2020-01-28 - Lamps On?

The witching hour - or one of them - means the world is rather quiet and peaceful, at 2-3 AM. It helps that there is a definite chill in the air, sharp and smothering, the feeble moonlight and ambient streetlights making the snow and ice slush along the grounds and roads sparkle. Occasionally, the wind rustles branches, and a car in the distance screeches with reckless abandon, drawing Ginger's attention in a quick headturn behind her. Because she is here, hunched in on herself as she shivers and crunches along the snow, her dark hair falling straight and flat, a woolen cap with a knit bow on her head and deep shadows beneath her eyes. Her coat is faux-fur lined and wool, a black peacoat to go with her black boots and black leggings. She looks tired-- and restless, which may explain the tired, and why she is out here instead of safely tucked into her bed.

Why would Thew Moore be out here? A lamp was out, and rather than call the contractors? Wake up Moore in the middle of the night because he'll fix it, for the offered cost to the contractors, but without a 24 hour notice. Just the man he is.

Hearing the movement, the crunch of boots, and the huffs of breath from atop his step ladder, sealing up the lamp panels now that it's glowing again he spots the woman, head tipped, brow raised. Not the best weather to be out in, but... well this damn town.

"He-eh-heh-eh-lo? A-h-har you oka-kay?" is called out while he remains up, a precarious position, intended as less threatening, if at all.

Ginger startles - it's an all-body tensing and sudden look around until she spots Thewlis. Her eyes are wide and cautious, nervous, and she shifts away a step - but doesn't flee, no, good manners pinning her in place as her hands bury themselves into her pockets. "N-no, No-- I mean, yes, I'm fine." A small, somewhat forced smile is dredged up, still a bit cautious, as green eyes glance up towards the lamp, "Are..." An awkward, uncertain pause, "That is-- Are you-- a city official? I didn't know they worked this late."

"Th-hu-they don't... I d-duh-do." Thew notes as he comes down the ladder, tucking his equipment into his tool belt sections. Nodding to the womand before stamping his feet some and tucking his gloved hands under his arms as he looks to his tool box. "Gh-gh-hot some... ho-oh-ought coffee. Ha-aavent had an-an-nuh-knee yet... Ih-if you wuh-want." motioning to a thermos clamped to the kit and hunkering down.

Thewlis says, "Odd t-t-time for a whu-walk - if you duh-don't m-muh-mind my... if. Saying." he sighs as he stutters and stammers, tucking more into the kit as apparently the work is done."

The wide hat makes for an excellent snow-catcher but it does mean a mighty afro must be tamed into a mere giant puff at the back of Eden's head. The Park Ranger uniform is complete, though it's hard to tell under the overcoat, which is actually also uniform standard. There's even the patches on the shoulders to prove it. Of course, none of this is immediately visible. At least, not to Ginger and Thewlis as they have their exchange.

From their point of view, a figure in a long coat and a wide-brimmed hat is more or less a silhouette, approaching from the darkness of a nearby cluster of trees. A dry twig snaps under her boot like the cue from a horror movie.

Ginger looks... uncertain, as Thewlis doesn't quite clarify who he is, but good manners are a strong pull, so she doesn't hastily flee screaming into the night as he comes down the ladder. "Ah." She says, not at all enlightened as to who he is, pale hands emerging from her pockets again and knitting together in front of her, one thumbnail tapping lightly against its partner thumbnail. She shakes her head at his offer, "Oh! No, no thank you. I'm m-more of a tea person." Her own occasional stutters could be cold, or more likely nerves, and she gives a somewhat wry, self-conscious smile, "I couldn't sleep. Nightma--"

A snap of a twig, and again she startles, falling back two crunching steps into the snow, hands gripping one another as her eyes look towards the oncoming shadow. She's clearly a little keyed up tonight.

The snap of the twig has Thewlis up, head turned, hands out. There was something, a twitch when she'd started with Nightmares, but that's a none issue for the moment. Any attempt to introduce himself also forgotten for now as he actually moves to position himself between Ginger and the direction that the twig snap came.

Expecting a damsel in distress, helpless, garbage like that? No. But she seems out of sorts - and no one said Thew's not allowed to do what he apparently feels is right. Hand resting on the handle of a crescent wrench - his left hand drawing a mag-light out of the belt and shining it about.

Why do people come to the park at winter at night like this? It was just a lamp fix.

Shining the light will reveal the silhouette to be nothing more troubling than a Washington State Park Ranger -- albeit one moving her gloved hand up in front of her eyes. "Ah! Jesus," she grumps, in a voice that doesn't especially SOUND like a boogeyman, or a Michael Myers, or a Gort, or any of that.

"Easy with that thing," Eden says as she steps closer. She lifts her hands to show that she's not carrying any horrific implements of torture. "Park Ranger," she says, her sweet voice betraying some of the authority of the statement. "Was checking something out and I heard people talkin'. Thought it might be, you know. So I didn't holler right away." The 'you know' goes unexplained. "Everything okay here--?"

Ginger's no hero. She may very well BE a damsel in distress, as she glances at Thewlis's back with a mixture of gratitude and guilt - possibly for her previous suspicions as to the man's moral character. She glances behind them - the way they she came, is the escape route clear? Before she glances forward towards where the light is hitting. Eden's appearance has Ginger looking relieved and perhaps a touch-- embarrassed? Definitely embarrassed with herself, one hand fiddling with her own wedding band while she offers up a smile, "Sorry, err-- A baffled moment, uncertain how one politely refers to a ranger. Ranger? Agent? Officer? - before she continues with, "S-sorry, I assumed the park was open. I just... needed a bit of air, outside the apartment. And I came across--" A glance towards Thewlis, and another flush of embarrassment. She's really failing on her name game.

Lowering the light and ducking his head slightly, Thew steps more to the side now. Hand on the wrench digging out his wallet and fumbling a bit with the mag light shoved under one arm, pulling out a card to offer to the ranger.

"Th-th-hew-th-he..." looking down now as the brief surge of adrenaline fades, and his ability to speak with it. "Thewlis... M-Moore." the first name pronounced Thoo-lis. "I... I w-whu-was ca-alled out." offering a business card denoting him as a local handyman, complete with contact information.

Looking over his shoulder to Ginger next, "If y--hoo change y-you-your mind. The-thu-huh-hermis is fuh-fair game."

Eden comes to rest her hands on her hips. She looks from one form of stammering to another. She reaches out to take Thewlis's card, and gives it a read -- after she takes her phone out of her pocket to use the flashlight feature. "No worries then, Mr. Moore. Ranger Fitch, but you can call me Eden -- I won't tell." she says, looking back up at him cheerily. Her expression hardens as she turns towards Ginger. "But YOU--"

There's a half-beat of a pause and then Eden grins again. "Nah. I'm playin' with you."

Ginger looks down at her ring-twisting hand, and forcibly drops her hands and shoves them into her pockets. "Thank you, Mr. Moore." Ginger says to Thewlis, her smile less forced, but still uncertain. The smile slips and her eyes widen in surprised, deer-in-headlights moment when Eden looks at her, clearly nearing a short-circuit at the implication she might be in OFFICIAL TROUBLE. But then Eden is clearly playing, and Ginger exhales away a cloud of warm fog and nerves. "Yes. Well. Sorry. I just-- needed away from the building. I haven't-- stayed in Gray Harbor very long."

"It's o-oh-hokay... Nuh-nightmares in... th-h-his town... Normal." Thew offers with a frown, turning to better face both now. "I oper-her-herate the local the-th-th-t-th-he... Muh-movie h-house... I caretake a-hat the... Seh-hem-hem-cemetery. t-too" Lot of work on his plate. Probably one of 'those guys'... But then he took handyman work in the middle of the night at the park.

"Cah-han I ask wh-whu-what it w-was a-a-bout?" focusing a little more on the girl who seems jumpier than he normally is. At least he tries too, all this eye contact eventually causing him to stare at his shoes.

Eden reaches out to give Ginger a pat on the shoulder -- assuming Ginger allows it, anyway. They're about the same height, which is a welcome change from needing to reach upward and look upward all the damn time. "You're fine. Pretty new, myself. Maybe bring a flashlight next time -- make sure you got your phone charged, all that stuff. Imagine you slip and break your ankle, and there's no Mr. Moore here, no me here -- you know?"

Eden's eyes light up a bit at Thewlis mentioning the movie house. "Oh, no sh-- way," she says, having to catch herself from doing a cuss word while in uniform. "I was hopin' to get down there sooner rather than later -- hope you got somethin' good lined up." Her cheeriness settles as Thewlis asks Ginger what her nightmare was about -- and Eden hovers at the fringe of the conversation for a moment as if unsure whether to stay and listen, or bid the pair good night.

Ginger does allow the pat on her shoulder-- but it's clear she's not quite accustomed to it, and there's a willing to remain in the spot. But she smiles, still, nervous and uncertain but not forced. After the pat, a hand rises to tuck some of her hair behind an ear. Thewlis admitting he's the cemetary caretaker has her looking at him, startled, before she looks away, the free floating hand now tapping lightly against her thigh as she gives a somewhat self-depreciating smile. "I did bring my cell phone, in case. And it was-- well, I was in an-- accident, several years ago." Her eyes glance towards her ring, something only the very observant might notice, head down as it is, "A crash. Sometimes there are nightmares. It's quite normal," She looks up towards Eden and Thewlis, attempting a reassuring smile she doesn't believe in, "Sometimes I just need a bit of air afterwards."

"Suh-hu-hixteen C-cu-candles and Th-th-they Live on the scuh-screens, "Juh-Joker on th-t-the drive-ih-hi-hin." Thew answers easily before he looks back to Ginger and her story, and the look at her ring. His brows knit and his face crumples a little.

"I'm so--s-sorry." reaching over to rest a hand on her other shoulder. "Th-th-ha-ats... I'm sorry." mouth turning into a deep frown as he tries to think now. "Wu-wh-wish I nuh-knew a be-he... hrmmm." he clams up and pulls his hand away, blushing furiously and staring at the ground again.

schlik. Schlik, schlik.
The old-fashioned carousel begins to move and slowly pick up speed until it's turning at a slow pace, then quickly slowing down again as though the rotation is met with resistance.

schlik. Schlik, schlik.
Nearing a half rotation, the perpetrator of the carousel's movement comes into view, holding on to one of the carousel's horses bars with his left mitt. One booted foot on the carousel. The other foot and hand are spread out, as though the giant were enjoying the slow spin around, maybe even going 'Wheeee!' in his head, though the brooding expression is a mighty contradiction. From his mouth dangles a half-consumed cigarette and on his right hip a long blade.

Carefree.
That's Everett.

Felicity was chasing after some lame dog it would seem this thing was so small and fluffy. bark bark bark the little thing yipps as it runs across the park. The girl in toe, "Come back Totoro!"

Ginger looks towards Thewlis at the hand on her shoulder, green eyes serious but also somewhat surprised-- that quickly falls to understanding however, as the mental link forms between Thewlis and his career, and she offers a small smile. "It w-was several years--" And then there is some odd sound, her eyes moving away to look around the park for it with distracted curiosity-- is that a carousel? She blinks, asking, "Is... is that a carou--" AND then there is someone walking a dog late this evening, and poor Ginger looks over there, and takes a step towards the dog, but she looks around-- she may be somewhat into situation overload at the moment, trying to figure out what action she should take.

There might've been a moment there. Thew and Ginger - maybe even new friends! Who knows now?! Turning to the new sounds - first Thud Grrface on the Carousel, and now a woman chasing a fluffy dog with the best name on the planet. Thew's eyes are wide, but he doesn't freak out (banner day!) watching the antics of the woman chasing after.

Spooky fortunate that he keeps a treat bag because of how often he has to deal with Hans over at the art gallery, Thew hunkers a bit, drawing out a pack of dog jerky, shaking the bag and making a quick whistle for the pupper... The lady chasing can get mad later.

Or she can die horrifically with them all when Thunk Legknife decides he's the leader of the Mutant Gang and it's time to slice'n'dice! SLICE! AND! DICE!

Yeah. Dated Batman references.

Pimp.

Killkillkillkillkill

The carousel slows down again with the internal resistance, and Apey McGrunt jumps off. Holding the horse's pole with both neck chokeable hands he pushes the carousel up to a speed where he has to jog before he can leap back on, once again take up his pose, WHEEEE!, and wait for his personage to roll behind the old-fashioned entertainment. He's probably stripping gears or doing some sort of harm, and the ride-to-whee ratio is not very favorable.

/schlik. Schlik, schlik./ the carousel sounds, metal on metal until slowing to a stop again.

The woman, chasing the fluffy dog finds herself weaving all around the park, trying to grab the fast little beast before it darts away to only bark again, thinking its some fun game.. When.... whats that? Shaking? *Food?" The small fluffy thing darts over to the one where food is and starts to paw at the mans leg. "Totoro, come on, come back here....." says a very tired owner. green eyes follow the dog over to the stranger and she gasps "no!" she rushes forward .... because well its Grey Harbor and one simply dose not know what will happen.

Thew keeps a cautious eye on Everett, seeing Tall Dark and Stabby off the carousel, and simply offers a fresh treat to the dog, looking to the chasing woman with 'shhh' sort of look while he distracts the dog for her... Because nice.

Oh, thank goodness. Thewlis is taking charge! Ginger seems entirely willing - and relieved - that he seems to know what to do about runaway dogs, and a chilled hand goes over her heart as she exhales in relief. Her attention then goes towards the carousel and the odd, large figure over there, looking uncertainly towards that direction, leaning towards Thew slightly, "Did-- did you have an assistant or coworker here? To fix the carousel?" She asks. Well, he was fixing a lamp this late, maybe it's just park policy to fix things late at night.

The carousel keeps turning until it doesn't. Which I suppose is true of most things. But where one would expect the carousel to pick up again and make another roll, nothing happens. No movement, no sound of metal on metal. It's all silent again. The large, creepy, knife-wielding man somewhere on the other side.

Until he exhales a poof of cancer smoke up into the air, stepping from behind an oak, so much closer than he had been before. Tilting his head back, his army green eyes (so many green eyes here), affixed on the Park Ranger and the rest of the group. Flicking ashes to the grass, Thugy Thugson the Thug looks up from his ash flicking to inspect the group.

Silently.

Oh Yeah! Silent creepy stabity people... blood and gore on the horizon.

The woman looks to Thew as he shusses her and feeds the dog a treat. Maybe it is just a treat? She watches in transfixed horror... and when the dog dose not self implode... she approaches and picks the little darling up into her hands giggling a little as she is covered in tiny puppy kisses, "thanks." she says to the other.

What big murder dude. Thew doesn't recall seeing him... Was the wind. The murderwind.

When Felicity claims her dog he offers a faint smile, "Wuh-wh-welcome... S-suh-sorry. Whu-hus trying not t-t--to spook 'em." looking to the dog and then at the ground as he stands back up, offering the treat bag as well. "Juh-hust in ca-ca-case." looking at his phone and frowning now.

"I... I need t-get... buh-bah-hack." brow knitting. "Or I'm in tr-tr-r-trouble." looking around with knit brows. "You a-hall going to be o-ho-ho-ho-kay?"

Ginger looks back towards the carousel, after a brief smile with the dog, and-- nobody there? She shivers, reaching up to adjust the collar of her coat and make sure the chill can't get in, smiling towards the woman with the small dog in as friendly a fashion as the late hour allows. Of course, then there's a glance around as she is about to comment-- and then a stifled gasp as the very large Grr McSpook appears from behind the tree.

Following Ginger's eyes back to the dissapearing - reappearing man, Fel gets between her and the large brute. "Stay your distance." she commands. Yet, who is she to really command anything? Finding a leash for her pup she re attaches the thing to a collar "There there... it will be ok." she coos as her little pet growls oh so intimidating 4 pounds of fluffyness

The contemplative nature of Gorilla McIDunnoPants doesn't change. Nor his stand. Using the large oak as a leaning brace, he shifts his gaze from one to the other slowly. Stay his distance? He gives a glance towards Ginger, then back. His answer is to take a long drag from his cigarette, hold the smoke in for a few seconds, tilt his head to the side while keeping an eye on the pair, or trio, and blows the smoke out. When his attention returns, his jaws flex and unflexes, chewing on something in his mouth. So commanded, so stayed. Felicity must be able to speak Murder Hobo.

Ginger does look relieved-- and guilty-- when Felicity gets between her and Murder hobo, and one hand resumes a rhythm against her thigh. "Th-thank you." She murmurs towards Felicity, before clearing her throat and looks back towards Stabbert McSmokeApe. "Hi." It's a bit inaudible, so she clears her throat and tries again. "Um. H-hello. We-- I'm-- I'll be going soon?" It's definitely more of a question, coupled with a glance to see if it changes the expression of the tall lout before her. "Sorry to interrupt your--" A glance to the carousel, "--er, time here." She looks towards Felicity, a bit helplessly. Does she have any idea what's going on?

Well Fel was going to look all like a proper leader and order the Murder Hobo to stay but then Ginger is talking to it like its some kind of puppy. Green eyes look over to Ginger, and she simply shakes her head. "Now.... conversation with him is a must, You started it. " she says in almost a motherly tone before she carries her little fluffy ball of fur away, "hope you live out your days." A glance to Murder hobo and then she is walking away.

All good things must come to an end, however. Even creepin' in the park.

A glance is given towards Ginger while she attempts to engage, but not a word or a scoff is returned. Stoically, HoodieLum watches Felicity start walking away and his eyes narrow. A glance is given to Ginger, before watching Felicity's retreating back. The remains of a cigarette is flicked towards the walkway in Felicity's direction, the ember glowing cherry hot before it lands and sheds sparks and the Candy Hulk walks after it, pulling himself from holding up the oak tree. He steps on the cigarette butt, gives his boot a twist, and starts following Felicity.

Killkillkillkillkillkill

Ginger's eyes widen in surprise and a touch of hurt-- BETRAYED! LOgically so, truly, but Felicity's departure has Ginger looking at her and opening her mouth and closing it, like a fish out of water, eyes wide and trying find something to say-- but then her gaze slides back towards Loomington Murdertreat and the glow of his cigarette, eyes still wide. He flicks his cigarette away and also walks away, leaving a confused, relieved Ginger... and she waits there, uncertainly, looking with concern towards the woman and the small dog who LEFT HER...and finally she turns away, clutching her coat and walking back towards the Bayside. If nothing else, this certainly has distracted her from her nightmares... and possibly given her new ones.

He's had better days; and he's had worse ones too. With Felicity's head start, it seems like she's going to keep the distance between her and Mr. BruisHer EyeHardlyNo'er. However, he's taller, his legs are longer and his stride, quicker.

It seems like he's going to catch up to her, his big hands stuffing into his pockets, his foggy breath figuratively breathing down her neck. Just then a crack from yon high, wood crashing against wood, and Everett steps short. A tree branch surely weakened from the winter storm and snow, falling at that moment.

Landing, bouncing and coming still where he would have been, discarding bark and smaller twigs on the walkway. The giant pauses to think about the fallen limb, pulling out his hands to unzip his leather jacket then withdraw a metallic flask from within his left inside breast pocket. Unscrewing the cap, Everett hiccups once, then tilts the flask back deeply to his mouth, pulls it back from his lips to reveal it's empty or now empty, swallows, smacks his lips and returns the flask inside his jacket and his gaze to the branch.

His solitary comment to Mother Nature, once his hands are free from re-zipping his jacket up is to flip off the limb. The look up, around. Where'd she go, and her little dog too? An audible grumble, then StabbyPants steps over the branch and continues on his own way, slow and in his own pace.