RP:Shady People
Summary: Irenic is getting closer to the truth about his friend.
Observatory
The new telescope that takes up most of this upper room is of the latest design by the great inventors of Cenril, commissioned by the mayor himself to begin to study the heavens above. A squirrelly old man is here, white hair down to his shoulders, eyeglasses thick enough to start a fire if held under the right light firmly affixed to his face. He pays no attention to you, scribbling down notes instead as he moves his gaze back and forth from the aperture to notebook. The wall is lined with charts, models, and books, one of which is sprawled out upon the floor, its pages blowing to and fro from the gentle breeze let in from the hole in the roof.
Irenic awaits Meri while flipping idly through a book alone, seeing as he bribed the old man who is usually here with some coin to spend down at The Office on the lovely ladies there. Maybe Irenic still has the familiar smell of The Office on him as well and a bit of that body glitter on his trousers, don't judge. Since he is alone, he feels comfortable enough to take his cloak off leaving his true Avian form be shown and he seems to have found a good shirt to keep throughout the changes. He makes an effort to fold his massive wings tightly against his athletic form while a shadow of a limp still staggers his strides, but the wound to his calf muscle has healed decently thanks to a certain healer elf lady. In finding a seat he slips the boots off which hid the talons for feet since it was actually sort of painful to squeeze those into human boots. He waits patiently after a relieved sigh and his concentration back on the book he had.
Meri does not always answer to mysterious and unsigned letters requesting she meet in places that she herself has not selected -- paranoid mind. Something about -this- note did stick out to her, the initials were not entirely unfamiliar though she cannot fully place what Irenic told her his last name was. Sorry, Irenic, it's one of those things. She does remember the first name though! It would be to the observatory that Meri goes, entering the room with little fanfare, nor does she feel the need to exhibit much caution. Again, something was familiar about the note. When Irenic comes into view, confirming what she basically suspected from the the start...! He is greeted with a nod and a grin, "You know, I forgot what you said your last name was so I was about this close to not coming...." She holds up two fingers close together to show how close she means. "What's up with the secrecy though? Those oafs in Gamorg cannot be that hot on your tail...." These inquiries are made as Meri finds an available seat across from Irenic, and blue eyes fixing upon the avian as she falls silent to better listen.
Irenic slides the book away when she appears and sets those large mismatched bird eyes on her. “Corier,” he said quite flatly and bored. She moved on to his possible ‘wanted’ status, “I don't know that. I was going to ask if you heard anything or if you happen to be checking on the status of their pursuit. Figured I would lay low.” He got quiet for a moment and it might be hard to read if he's pleased with their little spontaneous adventure or not. Was he angry she was putting herself in danger? “I'm sure you know very well how to handle yourself, but trying to pull off a heist even as small as yours without a second pair of eyes was a bit sloppy.” His tone wasn't concerned nor overly critical, “furthermore, couldn't you have used whatever power it is you have to lure the guards away first off?” Another pause in the conversation, “have you even gotten a good use out of your new digs?” There was a sort of a lightness in his tone even if his expression was hard to read with the birdface going on.
Meri had only made herself comfortable when Irenic starts in. Perhaps he had tried to keep his tone even keeled, make it so it was not overly critical. However Meri scoots towards the edge of her chair right about the point that he starts questioning her methods and judgement. "I am sorry but if you cannot define 'whatever power' I have a little better than that, then please do not tell me how to use it." The brunt of what he says is not even dignified with a response, as the bulk of what he has to say is left off with a, "...because I well enough know how to handle myself." A brow is lifted and red lips are pursed together faintly. "But no, I have not put them to good use yet. You yourself are fine, so long as you're not in Rynvale as a birdman for awhile. The items themselves are hot and if I am seen with them, questions. I've got them around." For later use, down the line, a bit further than intended but better late than never. "How's the leg?"
Irenic gives off a subtle shrug, “hey now, I have no idea what it is you're able to do. That was a genuine question. Don't get all bent out of shape because you didn't think of it,” his tone on the last part might sound a little more joking. A short frustrate sigh escapes him, “yeah, I figured. So I'm just going to have to stay off the island for a while. Maybe if I ever figure out this curse thing.” He wasn't making eye contact as common and it might be obvious now that he's not as confident in this form. “Well, unexpected as it was, but that was a bit fun.” He recalls for a moment, “oh… yeah, that. Thanks to some short lady, I think her name started with an S, it's healing better now.” He'd rather not recall that awkward moment and he continues, “so, what is that power you've got anyway?” He asked with genuine curiosity.
Meri | "Sabrina?" Meri questions, or at least that is the first short healer-type whose name starts with an S that pops into mind. Irenic not being comfortable keeping eye contact is noticed, Meri was not sure if this meant she should behave normally? Maintain the gaze that she normally did? Or also attempt to avert her gaze? There is not too much time to really dwell on this, and how much could she really overthink it? Her gaze is maintained the way it always is. There is contemplative moment, half-considering how much she really wants to reveal about her 'powers'. "I feel weird calling them that," even if it was an accurate term. Many people in these lands had powers -- it was a fair term. "It's more like a card I keep up my sleeve in case I really need it." Meaning she does not depend on it as much as she could, or as much as other might. "I am what they call a psion." Which in itself is a vague answer, for that is just the umbrella category. "It's never been a major secret, but I don't really spend much time talking about it, or flaunting it."
Irenic gave another subtle shrug at the name, “I think so.” She may notice his tone his less flirtatious, his attitude less cocky, and his large wings appear to be shifting very slightly as if preening under Meri’s gaze. “Hm, a psion?” He repeats the word he's never even heard before, “it’s different, unique and it suits you. Maybe one day you'll trust me enough to show me what you can really do without using them on me.” A glance at her with a subtle chuckle from his beak, “anyway, I just want you to know. Even though I believe you when you tell me that you are fully capable of handling yourself in sketchy situations, I hope you don't hesitate to ask me if you want a little help.” A pause in conversation, “I-... Um, you don't recall me telling you this, or you just didn't understand, but I've told you I'm not really a moral guy and that I spent my childhood in an orphanage. My point being, I had to actually steal… A lot, if I wanted to eat. So I know a thing or two if you ever desire that type of assistance again.” His story was sad, but his tone seemed more bored of the subject for it wasn't supposed to be a story of pity, but proof of what he says.
Meri also shrugs, but not because she was bored or dismissing a notion. It was more of a 'we'll see'. When we start delving into the realm of actual emotions, like trust in this case, Meri starts to have a communication break down. She is obviously not an unfeeling woman, she just does not express these thoughts well. Maybe she is concerned about image? Reputation? Sounding like a sap? Who knows. This is not the first time Irenic has witnessed this. "I didn't understand," she admits freely. It could have been a number of things, there are words she is able to pull out, plenty she is not able to. Even with all of his gesturing, there are some concepts that just cannot be conveyed with ease. "Fully." She may have also been high on the dust that Hudson wants to see peddled around Rynvale. "I will keep that in mind." And it's not that the topic is abandoned, in a way it is very much continued. "Have you met a woman by the name of Lita before? I highly encourage you to do so. I have known her....oh well, since I came to these lands. She hired me at that parlor, she owns it. Long time friend. Real love. I think you should, if you can remember her name long enough. Around Rynvale a lot, down at the Villa a lot."
Irenic paused as he isn't quick to trust either, “I'm only telling you this because we a both guilty in this little crime of ours and now we have something on the other if we slip up.” His tone still cool,calm and collected while he hasn't fidgeted or move much at all in this time until now. The jawline into his beak seems to tense while he stands to his near seven foot height so he may cross the small room to the telescope, “I've done many questionable things before arriving on this side of the world.” A glance back at her while his black clawed and ivory feathered hand tinkers a bit with the telescope, “so… to say I didn't deserve such a horrendous curse would be a lie.” She's witnessed how painful the shift is and the fact he had to go through this twice in a full day’s was unbelievable enough as is, but add on the language block and the fact he was slowly losing his mind… He must be an awful person through and through. Another woman’s name he's supposed to remember and he mentally notes that he needs to find some guy friends and soon…. “Lita?” Another pause, “don't think that I have.” He faces her now with an interest, “what does she have to do with this?” He was genuinely curious.
Meri opts to remain seated as Irenic stands, giving her a little refresher in things they have already discussed. Thankfully this time she is sober and it is in a language that she understands, but there is little reaction. Everyone has their past and their histories, Meri has long since associated with shady characters, which most find to be a surprise, like she was some dainty flower whose stem would break in the gentlest of breezes. There is a cluck of her tongue as she considers what she is told. "Alright," and that is that. "There are things that are my business to tell and things that are not. You are asking to be included in future endeavors and dealings I may have...In response, I am giving you a name and citing that she is someone I am close with." Meri is not here to tell Lita's story. "Cal. Another name you may want to consider associating yourself with." Tattooed shoulders are rolled in a shrug, it does not seem like Meri is going to expand on the why, but she is at least made clear why she will not. "In all seriousness, I want you to meet one of them. Of your own accord. I could introduce you easily, sure. But we have also established that there are issues of memory. So prove to me you can remember their names and can at least meet with one of them." It seems that now Meri would find her way to her feet, but not to approach Irenic. Her tone was not harsh or critical, the curse was what it was and she was not trying to rub salt in the wound, but it was also a valid concern. "Because if you can't remember to meet with one of them then how am I going to be able to trust you with a plan? Or the name of a contact? You can barely even remember the name of the woman who healed you...and that was not that long ago?" Unless Irenic had some sage suggestions for how to deal with these concerns of memory. Maybe explain why he could remember some things but not others. Meri did not understand but felt like it did not bode well for a potential heist.
Irenic slips a sort of ledger book out from a tucked away place between his wings and pulls out a lead sketching pencil in order to jot these names down along with the areas they are to be found in. Replacing the book after he catches sight of the skies and the fact that they are starting to lighten just slightly as sunrise will be upon them in a few hours.”Seems your are neglecting to clue me in on some secret,” this statement doesn’t really warrant a reply as he takes up his cloak. Slipping it on he excuses himself, “I need to get out of here.” She knows why, she’s seen it as his subtle limp takes him to the stairs to allow him downward, “be seeing you.” He calls over his shoulder just before flicking the hood back up over his birdface.
Meri's red lips weigh into a frown as Irenic points out that she is neglecting to clue him in on things. It was a tough situation to be in, because she still maintains her point that not everything was her business to tell. How could she clue him in on -everything-? "It is not neglect..." She is picking and choosing what she is trying to explain to him much like she would any other person while still also trying to guide him down the proper path for what he is wanting. "It is not mistrust either...I don't know what you want me to tell you? If you are hoping I am going to unfold all of the cards right before you...I just can't. I would take aim for Lita. She is the one that actually owns SoulsKin. Send word for her much like you did me." Utilmately even Callum is meeting Lita. Outside of those words, Irenic is not detained in his departure, just that quick rebuttal. "I will be seeing you."