12535/Don't Call It A Business Lunch

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Don't Call It A Business Lunch
Date of Scene: 22 August 2022
Location: North Woods
Synopsis: Mercy and Patience meet in the park on a Sunday afternoon. Snacks and conversation are shared. And now Patience wants to go camping!
Cast of Characters: Patience Alperen, Mercy Thompson




Patience Alperen has posed:
Sundays are supposed to be a day of rest amongst those who choose to attend church services of many sorts across the city. For Patience, she had already had a fairly busy morning before arriving at the park to meet with Mercy to visit and catch up.

She had attended a sunrise Mass at one of the smaller Catholic churches in the diocese. She was not fond of the larger congregations or of many of their opinions. To say she has come to many of her own conclusions and formed personal opinions that were "not necessarily those expressed by the Staff and Management" of the Church was more than an unstatement. It still didn't change that she viewed attending Mass as an important, well, ritual.

Follow Mass, she had gone to another branch of the NYC Library for some research time and there she spent much of the morning until it was time to head to the park. On her way there, she had made one quick stop.

When she finds Mercy at the agreed corner of the park, Patience had a backpack slung over her right shoulder, wearing a pale pink cotton Oxford, natural colored linen pants and open to sandals. Seeing Mercy, she smiled and waved. As she drew near she slipped the backpack off her shoulder. "Hello Mercy. I come bringing snacks." She pulls out a white sack. Within are an half dozen assorted bagels fresh from one of the best bagel shops in the area. "I didn't get cream cheese, I'm sorry. But these are fresh enough they really don't need it usually. Help yourself?" She then pulls out two bottled frappucinos still cold from the cooler. "Hopefully you like mocha. It was that or caramel which is usually too sweet."

With a shrug, she lets Mercy have first pick if she wants anything. "How did your morning go?"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy likes to go to church as well. Sometimes she does work at the garage but it is always work she wants to do. Something for fun, not being open for oil changes and brake jobs. Mercy got out to the park early because she honestly wanted to get some fresh air. She herself is just in clothes, the typical Jeans and tee shirt she is usually found in.
    "Hi Patience," looking up from where she stands looking over the woods, face turned to face down wind out of habit. "Nice! I didn't bring anything sadly, just me really. Church was fine and I got to sleep in a little bit after being up late last night. That project I got going on now is really coming along. How are things with you?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen smiles. "Well "Just You" is all we agreed on. I didn't expect you to bring anything. I was feeling a little munchy after a couple hours at the library. It would have been rude to just get something for myself and not offer." She lets Mercy have her pick before pulling out an Everything bagel for herself. "Sleeping in is one of the best blessings of the weekend."

"Everything has been good? I mean.. I heard there was something that happened at your garage maybe a week ago? Things are okay? You're okay?" She looks to Mercy with some concern.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Reading anything good," asks Mercy as she moves to join Patience and rolls her shoulders to relax. Mercy lets her nose tell her what sounds good as she pulls out one with a grin, "cheers." Offering to jokingly tap the bagels together like glasses. "It isn't something I can usually do. Especially in that special decadent way I can at times." Not explaining how that is exactly.
    To the question she teeter her hand some. "Mostly. I mean the shop got messed up some from the little incident but I'm insured. One of the bad guys visited and made a mess. I had to run away, but my garage was exposed so some people did a tiny bit of looting." But she waves off a hand, "I am fine though. Just really grossed out."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen laughs and taps bagels then offers over one of the bottled chilled coffee drinks. "Cheers!" she declares before stuffing the bagel into her mouth briefly while she puts the extra bagels into her pack and slings it of her shoulder. Then she finally noms a bite as she listens to Mercy's recounting of the events.

"I'm glad you're okay as well as insured. It still isn't a good thing." She frowns, "There were looters? Ugh. I'm sorry." She takes another small bite of bagel.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Things will be tight for a bit, some weeks of mac 'n' cheese for me. But it isn't anything I haven't done before. It will be okay and if I get my project done I should be just fine for food." Mercy doesn't seem too stressed about everything, especially as she chews on a bite of bagel. Nibbling away at it hungerly. "Got anything new with you? Been meaning to ask, dating in carpenters?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen frowns. "Then let me have you over and I'll cook you a meal one night? Mac 'n Cheese is a good staple nd stand by. But no one should have to eat it daily unless they really want to." She smiles. "I'd be pleased to do it regardless. But this knowledge just nudges me to be more friendly."

"I've been doing some research on Norse mythology. Particularly one ruler known as the Winter King. There is very little accurate accounting of him. The myths and lore say he lived with he Frost Giants of Jotunnheim and fought beside them.." A long sigh, "Trying to read the truth from the mythos has been slow going."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Oh I got other things to eat. Besides I can always take the car out and hunt. I don't need a license for my style of hunting exactly." But Mercy may end up taking Patience's offer if she needs it. "Mind you I'm happy to go and get a meal together sometime and hang out like we are." Cue another bite of the bagel.
    "Do you think he was a fae? For all we know he could be around." Mercy considers things and says, "Well the group got a new member. She's called Sprite, and you should talk to her sometime about stories and history in the past."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen smiles. "I would love to have you over, Mercy. If I'm honest it is as much about keeping myself from behind insular and anti social as it is about wanting to be sure you get proper meals." She shrugs, "It's no problem. At least till you taste my cooking. You might change your mind!" she jokes.

"I'm .. not certain what he actually was. But the lore that i have been able to uncover indicates that he was slain in battle." She glances around between nibbling on her bagel and talking, "You know legends though. A small seed of truth and a whole tree of embellishments."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Well if you want company, I am fine doing that. Also I know people go to the VR from time to time." Mercy is making short work of that lovely round carb ring. "Hopefully for the better," joins Mercy in the laughter with Patience.
    Mercy can't help but say, "For the so called monsters and other things. Death is not always so permanent." Not that Mercy has done any research into this topic exactly. She nods her head as well, "I do know. Even met a legend or two in my time. Not always a nice or good thing." Glancing over, "So is this work, or just an academic topic for you?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen smiles. "I don't need company for the sake of company I guess? But we're team members and, hopefully, friends to a degree. I would like to get to know you better? We both joined the team not that far apart." She has about half of her bagel left. She's pacing herself. "I've been to the VR a few times or social sorts of gatherings. They do know how to have parties and a good time I must admit."

Agreeing wryly, "Yes. Death is not as permanent as we have all be led to believe. I am not certain that is in our favor."

She smiles. "It is partially academic but also of a personal interest. The Artifact that I carry. The Winter King was reportedly the first to wield it. I want to know more about its creation. How it came to Be. And.. if he could be slain. It seems wise to understand what sort of weaknesses I should be mindful of"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy says, "You may regret being my friend. I can be hard to get rid off." Making it sound like it is more a chore then a benefit. "If you got any questions about me, I try to let you know about me." Mercy is not exactly looking to test how loose Death can grab at her, not when she rather just cheat death as much as she can.
    "I think Jon and Sprite would be good ones to help learn about that maybe. I got a degree in history, but I haven't studied the Winter King or anything. Has the item done any winter like abilities since you got it?"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen laughs warmly. "Perhaps. It is a risk I think I am willing to take." Her brown eyes sparle with amusement. "I think that questions will likely come for the both of us organically. I have learned that pushing questions only makes for tense conversation and no one comes away with a better view. It isn't a race, it's a journey, right?"

A nod, "I'll have to meet Sprite. I hadn't realized we had another new member. That's good for the team." She smiles. "Yes. It can create and control ice among other things. It is an active artifact in that regard."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "That's fair enough. I go this strange mix of reckless and overly cautious." She looks over for a bit her eyes starting to follow something as she asks, "Patience do you see a young woman jogging along the trail just over there?" She motions to the empty air in question.
    "Sprite is awesome. She's rather fun, but I won't spill her secrets. I will say this, don't treat her like a kid. She'll look like one, but don't do that. She not a tween." The comment about ice makes Mercy laugh, "Must be great in summer to keep a drink cool."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen's smile begins to fade to a frown as Mercy asks about a jogger. "No, I don't, Mercy. Mmm.. should I?" She looks to Mercy with some confusion and a hint of concern there may be some sort of trouble.

"Not a tween. I'll remember that. And yeah.. a bit more than just craft ice. I can create projectiles. Or spears." She smiles some.. "I can make holy water blessed ice spears. Helpful against particular enemies the team may come against."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy shakes her head and says, "No. I mean it isn't good or bad that you don't." She looks over to the other woman, "I see ghosts. Sometimes it's hard to tell who's alive and who is dead. I'm guessing she's a Repeater and just runs here often. I just never seen here before." Mercy goes on to say, "it took me quiet a while to realize that not everyone sees ghosts. I thought it was like seeing a bird for the longest time."
     Mercy lets the ghost topic fade to talk about Patience interests a bit more, "That's pretty awesome. There was a winter hunting goddess of the Norse to... um.... skaldi or something? I imagine holy water can come into really awesome in a pinch."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen takes note of the comment about seeing ghosts. She looks along the path but doesn't dwell on it. "I tend to things like demons and evil spirits. But mundane ghosts? Not usually. Perhaps that is a blessing."

She nods some. "I will have to look into her story as well. thank you for the information. I look forward to learning how her story might mix the Winter King if at all. And yes. Depending on the sort of entity I may be fighting, holy water or ice can be very useful>"

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I'm used to them by now," admits Mercy. "Some ghosts can get really nasty. But most are pretty harmless and hardly notice anything." She shakes her head, "I may be sending you on a wild goose chase. I mean she could be as helpful as Ymir's daughter in the Conan stories for all I know." She wipes her fingers clean of crumbs and offers to start walking the paths a bit. "You are pacing and this is too pretty a place to go back and forth on one tiny spot."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen smiles. "Well I've already been on a pretty fruitless investigation. A little more data can't hurt. It's another avenue to explore."

With nod she walks along with Mercy. She laughs. "Well.. when I think I usually can't sit still." She falls in beside the other woman. "It's a beautiful park. I'll have to come back more often. It's nice that the city has these natural reserves still."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Well I wish you luck. I'll see if I got any old books that can help out. Not that I got loads of free time right now." The pair can start to walk along and Mercy feels better to be moving, her eyes never seem to stay still. "I've always been fairly athletic, even when young. It's okay as a park in a city. Not quiet enough wild for me. Too little spoor and other stuff I'm used to when in a wood."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen keeps pace with Mercy. "That makes sense. I grew up in an orphanage and didn't get to spend time in any sort of parks. Just the enclosed play yard of the school. So for me, this is amazing. I want to go camping in proper wilderness areas some time. Just to see how dark it is, see how bright the stars and Milky Way really are, and feel the quiet. I'm sure it will be unsettling but I would love to experience it."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I never ended up in the foster care system exactly, nor an orphanage. I'd have been a terror if I had though. My foster parents were pretty," Mercy pauses to look for the word. "Rustic. I grew up in big sky mountains where a town of like maybe less then 200 people were there over an area large as Manhattan island." Mercy looks over and says, "If you want to do that. I can easily take you somewhere. I know a lot of really good out of the way places. I go to them from time to time. Maybe even rent out a telescope if that's your thing."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen smiles sadly. "I don't care for orphanages. Kids should have families and friends. Not strict Nuns as stand ins."

She brightens though at Mercy's offer. "That would be really cool. There are a lot of wilderness variations across the country. Eventually I'd really love to get to experienece each distinct region. It would be amazing I'm sure."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "I know a place that isn't bad only a bit over an hour's drive. It won't be as good as the wide open wilds of Montana but it will definitely be better then out here." Mercy has a relaxed smile as she walks and has to keep her mind present in the here and now. "Different woods can really change the feel, smell and sounds of a place. Not just because of obvious reasons but in subtle ways as well. I like different climates as well, save the cold. Winter sucks. Give me hot and dry over cold any day"

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen listens. "That sounds really nice. I would like that, sometime." It's hard to know when schedules will afford such a trip but a girl can dream and keep things on her bucket list, can't she?

"Well if we're talking winter. Yeah. I'm going to experience that in a nice warm lodge or heated cabin with all the ameneites. I'm not roughing it in the snow" she declares with a laugh.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Let's say I know what being exposed in the cold can feel like, and not get too curious what that can mean." Mercy is laughing though, no shivers here in the end of summer yet. She is in good spirits and the walk help. "Excuse me," she steps to the other side of Patience for about three paces and then goes back. "Have you ever been camping at all? I mean do you have like a sleeping bag or anything? We can't do it the two of us the way I normally would."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen nods, believing her. "I won't ask but I can imagine." She grins.

"I have been camping before. I've had some survival training. But it isn't exactly an area of expertise. But I would need to go buy some appropriate gear and equipment. But I would love to learn some of the survival skills you have - if you'd share them."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Fall can be rather pretty, and honestly if you want to see stars then colder weather is better. Cold air is.... thinner. Holds less junk in it. So you see the sky clear then hot summer nights." Mercy thinks about and says, "The big thing is getting a pair of boots you like to walk in and that are broken in. No blisters. Other then that I can handle food some, and we'd just need some basic supplies like tent, sleeping bags, cookware." Mercy looks over and says, "I can teach you some stuff, Patience. But a lot of my tricks won't work for you, sadly. But I can definitely give you the crash course."

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen listens. "It sounds like a lot of fun, really." She smiles and nods, "I didn't mean or expect everything. Even if you could. But learning is a thing I hope to always continue to do through my life. Everyone has something I can learn from them if they're willing."

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    Mercy leans over and says, "Patience I grew up with a pack of werewolves. I'm pretty sure some of their ways aren't going to make you too comfortable." Mercy lightly licks a finger and will try to reach out and touch the tip of Patience nose, "tip one. Always be mindful of the wind when in the woods. Any wood. Even cities really." If she touches Patience nose the dampness may help the other woman to pick up the faint motion of the air as they walk. It won't be by accident they mostly been walking into the wind.

Patience Alperen has posed:
Patience Alperen pauses and watches Mercy, listening intently to her. "Yes... I did understand that.." She watches as that licked finger makes its way toward her. To her credit she does not go cross-eyed as Mercy chooses to essentially boop her nose. The whole interchange is entirely trusting. For all of her skill and training there is a social naivety under it all that seems to almost border child-like wonder.

"...oh." She looks to Mercy, "okay.." She pauses and looks around herself slowly, trying to take that on-the-job lesson to heart now.

Mercy Thompson has posed:
    "Humans trust their eyes the most. From there it is hearing. Smell and taste are near the bottom," says Mercy. "But animals, especially prey, don't trust their eyes as much as other senses. I can try to show you that wilderness awareness when we go camping." Mercy taps her nose, "Just remember lots of thing smell better then you. A /lot/ better and can smell you no matter how quiet you are." Mercy looks around out of habit before she says, "what do you say I buy us a pretzel or hot dog, there's a cart over that way." Pointing one way as she turns toward it. "I could get a bit more to eat and feel I owe you a little something."