2021-07-02 - Supplies in the Eye

One of those intrepid supply chasers is Ellery Briar, who braved the eye of the storm to stock up. He's currently moving through the narrow aisles with many bare shelves, pawing around for things of nutritional value and generally frowning at what's left. "I hope my body can live on sodium and sugar for a few days," he mumbles to himself as he picks up a bag of gummi worms.

Ashley has food and alcohol galore. What he realized he didn't have was first aid supplies. What? You think he's some sort of adventurer who regularly gets himself bitten and clawed by weasels? Hell no.

So it's bundled up in a jacket that he limps in. Literally. He's trying to hide it and being able to layer up helps, but he still looks a little pale. His hair is mussed and matted from the rain: he forgot his usual beanie. Glasses fog up almost immediately from the transition from humid outdoors to the HVAC of indoors. And if someone looks close enough, they'll see a blood stain he missed on his left leg. He'd have changed his jeans if he'd noticed that. Whoops. A moment later he's down the next aisle over from Ellery, rifling through the meager fist aid supplies. A box of bandaids gets knocked to the floor.

"Goddamnit."

Ellery reaches down and scoops up the box of bandaids. He's about to toss it at the drop-ee, but then he makes note of Ashley's state. "Whoah...dude, you okay? You look like you need something more than bandaids." And then he hands them over, quite gently. "Radio guy, right?"

Reaching out, Ashley accepts the box as its handed back. He gives a slight chuckle, then winces; one eye closing a bit. "Probably, but the hospitals are likely full and I don't want to try explaining this." Sir, what brings you in today? I was attacked by otherworldly beings that were occupying the bodies of weasel- please no put away the jacket stop no what are you doing. "Yeah, yeah," he adds, grabbing up one, no, three tubes of neosporin. "Radio guy. Ash Jones."

"Camera guy, Ellery Briar," he replies. He takes a moment to take in Ash's state, but he seems to be debating whether or not to pry. "What uh, what happened? Or if that's too personal, what are your injuries?" Only in Gray Harbor is the second less personal and problematic than the first. "I don't know a lot of first aid, but I used to do videojournalism in a few hot zones so they taught us the basics."

"Uh." Ashley takes a moment to consider. Even for a guy who has zero qualms talking about weird shit, he's unsure how to broach this one. "Well, you see... there were these weasels." His face goes kinda deadpan. Even he knows it sounds a bit outside even his usual kind of weird. He can sense that Ellery has that little something, so he knows the guy will or at least might get it, but still. "Except they weren't weasels." He spreads his hands and gives a sort of lopsided, uncertain grin. But then quickly draws one arm back in against his side. "Got chewed up quite a bit."

Of all the things that Ashley could say, 'weasels' was not...exactly high on the list of things Ellery was expecting. He cants his head. "Were they...cryptid weasels?" Exciting if true. "Or just like...pet ferret escaped? Uh...?" He has a little something, yes. But he's also new in town. "...rabies shot, maybe?" Veil rabies. Scary thought.

"No, no, they-" Ashley goes quiet as he thinks. Or maybe he's just resting. He does lean forward and rest a shoulder against the shelf. "Uhm." Another breath as he considers. "It's like they were normal weasels, but... occupied by something else. Something not-weasel. So they were but weren't weasels, right? Like something took this other being and shoved it into a weasel's body, but it still... acted like a weasel. Mostly." At the mention of a rabies shot, he blanches. "Shit, you're right. I probably should get one."

A normal person when confronted with possessed weasels would back away slowly. But Ellery Briar loves cryptids. Ellery Briar came to Gray Harbor in search of cryptids (among other things.) "...don't suppose you got any pictures?" is his completely normal question when confronted with Ashley's story. "Weasel demonic possession? Do we need a young vet and an old vet?" The edges of his lips quirk up, even though he realizes that miiight be inappropriate.

"I was sort of busy trying to help people and stay conscious at the time," Ashley says in a dry voice. "But they looked like normal, everyday weasels." He looks back to the shelf, grabs a couple boxes of gauze. He';ll figure this out! Maybe. Probably not. "They're all gone now. I'm pretty sure. Just be careful at the high school."

"Me and my friend are hunkered down at the Murder Motel." Ellery says that with the offhanded way one would only expect of those who have been in Gray Harbor longer than he has. "We've been subsisting on canned soup we heated up before we lost power, and various dried goods." He holds up a pack of extra hot jerky, which is one of the only jerky products left available. "Surely the high school has a first aid station, right? Though probably...probably not rabies shots."

Snap-point, except it's more of a rattling of a box with a neosporin tube at Ellery. "You're that guy! I saw you at the boardwalk the other day." Ashley recalls now. "If you need a place with power, feel free to swing by the radio station. It's far enough outside of town that it's weathering the storm pretty well. Plus, we have a big ol' generator." Power is important for a radio station, after all. "Not a ton of space, but we've got some."

"Appreciate the offer. And moving may become necessary, considering the motel's actual name has 'seaside' in it." And those storm surges are no joke. Ellery makes a noise and moves a few boxes of microwave popcorn to find a loaf of bread someone apparently stashed there. Either that or it migrated from the other shelf all on its own. Which is not impossible in this town. "Jackpot." Then he looks back to Ashley. "But seriously. Rabies shot. The last thing we need is a feral radio DJ roaming the halls of the high school."

Flashing blue and red lights appear outside the convenience store. A short time after the blonde cop enters, on her uniform is marked Williams. Looking around at everyone here, sure there are probably those just trying to get supplies while the storm's eye has come to the town. It's still her duty to make sure nothing too bad happens in the store. And surely she is isn't doing emergency shopping herself. Overhearing a bit of conversation she turns her head to Ashley. "There are other places that have marked with essential services. We are trying to make sure all of town has power." before looking to Ellery "Huh? Rumors aside very few murders have happened there. There are far worse places in town."

The flashing blues and reds cause Ashley to lean up and watch the car. He looks to the cop that enters, frowns, carefully puts down the things he's gathered on the shelf. "What's going on, officer? Do you need us to leave the premises?" Since lights on usually means a call, right?

"A place I should probably get back to with my bounty." By which Ellery means, a loaf of Wonder Bread, some jerky, some orange juice, a pack of AAA batteries and a bag of gummi worms. "Good luck. Get medical attention," he says to Ashley. Alisha gets a nod as he goes to the cash to pay for his purchases, then slog back to the Murder Motel before the eye of the storm passes over.

Alisha is watching other customers. She turns her head back to Ashley as he speaks. "Nothing you need to concern yourself with. Your voice sounds familiar...have we meet before? And no one needs to leave the area." she asks unsure and not remembering him from the radio. Her gaze goes to Ellery. "Medical attention? What is wrong here?" she looks between the customers.

Oh shit. Cop attention. Ashley just gives a sort of awkward laugh. "Nothing important, really. Just a run-in with some, uh. Weasels, y'know. Yeah." He clears his throat and grabs up his first aid items again. "You've probably heard me on the radio. WKRW. I run the night broadcasts. Ash Jones." He juggles his items and thrusts a hand out her way.

Alisha gives a brief wave as Ellery leaves. Whatever health issues aren't serious enough to mention to her. Turning her attention back to someone who seems awkward. "Weasels? Where they Were-Weasels? Lethal weasels?" there is only a little mockery in her voice. A mix between this town is weird and people are crazy in GH. "Oh right. Yeah the radio." reaching out to his hand. "My name is Alisha. I have heard you when me and my partner are put on the road. "

There's a slight tensing of his jaw and Ashley gives only a brief, cursory shake in return. When he withdraws his hand, he gathers up the rest of his first aid supplies, juggling them in his arms. "Yeah, uh. Not really like that, no." Maybe he senses a little of that thing from Alisha, but at the same time... her reaction is a bit bothersome, so he just opts to start his way towards the front... with a definite favoring of one side. "Glad to keep y'all company at night, though. It's what we're there for."

Ali can't help but notice the nervous response. The cop moves close to him. "Do you see what is really happening?" she asks plainly. Though it could be a trap. She refrains from reaching her mind out to him "You are just trying t?o take care of yourself right?" totally not a leading question. "Hhmmm yep it keeps me and my partner okay late at night. So why don't you tell me what you are doing here?" in a voice that says respect my authority.

"Uh." Ash stops and stares at Alisha. Then past her out towards where the squad car sits. His mouth thins into a flat line. "Look, uh, if someone called this in, I'm sorry. I just came to pick up some stuff to take care of this myself. The hospitals have much more important things to take care of in this storm. There's no, uh... case or whatever here. No one assaulted me or anything. This isn't some, uh, tripped and fell into a doorknob deal."

Alisha pulls out her handcuffs. His response seems suspicious to her. "Will you turn out your pockets? There was some report. I am sure you are just buying things. Incase you are not let me see what you have." her tone going serious. "You should really stop talking. Because you have the right to remain slient." she hints. Not wanting any reason to bring him in. "I am sure you are just trying to shop for yourself, right?" wholly leading questions.

When you're already, y'know, really injured and in a way that isn't gonna be easily described (unless you're lucky and get a nurse that is really, really in touch with Weird Shit)... having a cop pull out handcuffs and hint at your Miranda Rights is absolutely enough to cause a panic. Ash's eyes go wide and he actually fumbles the whole pile of stuff he's holding to the ground. All first aid supplies. Gauze, neosporin, and the like. His glasses have slipped down to the tip of his nose and he fumbles with an elbow to push them up. "Why wouldn't I be shopping for myself?!" There's an almost whining edge to his voice; a change in pitch. He does pull at his various pockets. The coat he's wearing, the jacket under that, his jeans. There's keys. A wallet. A phone. A handful of (creased, worn, get shoved into pockets daily sort) business cards for the radio station. A pack of cigarettes and lighter. A pack of gum. Also patently obvious when he unzips his outer jacket is that he has bled through the tshirt he's wearing.

Having people being nervous to her authority is normal. She looks at the thing brought out. "Alright you are clean, Aren't you?" she shakes her head "You probably aren't who the clerk called out to. Calm yourself down. I am sure you are a lawful citizen. I could read your mind if that makes you feel better." she says probably joking. "You have had no reason to make me pull my gun. So relax. You are responding the same as any citizen. So relax. You aren't in trouble. The report has things stolen and you didn't act like you did."

It's true. Innocent people panic. Funny enough how criminals often think that to 'play innocent' they should act cool, calm, and collected. But an innocent person has no expectation of being accused and so... Ashley starts putting himself back together, hands shaking as he returns things to his pockets. The shaking might be the upset from the near-thing or the injuries he intends to treat. He kneels carefully to start gathering up his planned purchases. Emotionally? He's all over the place. Mostly in pain. Mostly worried about weasels -- otherworldly weasels -- and if they might come back. And also really looking forward to drinking when he gets his stuff back.

Alisha is trying to be calming. She looks at his shaking hands. "You can calm down. You are doing good." she tries to calm him. Holding her hand against her forehead "Why are you thinking about weasels? Are they going to try to hurt you? I can help." there is nothing that he has displayed that would lead her to asking. "I can defeat the things from beyond. Look I'm blonde so you can me Buffy. If you know what I mean." she waves to the cashier that things are okay. "He isn't who you called about." putting her handcuffs away. Her gun in her holster. Right now there is no threat.

Talk about having a rough time. But then, Ashley is still experiencing some of the after-effects of using abilities. It might be part of why he's shaking. He mumbles to himself, looking to Alisha, then to the pile of things in his arms. He starts his way towards the register, if only to be able to put it all down. "They should be gone now," he grouses. "I think we got most of them- look, uh, stay out of my head, yeah? Just a few of us that ended up on the other side," through the Veil, "and had to deal with.... they weren't really weasels, but they looked like weasels. It was kind of a mess." He gives a sort of awkward 'just go about your day and start checking me out' smile to the cashier. Thankfully, for the most part? Cashiers are used to hearing people mid-convo in all sorts of weird things. The human mind (at least for non-shiners) is also good at glossing over stuff.

Ash grabs a bottle of water from the cooler next to the register, plunking it on the counter.

Alisha plays her part to be relaxed. The glowing well she is used to that in her home town. She doesn't stop the DJ from paying for things. She tilts her head slightly "I will not be out of anyone's head until I am sure they are not a threat. I can help with so many things. So you didn't get the Buffy reference. That's fine. I defeat things from beyond." this likely sounds a little crazy to the cashier. "If you need help. I am ready." she enforces her ability against the cashier. "So you are free to go." Ali addresses Ashley. "But if you want a powerful ally. Then we can talk when you are done."

"Pretty sure you need a warrant to poke around in my private shit," Ashley points out as he digs out his wallet again. He looks at her sidelong as he pulls out some cash. "Oh, I got the reference." There's a slight wince as he puts the wallet back after paying. "But like I said, we got 'em. If you wanna go to the other side and look for weasels, be my guest. I won't stop you."

Alisha shakes her head "I got a call here. So unless I need to search you car. Yeah I don't need it. You are nervous and that would be enough. But are aren't trying to steal anything." not stopping him and grinning at the acknowledgement. "Oh good. So you are Xander then. I mean if you were Willow things would be so different. Let's put this another way, you aren't who I called for. You are free to go. But I can help you. If you refuse then it isn't my fault. If you are worried about me being a cop then so sad for you. You know about me pushing into your mind. So I can help you or just ignore you. I would like to help you. However there is so much strange shit in this town."

Grabbing the bag with his purchases, Ashley pushes his glasses up with his free hand. "Uhhuh." He leans to look at her name tape. "Pretty sure, uh, nervous around a cop isn't reason to search someone's things Officer, uh... Williams." He's still shaking, but again: injured. That could explain a lot. "Lotta things aren't your fault. I'll be fine, really. Gotta go." He fumbles his keys out of his pocket and starts for the door.

"Yes, Officer Williams, I can help you." she offers. "I don't care what laws you have broken. These weasels interest me." then sighing "Sure you can go. I will not stop you. You glow and you can see I glow. I can help you defeat the weasels. But this to you. If you don't want my help then it is what it is." reaching her hand out with contact info. "You are free to go."

"Dunno what to tell you lady," Ashley doesn't look at the card he's handed; just stuffs it in his pocket. "You're the one that went digging in my brain without my permission." He's still anxious, but he's not as freaked out now that the handcuffs are put away. "If you don't wanna believe me when I say the weasels are gone and I don't know where to find them, that's on you, not me. I'm not going looking for 'em. If you want to, be my guest. I'm not stopping you." He pushes out, leaning against the door with his good shoulder to open it before making his way -- head bent against the rain -- towards his car.