2019-06-07 - Pastries and a Gold Ring

Lilith is technically in the back office with the door open and a straight shot view of the shop. That and she has a computer viewing screen open for the security camera over the main drag and register, so with the bell on the door and the viewing options she has things pretty covered to keep an eye on things. She's doing something she can't really do up at the front at the register or the case-- she has the safe open and she's pulled out a certain delivery envelope of bills to start sorting in with the regular bills. They all look alike. Don't they? Doesn't matter, she's doing it in the back just in case.

Today, she's wearing a little white button-up blouse with her jeans and she probably was wearing heels to dress that up, but she seems to have kicked them off somewhere and is walking barefoot for the time being, toes red accompaniment.

Parking his car normally in a parking stall as he's actually exiting to make his way through the rain and over the shop, when Byron enters his umbrella is lowered, tapping all that rainwater out before trekking puddles in. With his lowered umbrella in one hand, he has a fancy box with a ribbon held in the other arm. Without any signs of Lilith or Hank, for that matter, in the main room, he starts on his way towards the office, seeing as the door is open.

"The rain /never/ lets up!" He calls out, dressed more casually in a sweater, dark jeans outfit with black boots on his feet. Must be his day off. "I brought a little something. Goes great with coffee."

There's a moment where Lilith puts her foot out toward the safe to pre-empt a kick of it to closing, just in case, but when she sees the monitor after the bell... then hears the familiar voice, she drops her leg and goes back to what she's doing. Honestly, it looks like a methodized and likewise haphazard way for her to go shuffling in new bills to older ones, everything all spread out on the desk top.

"Does that mean you brought coffee too, because it's a terrible teaser if you didn't." Surely she has a coffee machine in here somewhere, and as he approaches the office, he sees that she somewhat does-- but it's one of those fancy hipster drip brew flask pieces she repaired, powered with water from a fast-heating electric kettle, "Also is it a cat? Cats go fine with coffee. I think. But... maybe that's more of a dog walking thing."

Finally she pauses what she's doing to lean on her hands and eye Byron with vague amusement, "What's it for?"

Finding a decent place to set his umbrella down, Byron does just that, letting it lean against the counter, on the floor near the entrance. If it's going to be dripping, it will be dripping there. His own gait is slow and wandering, his eyes semi-focused on the various items on display, those that have been brought here by desperate townsfolk. He even has a thought of trying to guess which item for sale belonged to which townie.

"Actually, I did pick up coffee... but I drank it along the way." Byron... probably did do that, but the coffee wasn't meant for her to begin with when he picked it up! "If you'd like, I can go and pick up something at the Grizzly Den maybe. Unless you've got a bottle of wine just lying around. Wine also tends to go well with pastries." Setting the box on the counter, there's no surprise as to what's inside now.

The box itself is all fancy, with the Pātisserie Vydal logo immaculately placed somewhere prominent, probably. Inside, there are an assortment of a dozen decorate French pastries and chocolates. "I decided to pick up a few gift boxes after I'd ordered a gift basket for Julia Velez. As a way to thank her for keeping us all from getting killed that day." At the theater, but he doesn't say that part. "Actually, a cat might do this place some good, but I don't think you have a mouse problem. Do you?"

"I don't really know, but I also know that when you get a mouse problem... if you start seeing them, it's already pretty much a thing. And I know I'm at the end of Elm, and I also know the building was just rebuilt! But it's still Elm and who knows what kinds of stowaways come in these cases and things from other houses." Lilith tells Byron, pushing aside her money-laundering prepwork crime life like it's as simple as mere cash handling to prep for a bank deposit. She works a hand back through her hair and eyes the box instead of the money-task instead.

Stepping around the desk, she eyes the logo on the box, pops it open, then looks at Byron with a bit of a grin, "Oh. I thought-- nevermind what I thought. I'll take the spoils, though. Thank you, kindly." The brunette leans to pick out a smaller piece of chocolate to nibble on initially before eating it properly. Apparently 'too pretty to eat' as a sentiment written on her lasted about ten seconds in favor of actually eating and enjoying whatever she picked up from the box, "... I have room temperature cabernet in my desk, and coffee if I -really- want to wait on it, but wine is better with this, I think. Want some? It's actually a decent year." It's so off the cuff, it's pretty clear where Byron stands in the realm of trust-- want a drink with me while I finish up some crime?

"Hmm. Good point." Byron murmurs about the thought that eventually she could have a mouse problem. "I'd say to not keep food here, but you live here. So not a chance for that." He doesn't stand there watching her launder money, even though he'd noticed her doing just that. No, instead, he gives her quaint office a look around, when he comments, "You keep a neat place at least. Just keep that up and I may stop by and drop off some Victor brand traps."

There's this curious look given Lilith as he lingers by the door to her office still, "You thought what now?" He then says, "I was feeling generous alright? And you better eat them. Those are some expensive pastries and chocolates, but they're worth every dollar." He then considers a moment when she asks if he'd care to join her. "I actually ate half of one at Tobin's when I dropped a box off for him as well, but... A little extra dessert and wine won't hurt the waistline, I'm sure." He says with a laugh.

Ah, the pawn shop. It's one of those necessary evils in Bennie's life. She pops open the door in a swirl of colorful skirts caught by the breeze, but despite her cheerful outfit she's looking a little less sunshine and more storm cloud today. Sheepishly, she tucks a lock of hair behind her ear and edges into the establishment, pausing once to root around in her bag and come out with a little tin of Altoids before she comes up to the counter. A little wave is given to Byron and then she waits, bouncing on her toes.

"Thought you found the one potentially decent thing to see on that thing I sent along with you and you were being cute trying to make up for ah... seeing just that. Of course, opinions may vary." Lilith tells Byron with a tiny shake of her head with dismissal before picking out a pastry from the box and eyeing the monitor with a sudden squint on the security screen. Humming around a bite of cake, she goes to sweep all of the cash into a pile to quick toss into the safe for a kick closed. Then she goes to get out wine and glasses, "The fancy Victor traps are those expensive white ones that look like sci-fi murder ergonomic teeth, huhm?" The traps aren't that fancy, but she's still kind of ribbing him all the same in an 'only the finest' tone of voice.

On her way around to pass him off a glass, she pops the other half of the pastry into his mouth to clear her hands once she notices she might have a legitimate customer and not just a browser. So she drinks first, then sets her glass down before ambling out behind the glass counter with murmured excusing to Byron "Action Jackson time, moment."

Once she's out to see Bennie in full, she upnods and smiles a touch, "Hey. What can I help with?"

"I never try to be cute. You know me enough." Byron says in a faux dismissive tone himself, but this is followed by a cheeky grin in the end. He, too, hears the sound of an intrud-- a customer, and since he's standing just at the doorway, he has the liberty of turning to look over his shoulder and take notice of Bennie and her wave. He returns the greeting in kind, flashing her a smile as well. At that moment, Lilith is a whirlwind of activity, stashing away bills of all sorts while as innocently as possible (Hey, he's only visiting!), Byron lets his tall frame block the doorway. Not that Bennie is anywhere near the office.

When a glass is pressed into his hand and half a pastry is stuffed into his mouth, there's a brief muffling sound as he was right about to say something before he was so rudely and deliciously gagged. When Lilith goes to work, Byron follows suit, now holding the rest of that half-eaten pastry in hand as he chews on the piece he bit off. "Bennie, right?" It's been a while!

Bennie's magnanimous smile blooms for Lilith, but the edges remain a little wilted. The toe of one sandaled foot presses into the ground and her raised heel wobbles back and forth, fretting physically just as she adds the verbal side of it. "Hi, um." She fidgets with the tin a moment before her thumb pops it open. "I was wondering if I could interest you in this gold band?" Her eyebrows quirk up with hopefulness. "Just to pawn. Short term. I mean, I want to buy it back when I have the money, I just...need a little bit to make ends meet for the month, you know?"

Those words all sort of bubble out in a jumble, probably said twice as fast as necessary otherwise she might not get them all out. The ring in the tin is a woman's wedding band with J+B Forever etched inside.

Bennie's eyes demure as Byron recognizes her, "Yeah, hey. Been a long time." But then her smile is plastered on and she lifts her gaze again. "Great to see you." Here. Of all places.

"Uh huh." Lilith breathes to Byron dubiously with humor, and whatever she was on about is lost to the moment in favor of seeing what Bennie has for her. Digging a red-painted bare toe against the flooring next to where her heels were actually discarded by the register, she makes a point not to notice Byron being familiar with Bennie for some reason while leaning in to look at what's presented to her-- maybe it's because it helps keeps the whole exchange more level or neutral, pawn professional, so to speak. No one likes to pawn shit and good pawn brokers also have to turn on a certain level of... not giving too many shits given the nature of the business.

After pushing up her little white cuffed sleeves on her button down cropped with jeans and eyeing the item for a beat, she nods once easily and pushes clipboard over to start taking pertinent info, "How much are you looking to secure?" Once Bennie has something to fill out, she goes back to observing the item more closely.

At first Byron looks as if he might just wander over to the counter to join them, but seeing the small tin that Bennie brings out and hearing those quiet words, he's kind enough to divert his attention elsewhere. He pretends not to see this exchange between the women, taking the time to finish up the rest of that pastry while enjoying a sip of wine. He'll let Lilith do what she needs to in the front, while he wanders back into the office. Maybe to refill his glass of wine. Or to take a peek at some of the paperwork she has lying around. Whatever it is, for the time being, he's giving them that much space.

With a furtive glance toward Byron, Bennie looks back to the clipboard and begins scrawling her name and contact information, still dotting her 'i' with a little heart even though it's kind of official paperwork. "I was hoping maybe fifty?" Hope doesn't seem strong enough a word, because the way Bennie is saying it, it's almost as if that's what she's counting on. "It's totally real gold. And not to scratched? I kept it pretty polished and it hasn't been worn in a while." As if these are the details that matter.

Lilith knows she could play rational hardball, pop two twenties and make this work just fine, but after eyeing Bennie at the clipboard for a moment, she's picking up the band to turn over in palm. Then she's especially spending a moment to look at the engraving, and she comments, "Engravings are endearing to the recipient, but usually only the first time around. Leans things toward the melt pile, which based on weight... and loss of retail exchange value, and loan-- you know what? Fifty it is."

She pulls out a little baggie to stash the ring in and put a tag on so it's not put out to sell and is stored appropriately while Bennie finishes signing the terms for what she'll pay back, so on. It's not a complicated process once a decision is made, afterall. Then she's assuring, "Exactly the condition and way you left it unless it defaults.Then I can alter engravings and things for retail purposes, so remember that okay?" She seems to understand what the other value might well be and is serving warning disclaimer that has nothing to do with cash while she digs bills out.

Byron and his mother had been in Bennie's position before. Many years ago. So he knows all too well just how difficult making ends meet can be. And here he was, trying to guess which pawned item on display belonged to which townie just earlier. But in truth, he's been there.

No, he'll leave Lilith to sort out Bennie's business. There need not be further prying eyes to witness it all. Instead he busies himself ensuring that anything that should be put away back here, was put away. Lilith seemed to have taken care of that just fine. So there's really little more for him to do than fill up his glass and partake in another pastry.

When he does return, he'll wait until after the women seem more or less done with all of that unpleasantness, before approaching with a new glass of wine and one of those fancy French pastries held in a napkin. These are set down near Bennie. "Something to help chase the dark clouds away." He's really just talking about Gray Harbor's constant rainy season, but his words could mean anything. A look is then given Lilith, hoping he's not overstepping things. He doesn't work here after all.

The relief that Bennie feels at getting the amount requested is tempered by all the talk of melting down and altering engravings, which leaves her just nodding emphatically as she bites her bottom lip. All she gives is agreement is a little, "Mmhmm!" Which is how she's managing to keep the emotion welling in her throat at bay from bubbling out. She scrawls her signature on the form and then slides it back over, hugging her oversized purse to her stomach that has a Louboutin shoebox sticking out of it.

Her throat cleared, Bennie offers a murmured, "Thanks." To Byron as he comes bearing wine and pastries. "Must be customer appreciation day." She jokes half-heartedly as she plucks up the wine and drains half the glass without bothering to appreciate it.

Lilith doesn't seem to mind, she does this kind of stuff every day, it's not often someone gets to take the edge off when they're done with the business stick end of things. And while the brunette may have been that passive neutral calm zone for the sake of business with a hint of giving on the barter side, when she's got the ring stashed in the appropriate lockbox at the back side of the case out of view, she finally pulls on a smile for Bennie with a sudden audible, good-natured sniff over Byron's way, "They're suspect when they look like that and go getting sweet out of the blue when you don't see it coming, huh. The wine's good, though, promise. Can't speak for that incoming grin about to pop out of him, though."

Lilith bats a wink at Bennie while transferring the clipboard info into the computer with a brief series of nails hitting the keys with fast action, then a scan image of the signature sheet is ran through and so on while she's shifting her weight there, "I'm going to hire Byron to be my pawn hospitality representative from now on since it's bad business for me to go getting feelings about transactions."

Is Byron grinning? Maybe a little, but only because Lilith doesn't seem upset with his meddling. The moment still hasn't completely passed, he knows that much. He can feel it probably, So any smiles and the like that he gives are mostly subtle ones. He does say in an almost matter-of-fact tone, "It may be a good idea to keep some wine on hand. If not wine, then some sort of refreshment." The people who come in here usually need it! And here he is giving business advice so openly...

Speaking of out of the blue, he does decide to say, "I have an idea that may help bolster tourism for the town. Well, over the span of a weekend. I've written a proposal to the Mayor as we speak and hope to hear back from him soon."

"Oh man, don't I know it." Bennie says of men seemingly in general, and with a little shake of her head, she's taking another mouthful of wine that she cuts short when Lilith promises her the wine is good. With a little cough at trying to speak and swallow at the same time, she covers her mouth with a fan of fingers. "It's great, very kind." And then she drains the glass and sets it down next to the pastry which is folded over in the napkin and sliiiid off the counter into her bag without shame. "Hospitality suits this one." She agrees with a cheerful nod about Byron.

"Anyway, thanks again. I better get going or I'm going to be late to my shift."

Lilith seems to think keeping free booze in the pawn shop is hilarious for reasons that Byron just plain may be overlooking. For one, people generally pawn things to pay for bad habits, booze and drugs included, but okay. She could also put out lemonade. Then again, she isn't sure she'd actually drink a cup of transactional pawn shop lemonade anywhere else herself, so she's grinning some to herself on that backup plan fleeting visibly by way of her expression. She doesn't say any of these things, though, she just nods to Byron like he's went and turned adorable, not in the demeaning way, just... endearing accidental humor.

"Alrighty. Way to down it like a champion and have it to take with you for the shift. And maybe we'll meet not at other side of counters sometime. Small town, hm?" The brunette pawn broker does take a more serious moment out of her dry humor to look at Bennie more closely when she mentions her shift, but doesn't inquire.

"This wasn't exactly out of the blue though.." Byron tries to say in some weird defense,"The stars were aligned. Pastries were purchased, wine was on hand." He even seems satisfied when she spirits the wrapped pastry away. "Have a good one." He calls out to the departing Bennie, hoping that she feels slightly better after what she came here to do. If Lilith doesn't ask, Byron does, "Please jog my memory, where is it that you work at? Maybe we could stop by, pay you a visit next time." It really does echo what Lilith had just said. Sort of.

Bennie is backing out of the door, at least so she can continue the conversation. She must be feeling at least marginally better, because she's back to talking a mile a minute. "Sorry to pawn and run, but yeah, we'll totally hang sometime! You can find me either at the Grizzly or by dialing 911, but I'd really feel back about the second one, y'know? Oh, I'm a paramedic. Probably should have led with that. But don't worry! I'm working the diner today, not, like, taking anyone's lives into my hands or anything. Unless you order the 'daily special', but then I can't be blamed. Bennie."

She points at herself. "In case Casanova there didn't clue you in. Anyway, gotta run! Thanks again." Because that fifty dollars that she absolutely previously didn't forget to take from Lilith must be burning a hole in her pocket or something.

"Maybe so. Still kind of sucks a little to see it all play out instead of just knowing how it plays out, doesn't it? But I'm used to it, more or less, and other things besides." Lilith comments to Byron after screen locking the register computer and the glass case once she's saluted and called after Bennie, "Lilith! I'll try not to call nine-one-one." Then she goes to pick up her wine glass and forage for another pastry standing in the doorway to look at Byron, "These are really good. Seriously, I'm beyond caring about the source of good will now that I'm getting to eat another with wine in hand." Her head tilts a little while regarding him there in place and then she just puts on a slight smile.

"Huh. I thought you both would've known each other too." Byron starts, looking back over at Bennie when she departs, "And were just playing coy. Professionally, anyway."

"I don't visit the Grizzly often, but I believe they have decent coffee and good enough food, so maybe I'll stop on by." He says, before lifting a hand to wave off the paramedic-waitress. Though he does comment, only after Bennie is out of earshot, "Two jobs and still.." He doesn't mention the pawn exchange, but it does get him thinking on something.

Returning back to the office where he'd left his own wine glass, he mentions the shop name again, "Pātisserie Vydal. Really nice stuff."

"I don't get out as much as I should, still, and it's hard for me to remember everyone. Unless it's the constant visits to here but... some people don't like that played up, so you kind of..." Lilith takes a long drink and flips her hand around a little bit, as if to differentiate to Byron how business hospitality works in different kinds of brokerage situations. Her shoulders then hitch up a little and she briefly toys a fingertip around the rim of her wine glass, "Shopping issues, maybe. Boyfriend issues maybe. I don't much wonder anymore unless they make it glaringly obvious because it doesn't change the rules, either way."

She wanders to flip the lid down on the box with a hum at the logo, "Owner any fun, cooking like this?"

Byron knows to be discrete in certain situations, usually dangerous or professional ones, This was neither to him, but it was for Lilith. "I remember her from high school somewhere. I think. That's about it. I knew her name, but I knew she looked familiar." He then offers an apology, "Sorry if I'd made her feel awkward. When I realized how sensitive the nature of her visit was, I felt awkward about it. Probably, as I should have felt."

There's this slow, thoughtful nod given when various situations are listed that could have led to her needing to pawn that ring. "It's probably for the best not to concern ourselves with it all, I suppose, but I've lived in this town long enough. Whatever the situation is, living here isn't easy. Which is why I came up with a plan to try and drum up more interest for the town. A weekend long festival like the Carnival of Venice. I just need all business to cooperate and work with me on this to decorate the place to give it this mysterious Carnival vibe." Nursing his wine, he takes a small sip, "It'll be like New Orleans, but different. I'm hoping more elegance and mystery than... women lifting their tops for beads."

When asked of the owner of the bakery, Byron's brow quirks, "He could be if you're not one of his employees. Seems like a harder boss to work for than I am."

"Hm. Okay. Good to know, I guess." Lilith tells Byron and goes to post up in a sit on the edge of the desk, swirling the contents of her wine glass around as she goes to pick apart another piece of varied pastry to try a bite of from the box. She seems vaguely pensive there for a beat before tipping her head into a nod, wondering of Byron, "So really there's few reasons for small businesses to deny such a thing, it's not likely to grow out of hand. But then, who knows. You'll want to be a little more clear than that in your proposal, though. That could mean a lot of things. Sounds interesting and like it takes money to make money, though.

Lilith works her bottom lip between her teeth before looking at Byron more directly instead of at food or wine with a small smile and hitch of her shoulders, "You know anything you want done will get done. Might as well start focusing on the details."

"I'll most likely be chatting up Mayor Addington about my idea, though I'd already sent the proposal over." Byron says looking thoughtful now, "Once I get the OK from him, I'll be speaking to the town's business owners, though I'm sure there will be a n overall committee to spruce the place up and make it presentable. I'll be looking for small business sponsors among other investors, though I have a few people in mind to ask. I have a feeling that Mr. Vydal at the Pātisserie will be all for it. The elegance and art is something that will intrigue him."

"I am hoping that it bolsters the town's economy and," He lifts his shoulders into a shrug, "put Gray Harbor somewhere on the festival map. The issue is, as it always will be, choosing the precise date to hold the event. Which means putting my trust in the meteorologist and praying that they aren't wrong." This is said with a roll of his eyes, "But I can definitely see Tobin prettying up that dinner cruise ship of his even more than it already is. That's certainly going to be one of the key points for this event." Yes, Byron has big dreams.

"Well. Sounds like you've got it all worked out. I look forward to seeing what you do with it, honestly. I was just joshing around about the details sounding more burlesque than... bah, nevermind. Either way, point stands, you're a man that gets what you want and maybe even the weather will comply this time around." Lilith tips her head into a solid nod after looking at Byron a little longer, then slips her legs down from the desk edge to walk around it and pour a refill into her glass, "And small towns are always going to be a festival kind of place, no reason we..."

Actually, there might be a few reasons they maybe shouldn't be drawing in visitors, but no matter. Those things are passed as much as they're going to be for the time being, right? Lilith's nose screws instead of finishing that sentence the way she was going to, "Should live in fear. No reason at all. Precedents aside." Then she nudges a shoulder into small shrug and smiles some into her next drink, "If you require anything repaired or restored or... you know, for decor... I'm your gal, I suppose."

There's just this lift of his brow when Byron says in a dry tone, looking not particularly amused as he sips at his wine, "Knowing the denizens of this town," Yes, he knows that he's one of them, "I can imagine this turning into something far less elegant and more raunchy than I'd like. More Mardi Gras than mystery. But we shall see. We're creating an illusion after all... and there's only so much that we can do."

At this mention of there being no reason that they should live in fear, all he can do is nod. "That's really no way to live and if we're going to kick start the town's economy, we'll need to take some chances." When she offers up her services for repairs and the like, Byron takes a slow walk around the storefront, quietly observing the various items that were pawned. Perhaps a few pieces may help with the decor. "I might be purchasing some of these items from you. There will be decorations, costumes, masks and everything. Decorative lanterns illuminating the town in an ethereal glow." Right now, he's just uttering everything that comes to mind, his own gaze giving off a glassy stare at nothing at all.

Blinking out of these thoughts, he turns to Lilith with a smile, "It will take several months planning for this to even kick off. If it's successful, we try to keep this up annually, a boost to the town. If not? Well, I'm sure there will be other ideas."

"Sounds like a plan worth having. And if not, precisely that-- there will be other ideas. We'll just call it... mixing things up."Lilith takes a wander around to look at some of the things while Byron has a look, then advises, "I can antique things that aren't antique too. Goes both ways, you know, when it comes to decor and item gussying." She drains her glass again and sets to chewing in brief at a fingernail on her other hand before pulling it away with self-admonishing.

Then she returns Byron's smile while turning to wander and put her wine glass down, hair pitched over some of her eyes before she lifts hand to card fingers through, "Thank you. For the edible surprises that have me swimming in wine to suit, now. I think it's a compliment to overindulge wine with dessert." Then suddenly, she squints upward, "Fixed my flicker bulb, though. Sweet treats will just have to do for the domestic kink bit. I'll pretend you made them to perpetuate the fantasy and myth."

"Making an item look like an antique." Byron ponders, his eyes set on various mirrors and items of that nature that he finds around the place. "That could definitely come in handy." Though he looks her over now, perhaps taking in what she's wearing at the moment, but what he says next may prove otherwise, "I usually get my clothes tailored elsewhere, but I am curious if there's an actual seamstress in town. Or even a mask maker... " Yes, that last part is muttered, because mask making shops are hard to come by! "Not that one can't be fancy with a basic domino mask."

Just as she seems content with his gift of fancy pastries and this moment that they've shared with the wine, he seems to be in a good mood as well. "Now, I'm not going to say that I've never ordered in and then pretended that I cooked an entire lavish meal for a special occasion, but fantasize away. Just don't ask me to actually bake you anything. Though, in truth, how hard can it be to follow the instructions off the back of a box of cake mix?"