She Tells the Truth

[Molly Quincannon] There's a woman, late 20s, running around Grant Park today. She wears a lot of tattoos, a lot of black, big stompy boots and a messenger bag. She is also holding up an iPhone and taking pictures of apparently random things - not people, certainly not spying, just ... taking pictures of trees and patches of ground and lamp posts like some kind of demented tourist. She's not looking where she's going. Collisons with other people are possible.

So, as she discovers when she really loses the plot of 'look at what's in front of you', are collisions with lamp posts. So from demented tourist, there is small bruised heap of goth on the ground in front of a lamp post.

[Nathan Spriggs] [Not another one...; Perc + Awareness]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 5, 9, 9 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Alex] [throwing it out there percept+aware]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 3, 3, 4, 6 (Success x 1 at target 6)

[Molly Quincannon] [I suppose I ought to roll this too, for when someone picks my girl up off the floor or something]
Dice Rolled:[ 6 d10 ] 2, 3, 5, 8, 9, 10 (Success x 3 at target 6)

[Nathan Spriggs] At a bench, quiet and isolated as can be for the most part, is a man. Blond hair, brown trench coat and white shirt with loose black tie underneath and matching black pants with leather shoes, handsome face and features and yet oddly... forgettable. Like someone you wouldn't remember the name to. He sat reading a book, eyes wandering to the park at times.

A sensation, like a current through his body, something in the back of his mind. Familiar. Too familiar. Though not quite what was behind it. For now, he scanned the surroundings, noticing a... frantic woman running around, taking pictures of trees and the ground. Tourist? Hippie? What the hell? Nonetheless, his eyes stayed on her, it was just too much of a coincidence.

[Morgan Lake] [OHAI U GUISE (Per + Aware)]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 1, 3, 6, 7, 10 (Success x 2 at target 6)

[Alex] Alex was taking a stroll, in early evening of a cloudy hot chicago day. Usually he would be somewhere else, probably asleep, he was turning into a bit of a night owl lately. A bad habit, something he was trying to break himself out of. The dark was good for some things, interrogation, murder, sex with an ugly person... Alex wasn't in the mood for any it, not right now.

As he wandered through the landscape admiring the grey dreary glow of life in the aftermath of rain, he noticed something most peculiar. A girl was running, in a most unsuitable attire (the voice of morgan speaking in his head). If it wasn't for the fact that she was taking pictures of anything and everything she could, Alex would of suspected she was being chased. Just then, SPLAT. She had taken one photo too many, one foot too far astray and landed herself face first into a lamp post. A grin crept over his face and he bit his lip, fighting the urge to laugh. It was then that he felt it, the subtle hints of something Mystical. The grin quickly faded and he cast a wary glance around the urban wilderness.

Satisfied that he wasn't in any immediate danger he stepped towards the fallen goth, offering her a hand. She looked like she had become the victim of a serial tattoo artist.

"You alright?"

[Morgan Lake] Just because it's hot doesn't mean Morgan doesn't do either one long run or two short runs in a day - today's a day of two short runs and look! There she is, all tight, short black shorts and a running top which is well constructed to support the uniboob it creates. On . . . well, on people with bigger boobs than Morgan, but that's neither here or there.

So, here she is. In running clothes, yes, and also in a practiced mental ward (for those watching for such things) and a flare of resonance, sucking energy around into itself, discerning neutrality from threat. Or something.

Hi, Alex, Nathan! New people, hmm. Alex being the (semi-trusted) known, it's towards him that she goes. That this draws her towards the heap of tourist is a coincidence.

"Hey, everything alright?"

[Molly Quincannon] Molly is dizzy and there is resonance and it is awesome. Or perhaps it's awesome because she's dizzy. It's impossible to tell sometimes. "So not watching where I was going," she says to the guy who feels like (...meticulous planning of the not always salubrious variety). "Nothing broken but my dignity... Oh shit, my rig." Cue a desperate flutter through the messenger bag, even as she says, "Um ... yeah. I'm Molly. Hi. Nice to meet you. Sorry. Sometimes it's like my whole brain's on another plane or something. You know the sort of thing." There's a bit of weight to that last, as though she expects that he, at least, would have his mind on a different sort of spectrum than the average and understand the feeling.

Another thought occurs to her and she looks up at the one who feels like ... (politics, basically), meets his eye, raises an eyebrow, like she knows why he's watching her ... and raises two fingers in a discreet wave. Then she turns to the other one, the younger jogger, and rolls her eyes. "I'm a klutz, I guess. Mind a million miles away. Or more like forty years. When they still knew how to rebel. I'm kind of new to the city so I figured I'd get a look at the sights. Even if they did happen forty years ago. Um ... I guess I'll see you lot later. I really need to go check to see if my rig's broken." And with that, New Girl with New Resonance tips another wave to the man on the bench, smiles at Alex and Morgan, and dashes off, obviously worried for whatever computer monstrosity she was carrying.

[Alex] He was completely amused by the situation. First she had face planted into a lamp post, then she had gathered herself, talking at a ridiculous temp as she muttered about brains on other planes and something about her 'rig'. Alex wasn't entirely sure what to make of it all, and then fate answered for him. She was leaving, running off in that frantic haphazard way he had seen her partaking just moments before her collision. He shouted out after her.

"Well be careful!"

His head then turned to the side, curious about just where she had been waving her fingers. It was then that he spotted... what was his name... did Alex even know his name? He was sure they had met before but he couldn't quite place him. He let it go.

Grinning he turned to morgan, raising an eyebrow at her. "I have no idea what just happened." He casually looked her up down, running attire. How very Morgan. "Another marathon? Hey Morgan, whos that guy over there. The dude in the trenchcoat, I KNOW him from somewhere, but im not sure. Is he on TV or something?"

[Morgan Lake] She looks over Nathan-wards, and through Arcane and lack of eidetic memory, some things just simply cannot be forgotten. Lips twist, wry, and she makes absolutely no move to go closer to the Cultist on the bench --

just a kid, talked him down, stupid gun tricks, boom!

-- who's caught Alex's attention. "That's Nathan. I never learned his last name, I don't think - but it feels like bad manners to call him by his first. "Speaking of be careful . . . yeah, do that if you're gonna hang out with him."

She doesn't tell him not to, mind. She doesn't say he shouldn't introduce himself or any such thing. She just gives warning, and it's rather generous of her, all told - from what she knows, bad things tend to follow Nathan. He has a storm cloud over his head, or some such thing.

"Not a marathon today, it's too hot. Two short runs, instead."

[Nathan Spriggs] From his vantage point, the Cultist watches it all unfold, the (ditzy?) woman talking to the guy who's name he never got, another recognizable presence telling him of a certain Hermetic apprentice he knew and now spotted jogging. Then it looks like the woman has somewhere to go, avoiding them perhaps?

A small wave in his direction that lets him know she knew he was there. Then she's off. Now it was back to observing the two, or reading. Not desiring to get involved for now, he chose the latter.

[Alex] He raised eyebrows further at her, mouth opening slightly as he made an ORL? Face at her. She was telling him to be careful, careful around that man. She hadn't told him to stay away from the dude, but something in her tone told him she might have under different circumstances. This only seemed to feed Alex's curiousity.

"So I should be careful should I? I didn't know you cared about me so much Morgan." His grin was back and as bright as ever. He peered over her shoulder at the now named Nathan. He wondered if he should go introduce himself, perhaps some more information would be wise considering Morgans first statement.

"So why should I be careful of him?" He gave her an incredulous look. "Oh come on, you can't say things like that and then not explain them further."

[Morgan Lake] He gets as far as you cared before there's blush tinging her nose, cheeks and ears redder than heat and exertion already had - it's brief, though, the school girl blush. "Screw you. I don't know you," she says, but it's with no particular venom behind it; in that instant, despite what he'd heard in the clearing, she sounds like . . . well, like an eighteen year old girl. Which she is.

"And yes, you should be careful. Because he's not . . . I don't know if trouble follows him, or what. But everyone I know who's come in contact with him has had trouble because of it."

[Nathan Spriggs] Still just reading, Nathan turned a page casually as he waited (hoped) the other two would leave. Enough disasters these past few days, thank you very much.

[Alex] He grinned at her before turning his eyes upon the trench-coat wearing semi-stranger. "Well Miss Lake, Trouble is about to walk right up to him and say hello."

He frowned as he was walking away from the young girl. That had definitely sounded more impressive in his own head.

He stopped a few yards from the man, but Alex didn't offer his hand. Instead he narrowed his eyes on Nathan, trying to pull of the best badass stare he could manage.

"I hear you're trouble, well troubles my middle name." He held the stern face for approximately three seconds before he burst out laughing with a round of pfffftsssssssss. "The names Alex. I think I've seen you around." A pause. "Nice coat."

[Morgan Lake] Nathan hopes they'll leave - doesn't get his wish at all. Alex approaches, and Morgan keeps her distance - watching and wary just in case.

[Nathan Spriggs] Such is life, the things you want are always the things you can never obtain. In this case, it was them leaving. Attentive to his surrounds, even with his eyes on the book, Nathan heard the dry leaves crumbling and branches breaking as the man approached.

Lowering the book just slightly, his eyes moved upward to watch him just as he... well, made a very bad one-liner. For a moment that's all he does, watch. Pensive? Or maybe just too incredulous at that absolutely horrible line?

A smile, not overly friendly but casual, "I already introduced myself once, but what the hell. Nathan, pleased to finally get your name, Alex. And it is a nice coat, isn't it?" A beat, a side glance to Morgan. "I see people are spreading rumors about me. What'd ya hear?" A grin there, it was amused curiosity.

[Alex] He cast a glance back to morgan and motioned her over. If she wanted to come she would, he still wasn't sure just exactly how much the redhead disliked this Nathan.

"Oh you heard that did you? well, I dont know too much about it, but it seems you're trouble and people should be careful around you. Or at least thats what the word on the street is."

He raised an eyebrow at the man, curious as to how much truth lay in the statement. He kept the few yards between them, still slightly distrustful about Nathan. It wasn't every day that Morgan said bad things about someone else, there must of been a reason behind it. Whether it was justified or not was still open to debate.

[Morgan Lake] What Morgan said was, in fact, not that bad - she could have said worse, but she'd left it open for Alex to make his own decisions instead. Kind, generous Morgan.

Or something.

She doesn't come terribly close, not really - just a hair ahead of Alex, and like in the clearing, a bit protective [defensive]. "Rumor, really? That makes an awful lot of light of what I said, which was charitable, all told. Hello, Nathan." It feels like bad manners to call him by his given name, but she doesn't know (or at least doesn't remember) his last name.

[Nathan Spriggs] As Morgan approaches, he gives her a nod in greeting, then his gaze moves back to Alex. "Not hard to figure out when you say 'I hear you're trouble'. But yes, you should always be careful. Not just because of me." A smile there, then eyes back to Morgan. Considering her words, then another nod.

"Hello, Morgan. It's good to see you, glad to see you're doing well. But what have you heard? Please, enlighten me. It'll make it easier for me to know why it is I'm being accused of things. And possibly explain myself." He speaks not accusingly or with hostility, just clear and true curiosity. Interested in what it was they spoke behind his back.

[Alex] That earned a strange look from alex, his eyes cold as he looked at the man. You should always be careful.... not just because of me.... Not JUST because of me. If alex were anywhere else, in a more private setting, he may have taken that as a threat and acted accordingly. But the presence of Morgan eased him slightly, a familiar face does wonders when faced with uncertain behaviour. He casually leaned towards the back of morgan, mentioning in her ear.

"I see what you mean..."

After that he closed his mouth and pushed his hands into the front of his jeans, he was just as curious as Nathan was at what these particular rumours were. He had a sneaking suspicion they would both be disappointed however.

[Nathan Spriggs] [Did I catch that?; Perc + Alertness]
Dice Rolled:[ 5 d10 ] 2, 6, 7, 10, 10 (Success x 4 at target 6)

[Morgan Lake] "Are you asking me what rumors I've heard? None. I only know what I've witnessed, and it's only that on which I can speak. Hearsay isn't permissible . . . well, anywhere." She shrugs, and Alex leans in, murmurs in her ear, and shoulders tense just briefly - straighten, though they'd hardly been slumped before. And Nathan is watching. She doesn't bother to hide what she says next, as it could be well put to use by both men.

"Discretion is a thing well learned and put to use."

So stiff and formal now, where only a moment ago she'd seemed almost normal - though, at least her behavior towards the people with whom she finds herself. Alex is an acquaintance she views favorably, while Nathan is an acquaintance she views less than such.

[Nathan Spriggs] This was why he didn't want them to stick around, these people took every little thing as insult or threat. It was... frustrating. Still, Nathan shrugged at Morgan's words, it was funny how he could be accused of being the trouble on those events. Discretion was key, huh?

"I see, so giving tips on not letting your guard down at any time automatically makes me trouble? Good to know. Just remember, plenty of stuff out there wants to eat and/or eliminate us. Dunno how long you've been one of us, but believe me." A friendly warning to the quick-to-judge man.

Her change doesn't go unnoticed either, but she's a Hermetic. It seems like their natural response to things. "In any case, I'm just gonna get back to my reading?" The book, something on the study of ancient languages, raised for a moment before his eyes trail back down.

[Alex] His eyes narrowed and he frowned slightly, he wasn't quite sure what to make of the man. He hadn't met another mage quite like him. For all the curiosity and interest he showed early, he sure seemed quick to dismiss the two of them and return to his reading. Obviously he had given up on the pursuit for information and had decided that it wasn't worth his time.

"Oh well, sorry to disturb you Nathan. Another time then.... perhaps.." The last word was an after thought, the man certainly was a mystery. It was a given that people of their kind held mysteries and secrets. Hell, Alex held secrets from his own damn Tradition, but up until now he had never met someone so intent on remaining a mystery. Most of the awakened that he had encountered shared something of themselves, whether it was all a mask or truth was another matter.

With a shrug of his shoulders he turned away, leaving the man to his reading and wandering off into the park.

[Morgan Lake] "No, giving tips on not letting your guard down at any time makes you paranoid, and somewhat superfluous. We all know that. And what makes you trouble is the way you react in stressful situations, your need to constantly be in every mix when something's going on close to you, your self-centeredness and your thoughtless or reckless - or both - endangerment of everyone around you, but for the equally paranoid, self-centered, thoughtless and reckless crow-girl. Granted, my experience is limited, so take my advice and observations for what they're worth worth."

Such cool and calm; it's not insult, but truth as she sees it, and offered as such. She doesn't like it, no. Nor does she like how distrustful she's become, or how likely Ashley is to rush headlong into danger, or a great many other things. This does not make them insults when they're offered, especially if they were asked for to begin with.

"And now, sorry to have bothered you - please, do go back to your book." With that, she's off - in the same general direction as Alex, but only with him if he wants the company.