2020-01-27 - Searching for Warmth

Stephanie wasn't feeling like herself, there was a cool tingling sensation in her arm and she was feeling a strange cocktail of emotions that included anxiety and fear. Fear wasn't usually something she had to deal with, especially within herself, but 2020 had a way of bringing these things up to the point of chipping away at her spirit.

In need of caffeine, she goes to Espresso Yourself to order herself something warm and caffeinated. Maybe it will help calm her thoughts down. She sits at her usual booth, her eyes staring off in the distance out the window while nursing her cappuccino.

Though it has been a long day for her, she isn't ready to call it a day just yet. Plus she should really bring a coffee or two back to the Loft. She is heading to the counter when she spots Stephanie. She heads over to the woman. She knows she messed up somethings and though she was concussed she still feels it is her fault. Plus as far as Kim knows Stephanie saved her life. Arriving at the booth she gives a friendly smile, dressed in her normal street clothes and without any make-up, because no amount of make-up will make the bump on her head look better. It is smaller than the last time Stephanie had seen her.
"Hi. Do you mind if I have a seat? I'm not sure I got a chance to thank you properly. Sure I know it's your job, but..." okay she violated some sort of unspoken code before and stops herself this time. "Just it's good to see you again."

Snapping out of her reverie, the voice barely registering in her mind. Looking towards its source, Stephanie finds Kim and it takes a moment for her to connect the dots. She Hears the woman speaking, and picks up on key words, but she seems distracted, like she isn't completely there. "Hmmm? Sure. Seat's open," she quietly replies. "It's nice to see you too, Kim. I hope you're feeling better."

Kim takes a seat slowly. She is still not completely recovered. Kim is keen enough though "Is anything wrong? You seem sort of out there." she pauses before responding to the rest "I am doing better. Doctors say I should be close to normal in about four more days. Eh if I sorry if I am breaking etiquette thanks for help with the pain. I am new to all of this." lowering her voice as she sits "I assume that is you since I saw a blue glow on your hands. Unless it was just injured brain. In that case I'm just crazy and ignore me."

Stephanie looks around quickly before she replies in a low voice, "It's nothing really. It's not something I do all the time, but if someone needs it, it's my job to put myself out there to help, no matter the cost. It's a tough balance." She is intentionally vague.

Kim gives a sympathy look to Stephanie "Mine don't go that way. I can move things and against /Them/ I think I can do something. But you know that isn't the whole of who I am, nor do I think it is all you are." there was a question avoided "If their is something else wrong I am good listener and wouldn't tell a soul. I owe you that much at least."

"I can do that too, unlock doors with my mind," Stephanie offers casually, "It's something I've known about to a certain extent for years, I've just kept it quiet and never thought of it because of what happened to my mother." She pauses before she says, "I appreciate the offer but I'm not sure you can really help with what's been going on. Unless you can figure out what's wrong with my arm. It feels a little weird but I can't figure out why."

Kim blinks opening doors is beyond what she can do right now. "I didn't know about anything until a week ago. The thought of /Them/ hurting those I care is too much." she pauses at the answer, looking at Stephanie "What happened with your mother?" with slowly shakes her wounded head "I don't think I can. Maybe there is a reason with what you have done recently. I have been told that there is price for this. Did you treat a broken arm?"

"Recently? I've had some time off. I can't even really think of anything right now." Stephanie bites her lower lip. "Might have to do with a weird call we got..." She shrugs. "I've been exposed to the basics as kid, but...even this is a little beyond me. I don't really know who to seek out for help but if you know someone.."

Kim is truly new at all of this "A weird call? What it about?" Kim may not understand but is willing to offer a ear. She shrugs "That is more than I got. I'm just making my will happen with a few friends. I know a few people." Kim thinks of the strongest glow she has seen "Thewlis or Jessica. They are the brightest I've seen." then again she is confusing powerful with the bright glow.

"I deal with death sometimes for my job, but ... it was a really strange set of circumstances that led to me leaning way too heavily on my abilities..." Stephanie clears her throat. "Whatever costs I've had to pay for what I've done recently, I have a feeling it's got something to do with the arm." She shrugs. "I was thinking of talking to Jessica about an entirely different matter. But I suppose I could bring this up too if she's someone you trust."

Kim frowns she doesn't have to deal with death in her job "You can tell me what leads you to think that way. Sure you are a EMT and you deal with things I can't even begin to get." she just shakes her head. She is trying to get ready to fight the dark men by throwing things at them with her mind. Not exactly a great way to go. "Jessica may be taken up with dealing with her girlfriend. She just got a glow like me. Jessica glows so brightly and scared the hell of me. But with /them/ she should. I will protect those I care for."

"You're not doing anything of the sort without taking the time to gather up knowledge from those who might know what's up, are you? My mother taught me everything I know but...she's not around to help. So I gotta get...I gotta find help some other way. I suggestion you do the same before you get yourself killed." Stephanie sighs. "One of the hardest things about being such a lone wolf, it's hard to find support when you're married to your work."

"Right now I'm still learning. I'm not about to go running off until I am ready. Which I am pretty sure will be a long time." Kim replies "I have meet others and am learning from them. What happened with your mother? If don't want to say that is fine...sorry I'm not trying to push or anything." she looks over at Stephanie "I know that feeling. But you can always reach out for some support. Everyone needs a little help every now and again."

"Yeah, she's just...unwell..." Stephanie's voice trails off, speaking about her mother, before she says, "That's good. It's way too dangerous otherwise. I'd like to talk to more people, exchange notes. I don't really know much. I mean, the last time I spoke to my mother about this was maybe 15 years ago?" She shrugs.

Kim just nods to Stephanie's answer. She really doesn't want to pry. "I can introduce you to some people if you like. I mean as long as they are okay with it. I'm afraid anything I have to offer as far as knowledge wouldn't be too helpful. I can share what I have learned. It sounds like it's been a very long time since you were able talk to anyone about this sort of stuff. You don't have to do this alone." Kim tries to reassure Stephanie "Do you not talk to Devlin about any of this?" assuming she already knows that he is like them.

"Devlin? He's...he and I are on the same page about work, but we don't really know each other that well outside of it, I mean, I'd like to, but we're strictly on a professional basis." Though Stephanie looks thoughtful. "After what's happened lately at work, maybe I should talk to him more." She pauses, and adds, "If you can make the introductions, I would be grateful. Of course, with permission...can I offer you a coffee? My treat, for being so attentive and nice."

"I see. He does seem to know a lot of people who are the same way. He's offered to introduce me to them. So it probably wouldn't be a bad idea to talk to him about it outside of it as well." Kim offers. "Things have been happening at work? Like the explosion?" she is curious about it "I'd be happy to. I'll talk to those I know and see. Oh let me give you my number so I can keep you updated about stuff." she reaches into her pocket to get out her phone. "Coffee sounds great. I'm always glad to be able to help people. It's just something about me I guess."

"Like the dead body with its fingernails ripped off and no wounds," Stephanie offers, giving no other detail. "Yeah, Devlin and I don't really get too personal. Except for that time I drunk texted him. But maybe it's a good time to discuss things with him. He did say he'd teach me to meditate." She steps up to the counter to order whatever Kim prefers to drink before returning to her with the appropriate drink. "You can call us even now."

Kim has been told a little about how weird this town can be. That is really strange and morbid though. "That sounds pretty gruesome. Do you run into that sort of thing often?" Kim asks. "You drunk texted him? Oh hope nothing that wasn't too awkward later. He seems like a nice guy the few times I've meet him. I'm positive he'd help you out." Kim just prefers regular coffee, nothing fancy tonight. "I don't know about even...still feel like I owe you. But if you say so then it is. Have you been in this town long?"

"It's definitely not something we see every day," Steph explains then she answers her question about how long she'd been in town, "Born and raised, actually. Never got around to leaving. I could never really afford to. Either because of a lack of money or just haven't had the chance to..." Stephanie says with a shrug. "It's nothing worth talking about it, everything's been the same since forever. Familiar and comfortable yet...sad. I don't know." She shrugs.

Kim does a slow nod to the answer. "I wonder what it would be like to live in a smallish town for that long. Something about this place just draws you in." she muses. "So you wanted to leave? I can get that. I lived in Portland my whole life until now. I'll try not to be too curious. Just seems like maybe you are unhappy with Gray Harbor."

"A little. But it's home." Stephanie shrugs as she notices a message on her phone. "Shit. I should be heading out. I forgot I was meeting with my little sister. It's nice to see you, Kim. Enjoy the coffee. I'll let you know about meeting up."