Who: Chai and Jones
Where: Meet in New Meridian, just in time for lunch!
When: Noonish Thursday
What: Chai finds himself on duty while off-duty, and winds up with a very unique lunch date. O_o


Jones preferred the evenings. The night. He valued his time under the stars. He had wondered before if he was nocturnal by nature, or by preference. Truth be told, Jones couldn't much remember if his mother had shown any preference. And he'd not stayed around his Da enough to learn. Maybe it was due to the cooler air at night. Jones liked cool over hot, and that, he was certain, had its origins from growing up in Hell.

Too bloody hot there.

The only problem was, not many of the markets were open so late. Jones had tried to politely request one or two to stay open for him, but, as always, there was just something about the faun that made strangers wary of him.

So this explains why Jones was in the market now, just after lunchtime, one arm holding a large rucksack which he was filling carefully with select meat and fruits.

Lunchtime. Instead of heading off to his favorite cafe, or even the one he'd just met Oharu at the other day, Chai headed into the marketplace. He'd been on time for work today, unlike yesterday, and thus got to take his lunch at his usual time. He was in the mood for fish, or noodles, or rice, or maybe some combination thereof. He'd have to buy some food supplies later - his grandmother frequently chided him for eating out too much, and not bringing in enough groceries for her to prepare proper meals often enough.

But that would have to wait. Right now, he wanted something prepared, so he didn't have to spend his little free time cooking. There were familiar faces here and there as he passed; he'd give a little wave. Some people would nod and smile back; some gave a hasty wave after a glance at his badge, as if they had something to hide. Those were the ones Chai kept a better eye on. But he did nothing, just wound his way through the mid-day crowd looking for someplace to decide to eat.

By chance, Jones was also in the mood for a bit of fish and rice. A vendor was hurriedly making his meal, intimidated by the faun's presence, and Jones frowned. "Ach! Slow down there, yer ruining it!"

The man froze immediately, leaving the tender fish on the grill, without oil, as the man had skipped that step in his haste. With a sigh, Jones reached past him. His height was a clear advantage, allowing him to spear the meat with a fork and snatch the oil from beside the man.

And then, the cook began to shout. Something about a robber, a thief. Jones, one hand holding the fork, the other with the bottle of oil, blinked as the man backed away, nearly tripping over his own tables, and still shouting his head off.

"Thief! No one comes back here! Help! Help!"

Shouts of "Thief!" and "Help" reached Chai's ears in moments; they were trained to hone in on sounds of distress. He pushed through the crowd, following the sounds quickly. He reached the vendor's stall and honestly skidded to a stop at the sight of the very, very tall thing towering over the shouting vendor.

Oddly, as large and frightening as the large creature seemed, he also didn't seem to be actually threatening the vendor in any way. Chai stepped forward, cleared his throat and spoke, loud enough to cut over the vendor. 'Excuse me! Is there a problem here?" His badge was displayed rather prominently; there was no mistaking his Law Enforcement Official status.

The vendor only shrunk back from the creature farther, waving a pointed finger at him almost frantically. "It! Him! That thing! Tried to steal from me!! No one is supposed to come back here!" He was near panic now, and Chai was going to have to take care of things quickly. He turned to the so-called thief, eyes a bit wide, taking in his less than comforting appearance. "Excuse me... sir?" He sounded a bit hesitant to apply the title. "Did you steal from this man? Or enter his stall?" He looked at the food in his hand and back up at him. "Did you pay for that?"

Jones was clearly not in the stall, merely leaning over it as he had been when the shouting began. Due to his long limbs, this was simple enough.

He didn't recognize the officer, but the man seemed... rational enough. Not one of Giedon's, as he seemed to be more interested in asking questions than arresting Jones. With slow, easy movements, Jones set down the fork and the oil - on a table, not on the stove! - and inclined his head politely to the newcomer.

"Nay," he answered. "To all. I've not had the chance yet t' pay him, but 'e was burnin' th' food." The faun crossed his arms. "I didnae enter his stall. Jes' leaned over t' stop him from ruinin' me lunch." He nodded to the piece of fish, which still bore the beginnings of a burn from the unoiled grill.

Chai was not the type to arrest first and ask questions later, unless the situation was extremely dangerous or somehow warranted it. This was not one of those situations, he could tell. Chai raised his eyebrows and turned back to the vendor who was still shaking and shouting in both fear and anger. "Sir, please, I need you to calm down." When that got no reaction, Chai sighed, and repeated it. And again. The man was bordering on hysteria and nothing was getting through. The next time Chai spoke, his voice had an oddly compelling quality to it. "Sir. I am trying to handle this situation to to best of my ability, and in a way that will benefit you as best I can, but you will calm down and you will keep silent until I address you again. Is that understood?"

The vendor blinked at him in astonishment, but the most astonishing thing was the fact that he stopped speaking immediately, only to nod at Chai's inquiry. tension left his body in quick waves, and he just stood there silently as Chai turned back to the the large creature. "I'm very sorry about this incident. Sir, would you please tell me your name, and exactly what happened here?" And then he'd ask the vendor the same questions, now that the man had taken Chai's suggestion and fallen silent.

Jones arched a brow, impressed by this young man's quick control over the situation. That was also a clever move, how he charmed the foolish man into stilling himself. The faun found himself smiling, and bowed to the officer.

"Jones, sir. Me name is Jones." He straightened. "As I said, I was jes lookin' fer a bit o' lunch. Rice and fish had me fancy, so here I be. But yon merchant hurried the order, didnae oil th' grill, an' jes' froze when I tried t' speak. I didnae want me lunch spoiled, so I reached on past t' save the fish from burnin'. I tell ye, sir, I'd pay fer me meals. If ye need t' ask after me character, jes talk t' Corley. He runs th' Golden Lady pub. Or t' Hamlin Graves. He's me friend as well. I always pay what I be owin'." He held up his hands, as though gesturing to himself. "I dunae blend in, sir. I know that. How could I succeed in thievin'?"

Of course, this young copper couldn't know of Jones' ability to slip into shadows and out of sight. But his explanation to the officer was nothing but truth, and so it rang with honesty.

Chai listened to Jones's explanation, his face serious, until he got to that very last question. The corners of his mouth curved just a hair, the slightest smile at the little joke. "Well, Mr Jones, I would have to say you do very much stand out, and I'm almost certain your striking appearance was what set off this man here. But before I jump to any conclusions, I'd like to hear his side."

Chai turned to the vendor and repeated his questions, adding a cautionary and gentle, "And please be calm and honest when you respond, sir." The vendor straightened and with a much more relaxed expression replied, "Name's Tavish, sir. This... Jones here came up and ordered some food, and I was trying to cook it for him, but I guess... i sort of did freeze up on him. he was just so large and looming so close and then all of a sudden he was reaching back here an I thought he was trying to steal so I started calling for help." He actually looked a little sheepish now, as he noticed the crowd around them, all full of curious eyes and ears, eager to know what was going on and what would be the outcome.

Chai stifled the urge to pull a cliché, "Move along nothing to see here," as the crowd formed. There was no real emergency, and no need to break anything up any longer. "Well, Mr Tavish, it appears you may have overreacted a bit. Mr Jones, if you would be so kinda as to pay for your meal, I'm certain Mr Tavish here would be just as kind as to receive it. I hope this clears up any misunderstandings?" Chai rather hoped so. He was really getting hungry now.

The faun nodded, and grinned. "No 'Mister', sir. Just 'Jones'." He reached carefully into the pouch strapped across his shoulders, and withdrew a few coins. "Beggin' yer pardon fer th' mistake, sir," he said, laying the coins down and inclining his head to the vendor.

Maybe it was deserved, and maybe not, but the man had at least answered truthfully. Though whether by his own doing, or that of the impressive officer, Jones couldn't say. But he suspected the latter. He'd had enough experience with prejudice in his lifetime to know that honesty wasn't so easily come upon.

"And you, sir? May I thank ye for th' just mediation with a meal of yer own?"

A few moments of conversation along with the meal, as well. It was always good to know the local law enforcement.

"Just Jones it is, then," Chai replied. Now that the hubbub had died down, the crowd started thinning out and Chai placed his own order at the food stall. He shook his head at Jones's offer however. "Thank you Jones, but I'm just doing my job. I can't accept that offer. A resolved situation and everyone's safety is thank you enough."

Now that he had a moment to think it over, Chai could focus on Jones's very interesting accent. He was certain he hadn't ever heard one like it before; no one he'd every spoken to in New Meridian or Salem alike had an accent at all like that. It made him more than a little curious but he didn't ask. He just waited for the now grateful vendor to finish up his own meal.

"Ach," Jones said with a shrug. "Well, if ye nae accept lunch, perhaps ye may accept company? I'd be interested in speakin' a bit with ye, sir."

He didn't think the officer would have accepted the lunch, but he seemed a chap who wouldn't be so rude as to refuse two offers at once. The vendor finished Jones' meal, and turned over the plate. Jones gave the man a large, toothy smile that might have been just a little intimidating, if you were on the receiving end of it, with the faun's eyes locked upon yours. Sometimes revenge could be sweet and subtle all at once.

The man just flinched away, looking back at his stove, and Jones shrugged and looked back at the officer. "What say ye, Officer...?" He trailed off, voice in question for the young man's name.

Jones was right, Chai wouldn't refuse his second offer. "You can just call me Chai," he responded, knowing full well his last name was a bit difficult. Few people ever quite pronounced the 'ua' dipthong in Saenamuang correctly, unless they had a great deal of practice. "And a little company would be well appreciated."

Only a few moments more and the man had finished Chai's lunch as well, and the official paid for it, with two hands placed together and a polite bow at the vendor. "Thank you," he commented, and turned back to the large faun. Well he was certainly the largest and easily one of the most intimidating looking lunch dates Chai had ever had to be certain.

Once Jones had learned to pronounce his own name properly (getting the gutteral pitch of the ∫ had proven most difficult), few others had proven a challenge. But he was most open to calling people by the names they preferred.

"Good ta meetcha, Chai," he said. "There's a bit of a park jes' down th' street. What say we take our meal there?" Shade, places to sit, open benches - easier for Jones to relax in. Ideal, really.

Jones settled into his usual hunch. It never seemed to bother his posture or muscles, but it did well to lessen his stature, making him seem a bit smaller and less formidable than his full height.

Chai agreed readily, and followed, also eager to get away from the crowds of people for a bit. No sooner did they leave the open market and step onto the green grass did Chai notice off in the bushes, a small pair of golden eyes watching. Very small, maybe about the size of a medium-sized cat's eyes, which was exactly what they were. They watched for a moment, blinked, and then were gone. Briefly unsettled, Chai shook off the odd feeling and chose a bench near a line of trees, with the perfect amount of shade from the sun.

It was only after he took a bite of fish - hmm maybe that's what the cat was after - and swallowed did he comment idly, "I meet a lot of people, Jones. I have never come across anyone who even vaguely resembled you." It was a polite and veiled version of "What are you exactly?"

Jones chuckled. "Aye, that's a right polite way of askin', thank ye. I seem to be a bit o' an oddity. Makes fer excitin' mealtimes, I tell ye that!" He laughed, seeming to pass off the entire earlier incident as just 'same old, same old'. As he spoke, he broke apart the bits of fish, mixing the into the rice. "Now, me mother notwithstandin', my Da is a faun. So I also consider meself t' be a faun. Takin' a look at me, if ye knew fauns, ye might disagree, but there be faun blood in me veins, I tell ye."

He took a bite of his rice, chewing slowly and seeming to think things over. "Ain't it a sad state o' affairs when people be judgin' a fellow by 'is looks, an' nae by th' thoughts in 'is head?"

Chai chewed thoughtfully as Jones spoke. "It is sad, because that is merely how people automatically react. Things that don't fit their realm of safety, or understanding... Things that are just too different... people don't know how to respond to them. Fear is easiest, as is dislike. I haven't met many fauns, I'll tell you that, or really any to be honest, so I can't make a comparison." Jones didn't offer information about his mother, about what made him different from other fauns, so Chai didn't ask. "And even if you know why they do it, or you're accustomed to it, it doesn't really make it right." Chai lifted some noodles into his mouth, trying very politely not to slurp them. Manners had been drilled into him as discipline, and it was rote now.

Jones gave him a friendly smile. "Ain't met any fauns, eh? I ain't surprised. They tend t' keep t' themselves, off in th' woods. A good bit shorter than I, with fur from th' waist down. And they tend t' have smaller horns as well." He indicated his large, curved horns with a wave of his hand.

"Pity y' ain't met 'em. They've got some o' th' best folk songs this side o' Salem."

Jones took another bit of his rice, eating merrily along. "They're th' closest I know, but even t' them I'm a bit odd. Me mum, whatever she be, run off when I was jes' a bitty thing. Growin' a bit here, a bit there... woods are fer hiding, so I moved meself into the city proper a few years back. Nows, at least, the world can see me more. Maybe then they won't be afraid, eh?"

Lies, interwoven with truth. Lies so practiced, they were nearly real. If people didn't trust Jones now, what would they think if they knew his mother had been a demon?

"An' what about ye, gov? I ain't seen ye before. I'd remember a friendly face."

Jones was talkative; Chai was not. he was a very very good listener however, and he listened with both patience and interest to Jones's tale, eating as he did so. It came almost as a surprise to him when Jones suddenly shifted the topic to him. He blinked, suddenly on the spot. "Oh, me? Um, I'm not really all that interesting. I lived in Salem all my life. Went to school at Salem Academy. I l left when my parents died, and started working in Law Enforcement. That's really about all."

Chai was no good at talking about himself. He'd left out his martial arts training, which actually was a very large part of his life, for no real reason. He'd left out Evie, whom he was not going to talk about to anyone. He'd left out his travails down Silk Road of course, which also involved Evie, and was something else he wasn't willing to talk to a stranger about. It was no offense to Jones; Chai just didn't share himself with anyone really.

"Salem, eh? I been around there. Ne'er attended Academy meself, but I know me way about th' dorms, if ye know what I mean." One blue eye winked at Chai. "Oh, I been jes' about everywhere in Aylasia by now. An' y' know? I jes' keep coming back."

A light pang in his chest, and Jones fell silent, his glib tongue no longer wanting to continue. Sometimes, he thought, I jes dunno when t' shut up.

"Sorry about yer parents," he added. "Hard bein' on yer own?"

"Salem's nice. Quiet. That's why I come into the city often. The academy had its good points and its bad." At the moment, Chai could sum up good and bad in two people, respectively, to describe Salem. Evie, and DeVries. In that order. Chai shook his head. He hadn't even seen DeVries in years; maybe the man had changed, though based on what Evie'd said, Chai doubted it.

Suddenly realizing he'd drifted off in mid-thought, Chai blinked up at Jones. "Hmm? Oh, well no not so much anymore. It's been six years. It's never easy, but I've adapted. I still have my grandmother to drive me insane so all's well there." The last was said with a rueful sort of smile, one that made it clear, as much as his grandmother may irritate him, he did love her.

Jones tilted his head a bit, a wry smirk on his lips. "Quiet?" He chuckled. "Sorry, lad, but if ye be thinkin' Salem 'quiet', either ye be in the wrong sections, or ye dun understand th' meanin' o' th' word. Mind ye, this was some years back, but I remember this party at th' Academy..." He chuckled again. "Well, I hardly remember it, but from what I do... ach!" The faun laughed. "Them mages knew how t' party then!"

Still grinning, he leaned in close to the young man. "I know a place so quiet, laddie, that ye can hear the sound of the trees growin'. Th' rise o' th' sun might deafen ye, the way th' light collides on th' earth." His voice had dropped to a whisper, and it seemed for a moment like all other sound had dropped away from the world. But then Jones drew back, and the world filtered back in.

"Nice place, if ye ever fancy a go."

Chai gave Jones a strange look. Maybe he'd misunderstood. "The town of Salem, I meant, is very quiet. The school, I suppose not so much. I wasn't really much for parties at school though." Who knows. Maybe all kinds of fun had been and was going on right under his nose. In school, certainly, but in the town of Salem? He doubted it. People came into New Meridian for that sort of thing, at least mages who weren't still in school.

His expression didn't change much through the rest of Jones's speech. Hear the trees growing? Deafened by the sun? Either Jones was exaggerating or he was a little bit off because that certainly made no sense. Though after he said it, everything got so strangely quiet Chai had to wonder if he himself was quite all there today either. "Oh. It sounds it. Nice that is." Which was the truth. If the place was real.

Jones shrugged. "As I said, t'was many years ago." He gave the young man a wink. "Mayhap before ye were born. Salem the town 'as it's own share o' surprises, if ye know where t' be lookin'." When the time was right, that sleep little town could just open up like all the rest. Some of the celebrations were among Jones' favorites. And the tight-knit community feeling only added to the cheer. If you were in Salem, it was generally felt you belonged there. If he hadn't been so drawn to the city, Jones thought he might have looked into living there.

Jones finished his bowl of food and set it aside. "Nice bit o' convincing ye did with tha' man. Calmed 'im down right quick. Ye have a very soothin' voice, if ye dun mind me sayin so."

He hadn't forgotten that. Curious. He still wondered if it had been just standard police work, or something else. He hadn't been near enough to tell at the time.

Chai was not very comfortable with the topic shift. He hadn't wanted to use his Enchantment magic on the vendor; he never did. When it happened it was often accident, but this time was deliberate and he felt almost guilty about it., even if it had been used with good intentions. But he had no other quick alternative to diffusing the situation before it got out of hand.

"Thank you. I've been told as much," he said carefully, doing his best not to reveal anything. He went back to his food, finishing the last of his noodles. A slight movement caught the corner of his eye - something small and grey moving back into the underbrush near them. Chai didn't catch a good enough glimpse of it, but he wondered if it was the creature to which the eyes he'd spied before belonged to. Hmm. Odd. "Unfortunately, I'm going to have to start heading back to work soon," he said apologetically. "Still have half the day's work left ahead of me."

The faun nodded, not pleased about the sudden end of their lunch, but not about to question it. The man had brushed off the incident, but something in how he had tensed seemed to indicate there was more behind this. Not often was a compliment taken so offhandedly, so carefully.

"I understand," he said. "Still, thank ye fer whatcha done back there. Pleasure havin' lunch wit' ye." Jones stood, and gave the officer a light nod of his head. "Hope t' be seein' ye around, Officer Chai."

"You're very welcome, Jones. And I'll add that I hope that we don't see each other again in any sort of official capacity." Chai stood and brushed some crumbs off his pants. He was relieved Jones hadn't pressed the issue any further and he had to admit, despite the faun's disturbing looks, he was very good company. "Thank you for lunch, Jones. Keep in good health." And with those departing words, Chai was off, back to work, back to Parliament.