It?s amazing, really, how much different it is in this town. For example, I never foresaw the day where an ordinary person would ask me -- to my face -- if I were a demon, and that the question would not be infused with disgust and fear. Oswald, I suppose, is that sort of fellow.

He?s been here before, you?re probably barely a surprise to jaded veterans of this Nexus like him.

Still, to have someone looking for a forked tail with such harmless curiosity, even if it might normally be an insulting assumption, was? I don?t know. Refreshing? A novelty?

Suicidal? He doesn?t fight, but he?s going to end up stumbling into one if he?s not careful.

Be fair. To be here with just a human?s unadulterated strength, nothing but your wits about you for defense, that?s daunting. If playing a bit naive now and then gets him by, I won?t judge him for it. Oz has shown the capacity to know when a situation is beyond his abilities to navigate. He seems to have a handle on some of the technology and a flair for business that grants him marketable skills. I think he?s a survivor.

That or very lucky.

I?m not sure why you?re being so hard on him, I know you like him.

I do. He?s a decent sort. Reminds me a lot of myself when I was younger. Younger me could be a bit of an idiot. Younger me got attached to dangerous things, dangerous ideas. Look where it got me.

It got you a much longer life span. I?ll remind you, you?d never have met that kitsune if it weren?t for your association with ?dangerous things.? Don?t be so ungrateful; you made the bargain for this life before you even met me.

Did you have to bring her up? Now I?m just depressed. You know how rare women with tails are in this city? I don?t mean the scaly or forked kind, either. And I?m not ungrateful. I?d make the choice again. I can recognize that I had no idea what I was agreeing to at the time.

Maybe it?ll enrich his life too, you never know. Working for Izumi hasn?t hurt him any. A few friends to watch out for him. He?ll be fine. He made it before, he knows the process. Besides, Oz might get pulled back to his home plane one day while he?s riding around on that motorcycle.

Sure, it?ll expand his horizons, and we can keep an eye on him now and then. Just remember that group in Narasir.

Yeah, I know. Can?t be everywhere.

Providing Safety, part 2

As she stepped in, a wave of her hand brought light to the room and the fleeting afterimage of runic script crawling the walls faded from view. The desk had been arranged with candlesticks and lanterns to illuminate rows of herb filled jars that lined the wall edge. What space remained was now covered in small stacks of narrow parchment strips, each lettered in some more of that odd runic script. One larger one sat unfinished with a quill to the side. The chair for the desk was near the window, which was opened a crack to let in some fresh air. As they entered, Fox had lifted his head from the nest of blankets on her bed and was now grinning a toothy muzzle at the man. A bookcase that was already overflowing and a trunk at the end of the bed rounded off sparse possessions. The room was neat, with a small side door that led to a private bathroom. "Make yourself comfortable."

"Well, good evening to you, Fantastic Mr. Fox." Oz gave a smile, sitting on the edge of the bed as soon as he stepped in. She had told him to make himself comfortable, so that's exactly what he'd do. Sit on the bed, and ease his boots off his feet carefully, while lightly scritching behind one of Fox's ears. "How're you doing, Bud?" Not in a condescending tone towards the fox, as one would normally talk to an animal, but of general curiosity. "Thanks, Shae. I appreciate it." Oz slowly allowed himself a look around the room, whistling at all the stuff, "Man. You've really got yourself all set up, don't you?"

"Almost four months. The desk and bed were here. I got the bookcase from the dumpster at work. Most of the books are on loan. Bought jars, some herbs, collected others. The trunk was purchased as were the lanterns." Gentle shrug. "I'm saving for my own space." In truth, it only seemed like a lot because the room was compact. Fox yawned during the scritches, and Shae sat on the chair to take off her own boots. This involved a bit more work. "You're welcome. You seemed out of sorts."

"Little bit." OZ admitted, "The whole fight thing had me out of my element to start with." Or whatever that magic guy had wanted. To wave his magic dick around, apparently. Oz flopped back onto the bed, making sure to give Fox enough room for himself, and the scritching turned into light petting across Fox's head and side. He wasn't sure if Fox' were like cats and their tummies were traps. "Glad you're okay too. How's Serah doing?"

One boot off, she started in on the other. "Mm." Nodding to his first comments. Dick waving, indeed. Fox stretched out, rolling off his blanket pile and onto his back. The other boot came off and Shae was stealing one of the blankets her familiar had been curling up with. "Worn out, but safe back home for now." Soft frown.

"If you have a nightgown or something you want to change into, I can always just lay face down in the pillow for a while." Oz offered, "I'm sure Fox here is a gentleman, too." He didn't want her to be uncomfortable in her own room, or anything.

Shae considered and then rose, leaving the blanket on the chair. Stocking feet padded to that side door to slip beyond for a time. Fox didn't seem the least bit interested, he was nipping at Oz's hand for more attention. When Shae returned a minute later it was in pajama pants and a long sleeved shirt. Back to the blanket left neglected, then settling into the space left vacant on the bed with curled limbs. "I'm afraid I don't have any men's clothes."

"That's totally fine." Oz nodded his head, reaching into his pockets, he was pulling out things to put either in his boots or someplace safe. His shirt was light, and he nestled down into the mattress, and rested his head on the pillow, "I wouldn't expect you to, to be honest." His eyes went to half mast, as he continued to pet Fox, stretching his hand out to take some blanket for himself. Fox could still have his little next, Oz just wanted something to cover his feet and legs. Once he was secure, he stretched his hand out, and brushed his fingers along Shae's hair, "Thanks. Honestly." A flicker of a smile, followed by a yawn, soon smothered by the crook of his elbow.

Tired eyes watched him shift his possessions into his shoes while she used a leg to nudge Fox over. The blanket she had stolen was spread down over her feet and tucked up to her shoulder. Fox remained on his back for the pettings and was soon snoring softly. The fellow was fairly easygoing regarding the sharing of his nesting materials. The brush to her hair caused a slightly delayed reaction that she suppressed, sneaking a hand out to pat the back of his hand gently. "You're welcome. You seemed like you needed it." Then that hand was reaching past his shoulder to touch the wall. Fingers traced against the surface and she whispered softly. Her wards raised in response, a small shimmer that crawled outwards and faded from view.

Oz turned a bit, to try and look and see what she was doing. Against the wall, looking down her arm, he contemplated biting it, something playful, but instead he just sat content to watch, "So. What was that question for truth you were hoping to ask me before, when I took a dare?" He was curious, the thought was lingering, and now, it might well be a good time to ask as any other.

The tracery wasn't hidden, if he knew High Drow it would be recognized as a sigil comprised of letters from that language. Once completed, her hand drew back. The circulation of air created by her own personal zephyr kept the sealed room from becoming stuffy. Small comfort. "Hmm?" Momentary confusion. "Oh I..." She hadn't settled on a question at that time. "I'm afraid if I had one in mind I don't recall what it was at this point. Probably was going to ask...I don't know. Something harmless. I'd already teased from what I asked Riya about her crush on you."

Oz didn't know at all about high drow. That seemed to be a bit out of his wheelhouse, here. His eyebrows went back up, and he gave a small smile towards her, "Oh. You seemed upset when I took a dare." He mused, "I thought you had something in mind. He shifted over to look look her in the eye, snuggling in a bit more. "Mm. I see." He nodded his head, "Well, if you have something, or think of something let me know. I'm here, not yet ready for sleep." He shrugged his shoulders.

The arm tucked itself back beneath her blanket. It wasn't particularly cold in her room, despite the cracked window, but it was comfortable to cocoon. "That's because I'm not as adept at dares as I usually am at questions." Her shrug lifted the fabric that was speckled with stray Fox hairs. As he settled in, she tried to relax. "Does this place frighten you? With those such as that fellow about? With people like me? With the actual demons?"

Oz settled in, and paused to reach out and pluck a few fox hairs off of her, not that it would help, with the vast quantities of hair that were on her. "Does this place frighten me? Yes. I was kind of afraid tonight, I honestly don't know what I would have done." He chewed on his lip, "You think you have things all sorted out, and you get sent to a place where, you know, all the monsters in your storybooks are real. It's unnerving, and I often feel completely out of my depth."

Hot Chocolate and Tales of Destruction, part 1
Red Dragon Inn, 4 AM, 6/13

It wasn't until Fox jumped onto the porch that Shae shook free of her staring off at nothing. How long she had sat there thinking, she couldn't rightly say but it was long enough for the canid to hunt and return. With a soft groan, Shae peeled her aching bones from the swing and wandered inside with Fox at her heels. Once within she moved to the bar and just past it through the break. Fox detoured to a favored napping spot of a chair near the hearth while Shae set her sights on a hot beverage.

Pulling up on that thunderous bike of his, restrained and calm. The Bike was a beast, but Oz was at least nice enough not to rev things in crowded areas. Pulling off the bike, he plucked off his helmet, and planted it on the seat. Jeans, a T-shirt on under the heavy leather jacket, V-necked, to show off a little bit of that chest hair. His face was scruffy, and his hair was flowing free. He climbed the steps to the porch, giving a small sniff of the air, and lingering, the scent seemed familiar, something gently lingering on the breeze, and Oz bounced his shoulder firmly against the heavy door, slowly rolling into the Inn afterwards. There was someone there behind the bar, and Oz clomped his way, well, maybe not clomped, but in the riding boots he couldn't exactly be stealthy, towards the bar.

She was distracted by the effort it took to gather the materials for hot chocolate. Not the packet kind, for she didn't know the packets existed, but the way she'd been taught to make it by Artsblood. The memory tugged at the corner of her lips, keeping them from becoming a full smile as she raised her eyes to the approach of a familiar face. "Hello Oz. Would you like some hot chocolate?"

"Oh yes. I would love some Shae." He gave a warm smile in return for the one he'd seen her turn around with, "Wanna Irish it up for me a bit? If you'd be so kind. That was a lovely smile you were wearing." Oz leaned forward onto the bar, planting his elbows down upon it. "Something good stuck in your head?" Lifting his forearm, Oz set his stubbled jaw into the platform of his hand, smiling happily at the girl behind the bar.

Slender hands procured a second mug. Extra milk added to that which was warming in a pan on the kettle's typical burner. "Sure, I can add a little something extra when it's all finished." At the commentary on her smile, she tried again. The attempt more successful this time around. "Just missing someone I haven't seen in a while." Chocolate added to the heated milk to melt slowly. "How goes the job?"

"Oh? Who might that be?" Oz's head tilted to the side as he watched Shae work around everything, "It goes pretty well, I'm burning the oil where I can, trying to get it up to snuff as quick as possible. Just so I can move along to something else, something that's a bit more.. me, you know? How're you doing?"

A bar whisk was good enough to let her stir the mixture, melted chocolate gradually overtaking the coloring of the milk. There was, already, a faint smell of mint from the pot. "I'm not sure if you'd know her. She went quiet before you returned to town. But it's not important." Waving a hand lightly. Head tilted, Shae listened to his description of his efforts for Izumi. "What are you aiming to do that's 'more you'?" Pausing to consider how to answer him, she turned the head down on the pot. Fetching a bottle of whiskey, the selection was set down near Oz. Back to the matter of whisking before she replied. "I'm...you know I don't know?"

Oz sniffed the air, and looked rather happy at it, and then uncorked the bottle, and he nipped from it, quickly, before placing it back down upon the bar. "Mm." A second more, and he'd finally answer, he just wanted to savor the flavor of that whiskey, "I'd love to do something more with my hands. I can do the computer stuff, but, I'm not a big fan of it. Building. Making. Doing. It's just a lot more satisfying. I don't want to farm or anything. But, putting up fences, manual labor. Something to make all those humankind evils sweat out of my soul." A small chuckle, "Sorry to hear that your friend went missing. He held up the bottle towards Shae, giving it a wiggle of temptation.

She lifted her hand to decline his offer of whiskey. "Already had enough tequila for the evening." The burner was turned off completely. "Do you know where the white fluffy things are that go on top of this? I couldn't find them." No, Shae didn't know what marshmallows were called. "What sort of things can you make?" Two mugs of the mixture poured out with the whisk used as a makeshift strainer for any bits of chocolate that hadn't quite melted.

"Tequila. Man. You were going hard core. Celebration for something?" Oz listened in, and his brows lowered a bit, he was tired, then, oh! "Oh. The Marshmallows. Yes, I think I do." Oz was scooting behind the bar, and dancing around Shae, making sure not to touch her while she was handling equipment. Ducking under the counter, he reached below, and plucked up a bag, which was soon lifted out before the rest of him showed up. "Here!" Eventually, he'd pull himself free, sitting on the floor behind bar, looking up at Shae. "Oh. I can make lots of things, actually. I used to do woodshop. There's a maker's shop near where I used to work in San Francisco, so, I used to do custom pieces for people, when I wasn't programming. That, and practical stuff. I like kinda being out there, and getting my hands dirty.. I just don't want my survival to be based around making things grow, and keeping things alive."

"Ha. Well. Sort of." Shae spared a glance for the front door as she put the pot back on the burner and put the lid on the leftover mixture. One mug was doled out to a place near his whiskey, the other was kept close to hand. "I finished the project that was keeping me confined to my room. That's worth celebrating. The rest of the evening, not so much." Oh, he'd found the marshmallows. One hand reached down to take the bag from him. She stuffed the mugs with them, one at a time. The conversation continued with him sitting down there. "Woodshop? You were a carpenter?" She assumed San Francisco was a city or a country. "For someone who claims he doesn't want to farm, it sounds like the life of a farmer would bring you pleasure. Maybe a woodshop with a garden attached?"

"Mm. I could do a garden." Oz nodded his head, "I can carpent, a bit. When you live on a farm, and everything is kinda.. poor, you end up having to build a lot of what you have, or learning to repair it. Sometimes it's easier just to head to the lumber yard, and grab a bunch lumber from the lumber yard, and go. Of course, it's South Dakota, so our lumber yards are pretty rare." Oz pushed himself back up to a stand, and reached out for his mug, pulling it up under his nose. Giving it a sniff. "Smells amazing." He gave a nod of his head, "Not so much for the rest of the evening? I'm sorry to hear that." He frowned, "Anything I can help with?"

She'd left a hole in the marshmallow stuffing for him to add his whiskey, and was popping one of the fluffy treats into her mouth as she read the plastic bag they'd come in. "Hmm." Chew chew chew. "Tell you what. I ever move into a place of my own I'll come to you to offer payment for furniture." Sketching a smile as she put the bag down and picked up her own mug. Shae turned with her back to the common room. By the hearth, Fox was snoring on that chair. She was still for a moment before she took herself out from behind the bar to retreat towards the hearth. "Directly? Probably not, but it's sweet of you to offer."

Oz snagged hold of one of the marshmallows, and stole one as well, popping into his mouth with a fury of chewing, he'd follow Shae out towards the hearth, lingering behind just a bit, and taking a slow drink of the hot chocolate, "You know what's really good." Oh. He stopped mid-step, and turned to grab hold of the whiskey, pouring a bit into his cup, and then resumed his path towards the hearth, "Adding a splash of spiced chocolate. Something with some pepper in it. Gives it a bold little pop flavor across the tongue." Something to try for next time, as he sniffed the hot chocolate again, "Well, you know. You seem like a nice person, and I like helping people. You were kind to me before." Tit for Tat, and all of that. "That would be amazing, actually. I'd love to build you something. You seem like a girl who needs a sturdy oak desk, with lots of area space, for lots of books."

"Yeah? Spice huh. I could see it with cinnamon. Not sure how I would feel about pepper. But perhaps I'll try it in the future." Gesturing to him with her mug as she stole space on Fox's chair. "You could make it." Too keep her from screwing it up, logically. "I'll watch." The canid grumbled a protest but found a new spot to curl his fire-warmed fur behind the bend of her legs. "I can appreciate that, really. But you'd be surprised how much it helps to just chat." Especially with a man who still referred to her, amusingly, as a girl. "I will need a solid desk, yes. Lots of drawers too, while I'm daydreaming about it. But that's for the future. One thing at a time, hmm?" Both hands cradled her mug, finally a taste from it. "Tonight..." Another sip. "It may be in the news soon, I'm not sure. Are you familiar with the Twilight Isle?"

"Mm. Any slip drawers or secret ones? Those are always fun to build. Maybe a pull out latch in the back of one of the legs of the drawers?" Oz took a seat on the couch,sideways, his leg coming to rest upon it, and the other stretched out nice and wide. Aw. He pouted at poor Fox for a bit, empathetic to his being moved, then looked up at Shae, "Oh. No. It's my pleasure. You're one of those magical people, right? You do all of those interesting things? I can hear you whisper into my ear, even when I'm far away." Such things rattled them mind of Oz, but when she had done it, he'd been scared senseless, so that was the last thing that wiggled in there. "You can't, like, look in my brain and see my thoughts, right?" Baseball,baseball,baseball. "I've heard of it. I've never been out that way before."

Point to Oz. "Yes! Those. I like those. Little secrets give furniture character. My father's desk had several, but I didn't want to go overboard. I'd leave it to you. And the limits of my budget, of course." Fox had settled down again and was snoring in a surprisingly quick time. "Not all of those interesting things, but some of them. Magic differs from person to person. The...the whisper trick isn't magic, though." Small hesitation. "That's, as far as I know, biology." Then she was laughing at the look on his face as he tried to clear his mind. "No! Well. I could. But I don't. Invasion of privacy. I tend to be upfront with my prying." Another pause, a nod. "Well you won't be able to visit anytime in the near future. It...the place may have been destroyed tonight."

"Oh." Biology? "So. That's just something weird your body can do." He took a slow breath! "Okay. Good. Well, uh. Maybe another time, or something." Oz glanced from side to side. "Upfront with your prying? So you ask permission before you start digging through someone's brain meats, and neuro matter?" Then, Oz took a breath, "Oh. Well." He took a slow drink of the hot chocolate, letting the marshmallows bump off his lips, and taking a whole one, and eating it. Tossing another at Shae. ?You did that?" Oz was hoping to hear a somewhat good reason, "Or did that crazy chainsaw guy come back?"

"Yes, it's just another weird aspect." Dry humor. "Maybe another time for what? And I mean that I ask questions. Have conversations. I don't default to 'digging through brain meats' as you put it." The marshmallow sailed wide when the fluffy projectile met her breeze, landing with a hiss and sizzle on the burning logs of the hearth." Shae pointed to the remains of the marshmallow when she noticed it. Her tone still bone dry. "Also weird, right?" Then a snort. "That's flattering. No. I am not responsible for the destruction. I helped close the portal to keep it from spreading. We, that is a group of mages, were fighting one who wanted to destroy it all. In vain, perhaps. As we were leaving the Isle was ripping itself apart even though we had defeated him.? Beat for effect. ?And no. He didn't have a chainsaw."

Nudie Mags and Speculation
Red Dragon Inn, 1 AM, 7/10

Through the alley door, the whisper of dark jeans over black boots. A corseted top accented with red and gold over a shirt of cream. Shoulders adorned with the living weight of a fox whose tail swayed in counterpoint motion to the fall of her braid over his back. The vulpine cast his eyes across the interior while she found her attention drawn towards the mail cubbies. Questing fingers found the hollow that corresponded to her room devoid of post. Something simultaneously comforting and disappointing. There was a flicker of the woman's attention to another space in the wall of sorted mail, but the absence of letters there was shaded decidedly closer to the latter of the two options the first had inspired.

Shae lifted her hand to the scruff of the creature she bore, scratching gently there as her steps turned for the space behind the bar. Quiet murmuring as the woman moved with the fluidity of muscle memory. The ears of the canid on her shoulders tilted towards the parting of her lips. Soon enough, tea was being prepared. Rather than delve into the stash of teabags that belonged to the Inn, she produced one of her own from the pocket of her jeans. More murmuring, a yawn from the fox, and the ample addition of honey to a mug that had steeped to a reddish hue. The steam bent away from her whenever she passed near the mug. Now she turned to find a little something extra. Brandy for her tea.

Oz's Harley thrummed nice and heavy out front as he pulled up, into a spot that would be shade. Needing the wind on his face, he was in a skullcap helmet. That smile on his face was gigantic, though, the smile had been closed when he'd been riding. Bugs and all. He exhaled nice and slow, pulling himself off the bike, and pulling off the armor, and storing it away. A dark gray V-neck shirt, and some deep blue, ripped jeans tucked that were tucked into his jeans. He lumbered forward, swaying happily, and bouncing his shoulder into the front door. Lifting his hand, Oz continued to smile, nice and big.

Oz spotted Shae, pouring brandy in her tea, "You could grab me a snifter, and pour me some of that brandy. Or, you know, grab me a mug, and pour me some tea, too." He swayed forward, and then leaned, placing his elbows on the bar. "If it's not too much trouble of course. I can always manage such things on my own."

Spash measured out, Shae lifted the mug and absconded with it towards the alley door from whence she had come. That was, until a familiar face strolled through the door. An occurrence that arrested her escape from the too-quiet Inn. It was Fox that reacted first, but soon her gold eyes were also tilting in his direction. Steps slowly retraced back towards the bar. "I could pour you some hot water, but you want none of this tea, I assure you." One hand was enough to retrieve the Inn's tin of teabags and set it before him. "Pick your brew or I'll just pour you some brandy."

"Mm." Oz was looking through the boxes of tea, tapping the Pride of Port tea. It was dark, smokey. It's go well with some brandy in it. "This'll do, I believe." Oz turned, smiling towards Lexius and Halcyon, lifting his hand, "Hey there!" Sunshine even in the darkest night.

The duo on the porch were just beyond her attention that evening. It wasn't until Oz waved to them through the window that Shae took conscious note of the figures moving in the shadows beyond the glass panes. Hot water for a mug, left in his reach to add the bag he'd selected. Soul steeling sip of her own brew before the brandy was fetched forth again.

"People sure are liking the porch lately." Oz stated, looking back over to Shae as she stirred. He reached his hand out and took the mug, and repeatedly dunked the bag. Something to help speed up the brewing, at least, that's what his momma always told him. "How're you doing? I haven't seen you in a bit Shae."

"I've been at the docks, mostly." Honey bottle also moved within his reach, in case he wanted something to sweeten that with. Then the small of her back was finding purchase against the back bar. Fox, who normally made a beeline for the kitchen whenever they frequented the Inn during these late night hours, remained curled around her neck. "The weather draws people outside." Indeed, even the pale sylph had gotten something of a light tan. "How have you been?"

A gentle nod of his head as he kept dunking his tea, watching that fluffy tail move about her neck. He grabbed the honey, and slowly pouring honey into it, and giving it a bit of a taste. Not too much. "At the docks? You own a ship? Or am I just way off base, and there's something there that holds your interests?" Oz smiled towards the small Canid that was wrapped around Shae. It was a cute thing!

For his part, Fox bared his teeth in a grin to Oz. "I realize I've agreed to invest in your business, but I think you overestimate my capital if you believe I possess enough silver to buy a ship. No, I've signed a contract with Horam. Sixteen ships, including his own, to be enhanced for the benefit of the Helston shipping empire." Her own mug met smiling lips for a taste of her altered tea.

"Sixteen Ships? Helston?" That sounded familiar, Oz brushed his fingers through his hair, standing up out of his lean and taking a slow drink from his tea. Hit the spot, "OH! I've seen that name on some of the magazines in the news stands. The.. uh, ones with the naked ladies. You work for the Helstons?" Incredulous, he narrowed his eyes at Shae, but smiled at Fox, wiggling his nose at him.

"Not directly. I've actually not had the pleasure of meeting a Helston, to my knowledge. I signed a contract that was negotiated on their behalf by Horam, who commands a fleet in their name transporting their cargo." The smile lingered, transforming into something vaguely wicked. "He doesn't like to discuss the cargo." Pause. "Might be fourteen ships. I'll have to look at the contract again."

Oz nodded his head, "Horam. Yeah. I think I remember Horam." His eyes went a big wide, "...How does he manage on ships with hooves?" He had to question that, drinking more tea. "I don't really want to question Horam, he's a bit scary. What exactly is it that he ships?"

"You know. I haven't the faintest idea. I assume the benefit of weight and long years of practice. Perhaps he's taken to roughening the base of them for traction." The woman's shrug was suppressed by the weight of her passenger. "He's not that scary." Her scale might be a bit skewed by her personal experiences. "He'll never admit to it sober, but he ships sex toys for the Helstons."

"...Oh." Oz nodded his head, "I suppose that makes sense with their nudie magazines, and all that. If you're going to jump into something, do it with both... wow. Forget I said anything, that just sounds like I have an awful fetish." Oz lifted his hand, trying to left swipe that whole idea. "Right! We were going to look at phone stuff for you, weren't we?"

Light laughter, slightly subdued. "Nudie magazines? You're telling me they circulate collections of nude pictures as well? My. What a business." Here a shake of her head. "I suppose it sells well, though." Another taste of the sharply bitter mixture in her cup. An aftertaste that the honey did little for. "Yes, we were, but I'm not sure that now is the hour for such things. My questions are likely to be many and my retention at the moment is likely to be sub par."

Oz shrugged his shoulder, "I'm honestly afraid to look in them. I'd end up seeing some kind of fantasy thing, that's all squid.. or like.. I don't know.. a beholder in a bikini, trying to do a sexy pose, or something. My brain would break, and I would just end up as a husk standing there"

Eyes widened slightly. "Is that really what they have in their publications?" Her tea had gone cool, and now she drained it in larger quantities. "Frightening."

"I have no idea!" Oz exclaimed, "That's what I'm afraid to find out." He shook his head slowly, "Could you imagine? What if Horam's in there with a tastefully placed flower pot, or something?" Oz looked distressed, and shook his head!

Mug set aside, the image he conjured had her laughing. "Maybe! He might have done it while drunk, on a dare. Who knows!" Fingers now empty of purpose rose to tap at her chin. "I wonder if I could insinuate that I'd seen something of the like. His reaction would be telling."

Oz just laughed, "Please, do! Tell me how it goes, just leave me out of it." He leaned out, and nudged Shae lightly on the shoulder. "You heading off for the night?" Oz sipped his tea again, and reached over the bar just enough to give Fox a scratch on the hindquarters.

"Perhaps if I catch him again. He's been quite busy, even with me keeping his ship in port to do my work." Gentle shrug, her arms folding. Another glance spared to the side for the mail cubbies. "Mm. I'm debating between a walk or a bath and a book." Fox flipped his tail against Oz's hand.

Oz pulled his hand back, "I can join you for the walk. With the size of the tubs, I don't think I could join you for the bath, even if you'd let me." He took a sip of his tea, waggling his eyebrows with a small chuckle. "Sorry."

"I appreciate the offer for company, but I'm not sure you could follow me where I tend to walk." A soft, crooked smile. "The tubs are large enough, but that wasn't an invitation. The last time I shared a bath was...well...different circumstances, anyway."

Oz waved his hand, "I was just being cheeky, don't mind me." Oz shook his head, and then flashed her a smile, then the first part of what she said struck him, "Follow you where you walk? Where do you walk, if I might ask?"

"Oh, all over." Sly was her grin. "But mostly in the places I'm not supposed to be. High up with better views. Rooftops, for example."

Oz just nodded his head, "Yeah.. I don't think I can follow you up there." He looked up through the Dragon Hatch above, "I'm not a person who, you know. Flies."

One hand flapped gently. "You don't need to be able to fly to travel along the rooftops, but it helps if you've got light feet. Can climb. Have good night vision." Trespassing was another matter, entirely.

"Well, I'm human." Oz tilted his head to the side, "So. I don't know how that matches up to.. other people, but I've got human night vision, and I can climb as well as a human can."

Pushing away from the back counter, Shae raised two fingers to her brow in a mock salute. "Perhaps another night I'll introduce you to some sturdy roofs. For now I think I'll seek the solace of that bath for my sore muscles. Be safe, Oz."

Oz gave a nod of his head, waving towards Shae, "Have a lovely bath. Take a bottle of wine with you, get some more relaxation on. Fox. No peeking." He waggled his finger, not that he figured it mattered.

Shae wrinkled her nose as she headed for the stairs. "I'm not his type, trust me on that point." The very notion had a wrongness about it that left a bad taste in her mouth. Worse than the tea, even. Fox seemed to agree, ears laid back as she escaped up the stairs.

Ugh! Oz groaned, the bad joke taken wrong, and he flopped down on the bar top.

People Can Be Too, Part 1
The Docks, Pier 16 and beyond, early evening, 9/18/15

Text to Shae: Hey. Shae. You free? Could you use some kind of burrito or something? You've had Mexican food before, right?

Text to Oz: I haven't eaten yet, so certainly. Any place in particular?

Text to Shae: Come find me by the docks. I'm out looking at the ships,I can take you from there.

Text to Oz: I'm at the docks. Which pier?

Oz was standing on the docks, shoulder pressed against a lamp post. Staring into the waters as it rocked the ships back and forth. It was, mostly calm, he looked at the phone at his hands when it chirped again, and typed.

Text to Shae: 16. Past the one with the chick who has four boobs as the mast head. I haven't seen a gal with four boobs before.. at least, not yet. I wouldn't be surprised here, though.

Oz was wearing a black hoodie, with a tank top under it. The hoodie was mostly open, just the lower quarter was done up. Wind kipped up his hair, sending it swirling around in the breeze.

"Haven't you heard that this is a rough neighborhood to be walking alone in?" Her voice came as half tease, half greeting. A few moments after his last text, there was Shae stepping around the other side of the lamp post with Fox riding on the shoulders of a well-worn-in men's leather jacket. Beneath was a grey tank top with lace at the neckline and lower hem over a pair of dark blue jeans. Heeled boots looked like they should have made more noise on approach, but there hadn't been much warning. "All sorts of unsavory folks at the docks. Pretty sure I've seen one of the night flowers with several pairs of..." Two hands held up to squeeze at mimed breasts in midair.

"You want top or bottom pair? Or lefties or righties?" Oz reached his hands up too, pinching at a set. "She's pretty stacked. Do you think she's meant for ramming?" Turned away from the mast head, and turned back towards Shae, "Of course I know it's dangerous. That's why I called you. I need someone to protect me." Oz stepped forward, stretching his arms out to offer Shae a hug. "And hello to you too, Fox." A small tip of his head in greeting before he went in for the hug.

"I, as a general rule, don't go after any woman who has more breasts than I have hands. If I lose a hand, for some reason, this rule might be revisited." Soft snicker as hands ceased their pantomime. "Oh I'm the hired guard is it? To be paid in food? Now I feel doubly bad for making you bring food to the lighthouse when I was drunk. To think. Alone, defenseless with just hot food as a shield." Clearly Shae though Oz had enough of a head on his shoulders to handle himself, but the line of theatrics was amusing her. Fox nodded to Oz and may have let his tail gently bat the man on the side of the head when Shae and Oz exchanged a hug of greeting.

Oh. For that, Fox. Oz picked Shae up in the squeeze, and slowly spun around. So there! He would scruff Fox along the ears, and the back of his head. "You both are looking great. And yeah. Undoubtedly. There were a few people who tried to hold me up, and I told them that those pizzas were for Shae. They went all pale, and backed away. You saved me, and you didn't even know it." Oz stepped to the side, "So. I promise this will be different than the hot dogs, too. Mexican food is great late at night. Burritos, man. A good one can change a bad night into an amazing one. Especially with tequila."

Joke though it was, dropping her name in the vicinity of the docks might well have saved him a bit of hassle. Shae laughed as she was spontaneously hoisted, more at Fox's protest than anything else. "Thanks, Fox feels especially handsome today." Tugging her jacket back into place. Shae hesitated, but not because of the food. "Look, I know we have been joking around but... I do worry about you. These phones, I don't trust them and they take time. Would you want a way to contact me if you get into any real trouble?"

"Can I contact you through that for other reasons?" Oz paused a bit, looking at the phone. It was normal, not even an iPhone, or something. Just an Android. "Yes. I think I would like that." Oz paused, looking at Fox, his eyebrows raising, "I can understand why he would. Look at him. He's not cute. He's rugged. Handsome. Sophisticated."

"You can but it's a bit more...invasive so I'd prefer it if it was for something important or time sensitive. We can talk more about it after we get some food, yeah? Where to?" One hand raised to scritch at Fox's ruff. The creature was preening under the shower of compliments for Oz. "He says it's no wonder you wanted to use him for your advertisements."

"Of course." Oz nodded his head, "If he was just an adorable, cute thing, he wouldn't have the dignity I think my brand would need. It would feel.. childish, instead of adult." While Oz didn't mind the concept of doing cribs, or a variety of children's toys, he didn't want that to be all he did. Oz offered his hand out to Shae, "It's not too far. Small place."

Rather than taking his hand, the witch gestured for him to lead the way. Her own hands found refuge in ripped pockets where they fiddled with unseen detritus. "Small places are often rather nice. And I'm sure I can refer a few folks to you."

"Good." Oz nodded his head, taking his way along, at a slow pace, making sure he wouldn't venture too far away from his bodyguard, and dinner partners. It was a short trip, really, just a couple of blocks, "Speaking of which. I've got my shop ready to go. Just about. I'm waiting for a few more pieces. But, it can be functional. I'm going to be taking an add out soon, start trying to pick up business."

?Will you be wanting to have some sort of grand opening?? Her mind ticked to the opening of Lucy?s gallery, though this was quickly dismissed. Different crowds. ?It?s hard to believe your business has come so far already.? Her smile said she was happy for him. Proud, even.

"You bet I will. I'll make sure I paint a ruggedly handsome picture of him to go on the sign, too. " A warm smile, "Yeah. Already. It feels like it's moving so fast, but.. things ship pretty quick, and thank you. Still. If I do an opening, could I request that you accompany Fox as well? I'm sure, Fox'll have his own date, after all." Don't want to cramp the guy's style. They were at the front door, a place called Burrito Kingdom. It was still busy at this time of night, and Oz waved towards the person behind the counter, "Evening."

"Ah Fox...would not be having a date. And I would of course come to your shop opening. What sort of investor would I be if I didn't?" The name of the shop was silently mouthed both for the interesting mental picture it summoned and to commit it to memory. Shae looked about for a menu of some kind after a nod of greeting to the shopkeeper.