2020-10-23 - Paddles and Creeks

It's the day after Vic's 'burn my furniture' party, and Alexander still has a clinging malaise he hasn't been able to shake. He slept poorly, and rather than bother Isabella all day, as she has actual productive work to do, he simply told her he was going to see how Easton was doing at the bar, and went for a walk. It was a walk the long way around, and it's afternoon before he finally ends up at TiBS, walking through the drizzling autumn rain. And when he gets there, he doesn't make much of an effort to seek out either Easton or Bennie - just gives a long look around the bar, then slinks to a table with a good view of the ocean, and orders a cheap beer and some tater tots. His sweater is an ugly purple, and hangs sodden on him. The bar is mostly empty; the drinking crowd hasn't yet descended, so the music is turned down and it's actually rather relaxing.

Cecil holds the door open for Olivia, and he tells her, "Since I went to the beach with you last time, we go to the bar this time." He's been away from TiBS lately, so this homecoming has him bristling with excitement. "They have a good stout here," he tells her as he steps into the bar after. He's in khakis, with a short-sleeved button-up, a loostened tie, and a jacket over it all. After work and ready to drink!

White silk blouse, blue tailored blazer, slim skirt to match and heels. Olivia steps into the bar when Cecil holds the door open. "I'd go just about anywhere, sweetheart. You just bat those lashes and promise me alcohol." Olivia shares a inside-joke smile with Cecil before stopping to glance around the place. Alexander stands out as it is, sodden and all purple knit. The blonde considers the man she recognizes from across the space. "Where would you like to sit, Master Harvey?" The title sounds more playfully formal than suggestive innuendo. "I had the most interesting interview yesterday with that arsonist."

Alexander almost always looks towards the door when it opens, and this is not the exception. He recognizes Cecil and Olivia, and stares at them for a long minute, before lifting one hand in something that's half greeting and half tentative invitation. And, hey, his tater tots and beer have arrived, and the former is definitely sized to share.

Cecil looks around, and then he sees Alexander, and he smiles reflesively. The smile fades as he sees Alexander doesn't seem to be in good spirits. He walks over to Alexander's table and asks Olivia, "Have you met my friend? Alexander, this is my roommate, Olivia. Olivia, this is Alexander. He's been an invaluable resource in some of my homicide cases." He then grins at her. "I know you're not supposed to kiss and tell, but you've got me intrigued."

Bennie is a fixture at the bar, whether or not the ownership has returned to Easton. Maybe she's still just clinging to that 'free alcohol' thing as his significant other. Speaking of Easton, she's dressed in what must be one of his sweatshirts, the neckline ripped out so it slumps off one shoulder showing a bright pink strap. She's still in cut off jean shorts, as if clinging to the last vestiges of Summer. She slips to the table with Alexander, not waiting for an invitation to join the trio as she flumps into a seat with her pint glass sized of orange juice. That smells suspiciously like tequila. "Hi!" She chirps to the others.

Olivia flickers a perceptive glance from Cecil's fading smile back to Alexander's demeanor and apparent invitation, moving along beside Cecil. "Mr. Clayton and I have met, yes," as they reach his table. "Good afternoon, Clayton," she offers with a pleasant tone that seems entirely sincere. "It's nice to cross paths again." He's been an invaluable resource. Olivia arches a brow just so. "A pattern resolves." To Alexander, "You don't mind the company?" She slides into a chair and manages to make good posture look relaxed. "We'll just hold hands, Cecil, and then it won't be kissing and telling at all." She slides one leg over the other and settles a palm atop her knee. "The gist is he has convinced himself that we all have some sort of outer husk that needs to be burned away, or else dire events are bound to result. He provides a public service, really."

"Dr. Kincaid. Yes. We've met. Hello. Are you well?" That last question, Alexander seems to aim at both of them. And then there's a Bennie, and Alexander's smile lights further, even as he slides a little to maintain his bubble. "Hey, Bennie. How are you?" He pushes the basket of tots towards her. "Want a tot?" A shake of his head to Olivia's question. "If I minded company, I'd go somewhere without people," he says, matter-of-factly. After Bennie gets the chance to take a tot, the basket is pushed towards Cecil and Olivia in silent invitation, his eyes brightening. "A mission-based arsonist. Fascinating."

Cecil inclines his head to Bennie. "Hello, miss. We've almost met before. My name is Cecil. This is my roommate, Olivia." He helps himself to a tot, popping it in his mouth and munching. He then says, "Oh, well as long as he's doing it for the right reason. What does this town do to people's minds? Liv, if you ever see me rambling about how the voices are telling me to burn things, do me a favor and hit me over the head with something hard. It'll mean I finally snapped."

Either Bennie is watching her carb intake or she doesn't want to soak up the blood working into her alcohol stream because there is a little bobble of her head to indicate a negative and a murmured, "No thanks." To Alexander before she sucks on her straw that has one of those little paper pineapples wrapped around it. "Hi!" She greets Cecil and Olivia, even if they both look familiar, the names are helpful. "I'm Bennie. Without the Jets."

"Quite," Olivia answers Alexander agreeably. Her glacier-blue gaze slides to Bennie with interest. She smiles after Cecil's introduction, "Bennie," she greets, since it's the only name she's heard. "Pleasure to meet you." As if it were a matter of honor, Olivia reaches for a gloriously browned tot and pops it into her mouth. She nods to Alexander's response to her anecdote, then looks to Cecil. For the right reason? "It's the story he's told himself. But there were some other circumstances that fed the delusion. I won't bore you with the rest. Just watch your husk." Cecil requests she hit him over the head. "Of course I will, Sess. That's what friends are for if they're worth their salt. I'll keep the cast iron in reach." As for salt. "Good tots." She traces a fingertip back and forth in the air between Alexander and Bennie, "How do you two know one another?"

"Bennie is relentlessly nice. And an EMT. So. Like a sunshine fairy who also knows how to save your life." Alexander smiles once more at Bennie, before moving the tots out of temptation range. Well, out of Bennie's temptation range. He grabs another for himself and pops it in his mouth, chewing and swallowing before he answers Cecil, "We're stalked by invisible horrors that feed on negative emotions and can yank you into alternate realities where all your nightmares are real. The more interesting question is how anyone in the town manages to go a year without killing someone." It's a very deadpan observation. Then a smile towards Olivia. "We're both townies," he points out. "And I think I've ridden in Bennie's ambulance at least once."

"EMTs are some of my favorite people," Cecil says. "I love it when you guys beat me to the punch." He orders a stout, when he gets the chance, and he tells Olivia, "It's my shout, order what you like. And thank you, for saying that you'll beat me senseless." He lays a hand over his heart. "That means a lot to me." He munches on another tot, then says, "I'll protect my husk at all costs. I keep having these recurring encounters where I'm in high school here. It doesn't even make any sense."

"Has it been a year, yet?" Bennie asks with an amused tilt to her lips as Alexander puts a range on killing people, but there is a bit of an eye roll at the description of her. "Aaaand Alexander is like my bestest friend of ever. We've been through some real poop creeks together. He's been my paddle more than once. Speaking of, we need to do Ice Cream." She says aside to the 'unofficial' detective before a motion comes with her glass that sweeps between Cecil and Olivia. "Pretty sure if you brain him with something cast iron, Cecil here will get his own introduction to my Rig."

Like a sunshine fairy who also knows how to save your life. Olivia's smile curves and her eyes twinkle at the phrasing. "More than just a pleasure, then," she amends with a weighted glance to the woman in the oversized sweatshirt. Alexander's observation about homocide in Gray Harbor doesn't earn any apparent disagreement from Olivia. "I've never heard it put quite that way, Clayton." Both townies. Olivia can only half-claim the same, and she's somewhere between Bennie and Alexander's ages. "It sounds like you were in good hands, then," if he's ridden in her ambulance.

Olivia turns an affectionately amused look to Cecil and his logic for his favorite people. When the time comes, she orders some bourbon. Happy Hour, indeed. She reaches over and patpats Cecil on his nearer knee. "Hey, big spender. You're welcome. I don't promise just anyone bodily harm for their own best interest." Her hand falls back to her own knee once more. Cecil's comment about high school experiences distracts the Crim Psych for longer than a few moments as she considers him thoughtfully. "But no ankle problems this time, at least." She turns back to watch Bennie's reaction to Alexander's description of her position. "An expert paddle, I'll wager." As for flinging cast iron at heads, Olivia simply nods. "Sounds about right."

"The high school dreams. Yes. I remember those," Alexander says, his shoulders hunching. "You were...in my class." He grimaces. "Sorry. Not a very good teacher. And then we were at prom." A pause. "I'm sorry. I was an asshole as a teenager." It just sort of tumbles out, and he looks embarrassed, taking a swig of his beer before he can say anything else. Bennie's elaboration on their relationship brings a smile back to his eyes. "I like you, and ice cream. So that sounds like fun." A pause. "We could even try to make the ice cream. I hear you can do that." He shakes his head at Olivia's 'expert paddle' though. "I think I just flail a lot. But you two. How did you end up roommates? Cost of living isn't that high in the Harbor, or I'd be living in under the Boardwalk."

"You know," Cecil says, "even with the monsters trying to kill us all, it was still less traumatizing than actual school was for me at that age." To Olivia, he says, "I got some scratches from prom, but it wasn't that bad. I had a cute date, too. I have no idea what that was about." He glances to Olivia at Alexander's question. "Do you remember how I told you about the torture crate? Well, afterward, I was a bit of a mess, and Olivia offered to let me stay over for awhile so I didn't have to be alone. I never got around to leaving, and she puts up with me and the cats." He smiles. "It works out nicely."

Bennie folds up her feet into the chair with her, sitting criss-cross-applesauce with a little wiggle as she pulls her drink into her lap, stirring the ice cubes with her straw. "Pretty sure there is little chance we can burn down your kitchen making ice cream, so we can try! But it's mainly the talking over the ice cream I think is in order." Perhaps she noted his solemn mood on her arrival, or maybe she has a sour note in her own sugar coating. "Wait...torture crate? This isn't a Lilith thing, is it?"

There are a bevy of delicious blanks to fill between Cecil's high school commentary and Alexander's additions. In the meantime Clayton is planning to make ice cream with Bennie. There will likely be high school conversations later, or at least after a few drinks. For now, Olivia adds on to Cecil's answer, "My house is far too large for just me. Cecil keeps me as close to sane as anyone could, but he likes to present it as my philanthropy. It's actually a very selfish arrangement." As for torture crates and Cecil's actual experience, she leaves elaboration to him.

Alexander smiles. "You've got that right," he mutters to Cecil, about the actual monsters trying to eat them being less traumatizing than actual high school. "And I'm glad that you've found each other, then," he nods to Cecil and Olivia. "I didn't think I'd like living with anyone. But it's not bad." He eyes Bennie as she folds herself up into the chair. "Oh. Yes. We can do that. And we don't have to make ice cream. Just eat it. I saw a churros flavor in the store the other day. Perhaps we should try that." He stops, and adds, "I don't think Lilith would lock random scientists up in a torture crate. And Cecil's a good guy. He just apparently did fieldwork, and ran into some not so good guys."

Cecil clucks his tongue and says, "Oh, goodness, no. Lilith has been nothing but lovely to me. This was a criminal enterprise at the Harbor. I was collecting evidence, and some rough sorts took my camera and locked me in a crate that looked like it had been modified to be used as an ad hoc torture chamber. They didn't do anything to me, but I listened to them talk about how they were going to kill me. The chief came and got me, and one of them was arrested, so it wasn't a total wash." With a smile at Olivia, he says, "You have your spin, darling, I have mine."

Bennie sets her glass aside for the express purpose of clasping her hands and tucking them under her chin un-ironically. "Dela la saved you? That's so White Knight of him!" Her knees bounce in place for a moment, giddy for that span of time at the fantastical idea of it. "Oh, I didn't know if it was a consensual thing." Back on the topic of the torture crate. "But that sounds positively horrifying! But now you're got a new crate. Not..that...Olivia's house is a crate or anything. Or implied torture." Bennie's nose wrinkles slightly, failing at expressing her thoughts. "What I mean is, it takes time to adjust to living together, but I'm glad you've found one another! Or. Something."

Olivia lifts her glass in toast to Cecil as he speaks of spins, then sips at her bourbon, tipping a shoulder over to nudge at his before straightening. Churro ice cream. Someone named Lilith. She tips her chin in agreement about Cecil being a good guy, especially compared to the fellows who stuck him in the crate. Bennie's color commentary draws a suggestion of amusement from Olivia. "Sadly, no. Very little torture or claustrophobic circumstances to be had at the house. I wouldn't want de la Vega to have to wear the white hat again too soon." Or something. Olivia doesn't do anything to disabuse or encourage any assumptions made.

"You really shouldn't take pictures of stuff people don't want you to take care of unless you have some muscle with you. Cops. Or call me," Alexander tells Cecil, although he looks peculiarly proud of the man at the same time. Getting nearly killed by the bad guys is how you know you're a good guy! Right? There's an exasperated look at Bennie, and he corrects, "De la Vega. There's only one 'la'." Although then he looks stricken, or at least embarrassed, and fidgets in place. "Sorry. I shouldn't. I know you don't mean any harm," he mutters. "I know that." He takes another drink of beer, flicks a look at Olivia. "You said you had cats, Dr. Kincaid?"

"Taking pictures of things people don't want me to take pictures of is literally my job," Cecil says, "but your point is taken, I don't go out in the field alone anymore. But really, the chief is the best boss I've ever had. He has taken very good care of me." Though he says nothing to the idea of Lilith and consensual torture, his cheeks do color a bit to indicate that, oh yes, he heard. To Olivia, he says, "You're lovely to live with. If this is Stockholm Syndrome, I hope I never get rescued." He then tells Alexander, "I have the cats. They only think Olivia has them."

Bennie makes a little face at her drink, like it's responsible for her slip up about Ruiz' name in front of Alexander, but instead of apologizing, she turns to reassurance mode to Alexander. "And you know I love your idiosyncrasies because it is so very you, so don't apologize. I just slipped! And yes, it's only a nickname out of affection. No harm meant." And then she raises a finger back to the main conversation as if to interject. "People do not have cats. Cats merely have people that they tolerate. I have yet to earn the trust of Ravn's boat friend, but I will come H-E-Double hockey sticks or high water!"

The sort of accompaniment Cecil should have when he's doing his job finds Olivia in agreement with Alexander. Clayton's interaction with Bennie has the woman sitting beside Cecil taking another slow drink of her bourbon while watching said evolution. Alexander's question receives the amiable reply, "By proxy," Olivia replies of having cats. "They come with the forensic scientist: it's a package deal. I'm not clear on whether I have been officially approved yet. But there is a general sense of detente, if you ask me." Cecil's description of his opinion of the chief draws Olivia's thoughtful gaze. She's lovely to live with? "If this is Stockholm Syndrome, I'm far more badass than I get credit for at the precinct," she replies mildly. Yes, she agrees silently but clearly. Cecil has the cats, or they have him. Bennie mentions Ravn's distinctive name and Olivia flickers a look at the gorgeous woman drinking the spiked orange juice. "So that's you. Ravn mentioned working here. He spoke very highly of you."

"You know what I mean," Alexander grumps to Cecil, then looks mollified as he goes on. Pleased, even, to hear Ruiz praised. "Yes. Javier is, is, he's good." He says it with a sort of...stubborn insistence, as if someone had just argued that, or as if he needs to say it loudly for it to be true. He takes another swallow of beer, and gives Bennie a look that's half grateful, and half embarrassed. "I should apologize," he corrects, softly. "It's not anyone else's problem. Just mine. I disagree about cats, though. They can be very loving and affectionate. But they're small predators, and it's hard to be both small, and a predator. Even what you eat can be bigger than you are, so you have to be careful." Then a flicker of a grin at Olivia. "You do have the training, at least, to induce Stockholm Syndrome. If you wanted. But I doubt you need to for someone to enjoy living with you."

"Oh, my cats are marshmallows," Cecil says. "They're big babies, and they love everyone. It's just as well they're indoor-only because I don't think they'd survive in the wild. I know they're supposed to be predators but these two couldn't catch a cold." He speaks with affection for the fluffs, but he manages to resist pulling out his phone to show pictures. For now. He takes a long drink of his stout, then he says, "You're welcome to come meet them sometime. I feel greedy hoarding all the affection myself."

Bennie looks a little almost embarrassed (?) as she's mentioned in connection with Ravn and any praise she may or may not been the subject of. "Yes, well." Is all she says to that subject before sucking down the last of her tequila sunrise until the straw makes that noisy rattling sound at the bottom of an empty glass. "Looks like I need a refill!" She chirps, before unfolding her self from the chair with a plop of her Keds back to the flooring. Her fingers tap twice on the table next to Alexander, like a show of affection without actually bursting his personal bubble. "Silly goose, haven't you learned by now, your problems are my problems? Ice cream. Sooooon." Her fingers waggle at the others, because even if she's using an excuse to get away from the table, she's not rude enough to take off without a subtle goodbye.

Olivia's cell phone chimes. She reaches for it and answers. "Kincaid." Pause. "They left him alone with ... Jesus Christ. Is he in --" Pause. "Well you keep him that way, I don't care if you have to sedate him. I'm on my way." With a brush of a kiss to Cecil's cheek, she stands up. "Husks are on fire. I'll see you at home." To Alexander, "Lovely to see you again, Clayton." To the other blonde. "Bennie. Let's do this again sometime." With that, she catches her purse up and strides toward the exit.

Alexander doesn't miss the way Bennie's expression changes at the mention of Ravn...and he's not super good at hiding his sudden interest. He peers at her as she rises, and bobs his head. "Ice cream. Soon. Don't die." He watches her go, and his eyes flick back to Cecil. "Yes. Thank you. I'd like that. You can come by my place and meet my conure and my cat. Blue Bell, the cat, is very much a sweetheart. Luigi doesn't really like anyone but me, but that's not your fault. I could show you his tricks, though." Then Olivia is also called away, and he watches her with interest. "Nice to see you again, Dr." It's solemn, but when she's heading for the door, he turns back to Cecil, and admits, "She's interesting."

"She's lovely, really," Cecil says. Then he says, "Looks like it's just us blokes now." He takes a drink, then asks, "You have a conure? I've always liked the idea of having a bird, but I'm not home enough to give one the attention it deserves, and it would probably terrorize the cats. Shadows and random moths terrorize them, so a bird would be a stage 5 emergency."

Alexander blinks. "I guess it is. Just us blokes." He visibly mulls the phrase over, then bobs his head, deciding that he likes it. And another bob, to indicate the answer the question. "His name is Luigi. I took him as payment from a client a few years back. We get along well, but he doesn't really trust humans." He finishes off his drink, and noms on the tater tots. "You could help that, couldn't you?" He reaches up and taps his temple. "That's how I got Luigi and Blue Bell to get along, at first. Just...have to explain it to them on their level."

"I don't interfere too much," Cecil admits. "I figure that, as cats, they know better about being cats than I do, though I have explained to them that moths are supposed to be prey, not a source of horror. It's just that the one that got Esmerelda had wings, you see, and it flew in her face. Very frightening. Theodore ate it, though, so he saved the day." He shakes his head. "They're such funny little animals. They seem to think of me as their mother."

"Having watched Blue Bell fall off the couch three times in an hour, I'm not sure they know much about being cats. Other than just jumping on things, batting at them, and then trying to eat and see what happens." Alexander's tone is very fond, however; he's clearly smitten with his floof. "Birds are harder. They're smarter, in some ways. Luigi remembers more, puts more together. When he wants to cause trouble, he can get...inventive." And yet, he's still fond. His smile grows at the recital. "You're very nurturing. And good for Theodore." He seems perfectly content to talk animals, and even start breaking out the animal photos, for as long as Cecil will indulge him with talk and company.