2020-03-21 - Companion Ecosystems

It's midday, and true to form, August has kept himself from harassing Finch and hospital staff and making everyone (himself included) miserable by working in the allotments throughout the day. Text updates keep him from feeling like he needs to drive over there Now, and the repetitive, physical nature of digging and planting and digging some more.

Byron's plot is one of the larger sections, marked off with simple slabs of wood for the moment, and a little metal placard with his surname on it in black, permanent marker at one end, the script neat and elegant. August is working on the plot next to that one, a box labeled 'FOERESTER' in sloppier, less legible writing packed to the gills with bulbs and rhizomes next to him. He's currently digging out trenches and measuring distances with a meta tape measure.

Byron had called ahead to let August know that he was stopping by. Just to ensure that someone was there who would know what the hell he was on about. So at some point after lunch and between business calls and client meetings at the casino, Byron drops by with Lilith in tow. They had both enjoyed a nice lunch at the Cracker Barrel, of all places, and he had some time to kill. His Wraith was not destroyed during this outing.

As one would expect from a man behind business engagements, Byron's dressed in business attire. With the weather warming up, he doesn't need the heavy coat, though he still dons the leather gloves for driving. And possibly to touch at dirt or whatever nature has in store for them. At the time of his call, he was told exactly where he would find the botanist, so that is where they are heading now. With a cup of coffee in hand (what else is new?), he leads the way out towards the back, calling out across the way once they are within earshot of the other man, "Roen. Thanks for meeting with us today."

This is when he gets a good look at not only his plot, but all of the others. "This is going to be interesting. I'd love to grow fresh fruit and vegetables, but a flower garden sounds nice as well."

Lilith woke up incredibly early to run with Byron for a change, then she went to work early to do some off-the-books kind of work before other employees started kicking around. Then there's lunch at the Cracker Barrel, during which she ate a lot of french toast because there was white chocolate shavings and strawberry drizzle puree. She also paid for the candy this time, but thankfully has stayed out of it because she was buzzing on a sugar and caffeine high in the car and telling Byron ALL about the side table and lamp she found to order in pieces and repair. She's trying to show him pictures of a crystal chandelier while he's driving because she's so excited about getting it in after winning it on auction, and it only has like 1/4th the actual crystals left on it with a bent frame, which makes it look like boring crap to babble about.

But at least she tells him a profit margin that's sexy, assuming she can move the thing to a rich person after restoration.

The woman also has coffee in a to-go cup in one of her hands, but in the other hand, she's toting a basket that's draped with mesh wrapping and fabrics to insulate, decorate, and protect the contents, presumably something for August. It's on her free arm while she wanders in wedge heeled lacing boots over her leggings to look at the plot and the proprietor in turns, "I want vegetables and flowers, but I'm greedy. You know, though... this is going to look like a partial hippie commune once all these lots are planted off in sections, you need chickens out here to eat bugs." She pauses, "I think they do that. Mostly, I just want an excuse to play with chickens. Unless they're assholes. They kind of look like assholes. Ugh, Byron... remember when Hank was trying to gather up the chickens in the trailer park to fight them for profit and show? I kept telling him, that's roosters and that Little Tiajuana dreams weren't going to happen, tch."

She drinks from her coffee that she definitely does not need, then remembers she's holding a basket for August, "Mm! Engagement present, I've been sitting on it for a bit thinking I'd give it to you in person, not drop it off at the doorstep and this was a lovely excuse."

August straightens when he sees Byron out of the corner of his eye--his finely honed sense of 'rich person walking in a place where his clothes might get destroyed' pings at forty yards--lets the tap measure roll in with a snap. "Hey you two. Not a problem. Would much rather work right now than not." He manages a small smile, despite the apparent weight hanging over him. "Can do either, or both. It mostly depends on what specifically you want to grow, since some plants need more space than others. Competition for resources gets fierce, and some plants fight dirty." He winces, unable to believe he just said that, shakes his head. "Anyways."

He blinks at the basket, and manages a more sincere, fuller smile for Lilith. "Wow, Lilith, thank you. I..." He wasn't expecting engagement gifts, is what. He rubs the back of his neck, holds out a hand to take the basket. "Chickens might be at too much risk here. Got," he raises his chin behind them, "the highway," jerks his other thumb over his shoulder, "the green belt over there, full of predators." And yet, he looks tempted. Put up some wider fencing, a run to keep them in...

Hearing the two of them discuss chickens, hell, once Lilith first brought it up, Byron had a few ideas. "We could definitely build some kind of fencing around the place. I mean, if you don't mind. I don't know if you have a sort of aesthetics or rules set up for what your renters can and can't do. Even build a little coop, so we can get fresh eggs to go with veggies." Though he turns to Lilith with a tilt of his head, "Did Hank actually buy those chickens?" Once that is asked, he turns to August to see what the other man thinks about this plan.

"As for protection, I could hire security." For this plot of land... "Or get a dog."

Sipping from his own warm cup of coffee, his gaze cast over the untouched field after winter. "I was hoping that I could get your advice on what to actually grow. What... plants don't, fight dirty," That's an odd saying, but he finds it amusing enough to use, "with one another for dominance. As exciting as that sounds."

"He was trying to steal them shortly after I came back home last spring, I don't even know where they came from, but they were there a while. Then I think stray dogs got them all. There were a lot of feathers strewn around in patches one of the days I was mowing." Lilith shrugs a little bit at the fate of the poor dog-eaten trailer park mystery chickens (possibly), but the point is, her dad sure didn't catch them. Shaking her head a little bit, "It reminded me of when we were eleven and he said he was going to round up strays and start a for-profit animal adoption one summer. He got bit and clawed a few times, then forgot."

After explaining to Byron during the basket exchange and smile for August, her lips slant a little lopsided, "I come from classy bloodlines. And now you have chickens on the brain, don't you? Anyway, you're welcome, and congratulations. It's not much, but honestly, good things in a place like this, they deserve pick-me-ups where due." Inside that basket, there's a collection of things-- a bottle of nice Italian sweet red dessert wine, a box of Belgian fancy chocolates for sharing, a pack of bath bombs (not from the Veil) that have considerate fragrances for unisex enjoyment, sandalwood and honeysuckle, cedarwood and orange blossom, coconut lime, etc. There's also a picture frame that's silver and antique, sans picture, but clearly intended for an engagement photo or maybe later wedding photos, a vintage restoration job.

"Get a guard chihuahua." Lilith suggests to Byron offhanded, hand knocking through her hair as she takes to studying August's demeanor on the sly here and there, not commenting or questioning the weight that's close to tangible about his personage, to certain degrees, "I won't steal it to cuddle with." She opens her mouth as if to say something else about dogs while eyeing Byron, then his latter words sink in about plants fighting dirty for dominance, "It does sound exciting, doesn't it?"

Oh yeah, she's staring at him now, clearly not trying to crack with smile. Then she adds on after a bat of her lashes for Byron and a tipped up drink from her coffee to try and smother the grin (partially) that's forming with her glance at August, "No wonder this guy is so into plants and trees. There's a whole ecosystem of kink we haven't encountered, sounds like." Pause, "So how mean are lilies to grow?"

August coughs at the idea of buying fighting cocks. For a few reasons. He focuses on the rest of the topics at hand, though. "No, not a problem for me, fencing would be fine--I suspect we'll need to anyways, or we'll have a bigger deer problem than we already do come summer." He half-turns, looks back towards the green belt. "We could make it the size needed to keep the birds in, kind of off the back here so it's not making front access to the store an issue."

He regards Byron again, scratches his beard. There's a very 'you are such a rich dude' look on his face for a half-second. "No dogs. Wouldn't want the having to be here alone at night, and that's not good for the birds unless they're trained. Security..." He shrugs, in a sort of, 'For a plant store? I guess...?' way.

He smothers a laugh; 'kink ecosystem' is now seared into his brain. He busies himself checking in the basket and sighs. "Awh, Lilith, this is excellent. Thank you." He leans in to kiss her cheek, gestures for the two to follow him.

"A few good options for companion planting," he says, aiming towards a couple of plots at the back. "These are my test plots." There's not much growing at the moment, just a few seedlings coming up now that Spring is officially underway. Markers with names and rough, black-line drawings suggest what should be there. "The basic idea in companion planting is a guard plant and a fruit or a vegetable. The guard plants draw pests off your food crops, or repel them, or attract pest-predators. They're usually also pollinators. That's nastertiums, sweet alyssum, cosmos, and calendula. Some of your herbs and flowering fruits and vegetables work this way too, like chives and garlic." He points at the borders of the property, which all have the same thing growing, down for winter but just beginning to bud for spring. "See that? Lavender. Discourages ticks and deer."

Of lilies, he says, "They're pretty easy to grow in general. Poisonous to cats, though, so you don't want to bring them indoors if you have one. They're not usually a companion for fruits or veggies, but they work well with other flowers." An eyebrow goes up. "You like a specific kind?"

Yes, the visuals of imagining these chickens being torn apart by dogs is what immediately comes to mind, but Byron does his best to not be disturbed by it. Or at least, look as if he's not. So he's just staring out, blinking every so often, with more of an amused of thoughtful expression than anything more. He then takes an idle sip from his cup, before adding in once the conversation had moved on. "I'd like to say that Hank's heart was in the right place for the animal adoption. But obviously, it wasn't."

When Lilith brings up a chihuahua, Byron flashes her a smile, "So you've caved in after all of those pictures I'd shown you." Though in truth, it was a mixture of chihuahua and some dachsunds or whatever small dogs fit in purses. This mention of the whole dominating plant thing, gets a quirk of his lips, his gaze then falling onto August to field some questions or curious looks, "Look, I don't know if there are thieves who come in here and steal stuff that we hard-working farmers had grown. But," He gives the entire area a look over, "It would suck for someone to be appointed here for part of the day. Don't get me wrong, it would be an easy job with good pay, but still."

Pulling out his phone, he takes a few notes on the various plants mentioned. "Lavenders for sure. The last thing I need to bring home are ticks." Nevermind the deer. "I am hoping to make good use of this space. Maybe set up a fountain of sorts. Make a part of it a butterfly garden." It all sounds so fancy. Anything to make the trip out here rather pleasant. Afford some space for a picnic." He's still tapping in notes.

"Casablanca lilies. Tiger lilies and stargazers are nice, too, offhand." Lilith apparently knows the definite number one answer to August's question, explaining with a knock of her hand through her tousled loose waves and curls of dark hair once she's leaned in to catch the kiss on the cheek in thanks. Then she walks along, nursing that coffee to look around at the other plots they pass on the way to the test plots, listening with considering interest.

Lilith sniffs a vaguely humored noise at Byron's comment on Hank-ness as her hand falls out of her hair to play with the zipper on her open vines and floral embroidered black leather jacket, total caffeine buzz fidget. Someone's going to crash hard this afternoon given the early morning and rushing coffee and sugar buzz combo, "Stop trying to mini-cooper my future dog, you heathen." She's not crashing yet, though, she's reaching over to slap the man on the ass while August's back is turned to gesture over the plant collective.

"Garlic and chives fresh would be real nice for the kitchen. Lettuce, we go through a lot of it, tomatoes and cucumbers, I think those are all pretty simple at least? Lavender is nice to dry and put in drawer satchels to keep clothes fresh too." After a tilt of the woman's head, she lapses into consideration, "If we list what we like on the flower and food front, perhaps it can be mapped to work from our preferences with the understanding not all combinations will be feasible, I imagine?" She pauses and looks at August a little more solidly instead of the plots around, now, "Also, I think I'm double glad I remembered the basket, you look like you needed the pick me up. Everything alright?"

"We were thinking of making a little picnic area towards the middle here." August gestures at a spot where the path leading between the allotments broadens into a larger, barren circle, then narrows again on its path to the smaller greenhouse at the back. "Some benches and a table, tree of some sort for shade, maybe a little water feature around it. So people could rest while they're working on things."

It hadn't really occurred to August that people might steal vegetables and fruits from the allotments. Maybe it should have, but who can blame him; he's been living in the woods for how long? Not much theft going on out there. He makes a low sound. "Hadn't thought of that," he admits. "We could see about some security cameras, though. That sort of equipment's nice and cheap now. That way no one's being paid to stand around at stare at plants all day." He bobs his eyebrows at the mild joke since, well, that's whatever everyone who works here does.

August nods in agreement with Lilith. "And leopard lilies if you want--Pacific Northwest native, and drought tolerance. A list, honestly, is the best way to do it. Tell us your must-haves and like-to-haves and don't-wants, and we can make you a matrix of what goes where. Like, you don't want your legumes anywhere near your alliums. So, beans and sweet peas on the other side from onion and garlic. No sage with your cucumber. Dill's not good for your nightshades once it's mature, so if you're not going to harvest it on time, you want to avoid it. But, I don't expect anyone to remember all that."

His animation at the topic falters when Lilith asks that. He hesitates, because the last thing he wants to do is derail this topic for the thing he's trying to not think about. But... "Ah, Ignacio, he's one of our employees. Was hurt pretty bad in a bus accident last night. He's in the hospital." He sighs, nods at the store. "So if you're wondering why everyone is kind of quiet, that's why." He flicks Lilith a brief glance, a wordless thank you for asking.

Byron doesn't have much of an idea about flowers, but over the years, he'd bought Lilith a bunch of lilies when they were growing up. Even though the ones he bought were those used for funerals mostly. Or so he used to tell her. "What about potatoes? Things like that? Plants that you don't need to replant after harvest. I mean, some of them anyway. And who doesn't like a good potato?"

The dog discussion has him stating, "Nothing wrong with a Mini-Cooper. They are cute cars and I thought you'd look cute in one. Either that or a Miata or whatever those cars were called." The way he's grinning, she'll be able to tell that he was joking. The grin broadening, feeling that slap at his backside, turning his head so that his gaze follows behind her.

He then glances over to the indicated area, letting out an, "Ahh." When told that that section was being designated as picnic territory. "Good. It's not too far and I'm sure after a day working out here, it'll be put to a lot of use." He then adds, "Do I have to let you know when I take in gardeners to tend to things when I'm too busy to stop by myself?" He just acquired a casino, making him a very busy man.

However, when he overhears about some accident that occurred, there's a quirk of his brow, "I read about that. Sorry to hear. I hope he makes a full recovery." After another sip from his cup, he asks, "What happened anyway exactly? Buses are... well, sometimes drivers can get distracted in a town like this."

Lilith curls her arm around Byron's back to lean against his side once they're looking and listening to the plan of suggested action as to plot layout. For a moment, she looks back at the indicated picnic area, then when August's animation lapses with the subject change, her head tips forward with a sudden understanding. "Ahh. That's unfortunate..." she says with an exhale of breath, her eyes a bit pensive, as if she's about to ask if there was anything else related to the accident (things in Gray Harbor what they are). Instead, Byron's inquiry seems to fall under the same lines, roughly, as what she was about to wonder.

Instead of asking any questions or babbling on as she has been much of the while, she stands leaned there against the solid, masculine frame of Byron next to her, coffee either emptied or forgotten. The cup is just kind of being nursed and occasionally waved around with gesture in talking prior to her quiet spell.

August clears his throat. "Thanks," he says, glancing between the two, voice low. "He should...Finch is there with him. Dove Celaeno's granddaughter? She's like," his gaze shifts to Lilith, "you and me. Soon as she's out of surgery she'll tighten things up, I expect." He grimaces. "De la Vega's keeping his ears open for anything, but it sounds like it was just ice. For once." Go figure.

He's quiet a second, then shrugs. "He lived, and he's got us to patch him up. So. Just scary, is all." A small smile. "I expect he'll get a ration of shit on his first day back."

Back to the gardening. He nods at Byron. "Potatoes are great--though, you won't want to plant potatoes and tomatos too close together. There's a blight that hits both. Safer to keep them separated a good distance." August shakes his head about the gardeners. "Nah--it's your plot, your business who's working in it, not mine. Only thing we ask is don't damage the drip system and don't plant things with runners."

He wrinkles his nose at Byron, eyes Lilith. "Wouldn't you want something a little bigger than a Mini-Cooper? I don't mean an SUV but, you know, those new Honda Civic Hatchbacks are damned cute. If I didn't need more space I'd get one for sure."

When the Celaeno name is mentioned, Byron lets loose another 'ahh'. He probably knew by the first name, Finch, anyway, that she was part of that crazy family. While he might not bring up a warning about the whole healing thing in regards to the Dark Men, there's some concern in his eyes. A hint of wariness, but he nods anyway. It wasn't Lilith doing the healing. Learning the cause of the crash, Thorne just shakes his head, "That's really unfortunate. I'm just glad we're finally out of winter. Maybe we can get back to a semblance of normalcy without worrying that They will try to ruin our lives at every turn." Little does he know that They don't away when winter does...

"If there's anything we can do to help... with anything, just let us know."

Then they are back to planting things again and his eyes light up when August mentions tomatoes because that's a thing. "Right, tomatoes as also on my list. And we'll try to keep everything nice and orderly." Though when August disses on the Mini-Cooper, Byron says not a word, his attention turning to Lilith, his free hand not reaching out to wrap around her shoulder, drawing her in close.

Lilith shakes her head some while leaned against Byron, listening to August explain the accident details with mild concern, "I get paranoid about accidents like that anymore. My first thought was... did the man touch something he shouldn't have touched? That's how I had my big accident into a tree, last summer." The fear of touching strange things and getting jinxed long term, then possessed is a valid concern of Lilith's, rightfully so! Probably not surprising her mind went there. But the explanation prompted by Byron's inquiry seems to sate the paranoid wondering. She gives August a slight, encouraging smile with partial pull of her lips, "He's in good hands, anyway."

Then mini-coopers. Ah, Lilith has opinions about Mini-Coopers and she almost looks a little smug with glance up at Byron when August seems to be on her team there, but THEN he KEEPS talking and it sucks the validation right out. He just called a hatchback cute! You can practically see Lilith's facial expression flip from something that's about to be a taunt, straight into a goddamnit, then a groan before the ACTUAL groan comes out, "... okay. You two and these toy cars are killing me. If you WANT to play mini Hot Wheels, I will BUY you both some Hot Wheels. I'll even spring for the color change kind."

Then, breathing out a laugh, Lilith turns her face into the close press of her and Byron standing there to try and smother the abrupt spill of amusement, turning her eyes up at him indicatively (and fondly) while explaining to the other man, "This one kept threatening to get me a Mini Cooper after my wreck to irritate me. Now he threatens me with tiny dogs. I love him very much. I also love my SUV."

Then, looking at August with sudden curiosity spurred by the topic of love, "When's the wedding and where are you having it?"

August meets Byron's eyes a moment, that same concern reflected in his. His mouth twists in a wry smile. "Let's just say that I don't expect we can stop Finch from healing him up any more than we could stop Lilith from healing you, if it came down to it." One brow ticks up to emphasize that, then he nods. "Thanks. I'll let you know if they need anything."

He narrows his eyes, wondering if Ignacio did touch something. God, he hopes not. "I don't think so," he says, and almost believes it.

The outburst has him holding up a hand. "I drive a hatch. Always have. Old Civic hatch, a Mazda for a few years, then my Outback...probably another Outback again. Maybe a fancy one. And those Civics are cute. Nothing wrong with a nice SUV or Crossover, Ellie likes those. I like something with a lower center of gravity is all." He rubs his chin. "But, ah, some Hot Wheels wouldn't go amiss, if you've got those nice, old, all-metal ones. I bet they're collector's pieces, but they were nice." He even manages a grin. "Cut me some slack, I like cars that are cute. As long as they have space for my hunting gear."

Tilting his head, he says, "Still deciding. We're going to go down to Oregon in a bit here, check out some spots in Mount Hood area. That, or Olympic, I think." He adds, firmly, "Not here."

Byron can understand Finch's motives when August brings it up even if he may not like it in regards to what Lilith would do. Or so he tries to convince himself. "I remember suffering for nearly an entire month. Magical frostbite. Without any comfort." His gaze looks to Lilith when he says this, before he breaks out into a smile, "It was a grueling month, but it was probably for the best. I wasn't bleeding out. I didn't have broken bones. Just an intense case of hypothermia."

Speaking of touching things, Byron is reminded of something or other when Lilith brings it up. No, it's not the ring.

However, when August talks about his appreciation of cute cars, Byron leans in with a smile to Lilith, "See, there's nothing wrong with a hatchback. Or a miata. Or a Mini-Cooper. Though, if you really want, I could get you a Landrover next time. Though that might be too much vehicle for a chihuahua." As Byron owns a Wraith, he, himself, seems to like large models of cars.

If anything, there's relief on Byron's face to know that the wedding isn't taking place in Gray Harbor. "Good. We all deserve some time away from here." Casting another glance over the fields once more, he adds, "I'll try to make time for it once you've gotten it scheduled. I have a lot on my plate right now, but any time away from here is usually decent." He's still carrying his mostly emptied and probably cooled cup of coffee in his hand, giving it a light squeeze in thought. "Thanks for showing us around. If you or any of your employees are available for a farming tutorial, I'd appreciate it. Once we have our grow list sorted. I'll probably have to pay extra for extra lessons, if that's fine too."

It looks like he's about ready to pack it in, "Like I said, let me know if you need anything. We'll keep in touch." Lilith feels his grip on her tighten, prepared to lead the way and drag her along with him back to his car. "Someone looks like she's been up way too early in the day." He laughs, "Want me to drop you off at my place so you can get a little rest?"

"Mhm, don't expect that kind of standby and watch from me next time you're suffering. Doing nothing about it killed my wait-and-see patience for about an entire year, I think I developed an eye twitch." Lilith doesn't have anything but an eyeroll on the subject of dogs and cars, but she speaks to Byron with a soft puff of sigh about him being so stubborn about her risk factor when it comes to healing. Her other arm loops around him with turn of standing hug and squeeze for a moment, though, before she loosens and nods a few times with delay to August, "Good, neither of us have to talk you out of having it anywhere but here. I'd make jokes about this place and the way it loves to ruin a good occasion, but... it's so true, they're not even darkly amusing or worth the jinxing breath."

After they've had a moment to say their parting words, she smiles some to August and puts up a wave, "We'll see you later. Take care of you and yours, mm?" Then she moves with the pull and drag of Byron's arm on the way back to the car, half-letting him support her while they're walking, "Mmhm. Want to spoil me during my powernap? Take a business call or two in the living room or bedroom with your laptop... I can lay with my head on your lap and sleep to the noise of them for a bit before your meetings and my office time."

There's a pause before she promises, "... I won't even be bad during the call. Just cute and sleepy."