2020-01-27 - Wintery Night At Two If By Sea

It's a frosty winter night, and there's snow falling outside, catching in drifts on the balconies of the Two if by Sea, but it's warm inside, and Officer Carter Reid is off-duty. He sits up at the bar with a beer in front of him and a plate of cheese fries that he pokes at idly, seemingly lost in thought, only half paying attention to the comings and goings of the people around him.

Damnit, it happened again. Sunday night, Meredith Hartwell was invited out by the elusive 'Brenda' and much as she had been at the trailer park cookout weeks prior, Merry was stood up. Maybe she should put the boot to flakey Brenda and just stay indoors like the twenty-something-year-old-senior-citizen that she is at heart. But then that would just be a waste.

Even still, something about Merry speaks of being 'apart' from this place. No no, not in a sparkly mystical cliched way but the fact that she's a deer in headlights, stood up and worried about the snow falling and her car parked outside. May as well make the best of it... she begins unzipping her thick pea coat as she approaches the bar. Something smells good and greasy and her blue eyes glance toward the off-duty cop and his plate of yum. Those... look good...

Carter smiles as Meredith comes over toward the bar and he notices the glance toward the cheese fries. "They have good cheese fries here. The wings aren't half bad either." He takes a swig from his beer then, before picking up a fry and dunking it into the sour cream amassed on top.

D'oh. Was she gawking? Totally gawking. Merry startles, just barely, as Carter speaks to her. Just by looking at her, one can tell that she's one of those vanilla fruit-smoothies-in-the-morning and grilled-chicken-breast-at-night sorts. Guaranteed Merry lays her head down at night DREAMING of stuff like this. Look at how she's swaying, just barely, in the direction of Carter and his heap of noms. Blue eyes watch the lifting of beer from bartop to lips and despite her sensibilities, Meredith could to do indulge in this exact meal.

"I'll take your word for it." She offers in her pleasant, soft-spoken way. Despite herself Merry removes her coat and seeks out a seat closeby. "I came all the way out here.. w-why not, yeah?"

The door opens and lets the cold in once more, though it is shut almost as fast as it was opened there. "Gods.... and to think I may have actually missed this shitty weather..."

Ember brushes a bit of light dusting off their leather jacket with one hand, a motorcycle helmet in the other. Yeah it is risky riding a bike in this weather but hopefully they have it winterized. "At least something smells good." looking around then making her way to the bar.

"Well, it is snowing out there, and it's warm in here, and you are here -- so it seems a good enough excuse to get something warm, at the very least, even if it's not cheese fries," Carter says with an easy smile. He must have a fairly decent metabolism, because he's athletic and lean despite the junk food that he seems to be eating with impunity. He gives a nod to Ember as well when she settles herself at the bar. There are a few people here and there. Sunday nights aren't particularly busy, so it's a pretty quiet night.

She's a trim sort, compact and unassuming.. and blessed be the twenty-something metabolism, what Meredith DOESN'T know is that she could probably mow her way through such a feed and not have much to show for it. But shhh.. she doesn't consider that. She's forever singing songs to little kids about the glory of the Nurtritional Guide! Imagine if she were to bleat on about the majesty of beer and cheese fries to little Jimmy. But there you have it... Meredith wants. SHOULD she drink? Heaven knows she will leave her car overnight and cab it home if the weather really goes off-kilter so... when in Rome...

By now Ember is coming to the bar and Meredith gives them a friendly smile. "I'm just here to gawp over this gent's meal... and..." She gets the attention of the bar staff. "This.. right here, please." Carter's order in duplicate. Heaven help her.

Ember peers at the indicated gent and his meal and then at Meredith. "It does look good I'll admit." they set the helmet down on the bar and settle onto a bar stool.

At which point Ember leans to see what is on draft "Okay... that is a lot of IPAs..." it is just a normal amount. "Slide me a menu once you are done with taking her order?" it seems to be a request. The peering returns, a bit thoghtful at the two at the bar with them.

Carter chuckles when Meredith breaks down and orders the same thing that he's having. "There you go," he encourages. "Enjoy the salty gooey goodness that is loaded cheese fries." He takes another bite of his own. He glances over his shoulder at the weather outside and shakes his head, "I didn't think it snowed up here at all, and yet there seems to be an awful lot of it this winter. Beginning to wonder what I got myself into."

Order placed, Meredith follows Ember's gaze toward the draft selection. Crap, she should have asked about Carter's choice. What IS he drinking?! She just ordered it.... aw well! Who is she hurting? Blue eyes flit toward the motorcycle helmet that Ember arrived with, marvelling at their bravery in taking a bike out in this weather. Carter speaks and Merry turns back toward the cop, "I will regret it later on. But this weather calls for it, doesn't it?" A little smile as she folds her coat, sets it down atop her purse. She follows the man's glance toward the window and the glimpse of the weather beyond, "Up here? You a transplant?" Asked amicably of the cop, but her gaze flits between both Carter and Ember. "Where did you come from?"

There is a long pause from Ember at least. "I grew up here but just got back from... up state." the menu is snagged and they look away from the two a bit of a flash in their eyes as they focus on the menu.

"I blame climate change, sees like as good a thing to blame as anything." about the weather. "Are you from around here?" studying Meredith now, they don't recognize her but for all Ember knows they could have been in the same grade. People grow up right.

Carter's beer appears to be a Blue Moon, and the orange slice that is stuck on the edge of the glass probably gives that away to some degree. "I'll probably just do a bit of extra running in the morning to make up for it," he says to Meredith with a small smile. "And eat a salad in penance." He then nods when she asks if he's a transplant. "From San Francisco, not that long ago, actually."

She listens openly and patiently.. in a way that appears to be second-nature. Hey, it's part of Merry's job!

"Up state? Well, welcome back all-the-same. You're a far braver person than I, being out on a bike in this weather." An indication to the bike helmet. "I'll likely be leaving my car here, what with th---" The Blue Moon is set down RIGHT in front of her! Well then! The bartender took her request right to the letter!

"I am, actually born and raised... really nothing exciting. Sincerely." Well, for the most part. "What is your name?" Evidently Merry doesn't recognize Ember, but the teacher is so kindly-looking that hopefully one can't fault her!

Picking up the twin to Carter's drink, Merry tastes it... likes it. Her overbright eyes seem pleased. A laugh, "Put in a few laps for me. I'm a pitiful runner. Who might you be?" She asks of Carter next, only to look earnestly intrigued. "San Francisco! How are you liking Gray Harbor, then?"

Ember looks up from the menu and they frown, a bit, studying Meredith like .... well hell it is a very small town all things considered but Ember is fighting eight years of change.

"My name is Ember Kelly." which is a hard name to forget, and yeah they were classmates with Meredith until they got held back a year nearly flunking out. "Who are you?"

There was also the incident with the arson and hospitalized kid.

Ah the good old days.

Carter smiles when Meredith seems to enjoy the duplicate of his order that she ended up with, and lifts his glass to her in a kind of salute while she and Ember talk. He picks up another cheese fry, dripping with melted cheese and bacon and a bit of sour cream, and eats it while they converse. Though when asked who he is, he says, "Carter Reid. And it's very different from San Francisco." He smiles though and says, "It's nice enough, despite its flaws. I've managed to settle in okay, I think." He then nods to both of them and says, "Nice to meet you both."

He might as well give in and admit he's a regular here. Oh, there are other bars in the Harbor he'll help prop up, when whim demands, but this where he's to be found most often. Joe's in a navy greatcoat, black watch cap, and faded jeans, and his stride is stiff, almost limping. The cold's a bear on old injuries. He looks pale and weary, but his expression's pleasant enough, as he goes ambling over to claim his usual seat at the bar. Settling himself with care, like someone putting down a fragile piece of glass. Then he's shrugging out of cap and coat. Without the latter, he's only wearing a pale gray t-shirt. It does nothing to hide the long scars on his arms.

School is a murky thing for Meredith. It seems when the Glimmer took her, subsequent years in the educational system were spent dodging her abilities like a fugitive. Despite her sweet nature this meant her scurrying and ducking her way through the whole shebang. She does not remember much: lessons, faces. But something in the surname 'Kelly' strums a chord in Merry's carefully-guarded mind. Despite, Merry gives them a kind smile, "Well met Ember.. my name is--" She looks between Ember and Carter, "Meredith Hartwell. I teach kindergarten here in town. I don't get out much." A rueful smile. Boring.

"It's nice to meet you both. Welcome back... and welcome to Gray Harbor." Is offered individually. At this point Joe's arrival is observed next and Merry being Merry, a bleeding heart, his weariness catches her attention. If the man sees fit to look at the other barflies, the young woman will smile in greeting.

Ember is still trying to place Meredith, the name though well it half rings a bell for them. "Meredith Hartwell... weren't you that book worm.. always getting great grades and spending time alone studying?"

Ember isn't sure they have this right. "Christ... you teach kindergarten.. I mean.. no insult meant I .. yeah that sounds about right..." a puff of breath and Ember looks at Joe and pauses staring.

Carter gives a nod to Joseph when he joins those at the bar, having devoured more than half of his cheese fries and about mid-way through his first beer of the evening as he converses with Meredith and Ember. "Thanks, I moved here with my sister, Claire. She's a 911 operator." He takes a sip from his beer. If he recognizes the Kelly name, he doesn't seem to let on anything about it, despite the fact that the Kellys are known to the GHPD.

His attention's first caught by Meredith's smile, and he offers a lopsided one in return. Not merely token, if a little wan. A nod for Carter, and then he's turning to order a drink - local beer, this time, not that virulent bourbon concoction he's so fond of. But as he does, his gaze falls on Ember, and the smile fades away into equal bemusement. Then, for a moment, he closes his eyes and almost flinches, as if at the first pangs of migraine. Open again, and he shakes his head, less in denial than as an attempt to clear it, forcing himself to look away.

Blue eyes peer up from her drink as her mind works, trying hard to recall--

Wait.. there's something....

Though Merry has the grace not to lend voice to the memory that she dredges up! Someone she knew Back Then, who had a hookup... a 'source'.. it was somebody that Meredith knew of but didn't associate with. A peer. Who liked drugs. Again though: she's not about to talk about that in a bar with people around. But the memory... helps.

Merry watches Ember, about to remark til' they catch her off guard with a very feasible recollection. "O-oh! Yes... you're right." A blush, "Vanilla as they come."

"Sister? Older? Younger?" Asked of Carter with genuine curiosity. She does not catch the interaction between Joe and Ember bacause here come the cheese fries... set down in front of her. Merry stares at them, looking a little terrified.

Ember's shoulders tighten up as they watch Joe go through his reaction and then look away. The stare fades to a frown and they looks at the menu. "Can I get a burger and a cup of soup. Also .. god that Jolly Roger Christmas Ale...."

Then Ember pushes the menu away and looks back to Carter and Merry. "Yeah.. like I said.. not surprised you teach kindergarten... and thanks." to the welcome back. Then on to Carter "So 911 operator sister.. what do you do?"

"Younger," Carter answers Meredith when she asks about his sister. "They don't bite," he tells her when the cheese fries arrive. "At least, mine didn't. So I'd have to assume yours won't either." He gives her a little sidelong smile. He notices the glances between Joseph and Ember, and studies them both for a moment, but Ember's question draws his attention in that direction. "Patrol Officer with the GHPD," he answers.

Discretion's apparently the better part of valor here, for there's not a peep out of Joe. The bartender's apparently a little surprised that he's not after his usual, but a murmured comment about 'hair of the dog' has him grinning. That mention of Carter being a cop has him slanting a look that way....and something like amusement creeping into his expression. Maybe a touch malicious, that gleam, and he wonders, in a lazy drawl that fits not at all in the PNW, "You work under de la Vega?"

The blush deepens, "I am beginning to wonder, what with how many folks have declared that same thing..." Re: the distinct lack of surprise over her career choice. Merry doesn't seem very bothered though; moreso amused. "Wild and crazy me.." Said next as she looks down at the beast in front of her. Maybe this was NOT a Good Idea. It's bigger than the span of her hands, fingers splayed open, put together! Oh God!

"I don't know.. these just might..." Bite, that is. Though perhaps later. She picks up one of the heinously cheesey bits of potato and sniffs it delicately, her long braid pulled over a shoulder. Totally does not look the sort to be delving into the cheese and french fry vortex. She's just bringing a bite to her lips when the present conversation causes her to look up and around, thoughtfully. She listens.

"At least you have a job you like right?" is Ember's response, the beer gained first and sipped testingly. It seems to meet approval and another sip is had.

Carter gets a nod "Well definitely will be no drinking and driving on a night like tonight officer." unable to let the GHPD business just slide by unremarked. She glances again at Joe and then back to Carter.

"He's the Captain," Carter says to Joseph in response, which, by proxy, would mean that yes, technically everyone aside from the Chief works under de la Vega. There's a slightly arched eyebrow at the malice in Joe's expression, but some people just don't like cops. And that's something he's used to, at least to some degree. He takes another bite of his fries, continuing to slowly work his way through them between the conversation. He glances over at Ember and says, "Riding around on a bike in the snow is dangerous enough. If you don't want to end up in the hospital, that's probably a good idea." It's not said unkindly, just agreeing on the point that they're taking a risk enough as it is.

And then it's gone, as if it were never there, and Joe's expression is only that tired amiability again. He nods at that. A graver look for Ember, but he doesn't feel compelled to come over and try and remind them of where he and they might've met. A more sympathetic look for Meredith. "I can't imagine doin' that job. You must have the patience of a saint."

Suddenly the gentle woman's sensibility wins out. Merry gives a glance over a shoulder, back to the window. Eventually the cheesey fries will be requested 'to go' and the drink? She's only a few sips in... she slides the pint away from herself. No damage done. The sooner she gets out with her car the better, but she'll at least dig into a few more fries before waving the white flag.

Joe's remark earns a soft look, "You could call it that. But then there's just the matter of understanding the minds of children." A gentle curl of her lips, a knowing glimmer (bahaha) in her eyes. "I could bend your ear with all of the ins and outs but it probably not the most interesting of tales. I love it though... but it's times like this, wrists deep into something terrifically bad for me, that help me feel like the adult that I should be." Merry laughs outright, blushes.

She gives a wave to the bartender, to settle her bill. A rueful look to her barely-touched drink.

It is bugging Ember a little, Joe looks a bit familiar in a vague sort of way but they aren't trying to hard to place him. Gnawing a bit at the edges though.

"Yeah well I have been called a lot of things.. including stupid.. but even I will take it easy on roads like this." mostly. When the burger and soup come .. they are set into like Ember is a whirlwind of food destruction. Like the food may vanish at any moment so they have to eat quick.

There is a pause though to reach out and slide Merry's beer over when she seems to be abandoning it. Also a not to Meredith. "Drive safe teacher lady."

"Teaching is something I think I'd like to do sometime. Maybe when I retire from the PD. Substitute teaching, or something like that," Carter considers. Then he notices Meredith getting ready to go and says, "Was nice to meet you. Drive safe." He nods his head to Ember and says, "If you need a ride somewhere and want to come back and pick up the bike -- that can be arranged, too." It does seem to be a genuine offer in the interest of safety. He then sits back, apparently defeated by the cheese fries, which he hasn't managed to finish.

"I'd never have the patience," Joe says, with a shake of his head. Only nursing that beer, for the moment. Disinclined to find his way to either of his homes, in that whirling snow. All too easy to get lost, in one way or another. "What kinna bike?" he wonders, idly.

There, Merry glows: relief. She ruminated the offer of her drink to any one of these near-strangers. The mere thought felt weird though. She notices Ember's indicating hand and slides her drink toward them. "Of course.. get home safe." Meredith insists, settling her bill, sipping well... and receiving the take-out box in which the formidable appy has been contained. To Carter -- his words hadn't escaped her notice -- she smiles, weaving her braid lightly around her neck and tucking it gently into the neckline of her jacket. She pulls a knit cap over the top of her head... the soft blues suit her. "It is an honorable profession.... not dramatic, sometimes quite humble.... but it's important. I hope you get there someday... think of what a cop could bring to the table for students..." Her soft smile becoems cheeky. Also: what students would dare sass an ex-cop!?

Buttoning her sleeve cuffs, Merry loops her purse over a shoulder and takes a little breath, "Safe journey, when all is said and done here." Offered to Joe, and with a wave she sets off to brave the inclement weather.

Ember watches Meredith go thoughtfully and then looks to Carter. Trying to suss out if the offer is genuine or what his angle is there. "I'll get back to you depending if the snow picks up or not while I'm in here for food."

Then back to Joe, eyes barrow a bit then just relaxes not pressing whatever it is. "Harley 883 Iron... old though 2011"

Carter lifts his glass in Meredith's direction as she departs, a silent salute. He gives Ember a nod and then falls quiet, just nursing the remainder of his beer while he lets his attention turn toward the windows, watching the snow as it falls. He seems content to just watch the people in the bar for a while as they have their conversations and come and go.

"I was just talkin' today about buying a Ural," Joe says, musingly. "Used to have one when I lived in Russia, the damn things are the only bikes that'll hold up to that kind of winter. Hard to find here, though. How's yours ride?" Pleasant conversation, but there's something searching in his gaze. As if he, too, were trying to remember where knows Ember from.

"Need to winterize it .. wear layers... and be super careful. But if you don't got options what will you do. If this kind of weather is the new norm I may need to get studded tires for winter even..." Ember sounds thoughtful though not happy at the thought there.

Then she finally asks "So who are you... were you like some teacher or something around here a decade ago or something?" yeah that is directed right at Joe.

After he finishes off his drink, Carter settles up his own tab, motioning for the bartender and taking out his wallet. Once he's settled up, he gives a nod to those at the bar and makes his way toward the door, sliding his coat back on and pulling it tight before heading back out into the snow.

"No," Joe says, and his voice is very gentle. "As far as I know, I first came to Gray Harbor a few weeks ago. But I was a patient in a hospital that I think is near here. I think....I think you were, too?" There's something oddly vague, almost purblind, in the blue eyes. As if he didn't dare bring her into sharp focus. Like the sight might be too painful.

Well Ember's expression darkens, which doesn't hide the glow about them, though they aren'tt fueling anything right now. They just have a lot of it really.

"Oh." long pause.

"Yeah I was sent away upstate for a while... probably ran into you there then." they looks away and sets to their food head going down.

"Most likely. Don't try to remember that place - I'm sorry to have reminded you of it," he says, looking back to his own drink. Ember gets that long profile, the blue eyes hooded, sleepy. "Yeah, me, too." His own is a subtle shimmer, like starlight on water. Barely visible to the direct look, really.

Well Ember was devouring it like a tornado... the food is gone in due course and the beer is nursed.

The blue moon is nudged to the bartender now.

Ember looks back finally at Joe then they turn and toss money down for their tab. Pushing back from the bar and grabbing the motorcycle helmet. Even the beer they ordered is mostly untouched. Not enough to get into trouble on the road.

"Have a good night."

"And you as well," he says. Watching them go, and making no secret of it at all. His expression is faintly sad...even sympathetic.