12700/Just Another Morning In The Park

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Just Another Morning In The Park
Date of Scene: 31 January 2021
Location: Central Park, Manhattan
Synopsis: Impromptu Flute Concert In The Park!
Cast of Characters: Xiang Zhao, Phantasm (Drago), Ivory




Xiang Zhao has posed:
The North Woods is a place of thick woods at the northen end of Central Park. This time of year, it's blanketed in snow and the weather is on the chilly side of things. There are several different kinds of trees, most of them those that shed their leaves in the winter. There do appear to be some evergreens, but they are few and far between. This morning, there's not a lot of wind and the sky is grey and overcast. It looks like it could snow at any moment, though for the moment it isn't snowing.

To the east of the Blockhouse on one of the rocky slopes within the forest comes the sound of music played on a flute or pipe. Sitting on a slope of rock with a patch bare of snow, the form of the one playing the music can be seen. He sits cross legged, a white flute with a swirl pattern of pale blue held up to his lips. His eyes closed, Xiang Zhao seems to be lost in the music he plays. Up on the rocky slope as he is, he's clearly visible to the closest path.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
One such person making use of the trails is Nick Drago. With his earlier morning engagements, he's not dressed down AS much as he normally would be in his off time. His clothes are more of the church attire. Nice pants, nice shirt... The winter jacket is also reasonably nice. Perhaps not the high end make most would attribute to a celebrity. But, still nicer than his Goodwill usual. But with it being winter, he did bring his knitcap along and his hair is currently tucked away in that.

Hands in jacket pockets, Nick comes to a stop as he starts to distinguish the sound of pipe music. The cold weather ends up carrying the sound further than it typically would travel. Tilting his head curiously, he glances around for the source, steps adjusting to take him down a different path, towards the source of the sound.

Ivory has posed:
Ivory is around on foot. After all, cars are forbiden in the park, bicycles and horses restricted, and Ivory owned neither of the latter. They're out and about to just move the legs, eyes darting over the cold trees and frozen woods. No cap or hat or anything, but a thick downy jacket with a white persian cat poking the head out of a snow pile.

Checking around, they stop at a junction, looking around to see where the music is coming from.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
The robes Xiang Zhao wears pool around his legs and behind him, giving them some extra bit of protection from the cold. The long sleeves do the same, though they have fallen to his elbows now, leaving his forearms and hands exposed as he plays. Behind him just peeking out from one of the side slits of the robe, the end of something white and deep grey. It almost blends with the robes, save that the colors aren't quite the same. Occasionally, the long dark strands of his hair waft up on what little breeze there is. Sitting on the rock beside him is a cloth wrapped something about four feet long and a foot wide. At his waist, a folding fan is tucked. The song continues, carried on the crisp air from near that little house of stone, played in such a way as to blend hope and serenity.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Following the sound, Nick finds himself nearing the Blockhouse. The visual of a man perched holding a flute is his reward as he glances off to the side. Well, that is one mystery solved.

Nick stops once more. Hands still shoved in his pockets, he steps to the edge of the path, watching quietly. The rocker doesn't speak. It can be irritating for a musician to be interrupted when they're playing. Especially when it's to issue something not constructive at all to the task at hand.

Ivory has posed:
Ivory shudders a moment, watching the flute player for quite some time before their eyes wander to Nick, then back to the musican. Two people listening in the snow. But the cat-jacket wearing one doesn't interrupt.

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao doesn't open his eyes as the song continues. There's a distinctly Chinese sound to the melody and beat of it. For those who can sense such things, there's a sense of power and purpose threaded through the song. There's intent there, and magic woven in with the melody. Zhao appears to be entirely unaware that he has an audience. He'd probably chosen this location because it had been devoid of people when he came here.

The song continues for a few minutes more, and then draws to what sounds like its natural close. As the last notes hang on the air, slowly fading to the natural silence of this place, Zhao's arms lower. The flute comes to rest upon his lap. It's only then that his dark eyes open and he discovers that he has an audience. His expression fairly matches what the song had been conveying moments before, but leans more toward serene. He inclines his head, though whether the gesture is for the man or the cat-jacketed person, or both, is hard to say for certain.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
While kind of tied to things of a mystical origin, Nick doesn't feel such things. Perhaps such an ability would actually be a detriment for a phantasm if they're meant to engage with others. But like with a lot of things, there's a lot of reasons not known.

His head tilts to the other direction, reminscent of the raven and wolf forms he often takes. He's quiet for a few more moments as the last of the notes finishes resonating in the cold air. When it falls silent, he gives a nod towards Xiang in acknowledgement. "Very nice."

Ivory has posed:
Ivory isn't good at spotting magic. Because they never learned it. But on the other hand is a source for it. But as the music ends, they clap hands in a little praise to the musician, nodding to his direction. "That was pretty."

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao remains sitting where he is for the moment. Reasons. Sometimes even when they are known, not everything is clear. Zhao's lips curl up ever so slightly at the compliments. "Xiexie," he replies, his voice of a quiet quality that says he tends to be soft spoken the majority of the time. The flute isn't lifted again. He might be done playing for the moment. Or perhaps simply taking a short break. "It is a nice morning for being outside."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick nods. "Indeed. It's a little cold but nothing that can't be taken care of with some extra layers." Pale eyes glance down slightly, catching a glimpse of the scabbard before he looks back up to Xiang's face. "Also nice and peaceful."

Ivory has posed:
Ivory doesn't know more chinese than Mandarin Duck - which means nothing - so they look a little puzzled. "Eh... yea, it's light and crisp air and like a little snowy... The air in town is better than most days, you know?"

Xiang Zhao has posed:
"I agree. On both subjects." Xiang Zhao takes a moment to tuck the flute into his sash beside the closed folding fan. Once he's deemed it secure, he reaches a hand for the cloth wrapped thing beside him, slipping a hand apparently between the folds of the cloth. What had appeared as folds turns out to be part of the cloth twisted and then tied back to itself to make a carrying strap. "Mm. I like it when it is like this." He rises smoothly to his feet, and slips the bundle to his back, the strap going over his shoulder. The scabbard end is a little more plainly visible with the motion before the folds of his robe fall to conceal it fully. "It reminds me a little of being on the Shan.. Mmm.. Mountain.. on a clear afternoon."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The rocker nods, considering the dress, the weapon... which is likely not street legal, and the words. "How long you've been in New York?" Nick asks curiously.

Ivory has posed:
"Shan Mountain? Where is that? Not New York for sure." Ivory answers, hands tucking in the pockets of the thick jacket. "And... yea."

Xiang Zhao has posed:
The weapon is almost certainly not street legal. That might be why it's beneath the robes. Truthfully, Xiang Zhao looks a lot like he'd stepped out of a Renfest, Cosplay gathering, or SCAdian event. "Not long. A handful of days." He looks to Ivory. "Shan means mountain. The mountain is near Namcha Barwa. It is in China."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
"China," Nick repeats, "That must've taken some time getting here. Those flights are long even when you don't factor in the layovers." He gives Xiang a slight smile, "Well, welcome to the states. Just uh, be careful with who sees that-" He pauses, tapping to his own side in reference to the weapon Xiang has, "- on you. You don't want to have a misunderstanding."

How the HELL did he get that through airport security?

He turns his head, looking over to Ivory. A momentary look of recognition followed soon by confusion. Why do they seem familiar?

Ivory has posed:
"Namcha Barwa? Never heard of that. But China is like... opposite side of the earth! What brings you to the US? And I agree, better get a license to carry that little blade of yours. They might just lock you up and deport you otherwise."

Xiang Zhao has posed:
Xiang Zhao tips his head in a very slight nod. "Mm. China." He shakes his head then. "I did not come on a flight." That might explain how he got the sword through airport security. No flight, no airport security! His eyes shift to Nick's side with the tap motion, and then back up to the man's face. He nods again. "I will be. Xiexie. I would prefer not to have misunderstandings." To Ivory he looks, and says, with no hesitation and perfect tranquility, "Fate." There's a moment of confusion to be seen in his eyes on the tail end of that comment, however. "License? This means what?" He doesn't quite seem to understand deport, but being locked up earns no reaction at all. It's at this point that Xiang Zhao glances up to the sky. He studies the clouds for a moment, and then looks back to the others. "Daoqian," he says. "I must go." He cups his hands before him at about chest level, and bows to each of them. When he straightens, he turns to go further up the rocks and away.

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
Nick watches as the man makes his departure, considering the words exchanged earlier. The expressions betraying confusion on some of the statements and inquiry to what licenses are. What is he looking at here? By boat or sea, there would have been some sort of customs. Unless he came here by illegal means.

Or...

Nick hrms. The guy just seems so... out of time to him. Like that time with Conan. Just with more clothes. "It's getting to be an odd morning." He comments to Ivory once Xiang's out of ear shot.

Ivory has posed:
"Ah...eh.. A license is like, the governement allows you to do things with it. Like drive a car or carry a weapon around?" Ivor explains, shaking the head a little. "But fare well... Mister."

As the man leaves, They shake their head before nodding to Nick. "Yea, but have a good one. I mean, I gotta go..."

Phantasm (Drago) has posed:
The musician nods. "Well. Have a good morning too." With no one left to talk to, Nick turns, continuing along the path to make his way back to where he started.