|
Aurelio Menegi: As evening fell around the diner Aurelio had already laid claim to a table, the marble-skinned Torrent dressed in black as was his wont. A cup of coffee sat nearby as he perused the menu, mulling over the choices.
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka is only just making her way into the diner, clad in a pair of jeans and black tee-shirt with the tino rangatiratanga flag on. Aurelio gets a nod when she spots the Torrent. "You mind company, or would you prefer to eat alone?"
Aurelio Menegi: Aurelio looked up as he was addressed, dark eyes looking Ripeka over before he motioned to the other side of the booth. When he replied his English was solidly colored by his native tongue, accompanied by a small smile. "Feel free. Company makes a meal better."
Rieko Sato: Ding! The bell above the door-portal (doortal) clangs as someone new enters the diner. There's a sudden feeling of intense humidity - accompanied by the scent of rain - as a 5'8" red skinned Oni woman steps inside. Horns, teeth, demonic eyes, powerful muscle. The whole shebang. To those who cannot pierce her mask, however: merely an incredibly fit woman with her raven-black hair pulled back into a tight bun. She's wearing overall shorts with a strap hanging off one shoulder, a printed crop top, hiking boots, and a battered-looking brown cowboy hat with little holes in the top for her horns to poke out.
Oh, and also there's a ridiculously big, probably-sword-shaped bundle of cloth on her back - fixed there by a leather guitar strap.
Alexis Bartram: Alexis makes her way into the door and almost bounces off of the Changeling in front of her, skidding to a halt and blinking in surprise before - if anyone can see her behind the taller woman - rather obviously checking her out. The newbie mage looks ever so slightly lost, since this is her first time actually coming to the diner herself. She's wearing a black t-shirt with the First Ones Failsafe heart on the chest in bi pride colors and a pair of kakhi cargo shorts. She also has some Active Magic on her, but its obviously not anything that trips the wards.
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka takes a seat in the indicated side of the booth, returning the smile. "Agreed. Is that an Italian accent?"
Aurelio Menegi: The feeling of humidity radiating off the Oni was matched by the heat of an open kiln that came off of Aurelio, likely making that section of the diner a degree or two hotter just by their mere presence. Summer's gotta Summer, after all...
Rieko earned a curious "you're new..." look before he gave both her and Alexis a polite nod, then he turned his attention back to Ripeka. "It is, yes."
Rieko Sato: There's a split second of incredible tension as Rieko hears the door behind her - and senses that someone's about to run into her - but the collision never occurs. She turns to face Alexis, grinning broadly, and whatever she'd been carrying in her shoulders seems to bleed away with a laugh. "Careful." Rieko's voice is bright - and possesses a bouncy, playful sort of cadence. "It doesn't usually pay to rush towards something you can't see." Beat. "You might run into trouble."
... and then she winks.
Alexis Bartram: Alexis lets out a literal squeak and hops a half step backwards as Reiko whirls around to face her, and then flushes pink behind her glasses. She seems to lock up for a moment before processing that Reiko said anything, then smiles shyly and nibbles her lip before saying, "Sometimes you don't mind the trouble you run into, though..."
Ripeka Carpenter: Following Aurelio's line of sight, Rīpeka arches an eyebrow at the interaction between Alexis and Rieko. "I wonder where that's going to end up."
Aurelio Menegi: "One must wonder..." Aurelio smirked a touch as he watched the pair, taking a sip of his coffee as he did so.
Rieko Sato: "Then it sounds like you haven't actually run into any trouble," there's another broad grin - and even though Alexis can't see the terribly sharp fangs that line her maw, there's a dangerous quality to the woman's smile. The kind of thing that doesn't quite trigger your fight-or-flight, but definitely makes you... uncomfortable. There's a small laugh, and she turns on her heel with a flourish - her long ponytail swishing through the air as she does.
"So," she approaches Aurelio at the table, continuing to speak in that very performative way. "I was told that folks like you and I could relax here. I'm glad to see they weren't yanking my chain." She offers a hand to her fellow summer. "Eko, by the way."
Alexis Bartram: In typical Mastigos fashion, Alexis refuses to let anything as minor as a subconscious instinct screaming 'this woman is going to eat you alive' warn her off, but she does notice that Rieko heads right for the table with someone she actually knows. Well, somewhat. The tiny mystagogue walks over to greet Rīpeka, "Hello again. Nice to see someone around for something other than an emergency or official meeting for once."
Ripeka Carpenter: "You can say that again," Rīpeka nods, smiling at Alexis. "How've you been?" The scion is very much not tiny. She's one of the tallest people in the room, in fact. "This your first time at Maddy's?"
Aurelio Menegi: "Si." Aurelio nodded to Rieko, taking the offered hand and shaking it firmly. The marble that made up his form was strikingly cold, especially in comparison to the warmth of his Mantle. "Aurelio Menegi. Good to meet you."
Rieko Sato: "Sick nasty," her smile grows wide again - and Aurelio can see her terrifying teeth. The effect it has is not diminished by this fact. Rieko grabs a chair from a nearby table, spinning it around, and draping her across the piece of furnature because how does one sit in a chair properly, anyway? "I met an Autumn last night who kicked some serious ass - I have high hopes for the members of this Freehold if even it's witches are battle-ready." Beat. "Say, what's good to eat here?"
Alexis Bartram: "I'm actually feeling reasonably good. Feels like I'm close to a breakthrough with Space. And I've started talking with the other Soulwardens about becoming a full member." Alexis grins before gesturing at the table, "Kay's brought food from here quite a few times, but I've never made it over myself for whatever reason. Do you mind if I join you?"
Ripeka Carpenter: "No, go ahead," Rīpeka grins. "It makes sense that Kay'd bring food back from here, I know she visits a fair bit." Beat. "I take it you're focusing on Space, at least for now, then?"
Aurelio Menegi: "I've seen some good fighters among all of the courts." Aurelio nodded, sliding over a menu for Rieko to look over. "Usually go with the sicily myself, but it's all good."
He looked to Alexis as she made a move to claim a seat, giving a polite smile. "Do sit, please. Always good to meet new people."
Rieko Sato: "Well, I'm not entirely sure what a Sicily is -- beyond the place -- but I think that's what I'll be having." There's another brief flare of her mantle, and the blanket of humidity that's surrounded the group becomes just a touch more noticible. She reaches for a menu (from the same table she stole the chair from) and begins to peruse. "So what's that mean? You two keep saying that word with a capital s, so. What's Space in this context?"
There's a touch of mischief in her voice that is very audible - even though she's hiding the lower half of her face with a menu.
Alexis Bartram: "Given everything that's happened to me, I wanted to learn how to create Wards before I ended my official period of apprenticeship. Just in case." Alexis elaborates, "After that...there are some tantalizing hints being dangled around about something I might be interested in but I need to find for myself, so I guess I'll be working on finding that path and seeing what I would need to travel down it." She shrugs and takes a seat, "And I'm always interested in learning more about pretty much anything. I'm hoping to get a chance to learn more about exploring the dreaming side of things sometime soon."
Looking over to Rieko, "It helps that if you all really get into trouble you can call on other parts of the community here too. I think a lot of us would help where and when we can. And Space means...well..." Alexis gestures at the door, "How you got here from downtown, as an example."
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka nods to Alexis. "It's not my field to explain, but I know a few people with very deep understanding of it."
Aurelio Menegi: The mention of dreams earned Alexis a curious look. "An interesting place to explore, that. What calls you to it, if I may ask?"
Rieko Sato: Rieko nods at Alexis. Maybe she was able to glean an actual explanation from that, maybe not - but for whatever reasons she doesn't seem to ask a followup question. She finishes perusing the menu, and leans back onto the back legs of her chair so she can get it back into place on the table behind her without actually getting up. In the process of doing this, it becomes very obvious exactly how muscular - and also flexible - the Oni is.
... and then she waves a server over as if nothing happened so she can order her sicily and coffee, because... when in Rome, right?
Alexis Bartram: "Well...er. Hm, explaining this is tricky, because you can't have the right frame of reference for it, but in essence the core aspects of what made me magical draws to the study of Space and Mind. So studing the Astral, both the dreaming porti...." Alexis trails off as her libido throttles her brain mid-sentence and it takes her a few moments to reboot, "Ahem. The study of dreams and the deeper dreaming are something that is, or at least could be, related to how I understand and interact with the supernatural world."
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka arches an eyebrow at Alexis, but otherwise doesn't call attention to the other mage being a useless lesbian. "Before you ask, my method of doing so is very different, even though Alexis here and I are both mages."
Aurelio Menegi: Alexis wasn't the only one watching, admittedly, although for Aurelio it was more of an appraising look than gawking. "Ah...interesting. We work with dreams as well, although likely from another side than you and yours. Would be curious to see where it might meet in the middle."
Rieko Sato: "I, for one," Rieko announces, setting herself upright, and tugging the hem of her crop top back down so it covers her extremely sculped abdominal muscles. "Feel like that's probably a bad idea, but this isn't exactly my city -- I'm not even sword to the Freehold, yet -- so I won't tell you what to do, but I highly recommend that you steer clear of the ways that we work with dreams." There's a moment, and she flashes her brilliant fangs teeth once again before linking her hands behind her head - inadvertantly showing off her biceps in the process. "... but like I said. Not my city, so take it with a grain of salt."
Alexis Bartram: "I have the sneaking suspicion that in most other cities you would probably be right that its a bad idea, but at least in Philly the locals have already learned the costly lessons of the rotten fruit that comes of stealing secrets and trampling on others. Any cooperation would of right be thoughtful and careful - and we certainly wouldn't do anything to cause any harm." Alexis gestures towards Rīpeka, "Part of what her side of our community does is remind us that we already royally fucked up once, and we are quite literally on probation."
Ripeka Carpenter: "Most of the time we don't need to actively make that point, but yeah, pretty much," Rīpeka agrees, smiling slightly. "We're careful not to trample on other communities in turn, though. Whether your own or the vampires."
Aurelio Menegi: That initial admission got Rieko a bit of a look from Aurelio, watching her for a moment. "Would recommend fixing that, especially with recent goings on. Can get you in touch with those above us if you need it."
"Good to know." He nodded to the magi, taking a sip of his coffee. "This is the first place where I have seen this sort of cooperation, which has worked well all told."
Rieko Sato: "I'm not talking about crossing lines of territory," Rieko shrugs. "I mean that it's probably dangerous for you folks - whatever community you belong to - to mess about the way we mess about." Beat. "... I'm good on that front, though, Aurelio. I met Alain and Nao at a coffee shop, and now I've got a meeting set up with Devan -- even though he's a busy motherfucker, so when the meeting happens seems to be in flux at the moment."
Alexis Bartram: "I mean, fair enough although you're assuming its danger that we don't already face." Alexis pauses for a moment to take her drink from the staff and thank them, "In any case, I think it would be better for both groups if we knew how to look out for each other and help spot dangers and opportunities. As long as we're going to be living in the same spaces, we should build each other up as much as we can."
Ripeka Carpenter: "Humanity is the family of all," Rīpeka agrees. "Working together helps us all. Just look at that Rat Host situation."
Aurelio Menegi: "Ah...good." Aurelio nodded to Rieko, relaxing a touch. "May it go well when it happens."
"Indeed. Better to use all tools available as one rather than run roughshod over each other."
Rieko Sato: "I think that if you faced the same dangers we do, you'd be every bit as cautious as I am." Rieko's brow furrows as she looks between Alexis and Ripeka - and her hand absentmindedly drops to the odachi bundle of cloth sitting beside her chair. Though, her food arrives in a to-go container shortly afterwards, which leaves her little time to deliberate further on the subject. The sword is re-slung over her shoulder, and she stands up, stretching up onto her tip-toes before grabbing the coffee and styrofoam container.
"Anyhow, I've got a date to get to. Thanks for the company -- and the recommendation of food!"
Ripeka Carpenter: "We might not face the same dangers, but that doesn't mean we don't face danger all our own," Rīpeka points out. "Enjoy your date, though."
Aurelio Menegi: "Was good to meet you. Safe travels." Aurelio nodded to Rieko as she got up, then looked to the other two at the table. "How we get involved in dealing with dreams is...less than pleasant, to a one, and those dangers linger."
Rosalyn Solfrig: Rosalyn stumbled into the wafflehouse looking like she'd run through a blackberry patch and fought a couple bears on the way out. She was muddy and had a several great scratches across every patch of skin that wasn't covered- and her usual leather biking jacket hadn't survived the trip. It had several stripes taken out of it and was more mud than leather. Ros's hair tumbled out from under her motorcycle helmet in a clean and silky sheet of gold that only made her rough appearance look more like a Hollywood makeup artist's version of someone who had survived a trip through the Hedge than anything. Ros wiped her boots on the rug, then grimaced and kicked them off entirely and left them by the door.
"Could someone please ask the kitchen to bring out a couple raw steaks? Or hamburger? Raw meat of any sort really. I'll be right back out," she said before heading to the bathroom to wash her hands and face.
Alexis Bartram: Alexis waits for the door to close behind Rieko and then lays her head down on the table with a groan, grumbling into her arms, "Why are all the gorgeous ones always taken? Fuck my life." It takes her a moment before she looks up, "I Awakened to the Realm of Pandemonium. Danger and unpleasantness aren't exactly unfamiliar, though I admit to not knowing all the realities behind what makes up your set of them."
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka reaches across the table to pat Alexis on the shoulder. "You know, there's this new and interesting thing called "not being exclusive". You might want to try your luck anyway." She grins at the other mage. "Worst that can happen is her saying no, right?"
Aurelio Menegi: Aurelio looked ready to respond when Rosalyn tore her way into the diner, holding up a hand briefly. "Can explain more in a moment..."
With that he moved from the table to put in the Fairest's request with the kitchen, looking her over once she emerged from the bathroom post clean-up. "Are you injured?"
Rosalyn Solfrig: She emerged a bit later, looking more human. Ros slumped into a seat across from Aurelio and shook her head. "I'm fine," she assured him. "Just scratches. Elio saved me from the worst of it and I had a fruit that handled the rest." She let out a sigh of relief when a waitress came over with the raw meat. "Thank you very much," she said gratefully, and then picked up one of the slabs. In a flash, the gauntlet she'd been wearing vanished and a tiny griffon- or rather, an enormous golden eagle to the two mages- was perched on the diner's table, snatching the meat from her fingertips. Ros winced at how close she was to donating a few fingers too.
Alexis Bartram: "Actually, I'm pretty sure the worst that could happen is her taking a swing at me with a 6-foot straight razor, unless I'm wrong about what was in that package she was hauling around." Alexis makes a wry face and shakes it off, "Good point and you're right, but let's see if she needs any help.," she indicates Rosalyn with a tilt of her head, "She looks like she went for one hell of a ride through something."
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka blinks slightly as Rosalyn's gauntlet transforms into an eagle. "Well, I certainly wasn't expecting that." There's a brief pause as her attention turns to Rosalyn herself. "Looks like you could use armour or something when you're feeding that."
Aurelio Menegi: "Good." Aurelio nodded, blinking in surprise as the griffon formed itself from the gauntlet. "Something from the Thorns, I take it?"
Rosalyn Solfrig: "She," Ros said, her voice and shoulders softening noticably. "Her name's Agate. Settle, my little egglet. It'll be alright. We'll fill that crop." She dropped her voice low as she steadily continued to feed the creature, cutting the meat into smaller bite size chunks. "Armor probably would be good," she admitted, but she's not going to bite me on purpose. She just hasn't eaten in days, poor thing." She looked over at Aurelio and Ripeka and silently mouthed. 'Her parents were killed.'
Alexis Bartram: "Oh goodness. It looks like you could use some armor in general, to be honest. I think that jacket might be a write-off unless you know someone who can magic it whole again. Are you alright? Do we need to help you with something chasing you or anything?" Alexis stares at the bird for a moment before looking back at Ros' face.
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka just waits for Ros to answer Alexis's questions.
Aurelio Menegi: "Ah...shame, that." He frowned quietly, looking the young hedgebeast over. "She's in good hands now, at least."
Rosalyn Solfrig: The baby griffon seemed more at ease now that she'd been fed and she felt safe again, and she settled down very un-eagle like and promptly fell asleep sprawled across the table. Her cat half twitched a bit, tail lashing in sleepy agitation. "Nothing's chasing us," Rosalyn said softly. "But I very much appreciate the generous thought and offer. Agate had a bit of a difficult time. The thorns are in upheaval and many of their denizens are struggling to survive. Even larger predators aren't safe. Agate's nest came under attack. Lesser wyrms of some sort as I understand. Usually such only attack by stealth and steal eggs when the opportunity arises but they're starving too. Her parents died fighting off the wyrms, and Elio and I were close enough to get Agate to safety."
Alexis Bartram: "That sounds...ominous. I'm sure there are a lot of people working on figuring out the cause already, though. Its good that you're safe." Alexis nods, "If you like, I can give you a small boon once you've rested? Just something to smooth out travel until you get to a safe place to recover." She slides back to snag her cup, sipping at her drink and watching the birb
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka nods. "If Agate here is injured, I can heal her, as well."
Aurelio Menegi: "Very." Aurelio nodded to Alexis. "We have an idea of the cause but the resolution is still in the works. With luck it will come soon."
Rosalyn Solfrig: "You both have my gratitude, though that's all I can offer in return. I would very much appreciate if you took a look at her," she said. "I know horses well enough- and cats, but I've never had a, ah, bird."
Alexis Bartram: "Its been mentioned already tonight, but if you do find yourselves needing help, don't fear to reach out to us - there are plenty that would offer assistance."
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka nods again, chanting in High Speech as she reaches out, touching Agate briefly. "There. She should be fine, now."
Aurelio Menegi: The High Speech made Aurelio's head tilt as he tried to parse it but failed miserably, shaking his head after a moment before looking the young griffin over. "Good working to know...she looks much better now."
Rosalyn Solfrig: Agate stirred briefly, a piecing eye peeking up at Ripeka before closing again. "Better. Thanks," the griffon said in an odd squeaky sort of voice. Then she closed her eyes again and relaxed more deeply. Rosalyn seemed deeply moved and reached out to squeeze Rīpeka's hand in thanks. "If I can repay the favor, please don't hesitate to call on me."
Alexis Bartram: "Aww..." Alexis coos at the bird, but very carefully doesn't come close enough to bother it. "Don't worry about not being able to parse the words. It takes going through what we went through, or us applying a specific working, for anyone to understand them."
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka returns the hand squeeze. "Honestly, don't worry about it. It was fairly easy to do, and I'm sure you have healers on your side of things who'd do the same."
Aurelio Menegi: "Ah...good to know. Still getting used to English, wasn't sure if I was just missing something." He nodded to Alexis, allowing himself a small smirk.
Rosalyn Solfrig: "But you were here," she countered. "I'd have gone elsewhere but this was the first place I thought of that would have meat and not be completely inappropriate for her- and your English is just fine, Summer!"
Alexis Bartram: "It really isn't bad at all - better than my Italian, to be honest." Alexis smiles, "I wish I could see what she really looks like - I'm guessing that she's not JUST a bird from how you're talking about her - but private things like that are meant to be private."
Ripeka Carpenter: Rīpeka nods. "I barely speak any Italian, honestly. Just enough to ask people to speak English."
Aurelio Menegi: The smirk shifted to a proper smile, with the Torrent giving the others a nod. "Thank you. I do my best." At the mention of seeing beyond the mask he looked to Rosalyn at that, an eyebrow arched a touch. "Up to you, I suppose..."
Rosalyn Solfrig: She shrugged. "She's a juvenile griffon. I know Agate seems big- and she is, for a mundane eagle, but in a few years she'll be the size of a car, more or less."
Alexis Bartram: Alexis whistles, "Wow, she'll be gorgeous, won't she?" Tilting her head, she asks Rosalyn, "Would you like me to give your blessing for the road now?"
Ripeka Carpenter: "How involved will feeding her be, if she can grow to car size?" Rīpeka asks curiously.
Rosalyn Solfrig: "I already take Elio out to hunt, she'll just come with and have to pull her weight. I can't afford to keep her fed at this size if we were going to eat out like this all this time," Ros laughed.
Alexis Bartram: "Yikes. Hopefully the situation in the Hedge doesn't deteriorate too much further then, since I doubt you're talking about hunting deer."
Ripeka Carpenter: "It's probably none of my business, but can she eat deer? Or anything else on this side of things?"
Aurelio Menegi: "Don't see why not. She handled the steaks well enough."
Rosalyn Solfrig: Ros nodded. "Shouldnt be an issue," she agreed. "Though it takes effort to keep her here like this. It's not her natural home."
Alexis Bartram: Alexis digs out a piece of paper and her pen, a mirror-bright scarlet metal that catches the eye, scribbling something down on the paper and folding it in half, then begins chanting in high speech while she catches the tangled skien of destiny on the tip of the pen and scribes a blessing into the air.
Ripeka Carpenter: "I assume her natural home is the Hedge, then?" Rīpeka asks semi-rhetorically. "Does it take effort to bring her into this plane at all, or only if she's not being a gauntlet?"
Rosalyn Solfrig: "It takes an effort either way," she said simply. "Though the effort is worth it. Humans are a wee less concerned about an item of clothing than a bird of prey."
Alexis Bartram: As the spell builds and then settles like a gossamer net of potential on Rosalyn, distance, metaphorical and literal, seems to contract, drawing everything and everyone closer in spirit if not in reality, before Alexis' nimbus snaps back out of perception. She then holds the folded paper out for the fairest, "Safe travels, for you and your new friend. Call me if you need help. Or if you just want to talk."
Ripeka Carpenter: "I'll second that offer," Rīpeka says, smiling slightly at Ros. "Us supernaturals have to stick together, after all."
Rosalyn Solfrig: "I appreciate it." She pulled out a little business card case from an interior pocket of her shredded jacket and offered them both a hand calligraphed card that read 'R. Solfrig' and her phone number.
Alexis Bartram: "Oh, those are very nice. Thank you." Alexis chuckles, "I should get some proper cards made up. I wonder if Jay knows someone I could comission a design from..."
Ripeka Carpenter: "Probably," Rīpeka chuckles, taking the card with a smile. "If not, you can always google for someone who does that sort of thing."
Rosalyn Solfrig: "I'll tell you a secret," Ros laughed. "$1 for a sheet of proper linen paper at a little print shop and the gentleman that owned the place cut them to the proper size on a big machine he had for free. I couldn't afford to hire someone."
Alexis Bartram: "I should probably get mine done professionally so I can use them for...well, actual business cards too. Just write them off as a business expense." Alexis smiles a little abashedly, "My calligraphy is a bit on the poor side. Too much time spent typing on keyboards instead."
Ripeka Carpenter: "I know, right?" Rīpeka asks rhetorically. "They're so much faster, but it means your writing doesn't look as pretty unless you take the time to practice calligraphy."
Rosalyn Solfrig: "As with everything, practice makes perfect," Ros said lightly. "I should go and get Agate somewhere more comfortable," she said a bit reluctantly.
Alexis Bartram: "Well, I also spent more time practicing my Mandrin calligraphy than my English calligraphy, to be fair." Alexis shrugs, "Go. Get some rest and a chance for you and your friends to clean yourselves up. There's plenty of time to get more aquainted later, if you want."
|