(Shard)Art, Food and Music

[Thirteen]

"Summer's the best time of year for it, aye." Considering her Scrambler was her only vehicle, yeah, consider Violet a diehard. She'd only get an Uber if she needed to transport something she couldn't fit in the saddlebags or her backpack.

"Glad to hear it, though. Cars like that need to be on the road, to fulfill their destinies. Their spirits surely demand it." Not that she was any sort of expert on actual spirits, but lately they'd been on her mind more often. The reason why was lurking around here somewhere. Still, she meant her comment in a metaphorical sense, not a supernatural one.

A smirk played on her lips, "Be lyin' if I claimed never to have had a wipe out. This jacket's saved me from road rash a couple times."

The redhead nodded, understanding the desire for authentic foods. How many boxes of shortbread Scottie Dogs did she buy a month? How many cans of Irn-Bru? A taste of home was important. One had to find ways to fight off homesickness.

"What do I consider art?" Violet had to think about that a moment, "I'd say whatever makes the viewer think. About life, politics, the human condition. It should evoke emotions. Even if you hate it, then it's doin' it's job."

[Jasper]

Jasper chuckles softly to his fellow giant Lost and nods. "It would seem so, yeah.." he says, looking down at the small phone in Kray's hands. He takes the paper offered to him and nods, slipping it and his phone back into his coat pocket. "Either way, I'll let you know... Maybe we can finally get those ribs from that place.. I hope they're still around... All you can eat ribs.." he lets out a soft groan in remembrance. and grins.

He grins at the mention of jazz and nods. "Yeah? I like a bit of everything m'self, but especially rock," he says, starting to lead the Ogre off down the pathway. "Can never turn down a good beer.. 'Course most of what's on this side of the pond isn't good.." he says, barking out a laugh and grinning even wider as he accepts the other two burgers. He might be having rough times lately but not a lot can keep this dog down and sad for too long. He starts in on one of the burgers, going slower with this one than the last. He's walking and eating.... takes a bit of concentration to do them at the same time and not bowl over people with his long gait.

[Kray]

The world really wasn't built for those of their size regardless of difference in bulk from chairs, to doorways to beds and bathtubs, controllers, devices and buttons. Everyday brought a myriad of minor annoyances. "Bah. Nevermind touch screens I don't dare because the amount I'd break would bankrupt me real fast." That might be more due to poorly restraint application of force then size but the principle stands those thigs were expensive.

The offer remembers the suggestion of ribs, back on the night he first gained his crown the beast had made the offer. "Hm. Not sure if ribs are a good food for sorting out business over." Hinting that a less public place might work better for what they would need. "Ah. But when that's all said and done we can see about it." Given Jaspers clearly apparent poverty the ogre does wonder who exactly would be paying for all you can eat ribs for two of their size, the bill would not be cheap.

As Jasper begins to lead, John follows. Matching the beats pace with own long strides. "Hm. Rock is it. What draws you to that?" Since music was the goal it seemed appropriate small talk. "Oh. Some of them are rather watered down that's for sure." But that was true of anywhere and every if his memory could be trusted ... which was not always the case ... besides rose tinted spectacles might be at play to boot. "Hm. More of a cider man myself if that's the range were talking about, but when beer is on the menu, beer is what you get." A true glutton he has his favourites but will more or less make do with whatever is going.

[Alessandra]

“Do any exiting road trips for summer? I know I love late night drives on the coast in the Torino, windows down, just enjoying the warm air.”

A sage nod, “Exactly. It’s a damn shame to see people just letting them sit a rot.” Shaking her head, “I’d rather hear it out on the road. Though finding mechanics I trust can be a bit of challenge at times. You want someone who appreciates the car and what it is.” Plus the Torino is an older car, a bit more finicky.

“Ouch, I’m sure that wouldn’t feel good. Heard a few bikers talking about that at a few dive bars, claimed getting it cleaned out hurt worse than the slide. I often see younger ones on bikes wearing shorts and I have to laughing, remembering the stories I’ve been told, and thinking of the pain they’re in for.” Why is it always the young ones?

Pondering the words for a bit, “Great way to view it, not many are able to pull that from it.” An appreciation in her tone. “I’ve always enjoyed the discussions one can have with art. Rarely do two people share the same view on a piece, and usually, the topic can be quite enlightening. Well, depending on how open minded the parties are of course.” Laughing, sometimes they’re weren’t.

[Thirteen]

"I was a wee bit busy last summer. Not sure how things will shape up this year, but ideally I can make some time to cruise down the coast at least once." Maybe she should get a car carrier for Jinx. He'd never keep up on his own on the open road.

"I know what you mean," she nodded at Sofia, while looking at a brown jacket made with a supple leather. "Nothing quite like hearin' the engine purr. And findin' a mechanic good enough can be a bother, aye. That's why I do my own maintenance and repairs. I have a hard time trustin' anyone else with her." The redhead chuckled, "Especially with a 60-year old bike. The parts can be a bitch to come by these days." Good thing the internet exists.

"Shorts are just askin' for the engine block to burn your damn legs," Violet snorted derisively. Why would anyone do that?

"Oh, yeah, that's another great thing art can do. Spark conversations. Debates. Get people to consider viewpoints that may never have had themselves. Expand their horizons." Whatever pushes humanity closer to Awakening, right?

[Jasper]

The spindly giant gives nod of agreement. "Never tried one of them really, but don't think it'd be much easier.." he says with a laugh. He looks down at his hands, all ill-portioned and gives them a bit of a shake before slipping one into his pocket. The One that took him wanted him bigger than he was, they didn't care how well-made those changes were.

He nods to the Autumn King. "I don't think so either.. Was thinking more after.. or some other time too," he says, frowning slightly. "Have to scrape up a bit more cheddar before than anyway. The original offer was back when I had secured somewhat of a job..." he says. "Was working construction over in Riverfront for this guy. He was paying me under the table.." he says, dropping his voice a bit at the last part.

The two giants have little trouble making their way through the crowds, when there is one. Most folks don't want to get underfoot of people twice their size and well, John's an imposing presence. "My Pa had a record player when I was growing up.. Had a varied taste of music, some of the classics like The Beatles and Queen and then stuff like Mozart, Bach, Vivaldi. Some Jazz in there too," he says with a laugh. "Me and my brothers would get to listen to it at night usually, or on Sunday after mass. Even took a few piano lessons at the church with a couple of my brothers. When we got older, we started listening more to the rock than the classical stuff... Last band I remember really getting into was The Cranberries." He manages to finish the burgers somewhere along the way as they walked. "I prefer a good Guinness, or at least a good stout, but cider's also good... Rarely will turn down anything with alcohol in it.." he says with a laugh, "but a man's gotta have preferences, right?"

[Kray]

John snorts a little at that. "Ha. I can't say I recommended them, frustrating little things. My fingers are to big for the keypad and somehow its worse without buttons." It did not help his hands were to big for a stylus to boot. If Jaspers discomfort is picked up on the ogre says nothing, unlikely that it was. "Huh. What's the most frustrating thing size causes for you day to day?" As they were on the topic and it was a rare point of comparison.

A slow single nod as the stroll along. "Ah. Yep lets see how business goes between us first hey. If well then we might well have cause to celebrate." As for wages well that might be a bit beyond the ogres financial reach but room and food at no cash cost would only do the beast well in terms of stabilising himself again. "Oh. There are plenty of people around willing to pay for services and labour. I know most of them." Keeping the precise details vague, the ogres deep baritone carried even when whispered. "Ha. I can be a pretty useful guy to know. Again you make a good impression I could see if any are hiring." It was safe to say the Ashen king had the city well tapped for connections. It meant he could broker deals, make introductions and cater to all kinds of requests, providing it served his purposes of course.

Indeed rare is the day anyone dares stand in the path of John Donoghue regardless of if they know his name or not, one mean hungry stare usually did the trick. "Huh. We didn't have that." Such luxury had been rather beyond his family way back when. "Ah. No it was a jazz bar that did it for me. Didn't have a lot of music in my life till that." The firm still owned or protected a few even in the twilight past it's greatness when a young man wet worker had been trying to make his way in the world. And the less said about church the better.

At the stall he will start browsing with some interest, it wasn't books but it had been a while. "Uh. If we are going broader. Brandy is my drink of choice. But yes I'll drink about anything if I don't mind the price." Everything had a price after all.

[Alessandra]

“Have to do it at least once. Time permitting and all that.” Nodding. “I always hate when life gets in the way of us enjoying the small things.” It really didn’t for her, but have to sound like it does. Keep up the façade and all that.

An appreciative look and nod, “Now that’s the way to do it, just do it yourself. Unfortunately, that’s a skill I never learned. Just never seemed to have the time, or the motivation if I’m being honest.” Chuckling, as a pair of pants were picked up and held against herself. “And yeah, I want authentic parts if something needs to be replaced.” Price was not an option for her of course. “Thankfully, the car hasn’t had any major issues, and is cared for quite well. But I keep looking around, asking at car shows, and have talked to a few people. But good on you for doing the repairs yourself, great skills to have.” Maybe she should just learn to fix cars. Not like she didn’t have the time. All she had was time.

Laughing, “True, but some people just like to be stupid you know. Telling you, you hear some of the best stories in the dive bars downtown. The older bikers look gruff, but they’re nice once you get to talking to them. I can talk to them for hours.” And sometimes she did, just for the stories and the fact that they didn’t bullshit her.

A sage nod, “And yet, so few do. I’m not sure if it’s a fear of looking unintelligent, or a fear or sharing their opinions. But not many are willing to step into those conversations, it’s really a shame. I quite enjoy hearing how someone views a particular piece of art, often you can learn a lot about a person, or even begin to see the piece differently. I think you’d be fun to view art with.”

[Thirteen]

"I'll try. It should be worth it." Yeah, a cat carrier would be needed.

The redhead smiled, "I grew up learnin' to fix stuff. My dad taught me. Mechanic, electrician, he could fix anythin'. He wanted me to be self-sufficient. He hated that girls rarely seemed to know this stuff. Not my daughter, he'd say, she's gonnae know how to change a bloody tyre!" A good dude, her father. She looked at Sofia and nodded approvingly, "Sounds like those fine cars are in good hands."

"Oh, for sure. Scotland has a lovely biker culture, and my dad rode a lot. I've known some good eggs, growin' up."

"My taste in art is mostly limited to metal album covers," she chuckled, jokingly. "Always willin' to sample more, though. Speakin' of art..." she pulled out a mid-length brown leather jacket, this one lined with white fleece. Definitely for style, not riding. "Ach, this is what I'm talkin' aboot!" Her accent got a little stronger in her excitement over this jacket she clearly liked.

[Jasper]

Jasper gives a small laugh and nods. "I'll stick to what I got then.." he says. The next question takes him a bit by surprise but he thinks about it for a moment. "Finding a good position to rest in? I'm all limbs and can't fit into many beds, not fully... Too big for a couch most of the time too. It's why I usually just sleep on the ground," he admits, glancing over at Kray. "What 'bout you?"

He nods in agreement and understanding. "Would be nice to have some income coming in again.. Panhandling ain't what it used to be and Flick was always the better pickpocket of us.." he says, his voice lower. He tenses slightly at the name but it fades quickly. "Don't got any papers so it makes job hunting a bit harder." He's not saying that fishing for sympathy. It's just the truth. He doesn't exist in this world anymore, certainly not on this continent. When he had slipped from the Hedge years ago he was in a whole new country. Probably better that way. Don't have to deal with what was left behind either... or who was left behind.

He glances towards the big man, while thumbing through the record collection. He wasn't planning on buying anything. He didn't have a player anyway, but it's just a way to pass time. Weird that he was passing time with the Ogre. The man still scared him sometimes, but then what did you expect from the King of Autumn, but he didn't scare him in the same way he had the first time he saw the Troll. That had stirred memories, bad memories, fresh memories that he had been trying to ignore, but it's been a while now and while the memories were still there, they weren't as sharp for him. Still just as bitter though. "Ah. It was one of the few luxuries my family could afford. Nine kids kinda stretches the money thin."

He nods in agreement. "Brandy is dandy."