2020-12-01: Winter-Ready Garments To Further Prove the Warm Affection From a Spider to a Spy
| Winter-Ready Garments To Further Prove the Warm Affection[1] From a Spider to a Spy | |
|---|---|
| Parker meets with The Cynthia and Goth, clothing is given and a contract modification is discussed | |
| IC Date | December 1st, 2020 |
| IC Time | early morning, pre-dawn |
| Players | The Cynthia, Gogh and Parker |
| Location | WaffleMania |
| Spheres | Ananasi & Ratkin |
Gogh had been showing Cynthia where the various burner phones she had been hiding around the city, when one of them had an invitation on it. She had shrugged, and extended the invitation along to her Elder. And so it was, when Gogh arrived at the diner, she held the door for the other young woman. There's a lot of care around her. A lot of respect. Gogh looks ... not smart. But neat. Scrubbed clean, her t-shirt below the thin, worn shirt showing through, and a new collar affixed to her neck. But she looks pleased as punch, scanning about and muttering quietly "... contract, information and in return things for us all." She bobs her head, further muttering "Those gloves? Yes?" Her own hands are bare
Cynthia bobs her head following Gogh along eye eyes sliding around and not staying on anything like the poster child for ADHD. She has gloves though. New comfortable ones. "Oh yes. Verry nice. Verry nice."
Its early on the first day of December. The predawn is chilly, sub-fifty Fahrenheit. Wafflemania is already open and inside the dinner the central heating and the kitchen has the place pleasantly warm... once you grow accustomed to it.
Arriving dressed in thick black tights, her gray leather boots and a dark gray, long sleeved top that is somehow both thick and still translucent like she typically wears (and the obligatory black bra beneath it), Parker sits down at a table and shoots off a quick text message to a friend inviting them to join her. With her is a small suitcase that she rests on the floor at her feet.
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When the waitress approaches, Parker indicates that she needs some time to consider the menu; a little white lie to give her friend some time to arrive or reply.
And Gogh lifts a hand as she sees Parker. Her eyes are bright, and she moves to slide into the seat opposite. She lets Cynthia take the one by the aisle. She can escape if need! There's so much ... quiet deference shown. Her smile is small, but fixed, as she nods up to Parker "Got your message. Friend was with me. Hope that's okay" She says with a wrinkle of her nose, and a sniff "Can talk open. All's good?"
Parker nods to indicate that the other is welcome to join them and says, "Parker," to Cynthia to identify herself to the newcomer and looks expectantly as if waiting for someone to return the introduction. She also slides the menu to both Gogh and her friend saying, "I'm buying," as if to say not to concern themselves with with pricing.
Cynthia smiles brightly at Parker. She almost literally glows with trustworthiness. So full of honesty, truthiness and a complete lack of guile. "I am The Cynthia." yeah there's a capital T there. She smiles even more when Parker offers to buy. "Ooh, then I'll take a tall stack of pigs in a blanket smothered in raspberry jam and hot sauce."
"Double pile of chicken and waffles" Gogh nods solumnly. Very seriously. "Hot cider, if is available" And a content little sigh "Yes. This is The Cynthia. Be very polite" Gogh tells Parker with a little grin, slouching into the corner and watching the two
Having signaled the waitress over, Parker makes sure she's gotten the ratkins' orders and then places her own: a Strawberry Apocalypse on red coloured waffles with side orders of sausages and bacon, a glass of orange juice and cups of hot chocolate for herself and her breakfast companions.
After the waitress acknowledges this and steps away to get this to Chef Jennifer Parker slides the suitcase over to by Gogh's feet and says, "Remainder and bonus for this lunar cycle. Bonus is for the delay and not getting this to you before the weather turned cold," about it.
"Oh I am harmless." Cynthia offers helpfully. She really does seem to be the sweetest little thing. Looking at the suitcase with interest Cynthia goes back to peering around like things are moving at the edge of her vision. Maybe they are. Maybe she's on drugs. Harmless little cuckoo cloud-lander.
Gogh is not shy about opening this. She hoists it to the table, turns it so it faces Parker, and flicks it open. Then, assuming all remains unexploded and un-poisoned or knives don't erupt from it or whatever else the little Skulker is concerned about, she turns it to face herself and Cynthia "The weather is getting chilly" Gogh nods solemnly "I don't remember it ever being this cold" And the young woman lets out an amused little laugh, nudging Cynthia.
Because she's not even a year old, you see.
Inside the suitcase are three thick sweatshirts[2] and a number of flannel shirts. The sweatshirts are all reversible with a pouch-like pocket accessible from the outside no matter which side is facing outward; all three are a dark shade of pink (called Rose Pompadour) currently with the inside color of them being different - one a dark (artichoke) green, one a saturated red called carmine and the third a dark charcoal gray. The flannel shirts are various plaids, two of which feel new and silky (one red and black plaid and the other a deep green and black plaid, both having a thin strip of dark pink worked into the plaid as well which pops in the pattern without making it too girly or noticeable) while the others are ones picked up from a second hand shop and are in a variety of colors.
Parker watches as the ratkin look though the suitcase and pulls a pair of papers out of a concealed pocket in in the back of her shirt, setting them down wordlessly to discuss later.
Reaching out Cynthia prods and feels the cloth before nodding to Gogh "The weather is changing. It should be very interesting coming up." she nods sagely as if some great portent has been recognized before she picks up the syrup dispenser and shakes it with great vigor. She stares at the bubbles in the viscous liquid intently.
Gogh nods contentedly as she sorts through the clothes. A bright smile across, as she tugs the case to her lap and hugs it, nodding seriously "Thank you" She says with a serious, quiet tone "These will be of very much use. The quality is very good" And her eyes flick towards that paper, an eyebrow raises, and she breathes onto the window to steam it up. Before drawing a smiley face in it. And adding two buck teeth.
The waitress brings the order to the table and wishes the three women a good breakfast and reminds them if they need anything to ask.
After the waitress steps away Parker says, "Very good. I'm glad they meet your needs." She takes a sip of her hot chocolate and then asks, "Business okay while we're eating?"
Making a small sandwich of pancake, sweet, savory and spicy Cynthia begins eating like a starved person. She does look like she's in need of a good meal. She nods in such a way to communicate that this is Gogh's show and to go ahead while she stuffs her face.
Gogh, too, nods at the mention of business. She settles back, doodling in the detritus of the table with one finger, and licking at the taste of sugar, a thoughtful smile there "Yes. Please. What is needed, Parker?" She asks, one arm clutched around the suitcase
After taking and swallowing a bite of her waffle and strawberry dish, Parker says, "I want to discuss a modified form of the contract," as she slides the two papers - which are identical - across the table. "The changes are indicated in blue ink," she adds as the pair, particularly Gogh, are given a chance to review the writing whith black and blue ink.
(OOC: the 'blue' ink is the text shown below as italicized)
The following is a formal agreement ("the Contract") between Van Go Quickly ("the Operative") and Eyes-in-the-Dark ("the Client").
1. The Operative commits to providing at least one report per lunar cycle, containing information deemed "need to know" for the Client. The Operative has sole discretion in determining "need to know" information.
1a. For this contract a lunar cycle is measured from new moon to new moon.
1b. This contract was forged on 17 Nov 2020, two days after the new moon but the Client and the Operative both stipulated to the loss of two days for this cycle being acceptable.
1c. Information gathered about the Client in the course of this contract is confidential and not to be shared with others without the Client's express permission.
2. The Client has the option to retain the Operative for further contracts at the discretion of the Operative.
3. At least once per lunar cycle, upon delivery of report if not at another time, the Client agrees to provide the Operative with useful things (clothing, food, etc.) for her or her nest, valued at no less than $100.
3a. Anything exceeding this value does not roll over or adjust the payment for the following cycle.
3b. If the Client fails to provide payment in a full Lunar Cycle, the Operative is entitled to retrieve their payment in corporal assets at a time of their choosing.
3c. At the Operative's discression, extra payment may be made to rectify a missed or insufficient payment from a previous cycle restoring the contract to good standing.
3d. The Client can offer to provide a significant secret that is not confidential, about themselves or others. Should the Operative agree to this, prior to being given the secret, then the required payment for that cycle (or the following if payment has already been met for the current cycle) is halved. Should the Operative feel that the secret was not significant enough they may either exercise the final clause (below) or accept it this time and instruct the Client on how better to determine a secret's level of significance. The Client's connection to this knowledge is, unless stipulated by the Client at the time of the telling (or later) still confidential.
4. If the Operative finds the terms of the Contract to no longer be viable, they may inform the Client that they are no longer required to provide payment, that no further reports will be forthcoming, and that the Operative waives the right to claim payment in Corporal Assets. The Client has the right to request the Contract be ended at any time, providing their payment is up to date.
4a. Should the spirit of the Contract not be met, or the Client seek to pervert the spirit of the Contract or otherwise disturb this arrangement, the Operative has the right to enact the final clause as above but retains the right to retrieve an additional final payment in corporal assets at a time of their choosing if reparations are not made by the Client.
5. This contract was amended with clarifications and an additional clause (3d) on ______ as agreed to by both the Client and the Operative.
Cynthia idly glances over eying the contract and looking it over while she eats.
Gogh looks the contact over. She sniffs as she reads it, and looks to Cynthia. There's a faintly wounded tone as she asks "What's wrong with the previous one?" She asks with a look to Parker "It was fine for me." She begins eating, a trifle sullenly
Parker nods. "I wanted to give you more and get the ability to give secrets as payments," she says pointing out clause 3d, "Also clarifying an implicit part about confidentiality," pointing to 1c. She frowns at the sullen expression and asks, "Did I offend you by preparing this ahead of time?"
Cynthia gestures at the paper then to Gogh making soft chittering hiss noises around her sausage.
Gogh considers, and sniffs. She eyes the new contract, and sucks in her cheeks "Can look at it in a few weeks" She decides "Let the first one run. Then we can negotiate a new one or part ways" She offers with a glassy little smile "That sound good?"
"That's fine," Parker replies as she pulls one of the two identical copies back to her side of the table. "You keep that one, I'll keep this one and we can revisit this in a couple of weeks at the new moon, right?" she asks.
Cynthia is there, but becomes less defined and relevant until it's hard to notice her as a feature as causality slowly erases her presence.
(OOC: Cynthia had to depart the scene for RL needs here.)
Gogh takes it, looking at the paper sourly, and she stuffs it roughly into the suitcase and snaps it closed. The young woman looks rather put out, as she demolishes the food in front of her "Yes" She mutters "A few weeks"
Parker grouses under her breath between bites and then says, "Its not like I perverted the spirit of the Contract..." and then asks, "Or do you feel that this is me disturbing the arrangement?"
"A little" Gogh nods. And then, rather ... petulantly, mutters "I ... I thought it was a pretty good contract" She practically whines, drumming her feet against the floor briefly
Parker nods. "There was nothing wrong with it. I did want to codify some changes," she says and frowns. She waves the waitress over saying, "Bring some whipped cream please," and waits for it to be delivered and as Briarlee departs she offers to put some on the hot chocolates with a gesture as she says, "I apologize for the offense. I didn't consider the need to discuss it first."
Gogh sighs, leaning back. Her shoulders are tight, her lips press together her hands open and close with swift, twitching motions "What's the reason for the changes?" She asks, finally settling her voice to something like normal
"Well, obviously there's a point in the foreseeable future where I'll be giving you secrets with permission to share them and... well, wouldn't you want to be able to capitalize on that?" Parker explains and asks then, bluntly but kindly says, "Everything I know about you says that it needs to be codified in a contract or it won't happen," and follows up with a question: "Did I misread you?"
"No. You're right." Gogh shrugs, rubbing the back of her neck and fidgeting "The big chance here is assumption of confidentiality. That's somewhat given, but sometimes shit gets between different contracts. The more I have to keep confidential, the more likely it is I need to start acting out and taking action instead of ... y'know, talking to people to sort stuff" She puffs out her cheeks
Parker smiles and waves Briarlee over again. Without asking she takes the waitress' spare pen - which is red - from the woman's apron, grabs her own contract and strikes though clause 1c and writes "Confidentiality of the Client's information is assumed but not guaranteed and will be advised to the Operative's chosen degree of detail at their discretion" on a napkin while dismissing Briarlee with an "I'll get this back to you when we're done," about the pen and asks Gogh, "Is that a good adjustment? If so I can get it all written up for when we revisit at the end of the lunar cycle... or you can, as you wish."
"It's better" Gogh nods, relaxing a little "Things like ... me being able to get you in touch with the Get at United. I would not have been able to if it was all confidential, you see?" She gestures, eating with a little more enthusisasm "And yes. We can write up properly for later in the month" She nods slowly
Parker nods and says, sounding totally sincere about this, "You have more experience with contracts than I do so I appreciate your help with addressing this adjustment," before muching on some appropriately crunchy bacon.
Gogh relaxes a bit "Thanks for the clothes" She says "Just in time. it's getting cold out there" She mutters, glancing out of the window "Going to be a bad winter, you think?"
"I looked it up before leaving the house, it rarely gets below freezing here and the current falls between the average low and the mean minimum temperatures," Parker explains, adding, "Also since its my first winter in California I really can't say. But its also usually colder then this where my childhood memories were formed, in Oklahoma."
"Still cold" Gogh notes pointedly "Not looking forward to seeing if it gets colder. Will have to see" She gives a halfhearted smile. Then pauses. She glances around "So" A little mutter "I got ... a bit more about United." A small breath "Found out what everyone's worried about there. Seems to be a rat infestation" She chuckles slightly "Raising statues. So we're looking at what we can do"
Parker ahs softly. "And not related to your kin," Parker asks and looks around. Frowning she asks, "So, didn't The Cynthia just go to the bathroom? I didn't see her leave entirely."
"You won't" Gogh chuckles a little "The Cynthia is very powerful. She does what she wants" Gogh nods seriously "She gave me this" A tap to the collar, suitable for a pet or a sub "So I can be her voice. It is a great honor to meet her"
"Then I am honored," Parker says. "And she is then, I assume, a part of your colony?" she asks softly after making sure none of the other patrons who have been coming in nor Briarlee or Jennifer are close enough to overhear the question.
"Oh, no. The Cynthia is the Queen of Ash and Darkness" Gogh says, very seriously "You should ask those in the city who have been here long. She is very well known. Tell people you bought her breakfast" She nods
Cocking an eyebrow in curiosity, Parker shakes her head indicating a lack of understanding. "Explain?" she asks undemandingly as she then proceeds to eat a sausage and then continues onto the waffle and strawberries to give Gogh ample time to reply.
"She's one of our elders." Gogh shrugs "But. She's the Cynthia" Her hands spread, before she begins to clean then fastidiously, her meal done "I can't explain it any more than I can explain the sea or the sky. She is" A serious, near-religiously-devoted nod
Parker nods. "A very young elder," Parker observes. "Seems fitting for your kind based on what I know of them." She says this kindly and factually. "I will see if others have the awareness you have implied."
Gogh merely chuckles, and tugs at the collar around her neck once more "Not sure how old she is." She observes "It's not the same for her. For any of us, really. You'll find out" Her eyes gleam faintly and she stretches "Okay. Am gonna put these places and warm and maybe find one to put on" She pauses, and opens it up - silently offering the clothes to Parker. She can pick!
"They're all for you and your's," Parker says, "But I'd recommend the sweatshirt with the gray reversed side for you," indicating the hooded article.
Gogh nods, tugging it out, stroking it down, and tugging it on. She's slender, and it more or less hangs on her, doing absolutely nothing to make her look any older. Still. She'll be warmer. She wraps her arms around herself and gives a small, pleased sound
Parker smiles and nods as she says, "I was right, the gray compliments your eyes well," and explains, "Any of those should work well for you but the carmine is the brightest of the three reverse sides so it may blend with shadows worse of the three."
"If needed, will remember that" Gogh nods. She adjusts the suitcase, settling comfortably "Mm. Thank you, Parker" A sincere little nod, eyes studying "I have more work, but we can talk again soon. I will keep you updated and let you know if I hear more, yes?" She suggests, standing
Parker nods and pulls some cash out of that concealed pocket and drops a few bills, some $20s and a five and a few ones to cover the tab and the tip. "Of course," she says as she also stands to depart. "And you are welcome, for the meal and the clothing. I hope it wasn't presumptuous to offer an eatery as the venue for our meeting."
"No. It's fine" Gogh nods cheerfully. She lifts a bare, clean hand to Parker, heading out of the door, considering as she hauls the case away.
- ↑ Quote from the poem "The Spider and the Fly
- ↑ As stated later on these sweatshirts are hooded, it was missed in this original pose.
