Difference between revisions of "Log:Allies"

18 April, 2018

A Fry and Lefevre gets together to work on the Whyte mystery.

========-< << The Seventh House Cafe - Indoor Cafe >> >-========

Worn, aged brick makes up all but one of the walls in the cafe, adding a sense of warmth to it. The granite slabs that make up the fireplace, lit in the colder months, is decorated in theme with the season, and local flora is often on display. Wooden floors show signs of age, but are kept well-tended, and rugs scattered here and there camouflage the worst of damages from a century of use. Plush leather chairs and loveseats are centered near the fireplace and the corners of the room, while high wooden tables and chairs are scattered throughout the space. One corner holds a small stage, for the occasional musician or possibility of open mic nights. The far wall is painted a rusty orange, and tarot cards held in black frames adorn it, the styles varied.

The counter is a large spread, topped in granite and made in dark wood. A chalkboard declares the daily specials, along with the phase of the moon. The selection of teas is immense - available for drinking at the cafe, or purchase to take home for later brewing. There are crepes and breakfast sandwiches, yogurts, in the morning -- all from locally sourced meat, dairy and eggs. In the afternoon, soups and sandwiches take over, along with desserts. There are gluten-free options - the sign notes that there is a separate prep area for such - along with vegan and dairy-free.

A small sign behind the counter proclaims, perhaps jokingly, that witch tea is served at 3 on Saturdays.

April weather in Vermont means that it changes from day to day. Today? It's cloudy, wet and miserable and it's going to rain any minute. It's thawing too, so the snow that came yesterday has created ice slush on the roads. Still, people here are used to it and go about business more or less as usual; there's a lot of water proof boots on today.

Jack's parked right near, having had some business at the police station - it's not where he works out of, but in this area, everything is intertwined when it comes to the law, so he can be seen there a few times every week. Luckily this also means he can slink into the tea shop for an early lunch or a late breakfast, and to meet Avalon as he promised. So here he is, wiping his boots off properly and swiping his hat off.

Just like she said that she would be, Avalon's at the cafe. The fire crackles away, and there's the quiet humming of the witch behind the counter as she reorganizes the stock of tea displayed on the shelves. Keeping herself busy, even when the customers aren't. Her hair is in that loose braid once more, keeping it relatively tamed, and today's wardrobe of choice is a long sleeved black dress that hits at mid thigh, flowing loosely about her form. Black boots, reaching up to her knees, make her footfalls a tad heavier than they might otherwise be.

"Good morning, Jack," she gives with a flash of smile, as she looks over her shoulder to the man. "This weather, hmm? At least the plants will be glad for all the water. I think. I hope."

"Morning Avalon," Jack responds, giving her that upnod and a quick grin, walking up to her. "I am," he says with emphasis, "utterly fed up with this weather. Shhh, don't let anyone know I said that, I'm supposed to never complain about it. Got to keep up appearances of the wild life man, you know?" He seems chatty today, but does it with sardonic humor. But, he doesn't have all day, so gets to business. "You got some time to sit down somewhere private?" He straightens up, looking serious.

"I mean, a wilderness man can certainly long for the sun and warmer weather," Avalon says with a little chuckle. "I certainly do. I miss spending time down by the falls and the river without having to wear five layers of warm and waterproof." There's a wrinkle at the corner of her eyes when she smiles, though it passes when he gets all serious. "Mm. Come on into the back," she says with a small nod towards that door. Grabbing her mug of tea, a dark green-tinged blend, as she slides that way.

=========-< << The Seventh House Cafe - Back Room >> >-=========

The back room of the cafe is more lounge than break room. The warmth of exposed brick continues here on all but one wall, and that one has been painted with an image of La Sirena done in painstaking detail. The lighting back here is low, giving a relaxed atmosphere that is further aided by the low couches and the plush pillows that provide seating. Dark wood flooring is barely glimpsed through those piles of pillows and the richness of Persian rugs in jewel tones. A few tall, narrow book cases hold tarot cards, crystals, and books on both matters of the occult and tea in equal measure.

A narrow set of stairs leads upstairs, to the apartment above. The door is kept locked, and sigils have been carved into the dark wood.

Jack trails along, looking around the room curiously once inside. "Yeah, can't wait," he agrees, distracted. He runs a hand through his hair and squints at her intently now, making sure the door is closed behind them. "I've looked into the explosion," he begins. "There's some disturbing shit going on."

Avalon makes her way to that cozy looking couch, settling down on one side of it. Her free hand gestures in offering for him to join her, before she takes a sip of that tea. A thoughtful sound, before she speaks. "I had the suspicion that it was something...off. But I wasn't sure how. I mean, beyond someone setting up a bomb in the bowling alley /here/. Weird things aren't all that uncommon. But tell me what's disturbing about it, Jack?"

Jack sits down and leans forward on his knees, turning his hat around as he talks. "A woman was kidnapped - her name's Suzie Whyte. Her dad was a known... psychic," he says, glancing at her quickly. "He was murdered. And Suzie Whyte was kidnapped from the bowling alley. I'm pretty sure she was targeted because of being a medium." He raises an eyebrow, to see if she gets where he's going. "Someone's targeting those with psychic powers and experiment on them it seems."

Now that seems to have Avalon's attention, the woman leaning in a little for it. "When was he murdered? Here, or elsewhere?" Fingers tap against her cup, little clinks that speak of the witch pondering things. "She was a known psychic as well, or do you think that the people responsible just...took a guess, assuming it was hereditary?" She tugs her lower lip between her teeth. "You're thinking that the people that killed her dad, kidnapped Suzie? And how do you know that they're experimenting on them? Are there other missing people in the area?"

"Elsewhere. And I don't think she was known to the public, no. I think they kidnapped her after having stalked her awhile and figured it out perhaps. Details are sketchy yet. As for how I know? I can't reveal my source on that, not yet - maybe later, if we can all stop being so damn suspicious," he says with a lopsided tired smile. "I'm looking into if others have gone suspiciously missing too, known psychics, or those that are rumored to be. Still waiting for that info. Now, reason I wanted to talk to you... well, you're openly a witch." Intent stare at this. "Not going to assume anything about what you can or can't do, but I need allies, the Lefevres always were good people /and/ you might be a target."

"Makes sense. I'd like to know who your source is, when you can tell me. I'm only as suspicious as I need to be, and yes...I'm rather open about what I am. Never saw a reason to keep it secret, given the givens. Can't fault those that do, though." Avalon's smile is a gentle thing, followed by another sip of her tea. "I'm not a psychic - not blessed in that way, that I can tell. But I do have my own tricks up my sleeve, and it's easy enough for someone to think that they're some sort of psychic gift. My family's always known yours to be trustworthy. I'll help how I can, of course."

"I'll ask my source, but I can't promise anything," Jack says with a nod, "because if this is as bad as it seems, it won't be enough with just a few of us. We don't know who kidnapped her, only that she is and that she's being experimented on. Those that took her could be more than just your average Joes, so this has to be kept on the low. But I'll use whatever police resources I can to find her." He looks determined and there's a hint of rage in those blue-grey eyes, which is unlike him; he's usually quite composed. "Plan of action is... well right now we're just trying to find information. You got any ideas?"

"No, you'll need to get more of us. I can't give anyone's secrets out other than my own, but I can ask the family. See what we can do. If we've heard anything." Avalon's brows furrow in her thought, and she pushes up to her feet so that she can pace the room a bit. "If you get me something of Suzie's, I can try to scry. See if I can get anything about where she is, or what's coming in regards to her."

"Would her diary work?" Jack asks. "Long as it's not ruined by whatever... uh... ritual you do." He only has marginal knowledge of these things, but it's also obvious he's not at all surprised about it. With the Fry and Lefevre family being so friendly, he probably feels confident to talk about this with her.

"I won't have to burn it or anything. Just have it. And that might work, as it will give a connection to her." Avalon's pacing is a slow thing, her fingers moving in the process of it, little hand mundras as she thinks. "I'll need a little time to prepare, of course. Witchcraft woefully isn't a quick thing." There's a wry smile at that, and a dip of her head. "Leave it with me for a night, and I can see what I can get?"

Jack produces a diary from his inner pocket - apparently he brought it with him. "One night," he says, "and be careful with it. We've still to read everything in there." It's a typical girl's diary with a little lock, but it's unlocked now. He stands up, holding it out to her. "My other ally wants to check it too - I think I might make copies of the pages so we can peruse on our own."

"I'll be careful with it, of course," Avalon says, voice solemn. Those twitchy fingers reach out to take it when it's offered, and the care is there in that small gesture. "Of course. Just the night, and then you can have it back for your other associate. There's a lot that could be found, in a girl's diary." Her thumb moves over the lock, and then she nods. "I'll give you a ring tomorrow, and you can drop by again. I'll let you know if I find anything."

"Thanks Avalon," Jack says with hearfelt sincerity, his eyes warm and serious at the same time, jaw set; clearly this isn't something he intends to let go, ever. "If my ally wants to meet, you want to? I could set something up. Maybe I'm just being overly cautious - but I don't want to presume anything about her." There, least he admitted to what gender his ally is.

"Of course, Jack. I hate to think of anyone suffering." It sounds honest, and Avalon looks it. The White Witch of Tamarack Falls. "If your contact wants to meet, of course. We could do so here, or elsewhere. Whatever she's most comfortable with. And it's good, that you keep people's confidence. It's one of the traits worth admiration." She smiles, and there's warmth there, even with that continued thoughtfulness in her mis-matched eyes. "Be safe, yeah?"

Jack grins at her. "I will be. You too - just keep an eye out." He's still worried that she might be a target. He seems to forget he might be one too; the rumors about him have always floated around. "Now, how about some of that Gunpowder tea and some cookies?" he suggests, gesturing at the door. "Can't believe I actually liked that tea."

"Always," Avalon says with a quick grin of her own. Even if she's not particularly well known for a healthy sense of caution in some matters. She leans over, placing the diary on the steps that lead upstairs - presumably where she lives - before she's leading the way back out into the coffee proper. "Are you /really/ that surprised, Jack?," she says with a little tsk, as she holds open the door for him.