2020-03-20 - Two Russians and a Canadian Stand at a Bus Station

It has been a long journey to get to Gray Harbor. Not just distance but definitely time as well. Weeks spent dealing with Immigration authorities, days organising connecting flights that weren't cancelled because of the weather, hours on a bouncing bus that cost a fortune. The Land of the Free should be renamed The Land of the Expensive.

Ariana alights from the bus and retrieves her baggage; a large duffel bag and a camping backpack packed to the brim - she has a lot of equipment to tote around. Boots, jeans, t-shirt, and military jacket. Despite the cold, her jacket is open. She used to live in Sibera, this is NOT cold. A sour look on her face, which is normal, as she finds the nearest place she can get a drink. Vodka is preferred but since there only seem to be cafes around, she will go with a hot tea. A quick check of her phone for messages. A mocking one about Kip from Dmitri but she quickly deletes that. Since he won't give Ariana Kip's phone number, she'll have to find her the hard way.

She could really, really use a joint right now. It's been a long day.. a long morning... a gauntlet of 'holy shit why am I doing this what am I trying to prove' ... etc etc. But Ainslie, bless her heart, went and did 'The Thing'. She did. Now all that she has to show for The Thing is a full bag of 'something' -- something bought at a boutique in town -- that she really doesn't feel comfortable lugging along.

Christ, the way Ainslie is looking (the embarrassed expression upon her face) .. one might expect her to be lugging a clown costume or buy-one-get-one-free vibrators. It's that discomforting for her. But damnit she promised that she would get OUT and make herself more presentable for.... man oh man who is she kidding...

Her long-legged, broody gait takes her right in the direction of Ariana who, at present, is checking her phone. Ainslie freezes, just shy of bumping into the blonde woman. "Oh--shit.. sorry."

Turns out, the hard way might not actually be that hard! For you see- Kip does honestly does not trust the clunker she bought to travel to and from Seattle with and thus the Bus was her next option. She was getting off the bus with a small overnight bag over she shoulder, busy sending a text of her own. Probably to Rekani about the devil car she bought. Maybe fixing it wasn't even worth it. Maybe she should just give up and get some cash back for it and find something better? Kip had no idea.

She sighs, starting to bring up an Uber - because she's asked Rekani for a lot lately and she feels bad about that. And also doesn't feel quite comfortable asking anyone else she's acquainted with in town for a ride back yet. Looking up and around her gaze idly skims right past Ainslie and Ariana...until it doesn't.

She'd recognize that jacket and sour look anywhere! Kip's eyes are widened as she makes her way up to the taller women. Though her focus is clear. "Ariana?! chto ty zdes' delayesh'???" Clearly surprised but there's a grin so it's a good one. She hopes. The words may be in Russian but the tone probably comes across easy enough. What the hell is she doing here in Gray Harbor?

Ariana glares at Ainslie as if that 'sorry' was a challenge to a fight to the death...and a bloody one at that. Remember, Ariana, this is America. You're not allowed to hit people for no reason. Shoot them, sure, but not hit them. A deep breath to compose herself before the blonde grunts, with a heavy Russian accent, "You should watch where you are going." The look of embarrassment on Ainslie's face is read as fear by Ariana, so that also helps calm down the blonde.

And then there is the surprise of a familiar voice speaking a familiar tongue. Damn, Ariana is good at tracking people down. "Kapitsa!" It even looks like there will be a smile at seeing her old friend but it is quickly restricted to look more like an unintentionally pained expression. "I am here to find you! And practice my English. Not that the people here speak English."

The apologetic look in Ainslie's sharp features darkens into a quick expression of aggravation. "Hey-" She isn't one to skulk, but something in Ariana's tone and body language calls forth to the little harpy in her heart and that surly being is already taking up the sword and shield. But then dark eyes drop to the blonde's duffel and backpack. Huh, ok.. she's new here... just arriving. She has to be. Ainslie may be new-ish to town herself (a year gone) but she's never seen this one before. Especially with the accent. Ainslie's eyes flit up to meet gazes with this surly woman and it's a blessing that Kip arrives when she does. Ariana would be faced with something that is not fearful at all.

But now there's a new discomfort as the language-that-she-does-not-know flows around her and Ainslie blinks dumbfounded. Leave it to her to stumble into the middle of a reunion. She begins to sidestep the two Russian women.

Normally there might be hugging involved in such a greeting too but, for now at least, the hugging is refrained from. Instead - Kip briefly takes Ariana's hand to give it a quick squeeze before it is released. "But why?" Come to find her that is. She definitely didn't understand that. "The English...yes. Talking it is easier? Reading still...iffy." Kip agreed before her gaze traveled to Ainslie. "Don't let her fool you - Ariana is a big soft teddy bear on the inside." Offering a reassuring smile. It would appear at least on the surface she is much more receptive than the blonde.

"What is your name?" Is asked of Ainslie. A curious glance towards the bag she carried and then back to the woman.

"Suka" Ariana grumbles at Kip about the teddy bear comment - it's probably a swear word of some kind. At least it is said with a tone that could pass as affectionate. "Sorry...I should practice English." Her eyes narrow as she tries to find the word. "Ah...yes...bitch." A wink for Kip before a more steely look for Ainslie. "I am not teddy bear."

Did Ainslie show she had a bit of spine for a moment? Maybe she's not too bad? Ariana sighs the sigh of someone who has had to do what follows a lot. "I am sorry for being angry." A look for Kip which communicates 'Okay?' before getting back to business. "I am looking for you because Dmitri is telling like about you. That you have given up and suddenly care what those lokhi..." A pause as she finds the translation. "...fuckers...are saying about us. You have found something, da? Something that you need the best camera person you have ever known for." A sparkle of excitement in her bright blue eyes; Kip won't let her down.

One is surly, the other much friendlier. Ainslie, still snarling from the previous interaction, is startled by Kip's words. Dark golden-brown eyes study one and then the other as she considers what is said to her, and her own answers. "Ah," She still has that guarded look about her though, craning her neck in Kip's direction to address her first: "For what it's worth, you're doin' pretty good." A beat, "THe English, I mean." Added next. Ainslie herself sports a strong accent: a lilting, flowing sort of timbre that is not entirely Irish or Scottish... it's like a marriage between the two and the offspring is a hick. It doesn't sound awful though.

Noticing the glance to her bag -- it's a soft powder-pink paper bag with frilly paper handles -- ... and it looks very incongruent to the woman that holds it. Ainslie stands there, willowy and agile: tight dark denims and a puffy black duffel coat to stave off the chill. Hair is up in a harried ponytail, her gaze like a bird-of-prey's.

Holding a fluffy bag. "M'name is Ainslie.. and you both..?" Will she be able to pronounce them? c_C;

"Dimitri can go fuck himself." Kip scowled. Perhaps a hint of that classic Russian anger bleeding through the friendliness briefly. "I haven't given up on anything. Merely trying a...different way." At the question of if Kip had anything, the woman studied Ainslie perhaps a little too intently for a moment. As if looking through and around her. But then she is smiling again, looking towards Ariana. "I may have things yes. This Seattle thing is...not quite joke but...not what I want. I am renting a room in a house right now - They have other rooms maybe we can talk to the owner about you renting one." She suggested.

Also that way they could talk and team up easier! Back to the non-Russian in the group! "It is nice to meet you Ainslie" Definitely not said quite right but close enough. "Kapitsa, Kip if you rather. Two question." Of course. "One. Where is that accent from? Two. What is in the pretty bag?" Both totally innocent questions!

"I am Ariana" replies the blonde - not a hard name at all. Her attention drawn to Ainslie's bag too. Pink? She purses her lips in a frown at that submission to convention. Nothing pink is allowed near Ariana. And the frilly handles cause a little sag of disappointment. Maybe the tall brunette with the bewtiching accent is not as cool as second thought.

"Of course Dimitri can go fuck himself" Ariana informs Kip with some certainty. "I told him the same thing. Many times. Then Viktor said you were afraid and had run away. That there was nothing to see here, just like all the other times." A beat. "Viktor now has a lisp because he lost some teeth during our conversation. Da, this would be good idea to share house. Then we find the 'things' and show those bastards they were wrong. All of them."

Who is Dimitri? Why can he go fuck himself? What did Dimitri do to require the fervent fucking up himself?! Suddenly Ainslie's misadventure into a clothing store feels trivial because these two women are cursing a blue streak about this dude. Ainslie looks sideward toward the road as she once again contemplates escape, feeling as if she is intruding upon something private. She shifts the hateful hag in ger grip, turning to look at Ariana next as introductions are made... she sees the blonde's 'ugh' look in the direction of the bag. "This ain't my idea." She says quickly, "I have to buy this shit for my new job, upcoming. I can't be lookin' like this where I will be starting, next week. Have to look classy." She stammers out, crushing the bag to her chest.

Kip's questions aren't overlooked either... one answered, the other addressed next: "Accent is from up North.. Eastern Canada." Ainslie says gently, clears her throat. "Ain't quite as cool as you two, though. I just sound drunk. Ya'll sound as if you could kick some ass." She tries to slide the bag innocuously beneath an elbow. Ignore it.

Kip's brow furrowed. Oh yes. She had many a phrase she wanted to allow to bubble up from the surface. However, she settles on - "I knew there was reasons I liked you." When Ariana talks about giving this Viktor a lisp. "We will find things, of that I am sure. The tricky part will be...well...capturing the proof." There's a sigh at the thought and an idle glance to her phone to see the progress of the Uber.

When Ainslie addresses the bag - "Ohh where are you going to be working?" Kip TOTALLY tries to sneak a glance inside the bag. Nosy Nellie that she is. Listen - it's the investigator in her! "I have not been to Canada yet. I think your accent is interesting." She flashes another smile. "Thank you though." About sounding like ass kicking could be done by the pair.

"I think your accent is very...zamanchivyy" Ariana adds before looking to Kip for some help with the translation. A shrug if they can't figure it out but it sounds like a good thing. A nod of agreement for Ainslie. "I have kicked many asses" she states simply. Does she really think she'll get away with the bag hiding? She's backing Kip on this one. "Where will you work that is so excited about pink and...frills." That last word almost vomited.

Ariana grins at Kip as she pats at the huge backpack she wears. "We have all the equipment we need to capture the proof. Have faith in me, khoroshiy drug," But then those eyes are back on Ainslie and the bag. Definitely a 'show us' vibe now.

If there ever was an expression of pure 'oh fuck', Ainslie is wearing it. How the hell did she walk into the middle of a reunion of Russian woman whose previous whereabouts are beyond her? Let alone what their intentions are? Her lips move to pose a question, but Ainslie is -- briefly -- at a loss for words. The bag crinkles as she just about drops it..
f
Still, all things aside, the obvious close friendship between Kip and Ariana is heartening. Ainslie is a sucker for reunions.

"It's beautiful-" Ainslie starts, regarding the home that she misses muchly. "Remote, none too exciting if you're into a fast life but..." A breath. Shit, they want to see what's in the bag.

"I'm hired on at a place called the Hub to help keep shop. Fellow who runs the place is very fastidious and I'm good at keeping order.... it's a step up from the shitpit that I worked at previously so..." Ahem. "I ain't one to dress fancy, but I have to look nicer because this is a bit of a cat's ass shop." Ainslie flails, "It's just the bag that is frilly and pink.. not what I picked---" She tries to deflect, "How long ya been in town, Kip? I take it yer the welcome wagon for Ariana here?"

"Uhm...provocative?" She offers to Ariana with a shrug as a translation for zamanchivyy. Kip looks mildly amused at the expressions rolling over Ainslie's face, but does add "I will have to try and see it some day!" Of Canada and remote areas of Canada. Though when she elaborates on where she works, there's a light of recognition.

"You work for Stefhan!" Kip grinned. "It is doubly nice to meet you then. We are friends, I have been meaning to stop by." She pauses and leans in to whisper something to Ariana in Russian with a chuckle. Then refocuses on being polite. "What color is it then, that you picked?" Oh yeah, they are way too in to wanting to know what's in the bag.

"Unfortunately, I am not sure all the equipment in the world will be able to help." Kip tilted her head slightly. "But!" Brightening again. "I am very fortunate you tracked me down. It will be a great help." Nodding towards Ainslie, "Sort of welcome wagon? Surprise welcome wagon...I did not know she was even coming."

Russians are a tenacious people. If they want to know what's in the bag, they will learn what's in the bag. Or else. Though Ariana is looking quite confused at the moment. "You have a shop that sells cat ass?" That is pretty amazing...in a horrifying way. "And you have to dress up to work there?" She looks serious now as she points to the bag. "I need to see what they make you dress up in." An eyebrow arches. "They make you dress like cat?" How did Americans get to the moon first?

"She did not know I was coming" Ariana concurs. "I do not even have her phone number. She was supposed to be in Seattle but I managed to track her down." A confused look for Kip now, though more on the playful side. "Of course I will be an immense help. You cannot do anything without me." The whisper gets a look of 'sounds like something needs to be discussed' from Ariana.

"Oh! You know him!" Cripes, Stefhan knows all the pretty ladies! This thought noted purely out of observation, of course; Ainslie does not have any designs upon her attractive boss. She hopes the woman that he has his sights set on is ok with hairless cats... c.c

There, finally: a touch of a smile, "Hah.. go figure, eh.... well... yeah, the very same. He was very kind... I was in a bind and he offered a solution that was good for him and saved my pride.." A sober look.. clearly pride is important to Ainslie.

But then Ariana addresses her plight frankly and Ainslie can't help it: she busts out laughing. Earnest belly-laughter. "Shit, no no... it's a saying.. cat's ass means 'expensive' ... Stef runs a computer business. I couldn't there lookin' like a redneck so..." She pulls out her choices; leaves the underclothes in the bag (can't have pantylines!) but pulls out a black pencil skirt (legs like that, she'll rock it) and a sleeveless cream-colored blouse to match. "I reckon if I wear this crap and pick out other crap like it, it'll do." A nearly-shy smile.. a breath. "Hey listen.. I'm gonna let ya'll catch up... come stop by the shop sometime. Fuck, it'll be entertaining." She steps back and gives a wave. "Welcome to Gray Harbor." Offered to Ariana, smile still present. She turns to Kip next, offering a wave, and makes to continue along on her way. Has the grace to blush.

"I look forward to seeing you there then!" Kip flashed a grin, which remains through Ainslie's laughter at Ariana's questioning about cat asses. She knew enough that she knew Stefhan sold computers, but why preemptively correct it? She lets Ainslie do that for her, giggling a bit.

Finally the outfit is revealed! "You will look lovely." Kip grins. "I think that will go over very well as working clothes." Nodding along a moment or two. As Ainslie begins to make her depatures, Kip waves back. "It was nice meeting you!" She calls after the woman and then looks up to Ariana. "Look at that! Already making friends and you have hardly been here a full day." It is spoken in a teasing tone.

Though, now that they are alone, Kip will offer a tight, but brief hug to the woman and can't help but reverting to Russian. It's still so much easier to roll off the tongue. "I'm glad you're here. Things have been starting to feel a bit hopeless. There is definitely something fishy in this town."

"His solution was to make you work for him in little clothes?" Ariana asks as she looks over the sleeveless top and pencil skirt. "The will look good on you" she allows before letting the Canadian leave, offering a tiny smile and brief wave.

Ariana turns to Kip with a furrowed brow. "Why is a cat's ass expensive?" She needs to work on her idioms. "I have not been here a full hour" she smirks in reply before returning the tight hug. "I guess I am charming" she adds, also dropping back to Russian as things get serious. "What is going on?" A glance around them both as if expecting to see monsters leap out any moment. "We should talk somewhere safe, yes?" Being Russian, Ariana is also naturally paranoid. "And you have to tell me about this Stefhan. I think it has not been all work with you."

Kip giggled, "I have no idea." About the cat's ass reference. It was over her head. "Oh yes, so charming with your glaring and demands." Is the tease before she sobers some. "It is difficult to explain. It is not ghosts...more like...well. Do you remember the overnight we assisted on in Pripyat? That awful feeling? Before my weird stuff happened?" Before everything started falling apart. "...It feels like that but...more wide spread and weirder." Kip was not entirely concerned since they were conversing in a different language but she nodded in agreement. More on the weird stuff once they were back at her temporary home.

There's a faint blush to her cheeks. "Stefhan is nice, and good looking in an...aristocratic way? But we are only friends." Kip assured Ariana. "It has not been all work though - you are right about that." But then the Uber pulls up! "Come, get in. We will head to the house and we can catch up. I need full details on how you knocked out Viktor's teeth."