2020-04-10 - Safe Place To Hide

After the meeting with Byron is over, Katherine drives herself over to Wayne's, with a pit stop to the Grizzly Den Diner for some food. She's starting to realize more and more that Gray Harbor is a dangerous place, and in her anxiety ridden mind, the first place she wants to run to is straight into his arms. She drives as fast as she possibly can get away with and even leaves a text on his phone warning him that she was on her way.

(TXT to Wayne) Katherine : Hey, babe, going to grab some greasy diner food. You want something?

(TXT to Katherine) Wayne : Hey love, whatever you are in the mood food make to double. I've been so lost in my work I did not even notice the time.

(TXT to Wayne) Katherine : Whatcha in the mood for? Burger? Chicken fingers?

(TXT to Katherine) Wayne : If you are asking, the fingers stay hot longer.

(TXT to Wayne) Katherine : I'll see you soon then, babe.

Katherine makes the quick stop to grab the food, and soon enough, she's at Wayne's door, and she presses the doorbell, dinner in hand.

Wayne was relaxing in the living room and upon hearing her car pull in was already on his way to.the door. He opens it and smiles giving Katherine a kiss before taking the food. "Come on in, the table is already set. Cider, wine, or soda for tonight sweetie?" He asks as he heads for the dining room table.

The kiss is sweet and tender, loving, at least from her end. She follows it up with a tight hug, as if she was afraid to let go. She holds him for a moment before he takes the food from her.

"Cider," is the immediate response Katherine gives when Wayne asks about drinks as she follows Wayne to the dining room, helping him get the food out and set up for the two of them, chicken fingers and fries, double bacon cheeseburger with onion rings.

Wayne shakes his head with a chuckle when dinner is opened but was already on his way to the fridge.
"Thus is why they say we speak two different languages, I told you.order me whatever you were getting."
He returns with there drinks, setting them in place before kissing Katherine once more. "Thank you for picking up dinner babe."

"I couldn't make up my mind, so I grabbed both. Figured we could share." Katherine shrugged at this. When Wayne returns with the drinks, and goes for a second kiss, she lingers for a moment longer before she allows him to express his gratitude for the dinner. "You're welcome," she tells him with a subdued tone and a slight smile. "I hope you don't mind me stopping by again, I...I just haven't been able to sleep well lately. Having you helps." She settles down at her seat at the table and takes the burger and cuts it in half. She also takes fries and one of the 4 chicken fingers and puts it on her plate.

Wayne kisses her again. "I always enjoy spending time with you. Even sleeping." He grins. "Yes I mean actual sleep." He watches as she takes half and follows suite. Opening both ciders he takes a sip from his. "Any more dreams since that day or that one still making it hard to get a full nights sleep? I know that sometimes things can stay with us far longer than we want them to."

"Nothing quite as traumatic, so it's not those types of Dreams, from what I can tell. I think it's mostly just anxiety fuelled dreams and sleepless nights, I didn't realise I would have so much trouble being away from you," Kate admits as she starts picking off the fries on her plate. "The stories...they're just Dreams that stayed with you, aren't they?" She'd been reading his stories obsessively for weeks.

Wayne takes a sip, gathering his thoughts. "They are. Dreams and doorways I have opened to the other side that have left a lasting impression on me. I write them because it helps comes to terms with them and all that that entails." He takes a bite of the burger and sits back relaxing.

Katherine eats quietly for a moment, taking in what Wayne has to say. "You've opened doors to the other side? The place where Dreams happen? The bad ones? Is it possible to open those by accident?" Katherine looks worried now. "I barely understand what I know I can do. What if I put you in danger by accident somehow?"

"Sweetheart, the powers can manifest. It's why no one should use them blindly and if you have them control is your first step. Could you open a door accidentally? Absolutely. What if you panicked while being chased? You might reach out praying for an escape. Bang door opens. I was not also so calm.and chilled out after all. The comics kinda explain that part." He smiles and reaches out to take her hand. "If trouble comes then we handle it together."

Katherine allows herself to be comforted by Wayne's hand taking hers as she nods an acknowledgement to what he says. She smiles at him, making reference to his work. "I know," she replies casually, "You would think that I'd learn to cope better after reading your stuff obsessively. But I guess it's not the same as actually living it. It's so hard for me not to have control over the situation sometimes. It's hard for me to accept that things just happen sometimes. I mean, I hadn't used my abilities for anything recently, except to try manifesting my object reading ability. It shouldn't have been so bad, right?"

"When did you try and use your powers?" Wayne looked to Katherine as she spoke but took another bite of his food. He wanted to.give her time to explain what she has tried.

"A few days ago, I tried to replicate what happened when my powers first manifested. It was like I could feel echoes of what someone who was holding the object was feeling so I tried reading some old letters for emotional imprints, I guess? I just focused on the letter and concentrated. It's like some higher form of empathy, maybe? I'm not entirely sure."

"Almost right. It's a little different for each of us. Were you alone when you tried this? When you use the powers, it.can attract attention so the things that take a deep concentration can be rather dangerous." Wayne gave her hand a squeeze.

Katherine says, "I was alone, it was after the Dream...you're right, I won't do it alone again." Katherine nods as they continue the meal. "I might have also attacked a werewolf with electricity out of self-defence. I have no idea where it came from. I just panicked and freaked out. I've had mild manifestations of telekinesis and empathy in New York, but it wasn't until I moved here that I found they really intensify."

"Welcome to Grey Harbor, home of wierd shit." Wayne chuckles and takes a drink. "Seriously though, if you are going to practice or experiment do it here where I can help you. We can work through questions and such." He nods with a smile.

Contemplating this, Katherine says, "Well, I've managed to inadvertently move things with my mind and I know I can read emotions imprinted on objects. I guess we could work on that. And honestly, I just want to make sure I can be prepared. I don't want anything I do to put you in harm's way."

"I can hold my own. If you are forced to choose, would you rather me or others with you if it all comes to a head huh?" Wayne smiles but has a brow raised at the question.

Katherine gives Wayne a look as if to ask 'What kind of a question is that?' and she replies, "I mean if we're all in a group, I would save you first above anyone else. Unless there are people who have no way of defending themselves. I'd send them with you. Generally speaking though, everyone else can figure themselves out."

"Oh good, I was right. You really have trouble hearing what I said. I actually asked you, would you rather a group of strangers or would you rather it be with me if something came for you. You spoke about not wanting to drag me into danger. I'm telling you to practice here. Do not do it.away from the house unless you have to. I am glad you understood." Wayne chuckles and finishes his meal.

Katherine chuckles quietly. "I blame my sleep deprived brain. I mean, I'd rather have you having my back if I can help it. But at the same time, if something dangerous came for me? I'd rather throw strangers in harm's way than to have you hurt," she admits quietly. "It's a tough call."

"It is not that tough. You do not want other people hurt because you were foolish, I know you better than that. So stick with the you would like my support approach." Wayne laughs and salutes with his cider.

"I mean your support is always wanted and appreciated. So are spare bodies to throw at dangerous things," Katherine says playfully, only serious about Wayne's support in this situation. "Do you manage to practice a bit?"

"As I can. Again it's more that we do not want the attention but learning the control is important." Wayne considers. "Typically it's a matter of test subjects. Let's take the other night as an example. The beer bottles from that local IPA we tried? I smashed one with my power then tried to restore it like I saw done with the desk."

"And how did that work out?" Kate asks curiously, before she adds, "So far I know that I can read objects, move them, and I control electricity, which I discovered by accident. I'm not sure I want to practice the last one but I can practice the other stuff."

"Worked out well enough to put it in recycling." Wayne chuckles. "Yeah you'd think that until you have everything coming down to what you can do with electricity. But let's not discuss that further tonight. What would you like to do after dinner?"

After finishing off her food, Kate smiles. "Maybe we could spend some time upstairs, have a little fun," she suggests casually.

Wayne smiles and licks his lips. "Sounds like a great way to work off the calories, now before our stomachs revolt, do you want to snuggle in front of the tv for a bit first? We can pop a movie on Netflix. Maybe a horror and you can ask me how similar of a place I've been to?" He laughs.

Kate chuckles. "Sure, you can put a movie on." She stands to put the dishes in the sink at the end of the meal. "You want me to load the dishwasher, babe?"

"Please, this way I can stare at your ass as you sashay your way to the kitchen. Then I'll run to the couch so I can get the remote first." Wayne grins sounding like an evil villian revealing his plans.

As usual, she plays along with Wayne and gives him exactly what he wants to see. Katherine smirks as she watches Wayne's reaction.

Wayne sighs while watching Katherine until the moment she is out of sight, then he slides back his chair and bolts for the couch to grab up the remote.