Going On A Tour

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel’s mind had remained distracted the rest of the night. It had even prompted a response from Emily when she had gotten home. Rachel had then told her that she had broken up with Cruz a couple of days ago. Emily hadn’t responded in an “I told you so” manner or anything. As always, she reminded Rachel that she was there for her sister. 

But Rachel couldn’t stop thinking about about Luk. That moment before they left the ice cream parlor she had wanted more. She had needed more. It was odd, but she had thought him attractive and he seemed sensitive too. That was what she had needed now. 

Rachel woke up the next morning, no thoughts on studying again. She probably should - it had been a couple of days, but she was distracted still. She called Luk in the after noon to set up their meeting. ”Hey! It’s Rachel Shale - from last night. I’d love to show you around today if you have time. Meet me at the Sanctuary of the Ascendant Flame in an hour?”

If he agreed, she would be there. She wasn’t a worshipper and had no desire to do so, she just thought it was a good location to start their little tour.

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

Luk was not surprised to hear back so soon from Rachel. He expected it actually. He smiled broadly as she spoke and they set up a time.

He wished it were spring and not the middle of winter, the cold was annoying and today it was bitter with the wind. He hoped they could spend much of the time inside. But who knew where the tour would take them.

The latest religion was full of people who believed and followed the Ascendancy as if he was a god. He was a mere mortal with a great deal of power. Only the Atharim believed they were really gods. The whole family hated the Atharim. But that was for later. He had no ultierior motives at the moment but the Shale name did ring a bell.

The building was unique and Luk was early waiting in the bitter cold with a hot cup of coffee for both of them. He had to take a guess at what she liked his coffee was black and stout just the way he liked it.

[Rachel Shale]

There was much Rachel didn’t understand like how Cruz had so quickly left her mind. She contemplated that on her way to the sanctuary. It felt unusual - like there was something unnatural about it. Luk still filled her mind. She felt drawn to him in a way she didn’t understand. He was there when she arrived.

”I hope you haven’t been waiting long,” she both wanted and didn’t want to hug him. She felt confused in his presence, a part of her still rebelling against the feelings that had prompted her to call so fast.

She dove right into the tour, her cab still waited though. They could find out where to go soon. ”Well this is the Sanctuary of Ascensdant Flame. They worship the ascendancy. I’m not a believer myself, but to each his own,” she pointed out some other districts in the area. ”Anyplace in particular strike your fancy.”

Rachel really didn’t care where they went. She just wanted Luk to be there. She didn’t mind the cold either. After all, Luk could keep her warm. She felt a little embarrassed at that and it mixed with the confusion. Why had she started feeling this way so fast?

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

Lucio handed Rachel the coffee and smiled. "I've not been waiting long. This is a beautiful temple even if it's a stupid religion." Worshiping a man, he chuckled.

"I don't have any idea what's here. And it's the middle of winter. Maybe we could find someplace that we can tour inside. Isn't there a really big mall by the Kremlin. I would like to see the monument that the Ascendancy made, and then we can walk the mall, talk a little, maybe see what silly things people are doing."

[Rachel Shale]

Rachel took the offered coffee with a smile. "Oh you are such a sweetheart!" she said endearingly, taking a sip.  She would have preferred it with some cream and sugar, but it was okay black. "It really is a beautiful building.  Sometime I might go inside - but I don't really want to get preached at or anything." she laughed.

She nodded and gestured to the waiting cab, getting inside and letting Luk follow her in. "We can certainly do that!" she turned to the driver and asked to go see the monument. "The mall is called the GUM - we can see the monument real quick and then head to the mall for sure."

On the way to the monument, Rachel would point out other places in the city he might be interested it.  It was cold so the driving tour would have to suffice.  It was really sad that he came in the middle of winter instead of...well...any other time.  Rachel was okay with sitting in the back back of a car with Luk, however.

They arrived at the monument and got out of the vehicle, instructing the driver to wait. "I know it's cold, but it's really better to see it without a pane of glass in front of your face.  Pretty cool, isn't it?"

((OoC: Luk can take us to the mall when he's done looking))

[Legione Sumus]

Lucio Pirozzi

"The GUM." Lucio nodded. It was a silly name,... the gum. But that's Moscow for you. Rachel pointed out things and while she did he put his arm around her shoulders, he didn't draw her close but he played with the fringes of her hair and touched what skin was available. Each touch adding a little to the desire, but nothing she'd notice off hand.

But they got out at the Red Square that sat under the towering silhouette of the Kremlin and the monstrosity that was once a mausoleum. Now it was a giant monument to what these things could do with the power. The Atharim hunted them just as they hunted his kind. He should want to team up with them, but Lucio didn't. They were a threat to everything. Showing off their powers, making it harder for the rest of them to live a life. But he didn't say any of that he stood in awe and wonder leeching from those who were feeling the same as they looked up at the monstrosity.

He had enough and he took Rachel's hand in his. "It's a bit too cold to stand and stare in awe." Rachel let them to the GUM and the infinite amount of stores and shops that lay inside. They certainly could stay warm, or even find a quiet place to talk.

Once inside the much warmer lobby of the GUM Lucio tossed his empty cup of coffee in the trash bin "I might need another one of those to finish warming up." Luk smiled and squeezed Rachel's hand echoing her emotions back at her redoubling the effect. He felt what she felt and pushed it back at her. His hotel wasn't far if things went the way he planned.