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Vincent Drake:
Clad in a My Chemical Romance t-shirt and shorts, Vincent had been walking streets that ran beside the Delaware for the last few hours tonight. "South side, along the river." he muttered to himself, he was just walking but he seemed to be looking for something, a sign, portent, omen, he's not sure what to call it. "Well, this is what I'm doing this summer." he chuckled
Avery Frisk:
Avery was curled up on his shoulder, a content little birb. Gently snoozing.
Alexander Tarek:
One could call it kismet, perhaps, that as Vincent looked for a sign he would spot a semi-familiar face at one of the cafes that dotted the street the Daeva was wandering down. Alexander was seated in the outdoor section, fully blushed and blending neatly into the crowd, wisps of steam wafting gently off a nearby cup of tea as he watched the city's denizens pass by.
Vincent Drake:
and pass by Vincent did, just walking but looking around him, during that looking around he made eye contact for a second with Alexander, his beast reacting to the other, for a second his eyes did a little bit of a 'I know you...but I don't remember how', before he shrugged, but not so much as to bother Avery, who has once again insisited on being a cute bodyguard, but yes, the sight of a lanky dude with a raven perched on his shoulder was odd, wasn't it?
Alexander Tarek:
Alexander's gaze met Vincent's as their Beasts did the usual song and dance with each other, giving the neonate a small nod followed by a curious look at the corvid perched on his shoulder. "An interesting companion you have this evening, Mister Drake."
Vincent Drake:
he gave Avery some under the chin scritches, "What can I say, animals love me." he smiled, "And for some reason, this bird always follows me when I'm out of the house." he said with a smile, darn it, he remembers me now it's going to be akward, play it cool, play it cool.
"How's you're night treating you?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery barely awoke, leaning into the chin scritches and giving a content guffaw.
Alexander Tarek:
"Stranger things." A ghost of a smile flickered across his face before he made a motion to the chair across from him at the table, inviting Vincent to take a seat if he wished. "Rather well, all told. I finished up some work earlier this evening and felt the want to do a bit of people-watching. Yourself?"
Vincent Drake:
"Ya know, I only saw like the first two or three eps of that," he mused, walking over but not sitting, then giving his hand a 'so and so' motion, "Kinda the same, I'm city watching as it where, just wandering the streets and see where I find myself, hope it's somewhere intresting."
Alexander Tarek:
"I've enjoyed what I've seen of it." He offered a nod, glancing about briefly before looking back to Vincent. "Philadelphia is a good city for that, I've found. There's always an interesting bit of history tucked into random corners."
Vincent Drake:
"The United State's was born here, and even before then the Lenape where one of the major powers of the area, Philly may not be on the spotlight like say, New York or Los Angeles, but it's one of the most important cities in the country, at least in my humble opinion." he chuckled, "Been reading alot of history of late, a new hobby."
Alexander Tarek:
"It certainly has its place among them, resilient in its own way."
"Not a bad one to have. Despite my current work looking towards the future I have always been a historian at heart, seeing how the world both changes and stays the same as the years go on."
Vincent Drake:
"What I've recently become enamored with, the fact that every city, every last one, started a just a few houses and a fire pit, then more and more people, some walls, and you have an entire ecosystem of ideas, commerence, culture, and thousands of tiny stories playing out in it's streets." he says, almost swooning in fact, "Then, those cities develop their own tiny cultures."
Alexander Tarek:
"Indeed. The seeds of humanity spread themselves on the winds of fate and fortune, planting themselves and taking root in various ways. Seeing how they grow and change over time is always fascinating."
Vincent Drake:
"That's. . .a pretty fancy way of saying it, yeah." he nodded, "Humanity is one of the most fascinating creature's on the planet, we've done so much for a cosmic accident, plus history reads like a novel, has fun little twists and turns." he mused, "What was you're work again?"
Alexander Tarek:
"Cybersecurity, primarily. I handle some other digital tasks on request as needed."
Vincent Drake:
"That's cool, and something direly needed in this day and age, everyone is connected to shit and we keep evolving tech wise, it's hard to keep up on ways to keep things secure, but hey, some people say Chaos is a Ladder I guess."
Alexander Tarek:
"Indeed. That's part of why I got involved in it from an early age, how it's moved in leaps and bounds even within the last few years."
Vincent Drake:
"Always had a knack for computers or was it something ya had to learn?"
Alexander Tarek:
"More the former. The written word and its permutations has always been a passion of mine, and following it into the digital sphere was the next logical step."
Vincent Drake:
"Former writer?" he asked, "Any original work?"
Alexander Tarek:
"Nothing you'd be familiar with." That ghost of a smile came and went once again. "Smaller academic papers and things like that."
Vincent Drake:
"Well, I'd love to be familiar with them, what field was it?" he asked, some interest in his voice, "Man of surprises it seems." he chuckled
Alexander Tarek:
"Archaeology, with a focus on Middle Kingdom burial sites in Lower Egypt."
Vincent Drake:
"Honestly, never got into Egypt, I'm not much of a history buff other then what my assorted interests take me, that is to say Ancient Rome and Feudal Japan." he chuckled, "I'm pretty sure I got in a shouting match once when I said Rome failed because it went Christian, then again I was heckling one of those door to door missionaries."
Avery Frisk:
The raven seemed to disappear at some point in the conversation, as did Vinny's wallet as Avery got a muffin! The Lost sits back down sleepily next to Vinny and picks off bits of the muffin to eat.
Alexander Tarek:
"I can understand why that would raise their ire." He offered a quiet chuckle. "Rome was a magnificent city in its own way, and its fall sent reverberations throughout the world at the time."
As Avery joined them at the table Alexander gave them a proper once-over, the vanishing of the raven finally registering and eliciting a slight upward quirk of the eyebrow. "Good evening."
Vincent Drake:
and an arm went around Avery with some shoulder rubs and a kiss on their cheek, "The Eternal City, right, it's culture shaping Europe for centuries to follow. . .holy shit, it was the original evil empire wasn't it?" he laughed, "I mean, Great Britain, France, hell, the not so Holy and not so Roman not an Empire was the biggest, lot of people trying to copy those days, and look at the harm done in the process."
Avery Frisk:
Avery leaned into the Kindred, then looked at the ground, a slightly confused look for a second before looking back at him. Still pretty sleepily.
"Hi...." then to Vinny. "A...friend from work?"
Alexander Tarek:
"I wouldn't say original, but certainly in the front of the pack for the title. The greater powers all had their own sins, steps taken to cement power that caused suffering for its people as a whole."
The show of affection earned a brief smile from the Shadow, followed by a small bemused look at Avery's moment of confusion. "One could say such. Alexander Tarek, good to meet you."
Vincent Drake:
"Kinda a passing associate, water cooler talk and the like," he said to Avery before turning to Alex, "This is my partner Avery." another kiss planted on their cheek, "I mean, every society has it's sins, some embrace it and become hell holes, some dig them so deep only for them to explode in when the anger and resentment festers to the surface, but I try to not talk politics at the table." he shrugged, "I think the important thing is how you own up to it."
Avery Frisk:
"Avery...like he said....it is nice to meet you."
Avery pauses and looks confused, whispering.
"Water...cooler talk?"
Alexander Tarek:
"Fair enough. It can be a contentious subject at times." He nodded quietly, looking Avery over as he allowed Vincent to explain that particular turn of phrase.
Vincent Drake:
"Basically, we know each other, same office, but we're. . .well, don't really know each other, so we have some small talk, and in the office, that's what the water cooler if for."
Avery Frisk:
"Oh...okay. Thank you."
Avery has another small nibble of her muffin.
Alexander Tarek:
"I am glad to see that you've been settling in well enough since the last time we spoke, I will say. Have you had much luck finding your particular niche in the city, or is that ongoing?"
Vincent Drake:
"I think I've found a good spot," he nodded, "Entertainment and Hospitality is something that ties everyone together."
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods, a loving smile.
"He is doing well. From...what I understand."
Alexander Tarek:
"True indeed. May it serve you well." He nodded in return, then looked to Avery. "Are you also in the hospitality business, or in another field?"
Vincent Drake:
Vincent leaned back in his seat
Avery Frisk:
Avery looks at Vincent for a moment.
"I...am an artist..." Avery's hand moves with...well a tiny bit more grace than one would expect. They reach for their muffin again for another pinch of it. Then they go right back to holding themselves back.
Alexander Tarek:
"Ah...I see." He leaned in a bit, seemingly intrigued. "Of what sort?"
Vincent Drake:
Vincent asked for a coke, "Want anything love?" he asked if Avery wanted a drink to go with the muffin as she answered
Avery Frisk:
"Um...just water please. With ice?"
Avery looks a bit embarrassed to talk about their craft.
"Drawing and paint...and going to try doing more online art soon."
Alexander Tarek:
"I hope it goes well. I enjoy drawing myself, although I don't have as much time for it these days as I would like."
Avery Frisk:
Avery's eyes naturally stray to the rooftops and by passing faces as they talk.
"Drawing...helps me feel safe. What...do you draw?"
Vincent Drake:
when the drinks came Vincent sipped his coke, "Honestly, pretty sure you may have seen her work, it was popular at the office." he said, half brag half tease to Avery
Alexander Tarek:
"People, places, whatever catches my interest at the moment. I prefer paper to digital, however; using an electronic stylus doesn't have the same feel to it."
"Is that so..." He picked up his own tea cup, taking a small enough sip to keep up appearances before setting it back down. "Ah...the painting, I presume? That was rather impressive."
Avery Frisk:
Avery blushes heavily at the compliment.
"I much prefer paper as well. It feels more natural to me..."
A slow nod.
"It was...a gift, yes. The Diptych of the city. I could probably have done better."
Vincent Drake:
"Avery, it was amazing, everyone at work was awed by it, be proud." he encouraged his partner, "if you want to make something new, I can help, be a muse, so many ways to inspire you." he teased, whispering a bit close to her ear, teasing smirk on his face
Titania:
Titania walked over, in a modern if short black dress. A friend had picked it out for her, a leather pouch over her shoulder.
Mei curled around her neck like a scarf. Columba off somewhere.
"You going to pose nude for them Vinny?"
Alexander Tarek:
"A good artist can always find things to improve, but eventually one must set down the brush lest they become too lost in the details." He replied with a brief smile, glancing towards Titania as she approached and giving her a respectful nod. "Titania. I hope the night treats you well thus far?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery is approximately the same hue of red as a tomato.
"I...I don't draw people. I....know I can always improve."
Vincent Drake:
"I didn't say anything of the sort," he shrugged at Titania, his hand moving under the table to hold Avery's hand if she wanted, "How goes?"
Titania:
"Poor little bird."
A chuckle at the blush.
"You said you would be a muse. People are interesting. My night is going well Alexander. How are you?"
Alexander Tarek:
Titania's comment let a few puzzle pieces slip into place, with Alexander eyeing Avery anew as he replied. "I'm doing quite well. Came out to do some people-watching after finishing my work for the evening and found some pleasant company to pass the time with."
Avery Frisk:
Avery does not look entirely pleased that Titania was here, hand holding Vincent's and scooting a bit closer to him.
Vincent Drake:
Vincent sipped his Coke with his free hand, "I was just about on a walk and ran into Alex here."
Titania:
"I was out looking for a friend. Then I bumped into you. She can wait a bit longer then."
Alexander Tarek:
The shortened name earned Vincent a brief but sharp look, although he made no further comment on the matter. Avery's discomfort was noted, looking between them and Titania with a hint of curiosity on his features. "A happy bit of kismet that we all came across each other, it seems."
Avery Frisk:
Avery didn't respond to Titania. That was her business. The look from Alexander did earn a slightly more protective vibe from Avery, who tries to diffuse it.
"What...is Kismet?"
Vincent Drake:
"Um, sorry," he said to Alexander at the sharp look, "Didn't mean to offend." then a sight, "I have no idea." he said to Avery
Titania:
A smile crosses Titanias lips at the looks from Alexander. Though she leaves him to explain.
Alexander Tarek:
"Names have importance." He replied to Vincent, his tone firm but his expression polite. He then looked to Avery. "It's Arabic for fate or destiny."
Avery Frisk:
"Oh....I don't know Arabic..."
A soft rub to Vinny's back.
"Alexander.... what... are your pronouns? Those are important too."
Vincent Drake:
Vincent sips his drink and taps his foot, which Avery would remember he does when he get's irritated, "Wait, I thought it was Greek, cause Alexander the Great. . .then again those two are pretty close, so I could see the Greeks picking it up somewhere." he mused
Titania:
Titania just looks between them all enjoying the people watching.
"I think he was meaning Kismet not his name."
Alexander Tarek:
"They are indeed. He and him, in my case." He replied to Avery, then nodded to Titania's clarification. "Alexander is Greek, yes. I can speak both, however, along with a few other languages I've picked up over the years."
Avery Frisk:
Avery, the poor monolingual person in the room, puts her head on Vinny's shoulder. History wasn't their thing, cause...well...they didn't know most of it.
Vincent Drake:
I'll teach you sometime said to Avery in fluent Russian, "It's hard to pick up when you're older, but I'm sure you'll do fine." he said, back in English, "I said, 'I'll teach you sometime'." he smiled at the Birdfriend, "Well then, Kismet has been pulling me along and I have no clue where she'll lead."
Titania:
Titania shakes her head at Vinny.
"That's the idea. A lovely meeting this evening. Most don't try to manipulate it."
Alexander Tarek:
"And those that do often find it biting them when they don't expect it." He offered with a small ghost of a smile, looking towards Avery. "What pronouns do you use, to rewind slightly?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery nods to Vinny.
"I...only speak English..."
There's a bit of a pause as Avery looks over Titania.
"Some should use their own advice."
They look away, to Alexander. A more positive look.
"Any...and all. It doesn't matter how I look...I like all of them."
Vincent Drake:
"Only one I know is a two-headed bird demon." he mused as he sipped his drink, working on the best emergency exit plan in his brain
Titania:
"I don't try to manipulate fate or Destiny little bird. But I am enjoying this lovely meeting of. People."
Her expression never changing from blankly calm.
Alexander Tarek:
"Bird demon..." He gave Vincent a curious look, mindful of the interaction between Avery and Titania all the while. "Should I even ask?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery grumbles, then looks to Vinny.
"Can I go?"
Vincent Drake:
"Kairos Fateweaver." he said simply, "No, we're both going, I still need to do more of my walk." he got up and offered his arm to Avery, "Good to see ya." he gave the two a nod, before linking his arm and walking off with Avery
Titania:
"Have a good night Little Bird and Vinny."
"How have these nights been treating you Alexander."
Alexander Tarek:
"Good seeing you, Mister Drake, and it was a pleasure meeting you, Avery." Alexander nodded to the pair, then looked towards Titania. "Very well overall. I've been busy with personal projects for the most part. Yourself?"
Avery Frisk:
Avery doesn't look or respond to Titania. Grey rocking to some degree.
"Goodbye Alexander. Take care."
Avery links their arm and goes off with their boyfriend.
Titania:
"Complicated at best. Let's say. Working on catching up with an old friend. Feeling very. Hmm. Detached we shall say."
Alexander Tarek:
"A perilous thing, that." He nodded, watching Titania for a moment. "Do you need assistance in reconnecting?"
Titania:
"I don't know. Its. Trying to find what it means to be kind. Finding how to do that."
She pauses.
"Finding out that my mistakes are still haunting me."
Alexander Tarek:
"Hard lessons to learn, or relearn as the case may be."
Titania:
"Relearn. Again and again."
Alexander Tarek:
"Indeed. As difficult as it may be it is paramount to continue to relearn them, lest you forget their importance and set them to the side, much to your detriment."
Titania:
"I did for a few centuries and. Its biting me now."
Alexander Tarek:
"It's a hard road to walk, but one worth doing. Are you having trouble with any particular facets of it?"
Titania:
"Not specifically. More. One particular mistake of passion coming back after 50 years and reminding me the irredeemable harm I did to someone that. I. Loved. Love."
Alexander Tarek:
"I see." He nodded, watching the elder Gangrel with a look of quiet understanding. "Do you wish to rekindle that connection?"
Titania:
"I do. Right now its the most important thing in the world to me."
She looks away. "The problem is she doesnt remember it. I do and that is its own problem."
Alexander Tarek:
"The guilt getting in the way of forging a new path with her, I imagine."
Titania:
"I want to go back to how it was. But. I cant. Not without telling her what I did. If I do. Im. She should hate me for that."
Alexander Tarek:
"Having what was is impossible, as much as you may wish it. Things change, as we know all too well, and you must start anew with where you and she are now. Grasping at the shadows of the past chokes the life out of the present."
Titania:
"Maybe."
She looks back. "How do I tell someone that the hell she went through for the last 50 years is my fault?"
Alexander Tarek:
"With honesty. It is a hard truth, but one that should come from you rather than her finding out on her own. She may recoil from you for it, but she may understand that passion can make one do terrible things."
Titania:
Her voice is soft as she continues, checking for prying ears. "What do you know of what Avery is?"
Alexander Tarek:
"I know the what, but I haven't had many interactions of note with them."
Titania:
She nods her head. "I sent someone back to where they are trapped during their time away."
Alexander Tarek:
"Someone, or her specifically?"
Titania:
"Her."
Alexander Tarek:
He nodded quietly, looking her over. "Not something easily forgiven, then. I understand your hesitance."
Titania:
She nods her head.
"She got too close. I didn't know how to process how much I cared so I pushed her away. In her passion of that moment she ravaged the dress of my long dead lover."
Though there is regret about her actions to Tonya. There is also a hint of inhuman rage and the destruction of that dress.
Alexander Tarek:
"And in your own rage you doomed her to a fate she had already escaped once. Thankfully she was able to return from it a second time."
Titania:
"Yes and she has come back further scarred and damaged. Over a dress I am in the process of spending exorbitant funds restoring. But. It can be restored. Those years cannot."
She shakes her head. "Now it's a reminder that the damage she did is repairable. The damage I did. Less so."
Alexander Tarek:
"A lesson worth learning." He gave a small nod. "You face a new source of tribulation. What strength will you pull from it?"
Titania:
"No idea. Don't act out of passion is probably a good start."
She says with a half smile.
Alexander Tarek:
"That it is." A ghost of a smile flickered across his own features. "I wish you luck in finding what you seek with her."
Titania:
"Thank you. Do have a good night Alexander. I need to go give her this."
Bag swinging off her shoulder.
Alexander Tarek:
"You as well." He lifted his cup of tea in a small salute.
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