2019-05-16 - Histories

There's a dreary gray drizzle outside, but it's still a few hours from closing for the Museum, so the lights are on and a few folk can be found wandering the halls. It seems to be between tours, so they've been mostly turned loose to look at things under their own power: although a couple of roving docents keep an eye on things and make sure no one's child is trying to climb on the antique tables, and no one's making out on the velvet couch. Alexander is alone, unlike most of the other museum goers, his faded and unfortunately purple sweats not really blending into the elegant interior. He has a brochure, though, and is studying some plaques on the wall in the library. Old books, many of them expensive first editions, are locked behind glass, but a couple of the less irreplacable once have been set out on library tables for people to look at, with plaques and the like explaining the most rare volumes, and when and how the Addingtons acquired them. He seems to be caught by one in particular.

Suriel has been in town for about ten years. Walked past this place a thousand times, but today is the day she decided to come in. Ominous? Maybe. The door opens to admit a bit of chill along with her raven haired woman. Her hair is down, but with the shirt that she's wearing one can see the jagged looking scars along her collarbone that fan upwards. She gives a look around and then heads over to grab one of the brochures...and pray for a map of this place.

There is definitely a map in the brochure. It is warm and reassuring and clearly vetted by the Addingtons for maximum cheerful nostalgia. Marvel at the elegance and grace of yesteryear! Examine the cut crystal and bone china! But don't touch, or one of those docents will probably frown at you. They look like good frowners, although they're all smiles as Suriel gets her brochure. "If you want to wait for the tour, it should be in about a half an hour," one says to her, "or you can take a self directed tour. If you have a smart phone, the QR codes by the plaques will give you additional information. No flash photography, please." Honestly, it probably feels somewhat familiar, as a spiel, to that used to greet zoo visitors.

Alexander emerges in the hallway, having left the library to its quiet and books, and instead moves towards the formal dining room, laid out with splendor for a feast that will never happen.

Suri gives a look to the Docents and there's a smile, "I might go ahead and wander about on my own, thank you." she tells them with a nod of her head. She was used to reading the maps and things that came along with the job of a greeter. Her pale gray eyes give a look down the way when someone moves out into the hallway. There's a moment of thought and then she heads the way that Alexander was going. Not stalking really.

Alexander doesn't reach out over the ropes and touch the silverware laid out at the nearest place. Because that docent has /crazy eyes/. But his hand twitches and lifts, as if he thought of it, then thought better of it. He does turn, though, at the sound of someone approaching, and stares at Suriel as she approaches. "You're the zookeeper," he says, after a moment, his voice mostly flat. "I saw the peacock escaped, the other day. It was actually pretty entertaining."

Suri gives a look up from the paper in her hands to Alexander when he speaks to her and there's a bit of a smile, "I am one of the Zookeepers, yes." she tells him. Then there's a hand that rises to rub at her forehead, "That stuffed up peacock. Such a pain in the ass half the time, but everyone thinks he's sooo pretty." she huffs out lightly. "It keeps us on our toes though, which is part of the job." she shrugs. "I'm Doctor Suriel Baines, and you are?" she asks him.

"He is so pretty," Alexander replies. "He is the prettiest bird in the whole zoo." There's a way he says it, a particular intonation and lilt, that suggests he's /heard/ those words, or at least that sentiment, enough to have it memorized. "It's a shame that he is also an asshole bird. And that is a proper name. First name. Last name. Title. Difficult to lose that name. I will remember it." Possibly whether she wants him to or not. "Alexander Clayton. No title."

Suri gives a look at him, an ebon brow quirking up as he says it like he does, "It would seem you can hear him almost." she admits. "And yes, he is a bit of an asshole, but eventually he'll die and they'll probably stuff him...which will allow me to go by and say 'whose a pretty bird?' without chasing him." she grins at that. Then there's a half smile, "My parents liked Angels. So I got named after one. Alexander is a nice name. Do you go by Alex or anything like that?" she asks him. Knowing preferences were good.

"He's not exactly one of nature's genius minds," Alexander admits, which may be an oblique enough admission, particularly when he's got that same...oddness about him that so many of the residents of Gray Harbor seem to have. He turns, abruptly, though, to stare at the place settings again. "My name is Alexander Clayton. There is an Alex. Who is also an Alejandro, which seems a bit greedy if you ask me, but perhaps he has a reason for it. But /I/ am /Alexander/, Doctor Baines." He's more emphatic about all of that than anyone really should be, but calms again as he says, "Do you like antiques?"

"That is a very true statement." Suri tells him. Then the abruptness of his turning leaves her feeling like she said something REALLY wrong. Then she sobers a touch, "Alexander it is then." she tells him quietly. Though she does smile a touch, "I do like antiques very much." she admits. "I like things that have histories." she adds.

Alexander doesn't seem to continue to be upset, at least, after his name is used. He gives her a sidelong look. "Things that have histories are best, I agree. Here," he glances at the docents, then jerks his head towards her. "Come with me. I'll show you something, Dr. Baines. A history." He turns on his heel and strides off down the hallway towards one of the foyers, ducking into the side room. It's a small, beautifully appointed room with a hearth, and a mantle with a carved wooden clock, several overly fancy chairs, and a china tea set on a side table. At the moment, no one else is here.

Suri gives a smile to that when he agrees with her. Then she's looking at him as he turns and there's a moment taken to look around before she's following him. She ducks into the room after he does and there's a look around, "This is nice." she tells him quietly. Then she's going quiet to listen to him. Should he have things to share.

Alexander gives a look at the door. No docents yet! So he gestures at the wooden mantle clock. Beautifully carved, it's a spreading forest of dark brown leaves around a central, circular face edged in polished brass. "It is nice," he agrees. "The whispers here are not all good, nor all bad, but I like them." He gestures at the clock. "Touch that. Feel its history. Or," there's a long pause, "I can share it with you. If you want."

Suri gives a look behind them, nope! No Docents. She felt suddenly like a teenager again. She looks to the mantle clock when it's gestured at and she gives a look to him, "Why am I not surprised." she murmurs to that. Then she's heading over towards the clock, "I mean...if it's not working for me today you can share it with me. How's that sound?" she asks him as she reaches out to touch the clock.

Alexander jerks his head into a quick nod. But when she touches the clock, it /does/ work for her. It's emotions more than anything - this clock was made by hand, and some part of that concentration, focus, and pride still lingers, like a deep rose patina in her mind. But stronger is another emotion. Surprise, joy, the bewildered but genuine happiness of someone receiving a gift they didn't expect, but one with which they fell in love with in that very moment. Even after decades, that strongest emotion still pulses, a warm red-gold sun against her fingers and in her mind. "It's a good history," Alexander says, as he keeps an eye on the door for wandering docents.

Suri was expecting something horrible. Sometimes the Glimmer stuff was just...odd. But not this time. The woman sighs softly, her shoulders relaxing as she feels the warmth that radiates. It was something that she wished she could hold onto. She gives a smile to Alexander and then lets her hand drop, fingers brushing her jeans as she does. "There was a lot of love in that." she nods.

"Yes." Alexander doesn't smile, but his shoulders square, and he looks satisfied. Or, at least, marginally less likely to start yelling about the end of the world. "I come here to remind myself. Not all the histories are bad. Not all the secrets are dark." There's an awkward sort of shrug. "It's good to remember that. The other day a woman tried to kill herself on a bridge because she forgot that. Reminders are educational and important."

Suri straightens a bit, she wasn't his height, but she wasn't short either. She gives him a look and there's a soft nod, her curls bouncing a bit, "Reminding yourself that it's not all dark and dreary is a good thing. My father let himself lose that battle a few weeks before I moved here." she frowns. "I'm guessing by the word 'tried' being used that she did not succeed, that's a good thing." she admits.

"Also useful to remember when chasing an asshole bird around the park in the rain," Alexander says, solemnly. "A lot of people lose that battle. It's easy to get broken here. And no, she did not succeed this time. Maybe next. I told her to leave, but I don't know if she will." He turns away again, to start roaming the room. It's a small room, so it's more of a restless turn, pacing two steps, restless turn. "Baines. Baines. I don't remember a Baines who committed suicide."

Suri gives a bit of a smile, "Ah. I will remember the next time he gets out. I'm sure he'll be on top form when we start doing Spring sprucing up." she admits. "Hopefully there won't be a next time. Suicide is not a good thing, for the person that commits it or for those that it radiates to." she shakes her head. "And no, not Baines. My stepfather adopted me when he and my mother married. My fathers last name was Blackwood. I think he had...what we have. He lived and died here. Never left." she frowns.

"Blackwood. Ah, yes. That name I remember. Didn't look too deeply into it - no signs it wasn't suicide, whether driven to it or not." Alexander frowns, then, and turns to stare at her for longer than is really polite. "I'm sorry. I should say I'm sorry. That your father committed suicide." Then he turns away. "I'm surprised you stayed." It's not exactly a question, but there's a pause at the end.

Suri gives a shake of her head, "It's nothing for anyone to give apologies or condolences for. I barely knew him." she admits. "I mean, by the time my parents divorced I wasn't even in pre-school. Dad was just out of it most times. Mom thought he was a drunk." she frowns. "I'd just graduated from my Doctoral program when I got the call that he'd died. And I'd gone through my own bit of pain, so I came here. Figured since he left things to me I could figure out what was going on." she shrugs. "Why do you stay, Alexander?" she asks him.

"Maybe he was. Self-medication is common in Gray Harbor, even when people aren't," Alexander pauses, "even when people aren't. Economically depressed area, brain drain to Seattle and Portland, higher than average crime rate. There are a lot of reasons to drink." He notices a docent peeking around the corner and his shoulders hunch. He starts walking out the other door, towards the beautiful ballroom. He continues to talk, quietly, either just /assuming/ that she'll keep up, or maybe not thinking about it at all. "I don't know. My parents live here. I live here. It's harder to forget things here, easier to decide THIS is real and THAT is not, even when there are so many not real things. Out there, I feel more like a person, but less like me. I don't like losing me. It happens too much." He frowns. "Do you think that you can, Dr. Baines? Figure out what was going on?"

Suriel follows after him, not sure why really, but it was the longest non work conversation she'd had with someone in awhile. So it was nice. "Dad always drank. I don't know, my mom couldn't handle it. I don't think she knew what he was going through." she frowns. "So I felt bad later in life when he died alone." she admits. Then she listens to him and there's a soft nod, "Makes sense if things are a bit easier here." she tells him. Then there's a look to him, "I don't think I can, but I'm going to try." she nods to this.

"Everyone makes their own choices, Dr. Baines. Your father. Your mother. You. Me. You bear no responsibility for his choices." Alexander stops just inside the ballroom, looking down at the polished floor, then stepping to one side so he's not blocking the doorway. "I know that doesn't change anything about how you feel. Although it should." A long pause. "I am good at looking into things." He doesn't look at her, but his eyes do lift from the polished floor to stare down the length of the ballroom, in its electric-lit glory.

"And that's why I'm here. Because I chose to stay." Suri tells him as she looks to him. Then she looks around the ballroom, "It's a lovely place." she admits quietly. "I know I shouldn't feel like I do. But I didn't really get to know my father. I just get to know him via his journals and other things." she states. Then she looks back to him, "Do you like coffee?" she asks him.

"It is. I had a dream that I was here once, and there was dancing. I think it was a dream." Alexander's brow furrows. "Yes, it was a dream, because there is no dancing here now, and has not been for a while." He jerks his head in another nod, turning to stare at her. "It's not a bad way to get to know someone. Not the best way, but things usually aren't. Best. And yes. I like coffee." He sounds baffled at the question.

"Were you dancing or observing, Alexander?" Suri asks him as she gives a curious look around. "Sometimes a past life might be trying to show you something." she admits. When he turns to stare at her there's a moment she reaches up to push an errant lock of hair over her shoulder, "Would you like to go get some coffee or something? I've got the evening off and well, figure having someone to talk to is nice." she explains.

"I don't believe in past lives. Even a maltheist like myself doesn't think that God is quite so sadistic as to subject us to this life multiple times. It was just a dream. And I don't dance." Alexander frowns at her, expression suspicious and wary. "I could drink coffee. I am not considered good company, Dr. Baines." It's not a no.

Suri gives a look to him, "That's a fair thing, Alexander." she tells him. "I dance...when the occasion calls for it." she admits. Then there's a bit of a smile and she looks around, "Umm, if it doesn't weird you out, you've been wonderfully company so far." she points out. "And you can call me Suriel...or Suri. Would you mind if I bought you coffee? Could go to the diner or anywhere you feel comfortable." she offers.

"There is nothing wrong with dancing. I just don't." It's flat. Alexander continues to stare at her, eyes near black. "You're...concerned about weirding me out? That is not something I hear often, Dr. Baines." His lips twist at the nickname. "Suriel. If you insist. The diner will be fine. I will try to...continue to be tolerable." His head tilts to one side. "You aren't on drugs, by chance?"

"I won't ask you to dance at any point then." Suriel holds up her hands, just letting him know she wouldn't push it. Then there's a chuckle, "You seemed wary about being asked to go get coffee, so I figured that offering a place that is comfortable would be appreciated." she admits. Then she gives a bewildered look to him, "No, I don't do drugs. Why?" she chuckles.

"You called my company wonderful," Alexander deadpans. "It usually signifies someone who is operating under a heavily and adversely altered state of reality. I thought I'd check, because I didn't bring a car. If you did, you're driving." And then he strides past her, heading towards the door.

Suriel rolls her eyes, "This is going to be interesting." she tells him. "I'll need to get a list of things not to say." she muses as she shakes her head. "I'm an adult and know that people have ticks. Doesn't make me think you're weird or that I need to be on drugs to be around you." she shrugs. "And sure, I'll drive." she muses as she heads after him.