Sep 29 10:39:59 106 PA - Caliopa is released
From Chronicles
The lobby of the Kingsdale police force's headquarters is filled with people at any time, day or night, all year round. A large wooden counter spans the length of the room, at which people make the police aware of their complaints, or give statements. To one side criminals are being booked, fingerprints taken, and then led off into one of the many side rooms to have their mug shots taken before being proceeded to the holding cells, gotten to through a small hallway at the far end of the lobby. Cops talk and relax at the rear left of the room, waiting for their turn to go on patrol. Near the entrance are several doors leading to the PD's higher-up's offices involved in the more mundane aspects of police duty: talking with citizens and handing out paychecks. A small white hallway leads to the police lab's clean-room.
The current game time is: Thu Sep 29 10:39:59 106 PA.
Alistair is sat at the waiting room, with his book, though he's certain somewhat tense, interrupting his reading every few moments. At least he doesn't bother anyone though. He also has a bag with him - obviously to carry the book and some other things, food mostly.
The waiting room here rarely goes quiet, but sometimes, a lull sets in between frantic periods of activity. At this moment in time, the waiting room is busy, with people coming and going, and the Staff Only doors slamming every few seconds. The only clue to it being worthy of note is Rob Carslile's voice speaking in low tones near the door, as he holds it open. His back is to the waiting room, blocking view of the person he is speaking with.
Alistair exhales slowly- the noise and his own nerves do little for concentration. It's not as fun if you must work on it; but recognizing the voice, he looks up, and to the door; he stares at the investigator, possibly thinking something over. Finally he stands up, hanging on there for a few moments, undecided. Or perhaps polite -it isn't polite to interrupt.
The voice of his protagonist is decidedly female, and familiar, and a flash of red hair that hasn't been washed in some time shows as he shifts. Finally he nods slowly, stepping back to allow her through the door. Caliopa stands there, the same clothes in which she arrived, her eyes scanning the waiting room nervously. The lines on her face of tiredness and worry haven't faded, and a tension in her shoulder is obviousl.
Vixen passes into the waiting area slowly, her attention drifting.. seeking. Her reason for being here not obvious as it will be a few, after she's paused within the room's periphery, that she notices the two individuals she knows. Thoughts flicker briefly before she hangs back a bit, head cocked as she lets events play out while being a bit discreet. As much as she can be in her new attire.
Alistair blinks his eyes. Could it be? He leans a little, looking surprised when Cali is revealed - apparently free? "Cali!" he calls out, his expression changing to a relieved smile as he aproaches her, "Cali!" Yeah, Rob is ignored for the moment, them's the breaks.
The relief on Caliopa's face at the recognition is obvious and she moves forward, Rob catching at her arm to murmur a soft word before she nods abruptly, and moves on towards Alistair. "Ali..." She heads straight for his arms, leaning into him.
Vixen frowns a bit, moving a little closer, but still lingering back some. Angling to get a listen in, but not break into the happy scene. Plenty of sitting and walking bodies to veil, though that adds in a din to challenge her sound filtration as she focuses on the area the three occupy.
"I was worried ... missed you" says Alistair, embracing her in a hug; that might be a scene people here have withnessed often, but a few are likely to look. A few moments later he waves at Rob while still holding Cali, and then suggests to her, "Would you like to go home? Wherever you like."
"Definitely home." Caliopa's voice isn't loud, but the embrace muffles it slightly, her face buried in his chest for a moment before she straightens, pride in that movement. "I missed you too." She hesitates, biting her lower lip, "I ain't overly keen to be talkin' it over." She speaks softly, glancing back at Rob with a polite nod before the man vanishes back through the staff doors.
Vixen moves up then and comes near enough to get heard, but not move in on the two. "Talking is good, though. If you got some boys looking to cause you trouble," she murmurs, just loud enough to be heard. "Hey Cali, good to see you out."
"Okay" Alistair takes one of her hands into his, "Keen on some company though?" he asks softly, nodding to her and then turning his head as he hears another familiar voice, "Oh, hello Miss Vixen" looking a little surprised at her presence as well.
Caliopa lets Alistair take her hand, turning to face the newcomer, a flicker of a smile showing. "Do I?" She asks, a brief flicker of worry showing on the expressive face. "Ain't keen to be standin' around here, like some ..." She trails off, glancing back at the reception and tugs Alistair's hand, to move then towards the door. "Reckon home is a real good idea."
Vixen turns to the side and motions. "Not good to be talking in the open either," she murmurs lightly. "If you feel like being paranoid." She grins and says, "I'll follow. Go on you two."
Alistair smles a little wider, nodding to Cali and Vixen, and starts towards the door with Cali - time to go home indeed. "Miss Sage is okay too, I just thought you might have wanted to know" he tells Cali, giving her hand a squeeze. "Want me to order out once we get home? Indian maybe?"
This flat is an airy one, with two double bedrooms, a decent sized kitchen and a reasonable bathroom. The flooring has been replaced with hard wood floor, worn but practical, throughout the whole apartment. The living-room has a lovely view across the city, hidden only when the wooden blinds are closed. The room itself has some small touches, like rugs, cushions and some furnishings. It has a small wooden desk below the window, piled high with papers, all marked with oil and grease stains. Beside it, a well worn leather chair squats and a tower created from books leans against a desk leg. Nearby, an ancient sofa is pushed back against a wall, the cushions suitably squidgy and soft. In front of it, a small coffee table has a small collection of mugs, books and other assorted chaos piled on it, surrounding a large plant that is thriving. In front of a warm, flame heater, a large sheep skin rug lies, looking welcoming and cosy. The kitchen appears to be mostly in order, with a bin that suggests the resident survives on a variety of take outs and yet cooks from scratch, and a sink that has a mixture of mugs and machine parts sitting beside it on the draining board. The most used item in the room is a coffee machine, permanently on the go. At one end, a growing collection of real cooking items contradict the take out boxes, suggesting that either one person with a split personality or two people live here. A small collection of herbs grows out of small pots there, thriving well despite the machine parts near by. Caliopa's bedroom has a double bed in the middle, with a patchwork throw over it. Her clothes are mostly stacked in shelves in the wardrobe, one lone dress amongst jeans, combats, t-shirts and sweaters. One pair of heels amongst the boots and trainers. Sage's bedroom is simple, neat and tidy. In one of the corners, a small replica of a stone garden is placed, the colour of the rocks matching the throw over the bed.
Reaching home, Caliopa lets them all in, closing and locking the door behind them. She hesitates before removing her coat, and kicking off her boots. "I ain't real hungry, Ali... if you want somethin', I ain't opposed to havin' a piece of yours." The comment about Sage gains no reply, and Caliopa's face is thoughtful, the emotions flickering there as transparent as ever.
Before she steps in, Vixen takes a look down the hall either way and after she's in, she pops open one of her pouches, slipping out a small device. She says nothing as she lifts it and fiddles with the controls a moment before moving towards the couch to set it on the back. "There. Never ca be too careful.. you've been gone a while, dunno who has been in here when Sage isn't around," she murmurs. "Could be bugs. That should make any listening devices worthless while it's on."
Alistair takes off his shoes after being let in, and if the girls let him he'll take their coats; "That sounds alright - would you like me to run you a bath also? ..." he pauses for a moment, looking at her, "Are you okay? What's wrong?" he asks softly, watching her; he glances at Vixen for just a moment, too, curious.
Caliopa's gaze follows Vixen, a moment of hesitation before she speaks. "Uh, ain't sure why folk'd be listenin' in on me 'n' Sage, ain't nothin' I ain't said over the last few days." She shakes her head at Alistair, handing over her coat and moving further into the room. "Jus', got some thinkin' to do, I reckon. Sage's alright, you said?" A quick glance at Alistair as she stops by the couch, resting a palm against it lightly, her gaze dropping down to the device Vixen is working.
Vixen turns and settles back against the couch without sitting. "I don't either, but it takes a few moments to be cautious, so why not?" She considers Cali. "Way I hear it, the guy that you accidentally shot is the father of some little prick that wants Sage. And they were thinking of trying to use you as a pawn to get at her.. get you railroaded into murder maybe. Way I see it, the basic plan ain't going to change despite you being out." She glances at Ali, as if to draw him in on the subject. "Ain't comfy to talk about, but when bad guys got it in for you, hard to just walk away if they're wanting something bad enough."
"Oh" Alistair hangs up the coat, apparently at a loss for things to say at the moment, though he does go to join Cali by the couch. "Yes, last I saw her she was at the Police station a few days ago, to give her account of things" he explains; he moves his hand to brush it against Cali's, frowning faintly as he listens to Vixen. "If they come they will have me to deal with too. They have done enough harm, they should apologize."
Caliopa listens to Vixen's reasoning, her face tensing, before a thought flickers across her face, too fast to comprehend before she turns away, walking towards the bedroom. "Reckon I best shower, get clean clothes on. Must stink." The words are abrupt, and she doesn't speak about the men, her back tense as she walks away. "Ain't gonna be long."
"That's cute, Ali, but lets be real here, man," Vixen says, lips curled faintly in amusement. Though she misses the look, she doesn't miss the tone and theme of Cali's move out. But she lets the woman go without a word for now. Instead, she tells Ali, "You might be hot with a sword, but numbers eventually beat skill. I'm sure you can beat one.. two.. three guys? How about five? Ten?" Her brows lift slightly. "Not so unlikely as you might think. Guys like this love to play the numbers card. So better to not let it come to that."
Alistair turns to watch Cali go; his shoulders sag a little for a moment, "Oh ... she did say she didn't want to talk about it" he murmurs after Cali heads out, and then he looks to Vixen again. "Perhaps now really isn't a good time though ... " he suggests, tilting his head a little, but he doesn't comment on his ability to fight.
The shower runs in the bedroom and when it finally shuts off, she can be heard moving around, opening and closing cupboards. Finally she emerges, her hair washed and tied into a plait, with clean combats and a vest on. Her feet are bare and her face is clean enough to reveal the freckles. "Orderin' that food, Ali?" She asks, a determined cheerfulness in her voice, her sunny smile not quite real. "Ain't sure if Sage'd be home for it..."
"The way I see it, this is the best time to get it out of the way," Vixen murmurs. "Sooner rather than later, then she can just forget about it all for a while and you can do your thing. I don't plan to hang around long. I know she don't need this shit hanging off her right now." Her arms lift to cross her chest. And she waits until the woman comes back out, letting herself be silent for a bit.
"Well ... uh" Alistair exhales, uncertain as to how to answer, "I can do more than they know" he finally, quietly, and then waits for Cali as well. He's probably not in the right frame of mind to think very corectly about this either. He looks to Cali then when she comes back and smiles, "Oh - I'll order" there's some worry though too in his expression, he knows her smile is fake. "We can keep some for Miss Sage if she doesn't come soon" he says, picking up the phone and riging up the local Indian place to put in an order, and that gets taken care of quickly.
Caliopa nods, hesitating before moving to the couch and sitting down, tucking her legs beneath her. "Reckon I'm probably hungrier than I'm thinkin'." She offers the words softly to Alistair, almost to comfort him. "Garage been alright? You check on it?" The question is quick, glancing between the pair, picking a topic that is comfortable.
Vixen glances towards Alistair at that, straightening to circle around and drop herself onto the couch. A glance tossed towards her device. An acoustic noise generator and it looks to be in the green still, so she leaves it at that. "I guess I had good timing. I was coming over to see if I couldn't get in to see you. Heard they were keeping him out." she jerks a thumb towards Ali.
"I did" says Alistair, pausing for a moment, and moving over to the couch now to sit beside Cali. "Yes, I asked, but they wouldn't let me. I was consdering invading" he comments, the last thing a jest ... maybe - then he returns to Cali's topic of choice. "I did! It's alright, I made sure the accounting stuff is done, and I worked out some of my methods to help alleviate some losses too, but I'll need your help 'cause you understand how your Garage works better in terms of the actual material and stuff" he explains, starting to blush towards the end of the sentence.
Caliopa ignores the talk of visiting, glancing at them either side of her. A slight tension shows, and she nods slowly at Alistair's accounting talk. "Reckon we can go over them tomorrow, make sure all is shiny. I got to get down there, see Zachary 'n' Amber..." Another glance at each, and she bites her lip, ducking her head. "You know, reckon I might get an early night, get some sleep in my bed."
"Alright, Cali." Vixen rises from the couch, but pats the item on the back of the couch lightly. "Hang on to this for now. I got my own countermeasures at home, but I'll feel better if I know you ain't being listened to." She turns then and paces towards the door. "We'll talk later. Just watch your back."
"Oh ... " Alistair looks to Cali, then to Vixen, "Have a good one Miss Vixen!" he says, and turns to Cali again, reaching to hug her, if she'll let him. "I'm always here for you; if you don't mind too much I'd like to stay with you - I'll stay quiet, I promise" he says softly to her.
Caliopa glances at the item, giving Vixen an abrupt nod. "Ain't nothin' to talk over." She insists softly, shaking her head. "Ain't no cause for you to go, neither of you. Jus' cause I'm tired, ain't no call to be..." She hesitates, losing the right word, a flash of frustration on her face. "Dramatisin'. All's shiny."
"I'm not being dramatic, I'm giving you time to relax," Vixen replies, turning to look back towards Cali. "We'll be talking, don't you worry. Just a matter of when and what I'll know by then." She grins, then opens the door, letting herself out.
Alistair looks to Vixen again, and smiles, then he looks back to Cali. "Come" he stands slowly, reaching out a hand to her, "I'll tuck you in and I'll wait for the food a bit; I'll just be a shout away if you need me, or beside you a little later. And ... " he pauses a moment, "If you need to vent or something ... you know, I'm here for that too; I don't always know what to do but I'm here for you" he says facing her, and looks about ready to hug her or hold her again if she should want - or take her to bed, either way!
Caliopa watches Vixen leave, her teeth catching at her lower lip at the promise of talking, a slight shake of her head. The door closing returns her attention to Alistair. "I ain't all fragile suddenly, Ali. Ain't more than a piece of misunderstanding." She offers the words like an olive branch, watching him thoughtfully, her forehead wrinkling. "I'm jus' real tired, 'n' wantin' a real bed." She reaches out, squeezes his hand before leaving him to his food. When he does go to bed, she is sleeping deeply, curled up in the centre of the bed, duvet wrapped around her tightly.
