Park Meetup (UrbFan)

[04:52] <u_Sally> [Today, you are definitely not sitting in the shade.]
[04:54] <u_Sally> [The picnic blanket's rolled out on one of the grassy slopes, further away from your usual tree by the pond, and you're lying with your back to the sun, peering at your book. The page is almost blinding, reflecting the bright sunlight. You think you'll buy sunglasses on your next trip out here, to read and- well.]
[04:57] <u_Sally> [You look up, at the huge white puppy sitting on the blanket beside you, snuffling in the grass. Her ears are an unnatural-looking blood red, and there's a burr in one of them. Set down your book. You reach over, patting her gently on the shoulder, before beginning to tease the burr out. After the two of you have returned back home, after your day at the park, you'll have to brush her.]
[04:57] <u_Sally> [She rolls over as the burr comes loose, and pants happily at you. Sigh and smile, and rub her belly.]
[05:01] <u_Rigel> 7[You saw her come in to the park. You've been wondering if you should leave her be. You know she can only go out as often as you can and she might not want the company. But at the same time she might not be getting any. You deliberate it a bit more before heading over to her, approaching from the front. You'd be visible long before you get close.]
[05:05] <u_Sally> [You're very aware of people when they approach you, especially these days. Regard Rigel, as he approaches, impassively. The dog notices too, and rolls to her feet, tail wagging excitedly. You move so you're sitting, and hook a couple fingers through her collar, giving a gentle tug to remind her she's not supposed to run off. After all, she's nearly a metre tall already, at only six months.]
[05:06] <u_Rigel> 7[You keep a respectable distance. "Hey. Want some company?"]
[05:08] <u_Sally> [Shrug. "You're not allergic to dogs, are you?" Scratch the dog in question's neck. "Sit." She does. Her tail is still wagging like mad. It's a quiet day in the park, not a lot of other people around.]
[05:09] <u_Rigel> 7[You chuckle. "Gotta have an immune system to be allergic to something." You walk a little closer and crouch down in front of the dog. Letting it sniff you first. Even if all you smell like is smoke and ash. "Whats her name?"]
[05:12] <u_Sally> [She slobbers over his hand. "Hasn't got one yet. Bit of a miscommunication with the dealer, didn't have the chance to ask what they were calling her." You let go of her collar slowly, and she lies down with a low whoof.]
[05:12] * Dello ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: )
[05:13] <u_Rigel> 7[You laugh and scratch behind her ears. "Got one in mind or are you still thinking about it?"]
[05:17] <u_Sally> [Another shrug. "Thinking about it." You don't look as tired as you did last time you saw him, but your hair is still cropped short around your ears, and the contract chain around your neck. On the wrist where you usually wear it, a ring of bandages. "Thought you were skipping town." The dog rolls over, exposing her belly. Her teeth are red when she grins, the same red as her ears.]
[05:19] <u_Rigel> 7["Still in the works. Scott is out trying to find me a decent place to lay low in. Just because he can find anything doesn't mean he can find it quickly." You rub the dogs belly, getting rid of the slobber in the process. "Your friend giving you trouble?" You nod at the bandages around the wrist.]
[05:25] <u_Sally> [You glance at the bandages and shake your head. "No, it wasn't his fault. I-" You fall quiet. Shake your head. "Contracts have their prices. 's nothing I haven't already agreed to... tolerate." The dog's legs kick with the belly rubs.]
[05:26] <u_Rigel> 7["Ain't my place, but you did read the fine print an everythin right?" You pat the dogs belly once you've finished rubbing it. "Contracts with a demon ain't exactly like signin a rent lease."]
[05:30] <u_Sally> [Look at him with a wry smile. "I did. Very carefully. And it's been almost four years without issue. Emergency addendums to a contract, however, cost a little more than favours." Your hand brushes idly at the ends of your hair. "I wouldn't worry. I know how to take care of myself." The dog rolls back over and returns to snuffling in the grass.]
[05:32] <u_Rigel> 7["Alright. Your life to live." You move and sit down beside her. "So how much trouble they been givin you?"]
[05:33] * Zuki ([email protected]) has joined #alt-ic
[05:39] <u_Sally> ["They can't enter my home. Which includes the shop, the yard out back, my apartment, my garden. I've made sure of that." Lean back, arms propping you upright, stretching your legs. "And even if they try to breech that, we have floodlights set up where necessary, and our own generators." And other power sources. "So, with only going out when it's daylight, and erring on the side of caution if
[05:39] <u_Sally> it looks like rain?" Shrug. "They haven't been much trouble at all." Well. It's sortof the truth.]
[05:39] <u_Sally> (( *breach ))
[05:43] <u_Rigel> 7["Glad to hear that." You lapse into silence. You really don't know what to talk about.]
[05:45] <u_Sally> [You're quiet for a bit too. Small talk is a muscle you haven't exercised much lately. You've barely interacted with customers over the last week and a half. "We got Caden back. Did Scott mention?"]
[05:48] * Zuki ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: Leaving.)
[05:51] <u_Rigel> 7[You shake your head. "Hes been out of town since a day or two after you gave me the call. Why he couldn't help." You stretch before making a small flame dance around your hand. "Sounds like you guys did okay without him though."]
[05:53] <u_Sally> [Watch the flame. "Mm. Turned out my help wasn't so needed after all. But he's back, and he's safe, and Hera's happy, which're the important things. And I guess I got a dog out of it." Pat her haunch.]
[05:55] <u_Rigel> 7["Heh. Happy endins everywhere huh?" You make a second flame and have the two of them make an intricate dance on your hand and lower arm.]
[05:57] <u_Sally> ["Close enough. For all the faeries and faerie tales, it's about time we got one." Trace the fire with your eyes, the tiniest bit entranced.]
[05:59] * Mnem ([email protected]) has joined #alt-ic
[06:00] <u_Rigel> 7["Ain't always what you expected it to be on this side of the veil huh?" A third joins the other two once you notice her following it with her eyes.]
[06:02] <u_Sally> ["Mm. I've um- I've never been one to believe in happy fairytale endings." You sound distracted now. "Learnt that they lie... too early."]
[06:06] <u_Rigel> 7["Fair enough." You raise your hand with the flames, and they jump and start dancing around Sally's arm now. Not hot enough to be uncomfortable, they move around her arm quick enough to only give the sensation of warmth on the trail they blaze.]
[06:07] <u_Sally> [You look nervous now, and stiff as you feel the flames run about your arm, as though a sudden movement would make them bite.]
[06:07] <u_Sally> [The dog dozes at your feet, oblivious.]
[06:08] <u_Rigel> 7["They're not going to hurt ya. Not going to let 'em." You give her a reassuring smile. "Want me to stop?"]
[06:08] * Zuki ([email protected]) has joined #alt-ic
[06:11] <u_Sally> [Glance at him, a wavering spark of unsurety that's almost fear. Then back at your arm. "Uhm," you mumble, trying to relax. "No, it's-" It's bright, even in the sunshine. You- you like bright things lately. "-s'okay."]
[06:12] <u_Rigel> 7["Theres about as much chance of you getting a burn as there is your arm reaching out and slapping me. Only going to happen if you want it to." They were slowing down when you ask if she wanted to stop, but with her reassurance they go back to the patterns.]
[06:15] <u_Sally> ["Mm." You watch them, feeling less stiff and alarmed as you try to remember the paths they take, imagining them mapped out more clearly across your skin.]
[06:18] <u_Rigel> 7[They go from following each other along the same path to branching out. Spread equidistant around her arm as they move up and down in a spiral before following each other again. Once they're back down at her hand the weave in and out of her fingers.]
[06:22] <u_Sally> [Turn your hand slowly in front of your eyes, as the fire flickers between your fingertips. "It's- is the fire you? Like, what decides what's just regular fire, and what's Aesh- Rigel?" Your questions come like a sudden, quiet explosion. There's interest back in your voice again, a lift from the flat, tired tones of just before.]
[06:24] <u_Rigel> 7["Yeah, thats me. As for what decides whats regular fire and whats me its..." You hum thoughtfully for a second. "There really is no difference between my fire and a regular fire beyond my capacity to control it. I could be using something as small as that or as big as a forestfire. Just don't expect me to do anything like this with that much fire though."]
[06:25] <u_Rigel> 7["It's like. Trying to multitask on a dozen different things at once. Theres only so much you can do before the quality starts suffering."]
[06:27] <u_Sally> ["Huh. Makes sense." You look at your hand speculatively. Then something occurs to you, and a small smile starts, despite your attempt to twist and hide it. "...does that mean you're holding my hand?"]
[06:29] <u_Rigel> 7[You laugh. "If ya want to look at it that way I suppose you could say that." The fires bob up and down around her hand. "Theres a reason I kept it on your arm." You say, with the tiniest hint of flirtation in there.]
[06:34] <u_Sally> [It takes you a moment, because you're not the brightest spark sometimes. "Uh-hum." Oh Danu don't you dare blush. "Well uh- thank you for that." You have no idea what else to say. And somehow instead find your hand trying to close around the fire, like you could hold it.]
[06:36] <u_Rigel> 7[Shes cute when shes flustered. One of the balls stays above her palm, allowing her to close her hand around it, the other two circling around her wrist. "No problem." The one shes holding dims a little, to not burn her. But its definitely there and its definitely fire.]
[06:44] <u_Sally> [Enjoy the warmth in your hand, and from the odd bracelet of the other two flames drifting about your wrist. It feels different from the heat of the contract chain, somehow. Your fingers try to roll the ball of fire about against your palm. Lean your chin on your other, bandaged hand, smiling, definitely entranced now, the flirtation almost slipped from your mind.]
[06:46] * Zuki ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: Leaving.)
[06:49] <u_Rigel> 7[Theres only so cool you can make the flame, but you do what you can. The ball isn't quite solid, but you have it move with her fingers anyways. You grin at her entranchment, glad shes feeling better.]
[06:57] <u_Sally> [The dog barks, suddenly definitely awake again and watching the flames on your hand warily. You startle out of your daze. "Hey- shh, s'alright," you soothe her quickly, reaching to pat her back with your non-fire-wreathed hand. Her tongue lolls out, and she tries to snuffle at your hand. You pull it away and out of her reach, tucking your other fingers securely around her collar. "No, we're
[06:57] <u_Sally> not going to lick it. You'll try licking other fires, and those /will/ burn you." Your voice is quiet and firm, though amused.]
[06:59] <u_Rigel> 7[You laugh. The flames staying still in respect to her arm. Two of them orbiting lazily around her wrist and the other still in her grasp. "You'd think they'd know better huh?"]
[07:01] <u_Sally> ["She's smart, but she's still young. Can you believe she's only six months old?" The wolfhound grins redly at Rigel. She's definitely already a metre tall while standing, and still likely to grow.]
[07:04] <u_Rigel> 7[You study the dog. "Yeah I can believe it. Lot of big dogs out there." You rub the dogs head before grinning back at Sally. "Shame about what you said."]
[07:05] <u_Sally> [Look at him, vaguely confused. "Hm?" Your hand's relaxed, letting go of the fire in your palm.]
[07:07] <u_Rigel> 7["About not licking the fire. It's quite an experience~." The third joins the other two as they start weaving around her arm.]
[07:10] <u_Sally> [Your eyes widen. And yep, your face goes red. Stammer, and fail to say anything at all. It's almost like you've been practicing being this awkward for years. Which is kinda almost the truth.]
[07:11] <u_Rigel> 7[You laugh again. Leaning over and giving her a half hug. "Doesn't happen often huh?"]
[07:13] <u_Sally> [Eep hugs what. "I uhm- oh jeez-" Bury your face in your hand, thoroughly embarassed, not doing a very good job of hugging back at all. The dog bumps her head against your knee, shuffling closer.]
[07:15] <u_Rigel> 7["Take your time. No rush." You soothe. Patting the dog's head as you wait.]
[07:16] <u_Sally> [Take your time to /what/. Are you supposed to flirt back? You are just sitting there, trying to cover your face with one hand, with fire which is technically him still running up and down your arm and- "Katey. I- uh- I thought I might name her Katey."]
[07:16] <u_Sally> [Smooooooth.]
[07:18] <u_Rigel> 7[You nod, not missing a beat. "It's a good name." You turn to face the dog. "What do you think. Katey work for you?"]
[07:18] * OJ ([email protected]) has joined #alt-ic
[07:19] * Zuki ([email protected]) has joined #alt-ic
[07:19] <u_Sally> [The dog barks, cheerful and oblivious to her new, and tries to move up to lick Rigel's face. "Katey- no!" you rebuke quickly. "No licking faces." Gently push her chest, making her move back. "Lie down."]
[07:20] <u_Sally> (( *her new name ))
[07:24] <u_Rigel> 7["I think she likes it." You give her a squeeze with the arm you still have around her before letting go.]
[07:29] <u_Sally> ["Ahah yeah." Scratch her ears, and carefully pick out another burr as you find it. You're not really sure what to do or say now. The hug wasn't bad, nor was the flirting. You just... have no idea how to react aside from embarassment and stuttering.]
[07:31] <u_Rigel> 7["So it really doesn't happen often huh?"]
[07:32] <u_Sally> ["Not uh- not really. Usually if people're... well, I can usually get Jovy to serve them and just go hide out the back."]
[07:33] <u_Rigel> 7["Thats just not right." You pause, for effect. "Should be happening more often with your personality and looks." You say this with ernestly.]
[07:37] <u_Sally> [Give him a look, expecting him to look like he's joking. Then redden again when you realise he's not. "W-what exactly's so interesting about a boring old bookshop owner. Whose- whose best friend thinks it's appropriate to mark her territory all over the shop." Look vaguely panicked as you realise what you just babbled.]
[07:39] <u_Rigel> 7[You chuckle. "I don't see how that last part is completely relevant to how you're not just some 'boring old bookshop owner'. And I can tell ya if you want to know."]
[07:40] <u_Sally> ["Uh-hum?" It's safest if you just- don't use words right now. Yes. That's for the best.]
[07:48] <u_Rigel> 7["Well, first off. You're an unveiled bookstore owner that deals with any number of creatures, fae and other assorted things on a daily basis. I'd hardly say that makes you ordinary."]
[07:50] <u_Sally> ["'m not the only only technically mundane who fusses with stuff."]
[07:50] <u_Sally> [The narrator would like to make it known that she wishes Sally would shut up and take a compliment for once.]
[07:50] <u_Rigel> 7["You not only deal with them daily, you hold your own against them, which is not somethin just anyone can do. You felt secure enough to say 'no' to a representitive of the Powers that Be."]
[07:53] <u_Rigel> 7["Beyond that you're curious and inquisitive. Most would keep their heads down, but you're always searchin for whats out there. Maybe not yourself, but you keep your eyes and ears open."]
[07:53] * Disconnected
[07:54] * Attempting to rejoin channel #alt-ic
[07:54] * Rejoined channel #alt-ic
[07:54] * u_Rigel ([email protected]) Quit (Ping timeout)
[07:54] * The_Black_Watch is now known as u_Rigel
[07:55] <u_Rigel> 7["Beyond that you're curious and inquisitive. Most would keep their heads down, but you're always searchin for whats out there. Maybe not yourself, but you keep your eyes and ears open."]
[07:58] <u_Sally> [You make a face. It's somehow simultaneously embarassed, flattered and petulant. "Curiousity seems to get me in more trouble than the knowledge gets me out of it, these days." You're not sure that sentence even made sense.]
[07:59] <u_Rigel> 7["You can hardly say you lead an uninteresting life though."]
[08:03] * alanadeckert ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
[08:04] <u_Sally> ["You're staying with a witch, with magical sight, and a barghest doom over her. There's a whole werewolf pack, and a faerie dog who bullies about the Master of the Hunt. I'm- I'm really-" You're getting flustered again, with a hint of internal frustration. "There's more interesting out there." Huff. Katey huffs back, and you try not to smile.]
[08:06] <u_Rigel> 7["And that makes ya any less interesting or worthwhile...how?"]
[08:06] * Mnem ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
[08:07] <u_Sally> ["Nn-" Sigh, and rub the bridge of your nose. "You're annoying, you know that?"]
[08:08] <u_Rigel> 7[You chuckle. "Statin I'm annoyin is not a valid rebuttal to my argument." You half hug her again.]
[08:11] <u_Sally> ["Yeah, well, I give up." Let yourself lean slightly against him. Why not, after all?]
[08:15] <u_Rigel> 7["Thank you would've been the correct answer, but I'll take it." You inform her. You're warm, warmer than any human has a right to be, but thankfully that doesn't apply to you.]
[08:16] <u_Sally> ["Mm. Thank you." You don't mind warm at all. Sit there, and make faces at Katey, and wonder a little at your life. Katey yawns at you.]
[08:18] <u_Rigel> 7["You're welcome." One of the balls starts orbiting at distance around the two of you. You make sure to keep it out of reach of Katey though.]
[08:21] * sleepyRave ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: http://www.mibbit.com ajax IRC Client)
[08:22] <u_Sally> [You watch it quietly as it drifts through the air past you, thinking. Then, after a while, as Katey yawns again, and starts bumping her nose against your feet- "I should probably be getting her home. It's not a long walk back, but- well, she is still young. And I don't think I could carry her if she's too tired to make it on her own paws." You sound vaguely reluctant, though.]
[08:24] <u_Rigel> 7["Alright. Let me know when the next time you're taking her out and I'll meet you here?"]
[08:24] <u_Sally> ["Don't think you'll have headed on before then?"]
[08:25] <u_Rigel> 7["Maybe. Scott didn't say how long he'd be. Could be gone tomorrow, could be longer." You shrug, and pull the flames back to you.]
[08:30] * OJ ([email protected]) Quit (Client exited)
[08:30] <u_Sally> [Lean out and away from him, starting to gather the few items you have out back into your bag. Out comes Katey's lead, and you clip it onto her collar. "Well. Sure. If you are still about." Get to your feet, and Katy stands with you. You order her to sit, and scratch her head while you wait for Rigel to stand, so you can fold up the picnic blanket. "I take her out every other day. If it's
[08:30] <u_Sally> overcast, though, Jovy takes her. So probably day after tomorrow, if the forecast holds."]
[08:33] <u_Rigel> 7[You take her lead and stand up. Helping fold the blanket up. "Alright. If I'm gone before then, I'll let ya know."]
[08:37] <u_Sally> [You nod, and tuck the blanket into your bag before picking up Katey's lead again. Smile at him- a little awkward still, but considerably more relaxed than when he'd first turned up. "Alright." Glance down at the ground, to check you've not missed anything, and then back at Rigel. "This was- nice. Thank you." Katey looks about, impatient to move but still obediently sitting.]
[08:37] <u_Rigel> 7[You open your arms in offer a hug. "Likewise."]
[08:38] * Zuki ([email protected]) Quit (Quit: Leaving.)
[08:38] <u_Sally> [Hug him properly this time. Katey gives up on sitting and shuffles around beside the two of you.]
[08:38] * curls is now known as girlyGamer
[08:40] <u_Rigel> 7[You're not the softest, with the armour you have on, but its a solid hug at any rate. You hold her for a few seconds before releasing. "Take care of yourself." You say with a smile.]
[08:42] <u_Sally> ["You too." Smile, and it almost reaches a grin briefly. "See you round, Rigel." Then you look down at Katey, tug the leash gently, and start moving, towards the park entrance and the way home.]
[08:44] <u_Rigel> 7["See ya." You head off as well. Might as well be outside while you can. You never were one for being indoors when you didn't have to be. And necessity has you inside a lot.]