2021-12-07 - Bonfire Musical Chairs

It's hardly a true bonfire, not big enough. But it's still bright enough to be seen for a good ways down the beach and around the Harbor. Joe's dragged up one of the sunbleached Adirondack chairs from the picnic areas, and is slouched down. There are a few bottles of cider at his feet, and he's working lazily on something in his hands, turning it over and over. Carving, perhaps.

"Joe!" Gabriella offers easily as she moves forwards towards the man. She will attempt to hug--nope, she's going to try to steal the chair that he pulls upwards. "Are you getting me a chair and marshmallows?" Her eyes become so big and hopeful. Will there be sugar? She will also try to slide into his lap if he doesn't move enough for her to have the chair.

No such luck, alas. No marshmallows, though there is booze. Only the one chair. He nods at one of the covered picnic areas a little ways down the beach. "Could get yourself one,there's more there," he suggests helpfully. That she'd try to clamber into his lap....that he didn't expect, and that maneuver succeeds at least for a moment or two, due to the sheer element of surprise. He hastily sets aside what he was working on - whittling something with a pocket knife - in order to try and urge her back up.

Several steps - more than several steps - Granny Gail is trailing her granddaughter out onto the beach. They did not arrive together. Gail is quite out of breath and this is why she doesn't call out till she gets close.

"Gabby, you forgot your jacket love." Yes, this adult woman is getting grannied.

To Joseph, "Thank you so much for keeping her warm. She really is a good child."

Gabriella has success?! Gabriella looks so confused by this. Her head tips as she does too and then she swings her legs up and over one of the arms of the chair. "I would but I'm so little." Her lower lip wobbles to that. See that adorable wobble? Oh and then there is a grandmother and a jacket. Some would be upset by this. Most adults would, but Gabby looks charmed by it.

"Thanks Grandma. Do you know Joseph? He has the best accent."

Grandma? This is not a position he wanted to be caught in, in public, a young woman basically draped across his lap. Let alone with her grandmother the first one on the scene. It's enough to have Joe hastily lifting Gabriella up and to her own feet, and rising in turn. "I'll get more chairs," he says, as if glad for the chance of escape. "Evenin', ma'am," he says to Gail, only barely managing to not look sheepish as he goes stumping down the beach for said chairs. He's at least left the bottles of cider.

"Gabby," Gail frowns at her granddaughter, "Were you giving that lovely young man a hard time?" There is a TISK for the young woman's precocious ways, even if it is fondly delivered. The light jacket is given over. "You really should remember it is colder here than California." See Gail? She has a nice winter coat on and fluffy woolen socks. She doesn't have quite enough meat on her bones to not feel the chill.

"I do hope he will be back, he seemed quite close with our Chief of Police and I still haven't gotten him that thank you tray I wished. I would deliver it to the station but one look of that desk Sargeant and I can't help but share out the treats right then." Sigh.

Gabriella takes the warmed seat offered to her. There is a curve of her smile to that as she looks at her grandmother. "Of course not. He was just going to get more chairs for us. You know that was really kind of him." There is a bigger curve of her lips. Oh sweet summer child. "I'll take it to Javier if you want. I'll even use Spanish for effect."

It isn't long before he reappears, dragging two more. One for Gail, set where she indicates, and another for himself. Then he's stooping to pick up knife and bit of wood, and the bottle of cider he was working on. Those that remain he indicates with a wave of his hand - apparently they're to make themselves free of them, if they wish. "You all doin' all right?" he asks, as he settles more comfortably back into the new chair. He's in a full length coat, this time, but it still has that look like it's military issue. White scarf wound 'round his throat, the fingerless gloves - bundled up comfortably against the chill.

"Now, are you sure that is a good idea?" Gail may love her granddaughter too much, but she saw that widening grin. Gabby won't get away with THAT. Who does Gabby thought taught it to HER mother. "I wouldn't want to put the dear man out."

When the chairs arrive Gail hesitates then settles, clearly grateful for the moment of rest. "Thank you dear, that was quite kind of you. I am well, yourself? I hope it is not intrusive," which is to say, or course it will be but she will ask anyway, "Did you happen to serve?"

Sometimes it's easier to walk than sleep, which brings a singular brunette slowly ambling along the beach. The light of the flame draws her eyes like a moth, and unconsciously her steps as well. She's wearing a simple gray hoodie and a big plaid coat overtop, some black jeans and sneakers beneath. It's casual, it's warm enough. Her hair hangs loose, drifting in the water-side breeze, some caught and tucked back over her head before hands are slipped away in pockets again. It's rather too late in her distracted fixation to avoid just being awkward, so a few steps away from the fireside group, Amber calls quietly, but amiably, "Evening!"

Gabriella is curled up in Joe's stolen chair like a content creature. An /adorable/ one. "Javier likes me. We are best friends." Her lips curve to that. "Really, I mean he drank tequila with me. Obviously that's good." She smiles a bit towards her Grandmother. It's like a halo just appeared above her head or something. "HI!" This is said to Amber who walks up and Gabriella waves a stolen cider towards her in greeting. Things just happen to arrive when she wants them. It's weird.

Joe's already getting up - chivalry permits no less. He gestures at the chair he just rose from. "Hi there," he says to Amber, amiably. A glance at Gail and he confirms, "Yeah, I surely did. I was in the Navy for years. Retired about, mm, six years or so..." There are bottles of cider sitting on the beach at the side of Gabriella's chair. "Welcome to have one," he says. "Have a seat."

Gabriella's comment has him giving her a dry look. "That sounds like some wishful thinkin' to me. Don't take him bein' willin' to drink tequila in your presence as a sign of special favor, he'll do that with just about anyone."

"You be nice young lady," Gails says,
before turning back to Joseph. "Thank you for your service." Gail says with utmost sincerity, a veteran's widow to the veteran. "You carry yourself a bit like my Ronny use to."

Amber gets a bright smile even as Gail pushes herself to her feet with bit of effort. She steadies herself. "If you get a chance, would you come by the house to get something for him? Or see if he might swing by?" Yes Gabby, she sees that tarnished halo. "My Gabby here," cue a pat to Gabby's shoulder, "or I will be there."

Amber gets looped back in now, "Have you met? " looking between the two young ladies, "I am quite happy to see Gabby make do many friends, but my, this is turning into quite the party, I should take my old bones off to bed."

Chivalry is appreciated graciously, but refused all the same, "Please, sit." And if Joe was close enough, with that sweeping of his gestures, there'd be a gentle touch to the forearm. "Too restless. But thank you." she offers in explanation, a gentle, mellow smile offered the man, and a tilt of her head made that makes her hair waft again. She glances to the ciders and grins, then scrunches her nose in a bit of a conflicted look, "If that's ok, I will take one, though?" Maybe it would help.

Being she was on her feet, when Gail goes to rise, Amber seems quick to make the one step in detour. Maybe some instinctive care reaction, the brunette seems to know just how to take hold of hand and shoulder and assist the older woman to rise. The girl seemed surprisingly steady. Once Gail is stable and a smile and gentle squeeze of the old matron's shoulder is made, Amber circles over to lean and scoop up one of the bottles, checking for a twist off or if an opener was needed. She hadn't waited for a thank you.

"Hello." Gabriella gets her own answering and smile, the yoga teacher straightening again. A look to the leaving Gail, still smiling softly, "We haven't."

Gabriella grins. "Denial keeps me in my happy place." She looks at Joe and winks to him. There is a very relaxed feeling as she drinks the bottle of cider. There is a pause when it comes to her lips as she watches Amber. It was completely friendly until the woman moved for Gail. Then she shifted. It's noticable. A high alert that speaks of a person willing to act violently and quickly.

Gabriella leans forwards just a bit but then Gail is on her feet and the unknown woman is moving away. So she tips her head and leans back just a bit. "I'll see you at home. Love you." It might be the only person she's uttered those two words to and meant it. Then she smiles at Amber. "I'm Gabriella Leigh. I trust you know, Joe."

"I never know what to say, really, when someone says that to me," Joe admits. "'cause truth be told, I'm the one that should be thankin' the taxpayers at large. I got to live the dream for more'n two decades, basically at America's expense. There are a lot of crap jobs in the military, but I didn't have any of 'em. I wasn't some poor grunt gettin' shot at in Iraq or Afghanistan. Not generally." He smiles ruefully. "The mark never leaves, eh?" Then, "Sure, ma'am, I'd be happy to pick up somethin' for him. I see him pretty often."

Amber gets an uncertain glance. "Sure," he offers. "Help yourself. Sure you won't be seated?" Like he has to be certain. Then he flicks a look between Amber and Gabriella, before settling on the former. "No," he says, slowly. "Don't think we've met," He paces forward, carefully, offering a long hand. "Joe Cavanaugh." His gaze drifts back to Gabriella, thoughtful.

"Nonsense. You served, and deserve the honors.." Gail is quite firm on that.

"That is so kind of you," Gail says, accepting Amber's help and patting her on the arm once she is stable. She is about to say something when her eyes land on Gabriella. For a beat it seems like she is about to say something, but instead shakes her head. A mild, "You all stay safe and warm," is admonished before Gail sets her sights on the edge of the beach and a fire at home that isn't quite so prone to being nippy.

Gabriella's motion was absolutely missed by Amber, never expecting for a moment any of the people around the fire to have a hostile tilt. Ignorance is bliss, afterall. Gail is given a final wave and smile, and that was that.

Amber had been restless, it was true, but it was mostly an excuse not to make an older man have to get out of his seat for her. Now there was an open seat, she looks torn, then shrugs, sending an apologetic smile Joseph's way before moving to claim Gail's chair. She leans to offer a hand to Joseph first, the man with the cider she was drinking (which inexplicably seems to pop the cap right open when she pushes her thumbnail against it). She then turns her easy smile on Gabriella, reaching for a hand clasp as well.

"We haven't met." she confirms, then introduces herself, "Amber Reyes, It's nice to meet you both."

Gabriella is completely back to her normal when she realizes Gail isn't coming to stranger danger harm. Her lips even curve into a sincere smile for Amber. "Well it is wonderful to meet you. Are you from this interesting town? What do you do?" Then she rolls her shoulders and smiles more at Amber's bottle just opening. "So are you like me then?" The shine shines bright.

Then Gabriella turns to look at Joe and makes a face. "Or do we not talk about that stuff here? I'm still learning. I can't remember what Alexander told me. Talk or not talk."

His handshake is firm, but not lingering. A last wave for the departing Gail, and he settles in to the chair again. Done playing musical beach chairs for the moment. The question makes him blink. "Well, it's generally pretty safe to talk to others who shine about it," he says, mildly. "I mean, if they're here, they're not likely to be real surprised. In my experience, the town usually gives you a pretty quick crash course."

"I moved here early in the year from Portland. I teach yoga classes over at the Annex." Amber explains in answer to Gabriella's question, but the next part gets a look. Amber reaches up and seems to lightly touch at her throat before she seems to shine again, and it almost feels like she looks through Gabriella. She turns the same sort of look on Joseph. Her brows furrow, like she were a bit confused by what she saw.

"I don't think either of you are like me? I mean..." she thinks, eyes looking down, then back to either one of them, "I mean, your chakras seem expanded, but you two are way more enhanced in your third and sixth chakras. Your fifths are only minorly expanded." Whatever the hell that meant. Someone must have some pretty hokey ideas.

Gabriella arches her brows for a moment to that and then downs the rest of her drink. "Huh." The least the woman has said and she looks over towards Joe. "I'll keep that in mind. I'm still a bit new to it." She curls up to her feet and smiles a bit at the woman. "It was good to meet you, Amber." Then she pushes off and pauses to grin in a cheeky manner to Joe. "Thanks for the seat and cider, Joe."

Joe's brows go up, at that. Clearly, he felt her 'looking', as it were. "You shine, though," he says. "I mean, you see. We've all got different ways of experiencing it - I know a guy, a musician, for whom it's an audio thing. He hears it as music, calls it the Song. Hadn't heard it viewed the chakra model before, though." There's nothing dismissive in the way he says it.

"More'n welcome," he says to Gabriella, since she's clearly on her way out. "Piece of advice for you, though. Don't think you're gonna get anywhere with de la Vega. Not just the age thing, he's got other commitments. Don't want you gettin' disappointed when you realize it ain't gonna happen."

Amber looks a bit surprised as now a second person was getting up to leave, and just as she'd sat down for the drink. Maybe a little disappointed? "Oh, uhm, yeah, nice meeting you, too... again..." Because repeating herself twice in such a small amount of time was slightly awkward.

Joe's remark actually gets a blink, "Really? I think someone else told me about the exact same person." She looks a little embarrassed, "They also seemed to think I was a little weird, but... I dunno, it's how I feel the energy, I guess."

Gabriella laughs to Joe's last words. "Oh, I know that. If I thought he was really interested, I'd probably bail out more. We'll see how it plays out. I already heard he has a person. I just like pushing the red button." She winks to that and then she is gone.

"We're all weird here," Joe's quite comfortable admitting that. "I don't see how there's any particular way to sense and manipulate these energies that's more normal'n another." He takes a pull off his bottle of cider, adam's apple bobbing. "I mean, that we can do it at all is strange enough as is."

"Yeah." About all Amber can do to sum all those things up, she gathers her knees up un front of herself on the chair, wrapping her arms around them. She still hadn't taken a drink, and seeing Gabriella finally leaves, she seems like she has to ask the question. "Sorry, I didn't scare them off, did I?"

He smiles that, shakes his head. For all the warmth of the gear he's bundled up in, tonight, he's neglected his hat, for once. Joe leans down to pick up a bit of wood, addsit carefully to the fire. "Folks come and go at this hour, but it is late and cold," he concedes.

"Yeah." Again. just as seemingly haunted by it. She looks contemplatively at the bottle for a long moment before she reaches over and grinds it into the sand near Joseph, untouched except for being opened. She looks a little pained about it, trying to apologize. "Sorry. You're right. I should get on my way too." She easily rises to her feet, stepping past Joseph and against letting an arm touch his shoulder as if already familiar with him, though not in a lingering way meant more than friendly, "It was nice meeting you, Joe. I'll see you around town, I'm sure."

With a smile that was just a bit ghostly, Amber waves and heads on, hair drifting in the breeze, face turned upward to a cold wan moon.