2020-01-10 - Coffee Talk

Coffee. Esme ran off of it! Especially when she was stuck working those longer shifts. She had just finished questioning some people for a case she was working and now stopped in at Espresso Yourself so she could try and warm up. Winter was one of her favorite seasons, but she could do without the biting cold, truly. Her hair was pinned up in a bun with a few tendrils having escaped and she wore a thick, woolen trench coat with a pair of black slacks and a dark green sweater. "Yeah, can I get an espresso and a hot chocolate? Thanks." A smile flashed to the lady behind the counter.

Occupying a corner of the coffee house, idly browsing one of the magazines in the place, while enjoying an espresso, Winter's coat is hung over the back of the chair with the old knitted scarf, and one of those hats with flappy ears lie on the table with his thick gloves - he absolutely went for utilitarian rather than fashionable. His boots are the kinds that'll keep his feet warm for hours out in the ice and snow. He tilts his head and looks up, that voice ringing some sort of bell - and there's a sudden little smirk seeing Esme. "I'd say you haven't changed a bit since we lat met," he calls out to her, "but I'd be lying." Just like Winter, one of those comments. It leaves you guessing a bit, is there going to be an insult following, or a lovely compliment? His eyes do glitter in good humor however and he looks like he's happy to see Esme.

When that familiar voice reaches the detective's ears, Esme turns on her heels to face the source. A smile blossomed on to her features. "Winter Duchannes. I heard you were in town." A beat of pause. "The next words out of your mouth better be I am even more amazing than the last time you saw me." Well over two decades now at least. Damn, had it been so long? She thanked the barista for her drinks and started to make her way over to his table. "How the hell've you been?" Setting the drinks down because obviously she was going to join him.

Winter sweeps away the hat and gloves to make room, an inviting gesture. He scrutinizingly looks her over, and seems to consider it - that amused smirk still on his lips. "Fine, fine," he says and holds his hands up. "I'm not that good of a liar, I can't come say something bad. You look amazing," he says and there's an earnest warm smile at her. He's got shorter hair, somewhat unkempt though - perhaps that hat messes it up. There's one lock of grey on his forhead, but other than that the years have treated him alright. Sharper features, fit and healthy, he must've kept up with his active life over the years. "I've been back in town for 5 or so years, though 'back' means more the general area I guess. I spend most of the year out in the forest. Winter is when I get a chance to catch up with other things. It really IS my season," he says, making a bad pun about his own name. "What about you? I did hear a rumor you were back, glad to run into you."

Esme laughed as she took a seat, flashing an easy smile. "You're looking pretty good yourself." Esme was a few inches taller, her hair was darker and longer. There was a hint at an hourglass like figure the way her clothing sat upon her frame. She'd grown a little more into her own it would appear. "Seems like it." Is his season. Esme chuckled softly. "Oh I'm doing pretty good all things considered. I just transferred down from Spokane to be closer to mom and dad. Staying with them while I sort out a place to live."

"Yeah? Tell them hi from me," Winter says, remembering them well enough. "Do what I do; buy an old RV and live the life of the free," he suggests, only half-joking. "I stay over at the trailer park. Where else, huh?" He takes a careful sip of the espression and licks his lips, studying her curiously. "So... homicide detective, right? Or did I hear that wrong? I'm working with bats. I count them," he tells her, dead pan. "Sometimes I lose count and got to start over."

"I sure will. I know mom will be happy to hear it." Esme took a careful sip of cocoa. "Yep, that's right. After testing the waters in like every department, I came back to homicide and I think I'll stay." She mused. "One day maybe I'll do the RV thing. When I'm old and gray and retired." A grin was flashed. "Yeah, Yule mentioned you did something with bat populations. How'd you get into that?" Though she did, indeed, snicker when he made his counting joke.

"It's so I can call myself batman and talk about the batcave," Winter explains with the same deadpan attitude. Another sip, and he adds more seriously; "I love being outdoors, I love spelunking, I love animals. And then I really fell for bats. They're amazing animals. Cute, too.," he says and his eyes glitter with some mirth again. "I'll show you a cave where they hibernate if you want some time."

"As long as you're doing what you love, yeah? That's what matters most." Esme grinned. "I don't think I've ever met anyone whose called a bat cute before..." She eyed Winter a beat, heavily debating his offer. Her head tilted a moment and thennn, "Sure - why not. I've resolved to try more new things out this year. That can be one of them. Seems like it could be an interesting experience."