2019-07-15 - Introductions and Dinner Plans

"This place used to be the Addington family home," Justin tells Stefano even as he texts Dahlia. He'd told her he was going to be heading over to Addington House and that she should come by, meet Hyacinth, and Stefano, and Edison if Hyacinth doesn't have him so hopping busy that he isn't about. Hyacinth had expressed interest in meeting Dahlia, and since there were new meetings and reasons to sight see abounding -- here they are.

Dahlia was off today and continuing to avoid to mother's trailer. So when Justin texted her suggesting she meet him and a gaggle of other people at the Addington House she decided it was probably safer than getting high. Again. An uber was called and she arrived at the museum not all that long later. Her attire of the day was a pair of faded blue jeans and a dark blue v-necked t-shirt. Her hair pulled back into a neat-ish ponytail. Besides, meeting new people was good right? Probably. She thanks the driver and then heads over to where she spotted Justin and his new friend. Lifting her hand in a wave and offering up a smile. "I have arrived." Giving Stefano a quick once over and offering a hand. "Whose your new friend?"

"And who were the Addingtons and why does their house become a museum?" Stefano asks, taking a moment to look over the house. "City founders? Rich investors? Secret cult leaders? All of the above?" As Dahlia shows up, he gives her a nod of greeting but lets Justin do the intros.

Hyacinth is at Addington House and looking resplendent in black and acrylic. Her artificial leg is a statement today in what is made to look like black walnut matching the ancient house' banister spindles with curve and filigree blending a fine mesh of architecture and architect into one organic being in mourning attire and moving around like a shark unwilling and unable to keep still. If there's ever a moment the woman is not completely done up? Kill her, for she's not the real Buddha...er...Hya. She moves down the stairs from the upper office looking for her assistant, and the hem of her black sundress shooshes trying to keep up. "Oh, Justin, good." She looks around and frowns. "He's not...here." Eddison no down, the extension of the force of her will with blah blah blah fury, business, and efficiency and most importantly? Her coffee. "Someone messed something up." She blinks and tries to imagine a world where this doesn't happen and checks her phone with a sigh. "Oh, quite the opposite. Grand. Where's your friends?" She adds +1 coffee to the order with little hearts after the request and sends it off to her PA. Stefano's question draws a wry, amused smile from the woman. "You know just in case? Likely all of the above. Also we rebuilt a sizable portion of it and kept it thriving and looking like some goddamned mining town."

"The Addingtons are considered the founding family of Gray Harbor, though I guess the Baxters were here first, but I wouldn't say that around Hyacinth." Justin grins just a little bit. "They built the first saw mill out here, started logging, and got the railroad hooked up out here to keep business coming into the city. There's still quite a lot of them here and they own a lot of real estate and business in the area." And then there is Hyacinth, joining them outside as they are approaching the house. "I don't think he is hiding in the bushes," he says when she approaches. He grins at Dahlia as she comes over and says, "Dahlia Evergreen, this is Stefano DiMarco. Just moved out here from New York. I'm showing him around a bit, introducing him to folks. Stefano, Dahlia, my roommate and best friend. And this is Hyacinth Addington. Is Edison around?" he asks her. "I ran into him at Memento Mori the other day."

"Nice to meet you." Stefano says once introductions are made. "All of the above does sound likely, given the first two are obviously correct and most old, rich families seem to have secrets they don't want getting out. Or so the History channel wants you to believe."

Hyacinth smiles with both judgement and amusement. So far no nothing seems to rise to offend. "Well I wouldn't doubt it. Also it'd drive interest and tourism up so that's not always a bad thing. Stefano, and Dahlia, nice to meet you. If you'd like a tour you are welcome to come on in." To Justin the 'presentation' of it all fades to the comfortable and familiar. "Edison's inbound. He's taking care of things to help me with... too many funeral arrangements and an influx of people who are suddenly closest of kin when there's a will to be read." Her lined eyes narrow certainly hiding no judgement there. Still the expression softens slightly to Stefano, "Seems to be a lot of New York in Washington lately. Where in New York?"

Edison is indeed inbound: the doors to the house opening and in he steps, tall and thin and dressed head to toe in a black suit. Black shirt, black pointed boots, and an extremely thin black tie. It's a similar outfit to what Justin saw him in the other day, but the tie is subtly different. He's carrying a tall cup of what must be coffee, which he presents to Hyacinth with...well, not exactly a flourish, but there is something officious about it. "As you ordered it, Ms. Addington." He steps back to take in the others, Stefano and Justin, with a thin smile. "Good evening. Anything I can get for you?" His hospitality must extend to Hya's guests, of course.

Justin watches for a moment as Dahlia steps out to take a call, probably from work, and then turns his attention back to those gathered. His expression grows a little more serious at the mention of the funerals, but he'd alredy given his condolences to Hyacinth in private earlier. "Are you sure that you're up for a tour right now? I'm sure we could just wander around a bit." He doesn't seem to want to impose too much. When Edison arrives, he smiles and says, "Evening Edison. This is Stefano Dimarco, a new friend from out of town. Stefano, Edison Baxter. I was actually talking to Stefano yesterday about the fact that he offers Massage Therapy services and how sometimes businesses will offer those services to employees from time to time. I was thinking that the two of you might have some recommendations," given the Addington involvement in so many businesses in the areas.

"There's been a death in the family? I'm sorry to hear that. My condolences on your loss." Stefano says to Hyacinth, sounding sincere. "We don't need a tour, especially at such a time." To the question, he replies "Brooklyn. Specifically, Williamsburg." He just nods at what Justin says.

Hyacinth smiles warmly and can be gracious when there is an abundance of common decency and also coffee. Okay coffee and then common decency. "Edison, you are a wonder." Looking to Justin and Stefano she pauses and says, "Three in total." She looks to Stefano offering, "You're not imposing, I promise. Also? I'd love your card. This might be the perfect opportunity for you to pick up business. " She pauses adding to Justin, "There was a car accident. Lost my cousin and his wife. Erin's parents so I was thinking while everyone is giving bullshit condolences it'd be worthwhile to do something nice for her so if, you have a card Stefano? I think you can help me help her and hat?" She sips her coffee, and with that pauses. Bliss!, "That will lower my blood pressure tremendously." Some people weep, she increases productivity apparently.

"How do you do, Mr. Dimarco." Edison is not only rather formal, it seems, but he also sounds almost British? His accent's kind of hard to place. He smirks a little at Hyacinth as if to say, why yes, I really am a wonder, though of course he doesn't speak such things aloud. Since the gentlemen don't seem to want anything, he simply stands there with his hands behind his back, like an idling machine waiting for orders. Though he watches all three of them, he's mostly watching Hyacinth.

Justin looks a little bit surprised to hear that the death toll was at three, as he'd only heard about the one, his expression turning a little bit grim for a moment. "I hadn't heard about the accident. I'm sorry to hear that. How is Erin holding up?" He doesn't know Erin well, but he's certainly seen her at Addington functions in the past. He seems to suddenly realize that he'd never answered Edison, "Oh, no, thank you, Edison; I don't need anything." His smile is a bit apologetic.

"Mr. Baxter. I don't need anything, thanks though." Stefano pulls out a card case, opens it and offers one to Hyacinth. "Be glad to help. My schedule is extremely open at the moment so whenever is most convenient for her. I'm sure there's a million things she need to worry about."

Hyacinth takes the card with one sparkly manicured hand, black and rhinestones to match. The smile is genuine. "Well I appreciate your availability. She turns to Edison and hands the card off without explanation and with entire expectation that it'll all magically get taken care of like it does. "I need to call her. I got the news last night. It's been... a lot for her and frankly it's going to do nothing for her hair and nails." Which is Hya's concern for the woman's health apparently manifest in the most cosmetic of ways. "Please, come in and look around. That said the ballroom is..." She pauses and says to Justin, "Being cleaned."

Edison slides the card into his jacket, between the lapels. It simply...disappears. It's not like him to comment without good reason (even if sometimes, that good reason is simply a sarcastic comment), and right now, he has nothing to say. Perhaps in time. For now, he's just at the ready, watching Hyacinth, occasionally watching the others.

"I see," Justin says when Hyacinth mentions that the ballroom is being cleaned, expression just a little bit curious. "How has the power been?" he asks, and then glances over toward Stefano, "There was a bit of a hiccup the last time I was here. Things got a bit dark a bit quickly." On more than one level. He then says, "There's going to be a charity dinner coming up for restorations to some of the buildings damaged downtown during the explosion a few weeks ago. I was thinking of going, and making a donation toward the project. You should come," he says to Stefano, and then glances toward Hyacinth, "Were you thinking of going?"

"I'm afraid her hair and nails are outside of my skills but I'll do what I can to ease some of the stress." Stefano assures Hyacinth. A charity dinner? "How much is it going to be? I'd be glad to go but moving across country ate up most of my cash."

Hyacinth looks to Justin and replies, "So far stable. I'm just having the breakers and fuses checked for safety purposes." But oh the topic of the benefit dinner has her smiling and wincing ever so faintly, "Even with family in town We'll be there. If they have questions about how to fix the edifice and the Historic Preservation Society has a large stake in its abundant success." Looking to Edison she 'asks' "Scoop him an invite?" Which means remind me to email Melanie later about securing a seat. Looking to Stefano her hand flaps. "Justin and I can make that happen. It's a great time to learn about the town though, and I can about guarantee Vyv will be on the catering list which... you want to happen."

Edison studies Justin carefully as he speaks of the charity dinner, though what he's thinking of isn't clear. Besides, Justin didn't invite him. Not that it matters: he will be there if Hya will be there. Fact. There is a mental note being made: so it is said, so it shall be done. Even if she hadn't said so, it would happen. Edison looks like he's making mental notes all the time, perhaps about Vyv as caterer, too. And this isn't even Hya's event. Or his.

"With me," Justin says, "As my guest." And therefor it's going to cost nothing. "You can by me a drink though, if you like," he adds sidelong with a smile before nodding to Hyacinth, "I'd assume that Vydal will be providing some of the food for the event. And I'd be surprised if the historical society wasn't on hand. And I'm sure that we'll see you there as well." This, to Edison, because he just assumed if Hyacinth would be there, that Edison would be as well. It was more the presumption of inclusion without needing to explicitly state it than anything else. "I'll probably get a ticket for Dahl, too, so she can wear something fancy and take her mind of things. Her mother passed not too long ago, as well." Lot of death over the past couple of weeks.

"A drink." Stefano agrees. "And a massage, if you like. Not necessarily at the same time." There's lots of talk about people and events he doesn't know about so stays quiet, at least until mention of wearing something fancy. "What's the dress code going to be? Suit and tie? Tux?"

Hyacinth frowns slightly at the note of Dahlia losing her mother. Calmly she informs Justin, for Stefano's ease of mind, "Edison's already arranged us a table." He hasn't! "You can sit with us. We left room in case we wanted to form a guest list of our own." They have not! But this will not stop it from being so. And this is why the job posting that Edison answered was in its 11th printing. The poor, pristine man's got his work cut out for him. "And if you need a something we can find you something to wear. I'm certain Justin can help you out there or you can ask Vydal or Edison. They'll help you."

Edison gives Justin a subtle nod. The presumption of inclusion is correct, but he smiles a little anyway, in as much as he does that. A glance under half-lidded, long-lashed eyes in Stefano's direction before his gaze turns back on Hyacinth. He's a good assistant. Very good. These things that Hyacinth says they've done that he hasn't done, they don't faze him. They will happen. More mental notes are being made. "I'd be happy to help you, Mr. Dimarco. I'd like to think I'm knowledgeable on the subject of male formal fashion."

"Suit and tie," Justin answers. "It's not black tie." He chuckles and says, "Not at the same time is probably a good idea. Drinking through that padded face support seems like it would be a challenge," with an amused smile. "But, I will definitely take you up on both." He then nods to Hyacinth and says, "Certainly. I hadn't arranged for a table, so that works out well." Or it will, when Edison makes it so. There's a sidelong glance toward the man, and a tick of a smile. He knows Hyacinth well enough to know that half of what she just claimed, at least, hasn't happened yet.

Hyacinth says with slight bitterness, "They never let us do black tie." She sighs. She's too much of a composed adult to let her pout, but dammit! Just as quick she informs Justin, "That's why God created straws." She pauses and shakes her head, "Between the heat and your muscles being squished around you'd feel like hell. Massages and saunas are no place for mojitos. It only leads to sadness and droopy fruit." She pauses and considers this adding, "Well unless you do something very right, but still, it's bad for the drink." She sips her coffee and looks to Edison and the certainty puts that last nit bothering her to rest. Seems there is such a thing as good help.

"Thanks for the offer but suits I can manage." Stefano assures them. A tux would have been another matter. "It sounds like it'll be a nice evening. Just what is the charity?" They didn't mention that little detail.

Edison stands there, arms folded across his chest, looking like a bemused church spire. He glances to Hyacinth just as she looks his way, arching an eyebrow, but the amusement remains. If anything, he seems to be silently assuring her that yes, good help exists. There's a nod of understanding to Stefano, then he looks to Justin again -- waiting to hear more about this charity, and the event.

Justin raises both brows as Hyacinth waxes philosophical on the health and well-being of a mojito in a sauna, shaking his head just a little bit. "Straws," he decides to reply. "Duly noted." But then there's the topic of the charity and Justin says, "It's for the Downtown Restoration Fund." He goes on to explain the committee that initiated the fund, and they're legit. It's not anything shady or unusual. "The proceeds will go toward the restoration of some of the buildings downtown that were damaged in the explosion -- particularly those that are on the historical register." Because insurance is going to help repair most of the modern stuff, but some of those buildings are old, and are going to need to have specialized restoration work done.

Hyacinth sighs ans rotates her hand in a vague, sparkly circle, "Sooooo a few weeks ago some alleged accident occurred where they tell us a gas main ruptured. Blew up one establishment and impacted the walls and storefronts of the neighboring businesses because we smushed the downtown together like books on a shelf because it seemed cute at the time and saved on heat and insulation that way. It did /not/ work out so well for impending doom and preserving the carefully put together look of downtown business."

"Sounds like a worthy cause. There's a lot to learn from where we came from so our history should be preserved whenever possible." Good answer, good answer. Stefano smiles and adds "Be glad to help support it in some way."

Dahlia had taken a phone call while the group moved into the foyer. It had taken longer than expected and when she did step into the foyer -her cheeks were flushed from irritation BUT the expression on her face was all smiles. Bottling up whatever the call had been about and saving it for later. Now was not the time nor the place. "I'm sorry about that." She apologizes as she walks over to the group. "Did I miss anything fun and exciting?" A soft chuckle along with the question.

Once again, Edison raises an eyebrow at something -- hard to say what. He stands there, straight and tall, arms folded, saying little. "Welcome back." That's to Dahlia, as he turns her way. "Can I bring you any refreshments?"

"We're all going to a charity dinner for the downtown restoration," Justin informs Dahlia. "So if you don't have something, we'll find you something formal and sparkly to wear. Or perhaps Hya can help." He glances over toward Hyacinth, knowing full well that the fashionista is unlikely to pass up the chance. "It'll be fun." He then says, "Dahlia Evergreen, this is Edison Baxter.. I think you were on the phone when he arrived earlier." He then says to Stefano, "Even if it's a little crumbly at the moment, Downtown has some interesting shops that are fun to explore."

Hyacinth flits those green scored eyes over to Dahlia and scrutinizes her from top to bottom and back before nodding slowly. She sips her coffee tapping her pinky nail against the cup. "I can. It'll be fun." She echoes. Yeeeees. "And I can assure you you won't be jammed into some stuffy doily." She offers her hand out to Dahlia ans offers, "I'm sorry to hear of your loss. We had another yesterday ourselves so yooooou are welcome to my mini bar." Generous, really. She adds, "I'm glad I'm getting to meet you." She points to the house. "By all means wander the house first floor though. Ballroom's being fixed right now. Should be better soon, however."

Stefano keeps a polite smile on his face and looks attentive but doesn't have much to add so stays quiet.

"It's nice to meet you Edison." Dahlia offers the man a smile and then shakes her had at the offer of refreshments. "I'm good, thanks though." Then looking over to Justin. "A charity dinner sounds like it could be neat. I haven't been to one before." A beat of pause. "Or at least, not in a very long time." The former was more likely to be accurate. "And I am certainly lacking in wardrobe." She agreed, her own green eyes meeting Hyacith's briefly and smiling again. "I appreciate it, and I'm sure it will be, dress shopping is always pretty enjoyable." She mused. Her expression softened a bit, accepting the hand and nodded. "Thank you and I'm very sorry to hear that. Seems like it's going around. Unfortuantely." She lets her hand fall back to her side. "I'm glad to meet you too - we never really ran in the same circles as kids." At all. Probably the only thing they had in common was Justin. "And I might just take you up on the mini car offer."

Edison inclines her head to Dahlia. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Ms. Evergreen." He turns to Hyacinth. "I'll be taking care of a few...details, now, before the hour grows too late. You know where to find me." And even if she didn't, he'd probably turn up anyway. There's a nod to Stefano and Justin as well. "Have a good evening, gentlemen." At that, he turns on his heel and heads off into the house, pointy boots clicking across the floor.

"Sounds like that's all arranged, then," Justin says. "So, should we wander around and tour a bit now that all the plans have been made?" He glances around to those gathered before taking a step further into the museum itself, since they've been standing around in the foyer for a bit.

"Can I get a rain check on that?" Stefano asks. "There's a ton of things I need to take care of." Such as finding his suits and getting t hem dry cleaned to get the wrinkles out of them.