2019.01.31 Hypnagogia:Spark

Hypnagogia: Spark
Mike explains a gift which Bieta possesses to Bieta after a stranger becomes overly-amorous towards her.
IC Date	Jan. 31, 2019- Feb. 2, 2019
IC Time	20:00 p.m.-23:00 p.m., 13:00 p.m.-13:30 p.m., 14:00 p.m.-15:00 p.m.
Players	Bieta ST, Mike. Tinker
Location	Log Lodge-Pasture, Living Area, Upstairs Hallway and Master Bedroom
Spheres	Mage, Changeling

Log Lodge - Pasture(#10588RM)

Depending on the phase of the moon and cloud cover, this pasture can be anywhere between pitch black or painted with a wash of silver moonlight. When the moon is at her fullest beauty, several acres of pasture are revealed to stretch out all around and the fence line soon disappears out of sight due to the trees. Effort has been made not to clear this area of all the trees and as a result a generous mixture of both hardwoods and softwoods remain of some age among clearings of rye grass mixed with alfalfa and wild flowers. There is a large pond with a creek that directs runoff rainwater into the deep woods during heavy rainfall to prevent flooding and provide water for the animals.

The less practical but better known purpose was the pond and creek's function as the local swimming hole for many of the kids who lived in the area. After dark, the occasional young pair of lovers would sneak onto the property to skinny dip in the pond. This is the kind of special place which occupies the memories of summertimes spent in youth, where hours could be spent lying on your back gazing at the great open vault of stars above on a clear night. The cry of owl, the song of whippoorwill or nightengale disturbs the stillness.

A breeze blows across the pasture, causing the grass to bow. Trees sigh and creak in the wind, their leaves rustle.

There was not much in the way of light pollution in the area. However, electric lighting does filter out of the stables. Inside, Bieta was just finishing cleaning out a patient's hoof while the horse munched his oats. The breaker gets tripped and Bieta finds herself in the dark. In the distance, lightning flashes up in the clouds. "Well, great," says Bieta. She fumbles around in the dark for her flashlight and flicks in on. There is a distant rumble threatening rain and the horse whickers in response. Bieta sighs, slaps the side of her flashlight and the bulb inside flickers to life.

A lone tinker was out in the woods; out here to test something. It failed, blowing up and was dead now; the device had gone down into the lake. He is now walking home with a ripped shirt, and ripped pants- his hat lost in the fire, as he stumbles forward now. His hair is down in front of his face, his shirt with a few burn marks that can only be seen when he steps into the beams of moonlight. He is one sorry dude right now. He is 6'3 making him a tall drink of sad.

Tinker walks right past the flashlight beam, not even looking at it. His goal is home, it is quite the hike. His boots are undamaged at least. He stops by her barn to take out a pack of smokes. Taking out a long black hand rolled one, placing it in his lips, lighting it quickly with a silver lighter, then taking a long inhale, he frowns. The smoke is thick with cloves, lemon, and the smell of fresh tabacoo.

Bieta halts as she sees a small flame light the end of a cigarette in the dark and the wind blows the scent of tobacco mixed with something citrus her way. Bieta directs the beam into the face of the silouhette standing there and says, "Good evening! What are you doing wandering onto my property so late at night?"

"Walking back to the city, been at it for hours." The smoke is fired up into the air, and then he looks towards the voice, with a wicked chuckle."Fucking a long fucking time, came out to do something. It broke, took out my car, now walking back and shit." His voice is soft, as he walks towards her now, to blow a second burst of smoke.

A breeze blows across the pasture, causing the grass to bow. Trees sigh and creak in the wind, their leaves rustle.

"Dr. Elżbieta Dymna is a name by which I am called. We had a burglary here not that long ago. I would like to know who you are," Bieta says. "I am armed and I am not alone." Bieta directs her eyes towards the house.

"Tinker is my fucking name, and leaving is my fucking game." He looks at her for a moment, with a shake of his head, and then he looks at the shotgun, with a soft chuckle."Why what a boring way to defend yourself."

"Boring or not...it is effective...Mr. Tinker. Usually, I am not so unwelcoming. It is just last night someone came onto the property whose vehicle also...broke down. I do not believe in coincidence...I do begin to suspect a connection when there seems to be a pattern." Bieta says.

"Well sorry to hear that fucking shit, but move to the city. Out here weird fucking shit goes down, you fucking know." Tinker shakes his head, and then he starts to walk away now, lifting his hand to wave to her."Have a lovely evening, doctor Lizzie, I'm going home."

"I have lived here most my life...Mr. Tinker. The weird stuff as you call it has just been something recent." Bieta follows behind him and says, "You are headed towards my practice, Mr. Tinker. Can I show you the way out?"

"If you wish, thank you for that fucking guided tour." The man looks at her for a moment, with a nod of his head."Sorry been odd since I got hear, but yeah if you wish, or can I sleep in the barn till light, or maybe your bed."

"Excuse me?" Bieta says. She stares at Tinker for a moment before walking ahead of him, saying, "I'm not giving you a guided tour, Mr. Tinker. I might give you a flashlight though because these country roads are not lit like your city roads are. I wouldn't want you to get hit by a car."

"I was joking, I see it went over as well, as I figured. I will be fine in the dark, thank you for the time." Tinker laughs softly, as he watches her for a moment. He exhales the smoke into the air, with a little chuckle, but he does follow her."Now then, do you threaten to shoot every male you meet, in the dark?"

A breeze blows across the pasture, causing the grass to bow. Trees sigh and creak in the wind, their leaves rustle.

"I already told you someone burglarized my house. Most the time when I meet someone it is in broad daylight, Mr. Tinker. This week just seems to be the exception." Bieta says, as she leads Tinker around the outside of the log lodge. When they arrive out front of the lodge's carved wood door snuggled between two tree trunks, Bieta faces in the direction of the road.

"Now then, have a lovely evening, maybe I'll visit again during the day." Tinker hands her a business card, it is black with silver writting on it, his number and name on it, with the words inventor to the stars."Now then, have a lovely evening cutie, I wish we meet under something pleasent, more intimate, maybe a date next time, and a little bit of fun, but I doubt you were fucking down with that."

A breeze blows across the pasture, causing the grass to bow. Trees sigh and creak in the wind, their leaves rustle.

"I am walking with you down the drive out to the edge of the road, Mr. Tinker," Bieta says. She leads the way down the gravel driveway, checking back to make sure Tinker is following her. "Do you always joke like this with someone you just met?"

"Yeah I fucking do. Is that an issue, or some shit? Best way to find out who someone is is to push and kick, poke, find it out, and then make it truly, all come to the surface. I got my read on ya." Tinker watches her as they walk, and his hand is thrusted into his pocket. Then a small little metal tube is brought out of his pocket. When his fingers tap it four times on the back, a very bright light comes out of it.

The beam of Bieta's flash light seems dim and a bit dwarfed in comparison to Tinker's light. She continues to walk with him down the drive and says, "So, you think you know me?" Bieta says.

"I know how you react, that is good enough for me." Tinker walks now, then he taps the back once more, the light dims to the level of a flash light. As he holds it up, he attaches it to his wrist, the metal bends around it, so he can aim it with his hand.

Bieta stops at the end of the drive. Bieta says, "A person is more than their reactions, Mr. Tinker." The wind increases and the trees rustle louder. At that moment, the sky lets loose and heavy rain starts to fall. "Seriously!"

"I beg to differ. All we are is reactions to the things around us, that is the essence of people, things, science." Tinker looks at her with a little chuckle, and then he leans closer now."Now then you react, it is all anyone does, you may be cute, you may be sexy, but honestly, that is also a reaction in my brain telling me this."

Bieta is standing there getting soaked by the rain as the wind starts to blow the rain sideways. The trees around them grant some shelter. "I think we will have to agree to disagree on that one. I can still make choices which do not depend on how I feel at the time. I prefer not to talk about this in the driving rain."

"Then we can go into your home to discuss this or call it night, your choice." Tinker stands there now, watching her with a little chuckle, as he licks his lips.

"Hmmm...until the storm lets up," Bieta says and she starts back down the driveway towards the house.

A breeze blows across the pasture, causing the grass to bow. Trees sigh and creak in the wind, their leaves rustle.

Tinker follows her with a little chuckle, and then he taps the light again. It is off. Then he walks with her.

Tinker looks down at the house, then back at her, then back at the house. His eyes are wide for a moment, as he exhales into the air."You know, rain is better, I think maybe than a strange house...but maybe I'm not right....It is one of those great oddities of the world. Will the knife get me in there?"

A breeze blows across the pasture, causing the grass to bow. Trees sigh and creak in the wind, their leaves rustle.

Bieta runs for the backdoor as a flash of lightning lights up the sky followed by a boom! Bieta stops running when she notices Tinker has stopped and she calls back to him, saying, "What? You can not be serious about walking home in all this rain! What do you mean, will the knife get you in there?" Bieta's clothing clings to her and water now sluices off of her, her hair is plastered to her face. She starts to shiver in the fifty one degree weather.

<<OOC>> Mike says, "ok.. so.. standard is Mike-Clone is going to scan the land.. so He'll be scanning Tinker with a full spread.. all the spheres to get an idea of who it is. Since Mike's system is independent of the power grid.. he's still up and running. :)"

<OOC> Tinker says, "lol kk"

<OOC> Bieta says, "Well, the lights went out at only the stables so far."

<<OOC>> Mike says, "corr 2, and sphere 1 for all the rest.. so vs 5 on the arete.."

<<OOC>> Mike says, "ok. good to know."

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Mike rolls Arete vs 5 for 3 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<<OOC>> Mike says, "ok.. so.. he'll have a pretty good idea of what you are in general, Tinker, Mortal or otherwise?"

<OOC> Tinker says, "Changling"

<<OOC>> Mike says, "yeah.. have no clue what that is. Not moral. Magic. But different magic?"

<<OOC>> Mike grins.

<<OOC>> Mike says, "yay lack of lore? heh"

<<OOC>> Mike says, "evening, right?"

<OOC> Tinker says, "Yeah"

It's Mike-clone that's scanning while Mike naps in his room. Picking up that.. oddity. Nothing known previously has the clone get Mike up to show him the results. Mike frowns at it, shakes his head and steps out of his room, leaving the clone to work. Mike, for his part, gets a set of towels, one for Bieta and one for the other guy. Heading downstairs to go meet them at the door, he opens it and peers out into the storm. "Bieta? What's going on?"

Tinker looks at the man, and then back at Bieta, and then back again. His hand is gripping his arm slowly, with a little chuckle."Like that, he knows there is another out here, not just you. Seems like a fucking setup and shit you know."

Bieta's brows knit together and she says, "set up? Mr. Tinker...Mike is my tenet." Thunder rumbles across the sky again sounding very close by now. "Please, Mr. Tinker. Come inside out of the rain." Bieta gestures towards the door. "It is not safe outside right now." Bieta looks at Mike and says, "Mike, this is Mr. Tinker. He was walking back to town before the storm hit." Bieta hands Mike her flashlight.

Mike takes the flashlight and trades her one of the towels. He looks at Tinker oddly. "I saw you out the window. Kind of easy to see when lightning lights up the space. I assure you, Mr. Tinker, if you mean no harm, We won't have any problems." The other towel is offered towards the other man, as Mike glances towards Bieta. "I'll keep him company if you want to go change, Bieta.."

Tinker watches them. He stands there for a moment- a long one, allowing the rain to fall down on him. Then he sighs, walking to them, grabbing the towel, and using it quickly."Fine at least I'll be warm, before I get in trouble, I'm fucking Tinker, pleasure to fucking meet you and shit."

"Thank you for the towel, Mike," Bieta says. She disappears through the backdoor into the house with the shotgun in hand just as another flash of lightning lights up the sky followed by a crash of thunder.

Log Lodge - Living Area(#10336RM)

The interior of this spacious open concept lodge is built of cedar logs, with rustic features throughout. There are a few things that stand out about this place. Tree trunks run up through the construction of the house like pillars before spreading their slender branches flush up against the roof above. A slender tree trunk hooks back and forth, following the line of the stairway, which leads to the upstairs hallway before its limbs interweave themselves with the others up above.

A stonework facade along one wall contains a large wood burning fire place, which provides some light and spreads warmth throughout the whole living area when a fire is lit on colder nights. Either votive and pillar candles spread throughout the area or electric lamps and recessed lights provide illumination. On either side of the stonework facade are picture windows, which allow for moonlight to spill into the room, washing the trees in silver and giving them the feel of a magical forest, as long as the moon is not new.

Mike shakes his head a little as he walks after the others. A brief smile is given to Bieta at her thanks. The flashlight is put away as he looks out at the storm a moment, then glances over at Tinker. "I'm Michangello Durelia Stephenson the 3rd.. But you can call me Mike. Most people forget." He waves a hand vaguely. "Just chill. Once the storm is over, it won't be a big deal for you to head on, hmm?"

Tinker steps inside, and then he nods at the others, with a smile."Thank you, and shit I know what it is like to be a third, but I refuse to tell my name."

Some time passes in which Bieta goes upstairs to change into dry clothes and she brings a burgandy colored bathrobe back downstairs with her. Mike heads back upstairs and does not come back down. Bieta offers Tinker the bathrobe and says, "If you change out of your clothes, then I can put them in the dryer." Bieta points towards a door that leads to a downstairs bathroom. "You can go in there...I can make some coffee or hot chocolate?"

Tinker looks at her now, and then he shakes his head slowly."Fine...." The voice is gruff . He does not like this idea of being naked with a girl that seems to be taken, but he does it quickly, moving towards the door into the bathroom. He strips down and then he places the bathrobe on his body. As he steps out, the man is buff in that skinny scrawny way, his hair is loose hanging down over his face, and he has barely tied the robe.

Bieta is in the kitchen making coffee, the smell of fresh hot coffee wafts out. After setting out cups, Bieta steps out of the kitchen and checks on Tinker. She stops and clears her throat in response to the fact that the bathrobe Tinker is wearing is not tied very tightly and reveals a little more than perhaps what may have been intended of a whipchord body. "Excuse me." Bieta looks a little flushed when she passes Tinker and gathers the wet clothes from the bathroom. When Bieta steps out of the bathroom, she says, "These should not take very long to dry."

Tinker nods slowly, he moves past her as he walks to a chair to sit down now, as he looks at her with a wide smile."Now then, thank you so fucking much." His voice is soft and friendly, as he looks at her for a moment with a little chuckle. His robe is falling better in place now that he is not moving."Also stop blushing hun, can't be your first naked dude."

"No...I am a widow," says Bieta. Bieta heads off to the area of the house where the washer and dryer are kept. Soon there is the sound of a dryer running. When Bieta returns to the Kitchen, the coffee maker stops gurgling. Bieta pours a couple of cups of coffee and says, "Do you want milk or sugar in your coffee?"

Tinker sighs softly, with a shake of his head."Now then, I'm sorry to hear that." His voice is soft, as he watches her now, and then he rises up to walk to her, with a shake of his head."nah...I take it black." His voice is teasing and then he picks up the cup to sip it slowly, with a nod of his head."So you got a boyfriend and a lover right?"

"My Husband has been dead for little over a month, Mr. Tinker," says Bieta. Bieta does not add any milk or sugar to her coffee before drinking it. The rain starts pelting against the window in the kitchen and the wind howls outside.

Tinker shakes his head now, with a sad look in his eyes."I'm very sorry to hear that then, I...."he stops talking his face turning red now, and his teeth biting his lower lip hard enough to draw blood.

"You could not have known, Mr. Tinker. You do not need to apologise," Bieta says. There are pictures done in crayon on construction paper stuck to the fridge door. One of the pictures has the name 'Kasia' written on it in big letters with a somewhat sloppily drawn smiling stick figure in a dress below it.

Tinker looks at her and then he sips his coffee slowly, as the blood drips down his chin. When he notices it, he starts looking for something to press against it, tries and fails.

Bieta takes a clean napkin out of a drawer and offers it to Tinker. There is a loud crack noise followed by a boom and the lights overhead threaten to go out. The noise makes Bieta jump. "I am glad that you are not walking home in this storm right now." "Yeah I guess...I mean instead akward as hell...I prefer to be wet." Tinker is blunt as he pushes it agains his lip with a shake of his head."I mean...fuck."

"I'm sorry?" Bieta says, her brows knitting together. "I am sure you would not want to be struck by lightning though." Bieta takes out a lighter and lights the candle on the island in the kitchen. She takes out a couple of flashlights before going back to her coffee. "How long have you lived in Prospect?"

Tinker watches the world outside, as he exhales slowly."About a month or so...shit, not sure. Been bored." His voice is soft, as he looks at her now. He sips his coffee."Yeah, I hate this social shit."

"Alright," says Bieta. She looks at Tinker for a moment as though considering what she might say next. "Did I say something wrong?"

Tinker shakes his head with a frown on it, and then he sips his coffee."No....not at all...I did." His voice is soft as he looks at her for a moment, with a little chuckle,"Now."

Bieta sits there, drinks her coffee and looks at Tinker. She hears the signal on the dryer and sets her cup down long enough to walk into the other room. When she comes back, she has Tinker's clothes folded and still warm from the dryer. Bieta offers the clothes to Tinker, saying, "They are ready."

Tinker nods slowly, as he takes them.He stands up with a shake of his head, and he moves into the bathroom. Putting his clothing back on, he steps out with a little sigh."Sorry, I hate social. I avoid it.....you seem nice."

Bieta looks over at Tinker when he emerges from the bathroom and enters the kitchen. "I like to think I am nice." Bieta smiles a little. "I am sorry if you thought I was asking something too personal. Would you like something more to drink?" Bieta opens the fridge and takes out some apples. She moves to the sink and rinses them off.

Tinker shakes his head, as he sips the rest of his coffee."No I'm good, I think I'll go work on stuff, I mean...." His voice is soft. He shakes his head with a little blush."I mean you're too pretty for me to be around....makes me think bad things."

Bieta turns the kitchen faucet off and turns around with a couple of apples in her hands. "You are going to go work on stuff...in the middle of a severe thunderstorm after I just dried your clothes? Now, you are the one who is blushing. Surely, you have a girlfriend?" Bieta says, setting the apples down on the island.

Tinker shakes his head, with a laugh."No girlfriend. Been two years since the last time i took a girl to bed." His voice is soft, as he looks away out at the storm, and then he points to a table."Was gonna work on blueprints, and stuff."

Bieta looks over at her table and says, "hmmm..." She hands Tinker an apple and says, "What all do you need in order to do that?" Bieta carries the lighter into the dining area and she starts to light the candles.

Tinker shakes his head, as he watches her,"Why you think I had girlfriend?" His voice is soft, now as he looks into her eyes with a little frown.

Bieta pauses in lighting candles and says, "Well, your comment in the hall...if you did not have a girl friend...you at least sounded like you were someone who..." Bieta almost dropped a pillar candle. "nevermind."

"I mean...whatcha mean, oh sorry...." Tinker shakes his head, as he looks down at the paper with a frown."Then....you wannna....nevermind."

Bieta's face is pink. She looks like she wants to say something but she just can not seem to get the words out so she shuts her mouth. She lights the candle and places it back where it belonged. "I am sorry."

Tinker blushes brighter and then he looks at her for moment."Wanna go....into your room..."The blush is bright as he bites his lip rougher now, his eyes are deep pools.

The pink spreads from her face down her neck. "I...I can not just do that. I..." Bieta swallows and turns away. She starts to walk back towards the kitchen. At that moment, the lights go out. In the mostly dark room, A soft feminine voice says, "Cholerny."

Tinker looks around now, while biting his lip, and then he looks towards the voice. He is worried. Grabbing one of the flash lights flipping it on quickly, he runs towards her now.

"Aaahh!" Bieta catches the beam right in the eyes and now she really can't see. Blinking her eyes trying to accustom them to the very low light level, she turns around to face the sound of running foot steps approaching her. About then, the emergency generator kicks in and the lights come back on in the lodge.

Tinker looks around with a little sigh of breath."Sorry, heard something...wanted to check... sorry." He is blushing. turning off the flashlight, with a shake of his head."Someone saying Cholerny..."

"That was me," Bieta clears her throat. "I did not think you heard that. At least we have the lights again." Bieta stands there for a moment.

Tinker nods slowly, and then he looks at her for a moment."I want to....."His voice drops as he moves close to her now. Then he moves closer, his hand is tense and unclenching back and forth. He leans in to kiss her softly on the lips. His own lips are soft tasting of clover and honey.

Bieta is caught a little off guard when Tinker presses his lips against her own soft lips. With the contact with Bieta's mouth comes an almost euphoric and exhilirating sensation that comes from more than just good chemistry between two people. Bieta pulls away and touches her mouth with her fingers. With the loss of contact comes the loss of the accompanying sensation.

Tinker looks at her for a moment, with a faint blush in his checks as he looks at her for a moment. As he sighs softl,. he then leans in again slowly. He looks into her eyes, as he leans forward now."I want another one...." His arms yanking her to him now with a little smile and a blush in his checks."Can I have more?"

The combination of being grabbed and yanked in close to him and feeling him pressed up against her causes Bieta's spine to grow stiff and her eyes widen. "Please, let me go!" Her voice shakes and she starts trembling. He was much taller than her. Her hair had become entangled in his arms and the contact was enough to cause that same exhilirating and euphoric sensation again.

Because of those words and his feelings for her, Tinker sighs softly. The feeling of pleasure, that exhilirating, euphoric feeling taking control; he pushes it out of his head, and then he lets go of her. As he stumbles back with a shake of his head, trying to clear his thoughts, he moves to a chair far away."Sorry....you....feel weird."

Bieta sighs when he releases her and she wraps her arms around herself as she watches Tinker lower himself into a chair. "I...it was not just a burglary the other night...a stalker got in my house and when I told them I did not feel the same way they did about me...they tried to kidnap me. Mike was not here then...only Kasia, my seven year old daughter...upstairs. Kasia called some friends and the police chased off the stalker and her friends."

Tinker looks at her shocked and then he shakes his head."Holy hells, what a prick, I'm so sorry.....you have a little one too." His voice is cold now, as he looks at the door for a moment, and then he looks at her for a moment."I mean.....shit.....I'm so sorry...I was in the wrong. I will leave now..."

"You did not know all of this. I..." Bieta says. She sucks in her breath when Tinker's voice grows cold. "How could you have known when we met only two hours ago?"

Tinker shakes his head with a little sigh."I did not,...I mean I feel bad. I should not have kissed you or any of that...."His voice is sad now, as he looks down at the floor, a look of self hate on his face.

Bieta lowers herself into a chair and says, "No one has ever told me I felt weird in the past. What do you mean, I feel weird?"

Tinker looks out the window as he thinks for a moment."It was....like a jolt of pleasure, it was like it was all over my nerves." His voice is soft now, as he bites his lip softly."I wanted more, it drew me in after that kiss....."

Bieta thinks for a moment, "You realize that sounds horribly like something someone would write about two people in a bad romance novel. No one else has ever said anything to me about me making them feel this way...which yes, I know that sounds like more bad romance novel writing too. I do not feel this way when I touch other people." She says more to herself, "If this is true about everyone with whom I have shaken hands, then they have said nothing about this to me."

Tinker shrugs with a little frown on his face."Fine, then you asked, sorry for fucking saying it." He then stands up looking out the window. He sighs softly."Nevermind, and shit.....sorry for talking."

"You do not need to apologize for talking, Mr. Tinker. Yes, I did ask and I am not sorry you told me," Bieta says. Outside, the wind batters up against the glass of the window and the sides of the lodge.

Tinker sighs softly, with a shake of his head. "Now...." His eyes watching the rain beat now, and then he speaks softly, as he shakes his head."Now then, you know maybe you pick topic."

Bieta gets up and walks over to stand next to Tinker by the window. "How about I get us both another cup of hot coffee and we can go sit down at the table to talk?" Bieta walks into the kitchen and refills both of their coffee cups. She brings them out to the table and says, "You wanted to work on some blueprints. Is there anything you will need besides table space? pens, compass, protractor?"

Tinker shakes his head as he sips his coffee."No...not working now, brain all scattered...fucked." His voice is soft, as he looks down at the floor, with a little sigh of annoyance."Still thinking of that feeling...won't leave head....trying to figure it the hell out."

"I am sorry that you are too distracted to work now," Bieta says. Her cheeks are a little pink again. Bieta stares down at her coffee. Thunder rolls outside.

Tinker nods slowly, as he looks at her with a little sigh."I mean yeah.....you're as cute as hell.....then that touch...." His voice squeaks out as his checks grow bright red.

Bieta winces a little at the sound of the squeak in Tinker's voice, "I promise you I am telling you the truth, that no one else has said anything to me about this in the past," says Bieta. She takes another drink of her coffee in the name of buying time to think of what else to say.

Tinker nods slowly, as he sips his coffee."Fine. Can I have another kiss to see? I mean in the nature of science not pleasure."

As a complete release of nervous tension, Bieta laughs. "I am sorry. I have never heard a man ask me for a kiss like that. In the interest of science?" All laughter aside, Bieta looks at Tinker for a moment.

Tinker nods slowly, with a little chuckle."yes in the name of 'is it in my mind or real....?" He then walks towards her slowly, as he looks at her."Now then, kiss me."

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinker rolls Gremayre + Wits vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

Bieta leaned in close and pecked him on the cheek. The brief contact created a flash of the same exhilirating euphoria. "Yes?"

Tinker looks at her with a shake of his head."Happened again on the cheeck. It is odd, it is like pleasure and filling my veins."

Bieta steps back and says, "So, you know that this was not something you imagined or just infatuation?"

Tinker nods slowly. "it is odd magic like, like it is life you know or some stuff." He then looks at her for a moment, with a shake of his head."But you know...whatever, I'm over it and shit...."

Bieta blinks and says, "Well, that was fast." She looks away from Tinker and takes solace in her coffee cup.

Tinker nods slowly, as he sips his drink."Well more kisses, might make me want you in that bedroom, and that would not happen, so yeah over it."

Bieta chokes on her coffee. Once she stops coughing, her voice sounds a little strained when she says, "You seem to have a one track mind."

Tinker shakes his head as he sips his coffee."It is in an issue yes, but normally it is not on sex, it is on inventions, and making....so yeah feel fucking blessed, or something or wronged."

Bieta says, "What do you like to engineer, Mr. Tinker?"

Tinker says, “I do whatever is needed for the project in my mind or for others”

You say, “do you own your own business?”

Tinker says, “I do.”

"I have a small veterinary practice. It was started by my father and I took it over when he died," Bieta says.

Tinker says, “That is good to hear, mine is a large company to be honest."

The thunder grows distant outside and the wind seems to calm down also. Bieta says, "An engineering company?"

Bieta finishes off her coffee and says, "Does your company do much with 3D printing?" Bieta takes her cup to the sink and cleans the cup before sticking it in the drying rack.

Tinker watches her now, as he sips his coffee."Yeah we do. It is the next wave, we like to ride it. Why?"

"I have seen some of the newer things done with prosthetics for animals using 3D printing. Being a Veterinary surgeon, I wanted to find out more about 3D printers," Bieta says.

Tinker says, “It is quite a field, I have an expert you could talk to.”

Bieta nods her head and says, "I would love to meet them. I had some ideas I thought I might like to try but I would have to learn how to use a 3D printer first."

Tinker watches her now, with a nodding of his head."Okay I can try and do that and stuff. I mean back in NYC." His voice is soft now, and then he looks at her for a moment."I should go...."

Bieta looks up at the clock on the oven and the sound of rain on the roof and windows has stopped. "The rain has stopped. I wonder when that happened..." She looks back at Tinker and says, "It is late. I have your card. I'm not sure when next I would be in New York. It may be a long time before I travel anywhere again."

Tinker shakes his hdead, looking at her with a sigh."Nah, he will come here to you....I have to go more cause of my low willpower....I'm still very attracted to you...I'm sorry for being so....agressive. It is not normally me."

Bieta pauses for a moment before saying, "Alright. I do not think you were trying to scare me. Apology accepted. Please have him call me ahead of time. I will give you my number."

Tinker laughs softly for a moment."Okay then, I will....can I ask you something. Be honest....do I have a chance with you?"

"Mr. Tinker, I just met you tonight. Also, I think I should tell you...it is dangerous for someone to be close to me right now. That stalker has some very powerful friends...or they work for some rather powerful people...those people tried to take both Kasia and me when we were out Christmas shopping. I have not seen my daughter since because a friend of a friend is taking care of her for her protection...so Kasia will not get hurt...and so these people can not use her to get to me. Mike is more than just a tenet, he is...you could say...more like a bodyguard," Bieta says. Shaking her head, she continues, "getting personally involved with me could mean putting yourself in a good deal of danger. I saw my husband die, Tinker. These people are ruthless." Bieta starts to cry.

Tinker watches her now, and then he sighs softly, with a little chuckle."I have powerful friends, I have skills, I can help protect you. I wish to do so then, if that is the risk, fine so be it." His voice is soft, as he walks towards her now, and he lifts her in his arms. The man is stronger then he looks. He looks into her eyes."I got nothing else to do but protect you now."

When Tinker picks her up, Bieta is surprised. "Can you please put my feet back down on the floor?" Her voice squeaks a little. "I probably should not have said all that. I only just met you...it was just...you asked me what you did...I did not know what to say..." Bieta rambles.

Tinker nods slowly, as he starts towards the bedroom with a shake of his head."Nope. I'm taking you in here, and I'm tucking you into bed. Then I'm staying here for the night to guard you got it?" His voice hard now, as he moves into her bedroom, with a little chuckle.

After he manages to maneuver Bieta up the stairs, despite flailing feet and any protests, and steps through her bedroom door with her in his arms, she says, "Wait, I am not sure you understand how dangerous this is. These are not normal people."

Log Lodge - Master Bedroom(#10444R)

The walls in this bedroom and the adjoining master bath are cedar logs like the downstairs rooms of the house. A stonework wood burning fireplace heats the room on cold nights. There is a deep burgandy oriental rug covering the hardwood floors and a set of hand crafted cedar dresser drawers. At the corners of the head and foot of the california king bed are bedposts which are the slender trunks of young birch trees with a few branches overhead to create a canopy. At the foot of the bed is an old well maintained cedar chest. French doors open out to a section of the balcony outside, where one can walk, until they come to the outdoor deck.

Inside the Master bath, there is a standing shower with clear glass doors seperate from a sauna style bathtub inset in a cedar wood frame. There are Tuscan bronze fixtures and hardware in old world designs throughout. The bathroom sink countertop is a Orinoco granite and the sink is an amber bronze glass bowl setting on top of the counter's surface with a spigot reminescent of the mouth of an old water pump.

Tinker slides into the bedroom, and then he shakes his head at her."I'll be fine, now before I put you in the bed, do you wish for anything more." His voice is soft, as he carries her, holding her tightly; one of his arms are pressed around her waist, the other holding her legs."I refuse to leave, so don't argue."

"A minute ago it sounded like you could not wait to leave here before you did something you might regret," says Bieta. She grows still in his arms. "I would like some privacy to get dressed for bed for starters. If you will put me down, then I can show you to a guest bedroom if you are determined to stay."

Tinker nods slowly, as he looks at her for a moment, as he sets her down on the bed, as he looks at her for a moment, with a little chuckle."Now then, I will turn my back. That is all you will get, you're in too much danger. I will sleep down in the corner."

Bieta wipes tears off her face and crosses her arms saying, "You are not sleeping in the corner in my bedroom, Mr. Tinker. Also, Mike does a very good job of being a bodyguard without being in the same room while I dress or sleep." Bieta walks around Tinker, grabs a white nightgown out of the dresser drawers and grabs her bathrobe off the hook on the bathroom door before trying to shut herself into the bathroom.

Tinker sighs softly, as he shakes his head for a moment."Then, I will still do as I will. You will learn I never listen, and i never learn. I do it my way. Now then, you can kick me out, then I sleep on the porch. I will not leave a woman in need." His voice booms out of him, as he looks at the door, with a shake of his head.

Bieta flinches, "If you do not stop shouting like that, then Mike will be the one throwing you out and he will not let you come back. I promise you, he can get you off my porch and you may find yourself taking a much longer walk home than you planned." She sighs. Once she is dressed in her nightgown and bathrobe, which was done up right, Bieta emerges from the bathroom. Bieta reaches down to put on her slippers, "I will get some extra blankets out of the linen closet and you can just as easily stay in a guest room as you can on my porch."

Tinker sighs softly, with a little shake of his head."Nah, I have ways to travel myself, not wanting to test it again with Mike." His voice is soft now, and then he shakes his head slowly with a little chuckle."Now then, I stay in here. You say it's that scary, I stay here. That is all. I will try and protect you."

"And how long do you plan to sleep on the floor in my bedroom?" Bieta says. "Mr. Tinker, be reasonable." Bieta tries to leave her bedroom.

Tinker shakes his head slowly, with a little chuckle."FIne I'll leave if you let me have sex with you." His voice is cold, his eyes on hers, but that red is in his checks."I'll sleep in the guest room then, only way I leave."

"What kind of thing is that to say to a woman? How is that being reasonable? Having sex with you does not suddenly make me safer if the danger is real. That is not funny, Tinker!" Flustered, Bieta tosses her hand in the air and says, "Fine, you sleep in here." Bieta steps into the hallway and opens a linen closet in the hallway bathroom.

Tinker shakes his head with a little chuckle, as he moves out now to follow her, with a little chuckle."Got my way, I knew you would not do it. Now then, you see I win. I always win. Now, keep me on your side so you can win more." His voice is soft as he speaks. He looks at her."I'm stubborn. No more fighting me."

Bieta says nothing to Tinker as she pulls extra blankets out of the linen closet and then heads to a different room. She goes inside and shuts the door behind her.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinker rolls Prop + Infusion + Crafts vs 6 for 6 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Tinker says, "He is actually going to magically seal the door when he touches it Bieta." <OOC> Tinker says, "Making it so only you can open it"

A few moments after Tinker locks the door and then locks himself into a closet, Mike comes out of a room Bieta lets him use to stay nearby for protection. He's got his glasses on, his watch, a white t-shirt and some shorts. Alert, although quite groggy as if woken up and still processing that, he looks around for what's going on. "Bieta..? Where are you? What just happened?"

Bieta peeks her head out of a guest room and puts a finger to her lips. She says, "Not so loud." Bieta leaves the room in her nightgown, bathrobe and slippers and crosses the distance over to Mike. "Mr. Tinker is determined to stay. He found out I was in some danger and now he wants to protect me. He did not want to leave my room and go sleep in a guest room, so I am sleeping in a guest room tonight. I do not know where he is...in the corner in my room...on the porch...all I know is I want to get some sleep tonight without anyone watching me while I sleep. I think he is infatuated with me but he is about as blunt as a hammer. I am sorry if our yelling woke you up."

Mike sees Bieta come out and relaxes slightly. He glances around, frowning a moment as he stares off towards the room that's been glamoured. "Bieta.." He looks back to her, studying her a moment. "I.. uhm.. He did.. magic? But.. it's.. not our type. I don't know. I'm worried about him being around. I want to keep you safe too.." He reaches up to stifle a yawn, then taps his watch, easing out of hostile stance. "I heard it.. but.. I'm a deep sleeper. It takes me time to wake up. I'm sorry I wasn't up sooner to try to help.."

"Well," Bieta leans her head against the door jam, "Did you see where he went? Is he still inside the house?"

Mike points towards the glamoured door. "I suspect he's there. I'd have to break the warding to tell you, Bieta. I don't understand it. I've never seen it before. So.. That worries me." Shaking his head, he watches Bieta. "Yes. He's still in the house."

"Alright, I suppose it is some comfort to know that...the closet though? What kind of being sleeps in a closet?" Bieta points towards her room door and then covers her lips with her fingers. She mouthes the words, "I am going to bed in my room now."

Mike shakes his head a little. "I.. don't know. And that worries me. I"m going to be watching Bieta.." He reaches out to touch her shoulder a moment, briefly. A small nod is given with a slight smile before forcing himself to step back a step, so as to not deter her, but he does watch her go.

Bieta turns around and looks at Mike saying, "Wait." She came back over to him. "This is going to sound like a strange question but have you ever felt anything you would describe as weird when you touched me?"

Mike blinks at Bieta's question, hesitates, then nods a little. "Actually.. yes. A bit. I.." He frowns, takes a breath then nods, looking at her. "It feels good.. and I.. like to keep.. I want.. to.. more.." Hesitating, he shakes his head a little. "But.. I know.. it's.. Well. I suspect it's like the Code variant that Amethyst has.. It's.. a spark. a change in the default code. It makes it feel.. good. And I've been manipulating my Code so I don't get addicted and do something you wouldn't want, Bieta.."

"A spark?" Bieta makes a face. "I do not understand what you are saying, Mike. Just...whatever this is...everyone with whom I shake hands feels this?" She shifts her weight from foot to foot. "Mike, Mr. Tinker got...so infatuated after touching me...he talked about wanting to touch me more. Are you saying, that my friends...probably like me because...I shook hands with with them? Do you like me because of this spark or because you like me for me?"

Mike muses a moment. "He got affected by it. I'm sure. That's probably a third of why he was.. insistent. I.. had been. But I'm not. It's pleasent. But I've purposely worked to neutralize it in myself, so I can be around you without constantly pawing you." He shakes his head slowly. "No. I don't think everyone is like that. Maybe a few. But overall it's something that has to build up over time. Unless someone is susceptable to it. Does that make sense?" Mike smiles a little at Bieta then. "Yes. I may be trying to touch you a little more often than I normally would try to touch.. well.. anyone.. in part because of it.. But.. I'm more than that. I care about you enough Bieta.. that it doesn't even matter to me.. I'm putting everything I can, into protecting you.. and focused to learn more. To make sure I can keep you safe.. That? That has nothing to do with the spark.. That's me, into you.. ok?"

The following day...

Log Lodge - Living Area(#10336RAM)

The interior of this spacious open concept lodge is built of cedar logs, with rustic features throughout. There are a few things that stand out about this place. Tree trunks run up through the construction of the house like pillars before spreading their slender branches flush up against the roof above. A slender tree trunk hooks back and forth, following the line of the stairway, which leads to the upstairs hallway before its limbs interweave themselves with the others up above.

A stonework facade along one wall contains a large wood burning fire place, which provides some light and spreads warmth throughout the whole living area when a fire is lit on colder nights. Either votive and pillar candles spread throughout the area or electric lamps and recessed lights provide illumination. On either side of the stonework facade are picture windows, which allow for moonlight to spill into the room, washing the trees in silver and giving them the feel of a magical forest, as long as the moon is not new.

The wonderful smells of minced meats, white beans, tomato paste, bacon, kielbasa, onion, and spices mixes with the sound of somethng frying in the kitchen. Bieta opens a drawer and takes out silverware. After walking out to the table, she starts to set the table. She has an apron on over a clean pair of scrubs and her hair has been pulled back and woven in a single braid down her back. She is singing to herself in another language.

Tinker steps into the home, he is dressed in a suit today, well tailored his hair is tied back, as he moves towards the smell."Hello there." His voice is soft, as he leans against the wall to watch her.

When she hears Tinker's voice, Bieta turns and looks at him and stops singing. "Hello, Mr. Tinker. I hope you were not too uncomfortable in that closet last night." Bieta walks into the kitchen. She glances at the timer on the oven before grabbing a spoon to stir a concoction in a pot on the stove which was the source of the smell of white beans, tomato paste, bacon, kielbasa, onion, and spices.

"I was fine, okay....just." Tinker shakes his head now, watching her."I came to say sorry for being a prick." His voice is soft, as he sinks into a chair, with a little sigh.

Bieta steps back out of the kitchen and comes and sits down at the table. "I talked to Mike last night and it looks like you are not the only person to feel 'weird' when touching me. No one just bothered to tell me that there is something about me..." Bieta clasps her hands in front of her on the table, "all I have to do is shake hands with someone. Mike seems to know more about this than I do. He told me that some are more...susceptible than others. Last night may not have been entirely your fault if you happen to be someone who is more susceptable."

Tinker sighs softly, with a little chuckle as he looks at her."So I'm not nuts, that is good to know...."His voice is soft, as he looks down at the table, his hands pushing the pencil on it.

Bieta shakes her head and says, "No, you are not nuts. Mike did say that touching me could be addictive. Also, he told me he does something to protect himself but I do not know exactly what that is and I am not sure I could explain it if I did."

"I see , I see....so no more touches." Tinker nods slowly, as he bites his lip again with a shake of his head."Maybe that is why you got a pyscho stalker."

Bieta's brows knit together,"Mr. Tinker, Linnete never touched me physically until the night she tried to kidnap me. That was after I told her I did not love her."

"Oh, you know, that is fucked up." Tinker nods slowly, with a little sigh of air."Now then, you know I think, I'm go patrol and shit."

The next day....

Log Lodge - Living Area(#10336RAM)

The interior of this spacious open concept lodge is built of cedar logs, with rustic features throughout. There are a few things that stand out about this place. Tree trunks run up through the construction of the house like pillars before spreading their slender branches flush up against the roof above. A slender tree trunk hooks back and forth, following the line of the stairway, which leads to the upstairs hallway before its limbs interweave themselves with the others up above.

A stonework facade along one wall contains a large wood burning fire place, which provides some light and spreads warmth throughout the whole living area when a fire is lit on colder nights. Either votive and pillar candles spread throughout the area or electric lamps and recessed lights provide illumination. On either side of the stonework facade are picture windows, which allow for moonlight to spill into the room, washing the trees in silver and giving them the feel of a magical forest, as long as the moon is not new.

Tinker is sitting in a chair, with a sad look on his face, as he looks at his phone, and then he sighs softly, with a shake of his head. He is one sad dude, his phone is fliped over, his hand is holding a cup of coffee from the town, and then he exhales slowly.

The scents of dinner cooking waft out of the kitchen and begin to fill the living area. A fire crackles in the fireplace to ward off the cold of the evening. Bieta already has the table set for three. Bieta is singing to herself in a different language in the kitchen.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Bieta rolls Charisma(2) + Singing(1) (3 dice) vs 6 for 0 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Bieta says, "somebody has a frog in their throat."

Tinker does not move, he just sits there, his hands resting on the table, as he looks at the phone, and then into the kitchen. The singing is just noise to him. His eyes are look around again, as he sighs again slowly.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Tinker rolls Dexterity + Crafts vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

From within the kitchen, the singing stops for a moment and the sound of the faucet running can be heard along with a glass being filled. The faucet is turned off just as the timer on the oven goes off. The sound of a pot being taken off the stove can be heard. Soon, Bieta starts singing to herself again.

<---======##====================[ Dice Roll ]=====================##======---> Bieta rolls Charisma(2) + Singing(1) (3 dice) vs 6 for 2 successes. <-------------=============++++++++++++++++++++++++=============------------->

<OOC> Bieta says, "just needed a drink of water."

Tinker is making an object with the paper in front of him, folding it this way and that, as he sits there looking sad. The object is a small little frog, that moves when you push down, hopping halfway across the table.

In a few minutes, Bieta emerges out of the kitchen and sets some trivets down on the table. She looks at Tinker's paper frog and says, "What a cute frog!" Bieta notices Tinker's mood and lowers herself into a chair across the table from him.

Tinker looks at her for a moment. Then he pushes down on the frog again, making it leap towards her, without saying a word.

Bieta smiles as the little frog makes its leap. She gestures towards the frog and says, "May I?"

Tinker nods slowly, with a shrug of his shoulder."Go for it."

Bieta gently picks up the frog and turns it around to face Tinker. Then she repeats the same movement she saw Tinker make in order to make the frog jump.

Tinker laughs softly, but his eyes are not in it, as he stands up."I'm going out."

"Alright, I'll need to stay in and keep an eye on dinner to make sure it doesn't burn," Bieta says. "Is there something about which you wanted to talk?"

"No you can't help me okay, I tried with you, you said no...." Tinker spits the words, out and then he points at his phone."Been on tinder, getting nos, been on dating sites getting nos, everywhere you know. Just a fucking loser."

"Tinker, we just met and I do not think a bunch of strangers on computer sites are going to really know who you are. I feel bad about the night we met not because we met but because I feel like...this weird thing I knew nothing about manipulated you into liking me. You sounded to me like you were not very interested in me until after you touched me. I am still grieving from the loss of my husband. If my husband had been you, then would you have wanted me to forget you so fast in order to be with someone else?" Bieta clasps her hands in front of her.

Tinker sighs softly, with a shrurg."Honestly yeah, I would want you to be with someone, I believe in enjoying life, not mourning the past...but my life is fucked. Also, I wanted you prior, that just pushed it and sealed it."

Bieta swallows and she clasps her hands tight enough for her knuckles to turn white. Her voice is soft and there is a hitch in her throat when she says, "I still have nightmares about seeing my husband die." Bieta blinks.

Tinker sighs softly, with a little look at her."Oh, whatcha mean by that?"

Bieta's face grows pale and she says, "My husband was missing and Mike offered to help me find him. We followed a lead which said Tomasz was in Rhode Island. Once we found him, a sniper blew my husband's brains out in front of Mike and me. Then the sniper started shooting at us." Bieta's voice is soft but the pitch rises a little and her breath comes in short gasps. "When we tried to go back to the hotel before leaving, someone had been there and trashed our rooms. I really do not think you understand just how dangerous it is knowing me right now."

Tinker says, “I don't care about that, I wanna help you. Fuck it, I die, protecting you that is fine sexy.”

Bieta shudders and rubs her arms. "I am sorry. I know you do not mean it the same way as Linnete, when she said that she would die for me before trying to kidnap me. I just...Linnete burglarized the house and tried to kidnap me just after Mike and I returned from Rhode Island. That was not the first time Linnete did something creepy. Being in hiding at my home is better than hiding somewhere else but sometimes I feel like I am under house arrest. I can not go anywhere by myself anymore, I can only go certain places, I have to be transported a certain way, I can not see my own daughter if she is to remain safe...living with all this fear and stress...is it any wonder I am having nightmares?"

Tinker sighs softly, as he shakes his head looking at her."I mean yeah I getcha, okay I truly do, I had something...nevermind." His voice is soft, and then he looks at the door, and then at the window."I, think I should stop coming here, my desires get in the way, you don't want that, and I do badly, not healthy for us."

"Mr. Tinker, you are confusing me. One minute you tell me that you want to protect me. The next you are telling me that you want to leave and not come back. I do not want you to do something you do not want to do. I do want you to know the risk involved when you choose because that is what is fair," Bieta says.

Tinker shakes his head, with a little chuckle."Nah, I wanna protect you, I wanna die for you, but what I want in return, is something selfish as hell. I'm not a noble man or a knight, I wanna make you moan and scream with me. I mean, that is my desire here, and that is not right."

Beita's cheeks turn ruddy and the rest of her face is quick to follow. She opens her mouth but no words come out. Bieta looks away for a moment and then returns her gaze to Tinker, "If you know history, then you know having a title never gauranteed that someone was the best of humanity. In fact, when terrible people get power, they just get worse. Whether you are all the wonderful things a knight should be or not starts with you deciding to be that way. Men think about certain things some times but it does not stop them from thinking about other things and doing other things. If you could not do this, then you would never invent things."