2019-08-07 - No, Really, Run Away

Kelsey was sprawled out on one of the comfy chairs in the library meant for reading in. Legs hanging over the side as she diligently purused a book about cryptids. Her long blonde hair was down, covering her like some kind of make shift blanket. She had a little note pad that she was writing in now and again between turning the pages of the book. Her attire is simple and unassuming - a pair of black leggings with a gray t-shirt that is a size or two too big for her. The library itself is not too busy at the moment, and some of the patrons seem to be giving Kelsey a wide berth when they notice her. But, to her credit, she doesn't seem to be paying any attention to them or anyone else in her surroundings anyway.

The good thing about libraries is that they're usually air conditioned. That's a good thing for Dante who, as a Brit, is not genetically predisposed to handling the heat well. As much as he wears suit jackets like armor, it's simply not practical in this weather. He's wearing a pair of tailored linen pants with a dark brown belt, and a sunflower yellow button-up with the sleeves rolled up. The pants are cuffed at the ankle and a pair of brown linen boat shoes. He's perusing the local history section, which isn't too far from Kelsey and her comfy chair. He gets to a certain point in the dewey decimal system, then frowns, then glances over at the cover of Kelsey's book. "Pardon me...is that book 'Cryptids of the Pacific Northwest' by..." he looks at a listing on his phone, "Dawn Chambers?"

Kelsey doesn't look up right away, though there was a hint of tension in her shoulders when Dante spoke. She continued writing her note in her chicken scratch hand writing. Then slowly tilted her head up to look over at him. "It is, yes." Scrutinizing him for a moment. "Are you looking for something specific?" Because she doesn't seem inclined to just hand over the book. The page she's currently on is talking about 'Mynoghra' and has an artistic rendering of a creepy looking, feminine demon.

"Oh, I just wanted to have a page through. Since you're reading it, fair play. I just didn't want to spend ten minutes scanning the shelves for a book that does not currently reside on said shelf." Dante flashes a smile. "Is it any good? The listing mentioned some interesting renderings."

"Interesting enough. Most of the typical things. Big Foot, Ogopog, aliens." A faint smile given. "Nothing I haven't really read about before. Though this Mynoghra is interesting. I know it's a Lovecraftian reference, but also apparently she was worshipped by some witch covens in Oregon." Another couple notes are quickly written down. Then she is shifting to sit normally in the chair and offering Dante the book. "I don't recognize you. Are you new?" Not that Kelsey was a very social person, but Gray Harbor wasn't that big. So she'd at least seen most of the residents once or twice.

"Oh reaalllly?" Dante's eyes light up. He reaches for the book when she offers, then thumbs through to find the page. "Fascinating. And right up my alley. Ah, yes, just recently in town. Not certain how long I'm staying. You can't really rush the process." He scans down the page about Mynoghra. "Do you know anything else about this supposed coven?"

Kelsey studies the man curiously as he flips through the book. "The process of what?" Pushing a hand through her hair, maybe a little bit suspicious. Not that being interested in lore and legends should automatically be a means for someone being suspicious - but still. "Not a clue. Though I made some notes to research it further. The Mynoghra seems like some kind of medusa-esque creature. Though, except for snakes as hair it's just tentacles. I don't know if that pictures is a good rendition. I think she's supposed to look for alien than demonic. But, hell, maybe that's what aliens look like. What do I know." A wry smile on her lips as she relaxed back in the chair.

"There's nothing just about tentacles," quips Dante. He scans down the page, distracted for a moment, until he snaps back. "Oh, yes, sorry. I'm a writer. I'm here to see if I can add to my series with tales from this part of the world."

That gets a chuckle from the blonde. "Fair. " Looking curious now, more than suspicious. "A writer? What's your name? What sort of books do you write? " Wondering if maybe she actually had read any of his stuff. That might be sort of neat.

The overdressed library patron turns the page in the book, lingering over a page on lesser known lake monsters. Then he looks up, smiles, and says, "Dante Taylor. I write horror, primarily. But I've got the start of a series of local macabre and spooky history."

Kelsey thought this over for a moment and then her eyes widened. "No shit." Flashing a bit of a more genuine smile. "I've read some of your stuff. I've got all the Merrymeet books. And I've got your Dark Heart books. Cryptids, Lore, Legends. They're a hobby of mine." Read : Obsession. "How'd you find your way to Gray Harbor?"

Dante's smile grows wider and more genuine as well. "You're too kind. I'm glad you enjoy them. And it sounds like you might be someone I'd want to speak to. I'm hoping the next Dark Heart will be right here, in the Pacific Northwest." He glances around, then leans in to murmur, "But so far, the people here don't seem to want to talk about things that go bump in the night. Which is odd. They talked my ear off about legends and myths and spooky things in Wales."

Kelsey looked around for a moment and then leaned in a bit as well. "That's because the shit that goes on in this town is what horror movies are made of." She murmured back. "And it ain't myths and legends. It's dangerous, and you shouldn't go poking around unless you're prepared to get poked back." Her expression is deadpan. No joking here. "I bet you all your royalties that Wales ain't got nothin' on us." Then she relaxes back in her chair. "But this, of all places, isn't the place to talk about it." Because who knew who was listening.

If Dante is amused or skeptical of her words, he doesn't show it. Instead, he just stays leaned in, listens, then cocks his head, "Why do you think I came here? I've heard things. And the chance to see something real? Not just the product of overactive small town imaginations? Well, I've spent my whole career peeking where others won't."

Those dark blue eyes linger on him intently, as if trying to decide if he's full of shit or not. Then shrugs. "Well, it's your funeral Taylor. I'm gonna miss your books." That wry smile twitched at her lips. "But, if you wanna tempt fate, I can show you some things. " Rubbing her jaw a bit. "And maybe give you a name or two of people who might be more willing to talk. I haven't been here long. But long enough."

"Telling me something is dangerous and forbidden isn't a good way to get me to back off," says Dante with a bit of a sharkish smile. "It's not often I've encountered something truly dangerous. Mostly it's just been a rabbit with antlers hot glued on. Not that that isn't disturbing in and of itself." He shifts to sit on the arm of the chair opposite hers. "I suppose if we're to be co-conspirators, I should know your name."

"So if I tell you it's perfectly safe and boring you'll look the other way?" Without missing a beat. Then Kelsey shifts a little, maybe a bit reluctant to give her name - knowing who he is now. What he does. But, she sighs, and relents. "Kelsey Wade." Leaning forward and gently taking the book back from him so she could continue making her notes. In truth, Dante may or may not have heard about her and her ordeal. She knew it was all over the media in the States but not sure how much farther out it had extended. "It's nice to meet you face to face Mr. Taylor." As she resumes taking her notes.

There's a little bit of squinting, a little bit of mental searching, but Dante can't immediately place her name to the incident. But later, when he can Google... In any case, it seems to be making her a bit uncomfortable, so he won't pursue it. "Half the town has been trying to tell me everything is perfectly safe and boring, which is of course, immediately suspicious. Most people love to tell the stories about their towns that are weird and creepy. Even if they're complete, to use a very British term, poppycock."

Kelsey laughed at that, it's short but it's there. "I thought this town was nice and boring when I got here. Didn't take long for me to realize it wasn't. " She doesn't look up as she takes notes about a 40 foot tall being named 'Colossal Claude'. "What will you do when you discover the truth about this place? What will you do if you come to realize you can't write about what you see because it's so...unexplainable?"

"Writing about the unexplainable in terms people can accept is what I do. It's what the whole horror genre does. Metaphors are a powerful way to avoid the truth." Dante closes the cryptid book and hands it back over to her. "Science fiction does it too. Dress up the truth in fancy and people will accept it."

"I'm gonna bet you all your royalties twice over that you won't be able to dress up what you discover." She exhales softly, accepting the book. "But we will see." Tapping her pen lightly against her notebook. Her gaze lingered briefly on him again. "Tell me something Mr. Taylor. Have you ever done something you can't explain? Felt something stirring within you that didn't make any sense? Couldn't possibly be real?"

"Only after a lot of alcohol. And a few times on weed," says Dante with a grin. It's hard to tell if he's being serious. Or even a little serious. "I once got very drunk and became convinced that my coordination had improved." He lifts up his arm and points to a scar on his elbow. "You can imagine how that went."

If he's joking, she doesn't seem amused. "Well, you'll find out soon enough I'm sure." Like she knows something he doesn't know. Seeming to finish off her notes, she closes the book now too and sets it down on the table. Closing up her notebook. "I know it's impossible, but I really hope you understand what you're getting into. "

"Maybe it's a terrible mistake. Maybe I shouldn't have come here. Maybe I'll regret it. But if anything is true, if there is really is something to discover and I leave here - I'll spend the rest of my life wondering what it is." Dante sounds quite honest. No winking, no wry tones - just honesty.

That answer seems acceptable to Kelsey, and she smiles again. "That's fair, I suppose. I understand the need to know. The desire...that's half the reason I haven't left yet." She admitted, pushing a hand through her hair again. "...I can show you a little something. If you want. If you think you're ready for it." She offered softly. "But, not here. We gotta go somewhere...less public."

"Oh my. That sounds very tempting indeed. But," Dante checks his watch. "...I've an appointment with a rather musty local historian in about thirty minutes. Can we set a date for destroying my perception of the universe as we know it?"

Kelsey gave him a wry smile. "But it's so much less exciting when you're expecting it. How about, I'll find you hm?" Rising to her feet and collecting the book. She debates on something and then tears off a blank piece of paper from her notebook, scrawling her number and first name on it. "And if you experience anything strange before hand, let me know." Giving him the paper.

Dante takes the paper, then motions to borrow her pen. Not only does he write his own name and number on part of the slip and hand it back to her, he draws a very crude Ghostbuster symbol next to her name and holds it up with a cheeky grin. Then he passes the pen back as well.

Kelsey took the piece of paper and pen, a bit of a smile at his drawing. "Good movie, but we're gonna be doing more than busting ghosts. See you soon Mr. Taylor." Then she turned to head back to the aisle where she got this book from to put it back and retrieve another.