I wasn't completely sure that she would show until I saw her actually enter the small coffee shop, an occasion that brings a slight smile to my face as I close my laptop, acknowledge her with an eyebrow and nod towards the counter. Standing up, I make my way to the glass display case and await Lux's presence next to me, my mind pondering a thousand different questions I feel I need answers to and trying to work out what to say and then how to say it in order to get those answers. I want to know what she's doing here, if she followed me, if so why, if not then why this city, what is so special about this Consilium ... and did she have prior knowledge of the whole coup back in Toronto. While the first group of questions are more important to my own future and to the situation at hand, I'd be lying to myself if I didn't say that the last one wasn't eating away at me like a cartoon worm devouring a rotten apple.
My internal monolog is interrupted by her arrival next to me, which I greet with an honest smile and a nod at the menu listings of assorted caffeinated awesomeness and the various treats behind the glass class. "Large double double with milk and a toasted poppy seed bagel with butter." The clerk looks at me like I'm speaking in Latin and I remember that this isn't Tim Hortons. "Large Coffee please, with two milk and two sugar. Sorry." The clerk nods, accepting the apology and looks at Lux.
"I invited you, it's on me." I say to my fellow Mage, letting her know to order whatever she wants.
Lux had been curious about what Pulp wanted to speak with her about. The Mastigos was probably wanting to know what she was doing in Sacramento, and why she had left Toronto, but there might be something else. Not that she minded a chance to have a friendly chat and take stock of a potential ally in the city. Despite the fact that she didn't really know Pulp, or vice versa, the fact that they knew each other at all was a powerful factor in a city where danger always lurked and great swaths of ground had yet to be tread. Thus she came.
She glanced over the menu, shooting Pulp a smile when he offered to pay, and then looked back to the clerk. "I'll have a large Chai and a croissant , please. Hm...and the most expensive thing on the menu." She deadpanned, looking at the clerk blankly while he punched numbers on the cash register. "Actually, I've changed my mind, I'll just have the Chai and the croissant." She kept the flat affect in place and glanced at Pulp, trying to judge his reaction.
I smile at Lux as she orders the most expensive thing on the menu and simply shrug, having no issue if she really desired a fourteen dollar piece of cake. Actually I kind of want to order it now, just to know what a fourteen dollar piece of cake tastes like. The moment passes and I take the cash out of my wallet and pay, making extra sure about the bill I hand over given that I'm still getting use to money that isn't color coded. I drop a dollar into the tip jar when I get my change and lead Lux over to the table where I've put my stuff, placing my plate and coffee down on the table before pulling out Lux's chair for her. Seems like an awfully old fashioned gesture for a member of the Free Council, but I was raised by the Toronto Catholic school system and thus I am prone to such lapses from time to time, especially when the company is pleasant. Yeah I said she's pleasant, the topics we could be covering might not be pleasant but that doesn't change my opinion of her.
After she sits I take my own seat and decide to begin with a softball. "So how are you enjoying Sacramento so far?"
That was a good sign, Lux thought, following her acquaintance to the table of his choice. He seemed relaxed and in a good mood, almost as if this was just a social visit, and, in reality, she supposed that's what it was. A supposition confirmed when he pulled her chair out for her. She merely cocked a sardonic eyebrow and accepted the seat, deciding this was probably his idea of sweet, sweet revenge after her light joke. She took her time, stirring a bit of sugar into her Chai before she looked up at Pulp.
"Well, It's a city," Lux shrugged, "complete with all of the usual problems and benefits that you'd expect. I have to admit though, I find it weird that no one pays attentions to stop signs here. I mean, they acknowledge them, but they don't stop, they just slow down and drive by them. Well, not everyone, but its a trend I've seen. Pretty much the only trend I've noticed, to be honest, but I haven't really seen much of the city. I've been pretty busy finding a place to live, but my search was successful I'm proud to say. It's a small place, but it has excellent vibes." The Obrimos took a sip of her drink, looking at Pulp over the rim of her mug."How about you, Monsieur Noir? Do you like the city, or are you still getting used to it?"
I take a bite of my bagel and then a sip of my coffee as I consider her answer and the question. "I know, but at least that must remind you of Quebec. I've never seen a Montreal driver properly acknowledge a stop light, let alone a stop sign." Toronto drivers were reckless, Montreal drivers were just insane and frankly when it came to stupid driving decisions, Sacramento was strictly amateur hour. "I'm not going to lie, I'm a bit homesick. While the jobs I've got pay better and allow me a lot more freedom, this city just feels rather small to me but I guess that's to be expected when going from a major International cultural and economic center to a government town with ten thousand basketball fans all trying to be Will Ferrell from that More Cowbell SNL bit." That's if they still had the team ... and if there was still an NBA.
"Still I've been slowly getting use to things and while I miss Timmy's coffee, I have at least found a good pizza place." I smile. "See I can look on the bright side of life." No I don't whistle. "By the way you can just call me Pulp."
Lux snickered and shook her head. "Please, I haven't been back in Montreal in years. Well, not back for any length of time; just for the holidays." She broke off and took a bite of pastry, chewing thoughtfully. "Honestly, I don't really miss Quebec, though. It holds good memories, sure, but after the incident at BMO, and all that happened after it, I think its more important to look at what the future holds. Similarly, I find myself thinking that even though Sacramento might be small, there are a lot of possibilities. Possibilities that we are standing right on the brink of, my good Pulp. It's pretty exciting I think. The only things I'm worried about," she continued, pausing only to take a sip of chai, "is finding a new job and learning more about what's happening in the city. In terms of our "hobby" if you will."
I smile, glad that there is some common ground in our beliefs. "Well it's nice to know that someone was listening to my toast the other night." I take a fair sized sip of my not half bad coffee before offering my reply. So far her desire to be here in Sacramento seems legit. I don't know whose chess board she's on, but I've got a gut feeling that she's not playing along and thus I feel comfortable bringing up a new topic.
"I had a bit of a secondary motivation in asking you here today." My face becomes a bit more serious. "I also see opportunity and possibilities here and when I go chasing them, I would like to have a friend or two at my side. Someone I can trust." I look at Mage across the table from me. "You and I don't see eye to eye on everything, but I know that we have some beliefs in common and that we're at least willing to respect each other's differences. What do you think of forming our own group?"
"You can be quite the speaker. Even while inebriated," Lux said in reply to Pulp's opening, a sardonic smile playing over her lips. She remained silent while he continued speaking though, her eyes searching the Mastigos for the truth in his words. She noted the motes of resonance flicking around him, but there wasn't much magic about it him, certainly nothing to worry about, and he seemed to be genuine. She was suddenly very thankful for the years she had spent at BMO and the practice she had in keeping her features schooled, because otherwise she might have started grinning like an idiot. Instead she took a sip of her drink and tried to project an air of consideration.
"Well," she began, "we're both new to the city, as well as the country, we don't know many people, or at least I don't, and things here are...chancy." Read: dangerous, she thought. "We both have different talents, and I know for a fact that you're a stand up person, at least in some regards, so I can't think of any reason why it wouldn't be a good idea. I think we can work well together, I really do," she said, letting a bit of that smile creep through. "We don't really have anything proper to toast with, but I'm still going to propose one. Here's to...taking chances and knowing you have someone at your back." She raised her mug, hoping that the toast would seem appropriate. Even though there were situational factors to consider, she still felt honored at being extended this opportunity. The mark of Destiny was upon her, and she knew she wouldn't disappoint, but the accomplishments under her belt were nothing compared to being an ex-Councilor.
I raise my cup with a smile and take a swig of coffee, yet some part of me is stuck wondering what she meant by 'at least in some regards'. Was it that typical Obrimos attitude towards us Mastigos, the belief that we're somehow untrustworthy or underhanded, just waiting for a chance to show the world that we were the same as the Demons that inhabited Pandemonium? Or was I just overreacting to a simple remark because I know that there is a grain of truth in what she's said and thus my ego is reacting unfairly to a legitimate blow? Well I manage a decent smile at least. "I wasn't drunk. If I was drunk I would have begun stating my theory that both Miley Cyrus and Hilary Duff were orphans bought by Disney in an experiment to develop the perfect child star." The joke makes the smile more genuine.
Finishing the bagel and coffee, I look around at the place. We're isolated but not isolated enough to Talk with a capitol T. "We need to change location, probably either my place or yours, in order to be able to speak a bit more freely. If we're going to be working together, we'll need to talk business and to be honest, I'm sure we both have questions we want to ask and that need to be answered."
"I agree completely," Lux said, wrapping her croissant in a napkin. She quickly finished the chai and stood up, portable pastry in hand. "Although I'm not sure who's place we should be going to. Mine is mostly just white walls and empty space, plus or minus a few boxes, and I don't quite know how thick the walls are. Either way is fine though," she shrugged. "Don't want to start this all off by imposing on you."
I don't like doing things half way. Either I can trust Lux with my life, and the location of my place, or I can't trust her with anything. It's the one thing I learned from my old Cabal back in Toronto, you're either in all the way or not in at all. There are certain things that you need to keep quiet on, certain secrets every Mage keeps to themselves such as a True Name, but if we're going to be Cabalmates, she's going to see my apartment at some point. "My place then, for the talk at least." My voice drops. "I would still like to see your place, just to keep things even and see if there is anything I can assist you with. Besides if trouble happens there, the more familiar I am with it, the easier I can lend a hand."
I stand up, throw my bag over my shoulder and lead the way out of the coffee pub. "Last chance to take the Blue Pill and walk away Lux."
Lux laughed and joined him outside. "Tempting, but then I'd miss the chance to hear what dial up sounds like, again. The Internet's just not the same without that chorus of techno sounds. It was almost like a theme song," she joked, taking a bite of her kidnapped pastry. "Why don't we swing by my apartment first? As I said, I don't mind if where we're headed, I was just letting you know the state of my place so you wouldn't be surprised. Besides, if you know where I'm staying I might be able to start bumming rides off of you." She paused, chewing, and then shrugged. "I guess that's assuming you have a car. The bus is my chosen chariot for the moment. You want to just hop on the 78, stop by, and then take it back here?"
I give her a look. "Dial up? What's this talk about dial up? We don't need no stinking dial up." I hold "the look" for as long as I can, about 3 seconds, before bursting out in laughter. "Your place works. Come on, you've got shotgun." I lead her about half a block away and hit the clicker on my keychain to unlock the doors of my dark blue 2008 Chevy Malibu. Still on the gentleman's kick I hold the passenger side door for Lux. "Much better than the bus I think."
Lux cocked an eyebrow at the held door but shrugged and climbed inside the car. "Thanks for the ride. You mind if I finish this?" she asked, gesturing with the wrapped croissant. Regardless of the answer she thought better of getting crumbs all over his car and instead offered small talk amidst the directions she provided. Her apartment was only ten minutes away, the building itself was a three leveled block like affair, made out of brick, that surrounded a verdant courtyard. There was a graffiti tag on the back of the building, and the echo of music blasted from somewhere deeper in the neighborhood. Lux lead the way to the third floor and unlocked the door to apartment 38, devouring the pastry all the while.
She shoved the door open, the hinges squeaking their protests, and moved in, gesturing extravagantly at the bare interior of the dwelling. "Behold, my wonderful abode." She beckoned for Pulp to follow her and strolled further into her home, pointing out the different rooms to her guest. Labeled boxes sat next to half assembled Ikea furniture, two suit cases sat beside a made up air-mattress-bed, and bare white walls loomed over it all. Nevertheless, despite the havok of the home being constructed inside the apartment, a mellow, peaceful cast filled the nearly empty rooms. She closed the living room windows, which eased shut with more squeaking, and closed the curtains before looking back at her companion.
The place kind of reminds me of my own, that type of average sized apartment prized by young quote unquote professionals that's located in a decent area. The only difference is I've got my stuff unpacked and had the chance to throw a bunch of posters up on the walls. Still I feel a fit of a kinship with Lux as shows off her place, smiling at the pride and excitement present in her voice as each little part of her apartment is introduced. Along the way I begin to form the image of plastic in my head but I lose my concentration and it drifts away, a few seconds later I breath deeply and focus on a cone of silence like it those old episodes of Get Smart, only this one is larger and murkier, disrupting both Arcane sight and sound as it wraps itself around the apartment.
Ward 3 suxx
"Alright so I've put up a Ward in case anyone tries to play mystical spy vs. spy while we're talking." I look around the apartment once more. "Nice place." I mean it too.
"First things first, back at the coffee shop you said that I was a "stand up person, at least in some regards". If this is going to have a shot of working, we're going to need to be honest with each other, so I'd like to eliminate that "at least in some regards". A lot of stuff happened back in Toronto and the only things crazier than the truth were all of the rumors flying around. I want you to be able to trust me Lux and I know you've got questions, so feel free to ask them."
Lux tensed when the motes of supernal energies flared around Pulp, but she relaxed when he explained the purpose of the spell. "Sorry, I just wasn't expecting that," she interposed, apologizing before he continued. She looked away once he was done talking and crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. No matter what words had been exchanged in the coffee shop, the true trials of trust had just began. She slowly she drew in a breath and then brought her gaze to bear on the Mastigos.
"Pulp," she began, "your right. We can't have that type of thinking lying between us. I wish that I could brush those words off as a thoughtless comment, but there's a grain of truth in them. Now, the reason why I said that wasn't because I think you're a bad person, but because we don't really know each other." She held up a hand, forestalling any comment and continued."Now, I'm not saying that I can't or won't trust you, but that trust will only truly come when we both know each other better. I think that once we've spent time working together, we'll heave that knowledge and that trust.
"I enjoyed our debates back in Toronto, and from what little I know about the coup, I think you were standing up for what you believed was right, and I respect that. I don't care what my Order had to say about you, I wouldn't trust many of them enough to watch my purse. Any judgments that I make are based off of my own opinions, and I like to keep an open mind. Every one of us that's seen through the Lie is fighting to End it, and no matter what we might think, we're all working together. It just that most of us just aren't very organized in our efforts. I want to help guide the Awakened in this city, but I need help along the way. If your willing to help me with that, than I'm willing stand by your side and lend you whatever knowledge or strength I have."
Lux turns her gaze on me and oh boy do I meet it, not hostile just standing my ground. I don't give an inch even as she digs up old memories that cut my insides up like glass but from the way she's speaking I realize that she was just a bystander during that whole mess. "A month before the assassination my Cabal pulled an off the record job for Whiskeyjack." There is a more than a bit of venom in my voice as I speak the name of the Acanthus Councilor of the Toronto Consilium, "respected" senior member of the Silver Ladder and one of the two leaders of the Coup. "Ten people, including two members of my Cabal, died during that mission." My voice almost breaks and while my eyes don't waver, I can only imagine the emotions reflected in them right now.
"Less than a month later the Moros Councilor invited the three of us who survived to his bar to talk, only five minutes after we got there my best friend, under the influence of an outside party, used some crazy mojo to drop everyone's magical defenses and blew the Councilor's brains out not three feet away from me." I focus my thoughts on making sure that the memories are correct in order to keep from losing my train of thought and letting the pain, frustration and rage take over. "From there you know the story, Inferior's article got things pretty accurate. Yeah I did all that stuff leading up to the trial and as for the trial itself, well you were there I remember seeing you when all us Libertines walked in as a group." I smile to kill some of tension in the room, relaxing slightly. "If I remember correctly you were staring at my killer pinstripe suit." And I really do remember seeing her there, in fact all those faces are forever frozen in my memory.
"Now it's the reactions to everything that happened which always gets me, how I got turned into some sort of great hero or villain, some mythical figure symbolizing whatever the storyteller loved or hated about Mage society." I'm more relaxed now but I'm not turning away from her, she needs to see that I'm being honest and genuine here. "I disliked both sides. The old Consilium were a bunch of Conservative fools afraid of their own shadows and existing on the memory of faded glory, the new bunch were a group of amoral political opportunists who whored their ideals for power." Meet the new boss ... "I stood up because the only Councilor worth a damn, a man with real integrity, was killed because some asshole wanted more power. I stood up because the patsy they Mind fucked into killing him was a good guy who loved math and his girlfriend, just wanted to keep out of politics and was my best friend." I don't think I've told this to anyone ... I don't know why I'm saying so much right now.
"I always believed that the Pentacle was like a hand, each order a finger, the Free Council the thumb of course, but like a hand, all those digits came together to form a fist when needed." I hold up my own right hand and make the proper movements. "Turns out I was blinded by my ideals. I wanted the Followers of the Lie to be behind it all, to be the big bad villain. At that special Consilium meeting after the not guilty verdict I knew that we were all going to rally as one, put aside old hatreds and strike back ... and then something inside of me broke when the Coup took place. It was so anti climatic, so petty, so childish." I look away for the first time. "They threw away every ideal they claimed to represent, tore the Consilium apart, all for political power. For a bunch of useless titles."
I turn my gaze to Lux again. "I'm not a perfect person, I've done more than my fair share of stupid and selfish things, but holding that Seat ... I just couldn't do it. It was stay there and watch everything good in me die, killed off by political compromises and all that crap or leave and live by my beliefs and ideals. I chose the latter." I shrug and wonder how she'll react. "You wanted the truth, the whole Unplugged in New York version, well Lux there it is."
Lux stared at Pulp while he explained the circumstances of the coup, her mouth opening occasionally to comment, but she held her peace. The coup in Toronto hadn't upset Lux overmuch, not when her Order had initiated it, but she had never sought to find out the truth behind it, and that was something she now regretted. Nevertheless, that was in the past, her fate lay elsewhere, and she wasn't in Toronto anymore. She couldn't help every Mage who chose to cleave before the Lie, not yet anyways. Wordlessly the young Obrimos disappeared into the dining room, reappearing with two chairs a moment later.
"Well, you're wrong Pulp," she said, folding onto one of the chairs. "I didn't want the truth. We both wanted the truth. I don't think anyone knew why you left, at least not anyone that I knew; and honestly, I'm honored that you told me that; it sounds like you've been needing to say it for quite sometime. I...really don't know what to say, though. All that comes to mind is that you did what was best; you didn't compromise, you didn't lie to yourself, and you didn't begin a pointless struggle against those who have been fooled by the Lie. You know where you're coming from, and all that's left is to move forward, right?"
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