New Kid, Old Hat

[Isabel Burrows] Today was a lovely day. It might be cloudy, but it wasn't cold and it wasn't raining, at least for the moment. Thus, it was a win.

To celebrate the warmth of the day, Isabel had found herself a lovely little {expensive} cafe with an outdoor patio, right along the side walk. She sat at the corner table, facing the street - all the better for people watching. She had lovely chocolate brown hair, it was partially pulled up, the ends curled. Her eyes were green and makeup nothing but perfectly done. A string of pearls hung about her slender throat.. leading ones gaze down to the delicate sundress the woman wore in hues of olive green. And yes, there were heels to match. She never left the house without her heels.

So, delicately and with all of the etiquette that she's praticed over the years, she ate the small meal placed before her and every now and then took a small sip from the wine glass before her.

[K. R. Jakes] [A-ight. First things first, I guess!]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 4, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Lara Wrathburn] [Nightmare]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 7, 9, 9 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[K. R. Jakes] [And Hark, Are There Mage-y Things Around? Percept+Awareness, b/c why wait for getting IC?]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 7, 8, 9 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Lara Wrathburn] [Per+Aware]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 2, 2, 3, 8, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Isabel Burrows] {Oh, I'll toss mine out there too.. Per+Aware}
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 8, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[K. R. Jakes] [New Kid's packin' heat!]

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara had slept well last night, in a bed, in a room with four walls and even a TV and a shower available to her at any moment. The motel was cheap and the man behind the counter had leered at her when he had at last seen her face. But beyond that it was a decent place to stay, warm, dry, and not infested with a variety of pests.

The woman took her time walking down the street of one of the most expensive parts of town, she wanted to enjoy herself, and remember the very best possible area's to set up shop when she came back the next time. She was dressed casually, in a pair of black hip hugging jeans and her feet were clad in an old pair of converse sneakers. upon her torso sat an overly large green hoodie, the design of it meant to flow over the person wearing it, making the material look airy and light. Her face was all but hidden beneath the fabric of the hood which was drawn up over her face.

She only carried one thing with her today, a violin case that had seen better days hung down along her back, swaying in time with her own movements. One hand held the strap of the case firmly, and the strap itself was tight over her shoulder, ensuring that no one would be able to run off with her livelihood.

[K. R. Jakes] K. R. Jakes did not get a lot of sleep last night (the bridge collapsed [the bodies are ghosts (impressions)]. This shows. K. R. Jakes is not an exhausted creature: not at the end of her rope: not hanging, not shadow-eyed, not hollowed-out. But: tired. The cafe with the nice patio is a touch too rich for her wallet, but they have good espresso, which they serve Italian-style, only-to-go, in shot-cups that contain barely enough espresso to count for a thimble. Ironically, she also has an instrument [fiddle (gun?)] case in tow, although she has no intention of playing on the street, although it is not her livelihood. She also has a laptop case in tow.

To go can just mean the patio. The red-haired woman, who is not extraordinary, who is plain, un-lovely or lovely depending on her mood, has three shots of espresso in a little fancy schmancy eco-friendly [who knew that one day that would be a hallmark of expense?] carrying cup-case, and she skirts the edge of the patio, steps into the gray river of cement, the sidewalk, foot traffick, to get to [like the chicken, people. Like the chicken.] the otherside, and a bench, which is under a spindly, summer-mad tree.

But something catches her eye; more accurately, someone. Almost doesn't, that's how Subtle the signs are, how indistinct, near-subversive: like a glint, like a sign, like a nuance that could mean more, but doesn't quite. Anyway, someone catches her eye, and that someone is Isabel Burrows, sipping her wine alone. Sitting alone, or waiting for a partner who's in the bathroom? Kage takes a second to study her. Isn't staring, but is looking, the way you look at someone with something about them you can't quite place.

And Isabel isn't the only thing tugtugging at Kage's spide-y senses. But first things first, right?

[K. R. Jakes] The red-haired woman is resonant. Isabel might not know what this means yet. What it means to sense things like this, like, like, like eldritch-things, cupped in a pool, like - well, the possibility for more, for otherworldliness. But this is what she senses from the red-haired woman: stronger, she, than some; not quite as strong, not quite as shining a beacon, as Lara, coming down the street. And the feel of Kage's magick is: amorous, incandescent -- like the verbing of the word beloved, like a kiss, like the seedlet of desire, wanting to crack open, the blush of Spring. Dynamic. And, perfectly opposed: the leeching-away, the draining-away, the act of withering, winter comes, after all, always does, just as Spring: see? They're perfectly balanced. And she's been doing things, although she isn't right now. The touch of this is all very recent.
to†Isabel Burrows

[Isabel Burrows] She didn't appear to be waiting for anyone. There was only one glass on the table, and that was the glass that had just been recently filled with another serving of something white. There were no other plates, save for the two small ones in front of her. She had a book off to one side. All signs she was alone. However, she didn't really look uncomfortable with that fact.

She moved just slightly in her seat, more like a readjustment - one leg shifted to cross over the other. Something, had caught her attention. Sensations, really. Feelings. Flashes of emotion. It was less intense than the strange flash feeling last night when the bridge fell.

Isabel had no idea what these feelings meant. Maybe they were hunches that people were weird. Maybe it was something else. They were feelings she's been trying to avoid since they first cropped - which wasn't that long ago mind you. She'd made a point of avoiding the people who gave her the willies. And - Chicago seemed to be filled with them.

Isabel's green gaze did land upon the woman with the red hair however..

[Lara Wrathburn] [Lara's resonance shimmers along her body, stretching outward from her only minimally, hers is not something flashy or garish the resonance which clings to her body is subversive, (entropic) she is ready to change those around her, ready to draw them in and alter their lives forever, and it seems as if that would be very easy, as shimmering in tune with that subversive potency is a mesmeric (dynamic) flair that draws the eye, and holds your gaze upon her.]
to†Isabel Burrows, K. R. Jakes

[Isabel Burrows] {And.. don't expect anything like that from me. Lol - it kinda goes over my head.}
to†K. R. Jakes, Lara Wrathburn

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara was still almost a full block from the bistro when waves of unfamiliar resonance flowed through her sense. Someone ahead of her was subtle and easy to miss, the other was exactly the opposite, burning in the light with a hunger like a star. She smiled beneath the hood that obscured her face and quickened her pace, not wanting to miss out on these new faces.

Her eagerness drew her in sight of the bistro, and it didn't take long for her to narrow down just who those resonances belonged too and with her quary (maybe friends?) in sight she leaned gently against the building next door to watch, and to see what transpired here.

[K. R. Jakes] This is true: most people, caught in a look, in a study of someone else, will look away; will be caught, mid-look away, if anything, and will look back to be polite, just so they can drop their eyes. But most people? They are not. She is not. Isabel's summer-green eyes touch Kage's, which aren't so green, aren't so settled on one colour, are dark at a distance, even if the distance is just feet away, and Kage smiles faintly. The smile draws lines around her mouth. It's a courteous smile, and easy enough. "Hey," she says, setting her carry-away tray of espresso on the bench beside her. "Nice shoes."

And that's when she glances to the let's say left the direction in which [something's pricking at my thumbs] Lara is coming, Lara, who is a mesmerist, who is the touch of mutability, invisible hands, flicking through your deck of cards, replacing diamonds with spades, and damn. Lara: leaning against the building next door, watching. Kage studies her, too, quirks an eyebrow up, interested, although it must be said there's a note of wariness there, subtle, half-unnoticed by herself, just automatic, because Lara doesn't feel like something new. Sets her own case down, almost gentle, and tucks it under. Laptop by her other foot. Settled.

A random convocation: the best kind
[Chicago-style]

[Isabel Burrows] Maybe she'd done enough of the avoiding. Maybe she as finally ready to see if she could pick apart the mysteries that surrounded some people in that odd sensation. Isabel didn't look away. That was, until the other woman mentioned her shoes. Briefly, she glanced down - to recall which ones she was wearing.

Lightly glossed lips formed into a small smile as she looked back up at the woman. "Hello.. and thank you. They are my favorite."

The redhead looked away - towards that other odd feeling she had. Apparently, she felt it too. Odd.. so odd.

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara didn't try to hide away when both of the women looked over in her direction, they knew where she was, good for them, at least they hadn't missed her. She stays there for the time being, leaning up against that wall, her back arched and her lower body pushed far away from the brick fascade against which her upper back rested.

Her features are still hidden behind folds of cloth and color, as she seems to no longer pay attention to the two women who had arrayed themselves on either side of the iron fence that marked the patio of the bistro. But even her curiosity was to great, and she slowly, languidly pushed off from the wall, and started to approach the pair, when she was at last close enough to speak she did so. Her voice smokey and sensual.

"Hello, Don't you just love these coincidences?"

[K. R. Jakes] "See, my favourite shoes aren't at all cute: they're just comfortable. Those look like they could do some serious damage," Kage says, and it's still easy, courtesy: small-talk. There's definitely no, why, I know what you are, no mysterious, knowing glances, no is that all you want to say for Isabel. Maybe she'll just leave it there. Wouldn't be offended if Isabel did. As with all new people, Kage is just taking her measure. Measures, on both sides. This is casual, see, and -- well. Kage has a lot of composure. That's what people notice about her. How composed she is, how confident: how self-assured. "Sure do. Without a good coincidence, meeting new people would be a lot more sinister," she says, mouth quirking, to the woman whose voice is sensual and smoke.

[Isabel Burrows] "I bet they probably could. And, remarkably, they are fairly comfortable." She smiled a bit brighter. Perhaps if the redhead would just buy expensive enough shoes, she could get fashion and comfort in one.

She paused a moment with her words, taking a moment to draw in her bottom lip just slightly. She bit down upon it in thought. It almost looked like she was going to invite the other woman to join her.. but then - the second woman spoke up.

Her attention had shifted again, to level upon Lara. It was just a curious gaze, nothing more. She felt, different than the redhead. How, she wasn't entirely sure though. "Um.. I suppose? Though I'm not entirely sure as to why this random encounter would be a coincidence?"

[Lara Wrathburn] "Or maybe it would simply be pre determined." The hooded woman said in response to Kage's words, her face still hidden, how she manages to navigate and walk down the street like that without slamming into every passerby and every obstacle that one could imagine is beyond them both.

One gloved hand reaches out to the iron railing and runs languidly over its rough shod features, feeling out each ornate spike as she half pays attention to the woman around her. Her head seems to turn in Isabel's direction as if she was examining her in particular for a moment before speaking.

"Well...buy me a drink, invite me to take a seat, and I'll explain some of the finer details to you hmmm? How does that sound?" They might not be able to see it, but they could swear that the woman is smiling beneath that hoody.

[Isabel Burrows] Curosity was getting the better of her. Plan A usually worked well, avoid, avoid avoid. Tonight, there were serious questions about why she'd chosen plan B. But, maybe plan B would lead to more answers.

A brow arched ever so slightly at the bold woman's suggestion that she buy her a drink. The offered information sounded to tempting to pass up.

"Sure.. that would be lovely. Would you both care to join me?" A well manicured hand motioned to her otherwise empty table, which was large enough for a group of four.

[K. R. Jakes] " - go on," she says. The tone of someone saying: go on, tell me another one. Still courteous, see. A distinguishing characteristic. K. R. Jakes is a demure creature. Leave her resonance aside. "Draw me a line: define pre-determination against a coincidence and make them into different things." Then: the hooded woman [we don't have taverns (we have coffee shops) and we don't have cloaks (we make do)] offers to explain things to Isabel. "Aw, shucks," she says, raising both eyebrows: "That's awful nice of you." And awfully like a trap, perhaps. The red-haired woman glances down the street: across the street. But she doesn't feel anything else, and her mouth is still crooked, a half-smiling thing, pensive: "Why not. I'll treat you both to some espresso." She has three shots, after all. She'll have to buy two more, but why not. "Best jolt in town."

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara pauses only for a moment before stepping around to whatever counts as a gateway onto the patio and moves to take a seat putting herself directly across from Isabel, a smile spreading across pouting lips, which Isabel can see, if only for the briefest of moments as the hood settles once more.

She looks up at Kage as she offers to treat them to espresso and she nods her head. "Such lovely hospitality, thank you..." She trails off, as if waiting to hear a name. Her hidden face turning to regard Kage now and despite the fact that there is no eye contact, Kage might think that the woman is looking right into her eyes.

[Isabel Burrows] "Thank you.." was what the redhead got in response to an offer of expresso. Isabel had planned to get them each a glass of wine, but.. it seemed the other woman was more eager to please than she was.

Introductions could wait until all three were seated - no need to repeat them. A hand rose, and the waitress scurried over to her table. "I am finished with the plates, thank you.." The dishes were then cleared away, making more room for the new 'friends.'

[K. R. Jakes] The convenient carry-away tray of espresso is placed where Isabel's plates were a moment ago. The perfect place: vacant. They've accepted the offer. The shots are there. The rest'll follow naturally, right? They're still just the underside of hot. They won't scald, but there's a memory of scalding; a memory of what it's like to be burnt. There, in the espresso.

"Really is," Kage says, turning that compliment back on Isabel. This is clear, because language is more than words: it's body, too. And glances, and eyes; expressiveness without confines. "New in town?" That could be to both. Is. A beat. Her mouth quirks, again. Shy isn't her problem. Then: "I'm Kage."

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara reclines in her chair comfortably in the chair she's found herself seated in, her legs are crossed and her back is curved ever so slightly as she relaxes, finding that perfect part of the backrest to lean against. She looks at the shots of espresso that are placed upon the table and she smiles to herself as one hand reaches out, slender fingers grasping one of those warm cups and draws it back to herself.

Kage...the redhead's name was Kage and in return the hooded woman nodded her head to her. "My name is Lara, it is a...pleasure to meet you Kage." She says to the woman before looking over to Isabel. "Likewise of course, whenever you decide to stop teasing and tell us your name as well." She says directly to the woman, making it obvious that she is talking to her before her head comes to rest between them, as if she were regarding the both of them.

"I am new to town yes....does that mean you arn't Kage? Are you...old hat here in Chicago?"

[Isabel Burrows] Hands folded together in her lap as she silently regarded the two. Finally, she spoke up, once the other two had given their names.

"Isabel. And yes, I am also new to Chicago.." Her accent was decidedly British, though she was mindful of it and tried to tone it down when ever possible. "It is a pleasure to meet you both." The small shot of expresso was drawn to her lips and she sipped it ever so carefully.

And there, in the small amount of silence.. she finally asked the question she'd been wanting to know the answer too for weeks. "What makes you both feel.. different than the others?"

[K. R. Jakes] They're a tripod. Three is a prime number. Three is the number. Three is the number of the riddle [And three is the number of the eye]. Three is the number of cards one needs to read the future: three is made of ones. But the point is: they're three, arrayed around the table, a tripod, and the woman with red, red hair drinks her own espresso shot. Lets it scald. Lets it sing its way into her gut, and answers Lara thus: "Doesn't have to mean that, but you're right. I've been in the city for a while."

Lara's got a hood. The hood covers her eyes. There's no eye contact. This is noted, sure; doesn't bring a question, though. Mages are an odd lot. The oddness is usually for a reason, sure, but doesn't mean it's weird: just odd. Just something. Cause and effect. So let mages be odd, don't make a deal out of it. Takes a lot to rattle Kage, to really rattle her.

And Isabel asks the question, finally. The Question. Deserves capitals. Kage, listening to both women, intent, says: "You feel different, too. Think I'll let Lara field that question first, though."

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara tilts her head to look at Kage once more as she openly suggests that the hooded woman do the explaining, she laughs lightly before turning towards Isabel and slowly rises from her reclined position her back shifting as if to work out any kinks or knots in her muscles before she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table top the espresso still clasped in one set of slender digits.

"We all feel different Isabel, its...who we are, its how we do things. She holds out a hand as if expecting Isabel to put her's in into the woman's hand. "It is called resonance, the echo's of the body, mind, and soul that cling to the awakened." She says languidly before turning her head briefly to Kage, and in that moment Jakes, can see that smiling set of pouty full lips . "Mmmm know of any places a girl can rest her weary head Kage?"

[Isabel Burrows] The hooded one extended her hand. The gesture was clear enough.. and Isabel responded in kind and placed her hand in Lara's. Lips pursed ever so slightly as the explaination went on. It wasn't helping. It didn't make anything more clear. In fact - it just muddled things even more.

"So, if everyone feels different - why don't some people feel like anything at all? And.. the espresso was lovely - but would either of you like a glass of wine?" This conversation had gone somewhere that alcohol was needed.. in large quantities.

[K. R. Jakes] "Sure." Kage answers Lara's question: the mundane one [the (possibly) mundane one]. "After," after, she means: a bookmark on this question until this conversation is over. "Just need your specifications." Budget, she means, maybe. And Isabel is offering to buy each a glass of wine, and Kage says, quiet: ash-voice, smoke-voice: "Wouldn't say no, Isabel; thank you." A beat, and, "Some people don't feel like anything at all because they're not awake. That's a word you'll probably hear a lot. 'Awake.' Means your eyes are a little more open than most people's. And I'm talking eyes in a metaphorical sense."

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara's hooded head nods to Kage slowly. "After...of course, maybe somewhere more private." She adds, and it might seem to be a particularly odd comment before the woman lets the topic drop and turns her head back to Isabel and her questions.

"Mmm wine would be lovely its never to early, or to late for something delectable." The woman comments. "And Kage is correct, only those of us who have awakened, opened their eyes to the ecstasy in the world...or i suppose i should say magic in the world will ever have any truly noticable resonance."

She pauses obviously the woman is confused and she holds up the espresso. "Here is an example, imagine...what we can do is the espresso in this cup, whenever we..take a drink." She says sipping it as she continues to hold the other womans hand. "The smell of the drink, the flavor of the drink becomes apart of us, others can smell it....and if they get close enough, can taste it as well. The more espresso we drink, the more potent the smell and taste upon our bodies. It is the same with magic."

[Isabel Burrows] Her free hand lifted her wine glass as she caught the eye of the waitress. This was a nice place.. the kind of place which would be smart enough to bring extra glasses for her new guests, so that they all might have a glass. Hopefully she was quick about it too.

"Magic? Are you guys serious? I don't do parlor tricks. I've never been good with card games even.." She shook her head slightly, the dark curls shifted ever so slightly.

"So, if what I'm feeling is like when ya drink too much coffee and you smell like a cup of coffee.. does that mean that those who smell.. 'worse' are more awake, or whatever it is that you said?"

[K. R. Jakes] [ooc: okay, guys! I am! *nervous* in an STed scene that's requiring a lot of my attention, so don't stand on post-order, please, and expect me to be super-slow. A warning.]
to†Isabel Burrows, Lara Wrathburn

[K. R. Jakes] - opened their eyes to the ecstasy of the world, Lara says. And it's a telling phrase, maybe. And Kage gives it attention, both of her eyebrows rising for a moment. "A, the smell of coffee is delectable - I wouldn't say more coffee smell is 'worse.' But, short answer? Yeah. People who 'feel' stronger are -- some would say -- further down the road of enlightenment."

[Isabel Burrows] [Ok, thanks for the warning! If you feel you gotta bail, feel free]
to†K. R. Jakes, Lara Wrathburn

[Lara Wrathburn] "But it is in you Isabel. If you believe it or not." The woman says as she runs her other gloved hand over Isabels hand, it is a sensuous gesture, as if to emphasize the fact that they can indeed tell, even if shes wearing the gloves.

"Tell me Isabel, how long have you been able to feel the power and resonance of others?" She asks as she tilts her head up, looking the woman in the eye, if there wasnt that damned hoodie there.

[Isabel Burrows] The wine showed up - one glass for each of them. It was a sweet white. Something suitable for desert.. which, amazingly showed up next. Three plates were brought out, one with a small square of chocolate cake with some drizzled sauces on top. Isabel muttered a thank you to the woman. The waitress then disappeared.

Then, the topic at hand. "Two.. three weeks? Just before I moved here actually."

[K. R. Jakes] " - find yourself able to do anything else? Anything unusual?"

[Isabel Burrows] "A few things.. but.. only accidently so far. Nothing major by any means.."

[Lara Wrathburn] "Accidently for now, but soon you'll be learning all sorts of tricks..of course, that will require the right sort of training." She says at long last before she lets Isabel's hand go gently. She regards the food with a hint of trepidation...there was no way she was going to be able to eat that lovely little delicacy without taking off her hood. She pauses for a moment, trepidation sinking in before she sighs lightly and pulls down the hood. The face revealed beneath is beautiful, one would almost call it intoxicating. Her eyes are a bright clear green and her hair an almost disturbing color of red which falls just barely to touch her shoulders, the hair frames an elegant feminine face.

"You are sooo fresh Isabel...its a treat to meet you." She says as she goes to pick up a fork.

[Isabel Burrows] Finally, she took her hand back - odd woman. But, not any more odd than what was currently going on. Lips pursed ever so slightly and she picked up the fork. Chocolate cake fixed everything.

The young woman took a delicate little bite - perfect manners, of course. She faultered slightly as Lara took down her hood. She was more than beautiful. Now why should she hide? She should show that off.. poor thing to think she needs to be secretive.

Redheads, eh? Her gaze flicked between the two of them quickly. Interesting. "Thank you? I suppose. I'm not entirely sure what I should think of that statement.."

[K. R. Jakes] There is chocolate. There is chocolate in cake-form, drizzled with more chocolate, and this accompanies wine, and the red-haired Initiate says: "I sincerely hope I can finish this off; it looks fabulous." And she digs her fork in. The fork is silver, flashes in the summerlight; for a second, Kage looks less tired. And then, back to business: "Which part of that statement? You're so fresh; it's a treat to meet you; doing more than the accidental difficult-to-explain whatever will require the 'right sort of training' or the you'll be learning all sorts of tricks? What do you think about what's been happening to you? Did anything happen specifically to make the," a gesture, "world different?"

[Lara Wrathburn] "It was definitely a compliment." Lara says as she brings a bite size morsel of chocolate heaven to her lips. She slips it between her lips and savors the flavor chewing slowly before swallowing and looking over at Isabel.

"Your full of potential Isabel, you've a clean slate, and you could be anyone, go anywhere, do anything, if you just make the right choices, you should be happy about that, not all of us get to make those choices for ourselves."

She looks down at the chocolate cake and shakes her head with an amused smile on her lips. "Its a shame there's so little of it...and at the same time far to much."

[Isabel Burrows] "The fresh part, Kage." She smiled a bit more openly now - there was less reservation there. Cake and alcohol tended to do that. It made everyone happier.

"If you'd like more.. I'd be happy to have them bring you another piece."

A small sip of wine was taken and the glass replaced carefully on the table. "What sort of choices do you speak of, Lara?"

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara takes a sip of the wine, and then a slightly larger drink as she watches Isabel. When she takes the glass away from her lips she swirls what is left in the glass idly as lips spread into a wider smile, something almost expectant in the woman's gaze as she looks at the apprentice in waiting.

"You keep offering me all these wonderful little treats Isabel, and I might just have to keep you for myself." She says casually, before she looks at the glass as she rolls her tongue around her mouth, savoring the flavor of the wine before speaking up again.

"Decisions like who trains you, what group you decide to fall into, what sort of foci you will use, and how powerful you can eventually be...all of these things you will have control over. In one way or another."

[Isabel Burrows] "There are organizations of people who can feel.. uh.. " She paused, thinking of the word they used.. "Resonance? Hrm.. interesting. Are there a lot of people like you.. or, us rather..?"

Isabel sat back in her chair once the cake was gone. The wine glass was within her grasp. There was just so much to take in. She couldn't even come up with much to ask.

[K. R. Jakes] The cake was an unexpected treat. Kage wishes she hadn't downed her espresso shot quite so quickly: cake and espresso. But there is white wine: white wine like moonshine. She hasn't touched it yet, but she will. The red-haired woman [starkly plain: next to Lara] replies to (there are organizations of people who can feel, uh, resonance) Isabel like this: "They can do a lot more than just feel whether or not someone else is awake. It's a little like joining a sorority. You get rushed; you learn a handshake or three. Each organization knows how the world works, and they don't all agree."

[Lara Wrathburn] "We all have different views on just how we go about doing what we do...there will be similarities, in particular between members of each of the organizations, however even then the differences can be immense."

Lara says as she finishes off the wine, sighing happily as she sets it down and picks up the fork again. "You have plenty of time to learn about them all of course."

[Isabel Burrows] Oh, a sorority! That was a something that Isabel could understand. In fact, there was a flash of some understanding in the bright green gaze. "Oh.. well then. Not so bad I suppose."

"Do the both of you belong to the same.. sorority?" Yes, she knew that the anaology wasn't exactly correct - but, it was close enough in this situation and less likely to be noticed by someone else.

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara looks from Isabel over to Kage, and shrugs casually. "To be honest, I have no idea, though I wouldn't be surprised if a girl like Kage was apart of the Cult of Ecstasy...but I'm not going to assume" She says before winking at Kage, her gaze turned back towards Isabel afterwards.

"And then of course there are those who prefer to avoid the...sororities."

[K. R. Jakes] [ladeeda?]
Dice Rolled:[ 7 d10 ] 2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 9 (Success x 4 at target 6)
to†K. R. Jakes

[Isabel Burrows] Another small sip of wine. "How does one choose which sorority they would like to belong to?" Everything seemed to sit much more comfortably now. She had something she could relate it all too. Even though that was just ignoring the strange feelings and 'accidents' she's been having.

[K. R. Jakes] I wouldn't be surprised if - That statement is answered by this: a slow raising of both eyebrows; then: a flash of humour. "A 'girl like,' hm?" And then, seriously, to Lara: "I'm not. There's also - " brief pause: her gaze grows distant, trying to sift through words, until she finds one that'll suit. If traditions are sororities, what are conventions? And Nephandi? And? " - well. There are organizations which are not like sororities. Revenge of the Nerds, I guess. As for how you choose - well. What you want matters, but eventually, you're just not going to get along in one, until you have a mentor. Someone to teach you the ropes. All those secret handshakes and so on."

[Ashley McGowen] It's with tea that she intends to wash her conversation with Jacques-Marcel out of her mouth.

Jacques, you see. Jacques was a relic, a holdover from another time. A person can change a lot, in a year. Sadly, it isn't always enough to change an antagonistic relationship, and for their varying reasons they both have a tendency to locate and prod at emotional scars.

So she's here, scrawny little Hermetic with dark hair, dressed in a pair of jeans and a black and gray striped shirt. Her hands are in her pockets, her head is bowed as she makes her way inside to go and order. Maybe one of them sees her on her way in, takes note. She's there and then inside before they can call out.

But she sees them when she emerges, intending to read for a little while on the patio. A familiar face and two much less familiar ones catch her eye, and it's the redhead she comes up behind, catching the last of their conversation (sororities? avoiding them? meaningful look at Kage? ohhhh, right.) She says nothing at first, raising her cup to her mouth to sip at it.

[Ashley McGowen] Kage being the redhead in question, that is.

[K. R. Jakes] [Do I Notice Ashley's Resonance Before I Notice Ashley? C'mon, A-game!]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 4, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Lara Wrathburn] "The technocracy would be the nerds, the Nephandus would be the manson cult...eitherway not the people you want to hang out with ever. At least not in these circumstances."

She raises one fine brow as Kage up and down denies any ties with the Cult and she shrugs with a bemused smile, as if pleased it got under her skin. "Such a shame..."

She then turns her attention back to Isabel and nods as she talks, agreeing with Kage. "A big part of it is who you feel...the best vibe from, who you really feel in tune with. Some people would love my group....others." She looks up at Ashley as she approaches and her lips draw into a fine line of a smile before looking back to Isabel. "Would simply hate it."

[K. R. Jakes] "The technocracy - " it's not a word Kage likes to use. There's something about it: doesn't quite make her uncomfortable; it's just a word. But still: words have power. " - is more the 'establishment,' though. That's where the analogy really breaks down: the nerds were anti-establishment; or maybe - no. It's been a while since I've seen that movie: didn't they just want to belong, but really, take over? Forget it." Forget it: the analogy doesn't work; she's not going to force it. For the conversation's purpose, it's served well enough. Such a shame, Lara says, and that flash of humor, albeit somewhat more muted, returns. "You already know 'Ley, Lara? Hi, 'Ley." This, to the short Hermetic who's standing behind her chair.

[Isabel Burrows] "Oh.. well, I suppose there's no need to rush things. Plenty of time to figure this all out." A small sigh escaped as her phone beeped. She spared it a quick glance. "Ugh, the catering company wants me to clarify a menu. I suppose I should meet them and figure it out. Good help is so hard to come by."

"Oh!" She brightened. "I'm throwing a little 'Welcome to Chicago' party this week - would either of you care to come?" Yes, the new girl in town -was- throwing herself a party.

Someone else was behind them! Isabel glanced back and offered a friendly smile.

[Ashley McGowen] "Are you guys seriously comparing Awakened society to high school cliques?" Revenge of the Nerds was college. Little things like that are occasionally lost on Ashley, who does - almost immediately - strike a person as a little nerdy herself.

There's a somewhat intent look toward Isabel for the first few seconds that she's there. She remembers seeing the girl at the park yesterday, when she was sitting at the bench with Carter. She'd run away then. At least someone got a hold of her to explain things (and Ashley has a little private relief that it isn't her giving someone the rundown, for once.)

That the girl is throwing herself a party, that she's inviting Kage and Lara both. That just gets an amused glance toward first the girl, then Kage.

[Lara Wrathburn] "You do have to start with the very basics Ashley....and who hasn't at least been to high school." Lara says raising a hand as she smiles up at the woman, though the look on her face is both mischievous as well as gauging, her eyes weighing in on Ashley as her lips sing praises.

Her gaze at last returns to Isabel and she raises a brow at the invitation. "Only if I get exclusive one on one time with you sometime during the night....there is sooo much I can teach you."

[Isabel Burrows] "Mm.. we'll see." Isabel smirked slightly at Lara's suggestion. She'd thrown off the creepy vibe earlier and it was hinted at there again. "Tell you what.. you ladies just call this number.. and let them know if you'll be attending or not, and if you'll be bringing a guest." She produced small little invitation cards from her purse - all cutely done in pink, white and silver.

"But.. for now, I do have to go speak to the caterer.." {Aka, should go to bed}

[K. R. Jakes] "Thank you," Kage says, courteous, when Isabel proffers cute pink, white and silver invitation cards. And then, to Ashley: "We are not. We're comparing it to college cliques. I defy you to argue."

[Ashley McGowen] "I didn't go to college until I was twenty-five, so I missed a lot of its cliquishness," Ashley says, in a tone that does not imply that she is sorry about this. Kage gets a cute white and pink and silver invitation card, and Ashley bites the inside of her cheek, watches the girl get up.

Then she promptly takes her seat, letting her messenger bag drop to the floor and raising her cup to sip from it. She looks between the other two women - who aren't the sort she would have expected to see together out in public.

[Isabel Burrows] As soon as she stood from her seat, it was occupied by the new arrival. Seemed.. a little abrupt. "Anyway.. ladies, lovely to meet you. Hopefully I shall see the two of you again soon."

On her way out of the cafe, Isabel made sure the bill was a paid.

{Gnight.. and thank you for the play!}

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara snags one of the invitations and slips it into her hoodie as Isabel makes to leave. "Oh you'll hear from me Isabel, a Cultist has to have a pretty good excuse to miss a party, like being dead for one." She waggles fingers at Isabel as she goes to leave. "It was my pleasure...bye for now."

She says as the woman leaves, before reclining into her chair once more and takes up the remains of that heavenly chocolate cake, cutting off another small piece with her fork and feeding it gingerly between her lips.

"She's cute...wonderfully naive."

[Ashley McGowen] There's a look toward Kage after the girl is gone, at the little invitation. Ashley declines any real commentary on it; she knows Kage, after all. She knows Kage was politer than she would have been.

"A lot of newly Awakened are," she tells Lara.

[Lara Wrathburn] "Yes well, alot of newly awakened are that lucky, some of us...were just unlucky." She says with a soft, but unpleasant smirk to Ashley as she continues to cut apart that cake and feed it into her mouth, savoring each morsel her eyes closed as she does. When the cake is finished she opens her eyes and sets the plate down picking up a napkin to clear away any unwanted crumbs.

"How was the rest of your evening last night Ashley?" She asks as she turns her attention back to the woman now. "Did you find what you were looking for hmm?"

[K. R. Jakes] "Do you think it's a lucky thing, being naive?" Kage asks, after she has taken another sip of the moonlight-pale wine: faerie drink. The wine and the espresso are interacting strangely, at least, at least on Kage, who was very tired to begin with: it gives her an edge, and makes her more tired, so she is more-awake and more-dreaming than before. After that question, she is quiet, watchful, watching Lara and Ashley interact, curious. Now that Isabel is gone, Kage rests her elbow on the table, cups her chin in her palm.

[Ashley McGowen] Just unlucky, says Lara, and the Hermetic raises her mug, taking another slow sip from it while she regards Lara over the rim. She says nothing to that, but there is a glance toward Kage. "I'm not sure I'd say it's lucky or unlucky. It's a state that's bound to end."

The question gets Lara a bemused look out of the corner of her eye (Kage is at her left) as she sets the cup back down on the table. "What do you mean, what I was looking for?" Apparently an evening away hasn't helped her catch up on all the subtext.

[Lara Wrathburn] "Not really." She sighs as she arches her back, stretching. "I do think its a wonderful idea to be able grow out of it at your own speed. Or at least...not have it end painfully in a few split seconds."

She says as she looks between the two women who shared the table, the wine, espresso and the cake all gone she sighs contentedly. When Ashley asks her what she means. The woman giggles ever so slightly as she turns her head on an angle to look at the woman sidelong. "Were ALL looking for something...I was just curious if you found what you wanted."

[K. R. Jakes] "I take it that's how you awakened," Kage says, her offering: "A few painful seconds." A beat, and, "I think that's the more common story, really."

[Ashley McGowen] "I'd agree," Ashley says, with a sidelong look to Kage. "But sacrifice is wrapped up in magic. Maybe other people just aren't aware of what they're giving up yet, when they first Awaken." She takes a sip of her tea, biting the inside of her cheek for a few seconds while she regards Lara, trying to figure out what to make of that giggle, what she's saying.

"I don't know what you're talking about," she says, "so I guess that probably means no, I didn't find what I wanted."

[Lara Wrathburn] Lara's smile softens a bit, fallign at the way side as she shrugs helplessly to Ashley. "I'm sorry to hear that Ashley, if you ever need help with that....let me know hm?" She winks at the woman,enjoying some inside joke the hermetic doesnt seem to comprehend.

She then looked back over to Kage and spoke her piece." It was more then that Kage, but perhaps that is a story for another time..." She says as she rises slowly from her chair. "For now...I think its time I did a little more sight seeing."

[K. R. Jakes] Her chin is still cupped in the palm of her hand. Neutral, Kage: observer. That's all. Her mouth crooks: "If you'd like." And then: Kage offers Lara the names of a couple of hotels, a couple motels, places to stay.

[Lara Wrathburn] She'll take all that information, with secretive smile, before she turns to leave, walking away slowly as her hood is drawn up over her face once more. ((Sorry guys out of steam i need to hit the sack badly, night!))

[Ashley McGowen] "If I ever need help with what?" Ashley has crossed the line from quietly bemused to outright bewildered, and is looking between Lara and Kage as though asking to be clued in. Perhaps they were having a conversation about something before she got here.

She stows that confusion away quickly, though, trying to cover it with a sip or two of tea while Kage suggests a few places for Lara to investigate.

[K. R. Jakes] "I'm fairly sure she meant help with finding yourself, your heart's true desire - you know." The fact that Kage says this nonchalant, straight-man, not-quite-deadpan, honest: well. It says a lot about how strange the world is. Or about how far she's willing to go to mess with her friend's head. "Here - have a bite of the cake. I can't finish." And she hands her fork off to the diminutive Hermetic, chin still cupped. Motionless, more-or-less: humans are rarely, if ever, completely still. And they're human.

[Ashley McGowen] "But we weren't talking about any of that yesterday afternoon," Ashley says, her brow furrowed. She accepts the fork from the Orphan and spears a chunk of the cake, transferring it to her mouth. Except, well. Her brow furrows just a touch, as though she's recalled something, but if she has she doesn't say.

"Thanks," she says, handing the fork back to Kage.

[K. R. Jakes] "But - ?" Because Ashley furrowed her brow, as though she's recalled something, but maybe doesn't say: as if there's a but there. Something to be excavated. "You're welcome," she says, and waves her hand, indicating that Ashley should just keep the fork if she wants to: finish off the cake. Kage didn't eat very much of it, for all it's good: so rich.

[Ashley McGowen] Kage tends to be rather generous with her food, and Ashley doesn't need to be encouraged twice. Someone inquired once about how readily she takes to food and Ashley had quipped about having a metaphysical tapeworm attached to her soul. She keeps the fork.

But doesn't eat right away, in favor of answering Kage's question. "She had a violin and was playing," Ashley says simply, "and I asked her to stop. Otherwise it was just stuff about the chantry."

[K. R. Jakes] A violin, Ashley says, and Kage glances downward: her violin is in its case, still; next to her laptop briefcase. Kage is laden-down, today -- tonight; laden-down with things. "Ah," Kage replies. And then: "Well." Mischief, or something distant kin to it: "Maybe you weren't talking about it yesterday, but you might tomorrow: they're good with Time, aren't they?" A casual gesture, and a sip of white wine: nearly the last. Yes. There's just one more after that.

[Ashley McGowen] "Maybe," Ashley says, with a dubious glance toward the Orphan. She's never liked the Ars Temporis, has always found something vaguely creepy, unsettling, about it. Many people say the same of what she herself practices.

"I think I was just missing something." A shrug; she knows that happens, is aware that she misses social cues sometimes. Just doesn't bother to do anything about it, necessarily. Kage is working through her glass, almost done. Ashley doesn't rush to finish off her tea.

[K. R. Jakes] They chat, then. The two (unlikely [uneasy]) friends. And evening grows darker, and eventually, paths part. The credits have long since rolled.