8407/Bike Messengers Beware

Bike Messengers Beware
Date of Scene:	24 October 2021
Location:	Upper East Side
Synopsis:	Chas saves Lasariel from a wayward bike messenger and, as a reward, gets to have coffee with the artist.
Cast of Characters:	Chas Chandler, Asariel

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Chas Chandler has posed:
    The mid-day afternoon was still early when Chas decided that instead of trying to make pizza at the Laughing Magician, he'd just order out. The closest (and probably cheapest, Chas isn't made of money after all) was a Domino's in the Upper East Side borough. He drove most of the way, but parking in New York was never easy, even for a cabbie who knew the streets like the back of his hand and so there was still quite a ways to go before he actually reached the place.

    He was dressed for the weather: black turtleneck, blue running jacket, sturdy jeans, and his boots that had seen him through too many tough spots with his friend. He walked with the air of a man without many worries... for once.

    It was a good mid-day. One of the rare ones.

Asariel has posed:
Lasariel had snuck out of the apartment as best she could. She was hoping to get out and get some coffee and lunch before having to head into a meeting at the Met. Which was right up the street from this area. She's just stepping out of the Coffee Bean with a large to go cup and a smile on her alabastrine face. Her hair was left down today, just waves of bone white that lie in a stark contrast against the red of her sweater coat that she wears, jeans that fit like a second skin and black riding boots finish off the outfit.

Over her shoulder she's carrying a large leather portfolio that's probably carrying something important. She does look both ways before stepping out, in one path is Chas who she lingers on for the moment. Getting distracted on sidewalks are probably not good though.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas notices the woman. It's hard not to notice her, the red sweater a stark contrast to her hair. The jeans and boots also draw his eyes, he's not immune to a pair of tight pants. She's a very attractive woman after all. He even takes in the portfolo she's carrying, giving it a curious glance and filing it in his mind.

    He also doesn't miss the fact that a man on the bike that is speeding around the corner just behind her. "Whoa!" he says, moving forward with what might be alarming speed for a man his size. He takes the woman by the shoulders and, with minimal sloshing of her coffee moves her back into the doorway just as the biker rings his bell and speeds past them both.

    "Why don't you watch where you're going you arse!" he calls after the biker, his North London accent giving his words a colorful lilt. He turns to the woman he just saved. "Are you alright, miss?" he asks her.

Asariel has posed:
Las wasn't sure she'd seen a guy his height in awhile and well, that's what caught her attention the most. She wasn't going to crack a joke about the weather up there. That would be too weird really. His movement though is what gives her a startle.

She wasn't aware of the bike messenger that was about to knock into her and after a yelp of concern she's left staring into the chest of the man that moved her out of the way. She takes a breath before looking up to him, her sapphire gaze a little panicked for a moment before she realizes he's not going to try to shove her into a van or anything like that.

"I'm alright, thank you. I should have been paying better attention. Bike messengers are careless of their surroundings." she chuckles. "Could I buy you a coffee for your heroic actions?" she asks him as she offers him a radiant smile.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    "They really are" Chas says, again giving the messenger a scalding look before he turns back to the woman. She really was quite a bit shorter than he was, even in boots. "I... you don't have to, but I'm not going to say no" he says, rubbing the back of his head to her with a smile. "I sort of missed my morning Joe today. My name is Chas, by the way" he says offering her a large, calloused hand in greeting. "Chas Chandler."

Asariel has posed:
"It's no trouble really, least I could do." Las tells him with a smile. She felt especially short for some reason. "Coffee is the only way I can survive somedays." she muses to that. Then she reaches out to shake the offered hand, "It's nice to meet you, Mister Chandler. I'm Lasariel Weiss." she offers with a warm squeeze of her hand. "Hopefully I don't keep you from anything important with the coffee detour." she states as she gives a nod to the coffee shop.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas waves her worry away with a smile. "Nothing too pressing no, just getting some drinks and pizza for a get together later this evening," Chas says as he moves to the coffee shop and opens the door for her, like a proper gentleman.

    "I should apologize as well" he says following her inside. "I didn't really think much when I moved in to help you. I know that seeing a guy my size come at you could probably be pretty startling. I didn't have much time to act though. So if I did frighten you... I'm really sorry. I just... I couldn't let you get annihilated by some idiot who wasn't watching where he was going."

Asariel has posed:
"Football or just something else?" Las asks him curiously. She was at least interested in what a large man like him might be doing on a Sunday night. She gives a dip of her head when he opens the door, a quiet thanks as well to go along with it.

She looks to him after heading towards the counter, "Honestly I figured you were not going to toss me into an alley or an unmarked van and try to do horrible things when you stood there. Most kidnappers act quickly and not in areas that are well traveled during the day." she tells him. It sounded strangely like someone who might have been abducted before. "I was alarmed for a moment but I'm alright, honest." she tells him. "And yeah, I have a meeting at the MET for a gallery opening so I was very thankful that I didn't get hit. It would have been bad news." she gives him a grateful look.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas shakes his head. "No. Nothing like that. A group of friends are moving into a building down in Hell's Kitchen. This is sort of a housewarming for all of them. Just a sit and chat and the like." He moves to the counter and orders: black, splash of cream. "A gallery. Oh! You're an artist?" he asks, glancing at the portfolio she carried. "Is that some of your work?"

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a smile, "I suspect you're not much for American football with that accent, but that is just me guessing a bit." she chuckles to that. "I hope their housewarming goes well." she adds. "She looks to the portfolia that's being carried over her shoulder and she nods, "Yes, I am. I own a space over in Brooklyn as well." she admits. "This is some of my work from over the years, would you like to see it? Could sit and chat for a bit unless you need to leave soon?" she asks him with a soft smile.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas chuckles. "Guilty" he says. "Born and raised in London." He scratches at his full hair. "Yeah, the pads and all don't really do it for me. I just keep asking, why not play rugby?"

    At her suggestion he nods. "Oh. I'd love to, if you don't mind?" he gets his coffee and then gestures to a booth. "I've always been fond of art. I dabble in it myself, but I'm not that good to be honest."

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a laugh at that, "Sorry I just noticed the accent and most people from the UK are into soccer and other things. I lived in Rome for awhile and they were really into soccer." she muses to that.

When he gestures to the booth she gives a smile and heads that way. "Practice makes perfect really. I'm sure you do just fine." she tells him as she settles into a seat and settles the leather portfolio onto the table. It looked expensive. "I...have a bit of a weird aesthetic taste, so hopefully you won't go screaming out of the coffee shop." she blushes at that. Showing strangers was a bit nerve wrecking and she wasn't sure this big guy was going to be OK with it.

The portfolio is opened and the first thing on the top of the neat stack of expensive papers are a few photos of tarot card paintings and a few full size sculptures that are in process. The sketches underneath range from fallen angels with tattered wings to demons amongst ashen fields. It is meticulous work.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas waves off her conern again. "I also have something of an ecclectic taste... I'm sure it will be..." His eyes widen when he sees the Tarot card paintings. "Oh my..." He looks them over with very discerning eyes.

    "These are... lovely." His eyes move to the sketches and in-process sculpture pictures as well. "Very... I mean, I don't want to say *authentic* because, no one could know that right..." there is a nervous chuckle, "but I could believe these to be the real deal in stone and pencil."

    A long and steady finger traces the outline of one of the tattered wings and his expression seems wistful for a moment. "Really... I can feel the sadness even in this second level medium. You're incredible" he says looking up at the white haired woman.

Asariel has posed:
Las feels like she's holding her breath for a moment. She picks up her coffee to take a sip of it as he peruses and she gives a genuine smile when he doesn't run off over her artwork. "There's a lot of different things to paint and sculpt out there, but I am most a fan of angels and demons. I learned a lot of sculpting techniques when I was in Rome. It was a fun time." she smiles to that.

There's a tinge of red that comes to her cheeks when he compliments her, "Thank you. I appreciate those that can see the artwork for what it is. I obviously don't let the children I teach paint this sort of stuff." she chuckles.

"So what is your story, Chas?" she asks him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas keeps analysing the work spread before him. "I'm pretty sure the students would come up with some wild things if you gave them this sort of subject to study" he says and then looks up at the white haired woman. He takes a sip of his coffee.

    "My story? Oh that's a long tale but the basics... I'm a part time cabbie, full time co-owner and bartender of a seedy hole called the Laughing Magician... over in Hell's Kitchen. You heard of it?" he asks.

    His friendly demeanor and cordial nature don't paint the picture of a seedy bartender but the pale-haired girl doesn't seem the type to harbor internal visions of demons and fallen angels and hellscapes. Appearances could always be deceiving.

Asariel has posed:
"They are varying ages so I try not to give them stuff like this. Don't need partents calling me going 'why are you showing my kid this garbage'." Las tells him before she sips her coffee. She gives a look to him when he explains though and there's a smile, "Seems like an interesting set of jobs. I've only heard of the Laughing Magician in the news when the area was attacked." she frowns at that.

"No one was hurt that worked there, were they?" she asks him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas laughs softly. "That's... true. Don't need that." He shakes his head. "Only the other owner and he recovered. It wasn't... too terrible" he says, though his expression tells that the entire event was a harrowing one for him as well.

    "But we rebuilt and managed things alright." He frowns. "The regular crowd got a bit smaller after that. But we stay afloat... most of the time."

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a soft smile to that, "I'm glad no one was hurt worse than that. It seems that we're having some very weird situations this year so maybe the worst is yet to come." she admits. "Or not, hopefully if there is anything on the horizon it will wait until the new year." she states. "I'll have to stop in sometime and have a drink if I can sneak away from my bodyguards for a few minutes." she muses to that.

"Would you recommend visiting London to someone who hasn't been there before?" she asks him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas' expression grows a little darker at the possible portents that Lasariel is giving. It had been a rough year all around and he wasn't out of the woods yet. At her question he comes out of his reverie.

    "Depends on what you're going for" he says, taking a sip of the coffee. "I mean. If your looking for inspiration for work like your own, it's great. But if you were a landscape of skyscape painter I'd say go further north. Scotland's good for that sort of thing." He paues. "If you're wanting to go for pleasure more than any artistic pursuits? It's not bad. Got a lot of history there ya know? The Palace, Big Ben, Tower, the Thames... so it's definitely got tourist appeal."

Asariel has posed:
"Mainly pleasure, but I'm sure I'll want to go on some dark history or graveyard tour while I'm around Europe." Las admits with a bit of a smile. "At least I think that's where I'm going in December. I'm still trying to figure out where to take a vacation." she states as looks to her coffee.

"So what do you like to do when you aren't being a cabbie or a bartender, Chas?" she asks him curiously.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    "Oh... I dabble in a lot of things. Lot's of reading. The occasional painting. I like to tinker as well" Chas replies with a smile and a sip of his coffee. "Puzzles are a favorite of mine. Mind-problems... not the jigsaw types, though, those are good for a time killer."

    He nods to Lasariel, his eyes sparkling a bit. "I'll tur00n it back on you, what do you do when you're not creating amazing pieces of art or travelling to far off locations?"

Asariel has posed:
Las watches him as he speaks, with her coffee done she rests her chin on her hands and watches him with a soft smile, "Maybe you can come over to the art complex sometime and dabble in things over there. I'm sure that you'd be able to use your imagination there." she tells him.

His question turns to her and she chuckles, "That is fair to ask me. I do a lot of appearances at Charity Galas and I teach sometimes. Currently we're starting up an outreach program over in Brooklyn for children that might benefit from it." she explains to him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas laughs as she suggests he come to her studio. "I don't know if a guy like me would be a welcome sight at a fancy complex like you probably have. Appreciation is one thing..." He shakes his head. "I just... I know what I look like and I know most people don't see a 6'7" guy and think 'He probably has a really artistic mind.'" He quirks his mouth to one side and shrugs. "I don't want to drive away your clientelle."

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a bit of a smile, "I think you'd fit in just fine really. We have a lot of different folks that come through. I'd like people to understand that there really shouldn't be any of that snooty high society bullshit when it comes to art. It can really be an enrichment." she explains to him. "I have a friend that makes those wooden box puzzles and others, if you'd like his information." she offers.

"If I can change your mind the invitation remains open though. Someone might enjoy looking at a guy your size and knowing he has an artisitic flare." she grins to that.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas smiles brightly at her swear, not expecting it to come from someone who seemed so cultured. "That's... a really good way to get me to show up. That attitude I mean. I like a woman who is no nonsense with her craft." He runs a hand through his full hair, dislodging the cap he was wearing and smoothing it back before replacing the cap.

    "And I might take you up on the offer for your friend's information. Once I get through the massive amount I've collected over the past few years." He sips his coffee and is thoughtful for a moment before he fixes her with a friendly blue-eyed gaze. "How about this... you come by the bar sometime to have a drink--on me. And I'll in turn show up at your complex and attempt to show off what I can do?"

Asariel has posed:
Las gives a soft smile, "Aww, well, did you expect me to invite you and then act like I didn't know you if there were regulars in?" she poses the question to him. "I like meeting people from all around. Not really someone who is afraid to get out there." she admits.

"He'll be happy to have more people interested in the puzzles I'm sure." she smiles to that. Then she gives a warmer smile, "I think that sounds like a plan. I'll come visit your space and you can visit mine. It's a good way to make friends and get to know one another." she seems to like that. She pulls a card case from her pocket and opens it before offer him one, "In case you'd like to talk? I keep odd hours so I don't mind late night texts and calls." she offers quietly.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    Chas takes the card, looks at it and then pockets it. "I'm a bartender and cabbie my hours are all over the place" he says and then pauses. He looks around their table and finally takes a small napkin from a dispeser on the table. He also removes a pen from his pocket and scribbles down a number on it before sliding it to her. "Not as fancy, but the same offer goes to you. Okay?" he asks, holding out the napkin with his phone number on it.

    "Don't hesitate to give me a call if you're feeling talkative." He adds. "If I'm on the road," he puts a hand to his ear to pantomime putting something on it, "I have bluetooth. I really enjoyed taling with you and look forward to doing it again sometime."

Asariel has posed:
Las accepts the napkin that the number was written on with a soft smile, "Doesn't always need to be fancy, Chas." she tells him as she gently folds the napkin and slips it into the pocket that's on the inside of her coat. "I promise not to put you on speaker while I'm taking out frustration on marble though." she chuckles.

She then closes up her portfolio and tucks it neatly under her arm as she stands, "I enjoyed speaking with you as well. I hope that your house warming tonight goes well." she smiles to that. "I always feel talkative at night, just don't want to wear out my welcome all at once." she grins to that. "For now...I need to get to my meeting. Though I wish I could stay longer." she admits with a look to him.

Chas Chandler has posed:
    "Well... perhaps we can figure out a time to have a less... unpredictable meeting, hm?" Chas says with a boyish grin. "Unless you want me to regularly save you from nuissances like bike messengers." He's obviously joking. "Dinner... or, something else if that's more to your liking." He finishes off his coffee and pushes up from the table. "It that isn't too forward or anything for you?"

Asariel has posed:
"You should get a cape and really get into it, I'm sure there are evil bike messengers everywhere that someone needs saving from." Las tells him with a soft smile. When he pushes up from the table she looks up to him, her sapphire gaze brilliant as she does, "I think dinner sounds nice. And no, not too forward. I'd love to have dinner." she tells him. There's a chime that goes off on her phone and she digs it out of her pocket, "Oh...oh dear I'm late. But...worth it." she grins at him. "Be safe, Chas. I'll talk to you soon." she smiles to him as she heads for the door quickly.