maskormenacelogs | bright lights, big city

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bright lights, big city

WHO: Kanaya Maryam and you!
WHERE: Maurtia Falls, PA
WHEN: March 11-16
WHAT: Kanaya sees some sights, looks for work opportunities, gets into trouble.
WARNINGS: rudeness

a.

[ there's a lot of busyness that goes into establishing a business, and kanaya's never one to be idle. maurtia falls has a much more bustling downtown than heropa, one thing she missed about the city, but it's the shops and boutiques that get all of her attention. she spends a lot of time in each, looking at the clothes, talking with the employees. her ultimate goal is to either find a job or talk them into letting her advertise, and while she gets few bites, there are at least options.

it would help if she had more to show than just her sketchbook, but a repertoire takes time to rebuild. after a busy day of looking, having picked out a few new fabrics, she stops by an outdoor cafe for tea and to sketch out a few new ideas. she feels like her spark's ignited in a way it hasn't in months, and there's no better time to take full advantage of it, now that building up funds will be important.

every now and then she'll glance over her ridiculous reading glasses engage passersby to see what they think about the design she's working on, or the people at the tables adjacent to her, then chew the end of her pencil as she rethinks it herself. ]

b.

[ wanting to cover her bases, if you can't do what you want, you shouldn't rule out what you know, so kanaya finds herself in a modest casino, asking after a position as a cocktail waitress. the owner could have easily gotten out of this by just saying no openings were available, but instead decided to draw attention to the obvious issue of having a minor serve cocktails. a reasonable person would have accepted this answer, but this is kanaya maryam.

the resulting argument is long, pedantic, and very drawn out, drawing the embarrassed attentions of the patrons. by the time security is called, her glow starts showing as she argues with them instead, but they can't seem to extricate her from the premises as she tries to get the owner's attention again with some question involving "alien discrimination". he's long since started ignoring her, but it's impossible to miss. ]

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[Violet isn't one to accompany someone the whole time while they go about their business so she doesn't stick with Kanaya the whole trip. She does happen to be nearby when she walks by the casino and hears the commotion. Not one to ignore an opportunity to stare and watch the show, she goes in. She's both impressed and surprised to see it's someone she knows]

Kanaya?

[It's apparent that the woman she calls up next for an opinion is either her as a tourist or some up and coming socialite, seeing as she's got her sunglasses on and a hefty amount of shopping bags dangling from her arm. She's just here to ask for a light beverage before she proceeds with her day, glancing at Kanaya once, then twice, before her attention is finally given.]

... That's lovely, actually.

[ she quiets down when she sees violet, a little embarrassed as it sinks in just what a stir she's caused. folding her arms, she silently fumes a few moments, but wastes no time in slapping away a security officer's hand for the umpteenth time. ]

Well, let that be a lesson to you.

[ and with that, she marches off toward the door, with the security following after to make sure she leaves. one of them groans under her breath when she stops in front of violet. ]

We should...probably be somewhere that isn't here.

Edited (pronouns are a problem) 2014-03-27 17:19 (UTC)

[ there's something familiar about the woman, but kanaya can't quite place it, so she doesn't press it. instead, she swivels her pad back around to take another glance at it, then back to christine. ]

I'd like to think so. Not because I've put some massive effort into it just yet, but, well, it's what I do. Seems to be missing something still, all the same.

[ she nods at the bags, assuming their clothes but not knowing the stores around here quite well enough to be sure. some of them may be on her list of places to visit. ] You spend a lot on those?

[This is actually what Christine did back home - part of it, at least - look at people's designs and proposals, point out what should be changed, editing details in and out to perfection. Isabelle was quite good at presenting her own ideas, and if there was anything Christine was often complimented on, it was knowing where to find talent and how to use it to the fullest.

It was nicely nostalgic, to be asked an opinion out of the blue, especially on fashion. Something she was certainly an adept of.]

Oh, these? [She looked up from the drawing, arching her brows with a bright smile and a softly dismissive gesture.] I haven't, really, but - I just moved here, so I thought I'd treat myself. There are some amazing stores downtown.

[If she recognizes Kanaya from somewhere, it doesn't quite show. Still, Christine has a way of treating strangers with an ease that almost suggests they've been good friends for a while. Call it confidence.]

Do you design for any of them?

[Violet just gives the security guys a flat look before she turns to head back towards the street]

Sure.

What were you trying to do in there?

[The chips slip from his fingers. One by one, falling on a stack piled high. He's been here for a while - maybe a few hours or so. He really hasn't been keeping track of the time. Not when there's more interesting things to look at, to listen to. He's already traded a few words with the dealer between the shuffles. Nudging him in the right direction with every small victory. Greed has plenty in promised-cash and better intel by the time he hears a bit of a spat around the corner.]

[One chip falls and he stills his open fingers around the winnings.] Sorry. Looks like we're going to have to cut this one short, Chief.

[Greed's got eyes on the argument unfolding instead of the man behind the table. On the peculiar-looking gal who looks a lot like someone else he's met. And the would-be owner putting up his own stink about the issue. Whatever that issue is. The Sin nudges his cache with a knuckle before snatching up the entire lot of it in his hand.]

[He's got enough that it wasn't entirely a waste of time, so it's pocketed. As thighs spread to slip him off the perch of a stool.]

Sorry. Couldn't help but overhear. [It takes him just a few clicks. To slip up next to her and Greed takes the stance of a casual slouch.] Y'know there are other places looking for someone with your talents.

[And while he doesn't have it yet, it's hard to pass an opportunity-knocking. Greed lets a slow smile creep up his face as his shoulders arch.] That is, if you're still interested in that line of work.

[He's on his way out of the cafe, with a coffee, when his opinion on the design is consulted. Weirdly consulted, because he was only passing by, right, and it's better if people just sort of leave him alone--]

It's-- good.

[That's about all the review Mitchell feels qualified to give. He's certainly no student of fashion, not even interested in it--clearly, as he's in one of his usual track jacket and plaid shirt and jeans and gloves and sunglasses. Too many layers for the relative sunny warmth of Florida, but in Maurtia Falls, he looks a little more likely, at least.

Traveling via porter to this second destination had proved weird, but he hasn't got anything else to do with his day off. Staying inside is probably for the best, but it does get boring--there's only so much crap daytime TV that even Mitchell can stand. A change of scenery is welcome.]

It's good, the bit in the middle is, uh--

[And then he actually glances, at the girl that's asked his opinion, and shit. One conversation, where she'd switched over to video, even for only a little bit, and he recognises her. The other vampire. Or, well, maybe there's more than one, but she's the one he's talked to. Of all the cafes in all the world, why'd he have to walk into this one.]

--The bit in the middle is good.

[Good. Way to finish the thought.]

Oh, not at all. I'm an independent, just visiting the city. Though I am looking into opportunities here.

[ and what better a place for an alien fashion prodigy than the big city, she figures. they hire young models, why not young designers? of course, her experience with the industry in the city was more journalistic, looking in from the outside, but she wouldn't mind the chance for another angle.

she adjusts her glasses, pushing them back up on her nose as she rests a hand under her chin. ]

Where is it you lived before? Sorry, I'm...not from around here, so I don't have too great a familiarity with the area. [ or world, for that matter. ]

Originally? Getting a job. After that, I suppose it became a form of very open protest.

[ she takes a deep breath, trying to pull in her glow with it, but it doesn't entirely work. it still shows a bit, though not quite as brightly, and less noticeable in the daylight. ]

All in all, not one of my most shining moments.

It wasn't that bad. Sounds like they were bullying you.

[Violet's rarely one to stand on the side of authority. Well, sometimes she does]

[ kanaya regards him warily, inching away. he could be with security for all she knows. ]

And just which talents am I presenting exactly, to qualify for "that line of work"?

[ one of the things that isn't quite conveyed over video is just how tall she is, which is pretty formidable, especially for a girl her age. sitting might hide it, but if she were standing, she may even be taller than mitchell.

she doesn't recognize him as quickly, of course, having never seen him, and the voice not immediately clicking. she doesn't expect imports to be as easy to stumble across here as in heropa, but maybe that's just naivete. still, she does notice something's off in his manner, but assumes it's just lack of expertise on the topic.

excellent opportunity to showcase her own, right? ]

Well, there's quite a bit going on in the middle. Do you mean the belt?

[if it's one thing that he's good at, it's gambling. it's possible because he's found ways to cheat and still slip by undetected. he's spent a lot of his time between both Heropa and Maurtia Falls. being able to teleport on whim made the whole aspect (despite Kate's occasional protests) of transportation a lot less bumpy (literally and figuratively) than it was for most other people. then again, he was never one to really settle anywhere. when he did, he knew it was time to get up and move.

the exchange itself is easy to overhear, everyone's making quite the spectacle of themselves. (he may even be eavesdropping on other conversations, too.)]

Perhaps a petition? Petitions are powerful.

[he says with mild interest.]

A bright young and hopeful entrepreneur, [she murmurs, smile conspiratorial. She inches up her shoulders when her eyes set back on Kanaya, as though fully encouraging her to go on. Christine was also alone and hopeful, ambitious and ready to work, freshly graduated and ready to set out on her own in a brand new city. That was about a decade ago. It seems both so close and far away from this moment.]

I came from Heropa. Do you know where that is?

[So far she'd gotten the same reaction from the people who asked her - all of them natives so far - and they were all rather impressed to learn that imports were moving around.]

[Assignments prompted him to explore other cities for possible ventures, which is really the only reason Isaac is even in the place. Curiosity regularly prompts the fifty-year-old to explore places better left un-ventured, especially when one's been gifted with the power of bad luck (who knew that could even be a power)? He's mostly just been wandering around the establishment, marveling at all the 21st century around him, when he hears the argument and goes to investigate.

He's spoken with the girl before, but he wasn't prepared for her glowing and the look of surprise on his face makes that pretty obvious. Even still, his chivalrous streak won't let him stay his hand as he approaches.]

Hey, is there a problem here?

[At her recoil, Greed takes a step forward. His hands are deep in his pockets, feeling out the cache-out for later. But he sags into his shoulders when she spits acid and both hands spiral right out. Thrown to either side of him with the mock-up of a surrender.]

Don't get the wrong idea. [The tone is a bit exasperated; low in his throat as he side-steps to semi-circle her for a brief beat.] I just happened to overhear what you were looking for.

[At any rate, she certainly is something worth looking at. But she, like many others, already has defenses up and at the ready before he even has a chance to properly introduce himself. The Sin's lips pull to the side; a gesture that's both a comical frown and a bit wary. As if he's just a bit tired of the judge-first-get-to-know-ya-later routine that's been in fashion lately.]

You were looking for bar-work, right? Or did I hear that wrong? [His index sways when he talks; as he turns away from her to show off his back, his shoulder.] I wasn't implying something else - don't take me for the rest of them. That wouldn't exactly be very nice.

[But whatever. His eyebrows perk, swaying into small dips to crash into one another.] Thought you might be interested in another opportunity - one that won't judge you based on whatever-the-hell they're complaining about.

[It's a baited hook; one that he's not entirely sure she'll bite. So his shoulders slouch and he pivots away. There's other things to do, after all. And it's not as if he isn't used to being denied the first time.]

But I guess not.

[ kanaya's thoughts on authority tend to be more complicated, largely from coming from a very different kind of world. she'll respect it, but not often trust it, and often ends up bridling against it when it limits her. especially when it questions her capability due to her age. ]

I think bullying might be a bit of an exaggeration, they simply had no idea what they were talking about. It was a waste of my time, overall.

[ getting around has rarely been a problem for kanaya, but the porters between the different cities certainly make it easier, covering that much distance would take her too long to prepare, even with her own unconventional methods of transportation. a commute to here, if she did get a job, would be a lot more reasonable.

of course, at this rate, she's hardly about to get this job.

she regards him warily, eyes narrowing as she tries to determine what that thing on his head is. ]

I thought a protest might be more fitting the situation. Petitions work only against those with already open ears.

[ skip the school and start out about five years earlier, you'd have kanaya's position, but less alone. she's always had an impressive work ethic, but having to put her girlfriend through school and a new situation that makes having a fallback important are definite motivators to push it harder. if she can live a dream while doing all that, well, that would be more than she's ever hoped for in a long time.

it's when christine mentions heropa that kanaya's brows furrow as she tilts her had. she knew there was something familiar about this woman, it just took a moment to click. ]

You're Renee's friend, aren't you? [ the one she had a crush on, not that she would ever admit it. ]

Yeah, the-- belt.

[Not being able to show up in photographs or on video has caused occasional problems, over the years--but generally it's proved to be sort of useful. This is one of those times, because with any luck, he'll just be able to slip away. (Though he's got shit luck these days, and even he knows it.)

She is taller than he'd expected, there's that. Wouldn't know her for what she is if you didn't already know--but when you can just know it because she's told you, outright, that hardly counts. It's been some time since their first conversation, and Mitchell still doesn't know what to think of that openness--aside from unnerved, that is.]

It's good. Not really into bows, but-- the colour is good. Contrast.

[He shrugs, quickly, already turning to go. It would be better to make a decent impression, as always, just so there's no memorable or lingering weirdness, but Jesus, that's getting hard to keep up. Harder still in this situation.]

Good luck with it.

The problem is that this establishment is entirely unapologetic with its discriminatory hiring policies!

[ which is, you know, mainly hot air, but she considers it worse to be turned away for her age than simply being an alien, though people will e more likely to listen if she makes it about the latter.

suddenly, a man heading toward the door seems to decide to go right through the collection of guards, bumping right into kanaya. he gives her a meaningful look as he straightens himself out, pushing back against her purse as he apologizes. she just knits her brows and leans away, lip curling in a sneer. two of the guards share a look between them as the man leaves. ]

Hey! Be careful.

What did they say anyway?

[Violet can understand wanting to fight back against authority who question her because of her age. She's got enough of that from people in Heropa]

[ his timing may have been wanting, coming at her when her defenses were up long before he looked her way, but his message is clear enough. passive-aggression is a language she's fluent in. her defenses ease a bit, but she's still clearly wary. ]

Just a moment. [ she takes a step forward, not quite following after him, but at least closing the distance before he gets too far. ]

What I'm after is just work, period. But waiting tables is something I have experience in, and I've...been around alcohol enough to know how to handle it. [ though her knowledge of mixology mostly extends to just the right ratio of blood and wine works best. ] I could do bar-work, and I'd do it well.

[ her lips pinch together as she stares off to the side, trying to manage something humble, though swallowing her pride is never easy. ] If you have an offer, I would like to hear it.

[ it's when she's heard more of his voice that she recognizes the accent. she hasn't met many who talk quite like that, but not having a face to put to it before, she can't be entirely sure. she half-rises out of her seat when he turns to go, but doesn't quite, still hunched over the table as she calls after him instead. ]

Sorry, um. I know this will sound weird, having just stopped you as you go about your day and all, but...

[ her face pinches together, trying to work out a way to ask that isn't awkward, but there's nothing bout the situation that isn't awkward already. ] Have we met?

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bright lights, big city

somewhat combo of a and b?

a

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➥ rollin' with option b if that's cool

a!

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bee

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b. (I'm so sorry this is so late ;;)

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