[August 12, 2020. Jonathon gets a call to head to a hilly pasture in the north of England.] [Presumably Ren comes along too, up to you if it's in the same car. He has to park about a half mile from final destination and walk a bit to get their, but it's a nice day and the scenery isn't too bad, and both of you are pretty fit, so it's probably alright.] [The scenery is attractive but vacant, aside from the hill top where the three tekes sit. Well, two sit on the ground and one in the air, but that's not all that surprising.] [They're still a short walk away when you see them.] [Start] * Ren is actually not dressed like a lazy bum. His hair's not -quite- as messy as it usually is, and he's wearing shiny green sunglasses. With an white dress shirt, no tie, and dress pants. He waves at them as soon as he sees them, and starts walking that way at a lesiurely pace. * Jonathon climbs up the hill, hauling up his cooler. He's got his shades on as he approaches, but not his usual jacket. Over his other arm is his usual duffle, but he doesn't have his camera. And, of course, he's smiling as he approaches. His dress is fashionable as always, but slightly more casual than he normally wears. * Mael is wearing a nice and reasonably attractive if oddly tailored white shirt and a pair of jeans, her hair looks tended to as well. * Manic's waring a t-shirt and jeans, doesn't look all that attentive to his appearance, but he is well shaved (though he's young, so it's not hard), he looks mildly pleased to see you, but not as much as the other too. * Magnie is waving enthusastically from the air, she's got on an off-white dress that has a textured feather pattern to it. Also has slightly visible and quite conservative bloomers under the dress, so her being in the air isn't reavealing. * Mael gives a slight wave too. * Ren cranes his neck up at Magnie, and grins. * Magnie floats down to being about a meter above the ground now that you lot are here. * Jonathon waves back to the group. The bracelet of woven hair on his wrist slips down a little as he does so. Hey, kid. Enjoying the fresh air, I see. * Mael smiles slightly, but hides it quickly. Yup! So you want to eat here or up there? Say up there! * Mael gives a slight smile as Jon gets close but then quickly covers it. "Our guests may prefer to stay grounded Magnie." Oh I don't know..I may try a little up there. Perhaps later though. * Ren raises an eyebrow. "I could join you up there, but I couldn't stay. Me and Cheshire aren't that good." * Jonathon slips off his glasses and opens his eyes to regard Mael, smiling and setting down the cooler. "Couldn't think of what to get so I brought mostly sandwiches..hope you don't mind." * Manic grins. "Wouldn't have to be under your power. I'd give you a display, but, not nice to do it without permission, or so I'm told." Sandwiches will do nicely, thank you. * Ren shrugs. "I'll pass for now." I suppose...is there a barbeque pit around here? I've always wanted to fancy myself a go. * Jonathon sets down the duffle a ways next to it * Magnie floats up a bit for a minute and looks around. Got one over there, more of an ordinary picnic ground, but it's empty. Well, if it comes to that... * Jonathon unzips the duffle. Aside from his usual stuff, which he's doing well to keep fairly hidden, he takes out a sheet and starts flapping it. [The tekes watch in reasonable amusement.] * Ren glances at Jonathon. What's he up to? * Magnie hums the wind beneath your wings, off key. * Jonathon looks out and blinks, smiling nervously. "It's part of a picnic, isn't it?" * Jonathon starts unfolding the sheet over the grass. * Manic shrugs, but Mael nods. So what have you guys been up too? Anything exciting? Hopefully going against real bad guys, although maybe not too bad, wouldn't want to see you hurt. Got to exchange wit and brevity with an elder vampire. * Jonathon smirks slightly at that. "Rather touching sentiment." He looks at Ren for a moment and his smirk thins just slightly, but it's still there in smile form. * Mael looks slightly concerned, Magnie fascinated, and Manic interested. We're fine. Who won the battle of wits? Probably tough to beat a vampire at that, they have a lot of time to plan ahead. Sinless had a few things to say to him. Glad to hear it. * Magnie nods. "Did you kick his ass? I'll bet you did, well, if he's an evil vampire? Are all vampires evil?" Sinless? Enough about me, anyways. How are y'all doing? * Ren whips out a revolver, spins it once in his hand, "Sinless," And tucks it back away. * Mael also glances over curiously to Ren and her eyes focus on the gun as it's out, she relaxes when it's put away. I didn't come here to discuss business. I want to know how you're doing. Been kinda boring really, we did some shopping, but I have to use catalogs cause you can't fly in stores. And Manic doesn't let me go off on my own, and he's not as fast as I am so I have to wait up, and that's no fun. Ever consider walking? * Manic grins, "You wound me sister." * Magnie grins back "Not my fault you're slow." Nope! * Ren chuckles. "You'll get the hang of it someday." * Mael and Manic move over to sitting on the sheet. * Magnie sounds genuinely puzzled. "Why walk when you can fly?" * Jonathon shakes his head and sighs dramatically, putting his fingers through his hair. "You name your guns...I can't believe I work with a bloke who names his guns..." Because you'll attract less attention. Remeber what I said about not flaunting your power all the time? * Magnie sulks. "But I don't wanna walk." * Mael glances over at Jonathon and shakes her head. * Ren shrugs. "And I'm not forcing you to. I'm just saying it'd be a good idea to do sometimes." So, what sort of sandwiches do we have? I'd ask where they were, but that'd be silly, assuming they're in the cooler." * Ren sits down at the sheet. Did you bring any fish sandwiches? * Jonathon smiles. "Well, egg and cress, ham...why yes, I do believe I brought some fish." Great. *licks his lips, in a curiously cat-like manner.* You're far too possessed. Here. * Ren snatches it out of midair. "Not my fault." * Ren glances at Mael and Manic. "No hard feelings, now that everyones out?" Yes. They tend to be like that. How about you, Magnie? * Mael has apparently run out of curious expressions and settles on nonchalant. Oh, possessed by some sort of fish loving thing? Like a cat? Or a bigger fish? I don't think you can be possessed by fish and fish wouldn't eat fish, that's cannabalism. You're being consciously naive again, cut it out. I'll have watever you think I'd like best! You're smooth, I'm sure you'll choose well. * Magnie grins at that, and Mael echoes it with a slight smirk. * Ren thinks for a moment, listening to their speculaitons about him and fish, then grins at Jonathon. * Jonathon chuckles slightly and looks up like Magnie, smiling. "Honestly, you're embarrassing me. Catch." He tosses her up a turkey club on foccacio. (like=at) * Magnie catches the sandwich with style, she barely had to move. She grins at Ren 'Didn't use my powers!" She then grins back at Jonathon, "Well yeah, that's the point." * Magnie then licks her lips at the sandwich and digs in. It is? I never took you for being one to be sly, Magnie. * Jonathon smiles over at Maelstrom. "How about you? I'd presume you've got a well defined perfect sandwich in mind." * Manic and Mael both roll their eyes in unison. * Magnie just munches happily. * Ren just eats, and lets the Smooth One talk. Cress please. Cress it is. And you, Manic? * Mael catches it easily. * Manic glances up at Magnie, who'se half finished her sandwich already. "I'll have what she's having." * Jonathon checks and sees if he has another one. Which it so happens he does and tosses it over to her before taking a turkey club out for his own purposes. * Manic almost misses it, but then swiftly adjusts to catch it, moving a bit faster than normal humans tend to. *munch* Ha! You cheated! *munch* * Ren laughs. * Jonathon smiles. 'Certainly an interesting bunch." He gets out some condiments and starts setting them out before laying back on the sheet a little. * Mael looks at Jonathon with a slightly hint of mischief. "So, did you bring Champagne as well, or was this not the sort of dinner had in mind back in the cell?" * Manic puts a few fairly typical condiments on his sandwich and then proceeds to eat in a far more dignifed manner than Magnie. Slower too, surprisingly. * Jonathon mock-frowns at Mael, though the background of the smile is still more than present. "Milady, you wound me." He digs through the cooler to take out a bottle of champagne. Looks like he even has chilled glasses in the tray up top. * Ren raises an eyebrow. "Would you two like to be alone?" * Mael has a faint trace of a smile/smirk as the champagne emerges * Manic looks bemused but also slightly disturbed * Magnie looks like she wants another sandwich. * Jonathon chuckles slightly at Ren's comment. "Whether you choose to stay or not is up to you. However.." He points up to Magnie a second before tossing another sandwich up to her. "Do recall you were invited." * Mael lets the smirk briefly switch to just a faint smile. "And once again you're as good as your word." * Ren looks up at Magnie at that, finishing the last bite of his sandwich. "So I was." * Magnie catches it, having to float over a little, but still grabbing it easily. "That doesn't count right? I mean, I moved, but I didn't grab it." She then starts eating again, slower pace this time though. * Jonathon shrugs slightly. "What am I if I do not upkeep a certain reputation?" He fingers two glasses inbetween his fingers." Anyone else? *munch* Me! No, and I'm bad enough as is. Awww... * Ren waves with one hand. "No thanks." Come now. There's no harm if the girl wants a little taste. Isn't that right, Magnie? * Manic frowns for a moment, and then relents. "A taste is alright." Yay! * Ren shrugs. "A little bit won't hurt anyone." He laughs softly at Magnie's evident enthusiasm. * Jonathon pours her a little bit and holds the glass up for her. "I figured a little toast might be apropos." * Magnie reaches down for the glass, but doesn't quite touch it. "Uh..." What's wrong? * Magnie frowns "I.. can't fly if I connect to the ground." * Ren looks at Magnie. "Birds use their feet too, you know. It can't hurt you to try, even if just for a little bit." Is that a fact? * Mael watches with an interested if not surprised expression. Manic has a similar one, but a little more worry and compassion showing. I didn't think it was so simple...hmm..a dilemma then. Well, you can come down for a minute, can you not? * Magnie looks down. "Birds have real wings, they can take off. And I left mine at home, Mael said they aren't really picnic appropriate, and they don't let me take off. * Jonathon smiles up at Magnie. "Besides, I would like to see you on my level for a change..if only for a little while." * Magnie looks a little panicked. "I, I don't know, I.." It's alright, I'm here. Uh.. could I just float real low? Would that be okay? * Ren glances at the ground beneath Magnie, then back up at her. * Mael's got a fairly passive expression, aside from the aforementioned curiousity. It's okay. You don't have to, and if you do, you can take back to the air anytime. There's no more chains. * Jonathon tilts his head curiously to regard her, opening his eyes slighter. "Well, I hope it isn't distrust of me...is it really so bad? I experience it all the time and I'm none the wiser." * Ren leans backwards, putting his palms on the ground behind him, and stretches for a moment. * Jonathon smiles a little. "If you're really that worried, then I trust you to catch my glass if I drop it." They're bloody expensive you know. * Magnie looks a little comforted by Ren's speech, and then looks thoughtful at Jonathon's. * Ren raises an eyebrow at the 'expensive' part. Bloody brits. * Magnie hmms. "Well..." She daintly lowers herself and cautiously puts down one foot, keeping the otherone underneath her. She teeters on it briefly and seems to lose her flight, but keeps her balance. She then takes hold of the glass, and almost snatches it away. "Manic!" * Manic smiles and a moment later Magnie is in the air again. Mael smiles too, not a broad smile, but not a faint one either. * Ren quickly gets to his feet. * Jonathon chuckles a little as he lets go of the glass. "I hope you enjoy it." He goes down to pour another one. * Ren relaxes when Magnie's back in the air, and sits back down. * Magnie is now flying slightly higher than she was before. She goes back to eating her sandwich, a bit more hurried than she had been before. She keeps the glass in a free hand. Perhaps I could teach you to jump. Would that not work? Well, if you'll allow me I'll have a taste as well, it'd be rude to pass on a toast. * Jonathon nods but first holds out the glass he just poured to Maelstrom. A little fuller than Magnie's. * Ren leans forward. "If it's a toast, I guess I'll chime in." * Magnie hmms as she chews. "Dunno. *munch* I could get high enough on a tr *munch* line." Don't speak with your mouth full Magnie. They let her had a trampoline, she could normally get high enough on the second or third bounce, but she only actually was grounded a few times to need it. Mmmm... * Ren hmms. I didn't know it was such a problem...well... * Jonathon smiles a little. "Could always jump off a sky scrapper. People do it all the time." * Magnie pales a bit. * Jonathon rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry." * Mael interjects hurriedly. "So, what were you going to toast to?" Ah yes. Well, I'd presume this was to celebrate your freedom, yes? * Jonathon swishes the glass for Maelstrom. * Mael nods and smiles faintly. "We try to celebrate it everyday. * Magnie wolfs down the rest of her second sandwich in a few bites. Well, now I'd say it's official. Are you taking it or not? * Mael also daintly reaches out and takes her glasses from Jonathon, she glances down for a moment as she actually places her hand on it and speaks after she looks up again. "Well, I suppose it'd be rude to pass it up." * Manic also presumably gets a glass with a taste after this, but we'll skip that, as it's not really important. :P * Jonathon passes out glasses to everyone and holds it up to toast. * Tekes each do as well. * Ren holds up his glass. A toast. To a misunderstanding averted, may you find your wings wherever they may be. * Ren raises the glass more at that. * Magnie grins back, Manic nods and fixes his eyes on Jonathon as he smiles back, Mael smiles back. * They all raise glasses and then at the appropriate time drink. * Ren smiles. "It's official now." * Jonathon takes a drink too. "Sorry, I'm not that good at toasts really. You're free to add whatever you wish after the fact." Oh, that's just fine. Well, I may make a small addition. To trust and friends, may they always prove true. * Manic smiles a bit as he says that and glances back at Ren and Jonathon, longer at Jonathon. His look gives an impression about what may happen if they don't. * Mael glances at Manic briefly, but Magnie just cheers it as well. Sounds good. You tekes always give me a beating whenever I face you. *grins* I like you better on my side. * Jonathon gives Manic a cheery smile and raises his glass to that, sipping while still watching it. * Ren takes another sip, then sets the glass down on a flat spot on the sheet. [Manic returns his glass and Mael floats hers down, putting it in easy reach of Jonathon.] * Mael nurses hers and seems to be enjoying it. * Jonathon snags the glass out of the air and sets them aside so he canenjoy his as well. * Magnie, having finished her food and drink, hums a new tune, a typically downbeat, but typically offkey. [And give me rolls both of you, main channel there's just going to be this one. Mind. HS (hearing and HA helps) -4 bonus.] * Ren frowns, and starts humming along with Magnie, but on key. * Mael looks puzzle for a moment. "Is that a recent pop song or something? Took me a few weeks to get it out of my head when I first heard it." * Manic doesn't show any signs of recognition. It's a sad tune... hardly fitting for the occasion. *looks down for a moment.* * Magnie nods, concentrates for a moment, and then switches to a cheery and upbeat Ride of the Valkyries. [She's closer to on-key, but still not there.] * Ren looks up, motioning at Magnie. "I have to ask, though. Where do you know that from?" No you don't. You want to ask. Uh, the grey man, it was on the CD. (Magnie said that) * Jonathon looks over at Ren as he sips, then glances back at the rest of them. * Ren shakes his head. "I have to ask." I don't think it was, you played that blasted thing constantly. Really now? Was I holding my bloody revolver to your skull? Oh... you're right, it doesn't have any god stuff. Did the vampire mind control you so you were compelled for those exact words to come from your lips? No. Then you wanted to ask. There's no shame in admitting it. * Mael watches Jonathon with a bemused expression. * Ren glares at Jonathon, annoyance flickering across his face briefly. "I'm not going to argue wording." Then looks back up at Magnie, standing up himself. * Magnie watches Ren back, she's still doing Ride of the Valkyries. The grey man. I didn't pry before or ask before, since I didn't want to be an interrogater. But he just became personal. I'd appreciate any information you could give about him. [The three exchange glances and then Mael nods.] * Jonathon tsks and shakes his head. "Words are important. We all choose carefully what comes out from our lips in this short life..." He swishes his glass, and then looks at Mael helplessly. "I apologize for my cohorts behavior. I know you didn't wish to have these asked.." Especially not on...such an occassion. * Mael smiles at Jonathon. It's okay. I'm.. just getting carried away. *shakes his head briefly* You're right. This can wait until later. That's what happens when you confusing wanting with needing... But you insisted those were simply words... * Magnie nods. "Well.. I can tell you about the good memories. He gave me one of Peter Gibraltar's CDs, and Peter's kinda cute, so that wasn't him. Dunno if that means anythings." (confuse, not confusing) * Mael smiles as she continues to sip her wine. * Manic looks like he's going to have a few questions after the groups split. * Jonathon keeps looking at his champagne. "You like music?" * Ren eyes Jonathon strangely, and sits back down. (Shoot, one more roll. If you want to recognize that name, give me a cultural arts (music) or a social sciences (theology) roll. -2 bonus for Ren.) * Ren thinks.. he seems distracted. "I'm sorry. This is your occasion... I'm eating my own words, when I said from the beginning I didn't want to talk about business." You should eat more sandwiches, they taste better. * Ren grins. "Sound advice." They do. Good choice then, Magnie? * Jonathon looks up at her, smiling. * Magnie looks back down grinning. "Wouldn't have left the choice to you otherwise." While this has been delightful, we probably should be going. Aww... Well... yes, you're right. Short visit. Though I admit a pleasant one. Thanks for inviting me. It was a pleasure. You're welcome! * The other two nod. * Ren gets to his feet again. * Jonathon starts folding back his sheet, sighing longingly. "Shame about the barbeque...I really wanted to try a hand at that." * Mael takes one last sip, finishing off her drink and hands it back to Jonathon. * Manic stands up and steps off the sheet. I think he's fishing for another invitation Mael, we should probaly indulge him. * Ren glances at Jonathon. "I just don't get you sometimes." *crouches down, and picks up the glass of champagne, and steps off the sheet.* Fishing? What ever gives you that idea? * Jonathon smiles at Ren. "What's there to get? I'm not all that complicated when you get down to it." * Mael steps off as well. "So you don't wish to see me again then?" * Magnie pouts. "He doesn't just want to see you." * Jonathon puts his hands in his pockets. "Now now. All I was saying is that I don't fish. If you wish to indulge me another day, that is your perogative." * Ren chuckles. "Fishing sounds good. Then we can have a barbaque with what we catch." If you do not, then you do not. * Magnie grins at Ren. "Ooh... that sounds fun." * Ren glances at the tekes. "Although I suspect one of you can snatch them right out of the water with no problem." * Mael floats up slightly and folds her arms. "Well, I wouldn't want to trespass on your oh so valuable time with my loathsome presence." * Manic nods over to Ren. "Yeah, but it's too easy really." * Jonathon whistles lightly and blows out a breath, sticking the sheet in the duffle. "What ever happened to skill these days?" * Jonathon smiles slightly. "Now now. If your presence were that loathsome I would have simply kept my phone on as an excuse." * Mael smirks. "So mine is only mildly so. I suppose I'll accept that. Good day to both of you." Hardly. You're a pleasure to be around. * Manic nods and waves. * Magnie waves enthusiastically. salute. He gives Magnie a cheerier wave to match her own enthusiasm. (End?) * Mael does give a friendly nod in acknowledgment of Ren's comment. * Ren waves at them all in turn. "Seeya next time." (End is fine. Though thought Manic had questions ^^) ( Either or. ) (He had questions for Magnie and Mael.) (:P) [End]