[Chuck Carmichael] "Yeah, if they were people, just . . . ugh," he says with a shudder. And, for all that he doesn't do well with realistic gore (or any such thing), obviously the video game version thereof doesn't bother him much. "But that's my favorite way to play, late at night. Better if it's storming or snowing or something. We'll have to do so together some time." Which is, perhaps, encouraging - sure, he'd said he and Lara were still on for tonight and he's obviously still letting her stay at his place, but he hadn't said anything about anything further.
"Well, as much as can do with a single player game. You know. We can take turns or something." That's with a grin, a shoulder nudge, and an offer of a bit of baby corn from the stirfry.
[Molly Quincannon] "Oh, sometimes single-player games are best played with two," Molly tells him. "First time I played Ess-Haitch Two, it was with this ... whole bunch--" (read: cabal; it's plain as the glasses on her face) "--I hung out with in college. One of used to play while the rest did the Em-Ess-Tee-Three-Kay thing in the background. When James had the chainsaw, I'd always make, 'RrrrrNNNNNGGGnggnggnnng' noises, and everybody'd laugh. And when I played, I'd get all focused and not hear anybody," she goes on, more or less lost in the reminiscence now, "and I'd hit a pause point and find that Zoot'd tied my hair up in pigtails or something." She chuckles, embarrassed, and ruffles her short, hacked-off hair before munching on the bit of baby corn, blushing. "So ... yeah. Sounds like fun. I've wanted to play Ess-Haitch Five but can't find it for the PC. Which is fo the suck, and probably why I ought to cave and buy a three-sixty or something. It'd make Dee-Dee-Arr easier, anyway. How're you on dance-sims, anyway?"
[Ashley McGowen] It's early to find a Hermetic in Chinatown, but who knows why Ashley's out here. Who knows why Ashley's out anywhere.
Her hands are in her pockets, and she's dressed in a light blue T-shirt (a teacup with a mustache is on the front) that sets off her eyes. Her hair is a little tousled, not clipped back the way it has been lately. It would be long enough to fall nearly to her chin if she didn't keep the loose strands pushed back behind her ears. The ever-present black messenger bag (full of papers and files and books, no doubt) hangs from her shoulder.
She seems...distant, in a hazy pleasant sort of way. She kicks a pebble, and as it rattles off the curb, she notices the Geek Mobile. Immediately, she's scanning for Riley or Chuck. There are other Geeks in town, of course, but the world has a way of tossing magi together, and Ashley's an instinctive creature at heart.
It isn't hard to spot the V-Dept or the girl with him, and Ashley walks toward them, raising a hand in greeting.
[Chuck Carmichael] "Hah! Not so great, frankly. I'm a white boy with white boy moves. And on top of that, I'm a Jewish white boy," he says, all a-smirk and clearly amused. The most pertinent thing, of course, is that he's a geek. In the time he could have spent refining things like dance skills, he instead taught himself how to build computers and their operating systems alike, and move in similar veins. "And I've got Origins and a PS2, if you wanna try it out. I just don't bust out the old system very often. Even hacked, it's so slow and . . . I dunno, primitive. Something."
It's dirty and has issues and the way Chuck talks about it is like modern man talking about cavemen or similar - sure, it had its strengths when it first came about, but it reached its evolutionary peak and is now obsolete. Give him a shiny new Wii or 360 any day. And then there's Ashley, and a wide grin of the variety that Molly'd seen directed at Riley, or Emily. She's headed their way but not quite close enough to hail yet, so instead there's sudden standing and salute, teasing and an over-blown class clown.
"All well and accounted for, sir!" But then he's sitting again, gesturing at Lara's emptied seat and an extra fork or pair of chopsticks and the picked over but still far too much Chinese food. "Help yourself, lady. We're just breakfasting. You know Molly." Not a question, but an assumption.
[Molly Quincannon] Molly blinks. "I thought Origins was PSP. Shattered Memories is Wii, Homecoming is three-sixty, and Origins is... oh, hiya!"
There is a smile for the Hermetic, of course, but ... well, possible points of conversation which hopefully ... maybe not here and now, unless people can be circumspect. "Mostly by rep," is her reply to Chuck's not-a-question, "though we did meet on the fly once. Hello there, Ashley; it's nice to meet you properly. And yes, do pull up a patch of bench. Chinese food for breakfast is made of win! As I hope your day's been. Looks like it's agreeing with you, anyway."
[Ashley McGowen] "At ease, soldier," she says to Chuck as she approaches the table. Some people might sound chipper; Ashley's voice is dry, and though her mouth doesn't smile her eyes do. "My day's been pretty agreeable so far, yeah."
She's been offered food, and far be it from Ashley to refuse food ever - let alone Chinese. So she seats herself and nods toward Molly, reaching for a pair of chopsticks. "Yeah, we've met, though it'll be good to do more than exchange names," she says, with a look toward the Cultist. "I talked to Israel, by the way. Good job with that. Standing up to a disciple is impressive."
That's all she says on the matter, though; she doesn't seem prepared to discuss it. Not right now, anyway. Not the time or place. She picks up some meat and a piece of broccoli with the chopsticks, transferring it to her mouth. If she'd known they'd been talking about video games before she arrived, her eyes might be a little more glazed; she doesn't, so they're bright and attentive, looking between the other two.
[Chuck Carmichael] "It looks good on you, your day does. You should wear ones like it more often. And we should hang out more, busy lady." He knows, of course, about the Deacon seat and how she is so often (nearly always) the one everyone turns to when there's trouble. He can only guess how heavy a burden that must be, and so he is who he is - progressive, certainly, but also secure. And friendly. He's Chuck, the walking comfort zone. Everyone's best friend.
And the look he shoots Molly? It says he didn't talk to Israel and only knows parts of this story - the ones that have directly to do with the other girl-Cultist, the one who's crashing in his condo.
"What happened with Israel?"
[Molly Quincannon] Molly looks at Ashley with a bit of chagrin but nods. "It is. I've heard a lot about you - all good, so don't worry about it," she adds, with a lopsided smile. That does at the mention of 'standing up to a Disciple. She is, of course, assuming she means Lara (who is a Disciple herself), and Molly's own decision to tell the others what was going on with the whole Hero business rather than keep it a secret as requested. She shrugs and says, "I ... don't really know if I can say thanks to that bit of praise. I'd do it again and everything, and I don't regret it as much as I would have regretted not, but ... you guys had to know. For yourselves, and for her."
Then she changes the subject, not entirely deftly, but ... hey. "And nothing's happened to Israel as far as I know. I mean, I'm assuming she's okay after yesterday's ... thing, you know? Have you talked to her, Ashley? That must have taken it out of her, but I didn't like to seem..." She winces and chuckles even as she finishes, "...mollycoddling."
[Ashley McGowen] "You have?" Ashley says, and her surprise when Molly says that she's heard a lot about her is palpable. Ashley might be Deacon, but she has an introvert's air about her: it's not the attitude of someone who expects to be talked about. It's not the attitude of someone who is used to it.
She covers that surprise with more food, glancing over at Molly while she listens, waving a hand indignantly when the Cultist tries to shrug away the praise. She declines to insist on it, though, in favor of mention of Israel. "I haven't talked to her since yesterday, no. Israel told me some stuff about Lara," she says, with a look to Chuck, "which...if you don't know, I'll tell you later, since Riley said she's staying with you, but right now I'm kind of hungry."
Molly's wordplay gets a smirk. "With the way Israel tries to coddle everyone else, it would only be fair. I'll check on her, though."
[Chuck Carmichael] "No, I know. Well, I doubt I know everything, but I know about Hero." Which is to say, potentially anyway, that he knows enough. "I'm gonna warn Riley too, since she lives in the same building. I know Lara wants to be all caps-locked top secret about it, but she doesn't get that when she's around my pals," he says with a shrug. If he'd known earlier . . . or, well. Goodness only knows what, because Chuck is really far too nice of a guy.
"And eat up! I forgot to eat before work and my sugar was crashing, and I wanted Chinese like no one's business. Which is . . . one of the worst things I could eat, actually, but it's not so bad for now."
[Molly Quincannon] Molly scowls at him. "I should hope it won't be! Damn, I didn't want to ask 'cos I thought you'd ... well," she shrugs. "You know what you're doing and can take care of yourself." She munches a bit of the pepper beef, then sighs. "No, you know enough. Everything you need to, not enough to be really intrusive. Fine line, but there you go."
Then, she turns to Ashley with a bit of a smile. "So I was thinking of having a housewarming. I'd like to extend the invitation to you. It's a good big space and Chuck'll be doing his famous hot dogs. I ... don't know what I can contribute bar party space and sound system, but it'll do."
[Emily Littleton] Summer has hit with a vengeance. It's not just warm, today, no. It's crept right into the realm of bloody hot. The Orphan has wandered as far as Chinatown in search of something to sate a sudden influx of homesickness, brought on by a pleasant stranger with a familiar lilt the night before. It sounds like elsewhere, which makes it sound like wandering, which makes her remember all too much how firmly entrenched she's become in this city. Leaving for the weekend is right out, but wandering a section of town that feels a bit more like familiar places might help.
Of the three, gathered in the park, only Chuck might guess at her motivations. She carries a soft white-skinned bun in one hand, with a rich red-hued filling. Emily breaks off pieces of this to chew on while she walks. It is not a familiar Chinese-American food, and she doesn't name it in her head in English. Char siu bao.
There's a geek mobile at the corner of the park, the one with the awful statue and a few scattered park benches. Emily shifts trajectories and wanders in, hoping to find a few familiar faces.
[Ashley McGowen] Party space and sound system, says Molly, and Ashley pauses for a moment and then grimaces. "Thanks for the invite, but I probably shouldn't go," she says.
She doesn't need to be told to eat up twice. Ashley looks like she could stand to eat a little more, in fact. She's not emaciated, but her frame is on the side of being a little too thin, a little hollow. It might seem fragile if it weren't for the air she carries herself with; instead it's vaguely predatory, something surprisingly primal for a Hermetic.
"Fuck Lara's caps-locked secrets," she says, disdainful. "A disciple should know better. It's our problem now. She'll fix it with our help."
Emily, she hasn't noticed yet; she'd be able to identify the food the girl is carrying, though, in its language, in spite of the fact that she seems more than happy to eat street food for the time being.
[Chuck Carmichael] Ashley is facing the ugly sculpture at the middle of the lot-or-two-turned-park, while Molly and Chuck are side by side and facing the street - and so it's Chuck that sees Em, and that wide, light up the world grin that comes to his face again when he lights on his friend, his ex, his . . . whatever you want to call her. She gets a wave, and a gesture at the empty seat next to Ashley. As for the rest? Chuck knows, now, why Ashley demures on big parties. So instead, he says, "Maybe a movie night or something, then. Liveblogging our way through "The Last Supper". It'll work."
The rest, about Lara? It gets a raised eyebrow, and a hint of smirk. "A lot of people should know better about a lot of things. Most don't. Best we can do is push forward, hmm?"
[Emily Littleton] It's very difficult to miss the mingling of these resonances. One is a familiar, it's among the first she came to know after Awakening, and that Hunger has come to be a comfortable thing (never easy, no [calls to something Unrelenting within herself]). And there's Chuck, who is friend, cabalmate -- yes, more and yes, sometimes less. Molly rounds out the triad, and the grouping makes Emily smile as she wanders nearer. She waves.
She's lighter, these days, less burdened by the weight of it all. Summer has brought some sense of reprieve, at last. She leaves her messenger bag strap slung across her body as she slides into the seat beside Ashely, rests its weight on the bench next to her, tucks her feet under and leans her elbows against the table. One hand still holds the half-eaten bun.
Fuck Lara... Maybe a movie night... A lot of people should know a lot of things.
"Hail and well met," she tells the merry band of mages, borrowing on a custom for another place and a different Other. There's a wry twist to her mouth, today, pleased (smug) and it suits her. It's playful; sprite-ish. Emily is rarely in such good spirits.
[Molly Quincannon] Molly smiles a bit at Emily's approach. Molly likes Emily. "Hey, Emily. Take a seat. I think there's enough food for all." She shrugs off the pushing aside the idea of a party - not everyone likes them, after all, and she's a little too generally weary for her usual curiosity today. Besides, Ashley doesn't seem the sort who would take well to umpteen questions. "Movie night sounds good. As to Lara ... well..." She nudges herself away from the food, suddenly a little queasy again. Thoughts of what she saw in Lara's memories tend to take her that way. "...She's very self--" (absorbed? obsessed? ish?) "--motivated. And I don't think whoever she first met in my crew taught her very well. Anyway." She reaches for her bag, for her bottle of Mountain Dew. No more food for her, no. "Movie night. Emily? You in on that?" We can still have Hot Dogs a la Chuck at a movie night, right?"
[Ashley McGowen] "I could do a movie night," Ashley agrees. There are aspects of watching a movie that can still be a little unpleasant, difficult to concentrate on, but it isn't the same as a blaring sound system. It isn't torture.
The thought of spending an evening hanging out with initiates and apprentices doing something relatively relaxed is a little strange, but she's been trying to do more of these things.
"Hey, Emily," Ashley says, with a look toward the Chorister-to-be. She has to turn her head, once Chuck has called her attention to Emily's presence; the girl is on her left, will be seated there. She doesn't seem to mind it when Emily sits down, doesn't scoot around to the other end and direct the girl to sit on her right. It's something she'd do with a lot of people.
[Chuck Carmichael] "I'm down for both. I only meant movie night to include Ashley," he says with a grin and wraps an arm around Molly's shoulders briefly, in a show of . . . well, something. "And we could do that at my place, too, if you want. Anyway. We can have Hot Dogs a la Chuck anywhere you'd like. But . . . we'll have to have something I didn't cook, I suspect, for those with more discerning palates."
He says 'we' automatically not as a necessary coupling - goodness knows, they haven't even been on a date yet - but as an automatic inclusion into the crowd, in whatever capacity. Chuck's good like that.
[Emily Littleton] "I'm game," she says, grinning broadly. "I've that meeting, coming up soon," there's a glance to Ashley here, as she's likely tied up in the same magely event. "And something Saturday," she mentions, in passing, without defining that too sharply for anyone. "Other than that, I'm pretty free."
Emily's gaze tracks down to the take-away Chinese. She surveys the offering quickly, breaking off another piece of her soft bun and tucking it carefully into her mouth. Chew. Swallow. Smile. "Mmm, no thanks. I'm good with this."
There's something about the combination of "Chinese Food" (air quotes [be nice, Little] that -was- nice!) and "Hot Dogs" (Sad little American sausages!) that didn't put her in a very adventurous mood, culinarily speaking. The only tell tale sign of this, though, was the wary look she shot the something-with-broccoli (that didn't include Gai Lan or Bok Choy instead of a the more familiar florettes) and the faint wrinkle of her nose (smoothed away quickly).
Chuck has her pegged in this. (More discerning palettes). Oh, how well he knows her snobbish moments.
"About Lara," she says, once her mouth is clear and the conversation at the table finds a natural pausing point. The way she says these words is leading, it warns this is serious, even as she seems very oh by the way about it all. "Her behavior raises some ethical questions, for me. About the use of mind magics and coercion, et cetera. Normally I'd ask Owen," she says, in a tone that implies she goes to her Mentor-of-sorts with questions all the time, "But I think that'd be unwise."
A pause, then she adds, for those who had not heard about the incident of How Owen Met Lara: "They did not have an auspicious first meeting."
[Molly Quincannon] Her behaviour raises ethical questions... Molly winces at those words. She does not hide this. Perhaps she can't. She does, however, put away her Mountain Dew.
About the use of mind magics and coersion, et cetera. Flinch and shudder.
But, thankfully, curiosity wins out. "Dare I ask why their first meeting was ... inauspicious? Or is that not a topic for the current setting?" There's more to tell on her end, pretty obviously, but that certainly isn't for public consumption. Sensitive topics can be discussed elsewhere. And Israel can be the arbiter of who hears about Lara's ... inauspicious history prior to her arrival in Chicago.
[Ashley McGowen] "The Ars Mentis and coercion is why everyone should learn how to shield themselves," Ashley says, which perhaps doesn't answer Emily's question. Or maybe it does, a little too well: Deacon she may be, but her every-man-for-himself attitude still persists in some situations. "You shouldn't allow another Will power over you."
Anything between Chuck and Molly goes largely unnoticed, doesn't garner so much as a smirk: Ashley can be a little slow to pick up on such things. Even if she weren't, Chuck is Friend-Zone Chuck. He hugs girls and gets away with it all the time.
She turns her head to look over at Emily. "What happened with Owen?"
[Chuck Carmichael] Anything between Chuck and Molly is . . . well, friendship at the moment. It's only very slightly different than he hugs Riley or Emily (or Ashley herself on the odd occasion that he does so), and that's largely in the level of comfort consciously offered. He knows how upset Molly was by the whole thing with Lara, he was there shortly after. At the mention of shielding, though, there's a nod specifically for Molly.
"Nathan, or whoever, I don't care. But she's right, you should learn."
And then, there's the dreaded work ringtone [everybody's workin' for the weekend], and he sighs. "I had enough of this - I'm all evened out. You guys share the rest. I'm guessing this call's gonna end up with me being somewhere else soon."
And so he stands, takes a few steps from the table to talk for a bit, then ends the call with another sigh before coming back to the table to kiss each of the three girls on the top of the head.
"Yeah, gotta go. You all have my number if you need it."
[Emily Littleton] "It's next on my list of things to learn," Emily assures Ashley, and Chuck, with a firmness that implied Owen might not be the only one to have encountered Lara's issue with boundaries, personal, mental or otherwise. It doesn't pull down her mood, just yet, and that is something of a minor miracle.
What's transpiring between Chuck and Molly, the little we and the affableness, buoys Emily's mood. She's pleased to see him happy and, like Riley, she would be delighted to hear he's found someone to escape the friend-zone with. But she doesn't meddle, just yet. Beyond that broadening grin, and mental note to mention the pairing to the other Vdept.
She waves a bit, as Chuck wanders away from the table. There's a fondness there, still, but it's more comraderie than anything else.
Ashley and Molly inquire after the Owen debacle, and she lifts a finger warningly. "Let me preface this by saying I was oh so very much more than tipsy and not in the room, proper, when it happened...."
"... but Lara pushed something with him, too far. She did, with me as well, and not just that once -- but I can't tell you if there was anything more than mundane meddling. You should ask Owen about that, if it's important or relevant to what Israel learns." Oh, she remembers the chat at Molly's house.
Chuck is further from the table now. Out of earshot. And Emily adds, "She's taken it upon herself to remedy our relationship, mine and Owen's." A thing with which Emily finds no wrong, apparently. This grates, but the Apprentice exhales a small sigh and breaks off another piece of her bao. "She pushes; not in a good way. Without understanding or respect for boundaries." Emily holds that smaller piece a little longer before eating it. "I asked her to leave Owen alone, but she said I'd need to give her a very good reason first."
And now, she tucks the piece of bun into her mouth, looks between the more experience magi. Waits.
[Molly Quincannon] Molly smiles at Chuck, and while the 'we' and the hug she gives him and he likely returns before he leaves is likely little different to the ones Riley and Em get, the contented look on her face, the little blush ... that's likely the difference. She waves to him as he goes, and then listens to Emily tell her tale.
She goes white. "I ... am ... a very lucky, very reckless idiot," she murmurs. "If I'd have known ... well, that..." She winces. "Look, she didn't want to talk to Israel; didn't want to be looked at about this ... issue ... I flagged up. She said I could be setting her up. So ... I let her look in my head. I don't know how to shield or anything; most experience I have with that is what Israel let me see. I don't ... think she did anything but I wish I'd known that before I said, 'Sure you can be sure I'm not lying to you - have a peek'. She wasn't very nice about it either," she adds, trembling a bit. "Okay, now I'm ... I don't know if it's angry, stressed out, even more sickened than I already was or ... all of the above? But she wouldn't have ... would she?"
[Ashley McGowen] Chuck kisses her on the top of the head before she leaves, and the disciple flicks a glance in his direction that is tolerant, at best. Like the sort of look one might get from a cat: I am permitting this because it is a good day, and that's why I haven't clawed your eyeballs out.
She listens to Emily's story, and frowns throughout the duration. Molly, well. Her anger and disgust and trembling doesn't get a look of sympathy, precisely - Ashley's not the type - but she eyes the Cultist for a few seconds. "Don't let anybody into your head unless you're really sure they aren't going to fuck with you," she says. "They might not let go, and you might not know what they pick up from you once they're in. Especially if you can't Will them out."
A beat. "Does Israel know she knows the Ars Mentis?"
[Emily Littleton] Ashley's frown draws a knowing reflection from Emily. She's seen the Hermetic's srsface before, and how it pairs with the re-emergent Tytalan view on conflict (sort it, fuckers, I'm not your mother). It's remarkable, in some ways, that Molly doesn't get much more than a stern warning from Ashley.
Don't let anyone in your head Ashley says, and Emily's eyes press shut for a moment. Clearly, the younger girl has had plenty of experience (already) at being on the receiving end of that particular Art.
"Ah.... I probably should have mentioned this before. Don't know if it matters much," (Spit It Out, Already!) "But this happened at the House. When Lara said you'd thrown her out -- quite dramatic, that one -- I figured it was for something of the sort."
Oh look. The last of Emily's bao. What an excellent thing to focus on eating while the Deacon-at-large contemplates ire, or mutually assured destruction. Emily glances up from her bit of Chinese comfort food just long enough to read the look on Ashley's face and toss Molly a little look. It's almost apologetic. It would be apologetic, if Ashley takes this bit of information as anything other than ho-hum no news at all.
[Molly Quincannon] Molly sighs. "I know. It was the only way to get her to see Israel at the time, without a fight. It could have been a lot worse if she hadn't gone willingly. But ... you're right. Lesson learned. Glad it wasn't too painful."
After running hands through her hair, she adds, "I don't know what we're going to do about her, even if we can help her, you know. I ... don't like her motives, and I'm worried what she'll do if she panics if this other, this Hero, comes to find her again. The first time she got really cornered ... Chuck's encouraging me to think the best of her, but we fall into habits, and ... I don't trust that she'll not throw someone under the bus if it's a choice between her or us. Not after what I saw. She's ... argh, I don't even know. I want to like her but every time I turn around, I find out that she's pulled something selfish and horrible!"
[Ashley McGowen] "She did it at the -chantry-?" Watching Ashley get angry is like seeing some kind of sea monster uncoil out of the water: something there, layered beneath and waiting waiting waiting, until a massive set of jaws snaps up and outward.
What Molly is saying is not improving matters. The more she hears, the more it's convincing her that it is not a matter of Ashley being a little uptight, with being uncomfortable with joints and personal contact from people she doesn't know, and a widespread problem. Ashley is quiet after that outburst, seething, and a pile of rice is the unfortunate victim of the chopsticks that are stabbed into them and left there.
"All right," she says. "I didn't think the chantry -needed- a code but evidently it does. And don't worry," she says, blue eyes flicking in Molly's direction, "she's going to be addressing this herself, whether she wants to or not. I'll do something about her if Israel can't."
[Emily Littleton] Emily is familiar with the Leviathan beneath Ashley's outwardly unassuming demeanor. She's felt the press of its coils, the nearness of its teeth. It has sucked from her senses the very echo of a memory -- it is unpleasant. The younger girl pales, somewhat. Just for a moment. She rubs her hands together, divesting them of crumbs, and then smooths them along the legs of her jeans.
"Molly," Emily says, hoping to draw the Initiate's eyes for a moment. Emily's are calm, now, deeply blue and tempered with flecks of slate grey. She's grown into a surety she can muster in moments like this, wear like a second skin. It is firm, but not always gentle. "Chuck's a sweetheart, and a little too trusting. This will sound hypocritical, considering I let Lara stay at my flat, but don't trust that woman as far as you can throw her. It's not about being nice, or compassionate or understanding."
She knows this (Icarus [wax wings] sun-scorch).
"I tried. I asked her plainly. I gave a little bit, and when I refused to follow her entirely she used guilt and emotional manipulation to try and sway me further." A pause here, and her mouth twisted wryly again. It's lighter, even in this rebuke. "I was raised Catholic, so that didn't quite work. Just guard yourself, and keep an eye on the others."
How different the Apprentice sounds from a few months again. How firm these boundaries, now, that were shaky just weeks before. Galvanized.
"If there's anything I can so, Ashley, let me know. Beyond being more careful about the offers I extend; I've learned that lesson, with her, this time."
[Molly Quincannon] Molly shakes her head. "Not really hypocritical. You just got the lesson in a different way than I did, s'all, and you don't need to be beaten as hard with the Clue Bat. And she tried that with me too, to get me to keep all this business of hers to herself; the guilt and passive-aggressive bullshit and everything. I may not be Catholic, but it didn't sit well with me either. Hence where we are now. I don't intend to trust her with anything of any kind of import, I'll tell you that for nothing. However much I want to. She threw someone she loved to the wolves; left him to die without a backward glance. I can't trust her after that." That still more or less sickens her, and maybe she shouldn't be saying this, but the information can't just sit there, and if these two women are going to pass judgement on Lara, they may as well know all the facts. Israel would likely tell them anyway. "And yeah, Mind's a priority. I think Israel letting me in on the thing yesterday helped with that; I have a starting point. Kind of a shame, though," she adds. "Nathan had me all excited at the idea of Prime. But things change."
[Ashley McGowen] The Tytalan scowls, good mood sinking further and further into the depths, perhaps not to return for a while. "This is a lot worse than I thought," she comments, because evidently she and the people she more commonly mingles with haven't seen the worst of it: it's been reserved for the lower ranks. People who are less likely to be able to resist.
It's a tactic Ashley is rather familiar with, and disdains for cowardice. After some rather angry - repeated - drumming of her fingers on the table, Ashley glances over at Molly. "You should be able to protect yourself with even a rudimentary understanding of it," she says, "so it'll still leave plenty of time for other pursuits. I specialize in the Ars Mentis, if you'd like someone to teach you. Israel isn't bad either."
The way she says that - Israel isn't bad - well, it can't help but be a touch condescending. Israel isn't bad at it. She's not a Hermetic, either. "I hope Israel can talk her into a change of heart," Ashley says, "because I don't want to have to do it. I'm supposed to go back to Boston for mentorship." It's inconvenient timing for her, but...well. Personal projects need to be put off sometimes.
[Emily Littleton] Boston.
The Apprentice's lips purse momentarily, then spread into a far warmer smile than this conversation requires. There's a quirk of her mouth (playful again) and the re-emerged smile touches her eyes. It's warm (brilliant).
"Oh!" Emily says. The syllable catches, like a small epiphany. Oh, I was meaning to tell you. It's a pleasant thing. Happy, even. "That reminds me. There's a new pub on the Mile. Doyle's Irish Pub. I think you'd like the place."
Boston reminds Emily of Irish pubs? There's a tie in here somewhere, and that might even explain the soft pink that's risen to Emily's cheeks before it is carefully tugged down, forced away once more.
"And the proprietor, Quentin Doyle, is from Boston. I thought someone you know might know of him. He's resonant, but it's not quite the same somehow. I wasn't sure what to make of it, so I didn't mention the community, or the House."
[Ashley McGowen] [Are you...are you blushing? Perception + Awareness, +1. Emotions are hard!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 4, 4, 5, 8, 8 (Failure at target 7)
[Molly Quincannon] ".........His last name actually is Doyle?"
Molly bounces back fast. Maybe she's interested in the faint blush to Emily's cheeks, but mostly it's... "I met him! We got to chatting not four days ago! Wow. I didn't pick anything up on it when I met him outside my place before it ... you know, was my place. I was supposed to drop by the pub, he said, check it out for authenticity or something, and ... y'know, maybe I'll check again. How d'you mean, 'not quite the same somehow'? Either way, he's really enthusiastic about the place and seems to like running it, so that's promising. Huh. Isn't it a small world."
Then, to Ashley, a smile. "Wow. I really am spoilt for choice when it comes to tutors in that particular area. I ... may ask Chuck to help start me off, though. We ... work on a similar wavelength, which might make it easier." And never mind the little blush that intimates that she really wouldn't mind spending the extra one-on-one time with him either.
[Ashley McGowen] [Are -you- blushing?]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 1, 1, 1, 4, 4, 7, 10 (Failure at target 7)
[Emily Littleton] [Awareness: Yeah are you blushing?]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 4, 4, 5, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Ashley McGowen] Both of the other magi are blushing, thinking about people they'd enjoy spending time with. Getting to know better. It's completely lost on the Hermetic, but then again, her soft and sensitive side isn't something she's known for (is nonexistant?).
Emily's jump from Boston to Irish pubs, though, that Ashley manages to read - she assumes it's run by a Bostonite. Chicago and Boston both have a healthy population of Irish Americans; they have a culture, and it's one of the first things that helped Ashley start to feel at home here, in fact. "I'll go check it out," she tells Emily.
A nod toward Molly when she mentions getting tutored by Chuck; she hadn't been aware he knew it, but suspects his method of doing things would be far more in line with Molly's than her own. "Chuck knows his shit, at least," she says.
Another beat, and the Hermetic pushes herself to her feet. "I have some things I have to get done," she tells the other two, "but thanks for, um...for breakfast, I guess." A look toward the Chinese, and the chopsticks still standing up in the rice. Lonely and forlorn and forgotten. "I'll see you guys."
[Emily Littleton] "If that offers inclusive," Emily says, politely (a little reserved) but plainly. "I would like to study with you. Provided that Owen does not mind."
A nod, to the mentor-student relationship she's supposed to be maintaining with the Chorister. It's a better sign than how Ashley found that relationship earlier in the year (What are you not telling Owen? [Oh, nothing...]).
"Take care," she says, to the departing Deacon. She waves, too. It's a small gesture, after having sullied such a nice lunch meeting with Lara-woes. One day they'd just have a nice meet up, with no drama, and no demons, and it'd be social business as usual.
Maybe.
"Yeah," she says, to Molly. Switching back to talk of the pub. "It's really Doyle." She smiles, but there's no overly soft edge to it this time. No blush. "And you didn't pick it up on him? Hmm. Maybe I misread it. It's faint, but I was sure it was there." Small world, the Cultist had said. It was definitely so.
[Molly Quincannon] Molly waves at Ashley as she leaves, and mostly just grins at the 'Chuck knows his shit'. Somehow, it's nice to hear Ashley swear in a casual, not-an-insult-to-someone way.
Back to Emily, and discussing Quentin Doyle. "I admit, I wasn't really paying attention. This was when I was first looking at my current crash space, which was my prospective crash space at the time. He was thinking of opening a side business in the field of auto repair - though he runs a stock engine on that pretty bike of his, what a pity - and we were sort of having one of those duels of manners that you usually get over the last After Eight mint or something. You know, 'Oh, you saw it first'; 'Oh, but you actually want to use it for what it was meant for!' and so on. Like I say, I'll have to have another look. Cute and cagey. Kind of reminded me of Nathan."
[Emily Littleton] "He does have a bit of the Old World charm," Emily muses, when Molly mentions Quentin's manners. The tone in Emily's voice is clearly approving of this quirk, too. It's also gently amused. Classic she'd called him, when he professed to being somewhat old school.
If the rest of what Molly offered was news to the younger girl, she didn't wear her surprise openly. Emily tended to keep things quiet, close to breast. Even when she was happy, it wasn't boundlessly so. Not with new people. Not even with most friends. A few people had seen that in her, joy so bright that is swallows them up, drags them in, makes them smile to see it. This is not one of those moments, yet. She is quiet, thoughtful. They are discussing a common acquaintance, see? Nothing more here.
"I suppose he's a little like Nathan," she allows, but in a tone of voice that implies she rather doesn't think so. "They both have pubs, and side businesses!" Oh look, something nice to say. She offers it up and it's just wry enough to seem teasing rather than avoidant. "I'm glad you ended up with the shop, though. It's eclectic. Interesting. I've a housewarming present for you, too. I'll bring it to movie night."
[Molly Quincannon] Molly's blushing a lot today. "You honestly don't have to do that, but ... y'know, o bviously I'm not going to shun a gift freely given in friendly spirit, kind of thing. I just hope you didn't go to any trouble. And now that I've got a bit more furniture, it's feeling a little more like home. Okay," she admits with a laugh, "now that I've got my computers replaced and set up, it's feeling a little more like home. And Kage came by the other day with a mini-fridge covered with Doctor Who fridge magnets. Said she saw it at a yard sale and had to get it for me to match my car."
Then she looks over at Emily, curious. "I ... get the impression that not a lot of people like Nathan. I mean, one of the first things Lara did was warn me about him. Which ... anyway, every time I mention his name, I get looks. What'd he do? He's been nothing but nice to me. Always offering advice and even managing not to sound condescending; just ... concerned. Even offered to find some of the jewellery that got stolen by those punks when I was stupid enough to leave my gear unlocked. But then," she adds with a sigh, "look how my first Chicago moment of trust ended up. So ... I guess I want to know why everyone's so off about him so I don't fall into a massive hole head-first again."
[Emily Littleton] [Carefully phrasing things, as always....]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 3, 3, 5, 5, 6, 7 (Success x 2 at target 6)
[Emily Littleton] Oh that is a tricky question, and Emily thinks on it for a while before answering. They have a history, apparently, Emily and Nathan. It's entirely innocent -- save for the lawbreaking (firearms in public places) and her Mentor's barely aborted attempt to break the Cultist's nose -- and things have been getting better.
"Well... let's just say we didn't get off on a good foot," Emily couches this carefully. (Flashback: Chinatown, dingy diner, Nathan's drunk and regaling her with all the latest gory details of ho the Marauder went down on the mile. "Shotgun to the face" may have come into play.) "And there's been some tension at times." (Flash back: Lake View, a small apartment, an angry Chorister, guns shoved at people, thinly veiled threats.)
(Flashback: Lake View, same Chorister, not any more pleased, "HEY! I'm on your side!" Bleeding. GSW. Friendly fire.)
"But he's been better lately." This is genuine. It's not feigned. She has a growing respect for him despite (Flashback: Node room. Nathan. Possessed by hostile entity.) the rough times. "He's shown up for some pretty dark times, which is more than I can say for most of the city."
A pause. A smile. "He's pretty solid, all things considered."
[Molly Quincannon] Molly ponders that one, then chuckles, laughing at herself rather than Emily. "Aw, man, y'know, being as curious as a roomful of hyperactive cats sucks sometimes, y'know? I can almost hear what you're not saying behind what you are saying and I desperately want to ask, but the fact that you answered the way you did means you probably don't want to answer, and I know Nathan won't because he's cagey like that. And I respect you both too much to pester you for answers 'cos I know that'll only annoy you. So ... I'll keep my mouth shut and be tortured." She grins, though, like she really doesn't mind that much.
Then she nods. "You mentioned, a bit, about the pretty dark times. I guess that's the him I know, so I don't really worry so much about the him I hear about from before that. Sometimes, stuff like that changes people. Plus I think he's finding himself. That settles most people down."
She frowns a little, concerned and curious. "Stuff in Chicago's been pretty rough, I guess. I'd like to hear more about that. Not here, I mean! Not now! But ... someday. It's not the shame as sharing it with you guys, but ... it's good to know what's come before. Bit of local colour."
[Emily Littleton] "Eh," she says, and it's slightly dismissive, as if the past things between her and Nathan weren't quite as interesting as Molly might assume. "If I went trudging through all of that, I'd likely end up mad at him all over again. Since it's peaceful, for now, I'm going to let it ride. I'm sure you understand."
She offered the Cultist a smile. It's shaded but not unkind. There's sadness it in, for whatever has transpired over the past several months.
"I'm not trying to dodge on you the local colour, either. It's just... all so recent. The others may be ready to talk about it, but I need some time, still. I'm rather, new... to all of this, yet." She says, and it comes easily without any embarrassment or apology. "One of the others might put it in perspective, better."
She rolls her shoulders and looks up at the baleful daystar in the sky. "Ugh. I like summer, but I'm melting out here. Let's bin this and go get something cold -- frozen coffee, or ice cream, or anything under room temperature."
[Molly Quincannon] Molly, after a moment's thought (poor, curious soul, all deprived) gives Emily an understanding smile and nods. "I get it. We've all got stuff like that somewhere along the way. So right now? I saw a place while I was shopping where I think we can get ice cream mochi. Man, haven't had that since New York's Chinatown. Wonder if they have the mango kind. Anyway! Yes! Iced things and air conditioning. Let us embrace the technological wonders of the modern world, now that we've appreciated the sun and grass and what natural stuff we can find in Chinatown." With that, she starts collecting leftover Chinese takeaway containers and sorting out what she'll keep for the mini-fridge and what will not take well to being reheated.
After that, there shall be iced things and peaceful conversation and whatever else girls who are building their acquaintanceship do before they go their separate ways for the day.
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