2020-03-06 - A Lousy Night to be Out

It's just after sundown - the western sky is still a sullen red under the miserable, rainy skies. It's light enough to see the rain/snow mix fall on the surface on the pond, although no one is particularly clamoring to enjoy the outside in this weather. Alexander, standing just before the 'Hanging' bridge is clad in a heavy green jacket, his eyes fixed on a particular point on the bridge. His expression is blank, staring at the bridge but clearly not seeing it. He rather stands out.

Recently out of the hospital, still some stitches in her face and hair looking frail, and for once in her life feeling the need for fresh air. The little computer geek decided to go the pond to collect her thoughts. Kim is absent mindly walking towards the bridge, not focused on much of anything. She looks up from the ground and recognizes someone, someone who saved her life. "Alexander?" that's the name she remembers before she lost consciousness again. "Thank you, thank you so much."

Alexander twitches at the sound of his name, shoulders going hunched and rounded even as he turns to face the unfamiliar voice. He stares blankly at Kim for a moment. Then recognition dawns, and he smiles, tentatively. "Hi." A quick but sharp look up and down. "You look like you should still be resting. How are you?" His head tilts to the side. "Thanks? For what? You distracted it. Probably saved me from having it suck my insides out or something. So thank you."

Kim does a slow head shake, that likely causes some pain "I've had enough of resting for a little while. I've been better, but I'm recovering and things are looking up in a way. Trying to think about things that are important to me and what I need." realizing she's trying to go on. She does a polite cough. "For saving my life. I did what I had to because I couldn't let it hurt someone else. It didn't want your insides...all of it's victims. All of them saying..." she winces "Sorry. This is probably the last thing you want to talk about. How are you doing? I wasn't the only one in that things mouth."

"Mmm." Alexander stares fixedly at Kim. His lips tick downward, and he jerks his head towards the forest and its sheltering canopy. "Walk with me. You shouldn't be standing in the cold rain. You said your name was Kim?" He starts to slouch in that direction, slow, but clearly expecting her to follow him, because he continues to talk as if he is. "Remove the heart and give it to their current paramour. Yes. I know." He doesn't seem bothered by the gory subject at all, and a smile twitches briefly when Kim suggests it's the last thing he wants to talk about. "You clearly haven't heard of me. I'm fine. It didn't get around to hurting me, and Patrick didn't charge me for the damage to the antiques. You're not from here, are you?'

Kim's eyes following his head gesture and nodding in understanding. "Doesn't feel all that cold to me. What is cold to most never does, but you probably aren't wrong. Yes I'm Kim Nakamura." she does follow behind him and listens to him. She's behind him so he probably doesn't see her frown "No it didn't take the heart, at least not just that. It wanted to make them part of it forever. Swallowed whole and joined with it. I heard all of them as it tried to do the same to me. I remember what you said that what I did was stupid. I don't disagree...I still hear the hundreds upon hundreds saying 'They never loved it.'" It's something she needs to get out. Something her other friends don't understand. It helps that his reaction is brief hint of a smile "No sorry I've never heard of you before. Patrick? The other man...if he did charge you I'd gladly pay it. Oh no I'm from Portland. Here on a job and it seems building a life."

"Kim. Is that short for something?" Alexander probably doesn't mean for it to sound like a demand, but it sort of does. But then he falls silent, and listens, head ducked as they make their way towards the trees. He stops under the canopy, in the darkness, and turns back to face her. There's a soft breath outward. "Terrible," he murmurs, and shakes his head. "It's such a tragedy. So lonely, and never able to fill that emptiness, no matter how hard it tries." He shakes his head. "It's better off dead. If there is peace for it, and its victims, I hope it finds it."

He studies her through the rest. "I'd tell you to go back to Portland, but if that didn't warn you off, you're probably stuck here. And yes. That's Patrick. Patrick Addington." Another pause. "What do you do?" It comes out short, like an interrogation.

Kim doesn't take it for a demand "Nope. My parents just thought it sounded more American than my elder siblings." she answers honestly. She stops when he does and normally she'd want to head back to the city under so much nature. That isn't on her mind at this time. "It was something for the upside-down though wasn't it? Maybe it didn't understand things like we do. I mean in that way I feel a little sorry for it. Not for the lives it took." she pauses then "Is it dead though? I think I remember you saying you thought so. I'm not sure because I was fading in and out at the time."
Kim then just shrugs "I have friends and girlfriend here. As well being in this town is the first time I've felt whole. I'm not leaving that or stop trying to help people." she's been in town long enough to hear the Addington, still she isn't impressed by it "I owe Patrick a apology as well. Still he was being a ass when I was trying to save his life. Maybe I should consider it even. Huh...what I do. I'm digital security manager, that's my company title at least. Oh I guess you aren't a monster hunter what do you do?"

The sound of heavy boots on frozen ground are anything but subtle. There's a derisive tone from a man that doesn't sound old enough to gargle with gravel, but here we are as he interjects, "He hunts monsters. Just not the ones people usually think about." Joey Lee Kelly. Frozen. Grumpy. Black leather jacket and jeans with the rip in the knee and flannels beneath and a knit cap pulled down over his ears. He looks from the woman to Alexander, stonefaced, and nods.

Alexander nods, and seems to relax at the idea that Kim is her whole and complete first name. "Kim, then." He continues to stare at her with a reptilian sort of focus. "And yes. I do, too. But I think it's dead. It...melted. Melted usually does mean dead." He starts to answer Kim, but the sound of heavy boots has him moving to a defensive stance and reaching for the small of his back. But when he recognizes the man he...doesn't really relax, but at least shifts to a less hostile stance. "Kelly," he says, with a frown. "What are you doing out here? The weather is bad." A glance to Kim, and a shrug. "I'm an investigator. Of sorts. Sometimes monsters are involved. Of various sorts."

No matter the stare Kim doesn't seem to mind she breathes a deep sigh of relief. "Good. Good no matter if I feel sorry it belongs in hell." heavy steps and then voice she shuts the hell up about other things. Her gaze going to the man Alexander names Kelly. Plus the not so exactly relaxed stance. She's still hurting, but this is someone who has done something great for her. She raises her hand opening her palm. What that could mean, meh who knows. She nods to Alexander at what he does "I can probably help you with that if you want. The investigation if it's on a system somewhere I can find it." not taking her eyes off of the new arrival.

Joey itches at the bridge of his nose that's just a pink line where so many stitches went into him a month ago from, well, explosions happen. He jsut stares like he might strongly advise Alexander to start hitting himself for him to save him the effort of walking over there. He absolutely looks the sort. All that comes out is a mumble of, "Thanks. Worried about you too." He answers dryly, "Dumping a body. The fuck you think I'm doing out here?" That ... isn't helpful likely.

With a sigh his fingers reach up and itch his forehead, Puttin stuff back. Overturned snowmobile. It's fine." He looks at the two of them and in that accusational concern follows up with, "The fuck you doing out here? It's balls cold."

Elsewhere nearby, in the vicinity of the pond, there's a brunette with a short and curly bob in a heavy jacket, bundled up, staring at a spot in particular. Stephanie isn't expecting any company when she comes to revisit the scene of her first near death experience but she hears voices nearby. She notices unfamiliar figures. She hears one familiar voice. But she makes no moves to move. Not yet.

Alexander considers Kim, and offers a short, sharp nod. "I don't know if things like that go anywhere. Or if they even have a soul. But it's good that it's not here anymore, causing trouble." His eyes return to Joey, one eyebrow going up at the 'dumping a body' remark. His eyes flick over the man's clothes and hands, as if considering the possibilities. But in the end, he seems to accept the alternative explanation Joey offers, and tells Kim, "Joseph Kelly. He owns a gym on Elm, if you don't need all the fancy shit. Does self defense training, too." Then, to Joey, "Kim Nakamura. From Portland." And then there's the briefest of smiles as she makes the offer. "Your rates are probably higher than I can afford. But there are always things I'm curious about."

Kim doesn't say anything more with someone who Alexander seems ill at ease within hearing range. Only giving the briefest of nods to his words. She turns her head to Joey "Nice to meet you Joesph. I am sure you have a nice gym." her tone really sells nothing. As Alexander doesn't seem to relax she still hold a open palm in the general direction of Joey. Being so focused she just blinks at Alexander's last comment. A bit of red going to her cheek against the cold "For you it would always be free. It's the least I can do."

Joey turns to Kim and pulls a hand out of his pocket. It is not, in fact, covered with evidence aside from what is likely grease and the damp; now dried. He shakes the pro-offered hand and says, "Joey. It's a boxing gym so it has all the charm of a cinder block but I like it." He looks at the woman now embarrassed over who knows what and back to Alexander. "Do I want to know what I walked in on?" he looks around and sighs looking back. "Nicole'll be by in a bit with the car. You need to get out of the cold and your damn house. Come get food." There's a pause and he looks to Kim curious and with all the good manners one expects of a Kelly around here. "What do you do anyways?"

There's a flicker of amusement and a sort of rueful confusion in his eyes as he watches Kim watch Joey. "Relax," he says to her, after a moment. "He's a good guy to have in your corner." A shake of his head to Joey. "We uh...there was a horrible thing in the Addington House, and we sort of killed it together, but it stuck its awful tongue down our throats. A bonding experience, I guess. We were discussing it." His brow furrows at both offers. A shorter, sharper shake of his head to Kim. "Not free. If you want to offer a discount, we can discuss it. But I pay for services." It's firm, even a bit defensive. Joey's offer, on the other hand, gets a brief smile. "Are you inviting me to dinner, Kelly?" Which isn't a 'no'.

The sound of her car pulling up to whatever spot is closest to the pond can likely be heard, at least somewhat, depending on the distance. Her aging Honda has a loose and holey muffler that takes away from her ninja skills. Eventually, the crunch of her combat booted steps can be heard as Nicole nears the pond, bundled up in a black knee length puff coat with a faux fur trimmed hood, a purple knit hat, an actually warm matching scarf instead of her usual black and white skulls, and if her hands weren't stuffed in her pockets, matching mittens would also be seen. She has her scarf pulled up to her nose, her breaths still coming out in puffs of steam between the knit material. Surprised when she sees the gathering, she smiles behind the scarf, though it can be seen in the lift of the corner of her eyes, and pulls a hand out of her pocket long enough to wave before stuffing it back in. "Alexander and friend. Hi." She walks towards Joey though and upon reaching him pulls the scarf down to smile at him directly. "Heard you were wanting to hitch a ride. I don't normally pick up strangers on the road but... you seem a good sort and I could use the company."

It isn't so much Joey's actions as it is Alexander's words that make her close her palm. Turning into a shake a light shake of the hands "Hhmm my Grace-kanojo would probably be interested in. Maybe she has already been there. Not that she is boxer, but I am sure she keeps all of her bases covered." her tone going to friendly with the reassurance "Me I do computer things. If you understand some it I can go into further detail. It just tends to bore most people." since Alexander is talking about those things she adds "Truly a bonding experience to anyone who was there." even with forrowed brows Kim will not relent on this "Again...how many times do I need to say I owe you my life. No discount, my skills and all them are at your disposal. If not for me then for my Grace-kanojo...if I left her without any sort of goodbye she'd bring my spirit back to kick my ass."

Joey shakes Kim's hand and asks Alexander dryly, "Was it Margaret Addington?" Not. a. fan. Kim gets a nod and he let's her hand go without crushing it or any BS like that. Alexander's smile gets a squint. There's the sound of a car door that is picked up on radar and unhurried boots. He lets that breath out. "I am."

His head swivels to see the far more polite and welcoming half walk up. Her banter gets not a smile from him, bu a distinct look of amusement all the same, "You have very suspect judgement, woman." He leans over to give Nicole a smooch and says with some interest to Kim, "Yeah I know Grace. She's good people. Hell of a scrapper. And seriously, if you want to repay him save his life and our migraine and charge the man. He's only going to pay you anyways."

"No," Alexander mutters stubbornly. "I don't need charity. I pay for services." His jaw sets, and Joey's wry interjection is agreed to with a single nod. "Let me pay. In kind if not in cash. If you need something looked into. Or stabbed." Then there's the sound of the car, and he's turning defensively in that direction to see who is approaching. Recognizing Nicole, though, he offers a smile. "Shouldn't pick up strange men in the wilderness, you know." It's teasing more than serious. And he actually chuffs a small laugh at Joey's suggestion of the monster's identity. "No. I've heard the Old Lady has been strange since...for a few weeks now."

Nicole slips her arm around Joey and shrugs her shoulder at both his remark and Alexander's. "I suppose Joey's right that my judgment is suspect then, because I happen to rather like this strange man." Looking up at him then she grins. "Cuz, you are strange. But I wouldn't have it any other way." She winks at him then turns to the others. Not recognizing Kim, she says, "hi. I'm Nicole." Then to Alexander, "what are you paying her for?" Looking between the two as she waits for an answer, she murmurs to Joey, "why is it so cold?"

Kim shakes her hand in the shake "Not Margaret...eh Patrick. Not that I am impressed by any Addington name just the rich eating the rich." truly not a fan of any legacy name, even if she knew what it meant. Her lips lift into a a brighter smile as Joey speaks well of Grace. "That she is. And so flexible. I need to repay with my skills with some aren't as strong as I thought. But computer systems that is my thing." she snorts at the mention of charity from Alexander "A debt owed is a debt paid. A Lannister always pays their debts." she could be the nerdist one here. "Alex...can I call you Alex? Anything you need if I can make it happen it is yours." Of course when they are talking about the other Addington's Kim has no context. Looking to Nicole "Greetings I'm Kim."

Joey holds out a hand in Alexander's general direction as if to say See? Answering Nicole he clears it up, "That's Kim, and not sex." Thanks Joey. He elaborates, "Apparently there was a not-Margaret Addington monster at the house and something french kissed people and they got pissed. I'm guessin it was non-consensual but it seems there's a fight and he saved her life and she doesn't want to charge him for IT services. You know, like computer shit." Looking between them each he asks, "About right?"

Still the question of why is it so damn cold does get a slow look around. "That... I don't... know. " The cold is concerning. "Weirdly the dogs don't seem to mind it." Dogs? Plural now apparently. When Kim elaborates he gestures with a hand, "Yeah like that. Also? No, you cannot call him Alex. That's someone else. Confuses things. He's Alexander. It's just..." He looks to his neighbor and offers, "Easier." Easier than spending an hour and a half on all of Alexander's ticks and neurosis.

"No," Alexander tells Kim, sharply. "My name is Alexander. Alexander Clayton." Just as immediately, he looks away, contrite as he runs a hand through his damp and chilled hair and lets Joey elaborate. "Names are important. Real names are important." Then he clears his throat. "We can talk about the compensation for your services later." Because there will definitely be some, the stubborn expression says.

The summary that Joey gives brings out a hint of a smile, though. "Grace? And yes, the kissing was non-consensual. It was a monster that stalked people, ripped out hearts of rivals, and eventually, apparently, absorbed them into itself. It's dead now." And then there's a sunny sort of smile in Nicole's direction. "How are you? Doing okay, since the last time we spoke?" Because it's Gray Harbor, and monsters are just normal.

"Nice to meet you Kim." Nicole is smiling again. She is the yin to Joey's grumpy yang. She looks up to her yang and says, "I wasn't thinking sex, but thank you babe, for clarifying." She chuckles then listens to the tale of the Kissing Bandit Monster, her nose wrinkling. Looking to Alexander and Kim she says, "I am sorry you had to go through that. How awful." Then... "Me? I am good. Been busy and kinda.. hunkered down for winter mostly. Nothing too awful recently. Something to be said for hiding from the snow I suppose." Glancing up at Joey she teases, "except when you are tossing snow balls at your man like it's world war three." Pause. "Wait. How many dogs now? Is there a third?"

The very moment of Joey and sex. Kim retches "Never with any man." she manages between her retches. Still she manages to recover. Speaking clearly "I don't know you so I'll say nothing more. Even if you have good things to say about Grace." With the retort of Alexander she dips her head down "I am sorry Alexander. I am so sorry I will never make the mistake again. Please forgive me. Again I owe so whatever you need Alexander-kun." She glances up to Nicole "Okay good. Because sex with any man...eh no one here wants to here this." she sighs "If it wasn't me than another would have had to be. That isn't something I'd be okay with."

Joey looks back to Nicole and nods. "Welcome." There's a pause and he consider and arches an eyebrow and waits for everything to be over and said. he stands still and doesn't interrupt. All he offer sis, "Well I'll be happy to break the legs and thumbs of anyone that tries to insist. Say the word. No one's implying it." To point in fact, the opposite. He shifts the look back to Alexander and asks him, "You think she'd be of use looking stuff up online about that Foster thing or what happened to that news guy? Could be a thing."

Alexander gives Kim a sidelong look. "It's fine. I'm just weird. You don't have to apologize." A smile, and a shake of his head to Nicole. "Not...actually the worst thing that happened to me that week. So thanks, but it's okay. At least on my part. I'm glad that you haven't gotten drawn into anything nasty. The Dreams have been," he takes a deep breath, "intense. Be careful until winter is well and truly over."

And then Joey's offering to break bits on people, and Alexander levels a long, frowning look at him. "Don't offer to assault people, Kelly." There's an edge of exasperation, which only deepens with the rest. "I think the questions I have about 'the Foster thing' won't be adequately answered by what can be found online. And Byron and Easton bought the damned casino." Which he is clearly sore about.

Nicole watches Kim retch with a touch of confusion in her expression. When she does it again, Nicole just nods and says, "don't worry... not suggesting it or anything... Please don't puke." Then Alexander is talking about the Dreams. "I hate them. Even the ones I am not in. Ones that hurt my friends and people I care for. I'll be careful. I already made that promise to someone... wait, Byron and Easton bought it? I haven't been up on reading the news..."

Joey boggles to Alexander "Why not?! It's called being polite. Sometimes it's okay to do things because. I promise you." There's a pause and Joey takes a deep sigh and rubs his face, "They did? well... I'll miss em. Serious, good for him though." Looking back to Nicole he listens and frowns. "Just dreams. They don't get to be real. They ain't earned it." His jaw shifts and tightens a bit looking to Alexander, "I promised, also, I'd try to get you out of the house. I know you've had some shit going on. So. Food. " There's a pause and he looks to Nicole with a head tilts, "Everytime you DO read the paper I end up adoptin something."

"It's not published anywhere, yet," Alexander admits to Nicole. "But they seemed happy about it at the bar the other night." Although his eyes skitter off to the side and his expression tightens when he brings up the bar. It makes him sharp when he says to Joey, "It's not polite. It's a felony." Then he ducks his head and kicks at a heap of wet snow slush. "But...that's nice of you. To promise. You don't have to. I always have shit going on." As Kim's starts to go home, he sighs. "But it's not like I've got anything else going on at the moment. I, um...if you're offering a ride, I would thank you for it."

"If you don't mind my broke ass car, you are welcome to come with us. I am a bit eager to get out of this cold..." For emphasis, Nicole shivers dramatically, cuddling close to Joey. "Wait. Only once did I text you cuz there was a dog I thought you might want to adopt. And I was right. And he's amazing. And you love him."

Joey lifts an elbow so Nicole can try to steal his body heat through the jacket and sweatshirt, and puts the elbow back down. As Kim goes on and on about Grace there is the invite to come by and use her guest pass sometime. Why not. Grace is good business for the place and Joey's not one to not take care of good for business.

His head tilts to the side, expression not really changing much. he agrees. "Yup." It's a felony. And one he's not sad about if it comes to people being incredibly handsy where they are not welcome to be. There's another nod of agreement. "That is correct, I do not have to, but... I felt like it." Which is to say but he wanted to so he is." A pause later and both eyebrows go up as he admits, "Pretty excellent lazy ass dog." Looking back to Alexander he fills him in, "That news guy and his dude that got all shot up? I hunted the dog's location down. I dunno what the fuck is wrong with this town throwing out dogs. Also? no. not my fault." Becuase he knows Alexander is going to wonder until time ends. He turns though and trudges away from teh water front. "C'mon. let's go get warm before our balls freeze off."

"Harvey," Alexander says, quietly. "Harvey and Noah. I met Noah once. For a guy who sold guns, he seemed...interesting." He shakes his head. "I didn't think you had anything to do with it, Joey. If I did, I'd have come knocking." But seeing Nicole shiver, he grimaces an apology. "Yeah. Let's get out of the cold. I don't mind your car." He turns to start heading towards the parking lot, but says to Joey, "You have dogs now? I didn't know you like animals. Or is it just dogs?"

Joey wanders with and plods back to the car answering Alexander with a comfortable conversational tone, "Mmhmm. They had a bad run. I'm fixing it. I mean animals are pretty great. They can't help their situation. People? People are generally terrible." He gives the side of Nicole's head a smooch as she heads to the driver's side. "There's exceptions thankfully. Nicole, 'appreciate you picking us up." He points for Alexander to climb in because there's no way Joey's not riding shotgun.

Alexander nods, having finally found a subject where he can agree unreservedly with the Kelly. "Animals are wonderful. People are...variable. Not terrible. Not always terrible. Luigi, my bird, used to belong to a client. Or, the client's ex-girlfriend who left him behind when she fled the client." A pause. "I took him instead of payment. Guy didn't know how to treat a bird." There's a nod to Nicole, backing up the thanks. "Appreciate it." A pause. "You don't have to give me food. I can afford food. You can just drop me off at my place."

Joey shrugs, "As you like. I don't want your cash, man, just your time." He closes the door and slouches down actually using a seat belt. "Yeah Nicole found the news article about the guy. I never met em. They said everything went to shit for everyone but the dog, also Harvey." He squints, "No family or nothing. They just dropped him off at the humane society like... he just lost his damn family and they put him in puppy prison? Oh fuck no." As chill as Joey Kelly is right now the tone suggest absolutely strong feelings on this issue. "You don't... throw away a perfectly good kid like that." He shakes his head setting his jaw. he doesn't talk about the Ripley situation but tells Alexander, "Ripley's former people did not act like people so... she's with us now. I think you'd like her. Only got three legs but she'll tear some ass through the snow. Doesn't stop so good. It's kinda hilarious." Looking over his shoulder to the back seat he watches Alexander for a time while he talks about the bird, says nothing, but gives him a slow, approving nod. There's a few reasons Joey actually likes the squirley fucker. This is one.