Difference between revisions of "Log:Dinner At Red and Gabe's"

2018.05.05

Cardinal sneakily invites Jack and Maggie separately to dinner up at her and Gabriel's place. A lovely evening ensues!

Gabriel and Cardinal's

There was a lot to tend to to prepare this little corner of the mountain to receive mostly-mundane mortal people without too many tips to the supernatural, and it had been a busy week tending to just that. Out of season crops were reluctantly reduced from their thriving state, more illegal crops were stashed away in other realms entirely, and certain critters were given a firm talking to while spirits were appeased to ensure they'd not start any trouble.

Today, the little homestead was as normal as it might ever be. There's a shaggy, graying, and old-but-sturdy black horse in the the corral around the stable making a mess of his hay and a large mastiff-mix mutt sprawled out on the back step of the cabin, tail thumping in time to the country music playing on a crackling old school radio; the lone station to find reception this far out. A table made of a repurposed door nailed down over two saw horses has no doubt been made more impressive by Cardinal's attentions and set with the beginnings of the meal she'd been so busy working up from Gabe's foraging and hunting endeavors. His own contributions come more in the form of simple green glass wine bottles capped in wax bearing labels with nothing more than numbers written across them, and mason jars of a pale pinkish translucent liquid with the same labeling, all set in a ten-gallon bucket of ice rapidly on its way to melting. Gabe was out at the moment, working on seeing the last few tools to the shed, while the smoke and smells coming from the cabin suggest Cardinal was still tucked away inside.

The sound of hooves and branches moving aside, heralds Jack's and Maggie's arrival before they're actually seen, and perhaps Gabriel and his animals can hear them even before that. Soon enough, two riders appear in the clearing; Jack's riding a beautiful black Rocky Mountain Horse with a tan tail and mane, and the big healthy black German Shephard running into the clearing next to him is a beautiful animal too. The ranger looks around curiously and appreciatively before sliding off his horse, petting it a few times as he takes in the environment. He nods over at Gabriel, but leaves more serious greetings be for the moment, instead tending to the horse first. Animals first, always.

Goblin, the dog, has no such compunctions. He's already running with with his tongue out, straight towards the mastiff mutt - though he does stop some distance away and wags his tail hopefully, almost hopping where he is in excitement.

Maggie is definitely a new face to some, unless you know the Waykeepers. She is one. Jack doesn't know that. Others are welcome to know this. She's on Hyperion, a black draft horse. She has no other animal companions with her. Baloo might get them more questions than they want. She's dressed in jeans, black t-shirt and boots with a black cowboy hat that's seen many many days worn. There's a smile to their surroundings, "I like this place." she whispers to Jack as she hops down from the horse.

Mostly, the spread currently consists of breads, cheeses and greens. A salad of local foraged greens, toasted nuts, fresh berries, sliced red onions and crumbly cheese has already been lightly dressed in a sweet-tart vinagrette. Two different sorts of rolls--one rustic, brown and dense dinner rolls, the other light, fluffy, weird-shaped pop-overs--are set with butter brought up from the Fry family farm and some lemon curd. A couple of cheeses from the farm are on offer, too, both cow's milk, one all buttery and gooey with a hard rind and the other a semi-hard cheddar with nutty notes. Savory scents come from the cabin in promise of meat and veggies.

Cardinal--dressed all in way too much color in a dress straight out of the 60s, plainly picked up from some thrift store, all teal and orange paisley and utterly ridiculous--appears in the doorway, eagerly peeking out to see if anyone's here yet. And they are! Excitement brightens her features as she claps, that single sharp sound accompanied by a quieter clatter of bangle bracelets. Though she flicks a look between Boss and Goblin, she rushes forward on bare feet to go greet Jack and Maggie. Both are liable to get big hugs if they let her, quick squeezes from her skinny arms by way of greeting.

Gabriel had put on good clothes, which is to say, this particular blue-on-white flannel and pair of dark jeans didn't have any stains, holes, or patchwork done to them. And he'd bothered to tuck in his t-shirt beneath the loose overshirt rolled back to the elbows. He glances up towards the trail a beat or two before Boss and quickens his pace to the shed. He's just stepping out when the pair arrive, lifting a hand in a loose wave. "Afternoon," called gruff across the distance before he diverts the wave towards the 'stable'. "Can put th'horses up there. Mud's easy company." Grumpy company maybe, but mostly harmless. Mud snorted with a backward glance and a wobbling of his ears in different directions, taking everything in just long enough to look put upon before returning to spreading the hay around for no good reason.

Boss was much more friendly. The moment he heard the approaching voices he was on his feet with deep bellowing barks meant to be greeting and friendly but sounding more intimidating than anything to anyone that didn't know much about animals. His posture though was all puppy-like friendliness, quickly bounding down the few steps to greet Goblin with tail wags and butt sniffs and curiosity before he's darting off to jump up with slobbery greetings for the two legged visitors as well before doubling back to bark at Card's stepping out, no doubt making sure she absolutely, positively knew the company had arrived, then it's back to Goblin.

Gabe is much more reserved in his approach, waiting for Boss and Cardinal to finish up and the horses to be put away to wander over, one hand stuffed in a pocket and the other reaching out to touch at Cardinal's back. "Good t'see ya foundt your way up a'right," drawled with a nod to both of them before he remembers he's supposed to be welcoming and tugs his hand loose to offer out as well. "Gabe, good t'meetcha."

"It's amazing," Jack admits quietly to Maggie, agreeing wholeheartedly with her. His smile is wide and happier than most ever see when his cousin comes over. "Wooah Red, you look stunning as usual." He'll scoop her up in a proper bear hug before letting her get on with hugging Maggie. And then he's crouching down to greet Boss with vigorous scratches and pets, not afraid to give a proper and hearty greeting to the energetic dog. "Hi there," he says - but he's not trying out his tricks, just using his normal knowledge about the animals. "You're a beautiful one, aren't you." He watches amusedly as Goblin and Boss gets on with their dog stuff, glad to see the two getting along immediately.

He glances at Maggie, shrugs at her and admits; "We'll forgive her, maybe? For inviting us seperately. That's very sneaky of you, Red. I was peeved for a whole minute." He winks, then focuses on Gabriel, raising his hand in a greeting. "Thanks - I'll be a minute." He leads Troll towards where Mud is, and proceeds to take off saddle and bridle swiftly and routinely, hanging them up somewhere available before letting the big horse in to greet the other. "You be nice too now, Troll. All friends here."

Once the horse is squared away - and Troll seem to accept his new surroundings well enough, moving to sniff at Mud curiously - he moves over to shake Gabriel's hand in a firm and friendly graps. "Jack. Nice to finally meet you. Red won't shut up about you, you know."

Maggie gives a smile to Cardinal, "You look fantastic, Red." she tells her as she gives her a hug. "Thank you for having me out. It was a surprise when I met Jack on the trail up here." she chuckles to that. Then there's a Boss to meet and there's a good scritch given to the dog, "Oh my goodness look at you." she's all smiles and it's very clear that she's another animal lover in the group. "So adorable." she whispers to the dog. Then there's a smile to Gabriel, "Hi, I'm Maggie Locklear." she greets him with a handshake as well. She doesn't use any of her psychic powers on the animals here, because they aren't hers. Then to Jack, "Maybe we can forgive her. A little." she makes a little sign with her fingers. Then she goes to see about Hyperion up.

Cardinal dips into a clumsy curtsey once all the hugging's done to properly show off her ridiculous dress. Were it not for the bare feet, she might be way overdressed. Her eyes go wide as she looks between Jack and Maggie, signing so very innocently to the former, <<You were there when I asked her!>> Nevermind that he was still learning the ASL alphabet at that point, without even an inkling of fluency. Given the playful grin she flashes to Maggie, one might guess she expects her cousin still hasn't caught up. Watching Boss getting all that attention, she signs a quick, affectionate, <<Flirt,>> the pup's way. For just a second when Gabriel draws up close, she's lost in her own world, her smile going all soft as her eyes close for that little brush of contact. She then angles a proud smile up his way as an arm snakes back behind him and she draws in a little bit closer.

One might suspect a deeper understanding of Jack and Maggie's words the way Boss all but preens and struts after being told he's a beautiful and adorable boy. Yea, lookit that swagger...quickly lost to derp and goofiness once he goads Goblin into a chase to explore the surrounding woods with a nose and a paw-bat before running off. Mud swings his head back to blink at Troll a few times through a thick forelock, grunts and snorts at the horse, heaves a heavy side-swelling sigh and paces off a few steps. He just can't even.

Gabriel falls somewhere between Mud and Boss, firm quick shakes to each of them before his hand is back in his pocket. His eye does follow the signing with some measure of awareness, likely understanding. "Make y'self at home," he offers further, nodding back towards the table and property in general. "Got some berry wine 'n moonshine made up, whatever y'take. Imagine supper'll be done soon yea?" This asked with a more curious glance Card's way.

Jack brought along a saddle pack, thrown over a shoulder for now. He's somewhat similar to Gabriel and is fine with keeping things somewhat non-chatty - he grunts appreciatively at the other man, puts the bag down on a chair out there and starts digging around in it. His stomach talks for him, making a noise of hunger as he sees and smells all the food. He holds out a bottle of decent Single malt whiskey, a Bowmore to the woodsman - perhaps Gabriel prefers his own stuff, but it's a friendly gesture. "I'll definitely want to try that moonshine." Not even a hint of him reacting to /that/ - making moonshine isn't exactly legal... But he's been known to more than once just overlook such details.

He glances at Cardinal, trying to see her signing, but makes no show he understood anything. Instead, he's taking out a foot long wooden box, with carved vines and flowers on top of it - he's made it himself. It's nothing too fancy the box itself, it's what's inside that matters. He holds that out to his cousin. "That's for you. Look inside."

Maggie catches back up after putting Hyperion up. She doesn't seem very much interested in laws on moonshine, because she's not the cop here! She's got a small envelope with her, "I brought some pictures for Red." she states. "If you want to frame them and things. I thought you might like them." she admits. She tells the woman as she rejoins the group.

<<Another ten?>> Cardinal signs up to Gabe. <<Then the meat will need a few minutes to rest.>> But it's not like the table's empty right now. There's plenty to snack on while the main course is cooking. When they make their way to the table, she grabs a slice of the harder cheese to nibble on while she watches Jack hand over that booze to Gabe, plainly approving. It's just... well, then she's getting gifts from both Jack and Maggie, and it's caught her a little off-guard. And mid-chew. Thankfully, she doesn't need her mouth to speak, but her hands are quickly busy, too, taking up that lovely carved box and then the envelope. The latter gets her attention first, the former set down on the table, as she filters through through the pictures, pausing on a couple with a delighted smile. She signs, << I think I will, >> over to Maggie, with a genuine, << Thank you. >> Then it's to the box, opened to reveal a handcarved redwood firebird statuette. Which gives her pause, a few seconds of study preceeding a swift tactile exploration. The phoenix is drawn from its box and, with a stretch of one skinny arm, it's set down in the middle of the table. Right beside the existing centerpiece of wildflowers. <<It's beautiful, Jack. Did you make it?>> She flicks a look from Jack to Maggie to Gabe, expecting her cousin might need help translating.

Gabe gives Card a lil squeeze at her back before stepping away to take the bottle. He glances it over with a small hitch of a grin to one corner of his mouth, though there's no close focus on the words on the bottle. Instead, he works it open under his palm and takes a smell from the cap and grins that much further. "You're far from home," he muses under his breath to the bottle as he caps it up with a sincere, if quiet, "Thank ya," as he hefts the bottle and reaches for an empty mason jar to pour up a couple of fingers. The box produced garners some curious attention, both for the work on the box and the bird inside. He leaned in to peer over Cardinal's lil red head to study the work with a low whistle and appreciative nod of the work before he steps away to pull out a far rougher version of handcrafted chair to drop back on and sample the whiskey with another appreciative sound, more grunted in his throat, before he peers between the two. "Thought y'were a ranger yea? Look t'be a woodwooker," dryly teased then, "And an animal doctor?" more to Maggie.

Before anyone has a chance to translate, Jack says to his cousin: "I did." He grins - he understood her, he's been practicing. Before that, he'd snuck a peek at those pictures and gives a thumbs up to Maggie - he likes them too. He's then quick to grab some bits of food for himself, piling it on a plate - not too much though. He'll save some space for the main course, but takes a sample of everything offered, almost drooling.

He'll find something to drink from, beg a whiskey from Gabriel from that bottle he brought over and then take a seat with a content sigh. Nibbling food and sipping whiskey, legs stretched out in front of himself. "I carve as a hobby. Plenty of hours left in the day back at the cabin, when you got no TV and no internet. Red, you remember grandpa used to carve? He taught me the basics, I kept up with it in New York." He holds up some of that cheese, and adds; "This stuff is amazing."

"You're welcome. I was hoping you'd like them. I had a friend send them when he was done with his work assignment." Maggie states with a soft smile. She then gives a look to the woodcarved box from Jack and there's a grin, "Woodcarving is a specialty of yours as well. Another secret on the list." she teases the Ranger. Then she's about to help translate when Jack is already answering and there's a smile to him. Then she gives a look to Gabriel and a smile, "I'm a Zoologist, mainly I own a sanctuary and have a Vet on call that will come out when we have injured animals come in. I'm licensed to keep ones that can't go back to the wild and help them get rehabbed." she explains. There's a bit of sadness in her eyes though. "For example one of the injured birds right now is how I met Jack and then Red. I'm not complaining about that at all though." she smiles.

Cardinal's eyes go wide when Jack answers her signing without any translation. <<You scoundrel!>> comes across lovingly, despite the inherent accusation. The way her shoulders shake, the width of her smile, it's not hard to guess she's laughing. It's just that there's no sound. For now, the envelope is put into the box and the box is set down on the ground beside the table to be taken in later. For the moment, while the meat's still cooking, she sinks down into a chair beside Gabriel, taking a moment while Maggie talks and Jack eats to deliver a quick bit of affection to the moonshiner, a few quick, giddy kisses placed upon his shoulder. When she straightens, she looks to him an explains, <<Fairy! The bird I went with Jack to visit the other day. Can go check on the nest sometime, if you want.>> Looking to Jack, then, she tells him, << I remember. He made a cardinal for me and a squirrel for Susan.>> Her enthusiasm comes to a full stop right there. Susan, her twin, is still in a mental hospital an hour or so's drive away. Without further word, she reaches for one of the bottles and pours herself something to drink.

Gabe is more than happy to pour up a generous cup for Jack as well before offering up to Maggie and Red as well, pouring any that might be wished, and sets it aside in exchange for one of the flouncy pop-over rolls. He eyes it a little strangely, turning it this way and that, looking up now and then toward Maggie's explanation. "Ahh..." Not that he knew what the fuck a zoologist was. "I see." He doesn't, not until it's explained and a light bulb clicks on. "That's a kindly work, Miss Maggie," he nods. "I'll keep it in mind when I come 'cross orphaned critters." Glancing again towards Jack, he chuckles with a nod towards the cabin. "I'll have t'get some tips from ya on some of th'work I got goin' now." Carving seemed to be a popular pass time among the television-less. He finally gets around to peeling apart layers of the roll and stuffing some into his mouth with a feigned skeptical eye Cardinal's way while he slowly chews and leans into the kisses on his shoulder. It was mouth watering delicious of course, but he still pokes fun at the fanciness of the thing. The abrupt drop though finds a small frown, and he offers his comfort in his traditional quiet way, setting the roll on his knee, dusting off his fingers, and reaching over to gently squeeze her knee while she gets her drink.

Cardinal may well have just taken up the drink that Gabe had already poured her. No need to go pouring a second. Not until she's done the first. Which might be soon. Poor sad redbird...

Maggie laughs when Cardinal calls Jack a scoundrel, "She's right you know." she teases Jack. Though it foils her plans of asking Cardinal questions. Spoiler! She gives the Red one a smile though. Then there's a look to Gabriel and a smile, "Yeah, any injured animals you find that are injured just bring them up to me and we'll take care of them. I don't charge anyone that brings them up either. Funds are not an issue." she admits.

Goblin's chasing after Boss, letting the other dog show the way around the area. Perhaps he's being shown the good places? Either or, he'll pick up sticks and pine cones regularly and carry them around, or sniff intently at the animal smells around the area. If he realises Boss is something more, he doesn't show or tell - it's another dog, far as Goblin is concerned. He's the happiest dog in the world right now.

Jack just grins at his cousin and winks at her again. "Wooah, slow down," he says to her though and has to intently focus when she signs at him - clearly, he's no expert yet. But he gets the gist of what she's saying, and he frowns realising she's getting upset. He just looks at her with warm supportive eyes. "Fairy will be alright," he notes and lifts his glass in a toast to Maggie, "thanks to our zoologist here. She'll go back to her family."

He turns to the woodsman and looks half excited. "I'd be thrilled to take a look." He looks like he's about to do that right now, but reins himself in. "After dinner. Or we might get stuck in there, and the ladies will get mad."

Cardinal turns a sad smile up at Gabriel for the offered comfort as she sets her glass, significantly emptier, down on the table. Her hand settles atop his to give a little reassuring squeeze. She's alright. There's a nod for Jack, her smile more convincing this time, but then she's slipping back to her feet. <<I'll be just a few!>> she signs to them before heading back to the cabin, a little less spring in her step.

Gabriel glances up towards Maggie, brow furrowing a moment before he clears his throat. "Right," nodded with no real explanation for the awkward moment. No need to tell her his usual habit of just putting truly injured critters out of their misery and turning their component parts into useful things. He'd taken in all the charms and trinkets of carved and marked charms bones and skulls already as part of preparing through the week. He pats at Card's knee and nods agreement to the after-dinner 'date'. "If your fingers still work for ya after y'try th'shine."

Out in the woods, Boss has shown Goblin all his favorite spot. There's the hollow log that smells absolutely glorious (Horrible.) and where he hides all the best sticks and stolen socks, and the little tadpole puddle where he snaps up a couple of them, and he rambles on at length about every bit of it, verbose by any standard but especially so for a mutt. When he hears the cabin door swing closed behind Card though, he barks for Goblin to come on and tears back towards home - and the promise of table scraps.

Goblin runs over to greet Gabriel now - he didn't before, but now he knows everything's alright. So the man will get some slobbery licks and enthusiastic bumps with the nose.

Jack's grown a bit more serious, at the topics at hand, and is quietly drinking whiskey and finishing off that plate of treats - he ate it all and loved it, least if his content grunts at the taste is any clue. He snickers at Gabriel's suggestion he might not be able to carve, later. "I'll do my best. But if it seems like I will just carve up myself, stop me." He stands up now and asks; "Need any help carrying things out, Red?" It's called after her. And he'll help out with whatever he's asked to do.

Maggie gives a bit of a sheepish look, "I've only helped a little, but thank you." she tells Jack. Though there's bit of a quieting when she realizes there's something wrong with Cardinal. Then she looks to Gabriel and gives him a nod. She didn't know what to ask for the moment. "If she needs anything." she offers quietly to Jack and Gabriel. She didn't know everyone that well, but she was ready to help if needed.

Cardinal shakes her head at the offered help before she disappears inside. What she needs, mostly, is a moment to degrump, to get her good cheer settled back where it ought to be. She's not gone any longer than necessary. All the time she needs to get the main course prepped and dessert baking is plenty of time to shake off whatever sorrow had settled in when she thought about Susan. All the lovely smells help. Her smile's securely in place when she reemerges from the cabin, back to the door as she takes the step down and turns, carrying a big old serving plate. Which she might've stolen from her family's farmhouse for the night. What she delivers to the table is roasted rabbit with blackberry sauce around a pile of root vegetables so well-roasted that the carmelized bits glisten a bit with their darkened sugars. It's simple and rustic, but it's all perfectly seasoned and expertly cooked. Once she's got the plate down, she signs that, <<Gabe caught them himself. And the vegetables are from the garden. We're pretty self-sufficient here.>> Nevermind that he was self-sufficient before she imposed herself on him. It's 'we' now. Looking to Jack, she asks, <<You gonna sing for us after?>>

"If I'm sober 'nough t'notice," Gabriel...is that...a chuckle? Yea, he actually chuckled. His hand dropped down to scrub between Goblin's ears without much thought, not until he blinks down at the wrong feel beneath his hand. He grins at the black dog he finds there and works his fingers in around beneath his jaw. "Don't let 'im lie to ya. Might of pissed on th'lot of it, but it ain't all his," he nods to Goblin before he sits up more to reach for one of those mason jars to replace the whisky he's sipped away. Boss was off making a nuisance of himself under Cardinal's feet, whining and if she shuts him out of the cabin, standing up to paw the door open to follow in. "Just a moment," is just what Gabe assured Maggie as for what Card needed. When he spots her coming out, Boss close on her heels, he picks himself up, mindful not to step on Goblin in the process, to move a couple of things around the table to make room for the platter. "She even gets her hands dirty sometimes 'n works up a sweat now 'n then," he teases fondly about how self-sufficient 'they' were. When he settles back down again, he reaches for a stack of plates to pass around, though he'd wait for everyone else to snag his own, eyes turning toward Card anytime her hands move - even when it's just a gesture - in case he needs to follow words. "Whatcha sing?"

Alright, Jack isn't one to just sit and do nothing - so he'll move his bag to the side, make sure his already used plate is there and his glass, and he'll pour up drinks for everyone if they want - he'll give Maggie's shoulder a reassuring squeeze, one of those 'don't worry, it's fine'-sort of gestures. Then he sits down and oogles that tray, licking his lips - that's more telling than any words could suggest. Not oddly, Goblin is drooling there by the side of the table and Jack tells him squarely; "No, not yet. You wait a bit now, we'll spoil you lots later. I promise." The dog whines a bit but does lie down and stares at everyone and is ready to pounce anything that gets dropped, probably gonna have a competition with Boss over the scraps.

The ranger gives his cousin an eyeroll. "Fuck, I'm never going to hear the end of this, am I?" He admits to Gabriel; "I lost a bet, had to sing karaoke. I can't sing. Honest. Dying cats sound better." He accepts a plate eagerly but waits for the host or hostess to carve the rabbit up first. "Best meals - the ones you made from scratch. Or killed yourself," he adds, shooting a grin at Gabe. He hunts too. "And I'm sure Red can work. I just never saw it." He mock-ducks, teasing his cousin fondly.

Maggie gives a smile when Cardinal returns and there's a look to the food, "This looks amazing." she tells her genuinely. "Freshly caught rabbit. Should be delicious." the Native woman states with a smile. She seemed very excited. Then she looks to Jack when Cardinal asks if he is going to sing, "More of this mythical singing prowess I've heard about?" she asks him with a grin. Then there's a nod to Gabriel, "Alright." she tells him softly. Then there's a smile to Cardinal, "Do you need help with anything? I feel weird just sitting." she admits to them.

There's a very good chance that Boss, who was of course let in, already sampled some of the rabbit and the carrots on their way to being plated. Cardinal's all too glad to spoil the handsome mutt. Much like she's glad to spoil, well, everyone else, too. The world needs more spoiling by her measure. She's got a bright, shameless smile for Jack when he rolls his eyes at her, nodding emphatically for Maggie. She signs over to Gabe, <<Might get in a bit of dancing later?>> while they're still talking about music, though it probably has little to do with her cousin's Freddie Mercury impersonation. Anyone watching her face instead of her hands might catch how she's gone a bit moon-eyed and adoring. To Jack, she signs, <<That's the best kind of work! The kind that no one sees. So it's just kinda magic.>> Are jazz hands part of ASL? There might be some jazz hands here. And, really, that is where Cardinal excels, doing so very much while no one's watching. Her expression turns very serious as she looks to Maggie and signs, <<Your job is to eat and enjoy yourself. Maybe tell us something that makes you happy. Your favorite part about Vermont. What you like most about Jack!>> Shameless.

Boss settles down next to Goblin only after a low grumbled, "Get on now," when he just about jumps up to drop paws on the table. The mutt whines from his place on the ground, looking pitiful while drool pours out of his jowls, keeping up a persistant - probably one sided - conversation with the dog beside him while he too waits for something to be dropped. Gabriel, in the meantime, snorts amusement for the lost bet. "Them's th'rules," he nods to Card. "I'll play 'n you'll dance, yea?" Eventually, once plates are filled, he goes in for his own, stacking up a healthy pile of everything, a few more rolls, and kicks back. It's about then that his head tips back, squinting up at the sky at some stray breeze drifting in warmer with a small frown at the corner of his mouth.

Following along the hand-signing while trying to pile a huge portion on his plate, Jack glares at his cousin. Glares. But he can't honestly be mad at her - it's near impossible. So he sighs, glances at Maggie and choses to just be quiet for now, arranging his food precariously as it threatens to just spill over the edges of the plate. "I can't dance either, and yet oddly, I've danced twice this week. This town will be the death of me. I've sang, danced and been drunk four times in a week. Much more of this and I'll hole up in my cabin and not talk to a soul for a month." He looks up at the sky too when Gabe does but for now, it's fine. Won't rain for hours, probably. "But, if I get drunk enough tonight, I might make some attempts at dancing again."

"Your cousin danced the other day. Or well...we trotted around. He acted like he was going to drop me a lot." Maggie tells Cardinal in a stage whisper, but there's a smile to that. She's probably not helping. Then there's a bit of a blush to her cheeks when Cardinal calls her out, "Well, I've lived here all my life. Except for staying with my father some summers." she admits. "I've always loved the mountains and that we can have horses here. That I can have the animal sanctuary and not worry about people looking at me oddly." she admits. Then there's a bit of a look to Jack and there's a bit of a softer smile, "He's been very sweet when it comes to the animals. Most would have just put Fairy out of her misery. But, Jack didn't." she tells Cardinal. "There's other things, but I don't want to embarrass him." she states. "And I don't drink a lot sadly. But I'll make sure you don't fall off any cliffs." she teases Jack with a laugh.

<<Them's the rules,>> Cardinal signs back warmly to Gabriel. Her shoulders do that mirthful shaking again when Maggie explains that she and Jack have already danced this week, an approving nod dipped her cousin's direction. She shows no shame, no apology for getting Jack glaring or Maggie blushing. Everything's quite how it ought to be. With her own full plate before her, maybe with a little more of that blackberry sauce than is needed, she starts to dig in, though those paying attention to her eating habits might notice how her hands drop down below the table now and then. Oh, maybe she's just wiping one or the other off on the napkin on her lap, but given how the dogs flank her chair in short order, she is almost certainly spoiling both of them, sharing morsels directly from her plate. Jack's comment about holing himself up for a month has her pointing at him as she looks to Gabe, wide-eyed. <<See? I told you you'd get along.>> It would seem Gabriel is not safe from her teasing. As Maggie sets to answering her questions, Cardinal listens intently. There might be a few looks shot between her and Jack, but she's mostly good. <<He's surely be way less handsome if he fell off a cliff.>> Mostly. <<Did you always want to study animals? Is that what you do? Study them?>>

With the amount of alcohol in that bucket, drunk was definitely part of the gameplan, and if there's drunk and dancing, a little rain wouldn't hurt anything anyway once the food was done. He's about two bites into his food, slowing down to enjoy it rather than just wolfing it down, when Maggie makes mention of what most people would have done and hitches a small cough around a bite. He clears his throat and keeps on though without further incident. He takes up the open jar and sets it down closer to Jack with a nod towards the pinkish 'shine inside. "Reckon you'll be needin' that th'way she's carryin' on." He nods towards Cardinal with the thought, designating which 'she'. He grunts when the teasing is turned his way, reaching out a hand to wrap over the signing fingers with a smirk though he tugs the same hand over to brush a kiss over her knuckles to make up for the 'silencing' near the end of her thought and leaves her hand free to sign away again even if it meant more 'jabs' his way, commenting only, "Don't get out much if I can help it," as both confirmation and explanation. He only gave a sigh and eyes Boss when he joins in the not-so-sneaky feeding. Boss creeps further under the table, no nevermind at all that his tail was still sticking out.

Goblin? He can't believe his luck here. And Jack, noticing it, doesn't stop this sneaky feeding under the table, he just shakes his head bemusedly. The black German shepherd snatches up what morsel he gets fed and his tail goes 'thump thump thump' against a table leg, so it's not hard to guess what's going on under there.

Jack watches Cardinal and Gabriel with some scrutiny for a moment, seeing how close they are. It makes him give Red a sly grin, still having a penchant for acting like 16-year old Jack teasing his four year older younger cousin about boys. "You two sure you want us around tonight? Maybe you want to do your own 'dancing'." So mature. The offer of a stiff moon-shine drink is accepted with a thankful look at Gabriel and he beckons for it to be filled up to the brim before he takes a large gulp. His eyes widen. He sniffs the brew, then stares at Gabriel, takes a careful sip, and notes; "I don't know what this is, but this isn't just your regular hooch. This is the best alcohol I've ever had. I'm going to get hammered." Finally, he admits to Maggie; "I can't save them all. But Fairy wasn't that hurt."

"Oh I'd still like him if he fell off a cliff. If he was still alive. Just have to make sure that doesn't happen." Maggie states with a smile. There's a bit of a nod, "I've had a lot of experience with animals growing up. I used to bring home strays...sometimes very wild strays. Like badgers." she muses. "My dad is full blooded Abenaki, so animals are a big part of their traditions as well." she adds. Then there's a look to Jack and she chuckles, "Really?" she muses and nudges him. There's a laugh from the woman when Jack tells her he's getting hammered, "That's fine." she nods. Then she gives a soft look, "I know, just...it was a nice thing." she admits.

There are worse ways to be silenced. Cardinal doesn't seem to mind in the least when her fingers are captured and kissed, the whole of her focus stolen for a moment by Gabriel. <<Got all the time in the world for dancing,>> seems more directed at the man beside her than her cousin, even if it's on the wake of Jack's words. With the moonshine being shared about, she sets to pouring herself some of her own. Which goes untasted while she's busy talking. First, to Jack. <<And I like having you both here. It's nice. Feels like the world's a little bigger, a little warmer.>> There's only an approving smile for Maggie's assurance that she'd still like her cousin even if he were flattened, so long as he was still breathing, but she asks of those strays, <<Ever any wolves?>> with wide-eyed curiosity. And then finally, finally, she enjoys some of that pink moonshine, too.

Gabriel lifts a brow at the teasing question posed his way, glancing towards Cardinal then back at Jack, deadpan as ever when he assures, "I'm not shy, 'n she's quiet. Won't bother us none." The moonshine has a funny taste about it. It's difficult to say just what it's flavored with, but it comes across the palate earthy and mildly sweet. It's mellow for moonshine on the burn factor, enough that it might be comfortably sipped or shot, but anywhere in between it no doubt clears the sinuses and leaves the eyes watering. Once Jack got further into his glass, he'd find himself feeling invigorated, and downright cheerful and keen to be everyone's friend, rather like the dogs...if a little bit foggy. Gabe grins for the praise. "Trade secrets," all that is said for what it might be. He cants a bit of side-eye towards Cardinal when she questions about wolves, shaking his head some with a chuckle as he twists off a bit of meat from his plate. "Told ya if they're really 'round they're few 'n far between, darlin'. Wiped 'em out years ago." He hadn't actually told her that, but hopefully she'd catch the end run just in case. Leaning back some, he peers towards Maggie to ask, "Prolly got somethin' inside that's soft if you're not keen on 'shine or wine. Or whiskey."

"I've had worse happen than falling off a cliff," Jack notes dryly. His cousin might've heard about his near death in New York by 'an unidentified animal'. He's kept mum about it mostly. He leans closer to Maggie, holding his glass of moonshine up. "Just /taste/ this. It's incredible. Barely tastes of alcohol." This is a blatant lie, but it does smell quite nice. He's not trying to get Maggie drunk here, he just wants her to have a sip. Either or, he'll presume eating that food with more gusto now, devouring it wolfishly - like inspired by this wolf talk. His eyes are already glazing over a bit from two glasses of whiskey and that moonshine which he drank way too fast. If he's not careful, he won't last more than another hour. "Uhuh," he notes to Gabriel swallowing down a mouthful before, grinning like a maniac. "And shit, I'm not sure I want to know that about my cus," he adds, making an amused grimace. "I'll drink enough so I won't remember this, tomorrow." He leans a bit over the table, looking Cardinal in the eyes. "You know I'd come with you anywhere, little Red."

Maggie gives a soft smile to Cardinal, "It's good to be here, thank you guys for inviting me. Even if it was a surprise. It's nice to go out from time to time." she tells them. "I'm actually working with a Sanctuary that's due to close in a few months that wants me to take a pair of their wolves. So soon I might have a few." she tells her excitedly. Then there's a quirk of an eyebrow at Gabriel and a bit of a chuckle, "There's nothing soft. Just...medications tend to stop making my brain function when alcohol is in my system." she admits. "Anxiety." she shakes her head to wave anything off. Then there's a look to Jack, "A sip won't hurt though." she tells him as she leans in to take a sip of the moonshine. There's a bit of a chuckle as she coughs, "That's powerful." she tells them. She's not accustomed to strong alcohol. Poor doctor!

Cardinal has not one little lick of shame, not one touch of color coming to her cheeks for Gabriel's answer to Jack's ribbing. Hell, she might even look a little pleased. And then delighted. De-fucking-lighted. She gives Gabe a look that reads 'see!?' Oh, yes, she understood what he was getting at, but Maggie's promising wolves, and Cardinal couldn't be any happier. <<If you need any help with them...>> she offers hopefully, completely glossing over the fact that she has, oh, zero qualifications. At Maggie's admission of anxiety, she grows thoughtful, staring at the woman for a moment, but Jack's words pull her attention away. <<You started it,>> she points out with wide-eyed amusement. <<And you shouldn't say stuff like that. I might take you seriously.>> She's signing a little slower, cognizant of how much he's had to drink, her movements as crisp as she can manage given her own light intoxication. <<I'll drag you on terrible adventures, and you'll say, 'I wish I was back in the city getting mauled instead of oh god Red where are we anyway and why is the world moving.>> Really, it seems like a serious warning, if anything she says while her eyes are that big can be considered serious.

"You opened th'door," Gabe returns, further amused though whether it's for getting him to shut that door right back up or for Card's delight with the promise of wovles is hard to say. Probably both. He nods some understanding to Maggie and remarks absently, "What I use th'liquor for," as some point of comiserating. He's distracted back towards Card's signed 'warning', one brow lifting with a small snort and a shake of his head, looking something like he believed her entirely, but also found it, like far more things than he expected out of hte night, amusing. Maybe it's the moonshine making him more amiable to the friendly invasion. He takes another deeper swallow before contending, "It's not so bad as all that. I kinda like th'hidden places. Find interestin' things when y'get good 'n lost."

Jack's reaction to Maggie's explanation of why she can't drink is just an understanding nod, and he'll get up, find something else to drink - water, if there's no lemonade or something, looking at Red for directions. And Maggie'll get a glass of something. He'll snatch that glass back and tell the doctor; "Alright that's enough for you young lady," - like he's pretending she's had the whole glass on her own. "You're way too merry, we can't let this go on." He gives the other animal empath a wink, then proceeds to drink that moonshine himself. He's in a social, laid back and happy mood, just the right amount of tipsy as he finishes that giant plate of food, patting his belly and groaning.

"Red - I'd love to go on adventures with you. You'd never hear me complain either. If you asked me, I would come." This is said quite seriously in return, meeting his relatives eyes with determination. "If you needed my help - I'd help family, always." He was always extremely stubborn - sometimes to a fault. But also very determined to aid family, and those in need. The years have just made him more cynical about people, but he'd never distrust Cardinal.

"I will most certainly take you down at the sanctuary anytime you want to stop by. So when they show up I will let you know immediately. Do you have experience with wolves?" Maggie asks Cardinal. "Even if you don't have...lots of experience we can get you in with them." she grins. "And hey, adventures are awesome. Long as you're with friends." she grins to that. Then there's a look to Jack as he gets up to find...something. She took another sip of the Shine though. Though there's a bit of a laugh when Jack comes back, "Oh I'm cut off I see." she teases him. "And thank you." she adds as she accepts the new drink.

<<Then there will be adventures,>> Cardinal declares with a firm nod, decisive. It's done now. First dinner, then excitement! Except, well, probably not tonight. Tonight will be dancing beneath the stars and giggling until sleep claims 'em. But later, later there will be adventures. And maybe something else. There's a hint of somber seriousness in her expression ever so briefly, a mental note made to bring up something Important with Jack later. Now's not the time. There's surely water handy in a pitcher on the table, clean and cool and not likely from any city tap, not way up here, and Cardinal will gladly point it out when it seems Jack's looking. There's a nod for Maggie to confirm her experience with wolves, though she doesn't bother to explain. <<I'd really like that. Thank you! And we'll be sure to take you on our adventures.>> Looking to Gabe, she wonders, <<Where should we go, My King of Hidden Places?>>

There was water on hand, certainly, but by the end of the night Gabe has no doubt drunkenly plucked berries and fruits from one of the plants in the greenhouse, all remarkable in their thriving for his apparent equally remarkable green thumb, to make up some manner of improvised punch for something less boring to drink. By the end of the night there'd be a fire and he'd have broken out the banjo and probably even sang a little - nothing nearly so remarkable as his thumbs but pleasant enough for campfires, the likes of old Cash songs. There'd be dancing in the rain when it finally moved in and darkened the colors on Cardinal's dress. There'd be far less alcohol laying around by the end of the night as well, even if most of it wound up in Jack and Gabe's bellies and led to silly contests sure to break one of their necks like who can climb that tree fastest or arm wrestling gone horribly awry. There'd be laughing to bellies hurt and eyes were watering and unless they made a bid to go before surrendering to either the alcohol or the hour, there were hammocks brought or already present for a night spent under the stars, and a surprising lack of hangover come morning.