Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 2, 2021 14:55:16 GMT -8
When you didn’t feel like your own abilities were up to snuff? Outsource! Though if you were going to do that you better have an offer to put on the table and it wasn’t like Archie was coming without something. It would have been rude to suspect the Freeholds resident educator to just offer their abilities as a charitable service. Not everyone needed validation like the Pale Dragon, some just wanted a little bit of that sweet, sweet appreciation. Either way, it was time to pray to that Coffee Religion, and enjoy the sweet beans. Archie arrived early of course, picked himself up a Vietnamese Iced Coffee, like a champion, and found his blue pinstriped and re-bowtied (with red polka dots) a place to sit. With drink in hand - or rather on the table - he was flipping through his phone, sending off a message to whomever needed messages - it was always good to keep in touch during down times. Maybe read a joke here or there. Now he just needed to wait for the guest of honor to arrive herself, and grace them with her presence - as cold as she liked to make it appear. Though Archie knew of a few ways to shake some of the frost off those leaves - even if it was a little jarring. A quick text was shot off - She should be arriving shortly |
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189 
|
Post by Eis on May 4, 2021 17:40:46 GMT -8
Eis arrives, prompt and proper, wearing a dark blue jacket over matching pants. She appreciates the professional, no nonsense look, and will often wear something similar when teaching one of her classes. The coffee shop's aesthetics are pleasant, if she's honest with herself. A fusion of Eastern imagery and the ever essential array of Western appliances one needs to brew every kind of coffee and tea you can imagine. She sees her host. Of course she does - he stands out in his out-of-time suit. All at once a business man and circus ringleader. But when she makes her way in, her eyes go first to the menu. On principle. One can't seem too eager. Nor does she actually want to appear rude. Not this time, at any rate. So after ordering a nice Matcha Latte, she turns and signals Archie with a single finger to wait until her drink is ready. Satisfied this meets the healthy medium between courtesy and muted interest, she hones in on Archi's table. She takes one warm, satisfying sip before finally gracing Archie with a verbal greeting. "The venue is a decent choice. I've never been here before, but it may become a regular spot." She offers a dry smile. Formalities and niceties out of the way, she gets to the point. "Am I listening to you pitch here? Or do we require privacy?" |
|
Linden
.
Presence (3) Steady
Posts: 325
|
Post by Linden on May 4, 2021 20:49:52 GMT -8
Another name was called at the bar, once, twice, and finally and a metallic hand retrieved their drink, lifting it in a silent thanks to the barista. Winding casually between the tables, Linden's broad form dropped into one of the chairs at Archie's table and gently placed their saucer in front of them. The foamy drink they had ordered smelled faintly of lavender and they wrapped their hands around it with relish, looking first to Archie. "Couldn't resist, ordered the vegan dumplings. Veggies just sounded good, you know? Should be enough to share, if folks are interested. There's some kind of spicy sauce."
Turning their attention to Eis, the Ogre gave her a polite smile. "We haven't met: I'm Linden, good to meet you. Arch and I have a mutual interest so I tagged along." It was true, in its way: there was only so many unsettling rituals a person could sit through before they wanted to know the why of things. beyond the assumed. They remembered her, vaguely, from Ostara- more her hair than anything else, they hadn't spent enough time in her presence to get a sense of her demeanor. But it didn't seem like she liked to waste time.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 4, 2021 21:20:49 GMT -8
Eis brought her flair for the dramatic with her - and she could pull it off, made the hairs on the back of his neck rise. It was like having a weight placed on you when you were left waiting for the eventual acknowledgement. If there was the flutter of paperwork rather than the sips of coffee Archie may even fear his old papers were finally being called for some sort of plagiarism. Thankfully those days were long gone, and where Eis brought her flair, Archie brought an Ogre.
As Linden joined them Archie offered them a hand, and met the large metal hand with their secret handshake. It was dope.
“Rebecca, glad you could make it, and trust me I make the time to make a stop here when I can, the Vietnamese Coffee is to die for - and yes of course, here will be fine so long as you are familiar with community jargon. Plus like Linden mentioned we have dumplings on the way.”
Archie would stop to enjoy his delicious iced delight.
“But you don’t seem like the small talk type so let's jump into it shall we? What we are hunting for is to help educate ourselves on the history of the community here in Vegas itself - and while I can poke a conversation here and there I am also a fairly busy person so have decided why not reach out to someone who may actually know how to conduct some research, right?”
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 5, 2021 17:38:33 GMT -8
An admittedly lovely smell accompanies an unfamiliar face. Well, perhaps one seen in passing. Eis was nearly about to pile on a little more 'friendly' pressure - just to see if Archie would cave - but this new addition changes things. Namely?
Eis is caught off guard.
She'd had no idea Archie was bringing a friend. A formidable one, at that. Lavender scented drink or no... is this person the 'backup'? If things went potentially wrong? Eis has to wonder. But the backup has a voice, it seems. And this voice offers food. Eis blinks once or twice and forms a smile. Not intentionally unpleasant, but, frankly, there's little she can do about it.
"Mutual interest, is it? Forgive me, but I can't help but feel the odd one out." A pointed look is given to Archie. Though he may seem entirely genuine, one doesn't live as long as Eis has without a healthy level of caution.
Archie drops her name for her, but its entirely too late to protest. She makes do with what she has. "Good to meet you, as well." she offers to Linden. "And it would be rude of me to refuse such an offer." Rude isn't really the work she wants to use. She isn't overly concerned with offending. But hospitality isn't something to be snuffed.
The Snowskin is grateful Archie moves forward with his request, relaxing somewhat. A brow slowly raises as she hears out his initial proposal.
By the end of his pitch, a smile has crept onto Eis' frosted features. The scholarly Fairest practically purrs her answer. "This is it? Research? Archie dear, you must actually be a terrible salesman." Her grin turns wry at a reference to their phone conversation. "I would have gladly taken on a research project pro bono. Unless that was your angle in the first place..."
But, of course, he hasn't finished telling her exactly what it is he wants. Or what interest he and Linden share that involves her expertise. Barely had the words left her lips before her haunted visage trains itself on the 'help'. "Perhaps you can answer this, Linden. Why does Archie - no... why do the two of you need me?"
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 5, 2021 23:45:57 GMT -8
Well it was good to see she was easing into the situation. Linden had that effect on people, since they were often the coolest person in the room and made people chill out. It was that rule of cool that took the heat off of Archie and why the two of them were a potent team.
Now this is where things got interesting. She had insinuated that Archie was a salesman many times at this point. A common misconception most people made. Sure Archie could sell ice to eskimos, but the Arch man wasn’t selling, he was buying in this situation.
“You see Rebecca, context is king here. As a Jew, history is important and something I hold in high regard. The context of where we come from emboldens our sense of self. Now the disconnect for myself is really how little I know about the other half of my life, versus the millennia of history on the other.”
He answered the question for himself but not for Linden. Though he was sure that the events of the Revenant crisis would play into that answer...Speaking of which…
“Between the Revenant Crisis, statements I’ve heard, and just general opinions and attitudes have told me I should get to know more about our home. However I understand there is a sensitivity around the topic, and while I am willing to offer certain luxuries we would certainly appreciate discretion.”
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 7, 2021 17:28:27 GMT -8
A single brow arches at the mention of the word 'Jew', but the knee jerk reaction is short lived - he's talking about his own heritage. The more Archie goes on, the more interested Eis seems. She idly sips away at her tea, all the while holding an amused smile. Archie is a history buff. Who would have guessed?
The Fairest can scarcely recall details of the 'Revenant Crisis', but she'd hold on to that one for later. She waits till a moment of two after he finishes, sipping her hot drink again as she formulates her thoughts.
"Did you know History is one of the subjects I teach, dear? I have to admit that I'm intrigued. A chance to research and teach a history lesson all at once. Though... you're a bit older than my usual students."
Archie had mentioned discretion... which is something of a red flag. Does he have something to hide? Poking and prodding around things he ought not to?
Of course not. Don't be silly.
Rather than try to judge the man on the spot and press to learn his reasons, Eis takes his curiosity at face value.
"And you, Linden? I'm curious to know what has 'lit the fires' of your interests." What, indeed? Isn't Linden the one who'd confronted poor Rowan at Ostara? The memory brings more amusement than anything else... Rowan is a 'big boy', and Eis sees no reason to bring up the past or step in on his behalf. After all: she'd all but left Rowan to the 'wolves' when Linden has approached.
|
|
Linden
.
Presence (3) Steady
Posts: 325
|
Post by Linden on May 8, 2021 11:12:48 GMT -8
Linden couldn't tell if the intense woman was directing the conversation back to them, again, to be gracious or put them on the spot. But it was a reasonable question, especially as the number of personalities she needed to decide if she wanted to work with had doubled.
"I like to know what I'm about," Linden began, pausing to thank the server that dropped off the order of dumplings. "Archie mentioned context and I'm right there with him, in my case specifically to get a better understanding of who came before, and what they did for us." Swirling their lavender latte, they added, "Whether its to honor them or choose a different path. Or both."
The Ostara field of bones, the powerful portal to a ghostly realm in Buck's back yard, the beads they had to wear when they left the city's limits- knowing what had come before would give perspective to all of these things, they hoped. What was something to be wary of and what was worth the cost; what sacrifices had been made willingly.
They snagged one of the dumplings and popped it in their mouth, looking at Eis with quiet expectation.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 8, 2021 20:55:28 GMT -8
“You know what, I actually didn’t - but I took a shot in the dark that a teacher who wears the mantle of scholarship would know a thing or two getting to the bottom of things for what they really were. Probably would even use and have access to both primary and secondary sources.”
He chuckled, his limited experience in academia would allow him to crack a smart people joke every now and then. However he would continue to use a one two of simplicity and forwardness to get his point across. He let her do her casual poking to try and figure out what made the situation tick, what the root of this query may be.
It was smart. People rarely wanted to seek out this kind of service just because.
“So, if you find both the idea of this little endeavor interesting, and aren’t bored with plain ol’ Linden and I suppose we could talk about what may be in this for you, shouldn’t we?”
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 10, 2021 17:37:33 GMT -8
Eis also gives the server a cursory nod as the food arrives. Her dark orbs flit briefly to the dumplings while Linden is talking, aware of how hungry she suddenly is. She does her best, however, to pay attention. She hesitates only long enough to let Linden take the first one before snatching one up for herself. She raises a single dumpling with her fingers in a salute, then makes short work of it, chewing to buy time to formulate her answer.
"The past often repeats itself, despite our best intentions." she says, sounding almost sad. "But, futile or not, being able to make that decision - changing, preserving, or what have you - can be very empowering. I can't blame you for wanting a little context."
Is Linden just waxing philosophical or actually intending to act on something?
"Whatever I can dig up, I'd be curious to know what you decide." She smiles again. As pleasantly as she can. "Its always interesting to see how others interpret raw data."
She smiles politely at Archie's little joke. The man is trying. She could let him dangle for a bit more. Just enough to mute her own level of interest. No... Enough tying with him.
"Whenever you would like, Archie. I wouldn't dream of pressing you for an answer." A mischievous wrinkling around her eyes might say otherwise.
|
|
Linden
.
Presence (3) Steady
Posts: 325
|
Post by Linden on May 12, 2021 17:23:14 GMT -8
The dumpling salute made Linden smile; it hinted to them of something else to uncover, maybe something worth digging for. But the set of her face, the smiles, the polite tone- they really couldn't tell if she was just humoring them, or taking this seriously. Taking them seriously. In the end, what would matter was what information she could turn up; they just might need to convince her to part with all of it.
"I imagine it'll take me longer to parse than for you to collect," they offered with a small laugh; it was probably true but hopefully an exaggeration. They weren't about to offer that they'd tell her what conclusions they came to, and so they leaned back to clear the floor for Archie, snagging another dumpling to keep them occupied.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 14, 2021 8:13:15 GMT -8
She was having her fun it seemed, all things considered the temperature had stayed fair and civil. The dumplings were delicious, and now the intrigued Autumn was getting to the point of what exactly the Spring could offer. Well thankfully he came with something to slide across the table despite it not being exactly the most tangible.
“Personal agreement, very official of course. Four months, with the option to renew it at the end of the whole affair if we both agree, and of course terminating if we do not. The primary portion of this oath would be a certain level of discretion with findings only readily available to myself, my Motley, and yourself - amendments being welcome if there is anyone you would like to add whom we can agree on. This is more so to protect others from prying than concealing any other mischief. Also a part of this is I will help you establish a place to study in the garden with some reading material, which is collapsible upon the termination of our continued partnership.”
Fair terms for fair work and the ability to give the Fall Courtier a leg up on the whole research aspect.
|
|
Eis
.
Posts: 189
|
Post by Eis on May 16, 2021 18:32:15 GMT -8
Eis quirks a brow at the metal-clad Summer. "Indeed?" It hadn't been the answer she'd hoped for. Given the choice between dwelling on it and following suit with another dumpling? Her choice seems straightforward. The taste isn't precisely complemented by her tea, she thinks to herself, washing it down. But her drink and the food on their own are both wonderful.
She listens to Archie's offer and picks apart the guarded speech. Access to a library in the hedge and an oath to keep her findings relatively secret. Straightforward enough, though she couldn't honestly say who else she might share the information with offhand.
"The terms are... agreeable. Though I must admit to not currently having a specific name or names to add to the list. The list of those who can access the results of my research." A pregnant pause. She glances between the two of them, considering. "If I cannot think of a party I'd wish to include, presently, it leads me to wonder if I've wasted an opportunity. I have been looking for a research partner in the past month or so, and I'd be disappointed if I found one and had to keep this all a secret." She smiles, but her dark orbs narrow and don't carry the smile on her frosted lips. "But I suppose that's a price I'd be willing to pay. We all have our reasons for... discretion."
Her thoughts return, again, to how like a sales pitch this is. Yes, she'd gladly perform some research for free. But he and his companion want the information kept secret. So he's offered a suitable (and desirable) facility to counterbalance the restriction put on it. If this had been his angle all along? Bravo.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on May 21, 2021 6:57:45 GMT -8
“I suggest a four month contract, subject to renewal at its end to continue our arrangement. I will be including my Motley with the initial pledge and leave the Wyrd open to the addition of others at both of our consent. Should our agreement fall through we will seal the information amongst those involved unless we mutually agree to keep things public. It’s a fair offer, doesn’t leave a lot of holes to operate. It keeps either of us from operating in the shadows regarding our shared facility and results. Transparency goes a long way with these things.”
That vietnamese coffee of his was nice and cool, and delightfully sweet almost to the point of too much. He waited for the educator to parse out his deal.
“As for a research partner, to make it clear, I am very open to the idea. This is less top secret than it is something I would prefer prying eyes not see. This protects both of us from those who may wish us ill will. When you have an assistant in mind, reach out, and I will happily consider whoever you put forward. Though if you are reaching into the depths of your own department I wouldn’t bother with Rowan. I wouldn’t want to waste your time chasing leads that may not pan out.”
He had his reasons, and he left it at that. It was better to be honest about what he was and wasn’t going to give the Ice Queen rather than waste her time. Sometimes the truth was blunt but it was neccessary.
"Any thoughts, Linden? Also these are as good as any knish I have had .
Dumplings be yummy.
|
|
Linden
.
Presence (3) Steady
Posts: 325
|
Post by Linden on May 23, 2021 18:37:12 GMT -8
Sipping at the end of their latte, Linden considered Archie's comment on Rowan. They had been guilty of expecting the worst from him, but they also survived some truly harrowing situations with the prickly Autumn. Their opinion was complicated. What was the basis of Archie's? His mind moved in diagonals where theirs plodded straight along, though- he probably had good reason.
"I'll keep an ear out for anyone that seems a good fit," Linden offered to Eis, sincere but aware she had much better odds of finding a research assistant herself. "Let us know if there are any other ways we can help." They might not fulfill the requests, but it couldn't hurt to receive them. Besides, the territory they were stepping into was fraught: who knew, she might want an extra pair of fists at some point.
|
|
