2020-02-27 - Ranger Rick and the No Good, Very Bad Week

It's an ugly, cold, late afternoon, so TIBS has a few more people than it might otherwise, everyone sheltering from the freezing temperatures and light snow. August has a table in a corner, with a half-finished stout of some sort in front of him, a fresh basket of tots, and another basket that probably had some kind of sandwich in it. He's looking tired and wrung out, but Eleanor's here, which means he's taking it easy and trying to relax, not drowning his sorrows. Hiding in the house or his cabin won't help anything, but being around people might. He's in a black turtleneck, red, black, and white flannel, denim jeans, and black suede boots; casual urban man attire at its finest.

Ellie has the remains of a sandwich in her hand, finishing it off at light speed. She swallows down the last chunk and dabs at her mouth with a napkin. "Sorry I'm doing my best impression of Cookie Monster in a Mrs. Fields factory, but I promised to cover Matias' night shift. He's got the flu." Her night manager. She's in jeans, a sweater, boots, and has a winter jacket on the seat beside her.

August looks askance at Eleanor. "Did you get a flu shot?" Because the last thing he wants is them and then everyone they know coming down with the flu. (The Veil Flu was bad enough, August feels no need to get the normal flu, not even to make a first-hand, scientific comparison.) He reaches out and rubs her leg. "It's fine. I'll catch an Uber, or trick someone into spotting me a ride back to the house." Things he isn't looking forward to: driving to Seattle to buy a new car.

"Of course I got a flu shot. I work in food service, August," Eleanor reports with a chuckle. "This weekend we'll head to Seattle and look at cars, ok? I'm gonna miss the Outback." She frowns. "We should have like a ceremony in it's memory. A nice bonfire, and whiskey, and good memories."

There are two things that make Niall's entrance into the pub a bit notable. One, is that he's a tall, silver-haired dude in full Park Ranger gear, including the iconic hat. Two, he yawns //expansively after he enters, even with the little sound at the end people make when they've ended a particularly large yawn. He moves to the bar and plops down, hat joining a spot next to him without really looking around. He fingers back through his hair that sort of sticks up at all directions. "I don't suppose there's such a thing as a beer with a shot of espresso, is there?" He says that to no one in particular - just whoever might be close.

Hyacinth comes in looking like she might have found every snowshoe hare between here and Vancouver to line her puffy white coat. Her hair is up in a manner that looks far more complex than the effort really deserves. The parade that is Hyacinth Addington sweeping in like the world owes her a favor commences. she stops and looks to Ellie and August, holds up one finger, scans the bar, and then flaps a hand a t the bartender. Needs first. Important business needs: alcohol. She looks to Niall and says, "There's three different coffee stouts. Try your hand at that one. It didn't make me hate it." Because coffee and hazelnut + dark beer is a gift.

Easton comes out from the office, looking almost healthy. He's got no dark circles under his eyes, he doesn't look drunk or even slightly buzzed, he's almost like a functional version of himself. He has on his uniform of a black dress shirt, dark jeans rolled up just a touch over a pair of well polished brown boots. He is not quite to the bar and thus in perfect range to hear Nialls' question. "So long as you actually pay for it, we can make that happen." Easton grins and says, "Welcome, I'm Easton." He heads behind the bar, to make it less weird as to why he's introducing himself or welcoming people in.

"What can I get for you Miss Addington?" Easton puts on his best charming customer service smile for Hya, who he has not forgotten thinks he might be an ass. She's not wrong, it's just rare that people catch on that quickly.

Dahlia made her way into TIBS, taking a casual look around to see who was about. Despite being fully recovered from all her issues and being back to work at the Firefly and, more recently, Platinum, she'd been sorely lacking in being social for the sake of socializing. And so, here she was! Primarily because it was the closest place to home within walking distance. She's clad in a pair of dark jeans with fur-lined boots and a maroon sweater with a black winter jacket on top.

The jacket is shed once she is fully inside and a smile offered to the patrons. "Evening everyone." A bit of a brighter smile given to Hyacinth since Dahlia recognized her. "Hyacinth! not time no see." As she moves to take a seat the bar as well. When her time to order comes up, she'll go with a rum and coke.

"Might just get another Outback," August assures Eleanor. "Though the newer ones are kind of big. We'll see." Things which can be certain: it'll be a wagon of some sort, with a turbo, and be able to tow things. Everything else is fairly negotiable. "A bonfire might be nice, before I have it towed for parting out."

He can't miss Niall coming in--too many years in Forestry means the Park Ranger outfit is burned into his mind--raises a hand to him in greeting. He waits to see what Easton thinks of 'beer with a shot of coffee', grins at the response. "Isn't beer-coffee a thing now? Coffee-beer? Something like that?" A sidelong look at Eleanor to see if she knows about that.

He gives Hyacinth an up-nod, and Dahlia a small smile of 'I sort of know you a little'. See, this is better already. Eleanor was right, no moping in the house for him.

"I suppose that's the truth of any situation, isn't it?" says Niall to Easton. "Money can make just about anything happen." He barely holds back another yawn, hand going to mouth. But he ends up yawning larger than his hand, which is a feat. "I'm not sure coffee stout has enough caffeine in it to make a real difference." He definitely doesn't sound like a local, despite the Park Ranger gear. He's very much a Kiwi. He leans hand on chin and says to Easton, "How about an Irish coffee? Them Irish. They sure know how to be drunk and awake at once. An example to follow." He catches sight of movement and tips an invisible hat to August. His real hat is on the bar, see, and he's just fluffed his hair up. "Evening."

@emit The door is bumped open to admit one more out of the frigid cold. Beth opens the door by bumping it with her hip and catching it with her foot before she slips inside all hands free so she can continue her quiet murmured phone conversation. "...Sorry. Yeah pink and yellows with lots of creamy whites. Casket spread. Just bring them all over as usual. Thanks. Bye." She hangs up the phone and slips it into the pocket of her navy wool swing coat before she starts towards the bar. She finds a low density spot and unpacks her laptop from her messenger bag and puts it on the bar before she sits down. Her coat is taken off and draped over the back of the stool. She is wearing a black blazer and dress pants under the winter coat.

She smiles at August politely and nods her head in greeting. Hyacinth gets a long look like she's seen her somewhere before and can't quite place it.

Ellie smiles and gives the Addington woman a wave. "Hyacinth! Looking amazing as always." They're on a first name basis, as you tend to be with people who have seen you unintentionally starkers. She looks to August and nods at his assessment of a new possible vehicle. "I might be next on the new vehicle list. I kind of want a Jeep. I wanted to be Daisy Duke growing up," she murmurs.

At the beer question she nods. "Easton do you have any Java Cask? That's a nice one."

Easton gives Eleanor a meaningful look that likely has no meaning what so ever to her as he stage whispers, "I just want to see the man drink a shot of espresso in a bud light. Please, let me have this." Turning back to Niall he does confess, "Though yes, technically there are coffee stouts and Java Cask is on tap and I guess is close. But, personally? I vote espresso shot beer, We can name it Ranger Rick in your honor. Unless you're name's not actually Rick in which case, that'd be a little confusing."

Is anyone ready for sober Easton who's gotten a full night's sleep? Probably not.

But before he can get too far into his convincing Niall is ordering something far more expected. Easton relents and says, "Ah fair enough. Though I'm probably drinking a Ranger Rick before the night's over now. It kind of has to happen." The Irish coffee is made and carefully placed down in front of Niall, and it's probably just his imagination that he takes a deep breath of that heavenly whiskey coffee smell, because that'd be weird.

Hyacinth informs Niall bluntly, "It does." Her attention is pulled to behind the man to Dahlia who gets teh warmed up smile. "Justin and I were just talking about you . I was wondering how you were and today all things align because nothing went to absolute bunk." There is a deep and satisfied sigh like the world aligned...possibly for her...and possibly out of fear of her. Looking back to Easton she smiles, pleased, perhaps? That she remembers him exclusively from staring at her super awkwardly and talking smack during her family's murder investigation? Not lost on her. Mmhmm. Nope.

"Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeaston," It's said in the I want something song, "Rogue nut brown ale. Please." She looks back to Niall. "You're drinking it." And then back to Easton adding, "or not apparently. The price of education just got cheaper. I won't complain." Turning to Eleanor, she says "I have good news. Sort of. Pending funeral number 87 aside."

August groans at Easton's stage whisper to Eleanor. "Marshall the least you could do is use Sam Adams, come on." He does like the name, though, gives Niall an amused, wondering if he'll want it changed to 'Rager Tok'. And the order of Irish coffee tempts him. He eyes his beer. Well, if he's Ubering home anyways...

He nods at Beth, gestures at the empty chairs at his table with Eleanor. "You're all welcome to sit here, if you want. Plenty of room." Also August is notorious for ordering snacks and letting people graze. He frowns at Hyacinth. "Funeral? Something happen?"

"We talked about you a bit too last time I hung out with him. I've been doing well all things considered. And how about yourself?" Dahlia asked, an amused smile on her lips at the way Hyacinth put in her drink order. Beth gets a glance when she walks in and a polite nod of greeting even though the woman is a stranger to her. She leans against the bar, coat laying in her lap. "Don't think I've seen you around before, are you new to town?" The curious question aimed at Niall. She does look curious at the mention of a funeral, but since August already asked, she'll just wait to see what the response is.

"Even more room in a minute. I have to head in to cover for one of my managers at the shop," Eleanor admits, as she stands and bends to kiss August. "I should be home by midnight, fingers crossed, but you don't have to stay up. Get some rest ok? Have some fun tonight," she says quietly to him as she pulls on her coat. She arches a brow at Hyacinth. "Oh? Well text me and we can set up time for lunch maybe?" she offers.

"You can give me a beer to double fist this with if you'd like me not to totally crush your dreams. Because your dreams look a little bit crushed." Niall taps his lip and looks at Easton. "Do I look like a Rick? Really? Like...the guy from The Walking Dead? I'm insulted. I'm far more handsome than him. How dare you." Yes, he might just be having a conversation with Easton when the other didn't actually engage. "It's Ranger Tok. But that's not my first name. But Ranger Tok sounds better than Ranger Niall, somehow. I don't know. The kids named me. I had no say in it." He sips the Irish coffee, smacks his lips. "S'allright I guess." He arches his brows at Beth. "Sort of. Been working on the other side of the park. But I've been around a bit, but not living here." Which is sort of vague, but he has been yawning a lot since he came in. Here comes another. "Sorry, sorry. Early shift this morning." He glances over at August's offer. "I'm probably not staying long. If I come to your table, will it be awkward if I try to slink off like a lame-on like, thirty minutes?"

"Roen, I sweah, if you ahe bad mouthing Sam Adams, we're fightin!" Easton's near-Boston accent morphs into a full on Bostonian for a minute, to defend the honor of a mediocre but well loved New England beverage.

Hyacinth's drawing out of his name only gets him to lean over the bar and raise his eyebrows at her, waiting patiently. "Of course." There are plenty of reasons for him to want to make things better between them. One because he was a bit of an ass in that meeting. Two: Justin. But mostly it's because of what side she was on at the funeral. "One nut brown coming right up." He pushes back and turns to Niall.

"Ranger Tok... well, it's decent name for a bloke, but a shitty name for a drink. No offense. We're sticking with Ranger Rick on that one. But it's nice to meet you Niall." He returns with two beers, Sam Adams because of course he has that on tap, this one being the winter warmer seasonal. He places one in front of Niall next to the coffee and says, "The shots will be here soon, but don't worry I'm going in with you on this action." Hence the other pint.

August rolls his eyes at Easton. "I'm not bad-mouthing it, I'm saying if you're making a new drink which is a shot of espresso in a beer the least you could do is use a good beer." He pauses, adds, "Or if you're going for so-so, cheap beer, PBR would be a definite upgrade over Bud Lite."

He makes a low sound when Eleanor gets up, having resigned himself to Eleanor taking this shift. "I'll probably stay up anyways." He stands to give her a hug and a kiss. "Drive safe, its dangerous out there, okay?" Another kiss, then he settles back down in his chair.

"No," he assures Niall. "This table is meant for rotating company. So it's fine if you're soon to pass out." He taps the basket of tots. "I even provide food."

Eleanor gestures Niall and Beth towards August's table. "Have a seat, he doesn't bite. Well that's a lie. He won't bite YOU. I don't think. Maybe. Possibly. Take your chances!" Then she's winking at August and heading out the door for work.

The question is always 'What can you do with a drunken sailor?'....but first you have to have a drunken sailor. Perhaps in the spirit of converting himself to one for the sake of experiment, there's Joe.

He's in a heavy greatcoat of navy wool, a white silk scarf wound around his throat and tucked neatly in, and his black watch cap. Though now the fleece cap is sporting a patch velcroed to a little place on its brim: in monochrome embroidery, it depicts a spacesuited astronaut behind a cartoonishly big minigun, and bears the legend 'Space Shuttle Door Gunner'. He goes ambling for the bar, already tugging off the cap and shrugging out of his coat, smiling to himself.

Hyacinth doesn't seem hellbent on a war and, yes, because Justin. Some might argue her 'good influence'. Looking to Eleanor first she says, "I want to take you to lunch tomorrow. I'll call. Pick a place and let me know." She squints at all the PDA. She judges everything though and informs Dahlia flatly, "They're too fucking cute. I'm waiting for Pixar to make a movie about them."

There's a pasue when she's asked about the funeral. a and pauses before saying, "It's not official but it seems my grandfather has passed but also missing." She has a lot of feelings on that but somehow keeps it behind City Hall grade steel. "Welcome to Gray Harbor and the parts they don't put on the post card." At August's announcement she looks to Dahlia, "August is buying us tater tots."

Her head tilts upward and back to dahlia and Easton, "On a brighter note I'm moving in with Justin to begin work on his space and jsut... acquired all necessary resources for me to prep it. So... there's that. His home won't look yuppie generic cubisim anymore. yay."

"Well, since Ranger Rick isn't me, I claim no affiliation with this particular concoction." Except, it seems, that Niall's going to be drinking it here in a moment. "I suppose you could make any dark beer a coffee stout if you drop a shot of espresso into it. Except, I'm pretty sure that's not how brewing works." There's a dance of amusement in his dark eyes. He glances over at August, "Apparently I'm drinking this awful drink with the bartender not at all based on my personal brand. We'll see what becomes of me after that."

"Neat, I haven't gotten up to the park much. Accent's pretty cool." Dahlia lifted her glass to him and took a small sip. She looks interested to see how this whole 'Ranger Rick' drink thing is going to pan out, but definitely has no plans to participate in it. She chuckles at Eleanor's parting words to Niall and Beth, taking another sip of her drink. She laughs at the Pixar movie bit from Hya. "It'll be a good one when it does come out." She agrees. "I'm glad to hear he won't be alone in that big house. I felt bad moving out but well, I couldn't really tell Declan I didn't want to move in with him." She mused. "We'll need to hang out sometime soon."

Easton manages to not raise his eyebrows when Hyacinth informs him of two very interesting and very different facts. The death of Thomas Addington is something he probably should have heard of by now, but he's been so swamped with other personal things that it's escaped him. He says "I'm sorry?" And he can't quite keep the confusion and uncertainty from making that a question, which is unfortunate. But perhaps even more shocking is her blithe announcement that she's moving in with Justin.

"Oh. You guys are on again? That's great"

Here he does a much better job of belying his actual confusion. And making a note that he needs to be better at keeping in touch with Justin now that they actually live in the same town again.

"Wait. That's what my place looks like. I like that look!"

He's saved by the arrival of two shot glasses of espresso brought by one of the waitresses and he hands one to Niall before saying, "If this is terrible I'm still blaming you, Rick or not."

Before he drops his though he holds up a finger to Joseph, "Joe! I'll be right with you, need to test a theory first."

And with that he drops the shot, splashing a little beer on the bar, picks up the quickly warming beer and downs it like the former frat boy he is. The contortions on his face tell that it's not exactly pleasing, but he declares, "Ah fuck yea, that's do able."

August clears his throat when Eleanor says that, bobs his eyebrows at the others in a 'you'll just have to wonder' kind of manner. He tsks at Niall. "Your funeral..." he says, then smiles at Hyacinth and Dahlia, indicates the tots again. "Just saying." And then he flags down a waitress to order some yam fries, and also some loaded, regular french fries. If you order it, they will come, etc.

Hey look! Joe just walked in. August is calling this experiment a success. He raises his pint glass to Joe, gestures at one of the open seats that his table in the corner. "How's it going, Cavanaugh."

And, well, Hyacinth's news is bad. Ish? It's hard for August to tell, he's not sure that Addingtons relate to one another like normal families do. He cuts a look of uncertainty at Easton, says, "Sorry to hear that, Hyacinth, that sucks." A snort for her plans for her shared living space with Justin, though, and for Easton's outcry. "Doesn't work for all of us," he murmurs around a tater tot.

"You looked like a li'l kid taking his medicine," Joe informs Easton, companionably. "And I'm in no damn hurry at alllll." Stretching the last syllable like saltwater taffy. "I'm retired, my time is all my own." A cock of an eye for the shot. "What was that, actually?"

His own poison, in turn, is a Cuba Libre. August's invitation is accepted - namely by him padding over to drop coat, scarf, and hat on the indicated chair. "Roen. 'sup?" he wonders. "I'm a'right." He doesn't seem the worse for wear from his little expedition beyond the Veil.

"Christ. This is a bad idea is going to ruin both coffee and beer for me forever." But never let it be said that Niall isn't up for a challenge. He waits to see if Easton promptly upchucks, and when he doesn't, he follows suit. He only gets about a third of the way in before the taste of it hits him. He drops it on the bar and coughs. "That tastes like I drank my coffee too fast and then backwashed it into my warm beer." Cough. Cough. "Set that up as some kind of social media challenge. Get the tourists in here. Invent a local legend. That's," he snap-points, "...marketing 101." He leans over the bar and looks into his vile concoction of espresso and Sam Adams. "Got to say, it's improved the beer a bit."

Hyacinth lifts a hand to comment on Easton's exaltation but doesn't correct him. She watches the experiment and arches an eyebrow at it shaking her head. Unlike her cousin she's not in tears and there's just resigned fatigue on the topic. "I'm...disappointed in a numebr of things surrounding it. His part is over, but he has my repect for pulling me out and taking care of everything when the sawmill took off my damn leg." She pauses with a slightsmile, "Which I'm pleased to say I now own the contract for. So. There's that." She nods to August lifting her bottle. "It's been an interesting week." Looking to Beth she pauses and says, "You did a lovely job for my father and my cousin. I don't know there will be... much ceremony ," given the details no one is discussing, "I should like to call you on the rest when there's something to work with."

She takes a long pull from that bottle like a damn pro, pink fucking out and asks Dahlia, "Why are we calling him Ranger Rick?" To Niall direct withthe subtly of a bedazzled hammer she asks, "Why dare you not Ranger Rick?"

"Really Rick? Sam Adams is a goddamn American treasure." Easton is grinning at the Niall, who yes lost his name when he insulted Sam Adams. Easton does approve of the marketing plan though, "Hey, this place thrives on people making bad decisions, it's best if I can offer some low stakes ones, at least to get the ball rolling."

Hyacinth's remarks about Thomas do momentarily give Easton a more serious air. He quirks an eyebrow, "Thomas pulled you out? That's... interesting" He tries not to stress the word but can't help it. Knowing the mans' connection to Gohl and some of the bits and pieces around it make that bit of information extremely interesting. He gives a soft 'huh' at the news that she's in control of the sawmill as well but doesn't comment on it.

"Joe!" Easton calls out, now that he's done with his little experiment. "I want to say Maker's Mark? But maybe you can fill me in. What can I get you?" He remembers Joe coming in here the first time, talking about mooring the boat here and ignoring all advice to move up the coast. But he doesn't remember his drink, which is odd for him. The cuba libre is not what he was expecting but he gamely mixes one up and plops it down.

"That was a Ranger Rick. A shot of espresso in a beer, preferably Sam Adams. It's a local specialty." That was invented about thirty seconds ago.

August leans back in his chair, finishes off his stout. He has a waitress fetch him an Irish coffee, since Niall's inspired him to something to warm him up. He nods at Joe, starts to say something, seems to think better of it. "Glad to hear it."

He smiles at Niall's suggestion--marketing 101 indeed--but that quickly turns into a frowns. Glancing at Easton, August says, "Careful, Niall, those are fighting words in this bar. Sammy is sacred ground to Bostonians." Which Easton is then explaining. "Stick to mocking Bud," he advises Niall, tone solemn.

The vagueries surrounding Thomas' apparent disappearance/death have August dying to ask a hundred questions, but he's not quite drunk enough to be that rude. (And Itzhak's not hear to 'hold my beer' that one for him.) So he just nods and asks, "Got plans for it?" 'Like tearing it the fuck down' his expression suggests.

Beth smiles at August's invitation and she says, "You know what? I am definitely going to take you up on that. As soon as I finish this." And then she begins typing rapidly on her laptop to finish whatever it is she has to work on. When she finishes she closes it, puts it back in her messenger bag, and picks up the bag to join August. She listens to the local gossip. Well, maybe not gossip since it's coming directly from the Horse's mouth in the form of Hyacinth. She does say, "Of course. Anything you need, okay? If you have any questions don't hesitate."

Maybe he's feeling piratical....or wanting something to remind him of warmer climes and easier times. At least it isn't a margarita on the rocks. Cola, rum, and lime. "There's always that joke about ......how is Budweiser like having sex in a canoe?" he offers, after a sip of his drink. "An' yeah, I usually drink whiskey," he offers to Easton. Still here, still stuck in this damned town, mired in his various obsessions, like the rabbit in the tar baby. So much for the fiction that he'll be weighing anchor and sailing on, come spring.

"You been keepin' all right?" he asks August, more quietly.

"And like most local specialties, it's overrated and actually not that good." Yes, Niall is also talking about the drink invented thirty seconds ago. He nudges away the swirl of Sam Adams and espresso and tries to chase the taste away with the Irish coffee. He makes a face. "Yip. Coffee, ruined. Cheers for that. I'll be yawning for the rest of my life now." He glances over at August, "Too late, it seems. I helped the man invent a drink and he's calling me by the wrong name. Rude."

The fries arrive, along with August's Irish coffee; he has a brief sip to confirm it's still too hot to drink (it is! surprise), sets it aside for the moment. He shrugs at Joe, briefly looking out over the bar. He looks like he'd love to answer that with a yes but knows he's not up for that potent of a lie. So instead he admits, "Not really," and gives Joe a wry smile. "But maybe this week'll be better."

He manages a rueful laugh for Niall. "See? He plays for keeps."

As Beth joins them at the table, August asks her, "How about you? This doing alright?" After all, he's not about to forget that whole business with the...whatever the fuck it was, nor how Beth managed to trick it handily.

Hyacinth looks to Niall flatly and says, "This is what you get for not listening to the sound advice." Looking to Dahlia she shakes her head. She can't command everyone into being helped into getting what they want. Alas. Looking to Easton that bright green gaze squints and while she may have some sharp feelings on their last assessment she's into leaning into civility today. "In a sense. I fought like hell with what was let of me in tact and he took me to the hospital and got me everything I needed to start over. Granted I was seven, so it wasn't a lot to catch up on. Still... he did what he could to do right by me." She stops and says in a fact only manner that might as well be on her wikipedia. "Up until the bullshit with my father. So. There you go. Wondering over." Taking her drink she moves to August's table and takes her coat off considering the rest. Taking a deep breath she says, ".... yes. A few. not the least of which challenges my position at city hall but CEO of a family trust is...substantial." Her nose wrinkles adding in confidentiality to the exalted gardener, "I really like my office though."

Beth lets out a long suffering sigh at Joe's joke before she delivers the punchline for him, "It's fucking near water. You know my dad loves that joke." The last part is said more teasing than with any actual malice. When the server comes by August's table she orders a local ipa. August's question earns a very lukewarm shrug of her shoulder. "Still alive. Hey...I heard through the grapevine you're having some lawn ornament issues." She gives him a significant look. "Beyond that how're you?" A glance is given to Niall before she says to Easton, "Should add some cannabis oil, serve it with a cookie, and call it a Ranger Toke." She looks back to Niall before she says, "I am so sorry it was just too easy."

There is precisely zero contrition in Joe's face as Beth fills in the punchline. Only that glitter of amusement in the pale eyes. He tips the glass at her, in congratulation. "Exactly," he says, cheerfully.

Then, to August, "You wanna talk about it? Mine was pretty goddamned rough, but..." He spreads his hands, fingers flaring, "I survived. I'm here. I assume Rosencrantz has let you know how fucked up things are, though."

A snort for Beth's joke, in return. "Lawn ornament?"

Raising his eyebrows Easton tsks, "Insulting Sam Adams. Insulting my new special. Yeah, I'm afraid it's not looking good for you getting your name back anytime soon. And I swear if you go after coffee next, yer dead to me." He says it with a tone of warning in his voice, not really worried if the Kiwi doesn't get his sense of humor. There's only so many places to get a drink in this town.

Hyacinth's story about Thomas causes Easton to get a small almost whistful smile on his face. "Well, then I'm sorry to hear about his passing." And he means it. He genuinely doesn't give a shit about Thomas and Margaret for the most part, but a good humanizing tale of kindness goes a long way towards some good will.

Joe's mention of Rosencratz draws an interested look, of yes, I'm totally eavesdropping now, but I'm a bartender so it's usually easily forgiven.

"It's a very dad kind of joke," August assures Beth, then gives Joe a sly look of 'did I just call you old? yes'. He sobers some, sips from his Irish coffee. "Yeah, he did. There was also..." He gets a distant expression, shakes his head and glances at Easton, back to Joe. "There was something fucked up a few of us got hauled into. It was pretty awful." A lift of one shoulder in an expression of 'what can you do' which he doesn't really feel. What can he do? Get real mad about it and yell at the night sky. (He didn't do that, since he wasn't at the cabin, but he'd sure wanted to.)

He just about chokes on his Irish coffee at Beth's suggestion and accompanying name, clears his throat and rubs his eyes. "Right. Lawn ornaments. Niall," he tips his head at Ranger Toke, "Enzo and I went into the Veil to retrieve a science project of mine. We ran across some, gnomes, is all I can think to call them." His mouth flattens. "It wasn't what you'd call an ideal first contact scenario. So now I'm on the hook to stop some gnomivorous trees and Enzo's on the hook to repopulate their race. Or, something like that."

Hyacinth pauses and turns a very curious look to Easton. She drinks her beer sloooowly sending out that mental drop on Easton's 'line' <<"Oh that's bullshit. No one is sad to see him go, but I appreciate you being polite about it. Let's not glorify the man that let a ghost tell him to tear his family, his son, in half>> Her head dips in a polite nod to the bartender.

The topic of lawn things manages to get a wide-eyed look from teh businesswoman and she asks, in actual seriousness, "Is this the lawn gnome peeing on my brother thing I heard about? Can someone for the life of me explain what happened in Non-Alexander-vision?"

"I'm known for not listening to sound advice," says Niall to Hyacinth. "So this drink is very on-brand, despite not having my actual name." He chuckles at Beth. "Well, at least that one's closer to my actual name?" Then he side-eyes Easton. "If I go off coffee, that's entirely your fault, sir. How much do I owe you for that monstrosity and/or my Irish coffee? I'm afraid I feel a wave of exhaustion that shockingly, coffee dropped in beer can't cure." And then August is recounting the garden gnome incident. "It was...a thing. Certainly a thing. I attempted diplomacy. It didn't go well." He picks up his hat in preparation for an exit.

He is old. Old and tough and stringy, complete with bad hip. And entirely unbothered by the insinuation. "Damn," he says, tone mild, but definitely heartfelt. "Gnomes. That's fucked. I'm starting to wonder if a lot of this place couldn't be explained by someone dumping LSD into the water supply."

Easton settles up with Niall, and yes absolutely charges him for the drink. There's a chance he could have gotten it for free had he not tried to bad talk Sam Adams.

The mental talk doesn't even get his eyes to flick over to Hyacinth. He's getting better at expecting this now. He does look over to her to reply <<Yea, just sometimes it's nice to remember even fuckups had their moments of being decent people, even if it was a long time ago.>> He isn't going to argue that Thomas was a saint by any means, but still it's sometimes nice to try and remember some of the less shitty bits when people die.

Beth's IPA arrives. She picks up the bottle to take a swig, a curious look falling on August when he mentions something fucked up, but she doesn't ask. Instead she just nods to Joe. "Lawn ornaments. Gnomes. Like The Adventures of David The Gnome but even weirder than a kid's tv show that opens to an elderly man in the bathtub. And apparently they have acid pee." She nods to Hyacinth, "Although I only know about it because Enzo texted me. And trying to understand his texts while he is in the hospital is generally spotty at best." To Niall she says almost apologetically, "You know the kids are probably already calling you Ranger Toke, right?"

August nods at Niall as he prepares to go, raises his Irish coffee in a farewell. "Remember, nothing but sweet talk for Sammy in this bar."

He sighs at Hyacinth's request. "I can...attempt to." He sounds exhausted at the very idea, and opts to shore himself up with some yam fries. "Enzo and Niall and I went Over There in Firefly Forest. Which is a fucking terrifying and dangerous place, so, think twice before you do that casually." He points with a fry to make himself clear, not to Hyacinth so much as to the group at large.

"Anyways, we were looking for an experiment I'd set up, and in the process, one of these gnome-things attacked Enzo. Niall and I tries to stop it, and stumbled across their village. Enzo..." He makes a face, wabes a hand, settles on, "didn't do too well at the whole cross-species diplomacy thing. But Niall and I cut a deal with their elder to fix a problem of theirs. Seems they were run out of their home by trees that're attacking him. So we pledged to see it fixed, and they let Enzo go." He pauses here to sip from his Irish coffee. "Except then, some showed up to attack him in the hospital. Apparently there's political upheaval in the group, or something, and they demanded Enzo help since he made such a mess. This includes, ah, assassinating their leader." A quick bob of his eyebrows for that.

"So. A few of us are gonna go deal with the whole tree situation that drove these gnomes out of their home, and Enzo is going to do...whatever he's going to do." August shrugs. He has no idea what the outcome will be there.

After all that, August asides to Joe, "Gotta level with you, the last week sure has felt like one long acid trip."

Hyacinth sits quietly listening, manicured fingers wrapped around her local stout, finger tapping against the glass. There's a very faint upturn at the corner of her lips. <<Well, I won't tell you you're wrong. But Erin never got a clear answer if it wasn't his fault to begin with either. You served. I don't need to explain to you what it is spending a lifetime cleaning up after other people's fuck ups.>>

Looking to Niall she says, "Look, Danger Ranger, keep my brother alive and I'll explain coffee beer to you that isn't a science expierment." Her fingers lift to press to her forehead informing August, "I told Vyv I inherited access to an industrial commercial class grinder. I'm putting an ordinance out on teh gnomes. We're fixing three problems with one solution. So if you have any little stone demons with those awful little condom-hats? We have a machine for this crisis now."

"If that's all they're calling me, I consider that a win," says Niall to Beth. He eyes the bill, eyes Easton, but pays it anyway. Because yes, it's a small town. But is TIBS turning into the Grizzly Den? He sets his hat back on his head, which he wears up and back instead of forward. Park Ranger, but make it fashion. Wait. Scratch that. Nothing could make his uniform fashion. And then he's beating a strategic retreat just as August is recounting Adventures in Gnomeland. He doesn't really want to think too hard about that particular incident. "I also prefer Danger Ranger to the alternatives." He lifts a hand in general goodbyes as he heads out into the night. To probably not be able to sleep. Because he just drank half an Irish coffee and a shot of espresso dropped into a pint. Thanks, Easton.

"Yeah, I had to flip through there, the other night," Joe says, very quietly, indeed. "And to be honest, that was the scariest fuckin' place I've ever been, and I've spent a week on the ground, wounded, in the Korengal Valley."

The pilot's face has gone drawn, still, lips thinned out, blue eyes looking not at his tablemates, but some indeterminate point in that past. And he seems to have forgotten his drink for the moment, fingers curled limply around the cool glass.

Cecil comes in from outside, and he's in his long winter coat, a black London Fog affair. He makes his way toward the bar, though he gives an upnod to Joseph when he sees him. "I'm beginning to think you're a regular," he says. Once at the bar, he requests a pint of whatever ale they've got on tap. He's not a picky man. Unless he's presented with many fancy options with quirky Pacific Northwest names. Just an ale, man!

"And fathering the next generation of gnomes. Which..." Beth's brow furrows quizzically. "Enzo is tall for a human. How do the gnomes expect that to work? It just doesn't seem very physiologically possible." She takes another swig of her beer. "But who am I to stand in the way of true love?" She laughs at Hyacinth's suggestion of woodchippering the gnomes. "Holy shit." She smiles at Niall and says, "That's the spirit."

As for the Firefly forest, "Everyone knows you don't go out to the forest alone or at night. At least the locals do."

August considers Joe for a time, nods and says, gently, "I know what you mean." Not just about the forest on the Other Side after dark, either. "And believe me, I wouldn't be considering going back in except for how I might have made this mess in the first place. So." He pulls a face. "Going to put together a group and deal with...some trees."

He coughs a laugh at Hyacinth. "You know they're actually pretty delicate? Enzo killed one just by kicking it too hard. But ah, thanks. We'll let you know. Honestly I'm sure the trees will be a bit more dangerous. The gnomes are just..." He gestures with his Irish coffee, "irritating and persistant."

He cuts a look at Beth, winces. "Yeah, I'm not...clear. Unless he's just, you know. A donor? But if my grafting experiment went this bad, no telling what human gnome hybrids will result in." Did you hear that, Hya? Your baby brother is gonig to make Addington-gnome hybrids in the Veil.

He looks over at Joe when Cecil addresses him, maybe waiting for an introduction, or something to elucidate who he is.

He visibly drags himself back to the present, blinks back into focus. "I wasn't even in the forest proper to begin with," he protests to Beth. "Got chased there, though. Well, herded, really." Shakes his head at the idea of gnome hybrids. "That's really fucked up," he reiterates.

Then he's turning as he's addressed, grinning, as if pleased to have a distraction. "Hey, Cecil," he says. "Come meet some of the local luminaries." Yeah, he's ragging on August, at least. "You get to replace me as FNG, now I've been here a few months."

Cecil pays for and collects his ale (he tips well, for all that he's a bit of a curmudgeon about these new-fangled flavors), and he makes his way over to Joseph. He offers August and Hyacinth a smile. "Hello," he says. "I'm Cecil. Joe and I keep meeting up so often we might end up becoming friends." His accent is English, and his voice is pleasant. He's not a very big man, but he carries himself well.

Hyacinth quints to Joe and then Beth, then August...Beth...Joe...Joe-Beth...and finally August again. Her regal-ass annoyed self is processing so much it's amazing she doesn't- oh yup. She just finished off her beer. Well then. She delicately set s it down and kindly, too-patiently, informs August with a too-nice smile, "If you need help turning trees into toothpicks or gnomes back into gravel call me. No one.... makes my baby brother gross or injured and gets away with it." See? Solutions! We are all about solutions and tater tots at this table. Mmhmm, ask her how. Cecil, when greeted by Joe, is immediately regarded with passive judgement and suspicion.

Beth takes a sip of her beer and nearly spits it out in response to what August says in reply. She coughs before swallowing. "Oh wow. I was thinking of little baby Enzo gnomes growing in far too small gnome moms. I hadn't even thought of that." Hyacinth is given an apologetic look even as she takes out her phone. "I wonder if he's thought of that." She starts sending off a text, presumably to Enzo about his impending gnome-dadhood.

She puts her phone down to hold her hands up in surrender to Joseph when he protests. "I'm just repeating what I know as a local." Then Cecil is being called over. She smiles at him in greeting. "Welcome to Gray Harbor, Cecil. I'm Beth Lawson."

"I'm the one who went over of his own accord," August adds in defense of Joe's accidental trip. "Have, a couple of times. I don't claim to be that bright, though. Just curious." He winces at Beth, a hint of apology in his expression. "Sorry, just seemed like, you know...the, uh, obvious method." Well, he is a botanist. Hand pollination is a thing!

He nods slowly at Hyacinth. "I'll add you to the list. The, ah...elder, said I needed an army. Whatever that amounts to in gnome terms."

Giving Joe a sidelong smile, August mutters, "Luminary," under his breath. "More like, guy who's seen and done too much." He has a sip of Irish coffee, gestures at a seat the the table. "Pleased to meet you. August Roen. Feel free to join us, there's fries and tots."

"A pleasure, gentlemen and ladies," Cecil says, and he takes the offered seat. "I couldn't help but overhear you were talking about gnomes? The garden sort, yes? I haven't exactly run into any other kind, then again the ones I'm familiar with don't tend to talk or recommend armies." He smiles, a small self-deprecating smile. "Then again, I don't get out much outside of work. Most of the people I investigate are in no position to speak one way or another, and they're not known for wearing little red hats."

"I feel like this conversation really demands something stronger than beer," Joe says, a little mournfully. "Maybe I can blame it on my TBI. I haven't tried psychedelics as yet." He lifts his glass to Cecil in salute....but it's Roen who gets the shit-eating grin. "You've got the NCO aura," he informs him, helpfully. "Complete with thousand yard stare."

And he finally condescends to notice the fries. Takes one, then a few more. "I wouldn't mind exploring more," he adds. "Just in more controlled circumstances."

"No, I'm sorry. This is the most bizarre and strange conversation I've had in a while and I literally have a stalker who wants to rip my heart out. And also gift me the hearts of others?" Beth picks up her beer to have another long pull from it before she puts it down. "Anyways it's my fault. I shouldn't have brought up gnome baby making." She has no choice but to nod in agreement with Joe. "This is really a scotch conversation."

She wonders aloud to Cecil, "Are you a medical examiner?"

Hyacinth looks to Joe and says, "I'll drink with you." Her hand does lift though to pat August's arm. it's brief but it's an assurance. "They are so done. I already spoke to my cousin about getting an ordinance to ban the proliferation of garden gnomes. once we justifya legitimized health code violation... I think forcible germination counts, then we have us a case." Her hand moves in a circle, "I love bacteria. We can blame everything on it."

Looking to Cecil she studies not unlike finding a pit viper on one's dinner table. Startling, demanding and curious. Possibly siting weaknesses. "Hyacinth Addington." To Beth she agrees, "It's like a great puzzle."

"Joseph there's no such thing as controlled trips into the veil. There's being well prepared and then there's thinking way too highly of one's self and being eaten by it. There's really no controlled about it. Prepare you, not it. You'll have more success."

August eyes Cecil at his comment about his job, but Beth's follow-up clears it up for him. Of course she'd be the one to think of that. At the question about gnomes, his expression changes to one of a man taking a measure of someone that's not readily apparent to the eye. Then, "Yeah, though, not garden gnomes. Those I could maybe handle. These are...arbivorous, zombie gnomes. Kind of soft and weird. Hang out around Firefly Forest on the Other Side." He seems to think this will all make sense to Cecil.

"Not your fault, not really," he assures Beth. "It's just life in this place." The small smile he musters for Hyacinth when she grips his arm is more genuine than the other's he's managed tonight. "Sounds like a plan."

He snorts at Joe, takes to studying his Irish coffee. "Oh I'm sure they had their eye on me for that, once upon a time." He doesn't sound like he regrets not making it that far; not, one, bit. An odd emotion flits through his eyes, there and gone in a moment. He nods at Hyacinth, adding, "We've been doing some careful poking about, and it's still pretty dangerous. But it's worth doing, or we're going to remain ignorant about what we're dealing with. That said, I think Itzhak can arrange that. And I'm happy to come with, if you want some backup." People he's no good at fighting. Weird Veil shit? That's another story entirely. "Or just some company, from someone who's been in there before."

Cecil shakes his head and says, "No, I'm a forensic entomologist. At least that my speciality. I look for evidence in murders and suspicious deaths, but I don't have a medical degree." He takes a drink of his ale, and he bears Hyacinth's scrutiny with a mildly curious look but good grace. He's no stranger to the suspicious once-over since he works with The Law.

"Zombie gnomes," he murmurs. "I haven't been out much since I moved here, I admit. Part of me doesn't welcome the chaos, but I suppose I should start to learn the local flora and fauna." And that's his response to zombie gnomes. Then again, he has the feel of Glimmer about him.

"Scotch?" Joe retorts, with a little incredulous huff of laughter. "I was thinking acid, at this point. Maybe mescaline." He fixes Beth with that blue stare. "I feel like you owe me for the liquor it's going to take to forget having had this conversation."

Then on to Hya. "A pleasure, Miss Addington," And he remembers his manners well enough to rise and offer her a long hand. "You gonna be the one minding my air line when I do a deep dive into the depths of ....hell, I may stick with bourbon, I feel like I know those waters best. And that's what I'm understanding, I suppose. With more prep and more experience."

Sympathy in the look he directs at August. "Exactly," he says, quietly. "Yeah. Rosencrantz came and dragged my ass back out, which is good, because.....things weren't going well." Understatement of the year. "I'll talk to him about it, when de la Vega is better."

To Cecil, he says, earnestly, "I swear we're not all on drugs." Methinks the pilot doth protest....

Beth can only nod her head in begrudging agreement that it is just life in this place. To Cecil she says, "Ah, well at any rate we'll bump into each other on occasion via work, I think. I run the local funeral home on Spruce. We have...a surprisingly high amount of traumatic and suspicious deaths for our population." She nods her head in agreement with Hyacinth that it is a puzzle.

She eyeballs Joe back, "Only if you bring the mescaline." Which is timely considering he just promised Cecil they aren't all on drugs.

Hyacinth looks to August and the imperious look fades and there is appreciation there...in that I will destroy a neighbor's house to keep their filthy gnomes away from you sort of way. With the emotion in her voice she says, "August, yes I'm entirely on board to help and would love your company...so long as you keep us from being injured or polinated like our own personal Garden Jesus or whatever. yes." She pauses an considers the other part of that confiding in a manner that gets real for a moment, "If there's trees there will be more puns at expense of our professions. Agreed?"

A smile (a genuine whole one) warms to Joseph when he takes up the agreement to drink with her, "Order what you will, baby, but it better be old enough to drink. The only thing I'll drink under 25 years old is milk." Sparkle glitter nails tap the tabletop with the pick me up on her mood. "If anyone can get us out of there reliably you mean. There's others I wouldn't trust to babysit a toaster." There's a pause and she squints a look around the table. "Does Cecil even know what the hell is going on or are you just introducing him to crazy persons, Joseph?" She pauses taking on matter-of-factly, "And I'm totally keeping 'luminary'."

Cecil tells Joe, "Until someone gets killed, kidnapped, or grossly assaulted, it's not even my concern, mate. I'll take your word for it." He then tells Beth with a nod, "Right, on Spruce." He's been here long enough to become familiar with funernal homes. Maybe not decent takeout or entertainment, but definitely funeral homes.

He takes another drink of his ale before he tells Hyacinth, "I don't think any of you are crazy. I don't know specifically what shape the weirdness takes around here, but I know weirdness."

"Forensic entomologist," August echoes, looking thoughtful. "Well, we did see some Manduca the size of horses Over There, chewing their way through part of the Park on that Side. And some sort of huge, metallic, millipede-looking thing. And there was the time we summoned Mothra to save a kid from Godzilla." He says all this like it's totally reasonable, and like Cecil would want to have anything to do with these monstrocities. Then, flicking an amused smile at Joe, he drawls, "Not all of us are on drugs."

He gestures with his Irish coffee as Hyacinth. "I don't have plans to make us into plant hybrids." A long pause, since that sort of almost happened to him, and it wasn't the worst thing possible. Except the probably going insane part. "Nor will I let anything else pollinate you." A brief, wicked little grin. "Agreed--what's a little wood between an arborist and a carpenter?" He chases it with a wink.

"Ah," he says, tipping his chin up at Cecil, "see? Anyways, if he didn't know, he'd just think we're all way too into the newest show on Netflix. Or part of a D&D group."

"OR that fucked up movie with the women in the zone of alien infection down in Florida," Joe says, with quiet fervor, to August.

Then he glances back at Hyacinth. "Allright. Glenfiddich sound good? I'm usually more into bourbon than Scotch proper, but for you, madame, I will make an exception. I warn you.....I was in the Navy for decades, I can drink a lot....and I'm thinking I'll get very drunk tonight."

Asides to Cecil and August, "I was even there for the Godzilla thing. And in some cases, it seems, someone does. All of the above, I mean."

At the remark about wood between carpenters and arborists Beth lets out an amused huff and finishes off her IPA. She stands up from the table then and reaches for her coat to put it back on. "And with that I suppose I need to get back at it. Have a good night. Try not to drink all of the good scotch in the county." She heads to the bar then to settle up wth the bartender before heading out.

"It was nice to meet you, Beth," Cecil says, and he raises his glass to her before he takes another drink. Then, with a soft huff of laughter, he says, "Yes, I suppose I might think you were talking about a show or some other hobby. Fortunately, I have only run into the garden-variety weirdness you find on this side of the Veil. I read emotional residue from crime scenes. It's a small cheat, but it leads me in the right direction."

Hyacinth squints bewildered at August, "Who would think me having a 'Drunk and Disorderly'?" Anyone who knows she's related to Enzo Addington probably after that hospital stint of his. But the promise to not her her become possessed by lifeforms comes and any defense to misinterpreted insult is forgiven as she lights up, "Awww you know just what to say to make me really enjoy my work, Roen. "

The smile hang turning into a wry grin and easily she leans back assuring in good nature, "Darlin, I have been through my share of sailors. Twenty some odd years of service just tells me you might be able to keep up." Game can recognize game. To Beth she shakes her head, "No promises. it's been a long damn week." The amusement holds with something that is a fun challenge to enjoy the hell out of. Is August one to warn Joseph? Likely not. oh goodie "Thank god my car drives itself. and Cecil? My advice to you? Becareful where you dig for information. Some information does not want to be found."

August nods in agreement with Joe. "Precisely. Plenty of good cover." He raises a hand to Beth in farewell. "Take care, Beth." He finishes off his Irish coffee, and since he's Ubering, considers his next order. Or maybe he'll stick to something low octane, so he won't pass out on the couch later. He decides to think on it a bit.

With a flint in his eye, he tells Hyacinth, "Any man who can't make a woman feel good about her work isn't worth much." A small bob of his eyebrows, then he settles for watching the back and forth between Hyacinth and Joe. "I'm about ready to cut down those maples," he adds. "So we can get to work on the rest of our project. They'll be done, mmmm...probably around solstice."

That admission from Cecil has August blinking and considering him anew. He bites his lip, says, "A useful thing to be able to do. Just...watch out for stuff that's crocked." He pulls a face. "Run into more than a couple items along those lines."

A long palm lifted in farewell to Beth....but Joe's gazing at Hyacinth, thoughtfully. "Not one like this one," he informs her, gently. Challenge accepted, it seems.

"Project?" he wonders of August, before looking to Cecil, blinking. "Hell of a thing to be able to do...." HE sounds almost approving.

Cecil lowers his gaze modestly. "I'm selective," he says. "The more I can do without the, ah, extra help, the sharper I keep my senses. When I'm stumped, though, and I can use that edge..." With a small smile for Hyacinth, he says, "I'm afraid it's an occupational hazard, to find information people don't want found. I've been threatened before, but I knew the risks when I took the job."

Hyacinth arches an eyebrow slightly and says to Cecil, "Well you have been officially forewarned to prep accordingly. This is my altruism quota for the week." To August she officially notes to him as if there's a club keeping tally, "I'm counting this for both of them." All two nice things!

Her chin picks up with the spark of interest there. "Good because I hate drinking alone after three glasses in. You have my guarantee you will not wind up stuck on the side of the road. Grab first round." Her fingers tap the table. See, she is being really good and not pulling out a pocket scoreboard app from her phone...this time. Okay she is.

"A custom violin," August explains to Joe. "Hyacinth's the best woodworker," was that on purpose? you bet, "I know, and using the shaping Art I can...induce a plant to grow a specific way. So we picked out three types of maple to grow, to give us the right time of figuring for a proper violin." He doesn't say who it's for, but maybe he doesn't need to. He nods at Hyacinth as she heads out to take her call, saying, "I'll save a chair for you."

He nods at Cecil. "It's a good way to learn things you wouldn't be able to otherwise. Long as, ah, Their notice isn't a problem for you."

He considers Joe a moment, squints. "Seems to me you ought to be able to do that." He scratches at his beard. "Maybe not the real detailed stuff like some of us. Have you tried?"

That's succeeded in bemusing the pilot. "No. Though I suddenly turned into a Sith apprentice and killed my alarm clock with Force lightning the other night, I shit you not," Joe says, bluntly.

"I shocked the hell out of Ellie, and she blew up the coffee maker," August says. "So, my sympathies."