Doesn't get easier for the California boy (Logan/Baba - tbc in comments)
Boredom was a very bad thing when it happened to one like Baba Yaga. It usually meant that she had to go find something to do. Something very interesting and possibly something very naughty. The City probably didn’t like it, but it was in those moments of boredom that Baba didn’t care what the City liked or didn’t like. She was in the mood to cause a little trouble, as the song said, she wanted to be bad.
So, there she was being very very bad. Or more looking for a chance to be very very bad. The red dress was tight, cut low almost revealing, her hair slicked back. The look nearly screamed come and get it. Or more I’m out to get it. Her steps suggested she knew very much how to please others, and then some.
Now, if she only had someone to be bad with.
-----
Logan still wasn’t enjoying his time in the City. About the only good thing was Veronica. He was, again, out of money and therefore at a loss for entertainment options. Not that he even wanted to go out after dark any more, not after the strangeness that he’d seen here.
So when the City offered up an unseasonably warm March day, Logan took the chance to explore a bit. He half-considered leaving behind something that would amount to a trail of breadcrumbs to make sure he made it back, but realized that was just as stupid of an idea as a city with ever-changing streets.
So instead, he headed towards the first thing that looked remotely interesting, which was the city park. He thought he caught sight of a few skateboarders and, while surfing was more his speed, any sign of leisure activity was a big draw now. Logan entered the park, wishing just a little bit that he had a flask with the finest whiskey available. Or, hell, even the cheap stuff.
Not that he had a drinking problem, but everything was a little more fun with whiskey.
----
Baba could tell them easily enough, the ones the City brought rather than bread. She could have sensed it eventually without her special connection to the City, but with that little perk, it was easier, very much so. Her heels didn’t click on the sidewalk, seeing as she wasn’t wearing any. Sandals, plain, that were more to keep her from hurting her feet than fashion, yet they seemed to match the whole get up. She was a goddess who willingly walked on the ground, or something like that.
So, what the poor kid, he was so very much a boy, showed up, Baba knew she’d have to have a little fun. He looked lost, and that lost look could mean so many things to the crone. The question became how to use it or abuse it. How to dip her fingers in this poor fellow’s psyche without causing damage that would later come back to bite her in the ass. Oh, she was powerful, yes, but she also knew that there was always a chance that something could come back to haunt her. Or, just annoy her. She did so dislike nuisances.
Just a hint of breeze, just a little one, and a sweet smell of flowers, nothing too sickeningly sweet, danced toward him. Now, she was taking a small risk. The boy might not like naturalistic perfumes, if it was a perfume at all. Though, it was highly unlikely the little woman in red actually smelled like a pleasant garden, but it was meant to catch attention, nothing more. To cause him to look around. Then again, she was standing by a bunch of flowers, so that helped.
----
A sweet, slightly entrancing scent filled his nostrils. Logan looked up in surprise, though didn’t question the sudden breeze as much as he possibly should have.
Instead, his gaze landed on a woman in a red dress, standing next to a large grouping of flowers. Something about her was... different. He couldn’t place his finger on it. Then again, he couldn’t place his finger on a lot of people he’d seen here that came off as different.
Logan moved closer to the flowers and bent over to inhale their scent, which didn’t quite match the breeze that had just greeted his nose. It was, instead, quite an ordinary flower scent.
He noticed the woman watching and gave her a small smile. While he wasn’t about to let it get flirtatious, there was nothing wrong with being friendly. He could always mention the fact that he had a... well, could he even call Veronica his girlfriend at this point? Somehow, they hadn’t quite gotten the definition thing down pat. Not that it made a difference, except when he was figuring out what to call her in conversations with others.
“Hi,” he said with a pleasant smile to the woman in red.
----
“Hello.” Baba smiled up at him. She didn’t look confused, but she was, just a little. She didn’t understand why the City brought in such normal people. Of course, she was only guessing that he was normal. For all she knew, he could be some wizard who liked to look very normal, but she didn’t feel anything overly special about him. He was much like that man who liked numbers; they were...ordinary.
“How are you?” She stepped closer, turning to smell a flower of her own. Baba knew how to stand, to highlight what she’d borrowed from another. Oh, she didn’t possess the real Red Riding Hood, so much as take on her look, her feel, and her voice. So, perhaps in a way, Baba had indeed possessed the young woman. Then again, there were others who’d done the same, or at least one other. Red was just that easy.
----
Logan eyed the woman slightly nervously as she stepped closer. Sure, she was pretty, and she held herself like a pretty girl who knew it. He took a step aside, under the guise of smelling yet another flower.
“Just fine. Nice, uh, weather we’re having today. How are you doing?”
----
“Oh, it’s very nice. It could be nicer, but I suppose this will do for now, won’t it?” Baba looked up at him, her head tilting a little. She turned to look at him, her hands playing over her hips, smoothing out her dress - not that it really needed it. She even licked her lips a little, her ruby red lips. Snow White wasn’t the only one with that look.
“You’re new, aren’t you?” She didn’t mind playing hard today. She didn’t mind being aggressive. It wasn’t that she needed him, wanted him. She was bored, and he was her current plaything. What else was she to do when she needed something to do to occupy her time? She couldn’t kill just keep killing the City’s children, could she? Well, yes, she could, but that got boring when she was all by herself.
----
He raised an eyebrow. She was definitely turning up the seductive act a little too much for his liking. It was uncomfortable, if the old Logan found it vaguely intriguing.
He took another step away from her, still pretending to be interested in those damn flowers.
“New to what exactly?” he asked, though he was pretty sure of what she was trying to ask him.
----
Baba laughed softly, shaking her head. Poor boy was caught in a trap that he had no idea about, wasn’t he? If he wasn’t, then he was very inexperienced; either way it was amusing. “You know you don’t have to run away. A man would tell the woman that he wasn’t interested.”
Baba stood there in front of him; she didn’t move toward him. No, she stayed where she was. Her hands rested on her hips, fingers tapping there. It was actually interesting to see a young man uncomfortable, but it wasn’t something she hadn’t seen before.
“New to the City.” Her brow rose in question.
----
Logan glared at her indignantly.
“Well this man... is spoken for,” he said, finding the right words. “And I’ve been here a couple weeks. Can’t say I would recommend it as a vacation spot. Needs more tiki bars.”
----
“Tiki bars?” Baba blinked. “What exactly is a tiki bar? Something in which those tiki gods enjoy themselves?” She laughed softly. She finally stopped looking at him, her attention turning to the flowers. “And spoken for? Really? Why spoken for?”
Baba reached out and plucked one of the flowers, turning it quickly and setting it behind her ear. “What do you think?” She nudged the flower a little. “What is the name of the one who speaks for you? Though that does make you sound as if you are incapable of speaking for yourself. Or that you are owned. Are you owned by someone? Not your own man?”
----
Logan was liking this woman less and less. His eyes narrowed at yet another veiled insult directed towards his manhood.
“It’s just a way of saying that I’m seeing someone. As in, off the market. But I still have my own free will, and I’m definitely not owned by anyone. I’m just... not available.”
He didn’t bother naming her, despite the woman’s question. Who he was dating wasn’t really the point here-it was setting the record straight for someone who clearly liked to twist words. Or perhaps, Logan reflected uncomfortably, didn’t understand modern slang.
Now there was a thought he wasn’t going to dwell on. The City had already thrown more than enough weird shit his way.
----
“Oh, I see. I apologize. I misunderstood.” Baba’s eyes grew wide, and she even went so far as to force a blush to her cheeks. “I’m so very sorry. I..oh, you must think I’m a dreadful flirt, a strumpet. I’m dressed like this, I say what I say. I’m so very sorry.”
She stepped back, chewing a little on her bottom lip. “I really am so very..it’s just..oh, this is awful.” Her hands clasped before her, not wringing, but she certainly wasn’t the woman she’d just been. “I should never have agreed to meet someone here. I thought you were him. I’m sorry.”
----
Logan blinked in surprise at the change in demeanor. Again, not what he’d been expecting. But that was starting to become commonplace in the City. All the same, he softened just a bit as she apologized and began to look a little lost herself.
“Hey, it’s no big deal. Though, you really probably shouldn’t meet strangers in parks. I’m sure a girl like yourself could just as easily find someone without having to go on a blind date, after all.”
He tried not to focus on the bizarre use of words. Who said strumpet anymore after all?
----
“No, no. You’re probably right. I...he sounded so nice, so smooth. I guess I just fell for it. We met through ads, and I ...Oh, you don’t need to hear my story. I am so very sorry about this. I don’t normally do this; I thought perhaps I’d try something different, and now look at what I’ve done. Made a complete fool of myself.” Her eyes were still wide, and her cheeks still flushed.
She wrapped her arms loosely about herself. She still chewed on her lip now and then. “I guess I won’t be doing this again, will I?”
----
“It’s really okay,” Logan said gently, only a little unnerved at being faced with a possibly emotional female. If she started crying, he was really going to be at a loss. Logan didn’t do well with crying women.
“You didn’t make a fool of yourself. Just... next time, try to avoid those personal ad responses. I’m pretty sure the only people who respond to those are nutcases.”
Or his ex-girlfriend and now current-girlfriend-type, though his ad had been different. And as much as he couldn’t come up with an explanation for who else might have had that information or placed that ad, he couldn’t for the life of him remember placing it. He must have placed it though. That was the only thing that made sense, and Logan was desperately grasping at straws in trying to make this whole place make sense.
----
“You’re right. Oh, goodness. I could have ended up with some wolf in sheep’s clothing, or some horrible knave. Or worse, oh, some awful black hearted Bluebeard type who keeps women locked away.” Baba shuddered. I’m sorry; I keep saying that, don’t I? ‘I’m sorry.’ I’m just a little flustered. This sort of thing doesn’t happen to me. Or I don’t usually try to break out of my shell, but I did.”
“They say the City put out the ads. I find it silly to think that a city could do that, but this is such a strange experience. See, I thought, I’m in a new place. I should try to be a new person, but I suppose we are who we are. We just can’t change. I’m just some silly mouse of a girl. I shouldn’t try to be what I’m not.” She plucked the flower from her hair and set it gently on the ground by the rest of the flowering plants.
----
“Well, it’s a good thing you found me instead,” Logan said with a reassuring smile. “And you’re probably better off sticking with what you know. Especially here.”
He turned away from the flowers still extremely uncomfortable at being in this position. Knight in shining armor, he was definitely not.
“Uh, could I help you get to a cab?” he offered.
----
“Yes, yes, you’re right. I’m very lucky I found you instead of some awful man who’d have done simply awful things to me.” Baba managed a weak smile. See? She was okay. Actually deep inside, the little woman was laughing. Oh, the boy had no idea what was happening to him.
“Oh, I don’t know. I’ve no money. I didn’t really have anywhere to put it.” She looked down at her dress. “I spent most of it on the dress. I certainly was not thinking when I started this whole endeavor, not at all.”
----
Logan blinked. She wasn’t making this easy on him. Then again, that’s what he got for trying to be a good samaritan. There was a reason that Logan usually only looked out for Logan and the small group of people that he cared about.
“Well, I’m broke myself, so I can’t help much there. But I’m heading in the direction of campus, so you’re welcome to walk with me if your place is on the way.”
----
“Oh, that’d would be wonderful. Thank you. I never expected you to pay. I just. I really didn’t think this one through. I think my mind just flitted off with every intent on leaving me to fend with out it. Which was very rude.” Baba smiled up at him, and she looked for all the world to be just a hint smitten. Not crazy stalker smitten, but just a hint of a crush.
“You’re awfully sweet. You must be one of those hero types. They’re here you know. Lovely young men who help poor defenseless girls who haven’t a brain in their head at all.” She shook her head then shrugged. “Of course, some think women like me are just bad for women in general. We’re exactly the ones other women have to prove they aren’t. Not that I like to be this way, I do my best not to be. I suppose I’m just that way.”
She stopped, her eyes getting big. “Oh, you won’t get in trouble with your lady friend if you walk me home, will you? If you want, I’ll talk to her for you, and tell her you were the prime example of gentleman. You didn’t even once make me feel as if I should be ashamed for practically throwing myself at you. You were kind, polite, considerate, and you even offered to walk me home, all without the hint of desiring anything more from me.”
----
“Hero... type?” Logan repeated. He laughed. “Hardly. Trust me on that one. You obviously don’t know me very well.”
He still wasn’t entirely comfortable in her presence, especially not with the way she was looking up at him. Shit. If Veronica did find out somehow, and she always did-he just hoped she didn’t jump to conclusions. It was just that even he wasn’t a big enough ass to leave some poor girl to fend for herself when she was clearly in over her head.
“It’s probably best if you let me talk to Veronica myself,” Logan said. “I’m sure she’ll understand.” He didn’t entirely sound like he believed it, but he knew he was just going to end up telling Veronica anyway. They’d had more than enough trouble with him not telling her the whole truth in the past.
----
“Veronica? Is that her name?” She smiled up at him. “Oh, you must let me meet this Veronica. I’m sure I can explain it just fine. You won’t have to say a word. Although, I understand if you’d prefer not to be associated with me, seeing as I probably still seem like a crazy fool. One who can’t seem to take care of herself. I can, but I just am having problems finding my way here. Do you ever feel that way?”
She’d gotten the woman’s name. Veronica. “Oh. How very rude of me! I don’t know your name, and you don’t know mine! Oh, I’ve completely lost my mind with my manners.”
“I’m Red. It’s a silly name, but it’s much better than anything else.” She held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet a gentleman like yourself, even if you don’t think you are one.”
----
What the hell type of name was Red? Logan wondered. And who was this chick?
“I’m Logan,” he offered. “And it’s really not a big deal.” He nodded with his head and started walking, half hoping that she wouldn’t follow. If she wasn’t smart enough to fall into step with him, at least he’d know that he’d tried and that was more than he could say for a lot of the things in his life.
----
“Logan. Logan and Veronica.” Baba joined him easily enough, even though his slightly longer strides were matched with a few more of her shorter ones. “Tell me about her? I’m sure she’s a wonderful person. Is she some valiant warrioress? Or maybe some princess?”
Baba could talk like someone of the 21st century, but this was much more fun. It’d been so long since she’d given in to this bit of craziness. Plus, the boy seemed a little put out by it, yet he refused to leave her. It was very much the heroic thing. He had no idea what he was.
----
Damn. So she was smart enough to keep up. Logan sighed and shook his head.
“Sure, she’s a pretty, pretty princess. Loves pink, and ponies, and unicorns. Gee, I just hope that her father will let me marry her and inherit the kingdom, so we can live happily ever after,” he said sarcastically.
They made it out of the park fairly quickly and Logan could just hope that she didn’t live far away. Or that she’d somehow get distracted by a street vendor and he could sneak off.
----
“Oh? Unicorns aren’t real though. At least I’ve never seen one. But, a princess who loves pink and ponies. That’s wonderful. And she has a kingdom. You really are a lucky man to have a princess you might be able to marry and have a whole kingdom. Yet, you shouldn't’t dispair or want her only for her kingdom, that could get you into trouble.” Baba seemed more than willing to keep up and continue this. She knew he was being sarcastic, that he wanted to lose her, but...
“What’s her kingdom called?” She smiled at him, looking for all the world to believe whatever he told her.
----
He glanced at her, an eyebrow raised. Either she was even better at veiled sarcasm than he was, or she was really eating it up. Either way, Logan decided to continue with the ridiculous line of conversation.
“Sparklypoo, and don’t worry, the kingdom’s just the icing on the cake.”
----
“‘Sparklypoo?’” Baba paused, thinking on this, and soon caught back up to him. “That is not the name of a kingdom. Is it? It seems a little...well, no offense to your Veronica, but it seems a little made up. You aren’t trying to trick me, are you? You wouldn't do that, would you?”
She looked a little sad, a little disappointed that he would actually try to be mean to her. She really hadn’t meant to upset him somehow. Honest. Look at those big brown eyes, could he really want to hurt her?
-----
Logan let out a harsh laugh and looked down at her.
“I’m sorry, it’s just...” he shook his head. “You can’t be serious with this ‘little girl lost’ act, can you?”
He raised an eyebrow and leaned slightly down towards her, an eyebrow cocked suspiciously.