2021-02-17 - Butterscotch or Caramel?

There is no way anyone with two functioning eyes could possibly assume that Ravn Abildgaard is a fisherman. His hands aren't callused enough, his face not kissed by wind and sun, and he's walking in wearing -- well, actually, not his usual black jeans and turtleneck. He's in black sweats and a black sweatshirt with a remarkably colourful tie-dye motif in red, blue and purple. And his sneakers, shockingly, are white.

Maybe it's the espresso sign that draws him in on such a brisk winter's day. He's got his hands deep in his pockets and looks -- kind of all right, really, for a bloke who supposedly got shot in the chest three weeks ago. A bit stiff when he walks, a bit sore -- there's a level of muscle fatigue that no amount of healing can fix. Not even in Gray Harbor.

Drawing up to the counter he rests one elbow on it and affects an obviously fake suave air. "I hear that this place sells liquid stimulants."

Kailey is behind the candy counter today. Wearing a colorful pink and white tie-dye long sleeve that makes her look like a peppermint. Over it she wears a white apron. Her colorful hair is pulled back into two braids that fall over her shoulders. The effect is quite charming and she must know it. "If you're not sure, I can definitely recommend the dark chocolate turtles and coconut haystacks," She can be heard cheerfully chiming to a woman, dressed for fishing and already holding her to-go cup of coffee. Those are some massive to-go cups too.

"Mmmmm...I do like coconut." The woman says.

Kailey smiles brightly and says, "If you get half a pound I'll throw in a pecan turtle for you to try. I saw you looking at them," Kailey is a born saleswoman. It's how she made her living on her own for several years. And it shows as the woman nods her head and says, "All right. You convinced me." And the peppermint candy girl gets to work bagging that up.

When the door opens she chimes, back turned, "Welcome to Sweet Retreats! Have a seat and we'll be right with ya," She says it with sugary cheerfulness. When she hears that familiar accent though her head turns around. "Ravn!" She seems happy to see him. Turning to the woman she quickly finishes the exchange and then slips from behind the candy counter to come and offer the big guy a hug. "I'll grab his coffee, Jay," She says to the newest part-time person who moves off to check on those who are hanging out in the warm interior. "How are you? I love your shirt," There's mischief in her smile as she winks at him. Before turning to get him a big cup of the good black stuff.

While Ravn is under dressed for his normal day, Perdita is... overdressed, as usual. Not that anyone here would know that, of course. A new face in a small town is always noteworthy, and the young woman seems intent on making people take note. Dressed in a cheerfully red, black and white dress with black leggings and designer heels, she, also isn't a fisherman. Fisherperson? She doesn't fish. Probably not even casually.

She takes a glance around the establishment that is ever so casual, as if deciding where she wants to spend her time, and seems satisfied with what she sees, a slight smile playing at the corners of her perfectly glossed lips.

Somehow, Ravn manages to dodge most of that hug; it's a conditioned response, his body weaseling out of too much direct contact while he still manages to pat Kailey's shoulder and offer a smile that hopefully conveys happiness with the gesture -- and an apology for the blatant attempt to dodge it. He's clearly not the hugging type.

"You would love it," he says with obvious amusement. "You made it."

Thank the powers that be for the one coffee shop in town where they actually will serve a Dane an honest black cup of coffee with no frills. On this alone, this shop is a mile ahead of Espresso Yourself as far as Ravn is concerned. He has to decide whether Della the day manager there hates him or is trying to flirt with him in the most awkward way ever, but the arguments over what black coffee is are getting old. More so when everyone else there just gets their damn coffee.

He leans against the counter and looks around; the woman arriving gets a polite nod as his gaze passes over her -- politeness never cost anything. New face. Small town. Remarkable, really, how a man feels like an old hand here after just six months. "Howdy," the copper blond adds as an afterthought. "Wrong time of the year for tourists. Looking for something, miss?"

Kailey doesn't seem at all put off by the dodge. And changes tactics to more of a one-armed pat herself instead. Then she is setting the black in front of Ravn and smirking at his reply. "I know, I'm just awesome right?" She laughs a bit before turning to the newcomer. Smiling brightly she says, "Welcome to Sweet Retreats! Please seat yourself and we'll be right with you."

Then she turns back to Ravn and asks, "So what brings you to the boardwalk today? Just out for a walk? Can I get you something to eat while you're here?" They have actual food, like mozarella sticks and fries and burgers. All very simple stuff, but Lee is back there cooking. In fact there is a ding of a new order and the cook pauses to give Perdita a once over. Before heading back to the grill and fryer.

"A cup of strong coffee, a delicious cheeseburger and a pleasant place to sit and enjoy them. Someone told me this was the place to do just that." Her smile widens, as if to confirm that person was correct, slipping off the coat and moving to sit at the bar, a polite distance away from Ravn and Kailey, close enough that they can include her if they desire, but far enough away as to not invade anything if they wish to have a private conversation. She sits with perfect posture, knees together, prim but not prissy about it.

Ravn, conversely, leans against the counter, resting one elbow on it, with the very laid back air of someone who feels at home (or is a little tired). He ponders momentarily and then says, with a grin to Perdita, "Well, I have never tried those cheeseburgers. Let's find out if they're delicious, shall we?"

With a small smile he adds, "Came out to walk, mostly. Coach Kelly still has me walking around town every day and apparently, getting shot doesn't mean you get off the exercise regimen. It actually does help, though. I feel better than I did when I headed out, at least. Man knows what he's doing, even if he swears like a New York gangster."

Kailey bobs her head in the affirmative to Perdita. "The burgers are pretty awesome," She agrees with a broad grin. "What kind of cheese? Cheddar, provolone, swiss, or american is what we have," The orders are taken down on good old fashioned paper. And it seems she barely skribbles on them, but Lee takes the two tickets with no issue.

"I can't say I've met Kelly, but Ev goes there nearly every day. But I can swear just as bad, when not working anyway," She says as she moves to see to Perdita's coffee. It is strong and black, but not bitter or over brewed. "Do you want any cream?" She asks. Sugar and substitutes are on every table and sitting place at the bar. "So are you just passing through Gray Harbor or has it hooked you?" She asks perkily of the new face.

"I think I'm in the mood for cheddar, please." Perdita responds, smiling. "No cream, thank you." Her voice is pleasant, without any strong accent. Well. At least to the locals. She could be from anywhere. "I was thinking about just passing through, but there's something in the air that just makes it feel like home. I just needed a change of scenery, and this seems pretty different from Seattle, doesn't it?" she laughs, softly. "Not so much the weather, but... seems like a dreamy little town."

The tall guy at the counter makes a little face. "Dreamy, definitely. Same thing happened to me -- came through on a Greyhound, heading for Portland. Never got back on that bus. Gray Harbor has a habit of keeping people, at least some kinds of people. You'd be amazed at how many writers have found their way into this tiny town."

His accent, on the other hand, clearly advertises its origin -- or tries. It very much wants to be British. It fails. Points for effort, though. He was probably taught English by someone who felt that Oxford English is the goal but wasn't a native speaker, either.

Kailey smiles when Perdita says 'Dreamy' and nods her head. "I think you hit the adjective with the grammar hammer there," She says as she goes about tidying things behind the counter. "This place took me too. I was here for tourist season selling my art and...well..." Her head tilts and she gets a goofy kind of smile. The one people have when they're smitten.

"This place can get intense too, for being a small town," Kailey adds with a chuckle. "Would you two like a free pecan turtle?" She leans in and says in lower, more conspiratorial tones, "I accidentally made too many. And I can't take them home or Ev will ask if I'm pregnant again."

"I would kill for some chocolate." Perdita informs Kailey, with a slightly conspiratorial smile. She's probably joking. Though in this town, who knows. She takes a sip of her coffee, eyes closed, and lets out a happy little sigh. "I keep trying to quit coffee, but it keeps pulling me back. This is amazing, thank you."

She turns slightly toward Ravn, "There are a lot of writers, then? It seems like a great place to settle in and write a book. Near the ocean, but not nearly as crowded as Ocean City, I'd imagine, surrounded by trees... It's like something out of a novel already."

"I will never in my life say no thank you to free sugary treats." Ravn nods firmly and sips his coffee. His tongue must be galvanised.

He looks at the fresh arrival a moment; one might be forgiven for assuming that he's checking her out. It's an intense look of blue-grey eyes, and after a moment he looks away as if some invisible manifestation of proper manners decided to tap him on the shoulder and remind him that, you know, actually some women might not be perfectly comfortable with having some 6'3 stranger staring at them in public like they're on display.

"Sorry. Didn't mean to stare," the copper blond says, a bit sheepishly. "We do get a lot of writers. A lot of drifters. A lot of people who feel like they ended up here for no particular reason but can't quite make up their minds to get going. Hotel California -- you know the song, I'm sure."

Perdita may have something on her because Kailey does a similar stare for a moment. Quicker than Ravn and her smile doesn't falter. Instead she moves back to the candy counter and begins to pluck some of the extra turtles from their tray and putting them on small plates with a little napkin. These are set before each of them before she leans back and crosses her arms. "I'm an artist, not a writer. Though there are a bunch of us here too. It really is like something out of a story...heh...hehehe," She starts to giggle at something she said and ends up snorting. "Oo, sorry," She giggles as a hand covers her mouth at the snort.

"Ahem...anyway...I'm Kaw-" There's a pause and her nose wrinkles for a moment before the smile sweeps in again. "Kailey. I only work a day or so a week here. But the owner's my partner, so I'm here a lot anyway. And it isn't because I have a sweet addiction, don't let Everett tell you otherwise. That's my partner," She clarifies.

The man staring at her gets favored with a raised brow and a slight tilt of her head from Perdita, but the only visible emotion is amusement, "You can stare as much as you like." she responds, moving to take another sip of her coffee. Playful, flirtatious, or simply amused and unbothered, it's not quite clear. "Neither artist nor writer, here. The most creative thing I do is make up... and buy clothes." she laughs softly, before breaking off a small piece of the chocolate turtle, delicately, bringing it to her glossed lips and savoring the flavor with the tiniest 'mmm' of pleasure, barely audible, eyes closing once more.

"Hi. I'm Ravn Abildgaard -- not Everett," Copper Blond clarifies with mild amusement. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare. This place draws -- three kinds of people. If you ping on all three, you're probably going to be staying around for a while."

He shoots Kailey a look -- one of those looks you'd expect from someone silently asking, do we initiate her into the cult yet or does she need to sacrifice the goat first. Then he looks at Perdita over the rim of his coffee cup. "Sorry, again. Not trying to be the local creep. I was literally where you are now, six months ago. And a little amused now, because I finally understand why the other people in the room were exchanging odd looks and watching what they said. So I'll give you the same advice they gave me -- pack your bags and get the hell out of town. And if you're like me, you won't do it, either."

Kailey's eyes lazily drift between the two people. There is a little bit of a smirk to her smile now. "It's a thing that happens here. Expect the strange and unusual. Like mermaids and sasquatch," She says with all seriousness but still some amusement. "Nothing wrong with being good at makeup and attire. You might get on with Vyv, he's a bit of a fashionista as well as makes the best croissants I've ever tasted," Now she gives a dreamy sigh. "Ravn, did I tell you I managed to leave for two whole months? But I was drawn back. This place gets ya good."

"Perdita Leontes, pleased to meet you both." she smiles as well, taking a sip of her coffee, as if she wasn't completely aware of the body language of the two strangers and what's going on between them. "My bags are still packed, but now you've got me curious. I do love a good list. What are the three types that Gray Harbor attracts?" she smiles, just a touch of wickedness in it, before she sips her coffee again.

"That's what I tried to tell Daddy, but he told me I need to learn to stand on my own two feet and get a real job." she rolls her eyes a little, at her Daddy, though whether she's referring to her father or someone else is anyone's guess. She looks like the type that would have a sugar daddy. Or two. "I do love croissants."

"I did go back home in December for a brief stint," Ravn notes to Kailey, with a small smile. "But I'm not sure it counts if the only thing on my mind was getting back here. For better or worse, Gray Harbor's home now."

Then he looks back to Perdita, giving her another quick, evaluating glance. He shakes his head. "Sure. Might as well designate myself the local conspiracy theorist and get on with it. They're creative people, people who have some kind of martial or fighting skill, and people who have some kind of trauma or darkness -- whether it's something they've done to somebody else, or something that was done to them. You'd be surprised at how many writers with PTSD this town can muster, for example. Artists, veterans, as well."

"Definitely check out the patisserie then. And as to the three...yeah I guess you got it pretty close. Though there are those two families that have been here forever and are shiny," Kailey says first to Perdita and the latter to Ravn, head bobbing agreeably. Though she glances at Perdita when she mentions, 'Shiney' just to see her reaction.

The ding for orders being ready has Kailey turned to go and grab the two plates. Which are set down at each place. Lettuce and pickle, tomato, and onion slices are all on the side, letting the person decide how to top their burger and a side of steak-cut fries beside the burger. Ketchup and mustard are at each station already. "If you need mayo let me know," Kailey says before, "Enjoy! We also have fry sauce if you want." Which is really just mayo and ketchup mixed together, but don't tell some people that.

"Oh, I should be fine, then. A toddler with a NERF bat could take me out, I couldn't even keep focus writing a tweet before they raised the character limit, and the darkest thing I've ever witnessed was someone wearing a full denim on denim outfit... and crocks." Perdita mock shudders at that.

The comment about shiny gets a slight, knowing smile that blossoms into a full blown smile as the burgers arrive, "This is perfect, thank you." Her teeth are perfect, because of course they are. She takes a moment to simply enjoy the scent of the burger before precisely building up her burger with all the offered veggies.

Denial is not just a river in Africa. Ravn remembers his initial reaction to the first hints that everything might not be quite what it seems. He wrote the whole thing off as a conspiracy, a prank on behalf of the town's shop owners, to draw in tourists with a small-town mystique. Like Twilight, just without the undead teenagers sulking it up in the woods. He doesn't seem particulary bothered or disappointed to have his advice readily dismissed. He didn't get back on that bus, either.

"Another kind of people we get a lot of is paranormal researchers," the Dane supplies while adding mustard to his plate and nibbling on a bit of tomato. "There's an old lumbermill in the woods, a couple of other locations that are considered heavily haunted. Town has a bit of a history with serial killers as well. Draws in the tourists in summer, of course -- who doesn't love a good ghost story? -- but also the people who come looking for more than a story and a tour of Addington House."

Kailey smirks at the nerf bat comment. "You and me both, but I'm working on getting better at protecting myself," She turns and gets herself a small cup of coffee and adds sugar to the blackness, but not cream. To Ravn she says, "I'm sooooo done with ghost stories this week. Ask me next week." A short laugh and she takes a sip of her coffee. Turning her attention to Perdita she considers. "Yeah, this place is mostly touristy. I do mostly spray paint art in the summer myself. If I need too I break out the magic tricks, but usually my charm and skill are all that is needed."

"Well, I promise I'm not a paranormal researcher or a serial killer, either." which is exactly what a serial killer would say, "Or is it that the town turns people into serial killers?" Perdita asks, tone only slightly playful. She knows it's a serious subject, after all. Burger properly assembled, she lifts it to her lips and takes a small bite... somehow managing to not even smear her lip gloss in the process. Another of those tiny noises of pleasure as she chews and swallows. "They were right, these burgers are amazing... and I suppose I should take at least a basic self defense course. Carrying pepper spray only goes so far, and those little brass knuckle keychain cats are adorable but not very effective from what I understand..."

"Recommend Kelly's Gym if you do decide to stick around. It's a boxing gym but Kelly's very good at figuring out what people need." Ravn nods firmly and nibbles on a slice of cucumber. He is very obviously a slow eater. "He's the one who's got me walking all over town to counter my asthma. Sometimes he makes me drag his giant mastiff of a dog who is, incidentally, the laziest cow this side of Tijuana."

Did he neglect to answer the part about who exactly the serial killers are? Must have forgot.

Instead, the Dane glances at Kailey and chuckles. "One of those weeks, huh. Let me know if you need something. I'm not officially a paranormal researcher -- or a serial killer -- either, but I have some experience with ghosts, at least."

Maybe he believes in aliens and crop circles too.

"I wonder if pepper spray would work on Baba Yaga," Kailey murmurs thoughtfully to herself, lips pursing and her head tilting to the side. "Well, generally the best policy is to run. And this place tends to get to some people...conspiracy abounds but most people just say it was in them to begin," She answers. "Kelly's has a self defense class I think?" That is asked of Ravn more.

Kailey sips her coffee and considers Ravn's offer while she does. "Mmm...it is more like someone is reading stories and plucking people in to play the part. Last week it was trashy romance or something, this week Grimm's Faerie tales. I have a new respect for Raven's though. You have very nice eyes, by the way, Ravn." There's an amused and devious little smile glimpsed before she sips her coffee again.

"Not officially a serial killer. Unofficially, though... should I be getting this 'to go' before I become your next victim?" her tone is still playful, though, not in the least actually worried about the man... Wait. Baba Yaga?" The way she pronounces 'Yaga' is more... YIHgah, with just a bit of a non-American accent slipping through, there. Almost... Slavic? "If this town has an old woman who lives in a chicken legged hut made of the bones of little girls wandering around, I might consider getting back in my car and heading to Portland." Perdita takes another sip of her coffee, before starting in on the fries.

Ravn blinks at the unexpected compliment; he very obviously Doesn't Get It. "We don't actually have ravens in Denmark anymore," he supplies, a little puzzled. "Country's too densely populated for them now."

A beat. "God help us if Baba Yaga gets involved. Then we'll be screwed on an entirely different level. Recommend we steal her mortar and pestle and fly off to anywhere she isn't." He clearly did get that reference -- and he too pronounces the name in a European fashion, with clear consonants and longer vowels.

The copper blond looks back at Perdita and manages a lopsided little smile, the sort that says Yes, we're all a bit nuts around here, it's not just you thinking it. "Gray Harbor has -- some things going on. Some of them are a little crazy. You don't have to take our word for it -- you'll see it for yourself soon enough. Crazy dreams. Terrifying nightmares. Sometimes, they do seem like they've been lifted straight from classic mythos or folklore. That's why Kailey and I both did a double take when you walked in and described the town as 'dreamy'."

"I think August took care of it," Kailey says with a wave of her hand. "But I do remember someone mentioning her name. It could have been just to scare of course," She smirks and shrugs a shoulder. "That's too bad. Raven's are pretty freaking smart actually. They can actually learn human speech, did you know that?" She sips her coffee.

After a second more of enjoying her own coffee she picks up the pot to refill both Ravn and Perdita's cups. "This place is a dream half the time. Lots of colorful characters. We recently had some sort of stir up with the police department and bad cops. Fun stuff. So it isn't boring around here for being a small town." There is a pause and she asks, "Do you like magic tricks?"

"My dreams are always weird, one of the side effects of a medication I'm on, so that won't be an issue." a little shrug, but Perdita's still smiling, still engaging with both of them, so she clearly doesn't scare off too easily. She slides the cup toward Kailey with a little nod of thanks. "Glad to hear the cops around here don't tolerate bad cops..." another fry, and she head tilts slightly, "I love magic tricks, but I already checked behind my ears for quarters this morning." she laughs again, wrapping her hands around the coffee cup, enjoying the radiating heat.

"Think Kailey might be able to show you a bit more exciting things than the coin you forgot in your nose." Ravn's grey eyes glitter; oh yes, there's something going unsaid here -- about a paperback's worth of things, at that. He too holds his cup out for a refill. "Bit of a stirrup, huh. I got shot, twice. Couple of people nearly died. All because of bad cops. The bad cops are off the streets now, and I for one am certainly not going to complain about that." That explains the stiffness when he walks, perhaps.

He looks at Kailey. "Break her in. Not going to believe until she sees. And believing will save her tail when the dreams hit."

A regular customer to basically anything filling and fattening, the only warning the inhabitants of Sweet Retreat get of an impending Nazario visit is the window-vibrating roar of an over-tuned engine that simply has no fucks to give about exhaust regulations. The sleek black BMW E60 slides into a spot outside, rocking lightly as the rotund Latino gets out. A cloud billows from his mouth and nose, Rekani seen tucking a box-mod vape away in a pocket before heading into the shop. He seems slightly muted today, the mood of the Nazario's often mercurial, but often quite depending on the chemical content of their blood by the hour. He peers blankly into the shop, as if deciding if he wanted to sit, or maybe just order and take away. It's a long stare, kinda awkward.

~ Hey Kiddo ~ The mental contact flickers between Kailey and Perdito. More like something said through a wall than Kailey just barging into the woman's mind. The sensation of sweetness and vibrant purple are how the waitress' mind feels if Perdita takes a moment to notice. And she takes care to not do it while she is holding hot coffee or chewing. Don't need to be making her choke or burn herself. ~ There is this...and then... ~

As Rekani walks in Kailey picks up a spoon and begins to do Matrix twisting and turning of it. While just staring at it hard. The spoon weaves and dances, then she just opens her hands and it floats there, spinning slowly. "Tada!" She says for the benefit of everyone else. The other patrons are amused or impressed by the little display, there's a clap from one of the two other patrons sitting at tables. But then everyone goes back to their phones and food. It's Gray Harbor, it's what you do.

There's a slight start from Perdita at the mind to mind contact, barely even noticeable. One would have to be looking to even catch that reaction, but her expression stays perfectly pleasant and mild. Maybe she's had the muscles that cause frowning Botox'd into submission. Leaning forward, just a little, "Not bad! I can't even see the string." speaking softer, now, "I find it's generally not a good idea to go around announcing what you can do to the world, but... I did get what you meant when you said shiny." she smiles again, just as sweet as ever. "But... don't do the other thing again, please. It... tickles." There's a vague gesture toward her head, before she takes another fry and dips it in some ketchup. An ever so casual glance encompasses Rekani, and Perdita smiles at him.

Ravn sips his coffee and then cuts a piece of his burger. Is he the prissy type who eats one with a knife and fork? Yes, yes, he is. "Handling it better than I did," he observes offhandedly. "I thought the only people in the world who could bend a spoon were me and Uri Geller, and they busted him for fraud."

He nods to Rekani as the other man settles in -- and if there's a glance at the door to see if the other Nezario is in pursuit, that's surely entirely accidental.

Rekani just sort of slow blinks as he walks in on Kailey just putting on a show, the creeping pace his lids droop then rise a clear indication on the amount of THC he'd likely already dosed himself with today. His mouth was just slightly ajar, and finally with another slow shutting of his eyelids, he shakes his head and just fails to find sufficient fucks to give. He moves deeper into the shop and slides himself onto a seat near Ravn, who he maybe thought he recognized. It'd been awhile, and he smokes a lot. Luckily for Ravn, if Nova was coming in, she'd likely have beaten Rekani here. Like always.

"Ya'll..." He breaths in a raspy voice like a resigned growl, "Ya'll makin' decisions up in 'ere." His drawl and use of vernacular was more urban than true southern, the light accent of a native Spanish speaker evident. He gives Perdita a lift of his chin at the smile, "'Sup girl." Then looks to Kailey with a squint. There was any number of places they'd probably met. Here, or maybe the Beach Battle. Oh, he absolutely had gotten a massive butterfly on his face like it was a Carnival. It's just sort of a thing he accepts, even if they'd never truly introduced themselves, "Yo girl, I know I want some bomb fries, but I'm fuckin' blank on a shake. You wanna just spin me somethin' you feel like?"

Kailey reaches out to grip the spoon quickly once Perdita reaction is smooth. "Yeah, I keep getting harped on for that," She says with an only vaguely embarassed smile. "Really I don't do it often. Just enough to keep in practice. And I promise, I'll respect the mind," She says as she taps her temple.

Kailey turns her eyes on Rekani. The sugary smile is up again as she welcomes the large man, "Hello again! Enjoying the mild weather? The coffee is better this week," Lowering her voice she says, "I had Ev switch his supplier. WAY better as those two can tell you." Kailey tilts her head at Ravn and Perdita. Then she leans back and takes his order with a smirk. "Gotcha. I got just the thing," She says cheerfully. Like she hadn't just been pulling some Matrix shit a moment earlier. Then she is turning to drop off the ticket for Lee and start spinning up a shake. It seems to include pralines and cream and chocolate ice cream?

The smile Perdita gives Ravn is decidedly fake, as if she wants him to know it is. "I've had my reasons to find out what my limits are." She smiles, taking another sip of coffee, "One of my ex boyfriends tried to get physical with me. It didn't go well for him. Also, one of my best friends is really good with pyrotechnics. So... I already know I'm not the chosen one, here to fight the great evils of the world."

She laughs softly, tucking her hair behind one ear as she smiles at Ravn. She turns that smile to Rekani. "I'm Perdita. New in town. Ravn, here, is trying to talk me out of staying." she says it properly, despite having only heard it pronounced twice.

"I told her that 'pack up and go' is the usual advice for new folks here. I also told her I didn't take that advice myself, either." Ravn eats delicately, slowly. "I've found on occasion that a well directed fork in the fork tends to discourage unwanted attention from the gents."

Watching Kailey's progress with a growing anticipation, the comment about 'limits' gets a dopey smile from the DJ, likely taking it absolutely the wrong way. Rekani is briefly distracted by introductions, "Rekani. And say wha?" His eyes sweep to Ravn, pulling a face. Another raspy noise as he makes an overhanded wave, as if Ravn's attitude was just smoke that could be fanned away, "Don't listen to him. He's a putz. This town is dope-as-fuck." He leans toward the gathering, though that'd likely put him uncomfortably close to Ravn as he talks past him to Perdita, "Sometimes, they do some crazy free shot nights at Firefly." He lifts his hand, firefinger and thumb made into a ring, other fingers lifted. Clearly he approved. The rest of the talk almost goes past him, giving Ravn a blank look as if it didn't register.

"I learned for similar reason," Kailey says to Perdita with a nod. "Also...it tickles? I always thought it felt like snuggling in a fuzzy, warm blanket made of clouds," She says contemplatively as she slots the big silver cup into the shake machine. Then there is the loud RRRRRRRRRRRRRR as she proceeds to make Rekani's heart-attack shake. It goes for a good half minute before she pulls it back and drizzles in what looks like caramel syrup, then spins the machine again. She has this sort of thing down.

The shake is served up in a classic tall glass with whipped cream on top and a marachino cherry on top with a bit of chocolate sprinkles. It almost looks perfect and Kailey is looking pleased as she sets it before Rekani along with the leftover in the metal cup. "I think you'll like this," She says, sliding the paper-clad boba-sized straw towards him.

"So does a well directed glass coffee table." Perdita murmurs into her cup, smiling with just a touch of wickedness. "Free shot night? Sounds fun, but he doesn't seem like a putz, I think maybe you've just had a few too many mind altering substances today." She winks, clearly having already picked up that Rekani is Not Sober at the moment.

Her phone chimes, and out it comes a second later, "Excuse me, this is important." She murmurs, hopping up and heading toward the restroom. Her coat is still there, so unless she's planning to dine and dash, leaving something valuable behind, she'll be back. She answers her phone as she walks, but that is NOT English she's speaking, or Spanish for that matter. "Alo? Ya. Sáyek si problémi! Sargodi kai keres, musai te kerd-" the door closes behind her and cuts off whatever else she was saying, but she sounded... upset.

Ravn looks after the younger woman and quirks one eyebrow at her back. "Well, no wonder she's heard of Baba Yaga. That's a Slavic language if I ever heard one, and I've had a few students from that part of Europe."

He pins another piece of burger. "So, what's this about ravens and rom-coms, Kailey? Should I start worrying what we get pulled into next time? I thought domestic abuse cats were bad enough."

Rekani seems to let his eyes swing between Kailey and Perdita, his attention again drifting and probably assuming something not intended, "Woh now, what were you two ladies talking about? Also, girl? don't judge." Honestly, it could have been a much worse retort to someone trying to harsh the Latino's vibe. Rekani's hand falls over his heart as the shake is passed across to him, staring at the absolutely decadent creation, his face falling to one of awe and appreciation, "Mamacita." his eyes go to Kailey, then back to the shake. No more cleverness from the man as he plugs a straw into it and leans to take a sit, he sits back with an overly orgasmic sigh, like he'd never had anything like it. "Podría estar enamorado!" I might be in love. His Spanish is clean, fluent, but any real dialect nuances would likely be lost to conversational speakers. "Thank you." The spectacle means he misses the new girl leaving, but Rekani was never that observant to begin with.

Kailey follows Perdita as she heads to the bathroom for a second before returning her attention to Ravn and Rekani. Then she grins and laughs at the latino's reaction. "OH! I also got a little something extra for you," She tells the large man, walking quickly over to the candy counter and rummaging behind it. What she brings back for him is a dark chocolate pecan turtle on a plate. It's a goodly sized thing that sells for about $3 each. "I made too many," She tells him as she slides the plates next to the shake. "As for ravens and rom-coms...oof," She reaches for her coffee cup before daring to go on. And when she does she leans in to speak in lower tones with the two men.

"So a few weeks back me and a few others were at Espresso Yourself when someone decided that it would be amusing to swap our genders. While some teens had a bit of drama. You heard about the kid drawing a gun at the cafe? Yeah, that was something fucking with things and...I wound up staying a guy for not quite a week after," Kailey reaches up and rubs the back of her neck, faintly embarrassed. "And then last week...was it last week?" She squints and tilts her head. "Time was kind of weird in that one and it's more fuzzy now...but it was totally a Grimm's Faery Tale. One of the ones they did in Faery Tale Theater. With Bernadette Peters?" A pause and sip is all the time they have before she goes on, "Anyway...I was a raven. And there were dead people...and ghosts...but really the dead people is what interested the raven." Her nose wrinkles and she sips her drink. "Apparently different colors taste different and blue or green are the best?"

The young woman isn't in the bathroom long, clearly just not wanting to argue with whoever was on the phone in a room full of people and maybe burst some eardrums in the process because that conversation sounded like it could get heated at any second. Looking slightly put out by whatever she just heard, Perdita makes her way back to the bar with a slightly forced smile, "I'm sorry, could I get a box for my food? I need to get back to my hotel and get something sorted with a friend of mine." She looks apologetic, now, pulling her wallet out of her purse to pay.

"I'm feeling this sudden urge to go shopping for contact lenses," says the man whose eyes are decidedly blue-grey (though at least they're not blue-green?). "And also a probably not very healthy urge to ask how -- I mean, uh. That's some serious life change there. You were a man? For a week? How, uh... Wardrobe?"

Of all the things to choke on in that scenario, it seems to be whether clothes would still fit. But then, of course, Ravn is kind of vain -- it's just not conventional fashion that he obsesses about.

"Watch your back," the Dane tells Perdita as she readies to depart. "Remember that the only way out of a dream is through. You'll need to know that."

Kailey certainly knows how to shut Rekani up. By setting food in front of him. The fat Latino was already tucking, mouth full when she brings the turtle. His face expressively lifts and presses eyebrows together, like he were truly touched by her gift. He chews and swallows so he can quip, "Girl, you keep treatin' me like this, people gonna talk." Which could or could not be a problem given Everett's demeanor and Rekani's... strangeness. Not to mention his girlfriend was allegedly a superspy double agent.

It was all bluster, anyhow, but Rekani was almost always a little extra. He couldn't seem to follow what was going on with the rest of the conversation though, his eyes merely following the speakers like their words were water flowing right off a duck's back. Perdita does get a reaction though, "Nice meetin' you." His gaze sweeps to Ravn, gives another of those overhanded waves and raspy dismissals, "Nahhh, she'll be fine. I got shot my first time and made it through. She sounds like she could shout a hole in something." He laughs, then fakes a flinch away from Perdita's direction, as if jokingly expecting reprisal.

"Sure! Let me grab that for you," Kailey says and turns to grab a box from behind the counter. It is set on the counter as she turns to beam at Rekani. Batting her lashing in a playful and coy manner before laughing. "I just appreciate someone who has the same kinda sweet tooth as I," She says as she turns her attention back to Ravn. There's a smirk on her face. "Yeah, my clothes fit okay actually. I mean...here," And she brings her phone out of her apron, swiping to her gallery. Then flashing the two gentleman a very startled looking Grant look-a-like holding a screaming baby. Not the most flattering of pictures.

"The hardest part, really, was Mew. I mostly breastfeed and while she'll take a bottle, she prefers the other. So...she was annoyed at me for that entire time. Only time I have seen her that cranky to be honest," Kailey says with a shake of her head. "But...well...it caused some hiccups in the house. Ev just started making dick jokes, but Bean...well..she didn't shine before..." And the phrase, 'But she does now' Seems to hang in the air.

From the back Lee starts shouting and there is a crash. Kailey makes a face at the two men and says, "I gotta go see what that was. Jeffy can help you with the mundane stuff." Pointing to the gangly teen lurking in a corner on his phone. Then she is dashing into the back to see what happened.

"Right. Curiouser and curiouser." she tells Ravn with a smile, then tilts her head slightly as if a thought just occurred, before she begins packing her burger, fries and what remains of her chocolate turtle (wrapped in a napkin) up in the box. She leaves enough to cover the bill, plus a generous tip. Rekani gets a raised eyebrow, a fake-stern expression, and then it cracks into a smile, "I get it from my mother." she winks at the big man, pulling her coat on and heading toward the door, balancing food, phone and purse. "It was nice meeting all of you!" and then she's gone once more, soon swallowed up by the fog.

Ravn looks after Kailey as she departs, with an expression of utter, silent horror. Of all the things Gray Harbor has done to him -- turning him into a tuna merman included -- at least it never turned him into a woman. Some existential horrors had clearly not occurred to the Dane previously. He takes a few deep breaths and looks at his burger. "Well, this is bloody excellent, but I just lost my appetite. That -- good Lord, I hope that never happens to me. I'm pretty sure I'd be screaming for a week."

And because it's Gray Harbor and things happen around here, now it almost certainly will.