2019-10-15 - Reunion of Friends

Well, the front yard has been wrecked. The mailbox has been plowed into, and there are tire tracks through the yard almost all the way up on the porch. And it's raining. But that doesn't stop Alexander from trudging out there with some sod he's bought, and some tools. He's clearing out the post of the mailbox - it's been splintered to pieces - and is working on replanting the torn up grass as the rain soaks through his sweatshirt and jeans. Still, he actually looks reasonably...content. Not happy, but content to have a mind whose rages and anxieties are entirely its own. Oh, and there's some really fantastic chorizo ratatouille in the fridge for snacking. Alexander definitely did not make that.

Isolde has been a little all over the place. The hosptial, then Itzhak's for a night or two. Dropping in at the house before Alexander was back to check on everyone. She'd even taken a trip up to the Lavender Farm even though it was closed for the season - just to see it. She's walking up towards the house from doing something or other and just kind of stops and stares. Confused, curious? Maybe a little worried. But Alexander is there! And she hasn't seen him in what feels like a lifetime! "Alexander!" She says cheerfully, walking up towards him, clearly planning to help him. "What happened to the yard? And the mailbox? You're not wanting to murder people anymore right?"

Alexander looks up at the call of his name. A bright smile comes to his face and he drops the sod he's working on and walks swiftly towards her. He stops short of hugging her, like something has just jerked his leash, but the joy is evident in his face. "Isolde! It's so good to see you. How are you doing? Are you still sick at all? Are you okay?" A wave at the mailbox. "It's Elm," he says, with a sigh. "A drunk from the trailer park plowed into it. Don't worry about it. And no, I'm fine. As fine as I ever am, anyway. It's good to see you."

Isolde notes that Alexander seemed to stop short, but didn't try to hug him or anything. Not yet at least, and certainly not without asking. "I am good, really good. Not feeling like I'm dying anymore thankfully." Pushing a hand through her hair. "So much feels like it's happened since I saw you. Like. It's been years instead of a few weeks." There's a laugh to go with that and, oddly enough, maybe because it's been so long - Alexander can tell that Isolde is talking better than she usually does. Sentence flow easier, like she's more put together. "People are jerks." Glancing towards the ruined yard. But at least the door was intact!

"How is Isabella feeling now? We talked some when she visited me! Is she feelng better?"

"It does feel like that. I'm sorry, Isolde. I never wanted you to see...any of that. Or to get sick." Alexander breathes out a long sigh, looking guilty. "But. We did it. We put him to rest, and there shouldn't be any more of that sort of problem." He's quick to pick up on the change in her, and studies her thoughtfully. "You're different. What happened?" A touch warily, like he's not sure if it's a safe change or not. "And...people are complicated. Isabella is good. She also had the flu, but she's better now. We're all better now, and it's so good to...I missed you."

Isolde looked up a bit towards the rainy weather and back to Alexander. "I'm glad it's over. Really, really glad. Because having your whole social circle be almost off limits is not a good thing." She mused and inclined her head in a light nod. "It's a long story... but Itzhak and I got taken into the Veil. We were in a prison. We escaped with a Satry and a lizard thing...part of the escape involved." She paused again to try and think up the right words. "Itzhak gave up his unicorn hair...and the lizard thing gave up a piece of unicorn hoof?...the satry ate it and then touched my hand and there was...power. So much power....I could see everything, sense everything..." There's a bit of a faraway look in her eyes a she recalls that moment, that feeling. "Everything was so clear..." Isolde shook her head and refocused on Alexander. "Since then...it has been a little easier." Smiling once more. "I'm glad she is better. And you are better. I missed you too. And Luigi missed you! And Blue Bell."

Alexander's eyes widen, slightly. He listens with intense interest, even as he brushes the soil from his hands. "Wow. That's...that is way more epic than my lost places usually get," he admits, with a smile. "I'm glad that you and he were able to escape, though. "Are you," a hesitation, "have you experienced any other effects from that, uh, infusion of power?" Worry lilts in his voice. "Obsession, flu-like symptoms, new limbs, anything like that?" A smile flickers, so maybe he's teasing. Mostly. "And I know. Luigi's been biting me to punish me, and Blue Bell has been all sorts of clingy. It's nice to be missed, but..." he chuckles, "I'm hoping they forgive me soon."

"...We're going to go back." Isolde said softly. "Itzhak and I...maybe you if you want too...there's something trapped in the prison. A few somethings...I think one of them is being used to power the entire city! It was so sad Alexander. It asked me...if I could see...is a dream" She drew in a breath. "That is the only thing that's stuck with me...a desire to go back and save it...and that question. "He dreamed too, of a different thing...but similar." She tugged at her hair a little and then smiled a bit again. "I'm sure they will! They can't stay mad forever! Can I give you a hug?" She asked then. "Also now that you're better we'll have to find time for you to meet Cameron! I think you'll like her."

"Going over there intentionally is dangerous, Isolde." Alexander's voice is solemn. And worried. When she asks if she can give him a hug, he braces himself, but opens his arms. "If you two want backup, though, you know I'll be happy to serve as it." A weak sort of smile. "I mean. I can't say I told you so if I'm not there to say it when everything tries to kill us."

Isolde gives Alexander a tight, but brief hug and then lets him go. "I know it is, but we can't just let them stay like they are...we're going to try and find the ones that helped us break out too. So they can help if they want." She knew, of course, that Alexander would be worried. "I didn't want to tell you about it." She admits a little sheepishly. "I didn't want you to worry. But Isabella said you would likely be more worried, and upset, if you didn't know about it." There's a little smile again. "True. It would be a missed opportunity." Then a sigh. "I know it's a bad place. It's a very bad place...but...maybe not all of it is bad."

And Alexander hugs her back, squeezing tightly for a moment before she steps back. "That is a very kind impulse. I'm not really sure what I think about Over There - whether any of it is truly real, or if it's just an elaborate trap. But, I don't think that trying to help people who are trapped is ever the wrong choice, even if they maybe aren't people at all, but psychoreactive projections of subconscious constructs of our own minds. I guess that's an okay thing. So, yeah. If you guys need me, count me in." He stuffs his hands in his pockets and considers her. "I wouldn't be angry if you decided not to tell me about something you were doing. You have that right. I'd be worried, but I'm not the boss of you. And you're competent." He turns away, then, and heads back to the ruins of the mailbox post. "So, tell me about Cameron? And I've got something for you, as soon as I move this stuff to the curb." He grabs and hauls.

"I will ask Itzhak what he thinks, but I think the help would be good. I am getting strong with my mind." As she taps her head lightly. "But you still have me beat...and that might be good to try and locate the creatures...or the help we want to find." Isolde looked curious as she grabbed up a few things to help move them. "You have something for me?" Wondering what it could be. "And yes. That's true I guess. I'm glad to hear it from you like that but...it is good you know anyway. Just in case." Then she smiles brightly when he asks about Cameron. "She's great. She's fun and pretty and she doesn't-" There's a beat of a pause. "Well, she doesn't treat me like I'm fragile." She nodded. "I still need to tell Itzhak about her. Soon. There just hasn't been any time with everything going on."

Once they've stacked the stuff by the curb, there's just the empty posthole in the ground, and the sod. Since the rain is still coming down, Alexander stares down at the hole for a long moment, and grunts. "I'm not even gonna try to mess with this until the ground dries out." Then he glances at her. "She sounds pretty great. You need to tell Itzh--" comprehension dawns, and his expression turns playful, "ah. How pretty is she, exactly?" Now he's teasing her, openly. "C'mon, let's go inside, get dry, and I'll give you a present. And you can, uh, dish me the dirt?" He winks.

"Probably a good idea." Isolde agrees about the dirt. She blushes when Alexander teases her and giggles. "She's really, really pretty." Is confirmed as they make their way into the house. She whistles out a greeting to Luigi and then goes to her duffel bag to pull out some dry clothes. "There's not lots of dirt to dish? But I'll tell you what I can." Isolde giggled again and then would make her way into the bathroom so she could change. She emerged not too long later in a pair of flannel pants and a tank top and was definitely heating up some of that ratatouille (thank you August!).

As soon as they step in, there's a cat miaowing and twining herself around their ankles like never leave again omg. Alexander does his best not to trip and fall on his face as he makes his way to check on Luigi (and get bitten for his trouble), then, after apologizing to the bird, to go back into the bedroom to likewise change into dryer clothes. And pick up a small, wrapped bundle. She's already in the kitchen by the time he gets out, hair still damp, and he comes in to watch her. And save her from Blue Bell, who is throwing herself against Isolde's ankles like she will never be petted again. "So, this is the, uh, witch you met the night you went out drinking, right?"

Poor Blue Bell. Once the food is in the microwave, Isolde picks up the cat and cuddles her against her chest to pet her. "Is that better?" She asks the cat, teasing lightly before looking up at Alexander. "Yes, that's her!" She sets Blue Bell down so the kitty can run over to Alexander and torment him a little more. Isolde relaxes against the counter, idly keep an eye on the microwave now and then. "We texted a bit after and, I wanted her help with something." The way she said that, and looked a little awkward as she said it, may lead Alexander to believe that the something she needed help with she was embarressed to admit. "So I went over to her place so we could hang out and talk about what I wanted help with." The microwave beeped and she opened it up to carefully pull out the plate. "And things happened. But...I like her a lot. We had lunch the other day, now that we're both not dying from the flu."

There's a curious look to the bundle Alexander is holding. "What's that?"

Alexander is a curious bee, always. One eyebrow goes up. "You needed help with something?" Of course he's going to ask, especially when he sees that little awkwardness there. He does go to one knee so that he can pet Blue Bell's silky fur with one hand, holding the package with the other. When she asks, he lifts it up so she can take it. "A bit of a present. I wanted to give it to you earlier, but things happened. So many things happened," he says, voice dry. "But I'm glad that you like her, Isolde. If you do, then I'm sure I'll like her too."

The package, when unwrapped, is Isolde's flannel. It's not as good as new - Alexander's sewing, cleaning, and Spirit skills only go so far, and it's not far enough to remake the cloth. There are holes and ragged edges. But everything he could fix, has been fixed, and some of the worst damage has been repaired through the special abilities that he has.

Isolde nodded a bit. "Something, kind of silly." Petty. Mostly petty. "But, we both got sick anyway...so I dunno if it's going to work out like we thought it would. The plan we came up with. For the thing. But we'll see how it goes!" She rummaged around a moment to find a fork, laying it on the plate and then accepting the package. "I hope you will. She has talent, she just doesn't understand what it is." She carefully opens it up and falls quiet, staring at the flannel.

In truth, with everything that had been going on, the flannel had slipped from her mind. Seeing it now, even if it wasn't perfect, she could feel a few tears welling up and threatening to spill over. "Thank you Alexander." Clutching the flannel close for a moment before drawing in a soft breathand wiping at her eyes. "I didn't know if I'd ever see it again."

"A...silly plan, hmm? For a 'thing'?" Alexander rises slowly to his feet, letting Blue Bell resume her affectionate attack on his shins, and leans against the counter, watching her with amusement. "Isolde, you wouldn't be about to get up to mischief would you?" He grins, then, brief and bright, as he teases her. And the grin widens as she opens the package. "You're welcome," he says, softly. "I'm not...I could have taken it to August or someone, and they probably could have made it good as new. But I wanted to do as much of the work as I could, myself. You could probably still take it to someone to get the rest finished. If you want."

Isolde grinned a little bit. "Me, mischief? Noooo not at all." Yessss, yes. All the mischief. Hopefully that ended in the desired result! Time would tell. She shook her head at the suggestion of getting it fully fixed. "No, then it wouldn't be the same. This is the best gift ever." She hugged the flannel again and grinned up at him. "It's perfect just like this." She goes to set it in her duffel bag gently and returned to the kitchen. "You're a very good friend Alexander. Thank you, really. For all of it." She picked her plate up. "I saw a thing...there's a delay on those little houses." A touch of a frown. "I hope it picks up again soon. That they start building on them again."

Alexander gives Isolde a look. "Just...don't burn down anything we can't afford to rebuild," he says, at last. And then smiles at the reaction. "I'm glad you're okay with it. I'm glad to have you here, and alive." Because it wasn't a lot of fun cleaning the blood out of the fabric and thinking about whose blood it was, much less those bullet holes. "Is that what you're interested in? The little houses?" He smiles. "I think they'll be nice places to live once they're done. And you know the couch is always open until they are."

"No burning involved. Promise." Isolde assured him with a chuckle. "I'm glad too. To be here with you and alive. And that you're alive." She took a couple bites of food, nodding. "Mm! This is a good." She murmured, swallowing and nodding again. "I think it would be good to live in! But we will see. I am sure there are other places if those don't work out." A look to the couch and she chuckled. "It might as well be my couch." Winking to him. "I appreciate it though. You letting me stay here. Helping me and everything."

"Being alive is important. So is staying alive," Alexander agrees. He moves closer, close enough to reach out and gently touch her shoulder. It's a brief touch, just a quick squeeze and then his hand drops. "Thank Corey Jones. He said you two had met. He insists on cooking things," he says, but his exasperation is amused at worst. A glance towards the couch. "And...yeah, I guess it pretty much is. We oughta get an embroidered pillow or something." He winks. "And it's been my pleasure. Really, Isolde. I'm glad you're here." Then he sighs. "But, I should get back to work - I've got to bust my ass if I'm going to make up for flu and isolation time. Murders to solve and not get paid for, all of that." He winks.

"Corey. I will thank him then!" Isolde nodded (Next time August!). She chuckled. "We should." To the suggestion of embroidered pillows. Nodding at Alexander needing to get to work. "Work is important. You work - I will try to keep the animals occupied." Isolde promised, looking down at Blue Bell. "What kind of TV do you like?" Not that she was at the level of talking with animals and such, but maybe the cat could understand her all the same? And she would move into the living room with the remainder of her food and try to find something that would appease a human, a cat, and a bird.