2019-05-18 - Second Thoughts

Pre-dinner, post-lunch, and there's the usual trickle of customers in - those who got off shift early, a mom with a horde of children, three men in a booth talking, and Gina, in one of the center tables, seated behind the register. Today her purple hair is beneath a black bandana with little skulls in a Rosie-riveter 'do that's only emphasized by her black pinstripe button-up with a rose on the lapel, and shredded black skinny jeans with black boots. Finish off with dark red lips and it's another classic Gina Put In Effort outfit. Considering there are three other waitstaff working, she's really just chilling out at the register while they entertain themselves.

Today's music of choice? It might take a minute to figure out with all those wind instruments and sick bass, but it's celtic hip hop.

Geoff pushes on into the Diner and without glancing around much makes his way up to the bar to grab a seat relatively near to where Gina is loitering. Flashing her a ghost of a smile he says "You're killing it today, love the bandana." he doesn't even bother to look at the menu and just tells her "I'll take whatever you recommend today, and if you got anything like alcohol I'll take it in some black coffee." Something seems to be weighing rather heavily on the ex-con this afternoon

Gina doesn't even look up from her phone, "Risking a lot, G. I could be in a sadistic mood tonight." She reminds, but she smirks as she does it, collecting one of the diner notepads and scribbling in an order before impaling it, before she moves to start up a cup of coffee. "And you know we don't have a liquor license. I could get in serious trouble for selling you any alcohol." She fixes it up the way he prefers, before she reaches beneath the register to pull out a flask, and tip some mystery liquid into the cup, "Coffee's on the house. You better tip well." And a smirk, because nothing like a little low-key crime between friends.

She slides over the coffee, and then leans her elbows on the counter near him, looking at Geoff carefully, "Something happen, G?"

Geoff rolls his eyes and says "Even when you've been sadistic before I've eaten it down, haven't I? You know I always tip like a champ." grabbing a napkin he scribbles something down then pushes it towards Gina before taking a deep swig from his coffee. After she's had a chance to at least glance at what he's written down he confirms "So yeah, it's been a bit of a day. Figure I'm just going to rock deuces and do my own thing as I always have."

"...don't wanna do your sleepwalk dance anymore," Aidan is singing half-under his breath as the door opens and he steps through it, though it fades from little to nothing as he catches the sounds currently wafting through the air. His head tilts. Huh. He looks as though he's not quite sure if he likes it, though the way his gait falls in with the beat suggests that leans 'yes', and by the time he's nearing the counter there's definitely the impression of kinda groovin' to it.

He's wearing yellow jeans today, with a red t-shirt with a distressed '50s style 'ad' saying 'Sliced Bread -- the best thing since bread!' under a black, unbuttoned shirt covered in a print of red lipsticks. There's a fleece hoodie styled like a polar bear over that, ears and eyes and nose on the hood which hangs down the back of the standard-issue, well-broken-in biker jacket he has over that. Clearly, the dude believes in layers. With the rain threatening to be a proper storm outside, he's also got a clear plastic umbrella with a pink flamingo pattern on it, which he's finishing closing as he walks, and mud on his Docs. Sorry about that last one. Gina and Geoff get a quick, bright grin to share, and a, "Hey."

Entering the diner with his usual quick if stilted pace, Easton has at least mastered the art of not being surprised by the familiar faces pinging his crazometer. He hasn't been in town too long but he's slowly growing accustom to that feeling and to the fact that it's such a damn small town. Seeing Gina, and the color-blind pickpocket who got dipped in the seventies is a little surprising. He obviously expected a good shot at seeing Gina here, but seeing Geoff he beelines for the seat next to him and plops down. He doesn't bother with a greeting to the other man, just launches into "Been meaning to text you, but I just can't get the lighting right on my nudes. They read desperate instead of intriguing. It's probably the stuffed animals and framed pictures of you.."

He nods up at Gina and says, "Gina. If I could get your largest plate of cheese fries, I'd appreciate it."

Slightly damp from the weather is one Baylee as she wanders through the door, a hand reaching up to tug the hood of her hoodie down off her hair. Today she's sporting muddy boots, skinny jeans and wool socks over the hem of those jeans, a t-shirt, hoodie and leather jacket. It appears to be a theme for the day, or she copied Aidan without him realizing that she was spying on him. She loiters around the door, her hands giving her hair a shake to try and knock some of the wetness out of her hair.

Then she tilts her head, brows furrowing a fraction at the music, evidently she is not in the fan club for the music. But she manages to refrain from voicing her dislike of it as she ventures in from the door after wiping her feet off, "Aidan! I found a new place to explore."

Gina reaches for the napkin, and whatever was scribbled there has both her brows rising. "Yeooowch." She says, and tips her flask to pour him a little more, before toasting him with said flask and having a sip herself before it's tucked away. At the entrance of Aidan, she looks to Geoff and points at him with her head, "Well, the Kinney kid is back in town. Remember how we all thought he'd turned feral and would haunt kids who carried matches?" She says, before Aidan ACTUALLY arrives. And when he does he gets an upnod as well. "Sup." Easton's arrival, though? That entire conversation has her looking between him and Easton with a growing smile. "You doing framed nudes now, Geoff? Where's my copy?" But she also makes a new scribble in her pad for the cheese fries.

Baylee is ignored for the moment while Gina puts in the new order and starts up a fresh cup of coffee, but honestly for this place? Being ignored unless you directly address someone is pretty much the norm.

Geoff seems appreciative at that extra shot of whatever and raises his cup in a silent toast before taking another sip. Commenting over to Easton without actually looking over he chides "Yeah man, the stuffed animals and pics of me definitely scream 'fourteen year old girl' and not grown ass man. As far as the nudes go, I'll have to pass on them man. I'm sure you can get the lighting down right so it adds an inch. Setting his cup down he winks to Gina "You know if I'd known you were wanting nudes I'd have added you to the mailing list bae. I'll get you in the next batch." this is said completely seriously so whether or not he is serious is up in the air

"I will definitely take your expert advice into consideration." Easton easily replies to Geoff. He doesn't comment on the flask or whatever private he walked into. He may not have personal boundaries but usually he respects other peoples. Usually.

"I just got on the mailing list. It's life changing." He says by way of recommendation.

Turning when Baylee enters he gives a small nod of greeting. Granted he only knows her as whiskey and coke from the other night at the pour house but there's something about her that makes him want to talk to her more. Maybe it's just that scooby-sense, but he finds himself wanting to actually connect with people in a way that he hadn't since he's been back. It's strange and upsetting in some ways as much as it should be encouraging in others. Because for all his bluster and willingness to chat dick picks with strangers, he can't remember the last honest conversation he's had with someone.

But first: cheese fries.

Aidan is absolutely the best sartorial template to emulate, so good choice, Baylee! PS, rude, Easton, these colours totally match. Okay, maybe not the patterns. And late '90s if anything. Jeeeeeez. He's definitely not ignoring the PI, the grin briefly moving from bright to brilliant at her greeting. "Baylee!" he replies cheerily, and then notes aside to Gina, "I think they're his nudes," with a slight tilt of the head to Easton, "'cause posing with pictures of yourself would be gettin' kinda narcissistic." And to Easton himself, "But asking him for tips seems like it'd definitely spoil the surprise." It's once Baylee's a bit closer that he asks, "What'd you find? Do you wanna go look after food?"

"Sawmill." This is what Baylee found, it seems. She shares the information with good cheer as she moves to find herself a place to sit, seemingly fine with being ignored by Gina, although those that do pay attention to her get a wiggle of her fingers in greeting. But it also means that she very nearly misses the topic of, "Who is posing naked?" She can only actually juggle three things at once, which includes breathing and blinking at the moment, so it's a bit of a scattered sort of attention to things that is happening, because she answers Aidan's other question, "After we eat, yeah. Evidently it's where teenagers go to drink and have sex."

Geoff nods in agreement with Easton "Damn straight its life changing and purpose affirming." Lightly punching the other man's shoulder he asks "So what have you been up to man? Work been treating you good and all that." He trail off to warn Baylee and Aidan "Just make sure you two use protection when you go explore the sawmill. Also it's a sawmill, don't go lighting up there or else you'll end up with arson charges."

"Spoil the surprise oooorrr create anticipation." Easton puts his hands out as if weighing the two options in reply to Aidan. He laughs as Geoff preaches the glory of his own nudes with a punch. At the question he shrugs it off and says, "No complaints. It's pouring drinks and cracking jokes."

In answer to Baylee he responds, "Everyone." In answer to who is taking nudes. But then Geoff mentions lighting up and he tilts his head towards him and gives a soft laugh, "Which brings up a very good question. If someone were looking for a pharmacist with loose morals who does house deliveries in these parts, where can I get some drugs?" Yes, he purposefully starts off vague and then uses the most jarring NARC-ish sounding phrase he can manage for the fun of it. Considering he's assuming Geoff didn't exactly mean cigarettes and he's aware there's a likely prison past he's pretty sure he's not going to be broaching a taboo topic. And frankly he still does need to do that too. But maybe that one is actually taboo?

Maybe.

Aidan swipes two of the menus and drops into a seat by Baylee, offering one laminated bear over to her, along with one quirked brow. "Well, I know where they put the liquor store," he replies, just a little too seriously. "Okay, let's explore the sawmill." So it is written; so mote it be. Geoff's advice gets a thoughtful pause, and then a nod. "Sawdust," he agrees, as if that entirely explains everything.

Easton's reply about the options gets a grin, and Aidan notes to Baylee, "He," Easton, "is creating artistic nudes with stuffed animals and creepy stalker photos of him," Geoff, "for him. And he," still Geoff, "is distributing naked selfies via mailing list for the betterment of mankind. Though he didn't give the subscription address." Glancing to Easton again, he shrugs apologetically. "Haven't been here long enough to find out yet, sorry. But it sounds like a good thing to know!"

When Easton starts talking about street pharmacists there is a very interested look from Baylee, but not in the cop sort of fashion. This interest is all personal. But temporary as she crosses her heart, evidently in promise to Geoff that she'll be careful out there in the sawmill.

The menu offered to her from Aidan is taken, and she glances down at it with a nod, "Doesn't saw dust go up like fucking TNT or something?" She saw that in a television show once. When Aidan clarifies to nude situation she glances up, looking back and forth between the pair in question, "So how do we subscribe to this mailing list? We're very interested."

Gina's been quiet, pretty much just paying attention without contributing, maybe checking her nails. Ringing up the mother and her horde of children with complete disinterest. Eventually however she strolls back over, collecting some plates from the kitchen. Easton gets a rather huge plate of cheese fries, and Geoff? He gets.... a decent plate of food, actually. Apparently Gina isn't feeling sadistic today, just trying to get rid of scraps. A cheeseburger along with a small bowl of extremely spicy chili (meant AND beans), some fry wedges, cole slaw, and a few pieces of grilled vegetables that Gina probably just needs to offload on someone and Geoff volunteered, and a bowl of fruit. There's even a little toothpick flag with a banner of a bear pawprint on the burger bun. "Something like that." She does comment towards Baylee, before looking at Aidan and Baylee both, "You two want food or what?"

Geoff leans against the counter and lets a low whistle out as he spots that food, "Damn, see Gina when you make miracles like this happen it makes me want to marry you. One of these days I'll get you out on a date." taking one of the grilled vegetables he tosses in his mouth and chews slowly on it. Swallowing he looks warily over to Easton "Look man, you're going to have to prove you're not wearing a wire first and then do a line so I know you're not a cop. After that I'll give you the address to my favorite dispensary." Baylee's question catches his attention and he nods "Yep, dust'll go up in a ball of flame. Really if you caught the wrong conditions there the whole operation could go up in a massive blaze."

"Can I ask a dumb question?" Easton's jokey demeanor slips every so slightly, though he tries to keep the smile on his face, it's not quite reaching his eyes as he turns to Aidan and Bailey, "What d'you expect to find at the sawmill besides some awkward Genny lite fueled ill-advised hookups among bored and sexually frustrated youth? And if that's what you're going for cheers, cause that's a new kind of fucked up." He sounds like he might be an expert on such things from that statement. And though he's trying to keep that cheerful, whacky banter there's an undertone of curiosity that he can't quite hide.

He looks at Geoff and shrugs, he pulls off his shirt, a completely non-descript gray tee-shirt. He's obviously the opposite of shy or worried, and possibly quite interesting there are more than a few tattoos. A big C on his shoulder, a pineapple on his side and a small dollar sign on his hip, and no wire. "I can't tell if yer joking, but fuck it."

The plate of cheesefries arrives and apparently he doesn't intend to keep his shirt off while he eats, so he stuff that back on over his head and digs in.

"We are," Aidan agrees toward the nude models, with a small nod, and the grin returns as he glances back to Baylee to answer, "Absolutely. Flour, too. Any kinda fine particles of something combustible hanging in the air, if you get the right conditions, it goes right up. And out. Non-dairy creamer does it too. Cocoa. Coffee. Pretty much anything that burns..." It's quiet, but fairly enthusiastic. Clearly, this is Neat. "A sugar factory exploded that way down South about a decade back, I remember it on the news."

Gina's question takes priority over everything else for a moment. "Um... coffee, a chocolate and raspberry milkshake, macaroni and cheese, and chili, please?" he asks, before looking to Easton, and considering his question a moment. Also the tattoos, as the guy bravely risks his no-shirt becoming no-service! Okay, probably not, Gina seems like the kind of owner who might be willing to overlook that temporarily. "...I don't know," Aidan says, with a small shrug, "Why explore it if I did? It just sounds interesting."

"Burger and a..." Baylee pauses, glancing at Aidan, "A chocolate and raspberry milkshake for me, too. Plus cheese fries." She then slides her menu to the side before she glances towards Easton, frowning very slightly at him. "I really don't want to run into any awkward hookups. But I've never been to a sawmill, either."

Which, by her tone doesn't sound like it is a complete answer.

Gina absolutely doesn't seem to care about Easton taking it off, just looking up a moment to judge the goods before she goes back to writing up the orders for Aidan and Baylee. Once those are sent to the kitchen, Gina gets started on the milkshakes. Three of them. Apparently she fixes up her own first: chocolate, coffee, raspberry, and a handful of blueberries with a bit of coconut milk to smooth things out. Only after she's made her own does she start up the other two, because they can wait. "I mean, it's not like there's tons to do in town anyway. May as well check out where curiosity sends you." Is all she says about the matter. Before giving Geoff a smirk and stealing one of his fries, "That's me. Full of miracles. But you're not ready to be off the market just yet. Think of all the hearts that'll be broken." Much like Geoff, Gina just sounds so serious it's hard to tell whether the pair are joking or not. "I mean already, you've got people stripping down and admitting how you lower their braincells."

Geoff grabs a napkin and scribbles out an address on it before sliding it over to Easton "There you go man, the dispensary is pretty damn good. Decent prices, not like the prelegal days where it was fairly cheap but hey good enough to keep me a repeat customer." Taking one of his fries he pops it in his mouth and chews on it, savoring the starchy treat before telling Aidan "Trust me on this one, get them to sprinkle old bay on top of the mac and cheese, you can thank me later." Listening to Gina's well thought out excuse for why they must remain apart at least for the moment draws a nod from the man and a seemingly serious response "That's true, I can't go disappointing all those who are already pining for me. It seems we'll have to settle for our lunch trysts of burgers and coffee." that said he drains the rest of his coffee and slip a ten and a five beneath the cup as he pushes it away, preemptively leaving his tip

"Unless sawmill is local townie code for rave, they fuckin' cut logs into lumber. Maybe I'm missing the allure but..." His tone ratchets up just at touch beyond friendly before he catches himself and smiles, "Seems like you two could find more interesting places to explore." He tries to concentrate and make that thing happen. He gives Baylee a bit of a look in the process, yes, it's weird. He then blinks as it doesn't work. He's not had that happen yet either, but he has almost no experience with these things in a place like this. He gives her an apologetic shrug, which really is the best he can muster.

He turns back to cheesefries and adds some ketchup . After shoving some in his face, in a manner that suggests he hasn't eaten in days, he stops and asks Geoff, "Can I borrow that pen?" He also accepts the napkin with the dispensary information on it, with a simple, "Nice." It's not exactly all he had in mind but he's also not going to turn it down.

"Okay, can I try the macaroni and cheese with Old Bay on it, please?" Aidan asks Gina, and gives Baylee a look that probably has to do with the lack of subscription information getting shared with them. Alas. His head tilts as he considers Easton for a moment. "I mean, if you've got a list of other interesting places to explore, I'm down, but it's kinda starting to sound like you don't want us to go there for some reason." He sounds more curious than upset, though there's a hint of something wary in it. "Anyway, I've been to raves. I've never been to a sawmill. ...and if there was a rave here I'd maybe go to that one too, but why not check out the sawmill? I could just go work more, but this sounds more fun. What've you got planned for the afternoon?" Maybe it's something awesome!

"Pretty sure that it's not local townie code for rave, but as I'm not a townie...I've no real idea." Baylee points out with a shake of her head, giving Easton a lingering look, arms crossing over her chest as she studies. Thinks. Waits. Like she's doing her very best to figure something out. Then she turns her attention towards Aidan, a brow lifting upwards at him before she lifts her shoulders in a faint shrug, "I thought it'd be an interesting place to explore."

Which, clearly, since she was inviting people along with her. But then Aidan is asking about why Easton is against them going to the sawmill, so she turns herself around to face the man, "Also, you two didn't give us the information to subscribe to the mailing list for the creepy stuffed animal nudes."

"Sorry, you don't get the glossary of local lingo till after you survive your first year and a half here." Gina breaks this news to all the non-locals, with a shrug that implies her hands are tied on this. "Town committee. Couldn't really do much about it. At least you've got three years before you get the sorority treatment and have to prove yourself at three am." She says, setting milkshakes down before Aidan and Baylee, before she pops a head into the kitchen and adds in Aidan's request.

To Easton, she gives a faintly amused grin when she passes by, collecting Geoff's cup - with the tip going directly into her back pocket, from which she also pulls a red pen to hand to Easton, "Nice. Almost had it the first time." She praises, before letting him keep the pen and shifting her attention to Geoff, "You're so getting a fan club."

Geoff has since pulled out his phone and is texting as he munches on his burger, telling Gina "Lilith is back in town, think you two shared a couple of classes at least. Ran into her the other night." picking up another fry he says "You know I didn't ask for the fan club. It's all these transplants to the town that are joining in it." Though something about Easton seems to catch his attention and he actually turns his attention to the man properly for the first time since he sat down to shoot him a look that says 'I know what you did'

A buzz on his phone, and Easton slides it out and replies quickly without any emotion on his face. He easily returns his attention to the pen and a clean napkin, not the one with the dispensary information. He writes down his number and slides it down to Baylee. "I'm Easton. Maybe if you ever want to go explore somewhere more traditional like a bar or a club, give me a call? Unless I'm missing out on something mind blowing in the local industrial venues then maybe you can show me around and open me up to new and exciting adventures in large scaling machining operations."

Gina's comments get a flat, tight smile that he can only do his best just get through. It's not that he's embarassed so much as so far out of his element in a world of people who all seem to know more about him but aren't actually saying it out loud. "Thanks."

The look from Geoff however causes him pause. He's not sure how to read it, considering the text he just sent so he returns a questioning look of 'I don't know what your look means and am I the only one who can talk to other people's heads because otherwise why are you just asking me in my head?' ... It's a very fraught look is what I'm saying.

Aidan's brow furrows a bit at Easton, when he does... whatever he was trying to do. Yeah, he noticed too. And then there's that whole number thing and a lack of answer on -- well, everything he asked. He lifts a brow at the guy, looking somewhat less sunny than seems to be his usual. And there's a definitely recognizable voice in the bartender's head. <<Dude.>> It's got a definite 'really?' touch to it, though exactly what about probably has options. One of which is touched on in <<What were you trying to do to Baylee?>> Apparently trying that on someone else counts as an invitation! Or at least trying it on his friend does. The expression stays level; it doesn't look like anything that takes a lot of focus is going on. In fact, he absently unwraps his straw, sticks it in the milkshake, and takes a sip, still watching the guy. Then he does look away, long enough to find Gina and says, "Shake's awesome, thanks."

"Year and a half?" Baylee looks a bit surprised that it's that long before she can know all the townie slang, but. It is what it is. Instead she starts to say something else when Easton writes his number on a napkin and passes it over. It is, possibly, not the strangest situation she's gotten picked up in because she doesn't even look shocked or confused. Amused, maybe. But she slides the napkin over, and pulls her phone from her pocket to add the number into it.

Then, perhaps just to make sure that he didn't slip her someone else's number, or because she's in a generous mood and is giving hers in return, she shoots off a quick text. Then she reaches for her milkshake with a smile in Gina's direction, "Thanks."

"For the glossary." Gina confirms. "Two years till you get invited to the--" She pauses, and smiles, putting a finger to her lip and tapping it lightly, "Whupsie." Is she just messing with them? Who knows. Gina just goes back to sipping her own milkshake, accepting Aidan's compliment as her due. The flirting is also watched but not commented on - people flirt all the time over bear-waffles, obviously. But she does shake her head with a smile and say to Geoff, "Want me to read the cards for you at some point, by the way? See how both factions of your fan club might be heading. Simple triple, though."

Her attention slides towards Easton, then, and ads, "Wouldn't mind doing one for you, either. Since you invited us all to the gun show earlier."

Geoff polishes of his burger and goes for a taste of that chili, coughing when he finds out just how spicy it is but that level doing nothing to discourage him from finishing it off. His mind is obviously on something that's weighing on him so he loses track of the conversation going around him, it's not till Gina makes her offer that he offers her probably the most genuine smile she's seen from him in the past couple years "You know I'd definitely appreciate that. Your readings have been fairly accurate before, you got the gift."

His phone buzzes again and Easton taps out a quick reply before setting it aside, face down.

Between multiple text conversations, questions from Aiden that he completely blanks on, a terribly botched attempt at doing the mental talky thing, and now someone's talking in his head. It's not Geoff. It's the other guy. He blinks and his brow furrows. He mentally tries to force a thought to Aiden, the same way he's been knocking on people's minds purposefully and inadvertently since he's gotten here. It's the mental equivalent of someone trying to pound on an open door.

<<WHAT?!>> The confusion of why that was easy crosses his face and his eyes barley widen. He suddenly finds his cheesefries super interesting though and begins attacking those with gusto, unsure on the ettiquette of making eye contact while talking in someone's head. Or having a mental conversation while other conversations are happening. <<God, these are fucking good. Wait, am I still saying this in your head? Shit. WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?! WHY IS THIS HAPPENING? AND WHY THE SHIT IS NO ONE TALKING ABOUT IT?!?! AM I YELLING?! It sounds like I'm yelling. FUCK!>> He does all this while appearing to be happily scarfing down cheese fries, which he polishes off.

Realizing that Gina has offered him something, though he can't for the life of him remember what. He just swallows and nods. "Course. I'd love that." His conviction is not really in his voice considering he's not sure whether he would but he tends to err on the side of yes.

Aidan takes another sip of his shake, attention back to Easton, the brow lifting again. And then there's the mental reply, and he manages to look only a little amused. It's tamped down, though, and a glance flickers toward Baylee, then back to the bartender. <<Yeah, you're still saying it in my head. Yeah, you're kinda yelling. ...and yeah, those look pretty good, maybe I shoulda ordered some. Then again, I already have macaroni...>> This is the important issue at hand, clearly.

"Do I get three years credit?" he asks Gina, leaving Easton hanging for a moment, but there's something slightly more thoughtful about his expression, and faintly distracted. <<Try and calm down some, I'm gonna get a headache. And no one's talking about this because most of the time if most people hear you talking about hearing voices in your head or sending thoughts to other people, you end up on a 72 hour hold. At best. Trust me. You're probably not crazy, though.>> He's only really met a few people who seemed really new to this stuff, but it's enough. <<It's just a psychic kinda thing.>> A pause. <<Also some people are gonna lose their shit if you start thinking at them out of nowhere. What'd you try to do to Baylee?>> The question's a little stronger, this time, though not to the extent of a command or anything.

Baylee was all fully prepared to ignore the phone, then a text comes back. So she texts back. Then Easton ignores his phone. And she turns herself around in her seat, legs crossing as she dunks a now naked straw into her milkshake and proceeds to stare.

It's clear that she's not aware of the talking in the head, just that he's now ignoring her. Which seems to both amuse and irritate her in turns as she works on the milkshake, waiting. Nope. Nothing. Then she spins back around to face Aidan, "Not that I don't think you know this, but I feel that I should point out that boys are really weird." Boys, Easton. You're now a boy. And also getting ignored as her attention turns towards Gina and Geoff, giving them a curious look about the reading thing, "Like with tarot cards?" She practically oozes dubiousness at this.

"I've got the gift of something all right." Gina says, her small smile still present. There is a ding! and two new orders of food, which she places in front of Baylee and Aidan. As expected, it looks (and tastes) fantastic. As she sets the plate in front of Aidan, she also adds, "Nope. Maybe a tee-shirt that says 'Almost a Legend' on it. It'll make the brits in town laugh." Gina comments, clearly entirely willing to brush on his tragic backstory. Her eyes slide towards Baylee at the dubious question, and Gina smirks, "Yeah, with tarot cards. A little something I picked up from my mom. Fun way to pass the time, don't you think?"

Geoff begins to stand and stretch, "I should probably get walking I got some shit I need to take care of." arching an eyebrow towards Gina he asks "When and where do you want to do the reading? I got cheap beer and hard liquor at my place, or really just name the place and time and I'll swing on by." clapping Easton on the shoulder he says "I'll have you by for beer sometime and we can talk and I'll catch you up on shit. You just have to promise your pants are going to stay on." To Aidan and Baylee he offers a polite dip of his head

Pulling money out of his wallet with a distracted look on his face Easton tries to figure out what the heck is happening between the mental conversation, the texts and the meaningful looks. <<Shit. Nothing! I wanted to just ask her a question. About this stuff? And why this town is crazy. I thought maybe a non-local wouldn't feed me to the head vampire for asking why I can talk in people's heads here and so many people give me the vibe that they're in a secret society of baby eaters, and I might be to?>> All of this is thought at Aidan as he gets up with a smile on his face and then finally notices Baylee's look and snatches up his phone to see her missed text. He looks down at it and back at her and then just chuckles at himself.

He declares to the room, rather awkwardly. "This went well."

He decides to leave before he accidentally pushes her milkshake into her lap or sets something on fire. Wait can he do that? Probably. Who knows.

When Geoff stands to leave to, he asks, "You need a lift? I got the jeep." And then at the comment about the conditions for catching up he grimaces, "I promise nothing." But he's moving towards the door anyway.

He is not even outside before he's texting Baylee back, nearly walking into the door in the process.

Smooth.

Aidan grins, giving Baylee a sidelong look. "Yeah, we kinda are," he allows, "but so are girls, so it's only fair. Give everyone a level playing field." And there's food, and it looks So. Good. It takes a second to tear his attention back up from it to look at Gina. The smile she gets is crookeder, but it comes along with, "I would wear the shit out of that shirt." The expression he has for that whole tarot thing seems more interested than dubious, but there's no comment, because there's food. And he has silverware and a mouth, and the three of those are going to be working on their triple act a while, thanks.

Plus, it makes it simpler to reply to Easton. <<She's kind of new to all this too, man. You might've freaked her out. But as far as I know there's no vampire and I'm pretty sure people aren't eating babies? Not human ones, anyway.>> Chili, though, that's getting eaten for sure. <<You are what we are, yeah. I'm pretty sure that's just psychic, though. Look... I'm not gonna claim to be like some PhD in all this but if you want to talk about it sometime, I can tell you what I do know.>> There's a grin, for no otherwise appropriate reason, as he reaches for the shake. <<Though I might be the only number you don't have. I guess ask Baylee if you want it.>> Like he couldn't just think it across? He lifts his chin and fork both to Geoff in response to that dip of the head, and keeps eating.

"Later." Baylee informs those that are leaving, and she is only briefly looking at her phone before tucking it into her back pocket. There is a brief look towards Gina, then she's turning her attention to her food. Which honestly occupies her time, because despite looking like all she eats are carrots she can put away a burger and cheese fries like a boss. Plus a milkshake. Eventually she points to her phone as she reaches for a pocket to pull out a credit card, offering it towards Gina to cover the food, "Dude asked me out for a drink."

"Was -that- why he was showing off the goods? Geoff, we've been had. Marshall used your local pharmacist as an excuse to show off his pecs." Gina deadpans, collecting empty plates now that Easton is gone. "Seems all right, though. Kind of jumpy, though." Says Ms. Chill, as she sips her own half-melted shake, before looking towards Geoff again, "We'll work something out. Could do it now, but it's getting late. Just waiting for Paige to come start her shift so I can get home and feed Iggy."

Geoff tosses some cash down to actually pay for his meal "Yeah you don't want Iggy to get too hungry or you'll be eaten in your sleep." Offering a lazy salute he heads for the door with a quickened stride.

Aidan is down with this whole eating thing, so it stays reasonably quiet a little there, until Baylee's making her announcement. He gives her an amused look, and a probably-uncharacteristically dry, "Yeah, I noticed." He takes a bite of what little remains of the macaroni, giving Gina a small nod, then points the empty fork at his companion, "Obvious questions, are you gonna go, and to what extent does the gun show," a tilt of his head to where Easton had been sitting, "enter into this calculation?" A pause, and a third obvious question occurs to him, though this one's for Gina. "Who slash what's Iggy?"

"I'm probably going to go. Free booze." Baylee glances back towards where Easton was sitting, then she shakes her head, "Not at all." She shoves another fry into her mouth, glancing at Gina at Aidan's question, curious herself before she points out, "He wants to explain something to me. Whatever the fuck that means. I'm pretty sure I could take him in a fight."

"Haven't you heard? I skipped straight to becoming a cat lady. So I have two of them, Iggy and Vee." Gina explains, enjoying more of her milkshake, even as she collects cash and dumps the dirty dishes over to the kitchen. Turning to Gina, she nods, "Free booze is an excellent reason. I have a feeling about what he's gonna ask-- go easy on him when you hear it. Seems like he's got a lot on his mind lately. Seems a little stressed out."

"I had not heard. But cats are good," Aidan says, "...you don't have to feed Vee, though?" He eats the last bite of macaroni, and pushes the plate slightly away. "So's the Old Bay thing, I should tell him thanks next time I guess. And free booze. That's... almost always good." He looks thoughtful for a moment, glancing to Baylee; there's a hesitation, but he seems to change his mind about whatever he might have been considering. "...yeah," he ends up saying instead, "He seems kinda stressed." And he finishes off the milkshake, shifting in his seat so he can pull out his wallet and pay. Entirely cash, mostly ones, with a good but not stunning tip. Just like last night, actually.

"What is he going to ask?" Baylee wonders, looking like she clearly hasn't thought past the obvious of what any guy asks. But then Aidan gets all strange and she leans over towards him, resting her head on his shoulder, "Don't worry, yours is the only serial killer van I'll get in."

Gina shrugs, "Didn't read his mind, just have a guess or two about the kinds of thing someone like him is gonna ask. Mostly about what kind of girl you are, I guess." Gina smiles, just a bit, before she glances towards Aidan, a slightly sly, slightly amused gleam in them. She knows he knows, after all, but then Baylee is on his shoulder, and Gina's eyes go back to her drink, enjoying the tasty last of the shake. "And Vee's kind of a cat about town. I have no doubt they've seduced cat food out of some poor old lady. Iggy's a lot shyer." Gina adds, before pausing, "...so serial killer, huh. Should've guessed by your fashion choices." Like Rozi the Grunge Riveter has any room to talk.

Aidan can't help a touch of return amusement at Gina's phrasing of her guess, and doesn't even try not to grin at Baylee's assurance, tilting his head to rest against hers in turn. "Good, 'cause mine's objectively the best serial killer van around." So... there?

The cat explanation gets a nod, a sort of silent 'ah', and, "It's a good talent for a cat... and you should not. Every hallowe'en someone does the 'serial killer' costume and every hallowe'en they justify it with 'we look just like everyone else'. So the ones to worry about are in a blue polo and khakis. Or jeans and a grey t-shirt. Anyone with style is clearly perfectly safe." The words are arrogant; the tone's rather more self-deprecating. Still amused, certainly. "The van, though, I can't vouch for what it does when I'm not watching."

When Gina just starts casually throwing around things about mind reading and stuff there is this curious look. But not a word. Nope. Baylee is quiet as a mouse on all this. Especially about what kind of girl she is.

No one needs to know that. "The van is arguably the very best serial killer van around, you're right. Would ride in it again." Baylee agrees, veering towards safer weird topics than mind reading and stuff. "I can also vouch that Aidan is not a serial killer. I'm still alive. Although, I guess I could have been converted and we're a serial killing pair now."

Hey, everything Gina said could be taken as just casual talk. She's pretty good at that, really. But then again, she is the business owner of the bear-filled grizzly diner. She does laugh at the van talk, "You two are all right." She praises, putting her empty milk shake container to the side. "Anyway, I'm outtie." A moment, before she pulls out her diner notepad, scribbling something and setting it down in front of Aidan, "Text me if you've got question, almost legend. After all, yooooou've been out of town a few years. And this town's got its own vibe." Her eyes go to Baylee, "If you ever want a reading, you let me know, Bonnie." And with that said, she grabs a duffel from behind the register, before stepping away from the counter entirely. Apparently just going to leave, just like that, at the end of her shift. Owner's privilege?

"Shh, you'll spoil the surprise," Aidan murmurs to Baylee, surely coincidentally at a level Gina can definitely hear. He gives the proprietress -- proprietrix? -- a grin for the praise, and looks slightly surprised when he's given the note and invitation; he doesn't pull his phone out immediately, but he does pick up the paper, and fold it neatly before tucking it into a pocket it's unlikely to fall out of. "One or two," he allows, "...and it does. So, thanks. Tell the cats a random guy says hi." He could add 'see you soon' but after two meals in as many days it can probably go without saying. He pushes his chair back, picking up the now-dry umbrella with one hand and offering the opposite arm to Baylee in True Gentlemanly fashion. "Wanna go investigate a sawmill?"

"Bonnie?" Baylee just frowns at that, collecting her card and getting back to her feet after a last drink from her milkshake. "Come on...that weird Illuminati guy was saying to be careful out there, that you could get lost." She tucks her arm through Aidan's, leaning her weight towards him and then it's off to the sawmill.

"And Clyde," Aidan clarifies, or at least intends to clarify. He seems to find it pretty amusing, even if it does presumably make him, well, 'Clyde'. "We'd have to go rob some banks to really pull it off, and the final act'd be pretty tough on the van, though. Let's just stick with exploring factories full of blades and stuff for now." And they do.