December 15, 2002.12.15.02. - hospitality [jael][pine barrens]
(jael)
It wasn't so bad out with a jacket to fend off the chill. Standing on a ladder outside the small home nestled a short distance within the woods. Mumbling while reaching overhead to fish leaves out of the guttering. "Gah, nasty." Grimacing as several wet leaves tumble down the neck of her jacket.
Holding onto the top of the ladder with one hand while trying to fish the leaves out of her neckline with the other. Leaving dirty wet smears on her neck and chin. "Oh gross." Making a face while flicking a sodden leaf to the ground. Once more reaching overhead to fish around. "Who thought of putting gutters on this thing anyway with all these trees around here?" Muttering to herself while trying to unclog the hole to the downspout.
(james)
the hitch had dropped him several miles back at the crossroads
the now more mended than tattered (thanks to mei) patchwork trench flapping a bit with each step
that long, rolling, ground eating stride that covers a city in a day and takes no effort
seems to work out here, too
hands shove into the pockets
shoulders hunched up under light brown dreadshe may be used to homeless winters one state north
but it is still. damn. cold.
especially out here in the middle of the Pine Sol Estates..... er... Barrenshe hasn't had much luck earning cash up at home
so he's heading down to AC again
it's just that inconvenience of hitch hiking
the ride doesn't always go where you want it
so he's stuck walking until another willing car comes alongat least it seems like it's going to take him past some semblance of civilization
(jael)
Pale hair sticking out from beneath a blue stocking cap. Jeans and jacket visible from behind. A red sweater showing along the waistline each time she reaches overhead. The small house looked to be little more than three small rooms at most from outside. One story and singled in old cedar singles that have faded in places and become moss covered in others.(james)
boots crunch to a stop on the road
head tilting to watch the stretch and dump and curse and.... this isn't going well
a bit of a grin rakes across his features"Need a hand?"
even though his voice is a warm, smooth tenor
and his smile is easy and inviting
oh yea
strange man appearing out of nowhere in middle of woods
this should go over well, Jamey(jael)
Catching her breath on a surprised inhale with the sound of the voice from behind. One hand shooting out to grab the gutter, making it grown when taking her weight as the ladder rocks for a moment with the sudden shift in balance. "Oh crap!" Heart thundering as she very carefully turns her head to see who was back there. "I um, er, stuck, I'm stuck." Afraid to let go of the gutter at this point.(james)
oh shit.
good one James.
nearly take her right off the roof, why don't yait's only a few steps and he's crossing the distance between
one man with ragged dreadlocks
dressed in second hand BDUs, tank boots, and a strangely new sweater
and that patchwork (glyphworked) trenchcoat
definitely a city boy
what he's doing way out here is a mysterybut at least part of it is solved with gloved
(you call those gloves?)
hands grab hold of the ladder and steady it
looking up with a rather sheepish grin and laugh
and something of a glitter in deep umber eyes"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you..... but I got the ladder."
(jael)
Swallowing with a nod while slowly letting go of the gutter. Chin and neck smeared with gunt from the gutter. Reaching down to grab the top of the ladder and slowly climb down. "Thanks, I'm Jael and I thought for sure I was going to end up pulling that gutter off on my way down." Smiling to him once on the ground. A petite 5'2" with pale blonde hair, most of it covered with the stocking hat. Her eyes nearly matching the blue of the hat. Tugging one glove off to offer her hand to him. "That was scary."(james)
"James."at a lanky 6'1 there's quite a difference between them
pale blond hair against light brown dreadlocks
brilliant blue skies against deep umber eyes
she's dressed for the forest - he's definitely not
shall the list continue?
but at least that grin's still there
peeling away his own glove
decisive shake with rough, calloused hand
then his gaze drifts back to the roof"Nah.... you were doing fine 'til I decided to try and turn you into a dangling Christmas decoration."
(levon)
-The old truck made it's way through the winding roads of the village, the cabin of the pick up full, the bed carrying one lone passenger and her dog. Brown eyes narrow and water against the rush of cold air that assaults her face and senses as the truck moves along. It's loud. The damn muffler is tacked up by a wire hanger or two, and black smoke billows out of the make shift tail pipe like a dying dragon breathing out its like carbon monoxide breath.Her hand strokes the mutts dirty coat with gloved hand and the multi-colored knit hap is pulled down to her eyes, covers her ears, and the long tail of the hat hangs to her waist with a ratty little rainbow fuzzy tuft on the end. Levon watches the woods carefully, she and Roscoe know more than anyone what could possibly lurk in the safety of the tree line, and as the truck enters the village her shoulders bunch up and she leans down, giving the older dog with the graying beard a kiss atop his head.-
(jael)
"Oh it's ok, I'm just trying to get a clog out. I can hear water dripping down between the walls in there and that's just going to be a big problem if I don't get it taken care of soon." Smiling and scratching at her neck with one hand. Resisting the urge to shove her hand down the neck of her top to dig the irritating debris from her bra. "You live near here?"Pulling the glove back on and using the back of it to absently rub her nose while looking at James. Second hand clothing she knew well, it's what her father had dealt in back in Indiana. More often than not, giving more to the needy than he sold. Brows furrowing slightly with the rumble of the muffler out there somewhere. It almost sounded like the city for a moment.
(james)
that's when he really looks at her
seeming to notice something for the first time
it brings a little grin
but that just seems to be the way he is
(he can sense that pure blood like she should be able to sense his Rage)
looking back up with a shrug of muscular shoulders"I can try, if you want."
gaze ticktocking down again
(like a flippin' see saw)
and this time his head shakes"Nah... I live up north near Hisperia. Just heading down to AC for a little while."
and absent wave of his hand
it doesn't seem to bother him he's still got nearly half the state to go
and no notable mode of transportation other than those boots(levon)
Sputter..putt putt putt....sputter....POPThe truck jerks a bit as the engine backfires. Roscoe jumps, hunkers down on shaky legs, and Levon....well Levon takes it in stride while stroking the old dogs head. A gloved hand lifts to itch at her cheek, and tears forced by the cold in her face roll down her cheeks and wet the scarf about her neck.
The village is quiet, seemingly, and with a sigh of relief Lee leans down and whispers to her dog as the truck is rolling to a sputtering stop with another loud backfire.
"Here ya go sweetie..." The old man yells as he's opening the driver side door and spitting out his black, disgusting chew.
"Thanks Marty...." Is the reply, and both Lee and the dog hop out of the back of the truck, dog and woman both take inventory of their surroundings for a long moment as the two men in the trucks cabin clamber out.
(jael)
"Well, I um, wouldn't want to bother you with something like this." Shifting from one foot to the other. Able to feel something coming off him and it made her a little fidgity. "I mean, you'd get all gross and maybe fall on your head or something and then there's that problem." Jumping slightly with the sound of the backfire somewhere along there.(james)
there's a bit of a laugh
(and tense, at the backfire)
his head shaking
that hand absently gesturing again"Nah, it wouldn't be a problem.... I've got a longer reach than you anyway."
he's not going to openly say that falling on his head is the least of his worries
there's that easy grin again
he knows what it is she feels
and he's trying to not seem like he's going to remove her head should she move to fast"Brace the ladder for me?"
(jael)
Nodding, wondering what he would do if he did fall and crack his head. Shoving that thought away while grasping the ladder. "Well be careful, those leaves have a mind of their own and I really don't want you to get hurt." Lawsuits and worse flitting through her head.(james)
that would be a funny sight, wouldn't it
See James? You should stick to the city.
The forest kicks your ass.the pack is lain to the side
his coat shrugged off and folded over it
and up the ladder he goes
frowning a bit as he peers at the mess of leaves and.... let's not go here
(since when did you know anything about cleaning out gutters, Jamey-boy?)
but he reaches in to start pulling leaves anyway
hoping for the best"Got any family around here?"
idle conversation
right(Levon)
The sound of the truck backfiring ceases to be, yet the smell of carbon and other nasty smells filter through the cool, pure air of the Village. The coat hanging off the 5'8 young woman is black, a sort of vinyl material with a fake fur trim around her hood. The dog, with smart dark eyes, sits and looks up at Lee almost expectantly (now....what?).
"I don't know Roscoe......I just needed to be out of the city for a little while...you need exercise anyway, you're getting too fat." A smirk touches her lips as she tugs her hood up and leans down a bit to the side and runs her glove over the dog (part ... basset hound? part.....bloodhound? beagle?). Her jeans are a bit dirty and the two old men that exited the cabin of the truck start off towards the nearest bar. Lee ... Lee stands there for a minute longer before she and her friend start walking down what might be considered a street in the rural village.(jael)
Shaking her head, pale hair moving across her shoulders where the stocking hat holds it tight. "No, just moved here a little over a week ago. Still trying to figure out where things are and find a job. Came from Indiana." Finding herself filling in with nervous babble after looking up and just seeing his butt. What a thing to talk to.(james)
at least he's in shape
and wearing a belt
thank Gaia for small favors, hm?"Step back a bit."
and waiting until she does
he shoves the pile of leaves and... muck... off the roof and onto the ground
nodding somewhat satisfactorily to hear some of the soggy meltoff trickling steadily again"Think I got it."
and down the ladder he comes
letting her speak to the easy grin rather than... yea.
wiping filthy hands on his BDUs
being from out of state she can hear the accent he's sure he doesn't have
that New York coloring on certain words"There's a cabin about a mile out, set back from the rest, has some chimes infront of it. You might be able to find some family there."
that's odd, isn't it?
didn't she say she had no one out here?(levon)
There is nothing amazing or beautiful or ...perfectly lovely about Lee. She's of average height, and her body type would be hard to discern from the layers of clothing, and the thick winter coat she wears. Her boots are the only nice thing the odd urchin owns. Her dog, bless his old heart, pulls back his lips and snarls a little at the stranger, he lets out a quit a weird little bark/howl. It's a cross between a basset hound and a blood hound. A sort of Arrrroooooooo rather than your typical bark. Yet, that sound even dies quickly as Simon makes no real move towards Levon ....and truth be told, Roscoe might lose a tooth if he ever tried to bite anyone, he's just that old.
So Lee tugs back her hood, and he can tell then that her hair is long and wavy; dark strands peek out from beneath the multicolored knit cap and she wipes at her runny nose with the back of a gloved hand......and nods. Offers a weak smile, that's nervous maybe, not rude. Never that.(jael)
"Um thanks, but you can wash your hands inside, you don't have to get all dirty cause of me." Watching him wiping his hands on his pants. Unaware her face and neck are smudged with the same gunk. "Um, windchimes and family?" Brows creasing again slightly while stepping back a bit and darting back to the first subject. "I can show you where to wash up and if you'd like, I can repay you with something to eat and drink, maybe?" Cocking her head slightly, not entirely sure how to repay him and sticking to the old ways her father used.(james)
he? is quite aware of her smudges
and that might be partial reason for that grin
but he's polite enough not to say anything"I'd appreciate that."
and there's a nod as he's gathering his pack and coat
one shrugged onto his shoudler
the other laced through the pack's strap
turning to follow her"Well, not immediate family... more cousins."
(jael)
Glancing back at him with a faint little nod while leading the way inside. Almost immediately tugging off her coat and the stocking hat. The room smelling of woodsmoke and pine needles. The heat coming from the cast-iron fireplace insert. "The bathroom is through there. You can set your things down anywhere." Absently smoothing her hair down as it crackles with static electricty, doing a wild little dance of alternating between waving straight up in the air and sticking plastered to her her head the next moment.(james)
after wiping his boots on the matt outside
he chooses a place near the table to lay his things
woodsmoke and pine-sol
he's slowly getting used to the smell of this place
wandering back towards the indicated bathroom to wash upa few minutes later he's strolling back out again
fresh and clean - except for the smears on his pants
and a soaked in spot or two on his shirt
but it doesn't seem to bother him one bitholding out a wet face cloth to her with a litte grin
(jael)
Blinking in surprise with the offered washcloth. Face warming when passing him up to head to the bathroom and look in the mirror. "Gah, you could of said something." Scrubbing at her face and taking a few moments to dig those leaf bits out of her top with a grimace. Scrubbing down the front of her shirt too. "Listen, you got your clothes all dirty, I might have some things you can have. I think they might be a little big on you, but they should be long enough." Calling to him while washing in the other room.(james)
she can hear that warm laughter again"And risk you swiping me for it? I'm not that brave."
there's a tease in his tones, yes
but he's had more experience with firey kinfolk than he has meek ones
so he's not about to take his chances
and what is with people always wanting to clean him up out here?
and curiously, he looks down at his clothes
noticing half the marks for probably the first time
are Bone Gnawers that dirty even when clean??"Nah.... just letting me settle for a bit is enough, Jael."
(jael)
Settle? Wondering if that meant she was suppose to give up her room and bunk on the couch cause he was going to stay for awhile. Coming out of the bathroom a little better for the wear except for her stubborn hair. Fine pale strands doing a wild dance as the weather plays it's own game with it. "Can I offer you something to eat or drink then?" Her father's things would remained packed away till someone who needed them came along.(james)
he's quietly sitting at the table when she comes back out
he figured it was the least imposing place
and while he may be used to walking endless miles in the concrete jungle?
sometimes it's nice just to get off your dogs
and that easy grin turns hopeful"Can I talk you out of some coffee?"
it's. cold. out. there.
(jael)
"Sure." Smiling with a nod before turning to bend and open the cabinet next to the stove. Pulling out an old dented metal perculator. Metal rattling as she disembles it to rinse it out and fill it with water, placing the pot on the stove and turning the gas up high. "Did you need a place to rest for the night?" Trying to find out so she could adjust to that thought. Reaching to another cabinet to get a small can of coffee out and scoup it into the guts of the perculator before placing the long stemmed device inside the pot and replacing the lid. A small glass knob looking bulb on the lid of the pot.(james)
"Nah."what is with all these maternal bodies out in the Barrens?
"I want to make it down to AC so I can make some money before it gets too close to Christmas. People start spending less on starving artists and more on presents the closer it gets. I just need a place to warm up for a few....."
there's a blink
and he looks up"That's not the reason I helped you, though...."
hoping she doesn't think he was just conning her for some coffee
(jael)
Collecting a cup from the cabinet to place before him. Then turning to the fridge to get a half gallon of milk out to set on the table along with a jar of sugar. "Don't have cream, I hope milk's ok." Glancing towards the pot as it pops and rumbles, warming up quickly. Pausing with his tone, nearly flinching. "No, no, I didn't think anything." The words rushing out quickly while taking a step back from the table. "I just needed to know, that's all." Swallowing quickly.
(james)
his head tilts
as she takes that rapid step back
he's sitting there at the table
hands folded quietly
hoping he didn't offend her
and she's the one taking a step back
.....his voice is -very- soft"Why do I scare you?"
(jael)
Relieved that she wouldn't have to make arrangements for him to stay with her. Knowing she'd never sleep with a stranger in the house, it was bad enough adjusting to a new place alone after living in the same place her entire life. Feeling like her heart was beating way too fast and breathing was a little difficult. Giving a quick shake of her head and little lift of her shoulders. "I don't know. It's just...just a feeling." That quick little nervous shrug again. "I can't explain it." Turning towards the stove when the pot starts to rumble and brown liquid starts to come up to splash the inside of the glass bulb on the lid. "It's starting to perculate now. How strong do you like it?" Doing a swift change of subject.(james)
okay, there is that
strange guy sleeping in your house
already he was surprised at being invited in
there's all sorts of horribly wrong and offensive scenarios he could come up with as to why he made her nervous
but it's the feeling on that gets to him"Uh..... doesn't matter, I'm not picky."
maybe it's because he's been around Decker so much
the Modi's Rage so often overshadows his
he hasn't had anyone react to him in a very long time
and it's unsettling, to say the least
the Fenrir may be used to it
the Gnawer isn't
and he turns to look down at hands picking the frays of gloves
his voice never grew any louder"I can't help that." my Rage, your reaction "Sorry."
(jael)
Shaking her head slightly, trying to ease the tension. "Not your fault." Turning back with the pot to fill his cup before replacing the pot on the stove. "Is hot, be careful." Unnecessary warning coming out. "I um, have some bread and lunchmeat if you are hungry. I um, could make you a sandwich?"(james)
she's right
it isn't
but it still deflates him, a little
it's just not something he's used to
and after a moment his head shakes"Coffee's fine, thank you. It's more than I was even expecting."
that grin starting to coax itself back into his expressions again
doing his best to ease the tension, too(jale)
"It's the least I could do." Relaxing her stance a little. Leaning back against the counter and crossing her arms. "So, you said you were going to AC? Um, AC DC?"(james)
there's a blink
(ACD.... oh yeaa)
then his head shakes
finally tempting a sip of that hot coffee"Atlantic City. Sometimes it's easier to make money there than where I live."
(jael)
"So what do you do to make money anyway?" Her stance slowly relaxing. He didn't look like the guy she had met at the diner that had been a gigalo. But you never really knew.(james)
"I'm one of those guys that plays a bucket or barrel or something else on the streetcorner like a drum and hopes you like it enough to toss in a few cents."shoulders lift below dreads in a shrug
"I'm not sure the proper name for it."
(jael)
"Oh ok, a street entertainer. I met one of those a few nights back at the Neward Diner. He was very charming and all." Not mentioning how else the guy made money. Her face warming with that thought. Male prostitutes she'd heard of but never seen.(james)
"A lot better than the peddler or annoyance that I've been called before."there is a charm in his grin
(no, I won't hurt you)
and even though that coffee's hot
and he's pretty sure she's not going to take back what she gave him
he's finishing it like she is
some habits never die
and it's obvious he was raised having to scrap for what he got"Money's good in the summer, but gets slim around the holidays. People are spending it elsewhere."
(jael)
"Yeah well, they tend to do that. And then there's some that wouldn't pee on you if you were on fire and it would save their black souls. But that's mankind for you." Turning to lift the pot and offer him a refill. "More?"(james)
and that would be why we have the Ban of Man
but he doesn't say that out loud
she's family, but not family
so we'll skirt that nugget of topical conversationbut his head shakes
"I should probably get going, I don't know how long it's going to take to get another hitch that'll take me the rest of the way."
(jael)
"There's a bus stop not too far down the road." Offering the little bit of information he probably already knows. "I appreciate your help and it was nice meeting you. I feel like I didn't really pay you back with a cup of coffee."(james)
"There is? Thanks..."a bit of information he didn't know
he also doesn't have enough for bus fare, but he doesn't mention it
sliding his chair back to stand
offering the cup back to her since it would mean passing her to put it in the sink
and he's well aware he makes her uncomfortable
(it's not your fault)
there's that grin again as the trench is shrugged on"You'd be surprised how far hospitality goes, Jael."
(jael)
Shakes her head slightly while accepting the cup. "Still not enough." Turning to replace the cup in the sink. "Um, you be careful out there, ok? If you find yourself needing something, you know where to find me." Echoing the same words she had heard so many times from her father's lips.(james)
he looks like he's about to argue with her
but this is her house, and he doesn't
not like most Garou around, is he
seems he's forgotten he's supposed to be holier than, well, everyone
or he's been beat down so far he knows that isn't true
and a hand sticks out to shake, again"Sounds like a plan. Thanks again, Jael."
he knows his way to the door
(jael)
Posted by james at December 15, 2002 12:00 AM
Reaching out to take his hand and give it a shake. He didn't seem so back after all. "You take care of yourself."
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