May 22 10:40:10 106 PA

From Chronicles

Weather at Sun May 22 10:40:10 106 PA (26.80C, 80.25F): Summer storms are a sight to behold. The rain warm as the wind rolls it nearly horizontally across the landscape. The clouds bursting open to dump more rain over the world, only to have the wind rips it sideways again.

Unlocking her door and leading Sage in, Tirzah does her best to shed her negativity as she sheds her coat and puts in on the hook. Cursing her rotten luck with grumbles and a frustrated expression she carries her leathery armor into the apartment. "Make yourself at home." She suggests to Sage as she folds the garment over her couch's spine. Casually she loses herself for a moment in the embers of the pyre before her. Her mind drifting.

Once inside of the apartment, Sage will take a moment to set aside anything she doesn't need before moving further into the apartment. "Okay." She replies softly, "Let me know if there's something I can do to help." She offers, as she makes her way to the second couch to settle down onto.

Tirzah shrugs herself out of her reverie and hops over the back of the couch to land seated if mindful. "I was just reviewing, the more I think about it the more I don't see any way I could have done better. But I still don't like the result. I ought to be able to get a better result.." She slips into grumbles again briefly. "And for next time they know I can conjure the cloud, and release gouts of flame. So I can expect them in full armor next time..."

A gentle nod is given in response to the other woman's comment about reviewing the incident as Sage's lips purse briefly. Her hand raises to tangle her finger within a lock of hair. "I was thinking you would be facing them again later on... and why I had thought it may be best to leave some of your support a surprise for later." She refers to her mental whisper before departing, but she offers a slight shrug after that.

Tirzah nods intently. "That was indeed the intention, but then Ruel had to go and get involved, and that all fell apart in a matter of seconds." She takes a moment to sigh. "But that's the past, its time to look at the future. I need to decide what its going to take to win next time. Really win, not just good odds.." She muses that over, a smirk starting to form.

Sage nods faintly to the comment about the brash youth complicating matters. She decides not to comment further on that topic as it would merely tread over old ground. "That may be hard to do if you have to play on their terms..." She notes softly as she considers the other woman's change in expression. "Or should I start reading your mind to see what you're beginning to plan already?" She asks, raising her brow faintly.

Tirzah shrugs, not seeming to care about her mind being probed. "Might be faster. I'm just thinking about what they wont know. Their terms will play my revealed abilities down for sure. But I can compensate with what they don't know I can do." She then looks at Sage, considering her carefully. "If you wanted to meet with me, and have me at your mercy, what steps would you take. What would be your terms?" She asks, suddenly keen on Sage's view

There is no surprise in her features at the virtual invitation as Sage hasn't run into a boundary of that sort with Tirzah to this point. Her mind reaches out easily to touch the other woman's mind lightly to get a sense of the woman's reasoning at this point. Even if some of it is being spoken already. Sage tilts her head slightly and raises a bow faintly once more at the question she poses. A faint smile passes across her lips, "As myself or as them?" She asks, "It would seem to be very different."

Tirzah shrugs, her mind not really focusing on any one aspect yet as Sage has yet to illustrate her approach. Her general mindset seems to have two sides, discretion, and power. "Good point. Which do you think would be more challenging?" She asks, unsure of which to choose, lest she neglect either.

Tirzah raises an eyebrow at Sage, wondering why she's being so vague. It does little for her thoughts, she leans more towards discretion instead of power, but nothing firm. "Well that didn't tell me as much as I hoped it might.." She starts. "I guess you're saying they'd lure me into combat again, having a counter to match me ready. What do you suppose that counter would be considering what they know?" She asks calmly, now fairly comfortable with discretion.

Sage gives a faint nod to the woman as the point is conceded, giving a wry smile. "I wish I could be more help." She says softly, before pausing to the consider the other woman. "And you would... perhaps, prefer to ask someone like Sebastien for the advise instead?" She asks with a brow raised, a faint smile coming as she thinks of a different sort of lecture being the result of that.

Tirzah frowns, torn between lectures.. "Well um.. no. No I dont what the women cannot act without men their to defend them lecture. Not at all. Maybe I should ask Max, i gotta talk to him about Ruel anyway. Ruel surely hates me for my interference. I hope Max can smooth that over a bit.." She trails off her mind deserting the battle plans for now.

Amusement begins to creep into Sage's smile as the woman elaborates on the type of lecture that the other woman might receive from the knight. "I'm not sure what this Max would be able to offer." She says plainly, giving a slight shrug. Her brow raises at the next part as her head tilts. She considers the woman, moving her hand back to tangle a finger within a lock of hair. "Ruel may not understand for some time." She comments softly, "But, it is worth a try."

Tirzah shrugs, tucking her legs up underneath her. "Well when I met Max Ruel was being similarly troublesome. He almost started a bar fight. Didn't though cause Max stepped in and its just not smart to get into a fight with a bear like Max. So heading back to the table with Ruel, Max introduced him and explained the odd fortune he had at adopting the boy. An odd pair those two, but it seems to work." She explains, catching Sage up a bit on Ruel and Max.

When the explanation of strange bear and child is given, Sage listens attentively as she considers the situation. "Sounds like an interesting bear and an odd pair indeed.... but I am still not sure what kind of insight such a person would have." She says, "Perhaps I shall have to meet him at some point." She becomes thoughtful as she brings up her legs onto the couch and leans forward onto her elbow against the shoulder of the couch. "Would it help to get your mind off of this for a bit?" She asks, unsure of how to address the issues at hand.

Tirzah nods slightly. "I think so, but its hard for my mind to escape it. If I could just drift.." She pauses looking at Sage suddenly, considering.. But then abruptly shakes her head. "Never mind, I couldn't even ask you that."

Sage raises a brow faintly when the woman seems to think twice about an idea that comes to her and gives a faint uncertain nod in response. "If you say so." She purses her lips as she becomes thoughtful. "I may be able to think of something... but what would you do for fun?" She asks.

Tirzah mopes, her fun clearly not appealing to her. "Usually I go out, to the Alibi or a bar. Dont really feel like that sort of fun tonight. I want to let go, but I want to feel safe and secure, just dissolve into problem free bliss." She eyes her spice wrack briefly. "Dont have the herbs for that though.."

At the woman's reaction to her question, Sage considers her for a long moment. "I don't suppose you'd except playful mischief in its place..." She offers, smiling faintly at the ideas that creep into her head. Her gaze shifting to consider the immediate options available.

Tirzah raises her brow, wondering what Sage could be thinking. Before this moment Tirzah had never considered Sage to be very mischievous. She was the responsible one, always setting the example for Tirzah. So the possibility that she could have a different side, well it filled Tirzah with tingling curiosity. "I think I could accept that.. Not sure what you have in mind though.."

Noticing that the other woman's attention seems to have been caught for the moment, Sage merely smiles softly at the woman's curiousity. "Then, I shall cheat to start with..." She says, hopping up from the couch as she makes her way towards the kitchen like a naughty child that isn't afraid of getting her hand caught in the cookie jar.

Tirzah stares at Sage, perplexed. Really having no idea what she has in mind. And Sage isn't exactly telling so all Tirzah can do is follow her with her curious gaze. "You need me to do anything?" She asks innocently, wondering what to prepare for.

Once into the kitchen, Sage makes her way over towards the fridge to access the freezer portion. She reaches in to grab something before closing it just as quickly. Moving her hand behind a island bar, it comes back as an empty hand. She counts on Tirzah being curious enough about what she's doing not to notice the ice cube that she floats near the ground towards in direction. She simply leans against the island for a moment, looking all too amused for no good reason.

Tirzah is indeed completely focussed on what Sage is up to. Especially when she leans agains the island with that smug look on her face. Putting her feet back down she leans forward to try and sneak a better look at Sage's plotting.

Content to intrigue the other woman, Sage briefly considers how the woman might react to the sudden sensation. She keeps track of the ice cube out of the corner of her eyes as she circles it about to avoid having it become too obvious. Before long, it makes a quick, cold pass against the back of the other woman's neck.

Tirzah jumps as something cold grazes her exposed neck. Turning quickly but clumsily she tries to catch a glimpse of the cold violator. Her hand simultaneously grasping her neck, an instinctual but flawed move. She then finds herself off balance and falling to the floor with a muffled thud. No cries of discomfort though, she doest seem hurt. Instead she lies there and scans the room for her attacker.

A giggle comes when the woman jumps at the unexpected sensation, until the motion causes Sage to frown. "You okay?" She asks, as she begins to make her way out towards the couches. As for the ice cube, it seems to have circled around in a lazy arc as if anticipating another pass on where Tirzah had last been.

The giggle is what really gives it away. Clearly Sage must be watching, orchestrating the icy attacker. Though Sage may not have intended Tirzah to fall over in her attempted reaction, she clearly was unharmed. Especially her focus and resolve, as Sage becomes weightless and floats towards the ceiling of Tirzah's apartment.

A playful, yet surprised noise comes from Sage as she hadn't quite thought that Tirzah would elevate to this level just yet. Catching a glimpse of the woman on the floor, she returns the favour of lifting the other woman off the floor similar with greater ease than Sebastien had managed back at the library garden. Yet, she's still able to control the ice cube as well as she directs her to towards settling on the other woman's forehead.

directs the ice cube towards settling on the other woman's forehead.

Tirzah shoots a half hearted icy glare at Sage as the ice cube presses against her forward. Its cold embrace is kinda nice at first. Though it it lingers to long there she'll clearly grow tired of it. For now though she considers her floating state, and Sage's, wondering what to do now. "It would appear we are at each other's mercy." She notes to Sage with a smirking grin.

Knock knock. Who's there? Sebastien! Sebastien who? Sebastien who rattles at the doorknob, then knocks. Can't be too many who'd try that in this neighborhood.

An amused grin comes to Sage, "I wasn't thinking of playing this kind of game..." She makes a gesture to indicate her floating nature, but all too soon the knock on the door comes. She looks towards the door than to the other woman. "Truce?" She asks, as she gently moves the other woman towards the door area. She wont let Tirzah down onto the ground until she's able to touch the ground for the time being.

Tirzah nods with a slightly begrudging expression. If not for the knock on her door she would not be so easy to convince. Gently revering Sage's ascent until she's safely landed Tirzah closes that draw to her link's power. Only to then open another as the ice cube molesting her forehead is vaporized by a quick gout of fire.

Knock knock knock again. A little whistle begins from outside, and from the sounds of things, tape being drawn from a dispenser. If someone doesn't stop him, he's going to displease the magic-using homeowner's association!

As a show of good faith, Sage mirrors the descend that she receives as she leaves the other woman with easy reach of the door handle. Deciding that she'll need a moment to compose herself from the earlier mischief, she retreats to the kitchen to see about getting a glass of water.

Opening the door with a slight grumble and looking fairly disheveled Tirzah finds Sebastien waiting outside. Briefly She considers closing the door but before she can manage she finds herself greeting him. "Oh its you honey." Her tone not betraying her at least, this was a little awkward timing wise after all. Robbing her of her victory over Sage and any spoils that may lead to. Shrugging at the lose she steps back to fully open the door and let him in. Something nagging her consciousness about his presence.

Taped to the front of the door is a plastic sheath holding a single red rose. No note, and the young man doesn't seem to be carrying one. She'd know who it was from. The young man's dressed in a navy polo and white slacks, with a tan herringbone fedora shading his eyes to give them a slightly more mischievous look. "Salut mademoiselle," Sebastien speaks, and draws the rose from its holder to run it along Tirzah's lips like a soft kiss as he walks past, leaving the contraption on her door for now.

Having poured herself a glass of water, Sage sips from it lightly in an attempt to settle herself. When it seems that someone's coming into the apartment, she sets the glass aside briefly to settle her hair back into place. Taking up the glass, she begins to move back towards the sitting area. "Sebastien." She says simply upon noticing who the unexpected guest is, before her gaze shifts to Tirzah.

Tirzah also leaves the contraption on her door for now. A slight blush filling her face at the caress of the rose. Closing the door behind him she shoots Sage a defenseless look. How was she to know her boyfriend would turn up in the middle of their fun. Oh well moving on with a slight sigh she turns to Sebastien. "Caught us a bit by surprise love, hope we're not too distracted in the moment. What's up?" She inquires, her wrists suddenly missing their charms.

"Distracted?" Sebastien asks, twirling that red rose between his fingers. The bud is open, but just barely, with petals spread by teasing in the warm air as much as by nature. He's left the thorns on, though deft fingers don't seem to snag any as he saunters into the home. "And just what have the two of you been doing, hmm?" He winks at Sage, the words spoken in a low purr as he reaches out to run fingertips quickly through the flame of one of her oil lamps.

Brief amusement flickers across her eyes at the defenceless look, before Sage takes a sip from her glass of water. She purses her lips at the question posed by the man. Given Tirzah's dishevelled look. "We were... considering things from new perspectives..." She says simply, with a faint smile that has an edge of amusement.

Tirzah nods, her voice slightly alluring for Sebatien. "Heightened perspectives..." She adds before pausing to give Sebastien a curious glance. He hadn't answered her question. And she didn't quite trust herself to say too much without letting something about the incident slip past her lips.

Sebastien laughs at Sage's response, flashing a grin back at Tirzah, and tilts his head as he rounds into the kitchen. "Fair enough," he decides, and opens her fridge. "Oh," he mentions as he peers through those glowing shelves, as if they held some secret treasure, "the market was out of nectarines, and I thought perhaps I had seen one or two here last I came." He folds arms before him, that rose still spinning, tsking as he doesn't see what he was after.

Since the man's reaction is a little ambigious, Sage decides not to press the matter further. She briefly watches him go towards the fridge before looking between the two of them. "Is that why you brought the rose?" She asks.

Tirzah shrugs, a little annoyed at Sebastien's memory. "We ate those nectarines remember? As I recall you insist on comparing the flavor of every nectarine in the apartment.. Were you to far gone at that point to remember?" She jokes at Sebastien, wondering if she'll get him to blush for once.

Sebastien stands straight and tall, staring ahead above the fridge, before he turns heel-toe in place. "Here I am," Sebastien speaks in a speaks in a level tone, "in search of delicious nourishment, a truly fine piece of fruit, and all you can think of is a wild night of sex, the likes of which begs the question of how your apartment was not reduced to rubble. You are ... such a guy." He gives a little frown that doesn't come close to touching his laughing eyes, before turning back to the fridge as if she'd never intruded in the first place. "Ah-HA!" One hand stabs up, revealing something red and juicy.

Tirzah crosses her arms and cocks her head. "Your fridge broken? You broke some how? It must be rob Tirzah blind day.. Everyone's doing it." She spits out, clearly annoyed by the guy comment only to realize the slip and frantically cover her mouth as if she could put the words back in.

Sage gives a couple blinks at the bald statement that's made by the man, as it seems to have been a little outside of what had seemed to have been discussed. Then, with Tirzah's outburst, she pauses briefly. "Perhaps I should go..." She says simply, deciding that this may be a scene better left to the two of them. She takes a healthy sip from her glass of water before setting it down and beginning to edge towards the door.

"Actually," Sebastien notes with a little flourish, still completely unphased as he toes the fridge door closed behind him. "I came to barter." He glides more than walks, each step long yet graceful, his hips swaying just a little as he passes Sage, using the rose to bop her lightly on the head as he goes by. "One beautiful rose for your delicious fruit," he offers, bowing halfway at the waist to present the bud of that rose to Tirzah, just under her nose. He waits long enough for the scent to reach the woman, and runs the silky petals down to her lips, and along her chin. And probably farther, if she doesn't take it!

Tirzah snatches the rose quickly. Momentarily considering incinerating it to relieve some of her frustration. She's not sure what's worse, that she slipped and gave him more than enough to notice or that he didn't notice. Sighing in defeat she turns to Sage, not quite trusting her own mouth. "Please stay Sage, I need you to neutrally relate to Sebastien my day today, as I'm not trusting my own mouth at the moment."

The bop of the rose is noted with a glance that's flicked in Sebastien's direction, but it doesn't seem to draw much else as a reaction from Sage. With the potential scene that had been developing, she pauses to consider the two once more. She focuses on Tirzah a moment, "If you wish... but, I may not hold back much." She notes, as she moves back to claim her drink. "Sit first." She instructs.

That much slows Sebastien. He blinks and considers Tirzah first, then Sage, and shakes his head once. "What? You are both alive, unharmed. What is it that could be so horrible?" His accent grows just a little thicker as he says those words, the last coming out as 'or-eeb-le?' "Whatever has happened, we can fix it. I can go get Sara. My armor. Sort things out." He's not sitting. So very bad at taking directions.

Tirzah sits down, one hand clinging to Sebastien to gently pull him down as well. She considers saying something, wondering how to put it. How to say it in a way that wont have him doing just that a going off to possibly get killed. cause then she'd have to go after him, and try and rescue him. Becasue she was 'so' good a rescuing people... Nope, its all in Sage's hands now.

"I'll let you decide..." Sage says simply, before taking a sip from her water. She considers the two for a moment, before deciding to begin whether Sebastien takes a seat or not. "Earlier in the Deli, a couple gang members came into the place. People were a bit tense... and Tirzah..." She pauses, considering her wording here. "...made herself a focus of their attention." She decides to let them both take that as they will. "One of them taking exception while the other seemed amused." She continues, "When things seemed to be settling back down, a boy by the name of Ruel seemed to get their attention and were likely to try attracting the boy into their gang." She glances to Tirzah before looking to Sebastien, "And Tirzah took it upon herself to confront them alone... but she out smarted herself with a spell that knocked her out... and they took everything from her... except clothes, right?" She glances to Tirzah, having not thought to ask that before.

Sebastien lets himself be tugged to a seated position, smiling as he scoots just a little closer to Tirzah, as he waits for the explanation. His head nods a few times, frown growing as he hears Ruel's name, and when Sage tells that everything was taken ... Well, she does have a way with words. A sudden stillness falls over Sebastien. The fedora's shade no longer provides his eyes with mirth, but a dark shadow into which light fears to tread. Sebastien doesn't move, eyes focused on the short, dark Sage, not even breathing. As if he forgot how. The stillness is anything but calm. "Was she raped?" the young knight asks, in a neutral tone. Not looking aside at Tirzah as he asks, and taking one shallow breath to replace the one lost to his voice afterwards.

Tirzah gasps, the possibility had never occurred to her. Mainly because she was only out for a minute. But what if they had decided to take advantage of her body... She trembles slightly at that thought. "No." She manages. "But I felt violated none the less. All I had on me was my sword, my elemental signs and some credits. But the sword and sign, well they are heirlooms of where I came from. It pains me that they are gone. Before Sage managed to help me lighten up, just before you arrived I was avidly planning their retrieval." She explains, some lingering trepidation in her tone.

Sage's gaze takes in the reactions of both as she relates the tale of the bad day. Mild surprise registers as another question is posed that she had no considered, but that had been due to the way that the women had been acting. She's about to give her answer when Tirzah makes a noise and lets her gaze drift towards the other woman. "I was not expecting these actions to take place..." She mentions a little uncomfortably, before giving a slight shrug. She looks back to the young knight, "That about sums it up for now."

The young knight seems to regain the ability to move once he's told that she's still intact, body sagging back into the couch. His eyes close, and he draws in one breath, and lets it out again. "I have something," he notes softly, "a sword. I think it would be right up your alley. I work with most of these kids, you know. At the Hospital. They will be expecting retribution." His head rolls back, eyes closing tight, and he grits his teeth, making a face as if he bit on something sour. "And if none comes, they will only be bolder. I will talk to Ruel. If he is being courted by them, he will know who is involved. But we take our time, we do it smart, and we write off what was lost. If there is no good opportunity, we pass."

Tirzah eyes Sebastien with a brief shake of her head. "They left a note. They're not done, they said they'd be watching for me from now on. Daggs and Eddie are their names. Daggs is the one who made the threats. I dont think its something I'll get to right off. They will catch up to me. Or at least that's who I should see it. It would be best to catch up to them first no?" She pauses to let that sink in a moment. "And I know Ruel, and his guardian Max. My next move was to speak to him, to get him to look out for Ruel in the matter at least."

Listening to them both, Sage considers the Sebastien before looking to Tirzah with a raised brow. "I'm not sure whether you mentioned the note." She comments, before she pauses briefly. "At any rate, I find myself inadequate to give her proper advice on this matter." She glances back to the knight, "But, this incident has made me think that I need to figure out ways to defend myself should I find myself in a tight position." She purses her lips.

"The sword I will give you," Sebastien speaks as he turns to face Tirzah, a very serious look on his face, "is one of the deadliest weapons in Kingsdale. It is almost rifle-strong, and versatile. Plus, it is fire. Some things fear fire. Other things can only be harmed by fire. This may come in handy. You will not leave the house without it. Until further notice, I will be staying here with you. I doubt gang members will come to the home of magic users to start trouble, but you never know. They could be crazy, or high." He pauses a moment, and nods. "I will not be here all the time. I still have some commitments I cannot break. We will need to employ Desmond, or Katsumi. Desmond, I think, is retired from such work. Katsumi is a predator, and specializes in the supernatural. The gang may have smuggled a few rifles into town, but supernatural beings and mages they can just walk in. She was born to kill them." He lets out a slow breath, thinking about the next step. "And Ruel. Let me be with you then. Or I could try him. He ... he likes me. More than a young boy should. It may come in handy."

Tirzah doesn't know what to say at first so she just nods solemnly. After a few moments of thought she whispers "Thank you." to him with a tender embrace. Once again Sebastien had done everything she dint expect, but this time, when it counted he did it all right. "Katsumi will be fine. And I do appreciate your leverage with Ruel. I don't think he currently appreciates that I intervened in his enlistment."

With the exchange between the two, Sage can see things shaping up. The reaction of the man shows the person that she had failed to see behind his bluster when she had meet him a couple times. "I can see you're in good hands now, Tirzah." She says, "Take care..." She turns away from the couple and makes her way to collect her stuff near the door. She may linger long enough for them to get words in edge-wise, but she'll likely head out by herself as there doesn't seem to be a reason to remain at this point.

The young knight gives Tirzah a solid hug, cradling her to him with a pair of strong arms. "So," he finally says, smiling into her hair. "Is it that I get the nectarine?" Tags: sage, sebastien, tirzah