[Nona Veksler] She is not alone by choice. Perhaps that much is obvious in the way her shoulders slip ever so slightly downward at his words. Her chin dipping more deeply as she lifts a slender fingered hand to sweep stray flaxen strands of hair from her features.
He remains close to where she stands, a simple gesture away from intimate contact, and neither of them move. Neither granting the other more personal space. Her dimunitive chest rises and falls in a deep breath, and again she musters the courage to look up at the tall man beside her. She meets his dark gaze again, her pouted lips briefly forming a shy smile. “My name is Nona.” For a moment, she stands as she had been. Arms at her sides, shoulders slightly slumped, before she seems to remember herself. Straightening, an act that adds an inch to her height, she lifts her free hand toward him. Soft pink tongue wetting her lips briefly as that underlying pride flavors her actions and words… however briefly. “Nona Veksler. It is a pleasure to meet you.”
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] Sasha is a perceptive animal. His eyes travel over her youthful face, taking note of her expression and the emotions traveling through and over it. His eyes find the nearest trashcan and toss the bag of now cold popcorn into it. Like any good predator his eyes are searching for Nona’s weaknesses … which leaves his eyes on her shoulders as they slump and then pull back again as she remembers who she is and what is likely expected of her.
“Nona, is pleasure.” Pausing his eyes once more focus in on her face. The breeding within her body – her blood – is heady. His lips slip into an easy, lazy smile and finger touches one of her bags. “I’m Sasha.” Pause, “You were shopping. Where are your parents? Where is your mate?”
He presses, either ignorant of the weight his words bring to her heart or callous of the fact.
[Ray Ostermann] He really should stay out of Grant Park, with all that’s happened in the area lately, he really should have learned his lesson by now. But here he is, walking through the park with a hotdog in hand. You really couldn’t find a better place to buy a hotdog in the city. Maybe this time he would even get to finish it.
His stride is casual and relaxed, you certainly couldn’t call it fancy free as Ray is far to much of a professional to ever go skipping along the paths of anywhere. But his walk exudes a comfortable confidence. One that has born him along on a tide of success, that only increases itself with time.
His fashion of dress is modern and quite corporate a black pair of freshly shined dress shoes making soft noises on the path as he walks. His body is covered from neck to ankle in a perfectly tailored three piece navy blue suit, with a slightly lighter pin stripe. His hair is neatly kept upon the top of his head and his face is cleanly shaven.
[Nona Veksler] She is not ignorant of the weight of his words, and again her throat works in a slow swallow. She doesn’t flinch as he moves in closer, touches her shopping bag, breathes in the smell of her.
Her wide gaze, as though startled, flashes toward his. Holding it for a beat, before it slips along his cheek bone, the solid square of his jaw. “I am here alone.” It isn’t trust that brings the honest reply to her lips. It is something else, something deeply seeded within. The need to obey perhaps. Or… maybe, just maybe something deeper. Darker. “In Chicago.” Her gaze finds his easy, lazy smile and lingers there.
“I am going to school.” She carries on, only because the brief flash of honesty has left her feeling awkward, vulnerable. “After the Spring break. My classes begin.” She forces a smile, forces a small amount of ease to seep into her limbs, one lean arm snaking across her torso to allow lean fingers to grip the opposing forearm. She doesn’t offer to spar with him with coy quips and flattery. She doesn’t flirt with her eyes, or invite with smiles. She seems to vulnerable for such things.
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] Nona was beautiful. Her breeding was enough to entice even the most honorable of Philodox. Still, something about the young woman reminded him greatly of a wounded bird. Heaving a deep sigh, his eyes finally leave Nona only to turn away and find Ray trying to enjoy a hot dog. Dark eyes shift from the Lord kinsman to the blond headed Nona.
“Come. Walk with me.” He says, touching her arm lightly near her elbow while he starts walking toward Ray. “I know one of yours. Is good man, I think.”
[Ray Ostermann] A savored bite of his hot dog is swallowed and Ray wipes his lips with a napkin, making sure not to spill any of the condiments on his suit. When he is at last certain that his suit is once again safe from a surprise attack from his own meal Ray looks up and about.
It is at that point that he notices Sasha, a man he has seen a few times walking with a woman he has never seen before. He contemplates that for a long moment, but when Sasha and Nona turn towards him. He moves to greet them his debonaire smile spreading across his lips as he draws near, hands spread out to his side in welcome.
“Sasha, How are you? Who is your new friend?”
[Nona Veksler] The request is simple enough. He touches her arm, and again she doesn’t flinch or stiffen. She simply nods, falling in step beside the tall, imperfect man. Her stride is different in his company than it had been before. She holds herself straighter, her wide blue eyes sweeping the pathways as they move, rather than focusing on the pavement at her feet. Her long flaxen hair dances about her shoulders as the breeze toys with it. Shopping bags shifted to the hand that lies between them, a subconscious barrier between them.
They approach Ray, and Nona takes him in in much the same way she’d taken in Sasha. Her gaze focused on his attire and stance more so than his features. Wide crystaline blue eyes meeting his only briefly, before she looks to Sasha with a wide eyed stare that is somehow meaningful, but vacant at the same time. Silently she questions one stranger about the other, her slender frame leaning toward the dark Shadow Lord who’s name she knows… rather than this new nameless man.
Instead of the expected (silence? shyness? avoidance?) she looks from one to the other, and lifts her free hand in offering. For all of the stereotype that she isn’t… she is in other hidden ways. “Nona.” She offers, in her breathy accented tones. “It is nice to meet you.”
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] (sorry had to go afk for a sec)
[Ray Ostermann] ((No worries Leroy))
[Rosanna Kardos] The sharp click of boot heels beats out a hard rhythm on the pavement as they carry the tall, curvy kin down the pathways. A sweep of a brown ponytail falling over one shoulder as her head turns to regard the few pedestrians that pass her by. Dressed in a fitted woman’s suit of a charcoal pinstripe and a red silk blouse underneath, a satchel tucked under her arm as she walked from the direction of the main library.
Green eyes – haloed to catlike points – in black eyeliner manage to drink in her surroundings, the buzzing of her iPhone catches her attention, pulling it out to glance at the text as she heads in the direction of the small group talking. The faint whisper of wolf-blood easily discernible to those that can sense it, despite the fact the woman carries no obvious scent upon the wind.
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] There is a very fine thread of protectiveness in Sasha’s stance. It isn’t the way a Garou hovers or postures to claim what’s his or protect a mate or offspring. This is something else entirely. When the dark of his eyes meets Nona’s wide blue his own close and he nods as if to say, Ray is alright. Safe.
“Well, my friend. You?” Nona extends her hand and he watches quietly, a hand lifts and he drags long fingers across his cheek scratching an itch. Sasha has his back toward Rosanna so he doesn’t catch the approach of the always beautiful Lord kinswoman. The staccato click of her heels on the concrete however perk his senses slightly.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray takes Nona’s hand and shakes it, for a second it almost looked like he might take it up and kiss the back of it, but the tension in Sasha seems to keep him from doing so. “Ray Ostermann, it is a pleasure to meet you Nona. Have you and Sasha just become acquainted?”
He asks looking between the two of them as he lets her hand go, trying to discern the situation between the pair of them, he however does notice Rosanna as she glides towards them. As she does his smile widens ever so slightly, and there seems to be a moment of mirth in his features, expectant maybe. As he watches her come.
“It’s been an interesting few days since I last saw you…you missed out on one hell of a party last night.” He says to Sasha casually, he might be kin, but he is certainly not scared to talk to them or meet their gaze when he does so.
[Nona Veksler] Nona is ignorant of Rosanna’s approach, and the smile that comes to Ray’s face when he spots the woman mutes any reply she may have had to his question of her and Sasha’s relationship. Her full lips part as though to reply, and as the man smile, they purse slightly, her wide blue eyes widening quizzically. A birdlike expression, as she turns her head to glance toward the approaching woman. Wide blue eyes inspect Rosanna briefly, before her head tilts upward to peer at Sasha again.
Child like in many ways, it is hard to decipher her posture and actions. Her weight shifts, slightly, her slender shoulders straighten a fraction, her pouted mouth settles into repose.
Finally, she does reply to Ray. Her head tilting again, away from the tall dark Shadow Lord beside her to regard the charming man she’s just been introduced to. “We have only just met.” A russian accent tickles her words, which are softly spoken and almost lost in the background noise of the park. Ray goes on to mention a party, and Nona simply falls silent. Polite.
[Rosanna Kardos] Ray’s voice carries easily in the air to snare her attentions. Rosanna’s eyes swinging up from the text messages she sends to glance over the group. Sasha a familiar (and convenient) sight as she had just been thinking of the Philodox and needing to contact him.
Her eyes pause on the lovely blond standing with the men, the slender arc of an eyebrow lifted up in a curious tilt as she continues down that pathway towards them. She meets Ray’s eyes first in a passing glance, questioning him silently.
When she does come closer, she speaks out in greeting, her voice rumbling in a low purr of words. “Afternoon, gentlemen…” a pause to Nona, “and friend?” The phone is tucked away into a pocket, the satchel adjusted under her arm.
“Sasha, I’m glad I caught you here… that issue we discussed over lunch. Urgalti agrees to me helping you.”
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] Sasha nods to Ray. “We….just meet.” He explains in his badly broken English. “She is…of Edward’s blood.” Sasha’s arms cross defensively over his midsection as they talk. It is not his moon, so his Rage is kept in check easily …though it is still a thing to be reckoned with when one enters the atmosphere around him.
“I give to Theron gift…then have to go…was good fun then yes?” He questions, eyes traversing the space between Nona and himself. His eyes fully focused on the top of her blond head. Taking note of Ray’s eyes focused on something else other than him or Nona, Sasha turns at the waist and immediately finds Rosanna.
The Philodox says nothing. He twists back round at the waist and looks to Nona, “Is fine. She is my blood. ” Pause, a nod toward the charming businessman. “As Ray is…”
Rosanna’s nearing to their small gathering brings Sasha to turn so that she is now included within the group. His hands lay on Nona’s back, surprisingly gentle and tender in their touch. It is meant to turn her somewhat, to keep her near to him. “Nona, this is Rosanna. Rosanna, Nona. Is kinswoman, like you.” He explains to Rosanna.
“Yes? Is good, then. We still must discuss what you want…” Dark eyes fix on Rosanna’s firmly (briefly) before they scour her face and then fall away completely. “…for compensation.”
[Nona Veksler] A sliver of silver lost in shadows. The briefest touch of light, and no matter how much darkness surrounds it… the sliver of silver will still shine. Nona nods a silent reply to Rosanna’s brief and impersonal greeting. Quiet, as those familiar with one another talk of things she has no knowledge of. Sasha takes certain measures to include her. Introductions. Posture. A light touch, to which she seems willing to bend. His palm is heat against the small of her back, the dip of her spine a valley beneath it. The touch turns her easily, and in the space between greetings and talk of business that doesn’t concern her she speaks softly to the kinswoman. “Nice to meet you.”
And again, falls silent. Shadows encasing her once more, waiting for a brief flash of light so that she can shine.
[Ray Ostermann] As Rosanna approaches Ray’s smile betrays nothing, except when Sasha turns away his eyes flicker between Nona and Sasha an eyebrow raising before he shrugs. Indicating he’s not entirely sure whats going on with these two. His curiousity only deepen’s as Sasha puts his hand on the small of Nona’s back.
“It is a pleasure to see you again Rosanna, as always. He steps to the side to allow her to join the circle, indicating with one hand that she is free to stand there, not that she needs her permission, its more a joke for himself as his eyes dance with mirth. When the pair settle in to discuss business, business he has no hand in he listens, but he turns his attention to Nona once more.
“So you are of the Silver Fangs? What brings you to chicago?” He asks in a warm encouraging voice, infact all that his is seems to be geared toward encoraging people…to do what is for her to decide.
[Rosanna Kardos] Rosanna does not come off as friendly or inviting as Ray appears. She is all schooled expressions and coolness – detached. She inclines her head to Sasha, matching his dark gaze briefly with her green one, used to such firm glances the Philodox gives her. A hand passes in the air, waving it off, “I will not worry about compensation as of yet, I was informed to just help you because of the war efforts going on. Just let me know when you need it.”
She notes the slightest of touches between the Shadow Lord and the woman of Silver Fang blood. This draws yet another curious tilt of her eyebrow at them both, mimicking Ray’s facial gestures. Rosanna does step up to settling in beside the male kinfolk, more comfortable in his presence as if they were familiar with one another – or friends.
Her attentions are for Nona, possibly making the girl uncomfortable as she’s surrounded by a circle of Thunder’s Children. “It is pleasure, Nona, have you been here long in the city, or met any of your family yet? Ms. Katherine Bellamonte is the head of your ‘family’, I have a contact number if you’d like it.”
[Nona Veksler] Sasha and Rosanna engage in a conversation that doesn’t particularly involve the others, and so Ray turns his attention to her, and she to him. Though it seems divided between the Lord kinsman, and the Lord. Her wide eyes lift to take in Sasha’s features as his attention is away from her. As though she were taking him in for the first time, and perhaps she is. After the brief inspection of his profile as he speaks with Rosanna, her attention turns to Ray entirely. Shoulders shifting slightly as she presses a polite and amicable smile onto her delicate child like features. “School.”
Shifting her bags from one hand to the other, she lifts her free hand to sweep stray strands of golden hair from her features. “I begin classes at Columbia College in two weeks.” She turns her attentions then to Rosanna, wide blue eyes focused on the other woman as she offers information about her family. “Thank you.” There is another, brief, glance up at Sasha, before she looks back at Rosanna. “I know the Bellamonte family.”
Which is not to say that she’s ever met any of those that reside in Chicago. “I would very much thank you for a contact number.” While her english is not choppy, or broken like Sasha’s, there are tell tale signs in her words that mark english as her second (or third) language.
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] As schooled as Rosanna’s expression is and as cool as her exterior obviously seems to be, Sasha’s is quite similar. There’s little given away within his expression, only his posture around Nona is readable and it is, in the simplest of terms, protective. This isn’t the way a Garou hovers over a mate, it’s closer to the protective stance one may take when it comes to protecting family. Obviously, Nona wasn’t his family but she was kin to a friend and as such, fell under his umbrella of protection. For now at least.
His hand leaves her back, though he remains close to her. Dark eyes find Rosanna’s face again and he nods. “I have list of what is needed.” And that’s all he says – he had no intention of speaking further about whatever it was he needed from one Rosanna Kardos.
Nona says she knows the Bellamonte’s and this draws the fullness of the Lord’s gaze back onto Nona’s face. Staring for a few moments he turns his attention to some unfortunate passerby. That the Fang girl studies him as he speaks with Rosanna doesn’t seem to bother him. Likely he’s used to stares due to the scars on his throat, and now those visible on his wrists.
[Ray Ostermann] “ahhhh Academia, good for you Nona, there are many of us who never get the chance, or simply never bother. But then we could say that about any group of people. What will you be studying?”
He asks the questions regardless of wether Nona is paying direct attention to him. He knows how it works in groups like this, you can never really talk to just one person. He doesn’t seem to mind Rosanna standing next to him, infact much like her, he seems to be quite comfortable with her nearby, more so then he is normally.
He makes no comment on the Bellmonte’s maybe he doesn’t like them…or maybe he simply hasn’t had a chance to meet them yet. All he seemed to run into lately were those of his tribel.
[Rory] It’s warm today. Considerably warmer than it has been since she arrived in Chicago, actually. It’s been a hard winter on the slender redhead, so used to the dry heat of Arizona as she was – and today, today feels like spring. Which is why one curly-haired Bogeyman is wandering the paths of the park, somewhat aimlessly.
Her knees peek out of frayed jeans, and she’s wearing just a single hoodie today, with a t-shirt underneath. Her backpack is slung over her shoulder, clanking and jangling and otherwise making noise when she shifts it into a better position. It’s heavier than it looks, of course, but she carries it as if it’s nothing.
Her steps are light, nearly soundless, well used to not drawing attention to herself – as if anyone could miss that hair… or the breeding that sings wasted through her veins, writ across her features, in her blood.
[Rosanna Kardos] “Very well.” Is Rosanna’s only reply to Sasha. She falls silent to the conversation, allowing Ray to dominate him, much in the way Sasha has grown quiet. She begins to occupy her attention with the satchel, searching through pockets for a pen and a piece of scrap paper that she can write down the information on for Nona.
Pen in hand, Rosanna bends over using the smooth leather surface of the case to write on as she scribbles down the information and then extends it out to Nona. “Here.”
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] It is said that like calls to like, and maybe that is why his eyes tend to find Rory almost immediately. Standing behind and slightly to the side of Nona, the near black of Sasha’s eyes focus on Rosanna’s face. Then her hair. Back to her face appreciatively before his face and eyes draw closed and he turns away once again.
“Edward….he is Bellamonte…is friend to me.” He explains to Nona. The Lord cranes his neck just a little so that when his attention is turned toward the blond woman he finds the wide blue of her eyes.
“You have pen, paper?” He asks Rosanna, eyes once more leveling on her person.
[Nona Veksler] The young Fang meets Sasha’s stare, weathering it’s fullness only briefly before she averts her gaze to the convenient reprieve of Ray’s questions. She answers a question that no one has asked before she replies to Ray’s actual question. “I met Rosalie Bellamonte while I studied in France.” A pause, as she divides the bags in her hands, and sets the barrier between she and Sasha again. However futile the gesture might be if he were to turn on her. “I have not met Katherine, or Edward. I just know… of them.” The last of her words are breathy and trailing.
“Art. I am studying art.” Her wide eyed gaze meets Ray’s briefly. Solidly. As though to study his reaction. As though to say, do you still think it’s admirable? Rosanna offers her a slip of paper, and turning, she shifts her bags yet again, and reaches her free hand out to accept the number. “Thank you so much.”
Her gaze turns to Sasha again briefly, and in that brief moment she offers the man a pure smile. “Thank you Sasha, for introducing me to your friends.” If she were bolder, she might touch his arm. Instead, she slides the slip of paper into her pocket, where her hand remains as she nods to Ray, Rosanna, and Sasha as well. “I should be going. It was a pleasure to meet you all.”
There is another, brief, wide eyed glance at the Shadow Lord, before she dips her chin and turns to walk along the path toward home.
[Nona Veksler] (Meep! have a meeting in 10 minutes, gotta run.)
to Ray Ostermann, Rory, Rosanna Kardos, Sasha Hadziosmanovic
[Rosanna Kardos] Rosanna holds up the pen and the notepad that she had used to write down the number for Nona. She straightens up, extending them out to Sasha if he required them. “Here.”
She looks to Nona, the briefest of smiles touch at her lips, “Have a good day, Nona.”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray listens to Nona’s words, attentive until Rosanna bends over, he can’t help but sneak a peek at her backside, before looking back to the group and replying to Nona as she moves off. “Best of luck, it was a pleasure meeting you.” He says with a wave.
It is at that moment when he’s looking around at their surroundings as Nona heads off he to notices the bright red curls bob along, backpack in tow and he smiles in her direction, even if she doesn’t notice it. He turns back to the pair and opens his hands to the side.
“Should I leave you two be? As you appear to have business to discuss? I would hate to intrude.”
[Rory] She doesn’t seem to be very aware of her surroundings, but that wouldn’t be entirely the truth. She notes the pretty blond walking away from the group, and then those that remain behind discussing whatever it is a group of Shadow Lords discuss. Her glance upwards is timed rather well, catching Ray’s smile. it’s obvious she does so, because she ducks her head instantly, hiding behind those curls, as color splashes across her cheeks.
Even so, she doesn’t alter her course, which will bring her to them soon enough.
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] His eyes look at Nona and become unreadable, black pools. She says she’s got to go and there’s a moment where he obviously fights with himself not to move after her and offer to walk her home safely. In the end, he remains with Rosanna and Ray, his jaw muscles flexing.
“Nyet.” He says with a shake of his head. The pad and pen are taken and Sasha moves to take a seat on the bench near his thigh. He is writing on the pad, his handwriting barely legible given English is his second language and he’s still learning it. At times he slips into writing in his native tongue but catches himself and crosses it out.
“Is fine, Ray.” He says to the kinsman. “So party …for Theron…was good yes?” He asks again while writing.
[Rosanna Kardos] Don’t think Rosanna hadn’t noticed Ray staring at her ass earlier. She looks back over her shoulder at him as she straightens up, reaches out with her left arm to swing her hand at his shoulder to hit him. “I saw you looking.”
The expression on her face changes then, no longer schooled as she starts to smirk at her kinsman. She steps closer to the bench watching Sasha make a grocery list of things, her eyes wandering over it, frowning at the words that get written in Russian as she doesn’t understand one lick of that language – nor Hungarian for that matter.
“You know. I realize I need to find myself a linguistic teacher. I keep getting involved with men that speak Slavic tongues and I can’t understand what they are saying.” She says absently to Ray, “You’d think I’d know it given my grandfather was a Hungarian immigrant.”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray smiles at Rosanna as he’s caught redhanded. He certainly isn’t ashamed of the fact that he took a moment to peruse her ample merchandise. “I enjoyed the look.” He replies, his voice smooth and teasing, he allows her to hit him and he smooths out the rumple the smack creates, still grinning like a jackal.
When she comments on her lack of languages. He spews something in german. Before giving her another grin. “You really should, it’s important to at least have a knowledge of your own roots.”
That said, he spares another glance in Rory’s direction, and he seem’s pleased that she is still headed in their direction, if he notices the redness of her cheeks, it doesn’t show, instead he lets her arrive in her own time, his gaze returning to the pair before him. “Is there anything I may be able to assist with?”
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] “I am looking for ….person to teach better English.” He says absently, struggling like a child learning to write for the first time. The words fight against his hand and it takes him a moment to finish. Rosanna would see words like …two floors…few windows…large cellar basement. He also jots down his cell phone number and his room number at the Drake.
His eyes finally leave the paper and float toward Rosanna and then Ray. “Perhaps.” The note pad is handed back to Rosanna as he stands. A hand slips into the front pocket of his jeans and comes free with a charm pop. The red wrapper is removed, discarded, and slipped into his mouth.
“I will know within next…week…what I…am needing…” He says to Ray, his eyes following the mans gaze toward Rory before looking back. “Is friend, yes?”
[Rory] She arrives in short order, though she hesitates before joining their little group, waiting until she’s invited. She stops, her weight shifting from foot to foot, before she falls still again, slender fingers – pale, fragile looking, without much nail to speak of – wrapped around the straps of her pack.
Even now, under the darkened moon, her rage is a presence of it’s own, boiling under her skin, causing most to shy away from her without knowing why. She chews on her lower lip, hesitantly, and hovers close without intruding.
[Rosanna Kardos] She accepts the notepad and pen, turning it around as she reads it over. “Multiple languages is a good skill. Rooster speaks Russian, but I’ve never had to bother with it when I made dealings with them, he’s always done it for me.” She says with a shrug.
She flips the pad closed, tucking it away into her satchel once more. “I’ll see what I can find for you, Sasha, and make sure it isn’t too upscale, but isn’t a shit hole either. I can see to any constructions as well if you need something added on. You want a house or more of a converted building type?”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray raises a brow at the discussion before him as the man appears to want a building, and then he remembers his conversation with Rosanna and spreads his hands. “You are looking for a building? I’m surprised you did not come to me Sasha, acquiring things is one of my speciality.”
When Rory pauses Ray looks over and when he sees that look he waves her over. “Rory, join us…don’t be shy.” He then looks over at Sasha and nods. “Yes she is…”
[Rory] Ray asks her to join, but telling her not to be shy is like asking the moon not to rise, or slide from darkness into her own birth moon’s brilliant light – and of course, she blushes even as she makes her feet move into his – their -direction.
It’s no mistake that when she joins, she’s hovering closer to Ray than any of them. Ray she knows, has spoken with. The others are new. She doesn’t quite nudge her shoulder against his, but she is close enough that she could if she wanted, and perhaps the intention is as good as the deed.
Shyly, achingly so, vibrant green eyes take in Rosanna’s stunning beauty, and briefly – so briefly lift to Sasha’s face, never quite meeting his eyes, before dropping again. Instant submission, it’s written across every inch of her skinny form, even as she offers a soft “…hi.”
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] (afk for a sec)
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] Ray’s eyes slice toward Rosanna, pause, then find Ray. “Is…difficult situation to explain. We will speak of this…soon.” He says to Ray. “House…older home would be good.” This is said to Rosanna. The sucker is rolled around in his mouth before being shoved into his jaw.
“I have to go…appointment to make…is nice to see you both again…” He nods toward Rosanna and Ray, then Rory. “Hello….nice to have…meet you.” With that, Sasha turns and heads down the same path as Nona took, his steps purposeful.
[Sasha Hadziosmanovic] (You would think, since DST has been and gone for what? two days? That I’d of set my clocks back. Since I didn’t, I’m running late, lol. I gotta roll out….be back on from work guys and dolls)
to Ray Ostermann, Rory, Rosanna Kardos
[Rosanna Kardos] She nods, hiding the smile that threatens to widening on lush lips as Ray had asked his question. She thinks about the neighborhoods in and around the city, the type of home listings that would have two-story homes with a basement. When Sasha takes his leave, she looks back to Ray and then Rory as the redhead finally comes towards them.
“A two-story house with a basement. I’m better off finding an old brownstone or row house for him. Sounds like something he might prefer.”
She sighs, rubbing the back of her hand against her forehead and looks away.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray chuckles a knowing sound as she expresses her exasperation and he nods in understanding to her annoyance. “I am still entirely perplexed as to why he came to you. That man makes little sense at the best of times.” He watches Rosanna for a moment more before turning his gaze back to the bright but timid redhead.
“Rory, I would like you to meet Rosanna, she is a…friend of mine, and we share similar heritage.” He briefly looks to Rosanna as he says the word “Friend” not entirely certain if that is the right term. Before he looks back to Rory.
“How is that toy robot? Did you get him up and running again?”
[Rory] She watches Sacha walk away, briefly, before giving Ray and Rosa her full attention. She chews on the inside of her lip, absently, before she nods to Rosanna, after the introduction. “Hi.” She doesn’t quite look the kin in the eyes, only briefly touching there before dropping again.
She lifts a hand to absently rub at the side of her nose, and then wraps her hand around her pack again. Something lights in her eyes though when Ray asks about the toy robot she’d been working on before. She nods, those blood-red curls bouncing, as she grins that shy little grin. “I gave it to a boy at she thelter.”
As always she doesn’t notice the mixup of words, hearing only what she intended to say, not what actually was said.
[Rosanna Kardos] “Ray and I are star-crossed soul mates, Rory, destined to never be together because the nation would frown upon our unquestionable love for world domination and hot sex.” She offers the Fianna a cheeky grin, dropping her hand to her side as the sarcasm bleeds off in her words.
She looks back to Ray, stepping up beside him to look him over. “Friends, comrades, drinking buddies… I have no idea. Call it whatever you want.”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray laughs at Rosanna’s words, finding them very funny indeed, but he gives her a side long look like he almost wishes it wasn’t a joke. World domination and hot sex would be fun afterall. “Are you sure you want me to call it whatever I want? That could be very interesting.”
He shakes his head at her words, his smile wide, he’s entertained and enjoying himself thoroughly, especially with two lovely ladies at his side, with such different personalities. Its at that that he turns his gaze back to Rory and nods. “I’m sure the boy will make good use of it. That was very kind of you to do so.”
[Rory] She blinks as Rosanna tells her of their relationship, her head tilting to the side, curiously. To say she misses the sarcasm would be an understatement. Her brow creases, and confusion crosses her face as she looks between them – and blushes brightly as she mentions sex so easily. Rory ducks her head again, hiding behind her hair, as she peeks at Ray from under rusty lashes… trying to figure out if what Rosanna said was a joke, or not…
“…oh.”
Then Ray laughs, and she studies him, and sees that look, and to be honest, she’s more confused than ever. So she rubs the side of her nose with the tip of a finger, and then when he mentions the boy, she shrugs a skinny shoulder and smiles that shy little smile, hidden behind her curls. “I non’t deed a robot. It hade mim smile.”
[Rosanna Kardos] “Well…” Face brightening with amusement as she watches them. Rosanna adjusts the satchel under her arm once again, she steps up to Ray. Leaning in, Rosanna touches her lips to Ray’s cheek in a quick kiss and steps back. “I need to go. I have some entertaining to do. Have a good night, Rory.” She waves to the redhead, “Ray… stay out trouble.” Rosanna laughs and begins to walk away.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray takes the kiss, and perhaps to Rosanna’s surprise, he doesn’t try to turn it into anything else. As she moves to walk away Ray calls back to her. “Goodnight Rosanna I would take your advice, but I know you wouldn’t so i think I will follow your example.” He calls back with a wave, watching the woman go before at last, he is left with Rory.
At that he turns, his entire body turned to the shy woman his smile all hers now as he cants his head. “So where were you headed tonight when you graced us with your presence Rory?”
[Rory] She lifts her fingers and waves them at Rosanna as she walks away, teeth worrying over her lower lip, gently. She then glances up at Ray, then smiles a little grin as she ducks her head and shrugs.
“Was warm, so walking.”
No where in particular to go.
[Ray Ostermann] “Would you care for some company? I have nowhere in particular to be.” He shifts beside her so that he’s facing down the path as well. Though he does not have to move much, given how close she was standing to him.
“And Rory…you can look at me when you talk to me. You have such pretty eyes…you should use them more.”
[Rory] “…ok.”
Shy, so achingly shy – and then she’s blushing brightly again as he says her eyes are pretty, and to look at him. She shifts her weight, but doesn’t move away, just a shift in position, even as she peeks up at him, so very briefly. “I’ll try.”
She won’t always succeed, though – that much is likely clear. Such submission has been well beaten into her, and such teaching is hard to break from.
[Ray Ostermann] “I just want you to know that you can. I like my shoes as well, but they are not the most interesting parts of me.” He says as he starts to walk slowly along, ensuring that she is walking with him, and doing his very best to keep her at his side, and not behind him.
“It is a lovely evening…do you have a place in the city you like to go when it is warm Rory?”
He asks her now as they move, spurring to conversation like a duck to water.
[Rory] She grins a little, and studies his shoes. “Expensive. better man thine.” her own boots are busted up, scuffed up, and have seen better days – but they still stay on her feet, and sometimes that’s the best one can hope for.
To the question though, she shakes her head, even as she walks with him, noting he won’t let her stay a step behind, so gives up and walks by his side. “Hame cere when it was already cold. You?”
[Ray Ostermann] “I’m a native, I have many, this park for example, is the best place in the city to find a hot dog. You should try them. Sometimes I bring my clients here, just for that.”
He looks down at her boots now, and then can’t help himself but look her all the way up and all the way down. “Rory…you do so much good for others, I think its time you collected on some of that Karma.”
[Rory] She tips her head, slightly. “Only tried 7-11 dot hogs.” She’s seen the vendors, sure, but the times are few and far between that she actually has more than some lose change in her pockets. Edwin provides most of her base needs, but she just doesn’t ask for anything. She never has.
He looks her over and by the time he hits the ‘up’ she’s blushing brightly again, squirming a little under his gaze – but she’s confused too… “I don’t understand…?”
[Ray Ostermann] “You are always fixing things for others, and while i may not be able to do that…I can however offer to buy you a few new things, say…some clothes for the warm weather ahead?”
He offers as he watches her blush and squirm. He can’t help but beam down at that, part of him enjoying watching her do so. It really was quite endearing.
[Rory] She glances away from him, and then back, and scuffs her toe against the cement as she listens, and tries to figure out just why he would do something like that. She does what she can to be useful, without expecting payment but accepting it in the form of food for her and her pack. Her clothing is all from the trashbins behind the shelter, or the donation bins themselves if anything is left after everyone else has their picks.
But her clothing is falling apart, and she knows it, and… finally, she looks up at him – briefly – and then down as she nods. “Ok. I… can fix something for you thometime sough. So I can pay wy may somehow?”
[Ray Ostermann] “It was mean’t as a gift Rory, just as you gave the child the robot. I would give you something equally as nice.” He considers her for a moment and then shrugs. “But you would feel more comfortable if you could wouldn’t you?”
He steps along waiting for her response, his gaze turning street side now, looking for any stores that might suit her tastes…though her tastes are as he notices, mostly taken from bins.
[Rory] She opens her mouth to say something, and then stops, and blushes as he chides her, even gently, that it is to be a gift After a long moment, she finally nods, her hair bouncing, curls sliding over her shoulders then back again as she looks up at him, searching his gaze briefly for any trick, any thing that might suggest this is a bad idea. Seeing nothing, she blushes for having been so intent as she studied him – even if it’s the first time she has, and then murmurs a soft. “Ok.”
She can always fix something on the sly for him, later.
Then, she shyly admits… “I…don’t know anything clout bothes… or shopping.”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray smiles at her and shakes his head. “That my dear Rory is what I am for…well me and the shop attendants. They are paid afterall to see you looking your best.”
He starts to guide her towards the street and out of the park, several boutiques of varying style’s loom infront of them. Ray doesn’t seem phased at all. Infact he seems very intent on Rory and the gift he is about to give her. There was no hint of a bad idea in his face, no hint of a trick, if anything…he might be flirting with her, if she knows what to look for.
He starts to cross the street, watching both ways as they go and he looks over to her again. “So…what sort of clothing would you like to try on?”
[Rory] He might be flirting with her – if she knew what to look for. Alas, Rory’s as unschooled in that as she is in everything else in the social realm. For a girl who’s only had one kiss, it’s not surprising that she doesn’t recognize the signs – if, indeed, they exist.
He asks her what she’d like to try on, and skinny shoulders lift in a shrug again, that shy little grin reappearing as she tugs at her t-shirt and jeans absently. “I…don’t know? Thractical pings?” She does, after all, often get bloody.
It’s unlikely she’s ever even tried on a dress, let alone owned one.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray smiles, he had expected that response, and its written over his face. “Alright…ill buy you a set of practical clothing, but…then I think were going to take you a little out of your element. Have you ever owned a dress before?”
He asks curiously, though his eyes twinkle like he already knows the answer. However he doesn’t wait for it as he hauls open the door of one of the boutiques and waves her inside.
[Rory] “….a dress?” she blinks, and looks up at him, and then shakes her head as she hides once more behind her hair, achingly shy as she admits that she hasn’t – but she can’t help the curiosity that has her ask. “Why would I deed a nress?”
She steps into the boutique when he holds the door open, her eyes widening as she looks at all the pretty things handing around, the well dressed attendants… she swallows hard, and edges closer to Ray, dropping her hand from where it’s wrapped tightly around the strap of her pack, and shyly slides trembling fingers into his hand.
[Ray Ostermann] “Because every woman needs at least one dress just incase.”
He blinks as her fingers slip into his hand and well the only logical reaction to that…is to squeeze back. Which he does despite the pulse of rage that travels along her skin as she does so. He graces her with his most reassuring smile and he brings her forward, allowing her to hide behind him if she wants to now, having brought her entirely out of her element.
He draws her along slowly, ensuring she gets a chance to look at all the things around her, incase she spots anything she likes before approaching one of the attendants and works his magic.
“Hello there, I was hoping you could help us…my dear lady here needs some new clothes, and I was hoping you could help her find something particularly durable, but fashionable.” Hes all smiles for the attendant, and being that hes impeccably dressed and smelling of money, she is eager to oblige.
[Rory] “…In wase chat?” She holds his hand tightly, but not so much that she hurts him, aware even now of her strength, of the rage that pulses through her, burning under her skin. The women look at her warily, and not just because of the state of her clothing – though it’s clear they’re swayed by his magic, his smoothing talking and of course – the scent of money.
Rory peeks around as she waits, looking at all the fine clothing, all soft and sturdy and some floatingly pretty things that are decidedly girly – which she’s never even thought to try. She isn’t a woman – she is monster. She is Metis.
And she is waaaaaaay out of her element here. She peeks again at the attendants and murmurs wonderingly… “They’re po sretty..”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray is busy hashing out the details for Rory’s upcoming makeover and when she says that quietly he looks down at her with a soft smile before responding in kind to her. “And so are you, clothing doesn’t make you so…but it does help to let others know.” He gifts her with a rich chuckle before turning to back to the woman with a nod.
“Alright, now there going to pick out a few things, and you can try them on. If you like them, there yours, if you don’t they’ll keep looking until we find something you do like alright?”
At that the woman comes around the corner, looks Rory up and down and heads off to find clothes, not even checking for sizes…shes that good apparently. Ray watches her go, before turning back to Rory and looking into her face, even if she wont look into his.
“Do you see any dresses or something else you like?”
[Rory] He turns to face her, and she struggles a moment, before she is able to look up at him – the blush still splashed across her cheeks. He called her pretty, and she’s clearly unsure how to take it, or if she even believes him. But she nods to the instructions, even as she shyly admits. “…I like ge threen one.”
Not one for pink or girly anything, the green one she points too is simple, yet undeniably feminine and flowy, off the shoulders with simple straps.. something completely opposite of anything she would ever think of trying on her own.
She hasn’t let go of his hand, either… though her hold has loosened, just a little.
[Ray Ostermann] He’s smiling to himself as she starts to get a little more comfortable, but he wont let her hand go until she is ready. When she points out the green dress he smiles at her, a surprised, but pleased look on his face.
“And you said you know nothing about clothing, the green matches your eyes, and offsets your hair just so.” He says as he draws her over to the dress, he doesn’t even bother checking the tag, he just gestures to the rack,and after a moment of looking her up and down himself, though more purposefully this time then before. He plucks one of the rack and hands it to her. “Here, you can try it on while we wait for the lady to return.”
[Rory] She blushes and ducks her head, hiding her face against his arm as he compliments her again. He doesn’t look at the tag, and she doesn’t either, though for two very different reasons. She takes the dress, the soft flowy material, and handles it as if it’s the finest silk ever made – and to her, it is…
She only lets go of his hand then, so that she can slip free of her backpack, and let it fall to the ground with a thud. “…where?”
When he points out the dressing rooms, she moves toward them, shyly, hesitantly, before she steps into one, hanging the dress up as if it’s something precious (..it is..). She doesn’t bother shutting the door as she bends to unlace her boots, and starts to strip. For someone as shy as she is, she’s remarkably without modesty when it comes to skin. So much time alone, means she was never really taught modesty, only recognizes that clothing should be worn when in public. When it comes to changing, she doesn’t bother hiding behind a door – unless someone comes and does it for her.
….and it should be noted that those freckles? Are all over. ALLLL over.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray blinks at that, and he can’t help himself, he looks at those freckles..he looks at them all, before stepping up to the door and closing it for her. When its closed he shakes his head, but his face just looks well…full of desire.
“Just so you dont shame the other women in the store with your good looks you understand.”
He calls over the door, incase she wonders why he closed the door. “Come out when you are ready.”
[Rory] She isn’t aware that he looks at her really, not until he closes the door and she catches his look. She tilts her head, curiously, as she is captivated by what she sees in his face, without recognizing it for what it is. She blushes though, when he compliments her, and she strips down to just her panties, and goes about sliding that green bit of softness on. She manages to get it on and zipped, with the flowing skirt falling to her knees. She looks at the dress, rather than the mirror, and twirls a little, letting the skirt fan out about her thighs – which makes her grin that shy little smile again.
Hesitantly, she steps out, her bare feet silent on the carpet as she slides the strap up into place and swishes the skirt back and forth with a little pivot of her hips… the little shy smile remaining across her lips… even as she peeks up at him to see what he thinks…
[Ray Ostermann] He watches her as she steps out and his eyebrows rise, before he nods slowly, the look on his face very…very approving. He walks around her, looking at her in a new light in a sense, now that she is out of her ragged old clothing.
As he comes back around to her front he puts his hands on her shoulders and smiles down into her face. “It suits you perfectly.” He turns her to the mirror at that. “Perfectly.” At that he lets her shoulders go and stands back a bit. “Its yours.”
He doesn’t even ask if she wants it, he already knows that, he just lets her know that its now hers.
[Rory] She blushes, and it spreads across her cheeks, down along her neck, even to her shoulders. It’s safe to say that most likely, the poor girl blushes all over in the face of his approval. She smiles up at him, briefly, shyly, before he turns her to the mirror, and she actually gasps..
“….it doesn’t even look mike le…”
She does a little twirl, and she can’t say that it’ too much or that she doesn’t want it because it’s clear that she does… especially when she turns to look at him and actually meets his gaze for longer than half a second, biting gently on her lower lip. And then she’s looking at the mirror again, still kind of shocked that it’s her reflection at all…
[Ray Ostermann] “Now you understand why every girl has at least one dress.” He says, his voice still approving as she obviously enjoys her new piece of clothing that clings to her body just right, and the flows out the next moment, his eyes follow her as she does so, and he has to tear his eyes up and away.
Thankfully its at this time that the associate returns with a few shirts, some jeans, and a few pair of shoes. She smiles at Ray, and likely looks cooly at Rory in her new dress. But she sets down the clothing and backs off, waiting for them to need her again.
“Alright…how about you try on some of the things the lady brought for you?” He asks as he looks back to Rory.
[Rory] She blushes, and then glances at the woman who brings her more things to try on – and it’s proof that somewhere in Rory is a girl, after all, as she gathers the clothing with delight and heads to the dressing room again.
She could get used to this… though she knows she would never have the chance, so she enjoys it for every moment it lasts.
…and she forgets the door again, even as she’s ultra careful with the dress, before she’s jumping into a pair of jeans and a shirt. It should be noted that it’s unlikely she even owns a bra, as she certainly isn’t wearing one.
[Ray Ostermann] The woman behind him gasps, now seeing what Rory was doing as well, Ray moved forward and closed the door forcing that look of desire and appreciation off his face before he turned to the attendant. “Perhaps a few bra’s as well?”
He asks with a light laugh in his voice. Finding Rory’s actions both hilarious, and strangely endearing. He calls back to her now through the door.
“Just wait a second, the lady is going to bring one more thing.” After a few seconds, he hands a bra over the door to her. “Here, put this on as well.”
[Rory] She furrows her brow slightly, as she hears the gasp but waits when he asks her too, blushing as she brings a bra. She tips her head, slightly, and takes it studying it a moment or two, before she slides it on and manages to get it fastened correctly. She turns this way and that, looking at the pretty bit of lace in the mirror, and then turns that shy grin up at Ray again, before she’s shimmying into jeans and a shirt to show him.
She picks a pair of shoes – surprisingly sturdy flats, though her fingers linger over some pretty strappy little number with a glance at the dress, before she slides hr feet into the sturdier and more practical choice…
And then she’s slipping from the little dressing room again for his approval.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray notes her going for the strappy shoes and the dress, putting two and two together. When she steps out of the booth he admires her some more, obviously liking what he see’s as he nods his approval.
“So…what do you think of your new clothes? If these are the one’s you want to keep?”
He steps past her into the booth and picks up her old clothes, the dress, and the strappy shoes to go with it, before walking to the cash and laying them down.
“Is there anything else you would like to try on?”
[Rory] She studies herself in the Mirror again, having chosen a designed t-shirt and a pair of jeans that shows off her long legs, though she did it because she liked the colors – blues and golds on the shirt, and deep dark denim on the jeans – and she sneaks another t-shirt from the pile, another pretty design, but this one in green, and looks up at him… hopefully… as she adds it to the pile….
…and when he asks what she thinks? She can’t even form the words, not even her own mixed up ones – so instead? She slides her arms around him shyly and hugs him tight, putting it all into that, instead, as she tucks her head against his chest, shyly – managing only an achingly soft “…thanks…”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray blinks at that, but then he should be used to this sort of reaction from her, so he folds his arms around her hand hugs her back holding the embrace for a good while. “Your welcome Rory.” He says almost as an intimate whisper before at last letting her go. When he notices the other shirt on the pile he grins, like he had caught her. But he says nothing, instead pulling out his debit card and stepping up the register. With a nod to the cashier they begin the transaction.
If Rory pays attention to the till, she sees the numbers jump into the $500 dollar range before its all said and done and Ray pays it without batting an eyelash. Rory is allowed to wear her clothing out of the store, with the tags clipped of of course and they are handed several bags, which Ray carries for the moment.
[Rory] Her old clothing in a bag with her tattered boots, and her new clothing in others, she reaches for her heavy pack and slings it over he shoulders and settles it on her back. Se smooths her new shirt over her belly, and runs her fingers over the dark denim of her new jeans and smiles shyly up at Ray as he carries the other bags and leads her out the door.
Her feet feel lighter, without the clunky boots, and she walks closer to him than she had before her hands tucked into the pockets of her jeans. She looks far less like a hobo now, and more like what she is – a girl.
She admits softly. “I don’t remember ever having stew nuff before…”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray carries the bags, admittedly somewhat poorly, his strength is nowhere near hers, and admittedly, he finds her boots rather heavy. But he carries on with her. Moving along the street, Rory might even notice a few other people looking at her now, most of them being men.
“Well, I hope you enjoy these new things, I’ll admit its impressive how much you recycle, but every once in a while, its nice to get something new isn’t it?”
He says as he looks about at the people looking at her and smiling to himself. “So, is there anywhere you would like to go now?”
[Rory] She nods, and is still blushing, and it seems that it might be a permanent thing when she’s around him. She doesn’t notice anyone looking at her though – as she doesn’t really look for it, and she’s well used to hiding in shadows and having her rage send everyone else off and away as it is.
Then he asks where else she might want to go, and she peeks up at him through those curls of hers, and asks quietly… “Dot hogs?”
He DID say they were the best in the city…
[Ray Ostermann] His eyes light up at that and he gives her a look like she just made his day. He considers their options from where they are standing, and he starts to take her across the street towards a particular vendor. He knows which ones to go to, having eaten here for lunch regularly enough before going to the Brotherhood.
“You will love these. Best in the city, what do you like on yours?” He asks with curiosity, wondering what the pretty little lithe Fianna enjoys.
[Rory] He lights up, and she actually meets his eyes for a long moment, thrilled that something she said, something she asked for brought that kind of joy to him. When she realizes she’s staring, she drops her gaze and looks toward the street, and follows his lead as he picks a vendor.
“Whatever you like. Chou yose.” She trusts him to pick something good – as this is his home, and something he likes.
[Ray Ostermann] He steps up the vendor, and the man behind the trolly smiles and waves, the look on his face a familiar one, a familar one with Ray, before he looks over at Rory and cocks his head to the side an approving look before saying something in spanish. Ray laughs, and replies in kind. Before holding up two fingers and pulling out a few bills.
“Just one question, do you like spicy food?” He asks as hes handed two footlong hotdogs, fresh off the grill. He asks, because now comes the condiments, the true heart of any proper hot dog.
[Rory] She flushes under the look the vendor gives her, and tips her head slightly as they speak in spanish, curious, whispering “What sh hay?”
When Ray asks her if she likes spice food, she nods, sending those curls bouncing about her shoulders again. She leans up and to watch the vendor prepare the dogs, curiously…
[Ray Ostermann] Ray thinks for a moment before gesturing to the vendor. “Carl thinks you have quite lovely red hair….i was agreeing with him.” He answers, and Carl nods a few times with a smile on his face.
The hotdogs ready, Ray begins to pile on the condiments, chilli, banana peppers, a bit of relish, as well as a little cheese. The masterpiece complete, he hands it down to Rory, taking his own in hand and clinking them together as if they were glasses. “Bon apetite” He says with a chuckle. Carl then pulls out two cokes, and hands them over.
“Enjoy” Is the only english thing he says as he waves, and Ray does the same, his arms now full with bags, and a foot long hotdog. “Shall we find somewhere to sit?” He suggests, as he can’t possibly walk and eat at the same time, not with all that hes carrying.
[Rory] That kicks off the blush again, as she ducks her head and hides behind the hair in question, smiling shyly, murmuring a barely audible. “Thanks.” She’ll have to remember to thank Gina for helping her tame her curls into something resembling order – since people keep mentioning it to her.
She takes the dog when offers to her, and then takes the cokes too, since her hands aren’t as full. She nods her agreement as she looks over the dog and breathes in deeply of the scent, her belly rumbling happily in anticipation. “There?” She points to a nearby table, and leads him that way, setting down the cokes and her dog on the table before turning to help him unload so that he can sit with her.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray laughs gently, as at long last Rory does the leading. He follows her as best he can, mindful of his hotdog, the new clothes, and his own clothes, trying not to get any of it messy with the hotdogs toppings, as everyone knows hotdogs love to get things messy.
When Rory comes back to help him, he gratefully unloads several of the bags into her grasp and sighs in relief, flicking the now free hand to work the kinks out.
“Thank you Rory, any longer and I don’t think my hand wold function the rest of the day. Those boots of yours are heavy.” He says before sitting down across from her, that infectious smile spreading across his lips as he watches her.
[Ray Ostermann] ((err wold, should be wouldnt))
[Rory] She can’t help it, she giggles when he mentions how heavy her boots are. It’s a brief sound, soft and almost missed, but certainly there – a first for him to hear. “Should try py mack, then.” As her backpack is way heavier than her boots, by far, and she doesn’t seem like it’s anything to her to cart it around all day.
Then she’s settling to the bench, leaning her elbows on the table, and picks up her dog. She studies it a moment, and than takes a huge bite, and sighs happily as she enjoys the treat…
[Ray Ostermann] “Do i really want to? I think I might have a better time carrying you around town then I would with that backpack. I think I would prefer it as well.” A skeptical look given to the backpack, before his gaze falls on her once more, and then the pack again. At that he seems to nod to himself, like he really would prefer carrying Rory.
Treat, the idea that this was a treat, and not a regular pleasure to be enjoyed was foreign to Ray, he used to eat these religiously before he took up a regular seat at the brotherhood. He lets the conversation fall at the wayside for the time being as he to picks up his dog and takes a bit, savoring the meat and topping combination as he chews oh so slowly. Sitting in comfortable silence with the fiery haired Fianna.
[Rory] She flushes at the idea he might want to carry her around Chicago, and then almost teasingly points out “…I’m always wearing py mack… so you’d be barrying coth..”
She can’t quite look up at him as she teases, as if she’s not sure he’ll laugh or react badly – and guess which she is far more used to happening… but she digs into the dog with a happy little sigh, licking the juices off her fingers as she matches him bite for bite.
[Ray Ostermann] She might have been expecting an angry or snide remark, but she gets no such thing. Ray puts his wrist to his mouth and chuckles before nodding. He’s a gentleman in this regard, and he doesn’t speak until he swallows whats in his mouth.
“Well I might be able to carry the two of you…ohh…ten steps. But then we’d have to switch.” He seems to think about that, a mischievous look crossing his face. “Though I can think of a few places where you wouldn’t be wearing that backpack.”
He comments cryptically before returning his mouth’s attention to the hotdog, his eyes however remaining on Rory, watching her reaction to that.
[Rory] “I dould co it.” she says, almost primly. She’s lean, almost too skinny, considerably smaller than he is, really – but there’s no doubt she is the stronger of the two of them. It burns under her skin, it thrums in her veins, and tells tale of the monster that rides s closely under her skin – completely at odds with her innocence, as she looks at him curiously with the last statement.
He can think of places where she wouldn’t be wearing it, and she rubs the side of her nose with a finger, before she replies. “Only take it off inside, or in she thower, or bed…”
and there it is… she blushes again, ducking her head to think he might be thinking of her in bed…
[Ray Ostermann] He really didnt she’d get that, he really didnt. But when its obvious she does he smiles at her, its not a leering smile, but a warm, almost appogetic smile at that as he innocently shrugs his shoulders.
“To much to fast Rory?” He just asks straight out, he does this sometimes. “I didn’t mean to offend..”
[Rory] She takes another bite as she peeks up at him and catches that warm smile, apologetic and sincere, and she shakes her head, slightly when he questions. She doesn’t answer right away, finishing her bite and swallowing first, before she shyly admits…
“Not offended. Surprised. Gabe used to mease te, but no one since…” Gabe, he of the infamous first (and only) kiss.
[Ray Ostermann] “Surprised? Why? I can understand other men not coming up to you…it is in their nature. But why would no kin?”
He probes her with questions, he doesn’t seem to find any problem with her, if his questions then don’t indicate to that, his actions throughout the day thus far just might. He sets down his hotdog, as he pays full attention to her.
“Well then maybe I can tease you as well then hmm?”
[Rory] She lifts a skinny shoulder in a shrug as she smiles that same shy, little grin, and shakes her head, admitting softly. “Kin are not mor fe. I’m metis. The Nation says I’m twong, wristed, beformed, dad. Not allowed mate.”
But she blushes when he says that he might tease her then, and she peeks up at him, the look lingering a moment, two, before she ducks her head and admits, shyly. “I think I’d thike lat.”
[Ray Ostermann] “Not allowed a mate…well I dont see why you can’t have some fun without declaring a mate.” He comments offhandedly as he cracks open his pop can and lets the fizz settle a bit as he looks back to his companion.
He smiles, this time its more debonaire, more intimate that he’s ever given her before, the sort of smile that tends to make women think dirty things. He then nods graciously. “I’m very happy to hear that Rory, I do tend to aim to please.” His voice coming out intimate and dirty.
[Rory] His voice… changes, and seems more… intimate and far more than she’s ever heard before, and she squirms a little in her seat, trying to peek up at him, while ducking her head and feeling the warmth spread under her skin, and color her skin with a steady blush.
“I..” she stammers to a stop, and then chews her lower lip absently and then tries again with that same shy innocence, curiously blended with a straight forward wish to please.. “I only ever keen bissed once… I don’t.. know… anything else…”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray nods, as if he had assumed as much, no one was this innocent, this pure and gentle without being a virgin..well, under most circumstances. But he doesn’t seem upset by her lack of knowledge. Infact he smiles, reassuring now, and when he speaks its that rich velvatine voice rather then the dirty one. “That is the great thing about life isn’t it? Plenty of time to learn.” A held breath “And plenty of things to learn as well.”
At that he picks up his coke and takes a drink, letting some of the burn from his hot dog die in the cool fizzy blackness of the coke.
[Rory] She furrows her brow, slightly, as he comment about there being plenty of time and how it would be a great thing about life. She chews her lower lip, nervously, absently, and then smiles up at him, shyly.
“I’m a mull foon. We don’t always tave hime. Maybe I should start soon…”
She blushes at her own audacity, and then takes a quick drink of her soda so she can hide behind the can.
[Ray Ostermann] Ray laughs at her action, he can’t help himself, the girl was just to cute, to much like sugar, you just had to have another taste. Though he laughs, his face holds a pleasant aspect, he finds her endearing, funny, and attractive. His laugh holds all of those qualities, not the laughter of someone mocking you. But the laugh of a man who finds your activities quite enjoyable.
“I’ll be happy to help Rory, however I can, you can count on me.” He straightens his face out to say those words, almost solemn in the speaking, before he winks at her and a roguish smile crosses his face before he picks up the remains of his dog, and goes to finish it.
[Rory] She blushes as he solemnly promises to help her however he can, and hides behind her soda can for another moment or two, before she sets it aside to take up the last little bit of her sandwich, and finish it off.
Sort of safer topics, she licks her fingers and smiles shyly. “That was the dest bog I ever had..”
[Ray Ostermann] To easy, he could have her blushing as bright as her hair, but at that moment he allows her time to move some of that blood back to the rest of her body. He sips his coke and then, briefly looks at his watch.
“I’m glad you approve, I was afraid I’d have to tell Carl that he was no longer the best dog man in the city, he would have been heartbroken.” He sighs, and seems to soak up Rory for a long moment, watching her longer then he has before with a quiet smile on his face. But then he sighs. “Well Rory, I would prefer to stay here, and chat. But I really should be going.”
[Rory] She tries to meet his gaze, and does for a second or so, before she ducks her head, and smiles that shy little grin again. She lifts a hand and tucks her curls behind her ear, though it spring free almost immediately again, to slide along her jaw and chin again.
He says he has to leave now, though, and she doesn’t try to hide the disappointment that slips through her gaze [she couldn’t even if she tried] though it flows into the same soft little smile again. “Oh… ok.”
[Ray Ostermann] He leans over the table at that, drawing closer to her and for once looks up into her face. He licks his lower lip briefly and smiling up at her as he think’s she might think he’s about to try and kiss her, given the distance between them. But instead of puckering up, he speaks once more.
“Could I get your number? If i may be so bold?” Bold, right, after the amount hes had her blushing and the things hes hinted at….bold right.
[Rory] He comes so close, and she catches her breath, and she can’t look away from his gaze, not when he’s right there and watches him, her gaze dropping to his lips, then back up again when he speaks, and then she’s blushing again, having to admit, softly..
“I….hon’t dave a phone…” regretfully…
Of course she doesn’t – he just bought her her very first dress… but the hopeful look in her eyes, a look she can’t hide, hopes that he has a solution to this, too.
[Ray Ostermann] He considers that, and pulls out a card. Its his business card, but he pulls out a pen and writes another number on it, as well as an address which he slips gently into her hand.
“I can’t buy you a phone right now…but, if you want to call me, or come by…use these to find me. If not, maybe ill get lucky and run into you again hmm?” He says before pressing closer, leaning in…and kisses her on the cheek, its not what she was expecting, but the look in his eyes as he pulls back promises more.
He moves to stand now and picks up the remains of his coke before smiling roguishly down at Rory. “I hope I see you soon Rory.”
[Rory] She takes his card, her fingers sliding over the letters he just wrote, though she can’t read them herself – she knows Annie will be able to help her do that, or Edwin too. Then he kisses her on the cheek, and those fingers lift to touch where his lips were, as if the feel of them were branded on her skin.
She smiles so achingly shy and sincere, as she peeks up at him again. “Te moo.”
[Ray Ostermann] Ray smiles once more at her, a light chuckle at her words, before he takes a few steps back, waving at her as he goes, before turning and heading off, leaving her with her pack, her new clothes, and a whole lot to think about.
[Rory] She watches him go, and then with a shy grin, she stands and gathers all of her things, carrying it all much easier than Ray had on his own, and makes her way back to Chinatown. Or Bronzeville. Or somewhere in between, where the pack house for the bogeymen exists…
[Ray Ostermann] ((And thats a wrap!))
[Rory] (thanks for playin! :) )