I'm anxious to go, myself. There may be more, too, if all goes well." His smile turns somewhat lopsided. "Maybe I've got more merc in me than I thought."

Vixen remains thoughtful despite the squeeze. "Be careful," she murmurs. "Keep an eye on his agenda.." She looks to him and grins a little. "He's offering you creds.. for enough cash anyone can go merc. I once left a nice, safe little job to go merc. But it paid me months and months and months of pay. It's hard to say no to that, you know?"

"I do need to find a job, afterall." A chuckle is loosed. "The pay is tempting enough, but it is more than that. I'll keep my eyes open, but, hidden motives or not, I can't pass it up."

"Just wanna go hurt the Deadboys, huh? Vixen's thoughtful question as her eyes linger on him. Or helping the Tolkeen people maybe.. but be honest. What's the real lure for you, babe? When you really be honest with yourself?"

Leonard considers that with a long minute of looking into those eyes, things churning behind his own. Finally, he nods, almost imperceptably. "Both. The needless suffering for lunacy is enough, but... yes, I do owe them a great deal. Or I owe it to myself. Either way, I'm not running anywhere this time."

Vixen purses her lips faintly and she leans back a little, arms slipping to her sides, one hand lifting to prod at the center of his chest. "I got respect for that, but don't forget.. running when the odds aren't in your favor ain't cowardly.. its smart. Dying don't do nothing for you.. you can always come back and fight again later."

Her prodded reminder is enough to rekindle his smile. "I want to make a stand, Vix, not become a martyr. No running if I can make a difference, but if it gets too hot... I might not be the first one to tuck tail and beat feet, but I bet I'll be the first one home." The smile widens to a grin with his choice of words.

"Good then," Vixen murmurs. "Just had to make sure you weren't being stupid about that. Cause I don't want to get stuck with the rent for your place." Her lips curling into a soft, teasing grin as she places her hands against his chest, leaning in again.

Leonard lifts his hands from her waist to her back, and his soft chuckle is likely felt as much as heard. "I'm going to do everything I can to make you happy, babe. That includes not sticking you with the rent."

Vixen smirks a little at that. ""Now that I like to hear." She leans forward to brush his lips with her own again before pushing lightly against his chest to move back again, this time to get up. "C'mon, lets go home.. unless you got more work to do here." She moves to his side, a hand extended out a little towards him.

Vixen chuckles lowly as she gives Leo's hand a light squeeze. "That's silly. We'd be a lot more comfy at home. Or maybe you just like showing off too, hmm?" Her tone lightly teasing as she starts to move out, tugging lightly on his hand as she does.

"I certainly don't mind." Leonard admits. Nor does he mind being led, obviously. "You are more than priceless and beautiful enough to make me want to flaunt."