Difference between revisions of "Log:Suspicious Minds"

17 April, 2018

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========-< << 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.

Spring may have sprung, but you wouldn't know it by the weather outside. The continued cold means that the fire's still lit, offering precious warmth to those that have to deal with things like snow in mid-April. The lunch rush has passed, and it's fairly quiet in the cafe now. Avalon stands behind the counter, long hair in a loose braid that snakes over her right shoulder. Black sweater, jeans, and a myriad of bracelets and rings keeping it from being too dull or quiet when she moves her hands. Like now, as she withdraws the teaball from the mug on the counter in front of her, looking satisfied as she takes a breath in of the blend.

Jack stomps off his feet from snow as he enters and holds the door open to someone leaving before he walks in. Once there, he swipes his hat off and holds it with both hands as he takes a look around - he's pleasantly surprised. Squinting, his lips hike up to a small smile as he wanders over to the counter, upnodding at Avalon. "Hey. Nice place you got here."

The ranger SUV is parked outside, and a black German Shepherd sits there staring in, as if wishing he could join.

C.B. doesn't have many reasons to come into The Seventh House. So when he heads in today, not bothering to wipe off his boots or dust the snow from his new-looking Red Sox cap, all he does is cast paranoid glances at the general populace before he breezes right to the restroom. Um. Shouldn't you buy something first, pal?

Avalon's gaze lifts when there's movement by the door. There's a smile on her face, that friendly sort of warmth there. It fits, with the tone of her voice. "Good afternoon, Jack. Thank you. What can I get you, today?" Her gaze flits away as there's more movement, and both brows hitch upwards as C.B. just glides on by on his way to the bathrooms. "Well then." She chuckles, though, shaking her head, and glances outside. "That your ride these days?"

"Something filling - a nice sandwich. Surprise me," Jack suggests, leaning up against the counter and cracking her a warm grin. He watches CB walk by with a thoughtful expression, and scratches his neck; he could use a shave and he looks rather worn out. All that snow, probably means he has to work a lot. Even so, he gives CB a little upnod too, whether the man will see it or not. "Oh yeah, nice isn't it? It sure helps pulling people up when they slide off the road," he says wryly. "How's life?"

Did C.B. see that nod, or the raised eyebrows? Probably not. He returns after a little while, wiping his wet hands on his worn jeans. A quick glance out the window reveals that two squad cars have pulled up, though no officers are leaving their vehicles. "Do you have clam chowder?" he asks Avalon, apparently not caring if he's cutting in line or interrupting a conversation. "New England-style only. The only kind that matters." But there's something a little jittery about him today.

"Any allergies, dislikes? I'll go with my gut, after that. I don't want to accidentally poison you the first time that you drop on by." Avalon's eyes are still towards the SUV, and there's a soft tsk. "Too bad the weather's so cold, your boy would be more than welcome to hang out under a table. Handsome fellow. I..." I am getting cut off by C.B. Alexander, the look says when she looks to said author. "Let me see if I've got any left from the lunch rush. You both look a little rough today, if you don't mind my saying."

"I'm allergic to too much vegetables," Jack says, "so pile up the meat. I need to share with that rascal out there too." He hikes a thumb out towards the car, and that dog. "He's fine in there for a bit, I'm not staying that long. But he'd love to meet you - next time, hopefully." He squints at CB next, then looks back out at the two squad cars, back at CB: eyebrows go up a notch. "Yeah, rough day?"

To be fair, C.B. always looks a little rough: like he doesn't sleep or shave, most of the time. He just grunts at Avalon, then shrugs at Jack, eyeing him up suspiciously? "What's it to you?" Hmm. Why so cranky, C.B.? Apart from being terminally cranky, that is.

"Got it," Avalon says with a little salute. "And excuse me, but your partner in crime is not going to share. His is on the house." There's a slight roll of the eyes as C.B. only grunts at her, and an exhale. "Crankier than normal. Must be hangry. I'll be back in two shakes. And hopefully next time, yeah. I'd love to have the outside patio open soon." She dips into the kitchen, and there's the sound of plates clinking, things rustling, as she does her thing.

"That's really nice of you," Jack says, eyes widening a tad and a thankful nod given. He looks at the squad cars again, studying the vehicles - perhaps taking notes of which ones - and then turns to C.B. with a disarming gesture. "I'm just curious. I'm not out to get you." He slumps a bit against the counter, indeed quite tired. "I'll leave that to the guys outside."

C.B. watches Avalon go, then turns back to Jack and snorts. "Very generous of you, pal." So why is he still eyeing Jack up like the man has an enormous booger or something else equally distasteful attached to him?

"I'm the one who should worry - they keep seeing me around you. They'll start an internal investigation for associating with the infamous Alexander," Jack drawls, grinning at C.B. But his keen gaze doesn't waver - he's wondering what's going on here, so he lowers his voice a little. "Can I help you with something?"

It doesn't take the witch too long in the kitchen, before she's coming out with hands full. There's a doggie bag (haha) along with a sandwich on a plate in one hand, and a big container of clam chowder in the other, with two packets of oyster crackers on the top of it. "Set that up to-go, in case you're not lingering around long either, C.B.." All cheer, despite the grouchyiness that comes her way. Oblivious of anything going on between the two men.

Not a hint of a smile from C.B. as Jack grins. "Maybe they should investigate you," he finally says. "For snooping around places you're not supposed to be." He turns to glance at Avalon and squints at the to-go container. "I didn't want it to go. Are you trying to get rid of me?" Annoyed as he sounds, he tries to take it anyway, in return for some crinkled cash.

Jack straightens up at that, narrowing his eyes - it's his turn to watch C.B. with total suspicion. But, he's hungry so he turns to Avalon and perks up a bit seeing the sandwich; he digs out his card to pay. "Okay if I eat it here?" he asks, meaning by the counter. "It looks great, you're a life saver." He doesn't actually wait, he grabs the sandwich and takes a big bite. Eyeing C.B. again.

Sigh. "I'm not trying to get rid of you. You just tend to zoom out of here as quickly as you come in, and I'd hate for you to leave half a bowl of chowder behind. Or steal one of my bowls accidentally." She places everything down on the counter, in front of each man, before taking that crumpled cash. "But I can get you a real bowl if you like, and a spoon that isn't plastic." Avalon glances between the two, and then bobs her head. "More than welcome to. Always good to have company." Card taken, run, handed back.

The suspicion between the two men seems mutual, though C.B. doesn't say anything else. Yet. He turns back to Avalon and just snorts. "It's fine. Why would I steal your bowl, though? Christ." Are there seats at the counter? If so, he'll take one. If not, he'll take a seat nearby.

Jack drums fingers against the counter in slow rhytm, staring at C.B. while he eats. Then he snorts right back and focuses on his food for a moment, clearly enjoying it. "Maybe I should try some of your tea," he suggests, instead giving Avalon full attention. "Something strong and black?" he half-jokes - he's more of a coffee person after all. "And if you got some time, tomorrow - I wanted to see you about something."

"It's good chowder," Avalon muses back to C.B., "Might meander off with the bowl, being so enraptured by it." The chowdah is indeed New England style, and she didn't even do any weird Lefevre things to it, like toss in a dollop of maple syrup for flavor. "You -should- try some of my tea. Nothing too strong, though. Something that will complement the sandwich." A tap of finger to her lower lip, and she bustles off to the side. Looking over shoulder, with a raised brow. "Yeah, I'm here tomorrow. Just come on by whenever and we can chat."

C.B. mumbles something into his chowder, but doesn't comment further. He's not a particularly fast or thorough eater, almost like it takes concentration just to get food down at all.

"I'll take that tea on the go, please - afraid I can't stick around," Jack says, sounding regretful. He digs out some bills to pay for the tea, instead of the card. "I'll drop in tomorrow," he promises, giving Avalon an intently thoughtful look. Also with a hint of concern, for some reason. While Avalon sorts out his tea, he'll return to staring at C.B. around mouthfuls of sandwich. It's no longer a suspicious stare, more a contemplating one - like he's trying to figure him out, and failing.

"Gunpowder tea. Should mesh well with all that meat," Avalon muses, perhaps to herself, as she sets up that to-go cup for Jack. There's a slight lift of brow at that look she gets from him, before she just shrugs it off and settles the cup down. Reclaiming her own mug of pale pink tea to sip. Watching them both eat, with interest. Curious interest. They are eating what she made, after all.

After a few more moments, C.B. puts the lid back on the soup, bundles it up into the bag, and heads out without another word, though he does give the both of them a glare before he goes.

"Gunpowder tea." Jack is amused by the name, but picks up the mug and raises it at her in a little toast. "Thanks again, and I'll see you tomorrow." Already, Goblin in the car is wagging his tail excitedly, knowing his owner is coming outside with food. "And be careful out there, okay?" With that cryptic farewell, Jack heads out without waiting for a reply.