2020-04-22 - Murder Photography and Embroidery

It was a nice enough day. Sure, no sunlight shining through the clouds, but this was Gray Harbor, you didn't move here for perfection. Having nothing scheduled for today, Leon decided to drag his golden-haired lady out of the house and away from her studies. She could use a break, he insisted. He even provided her a trip to the coffee shop on the way here.

Parking his Jeep, he'd lead the way out onto the boardwalk, slipping a camera bag over his shoulder, and reaching to take Maggi's hand in his. The weather was warm enough he was just in a plain fitted T-shirt and some jeans, his signature boots making rhythmic beats on the wooden slats.

Finally some less than frigid weather has graced them with her snobby presence. Mother Nature has relied on her wintery rbf for far too long. Not that she had complained over the fact that it meant an excuse to ask Leon to put her arms around him consistently. Most days outside of the fundraisers she had just been whittling away at the chunk of work that was her last semester (she hoped).

Maggi swaggers about in black nylon stockings topped by torn black denim shorts and a loose fitting off the shoulder crop top with two skeletal hands giving the finger at the places her chest would be beneath. Doc Martens in maroon match her lips and side shaved mane is in a rough knot. She is sipping off her coffee watching him look about.

“You know I’m pretty sure they shot that weirdo goth beach scene from Sweeney Todd here. Very romantic. If you kill me don’t make me into a pie.”

Leon's free hand lifts, then descends in a snap, a facade of joking disappointment on his face. "Fiiine," he adds in theatrical droning, "Take all the fun out of it." His hand squeezes hers as he glances sideways and grins, adding a wink her way.

The camera bag is brought around, unzipped, his Nikon brought out and strap slung around his neck, all while maintaining his grasp on her hand. He takes a brief snap of the beach and bay, then lets it hand against his stomach as he continues to wander. "Besides, if I wanted to be romantic," he points on down the way toward Bayside and the apartments she used to live at, "I'd walk you down to the parking lot to kill you. Maybe over the hood of Courtney."

Dahlia maybe was harboring a hangover from Bennie's birthday party last night. What better way to kick it than her morning run? A run that always took her though the Boardwalk so she could stop at Espresso Yourself at the end of it all. Which has happened because she is just walking along the boardwalk now, enjoing the light breeze and her coffee and still looking a little worn out. Her hair is tied back and she's wearing a pair of light blue jogging pants with an unzipped, matching windbreaker and a black t-shirt underneath. She can't help but overhear the couple as she nears them.

"I dunno, Parking lot's pretty public. Forest would probably be more ideal." She mused. Chiming in on their conversation.

Maggi laughs dryly at her lion’s antics. She couldn’t help but give a dark red lined grin as his camera snaps. He had been doing this more consistently since they had entered each other’s lives, and it seemed good for him. Aside from that, the quality to most of his shots was excellent in stylized haunting black and white.

Bayside was only affordable with massive student debt but, for a time it seemed like the only apartments in town. The neighbors were probably glad to be rid of a Masters student who drove an eyesore of a beater. Maggi nods to the raven haired woman with another sip of dark beverage. “Exactly, you’ll get better film that way. Additionally Courtney breaks down enough. Don’t put her though more trauma than my commutes!”

The boardwalk isn't too terribly far from where Erin lived, but she'd gone by and gotten Jack before they'd driven to the boardwalk and after parking her shiny Maserati there, they'd abandoned it for a walk to enjoy there not being rain or snow. That, in Gray Harbor, was reason enough to celebrate. Lots of fresh air. While it's still cool out, she's got her coat around her and gloved hands hold a to-go cup of something warm she'd gotten on the way at a drive thru. "I'm looking forward to the summer and the beach. Are you still considering that trip I mentioned to Michigan this coming fall? To the Woodward Dream Cruise? I think you should take your car." Speaking to Jack, her other arm hooked in his while they walk. Her steps cease as she watches the photographer and smiles indulgently, in no hurry.

Arriving with Erin to the boardwalk, Jack is in a carhart. Warm enough, especially considering his drink is in a plastic cup and filled with ice. Coffee, some latte or another, its a little lighter in color with milk and may have a shot of flavor in, or at least a shot of espreso. Doesn't matter, its cool and to his liking as he walks with her from car to wooden planks. "I am willing to go, yeah. Maybe a trailer and we can take the coupe." His car. He pauses with her to stay away from possible getting in anyone's way as regards photography. "We don't have to get t-shirts for the trip or anything, do we?" That's his ideal of what vacationer type people do. He may seem opposed and grumpy about that, but then if Ford had some shirts for the Cruise event, he might change his mind, reluctantly as is his want.

Though he tries to be covert about, grinning at Maggi's smile and joke, Leon was pretty obviously angling his camera to try to take a candid shot of her face. She was too sharp-eyed to be caught unawares though.

"I mean, you keep pushing this narrative that I'm an artist. Art has to be displayed publicly to be admired, right?" Yes, Leon lets keep making jokes about romantically gruesome murder out loud. His eyes flit from Maggi to Dahlia as he makes the joke, polling the audience as it were. He notices the other couple and offers a sociable wave. Nothing weird here!

"And that car has given you enough trauma, I don't see how it makes a difference."

"Yeah, she gets it." Dahlia grins to Maggi. "Name's Dahlia by the way." She offers to the pair. Both hands currently clasping her to-go cup for warmth. A smile is give towards Erin and Jack when they stop and a bit of a nod of greeting. She's probably seen them around town at the very least. Or they've seen her working at Firefly or Platinum.

Looking towards Leon with a laugh, she take a sip of her cocoa. "I guess. But, my vote is still the forest. You can take a video and it can go viral and all that." She mused. "How long you been a photographer?"

At the last second of his shot, Maggi sticks her tongue out in a childish manner, ruining it. The only way he was going to be faster than Maggi was if he actually made her run.

"You are an artist," Maggi corrects vehemently, narrowing her eyes at his camera as though punctuating her point. She shrugs at his suggestion, obviously having picked the wrong audience member to assist in his act if he was going for the shock factor in morbid humor. "More than likely a market for that, try googling public display's of murder and see what kink shakes out. Got to sell high though, you are losing a model. On the plus side it is actually one of a kind." She slurps more coffee, but Leon would know her well enough to tell she did think it was funny, just by continued banter.

Maggi nods to athletic woman in acknowledgement, her own hands also around a beverage. "Maggi," she adds sizing her up. The same curt nod is given to the nearby couple.

The car may give her trouble, but Maggi knew Leon thought her tractor was sexy.

"Do you want to hold my drink to warm your hands? Or wear my gloves," Erin teases him. Though her gloves are a supple leather that would look good on any gender, his hands were larger! Surprised by his response, it almost looks comical as she swivels her head to look up at him. "Really?" Definitely shocked. "You've just agreed to leave the state and go more than a few hours from Gray Harbor." A grin shot his way, she claims in a rush, "No take backs. Now if I can get you to Michigan to show off your baby, I can get you to take me shopping at my favorite place." A sly look, since he may not exactly know where that is. "T-shirts optional. It'll be fun, a road trip. Exploring Detriot. I want to see the Maritime Sailors Cathedral while we're there. So many things on Woodward Avenue. The Fox Theatre, Hard Rock Cafe, it's near the Tiger's Stadium too." Realizing she's carrying on, she laughs, looking over to the others with the photography. A wave is offered. More a lift of her coffee cup since she's hold it and Jack's arm at hte same time. "Good day to you. It's a nice day for once." Dahlia she had for sure seen at the Cabaret before, "It's good to see you again."

A slight furrow of brow as Jack turns from photography group towards Erin more proper like. "No take backs, you got me kid. I'll accompany this shopping, at least once." Unless it was food to cook of course. He just listens to all the other things, ignoring the need for warmth, stubborn that way. "We can do it all, just no planning it all out." Turning with her towards the others he nods a greeting, "Hello." He has manners, they're to the point and he more differs to Erin who seems to know one/some/all of them maybe, he's not sure. He occupies his thoughts with a cold sip of his latte on ice.

Normally it's pretty redundant for Leon to introduce himself, with the frequency he drives around town in a van with his name on it. Devoid of that today, however, Dahlia is offered a, "Leon." And a nod. Her hands were tied up with warm drink, so he doesn't offer his own. He does offer a silent fist to Maggi, a confirmation that the morbid marketing strategy was well approved of in his mind.

"Bout..." There's a squint and a look to Maggi as he tries to remember, which of course was absolutely useless since she didn't know him then. Just the things people do. "...5 years? On the job training. Turned into a hobby." A shrug follows, a brief squint at Jack made. Had he made a car key for something at the man's garage at some point? He tries not to pry into the trip planning, "How's it goin, folks?"

"Nice to see you too, Erin yeah? Who's your friend?" More than friend, whatever - it was a general term to indicate she had zero ideas about who Jack was!

She gives a grin towards Maggi and Leon. "If anyone goes artistic serial killer, it would happen in this town. Though, you know, there's the alternative of faking it." Dahlia ponders this approach, "But I guess you'd have to have reallllyyyy good skills yeah? Or else it loses some of the shock and awe factor."

But then she's happy to shift away from the topic and towards the photography. "Pretty cool hobby. I do sewing type things myself. Latest project was a pair of embroidered pillowcases"

"Oh not a chance on planning it all out. If we pass by the biggest mouse trap or a huge rocking chair or some roadside attraction we're stopping to take pictures." A slight nudge to him, "We can even eat at little out of the way diners or something. Just be random." With a casual air she adds, "Shopping is on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills." Ahem.

Turning her attention to the others, Erin smiles as she assures, "Yes, Erin Addington. This is Jack Wellington, he owns Jack's Garage." Or something similarly named. Laughing in agreement, she motions further down the boardwalk. "Like at the Murder Motel. Or even Bayside Apartments for awhile." Not that she'd besmirch her friends apartments so much.

Maggi keeps the comment about how Dahlia needed to stop trying to take away her once in a lifetime experience. She ate horror movies for breakfast, and the amount of sharp objects that put in her bowl wasn't for everyone. She is fairly certain she sees Leon actually look about for his van at the prospect of introducing himself and decides maybe she wasn't the only one who needed a break. Funny enough Maggi's short time in his life didn't make her any less adept at answering the question. She listened...sometimes. Maggi nods, "Yes five."

Maggi wasn't entirely sure what to say to Dahlia as she had no idea why anyone would embroider a pillowcase, then again she was allergic to most patient pursuits. Being a local who spent most of her time in a library or online, Maggi had no idea who most of these people were even if she had seen them several times. It was like object permanence with a baby. Hearing 'Addington' she tries not to cringe, the desire to lessening with the mention of the Murder Motel. At least this one had humor. She nods more letting Leon lead social pleasantries.

A turn up at introductions, he intones on the heels of Erin's words, "Yeah, just Jack." As that will do. Or to avoid Mr. Wellington being used. His eyes are uncertain about real or faked serial murders, but a slight nod in agrement if it happened anywhere he wouldn't be surprised if this was the location. Maggi isn't sure what to say, but Jack picks it up, "Embroided pillow cases, that's still a thing." Not embarassed but realizing it may come off wrong, "I may have some folded away from my grandmother, but I'm curious what it looks like now." Modern stuff, not some doyle like cross-stitch, but he could be imagining modern embroidery all wrong in his mind.

The Addington name might have had the same reaction from Leon, but he knew enough in his work that Erin was one of, if not the sole, good one. He gives a smile and nod in her direction.

"Oh, hey Jack." Introduction brings recognition, and this time a hand offered to the garage owner, his guess being correct. It was a small(ish) town, after all. "Good to see you again."

"Yeah, I'm usually a landscape kind of guy, though I've been trying to get a little better at portraits." There's a conspiratory look at Maggi, the lone model he used for this work, before looking back, "Not murder scenes... But uh... Yeah, how do you find sewing fun? I'm a locksmith, but that's a whole level of intricate I think would drive me off the deep end. Is it the ends justifying the means or something?" His one hand comes up, palm out, innocent, still not having broken the contact with Maggi with the other, "Not that I'm saying somethin'," Like some people. "Honestly curious."

"Nice to meetcha Jack. Well, all a you." SHe offers to Leon and Maggi as well. Dahlia pulls out her phone an taps a few things, showing the picture to Jack and anyone else who wants to see it. It's a picture of a bed with the focus on 4 pillows. 2 Normal ones - one pillowcase is a dark blue with a seagreen 'D' and the other is seagreen with a dark blue 'D'. The decorative pillows are in the same style, though both have one half dark blue with the 'D' and the other side is reversed.

"I was laid up for a couple months because of some stuff. Including that awful flu that came in and kicked half the town's ass. "Nothing really fancy, but matched the house colors. And my boyfriend's name starts with a D as well. Now, if we ever break up, I can take all the pillows and just say they all stand for Dahlia." She chuckled.

As for why she likes it, "I learned from my mom. Grew up over in Huckleberry, sometimes dabbled in modifying my clothes or making them. And when I was in LA sometimes I'd embellish my clothes and stuff there too. I like creating things and, well, it's sort of mindless too in a way. Good outlet for me if I want to do something with my hands."

Erin knows next to nothing on sewing, but she does at least listen with interest. Her grandmother wasn't the doily or embroider type either. Checking out the picture, she makes a sound of approval that quickly turns to a groan of the remembered flu. "It seems like it hasn't been that long ago, but there has been quite some time that has passed since all that flu and.. the serial murders going on."

Taking interest in what seems like Dahlia's hobby, she adds, "You should be a fashion designer, see if you could get commissions for selling your own line at the boutique in the strip mall."

Following along with the topic of the art too, Erin smiles at Leon and Maggi. "I like to purchase art from local artists. Mostly landscapes though, instead of portraits." Lips twitching at the murder scenes part, "I suppose you could apply to be forensics detective at the Police Station, photograph all of the deaths you wanted to there."

"No thank you." Leon is quick to retort to Erin, leveling a finger at her and smirking a bit himself, taking it as a tease, chuckling and shaking his head, "The way this town is, I'd be too busy to keep my company."

The hand is lifted to scratch the back of his head nervously at the mention of purchased art, "Some of my stuff is hanging up at Vivid Dreams, thanks to this one." His linked, ringed hand is lifted and tugged slightly to indicate Maggi, but it seems more an embarrassed admission than a true attempt to plug his art. He simply knew if he didn't say it, Maggi would.

Leon would lean to peer at the picture Dahlia offered, trading looks with Maggi, "Damn, those do look well done." He was probably reminded maybe the decorations... or lack thereof... at the house needed some work.

Taking the hand offered, Jack nods, "It is good to see you." A pause, "I've a new guy starting up, made need to jack a few cars for us again." Turnover seemed to get more calls placed to help with keys and car entry. @emit Taking the hand offered, Jack nods, "It is good to see you." A pause, "I've a new guy starting up, made need to jack a few cars for us again." Turnover seemed to get more calls placed to help with keys and car entry. THen he turns towards Maggi, "Could you stitch a Ford emblem on some pillow cases?" HE may have an interest after all, his own. A look turned as Erin explains her curiousity and even a nod, design her own line, he could fathom it even if silent in support. Most of the art topic is left hanging from Jack's side as far as that goes.

"Thanks!" Dahlia smiles and then slips her phone away and looks towards Erin a little surprised. "...You think? I'd never thought about it. I mean maybe if I come up with some ideas...After Night Bird finishes filming." She ponders it, mostly thinking out loud. "I'll have to check out that boutique."

She then looks to Jack with a touch of a grin. "I'm sure I could! You'd just have to tell me the sort of colors and all you'd want." Mind already turning a bit with how she'd go about the process. It'd be a little more complex than just a big letter, but surely more than doable.

Erin finds amusement in the quick refusal of the idea from Leon. "You have a good point but with Gohl and my uncle out of the picture, hopefully things will be safe for a little while. Until the next one." The mention of the art has a flicker of interest lighting in her eyes. "Oh? I go there often. I've been furnishing my home since I purchased it and have bought a few pieces already, I will look into it." There's a genuine interest in her voice, not just giving false platitudes.

With the interest from Dahlia, Erin smiles. "I could give a good word for you. I shop there when I can't get to LA. They have lovely clothing. A mens and womens side."

Still just as embarrassed that Erin seems so sincere about it, Leon chuckles a little and dips his head in a gracious nod. Then, ah yes, the typical humor aimed at locksmiths, that they should use their powers for evil. Leon takes it in stride amicably though.

"Look, I told you last time, just because I can doesn't mean I should." He grins and turns his face slightly, more in line with the general group, though this just means he's side-eying Jack, adding, "But we can talk about price."

He looks a bit confused though at the mention by Dahlia, "Night...Bird?"

Man cave or not, he's good on wanting such pillows. It would complete the decor of some of his space, Ford. Like some connoisseurs of John Deer and their green and tractors, Jack is the same with Ford. He could tell you the right color of tractor in his preference, which is not green in the least. “Ford Blue, not sure what color thread is close,” he knows something about sewing, maybe, “And white lettering.” He responds on the pillow case, giving a curt nod, not much thought about naming off the colors, but he gives an idea at least, in terms he’s comfortable with. “If you could, I’d sure appreciate it.” Honestly. Art, fashion and LA vs other styles is not his purview, and he remains quiet on that front. Good thing Leon addresses him and talks more business. “Up and up, customers cars, if anyone brings in a haul from some farm pick, its on them to pop that this time.”

Dahlia chuckles softly. "Yeah it's a crime drama type movie. Gonna start filming here in May, poduction crew's starting to roll in and get things set up and organized. My best friend Justin- his mom is an actress/producer/director type and wanted him to do another movie and he said he wouldn't do it without me. So, here we are. Gray Harbor will be on camera for the world to see." She gave a wry grin. "Hopefully no weird shit happens." Famously famous last words.

"Thanks Erin, I'll do up some sketches maybe a sample piece or something sometime soon and let you see it? You can give me a second opinion on if it seems like a viable direction." Dahlia nodded. "I'll have to stop in the boutique to check it out. Don't think I've been to it yet."

To Jack, she nods - making a few mental notes. Then produced her phone, tapped a few things, and offered it to him on a blank contact. "Here, put your numbr in, I'll send you some pictures for approval on fabric and then can let you know when it's all done."

One of those slow morphing reactions on par with the witnessing of an oncoming train approaching a school bus, Dahlia's explanation has the expected result: Leon's expression growing into quiet horror as she just drops the cherry on top of the forboding sundae by stating her hopes aloud. He briefly glances about to the others, gauging if they were in agreement to how much of a bad idea it all could be. He shakes his head, then returns to the actual things he could put words to.

"Yeah, of course. Anytime. Just gimme a call. As tourist stuff is opening back up, it's getting a little busy, but I can definitely make time." He remarks to Jack. He was just as at a loss with the other man when it came to fashion talk.

Pillows...Embroidery...She really hoped the look Leon aimed at her had nothing to do with an expectation for her to take up the hobby. Maggi does look at the picture though with an impressed grin. “Can you stabby art anything?” She asks curiously thinking about how faded some of her tee images got.

When Erin mentions purchasing photography Maggi beams with both pride and a look to Leon involving a sickening level of ‘I told you so’. If she didn’t have the patience to embroider, she surely didn’t have it to waste time complimenting someone who’s art was sub par. It was nice to hear other people be interested. Leon may even start to believe her.

Other than liking Leon’s Maggi knew nothing of art. Her primary knowledge lying in areas most considered odd, and alcohol. She’s been doing a lot of nodding to this point. “Maybe camera crews will bring some more business to the Pourhouse.” Maggi says hopefully. “It’s not a rom com or something is it?” She asks apprehensively to Dahlia. If it wasn’t obvious by the black clothes with skeleton hands, Maggi was not a romantic comedy person, you could in fact use anything with Jennifer Aniston in it to torture her.

As conversation continues, Jack puts his cup on a rail of the boardwalk, to help grab that phone and fill out the blank contact. He holds it with one hand, uses his other hand to fill it in. Hopefully he can swype, but he will one finger type too. Either way, no two thumbing it. "Sounds good, thanks again." Just as appreciative if he did get such pillowcases.

It is certainly known that Jack avoid other stuff like the plaque, Erin would at least know he thinks to traipse about it too much is to invite it and he's had enough in his life. But like Leon, he looks up, more at Erin. She could probably gauge his thoughts by that look alone, says alot about a man with little expression when someone can finally get a read on him. Not a good idea in his opinion. He mutters, "Yeah, not so sure its a good location, weather doesn't comply in these parts for stuff like that. A few places up river might be ideal." Though he's looking back at the phone instead of the group when he says that, even if others are saying more visitors could be more money.

"No rom com's here. It's like. A gritty crime drama thing." Dahlia elaborated. "And...what do you mean by...stabby art?" She looks a little intrigued as she asked Maggi to elaborate.

She accepts her phone back whenever Jack finishes. "You're tellin' me. But, not my decision. Guess we'll see how things go." Dahlia nodded, taking a longer sip of her cocoa. "I'm fully prepared for this town to ruin the filming...but then maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised if it all goes off without a hitch." Doubtful.

'Stabby art' provokes a surprised snort from Leo, eyes looking aside and down at Maggi in amusement, his hand squeezing hers affectionately, even if he had just recently had to ignore her grossly superior grin.

"Upriver... Or upstate..." He agrees with Jack, "Has there been any attempt to warn them off? Maybe this Justin guy can convince them?" Leon was thinking of the innocent out-of-towners, as much as he was thinking a public disaster for a film crew would probably drive down any future business ventures for the town. The casino was lucky to survive scandal and he had no idea of that was town weirdness or not.

"Oh sure!" Erin tells Dahlia, "I'd like that. I may commission a few pieces myself, if you would be agreeable." Though she doesn't want to detract from Jack and his business with her, so she leaves them to that.

Except the mention of Gray Harbor being on camera for the world to see. Her eyes lift to Jack's, a silent nod. He hated glimmer stuff, refused to really acknowledge it. Then she gauges Leon, seeing his own gauging look. "I think we are all equally concerned about it, but I do hope it goes well for you."

The photography is a safer topic though and she catches the look between Maggi and Leon with a grin.

They have it, more than he could at least. Jack picks up his drink again with the topic breached at least. But Erin knew best, his refusal of it mostly, just saying what he said now was out of character for the mechanic. Taking a sip through his straw, "Hope it goes well." Then a look to Erin, "I should head back to the shop before long, make sure the place hasn't burned down." Not that it could really, proverbially though, who knew. A shrug of his shoulders, "Let me know what you're good for." To Leon, about prices, can be worked out later, and then to Dahlia, "Looking forward to those pillow cases, thanks again." His arm goes around Erin, to turn with her, "I suppose you can drop me off." In her car, its import, but he's relented to her love of her car, despite it not being Ford or done in Ford Blue even. Not to hustle them off, she can say good byes as she wants, but she is his ride.

"You're welcome! I'll be in touch." Is offered to Jack, and then to Erin - "With both of you I suppose! Have a good day." Dahlia give them a grin. "I'd be happy to do some pieces for you if you like what you see."

She looks towards Leon. "Maybe. I'm having lunch with Justin and his mother sometime this week so maybe I'll put it in her head they should film in other places too. I'm sure they'll still want to use Gray Harbor for places but...some other places couldn't hurt either." Dahlia shrugs. "We'll see."