D A Y 0 4

[founds]

CHAPTER 2

Nov 3rd | 63℉☁

▸ Due to last night's storms, a quarter of Blackwell is still without power. It seems a tree has fallen on a power line, which will be promptly inspected by BWI and fixed ASAP.

▸ The worst of that storm is now over, thank god. Weather reports cloudy days from here on out.

▸ Fairweather and Winters kids are still missing. Local authorities and volunteers are resuming their search in the immediate area. Please, if you have the time, go join the cause.

▸ In a sad turn of events, the remains of Kara Samson have been returned to the family not a week ago. Details surrounding her disappearance and cause of death have not yet been released.

▸ Rumors say that the county morgue outside of Elkins was broken into early this morning, but officials decline to comment on the matter.

▸ Today's news radio is brought to you by Black Lodge Bar! Head on down to Black Lodge for their all day Monday happy hour!

▸ And now back to your regularly scheduled programming.

THE RISING IS NOT IN EFFECT

Comments

[avers]

[ the gin comes and he wipes his thumb along the brim, before wiping said thumb on a napkin in turn. he takes a sip of the drink, sets it down and reaches inside his coat to pull the pall malls and a lighter. when she approaches, he looks up to her and gives her a non-committal noise from the back of his throat. ]

Ain't nary to it. [ he taps the pack of cigarettes against the table ] Work's been shit all week, with them bodies gone and appearin', like some motherfucken' haints.

[ he takes another sip of the gin and pulls a cigarette from the pack ] How you been?

[toddy]

[ she's down to pouring herself a glass of whiskey now, the perks of being the owner. she gives him half a shrug, not willing to get too into it. ]

Oh you know, didn't think it was tragedy 'n bullshit season so soon. [ but then again there really isn't a designated time of year for it. it tends to come around precisely when it wants to. it's never a good time for anyone, and she finds her ways of dealing with it. ] But business for me for people comin' drownin' their sorrows. And I guess business for you too. [ not really meant to be implied as a good thing, just a thing. ]

[avers]

This town is tragedy season week in 'n week out. [ he says before bringing the glass to his lips, taking another sip. he finally brings the cigarette to his lips and lights it up while she talks. he takes a drag and blows the smoke away, crossing his arms over the counter ]

Got your hands full. [ he looks over his shoulder to observe the crowd gathered here. ] At least you ain't goin' bankrupt anytime soon.

[toddy]

[ he's not wrong, but every time it happens it feels like it's too soon. ] Yeah well, next closest waterin' hole is at that creepy ass hotel. It's not like I got any competition to beat out. This place is sad as shit all the time, I'll never go broke.

[ sips her whiskey as well ]

Heard you got a few wrenches thrown in yours. Shit sucks.

[avers]

[ he snorts and takes another drag before reaching over to grab a clean ash tray from behind the counter. shh, they're on good terms. he's allowed to do that. he always leaves a hefty tip.

her reply makes him groan a little and he rubs his forehead in annoyance ]

Times like this make me miss the military. [ at least everyone was competent and bodies didn't up and go missing from the god damn morgue ]

[toddy]

[ doesn't give him a second glance as he reaches into her space. true if most people tried that, they'd lose their hand. she has a clever behind the counter for just occasions.

her eyebrows raise at him a moment, but she can't blame him with what's going on. ] Ain't heard that one often. That bad?

[avers]

The level of incompetence in the office never ceases to amaze me.

[ that should suffice. he's too nitpicky to not to foam at the mouth when officers screw up on little things such as paperwork so a screw up of this magnitude is definitely leaving him with stomach ulcers. he taps the cigarette against the tray, letting the ashes fall onto it. ]

Gage's been suspended and he still goin' round like a cockroach. The new FBI agent is a god dang jasper snoopin' like a vulture. And don't get me started on the Vaughn boy.

[toddy]

[ word travels fast in a small town, she's heard at least one thing about each of them thus far but not really got a rounded picture of the new faces around the RCSO. ]

Can't say I'm surprised, cops around here have been useless shitbrains as long as I've known. [ sips whiskey as she looks off a moment checking to see if she's got a glass to fill. ]

No offense. [ adds as an afterthought. ] But one guy who gives a shit ain't gonna hold up that station's integrity.

[avers]

[ too bad that guy's also the world's biggest jerkass douchebag. but let's not think about it.

he gives her a shrug and tips his glass with his finger back and forth distractedly. ] None taken. You ain't wrong. [ he grabs the glass and rolls it around his hand lazily, the lemon slice going in slow circles inside the drink ]

How 'bout we talk 'bout somethin' other than work. It ain't why I came here.

[ well, work is always what makes him end up at the black lodge, sometimes until closing hours, but not exactly to talk about work. usually there's not so much talk involved ]

[toddy]

You want some ice cream? [ well gee she was just trying to catch up. he's been working so much lately they haven't had much time to hang out. ]

Cause I hear it comes with karaoke night. Bring down the house with some Johnny Cash.

[avers]

[ olly was bringing his glass to his lips when she asks her question. he stops mid-movement and frowns at her. shut up he's not gay, you're gay. take your gay away. the lord doesn't accept gay so he doesn't either.



he's so gay. ]

No. [ kind of bitter about it as he always is. he just will never be comfortable with it unless he's harbouring some vitriolic passion or some fucked up thing like that. he drinks the rest of the gin and hands the glass to her, lifting one finger. fix him another. maybe when he's drunker the ice cream can come back ] It was my way of askin' 'bout your own life. [ it should be less depressing than murders and missing people ]

[toddy]

[ seems nonplussed by his sourpussing, because she's seen it enough times to know she wont get in trouble for it. but she gets it. her bad forget she mentioned anything. what ice cream. he's lactose intolerant.

she takes his empty glass to fix him another, talking while she works]

Well my life's about as boring as tits, sorry 'bout it. Don't know why I thought'd it a great idea to settle down and run a bar when I could be out in the Azores or Malta. This's just a daycare for drunk toddlers.

[avers]

[ she is probably the only one that gets out of that with only a little scowl. not even a glare, just a scowl, and it's as quick to disappear as it is to pop up. watching her work, he picks up the cigarette again and takes a slow, long drag, licking his lips before blowing the smoke. there's a little scoff and he brushes his fingers over his upper lip. ]

Is it that different from drunken sailors? [ he's mostly kidding ]

[toddy]

[ pops another slice of lime on the side and passes it over ]

The difference is with the drunken sailors I don't have tuh clean up after them. I'm with 'em causin' the trouble.

[avers]

[ he switches the cigarette to the other hand and takes the slice, holding it between his thumb and middle finger. ]

Ever think of goin back?

[toddy]

[ her jaw locks a mmoment as she sinks against the bar with her whiskey again ]

Sometimes, but don't think there's a place for me in it anymore. [ among other things she doesn't feel drunk enough to get into. ]

[avers]

[ he's never been a fan of fruit (ironically), but limes are bitter and so is he. he pushes it into his mouth and bites down, letting the citric acid juice seep onto his tongue. he gives her a thoughtful sound, watching her body language. he's no cal lightman but he's good with reading people. it's why his assholery ways are so effective ]

Ain't it always like so? [ he asks, pulling the lime out of his mouth and setting on the little plate under his glass ]

[toddy]

[ purses her lips at him. she does care about this place a lot, even though she kind of hates it. it's one of those relationships. she kind of got pigeonholed into it but tended for it like a house plant. to just leave it would be giving up.]

You assholes are my assholes now. I ain't lettin' this place go. [ raises her drink to him as if it were something toastworthy ]