2020-06-07 - Hey There, Neighbor

It is nearing the close of another day of moving cumbersome furniture into his new place. It was a small, but extensively remodeled one-floor house that certainly doesn't appear like it once belonged in the 1960's. Sam is outside, giving the couple of movers their just tips for the hard day of work before they pack up their truck and leave. His flannel shirt, jacket, and dark jeans were warding off the chill of the evening air - for now.

A one Meredith Hartwell is known for taking her derpy dog, Cheddar, for a walk at the same time... each and every day. She keeps to herself more often than not but thanks to these routine walks, Merry comes across many variable circumstances! She is clad demurely in a navy blue woollen peacoat, dark tights and sensible black ankle-high Blundstone boots. Hair is caught back in a thick braid with the rest wisping softly around her face. As usual Merry looks tidy and friendly and Cheddar... well...

Cheddar the golden retriever, all of two-years-old, leads her along and the pair of them come upon a lone figure standing alone as a moving truck pulls away. The dog, as per friendly doggo way, 'grins' with his tongue lolling and ambles in Sam's direction. Merry is looking down at the dog, not yet looking up to glimpse exactly whose presence has interested the pooch, "Oh! Sorry--he's friendly, I promise." She looks up to smile innocuously at.... wait....

It will take some time for Sam to categorize the routines of his new neighbors, but having a familiar face nearby was going to give him some additional comfort. He doesn't recognize Meredith immediately - just a woman walking her derpish-looking dog, as far as he knows - until the canine gets into pet range. The corner of his mouth tugs upward into a friendly grin and he crouches to give Cheddar some introductory pets and scritches.

"Hey there, buddy," he greets, then peers up at Meredith. That's when the flash of recognition hits him, too. "Oh, it's you! Uh, Merry, right?" He pauses in his petting while waiting for confirmation.

Like humans, all dogs are created different.. and Cheddar, bless him, poured all of his points into gregariousness and (hopeful) likeability and by the time all was said and done, Cheddar came up short in the intellect department. He's not the sharpest knife in the doggo drawer but damnit, he's sweet and very clearly a well-loved and well-cared-for animal. Once he sees that this man isn't shying away or otherwise making Do Not Want actions, the dog doesn't hold back. He shoves his sleek, thick-skulled goldenrod noggin right up against Sam's palm. Merry stands there and watches; she is typically one to smile and indulge the dog his greetings, but right now her expression is that of astonishment.

"Oh my goodness, yes... it's me alright. Sam?" Merry asks outright.. she recalls his abrupt departure from the town awhile back. Blue eyes are bright with interest, "Welcome back?"

All doggos are good. Even the ones who chase their own tails. By the look of it, Sam has retained his kinship with animals. He unfolds back up to his full height now that he's addressing Meredith, a genuine smile now replacing the smirk. His own surprise doesn't last long.

"Sam I am," he answers, nodding. "Thanks. I was worried I'd be returning to a completely transformed, gentrified town. Glad to see I was wrong, in more ways than one." He directs his gaze down the street from whence she came. "This is your street now, too?" Casual as ever, but he's wary of bombarding her with questions. Instead, it's going to be an evenly-paced salvo!

The good boy watches Sam stand upright and he wriggles a bit, fur already bereft of the scritches. So Cheddar just goes back to Mom, bringing his big body over to petite Merry's side and leaning into her a bit. Merry's hand drops down and goes about giving Cheddar's shoulders a ponderous, steady rub. Blue eyes remain upon Sam however, casing out how much he could have changed since their last meeting. Since school. Meredith is still very much herself: with longer hair, but still every bit the young lady who is unintrusive and somewhat old-fashioned in her look.

"It is still very much Gray Harbor." Merry smiles openly, though there is a flicker of thoughtfulness skittering across her expression. She follows Sam's gaze along the street, "I've been here for a few years now.. Spruce is nice. I had to get out on my own..." A beat, "Where did you come from?"

Sam hasn't changed much, for better or for worse. He seems notably more casual and confident than he was in his more uptight teen years, and -marginally- older. Still no beard, but his hair now a deeper brown than the honey hue it was when she last saw him, and he's filled out more. The glimmer around him is new, too, but far weaker than Merry's own. His brown eyes were now beholding her curiously, with the same curiosity.

"I spread my own wings, only to California," he answers. He averts his eyes to the cloudy sky. "It was quite the culture shock, and I will miss the sun. But not the rent." He looks to her again. "But I left a few important things unresolved here, and it's time to get some answers. I was a reporter back in Berkeley, and I've taken a job at the Gazette. What have you been up to?"

The young woman has a good memory for what once 'was'... never used maliciously, of course. Meredith was an oasis of calm -- or at least she tried to be -- during school days. Those who struggled back in those days really struck a chord with her; always, Merry was just that bit kinder. But anyway, she does remember Sam as he once was... and she is noticing, with approval, that he looks healthier. It's always nice to see others come into their own.

But especially noticible: that glow. This only stokes her curiosity further. Never does she push or prod or do anything to 'explore' others' shine... instead she seeks to just hover close, subtly and innocuously as a butterfly would... and observe. To Merry, glimmer is a fine thing.

"Goodness.. what a change for you. I have never been to California before.. but let me be the first to welcome you home. I do not live far from here.." Merry pauses, scritches the dog. "I work part-time as a kindergarten teacher... I also care for children in my home, a few times a week."

Meredith's comforting presence undoubtedly worked on him then, and it's undoubtedly working on him now. Reconnecting with her seems easy, almost routine. His smile doesn't falter, and it seems to reach his eyes just enough to be considered genuine. The glimmer also remains steady under her curiosity, but he simply may not notice that she notices it, yet.

His hands slip into his jean pockets and he shifts his weight back. "Thank you, Merry. It's good to see you again." A pause. "I guess this means we're neighbors now. Is there anyone else I know nearby?"

When he hears about her chosen career, his smile widens ever so slightly. "I hope they don't wear you out too much. They're lucky to have you."

The blonde's non-approach is definitely her style... whatever she can glean, she does so as quietly as possible. Does her very best to not stoke any of these forces. Meredith's smile widens as Sam's grows in his eyes; she likes to see others growing comfortable around her. "It is very nice to see you again, as well--" A pause as the golden pupper lurches into her legs again. "Ooof..!" Merry exhales, "Oh, patience Cheddar! I know we're close to yor favorite tree." Says Merry to the dog, as if he can understand her. Who knows.. maybe he can. c.c

"There's a few of our sort who have settled along this road... I'm sure they'll grow curious too. I keep to myself mostly, mainly because those little ones do tire me out." Merry laughs, bell-like. "I love it though.... but... hey," She nudges Cheddar, "I must get this fellow to the end of the route, lest he have me up the wall later. Get to settling into your home, and maybe I can show you around when the dust settles. There have been some little changes... but it's still ever the same."

A fond wave as she coaxes the derpy dog along. "I hope you find what you're looking for, Sam. Let me know if you need anything.. I'm over at number 20." Merry offers in farewell.

Sam chortles lightly when Cheddar demands his owner's attention once again. "Better get there fast. It feels like it might start to rain again." He should also probably get inside. His swanky new furniture isn't going to assemble and move itself.

"I wonder how many others have returned... or never left? Mm," he wonders outloud. "I'll go exploring soon. Feel free to drop by whenever you're in the mood and have some time to spare."

He lifts his hand and returns the wave casually, as she begins her departure. "Good to know. See you later, Merry!"

And with that, and no reason to linger outside, he trudges inside.