Fables
Just for a second, there's a blink when you tell her Haven is a beautiful name.

I'm pretty fond of it. I chose it, actually. After The Center, when I was free to choose. I couldn't remember my name... from before.

Knowing you need connections, knowing you need her, it nudges her to open up more than she typically would. Also, knowing that what she's telling you is public information makes her feel a little more free with it, though her volume has dropped so that it would take a measure of intention for someone to listen in.

While she asked for what she can do to help, when you tell her, it feels like a lot. But she doesn't let that show, mannerisms schooled and controlled. Instead, she smiles at you. When you mention that her safety and Echo's safety is most important, that tension eases some.

I can do that.

Though she wouldn't really know where to begin. Introducing you to people your age, or at least your apparent age, would be fantastic, but she isn't sure she knows any, actually.

Asking for a specific connection is more helpful, honestly. A direct thing she can help with.

Oh?

Truly curious about what you need. Or, that the Thelas need.

When you tell her that you haven't read about her, read the release, she actually glances to Echo Fenix for a moment, then back to you. They'd had this conversation not long ago. Or, a version of it.

I won't mind if you read it. I read all of them, about everyone we knew. How can I keep anyone safe if I don't know what those who might be out to harm us already know?

Listening as you mention self-defense and the limits of it in relation to cybernetic enhancements. Honestly, she hadn't really ever thought much about it. She doesn't remember being without the ones she has.

If you need some defensive tech, Echo can make anything you could ever want.

It comes out as truth, because it is. Not just bolstering Echo, but telling you the truth. He's the best. A genius, truly.

Echo Fenix

Speaking of her genius that has suddenly turned awkward, she watches you with no small amount of love and affection. Actually, the more awkward you get, the more that love shines in her eyes. You're never like this.

Actually, when you raise your hand and volunteer to introduce Kristen Locke to people, she bites her lip, clearly amused. You're not wrong.

It's true. He does. And, is much more social than me, honestly.

Briefly to Kristen Locke, then back to you with a warm smile.

.:You're adorable and charming. Breathe, baby.:.

Unsurprisingly, she could sit and listen to you and Kristen talk contentedly for a long time. She doesn't need to say anything.

Oh, at heart, she's your estrella. It would hurt if you stopped calling her that. As for the others, please save them for when her great-grandmother is not right here.

Your message warms her cheek and she flicks her eyes to you.

.:Back in the bunker.:.

Honestly, you leaning into her relaxes her in ways nothing else can. Enough that there's a soft but audible hum when you lean in and kiss her cheek.

Haven spicy, please.

Sweetly.

But don't act like I can't handle Echo spicy.

A slight challenge to her tone. Just because she prefers her own level of spice, you've seen her take your level without blinking. Not that it didn't hurt, just that she held it together.

Honestly, it would not surprise her if you answered the door that way. Or if you started taking off clothes when you knew he was at the door, just to irk him.

Always look forward to the clambakes.
:)

I was gone all day hun! See you later!

**Somewhere south of Brundisium, on the Genesian Road**

"Well , I guess you're a keeper.."

~I grin and SMACK your right hip and ass-cheek with a big right paw, riding off with the remaining Raiders .. Another successful Raid indeed , and I'm not sure just yet , but this could be a very useful bit of evidence for my little mission here..

Once its clear that they aren't chasing us , we will slow some and we will slow our pace, but we won't stop until we near the coastal city of Bazi..

.. I don't stop to transfer you to another Raider , as there are several Raiders doubled up like Budo and Luna are.. My left hand rests against your belly as the big black easily carries all three of us, as strong as he is .. But his ear flips with irritation as you are up against his neck, and he just doesn't like it..

We ride quietly for awhile , none of the Raider talking , as friends were just lost and left behind, but most of them were finished off with the retreat, but the ones capture will do what they need to to survive..

My low voice sound behind you then~

"Are you alright girl ? .. anything the Woman needs to tend to ?.. you did well ya know"

~A smile then , even though you would not see it , some Raiders do , and that means something~

looking in

It's been a minute since we had City Council play, but we could start that up again, if there's interest.

We need: 5 or 7 players - not characters, players - to meet up once a month for a 2 hour meeting and various play as requested by non-council members.

Hell, we could handle a mayor, if anyone wants to run for that. The council can run just fine without one.

There's a cheat sheet for abbreviated Robert's Rules of Order for council play in the Council Chambers if you want to bone up on how the two-hour session works.

We're coming up on OG election season - Memorial Day to Labor Day (roughly) where there's campaigning and voting and an election returns clambake on the beach.

I was the guy who ran them in the past, and I can make that happen again, if there's interest.

OOC agreements: you will only have one vote per issue. If you have a Mayor character and a council character, only one can vote. You can't make five characters and vote with all of them, that's just sad, please don't.

Aside from that, ask questions and express interest here. Shall we start it up again? I'm game.

Outside
His gaze remains on her, she's really the singular focus in the whole of the place amid the talking, the sound of cutlery on plates, the sounds of the street nearby.. she is the flame to the moth of his attention. From laughter to the somber he takes it all in like a sponge, sucking it all in greedily and wanting more. At the mention of a person making things unbearable as opposed to better his joviality takes a backseat as he takes a bold moment to reach across the table to rest his hand near hers and the plastic cone that holds the rose. He doesn't touch her directly but he keeps that large hand very close. Close enough to touch.

"That's true. What did the bard say? T'is better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all, right? Opening yourself up to someone also opens yourself to the possibility of pain and hurt and misery that's very true. The key word, though, is possibility. Could happen. We could be hit by a Russian satellite as we sit here. We could be accosted by misguided mimes as we leave.." He smiles, just a bit. "..the thing is sequestering yourself away on a maybe, or might be isn't good for a person either. You just have.." He pauses to find the right words and his dad's methodical voice echoed in his mind "..assess the pros and cons, if the cons outweigh the pro's? We jump the hedges." He smiled and allowed his pinky to brush near her wrist.

He draws his hand back, after a time, before he lets a low laugh spill past his smiling lips. "Only half a cow tonight, I'm watching my girlish figure. I have a girl I'm trying to impress, you see." One blue eye disappeared briefly in a wink as he listened, letting out a soft whistle. "That is a very busy life my dear, but it sounds very fulfilling if I'm hearing correctly."

He smiled and straightened his shoulder. "Well, when I'm not filling in for Tarzan or George of the Jungle, I'm bartendering at my bar. The boss is horrid, pay is rotten. I'm also the boss and do the payroll, so.." He laughed again and shrugged. "I like people. They can be fun, stupid, crazy or interesting. I get to surround myself with a variety of folks. Doesn't leave too much time to do much else and that's alright but.." He leaned in. "..all work and no play, right?"

He leaned back as the server brought two trays loaded with the food he'd ordered for the both of them, whistling softly. "Now that is a spread.!" The two extra plates he'd also requested placed and he motioned towards the feast. "Dig in Mei, I did have half a cow, so I should be okay for a few more minutes." He flashed a very toothy grin at the lovely girl.

forgot discord code

forgot my discord code

looks in again

The Raider one ihn was there then not as the scene became intense as arrows were flying and then a voice was heard and a outstretched hand and with what seemed an effortless movement syn was hoisted up and soon was upon the beast and we were off and with a quick glance behind the raider who was near syn was upon the ground his hand still clutching the bota of water but where his head once was is now a mush of skull remnants and a river of red and syn thought someone was probably waiting for his return home . The adrenaline was still coursing through her veins as they moved , the Master and beast moved as one

looking around

Fables
Gracias a Dios. If you hadn't shaken his hand, he would've stood there awkwardly all night with it out. Like he was waiting for a payment or a drug deal. Echo returns it with a nod and a slightly firm grip. Not too much. Not too little. The kid did business quite a bit around the city. Professional handshake.

"Oh..." The aughts. He tilts his head and you can almost see the numbers in his head. Guesstimating it all out. Your appearance, the time frame...then his chocolate brown eyes get wider and he just blurts it out..."You're at least 110 years old."

That was rude. And he shakes his head. "Lo siento. I uh...a margarita. Si." He takes a step back and then remembers, in the event of offense being taken at him guessing your age...

"I have a gift for you...but drinks first."

Then questions. And when you mention contacts and self-defense to Haven...he raises his hand.

"I probably know more people than Haven...I mean Pasha...I own a weapons store." He met a lot of mercs and fixers in his day. And he was far more social than your great-granddaughter. She's actually very shy and dangerous...

Anyway, awkward interjection aside...he pivots back to Haven Darling/Pasha Lafitte...

::I know. I just can't think of what to ask first. There's a lot in my head.::

And it wasn't just the Old World. Kristen was there when some of the first Nomad Nations were taking shape. Even if he wasn't Thelas, it was still an important piece of history he was curious about.

'Estrella' is what he usually calls you and that will never stop. That and 'Mami'. 'Mamacita'. For special occasions. Or if he really wants to turn you red.

::No strip karaoke tonight?:: Texted with a flicker of his eyes and a smirk on his lips.

Your fingers slider through his hair and he lets out a soft, rumbly, contented sound. And he's so close already, he finishes that motion to kiss your cheek. Maybe a little more firmly than just a peck.

"Echo Spicy or Haven Spicy?" There is a very painful difference between the two.

If Irvine shows up at their door again, he's answering it full frontal. Not really, but the idea of irritating Irvine when he can is starting to take shape. Especially since that thought from a few nights ago is taking shape in his head.

Once he knows your spicy level, he'll nod to you and Kristen Locke before heading to the bar.

Outside the Great Hall
~the guards up here on the rooftop are more relaxed, as noone made it to this level without passing many, and if one were ever found to be here, where they should not be they would simply be thrown from the battlements to the ground, four stories below~

~the gardens atop the great hall were some of the most exquisite in Tor and she'd nibbled her meal while walking among the foliage and blooms.. eventually though, the night air became chill and with one last gaze out over the city and beyond the walls before she retreated indoors, the ahn was growing late and she would disappear down the stairs, and off to the seclusion of the villa and a steamy copper tub~

| l/p |

looks in again

prize

drifts through your space

smile curving at corners of lips to be among your things
and the tenderness you and your Daddy share
that flows through the room even in your absence

and gives a gentle, contented sigh
before moving back toward the door
and back out into the hallways

**Somewhere south of Brundisium, on the Genesian Road**

~I make sure my solemn is behind me and gripping me hard as I turn the big black to race to help the men as they clash then new threat.. There is only about six of them in this wave, but arrows are blindly being shot at all of us, and with skilled Raider combat tactics and the remaining smoke , we cut these men down quickly as they were not ready for men on foot and swooping, galloping kaiila's ..

I then sweep back around and see you handing out water and as I approach , the Raider next to you takes a stray arrow through the left eye and drops like a sack of suls..~

"Come on girl .. Up here !"

~We are among the last to leave and I see Budo helping the Healer and racing off as I ride up , my kaiila's foot crushing the Raiders skull by accident..

And I reach my big left arm and hand down to you~

looking in