cadesoloman

[cadesoloman]

"Oh, please do! I love my job and showing people around. Always makes for a more interesting time if I have people who, you know, want to be there. I do like the kids that come through and I love fish as much as the next person, but they only care about the fish. Or sharks. Anything 'cool.' Queue up the air quotes for that one. Cool was relative and Cade would argue that coral being used to knit bones back together was just as, if not more, cool. But it was fine.

"I...-Hold on," They stepped closer and half squinted at the book. "I have not. Admittedly, I enjoy reading but I'm bad about finding time. It sounds cool though! I'm sure my friend here would know better, but Lucy's been acting a little off lately so I didn't want to bother her. Also, my apologies, pleasure is all mine, Piper."

It would've been polite to just.. agree. With literally any possibility he offered. But the more he spoke, the less clarity Piper had about why his face might be familiar; she didn't frequent the library. She'd visited the aquarium years ago, but doubted she'd seen him around since. And his name didn't really ring any bells.

Maybe she just decided he was attractive on a whimsical run-in and stored his likeness in the back of her mind for a rainy day. Wouldn't be the first time she believed in a crush at first sight.

So instead, she offered a warm smile and tilt of her head ever so slightly. An indication of genuine interest.

"Tour guide, huh? I'll take you up on that." Not that he was offering. Regardless, she chimed, just as a friendly hand reached toward him for a gentle shake. "Piper. Nice to properly meet you."

A beat.

"You haven't read this, by chance, have you?"

Piper held the cover of Paulo Coelho's The Alchemist towards him. A pretty orange colour with holographic stars glittering in gentle light — of course she gravitated to it.

"Something about discovery... and... wibbly-wobbly-narrative."

Wibbly-wobbly. A polite way of describing bullshit fluff but it had come highly recommended from a friend.

[cadesoloman]

"That's n-not...-H-Hey!" Cade couldn't find proper words. If they were normally nervous, then calling them out on blushing or tripping over his words just made it that much worse. He could feel the heat increase to his features and he slid his hand across his lips to silence whatever stutter-y mess would have come out. She was not playing fair at all! Between the words of her, the smile on her features, it made his heart race. Not fair, not fair, not fair.

He took a moment to breathe and shake off the nerves. This didn't need to be a date by any means. He'd never pressure anyone into that sort of vibe. But his heart did not seem to understand the difference.

Another long breath and they're returning to their normal color and heart beat. "It's not too hard. Let me show you," The soft spoken human said and grabbed the necessary supplies. He took her hand, guiding a metal rod into it and then slid the marshmallow onto it. "Usually I keep it there long enough to warm up, but that's it. I had some friends who liked it burnt with the actual marshmallow ablaze. Up to you! But we'll start there."

"I'm glad that you agree." Clementine smiled. That seemed pretty typical for the two of them. The seemed to tend towards being on the same page. She really liked that. Her smile only widened as she saw the blush across their cheeks. "You're cute when you blush." She commented, teasing a little. She couldn't really help herself. Though she definitely thought that it was cute. She thought most of what he did was cute. Though he didn't need to hear that part.

Her own smile was plastered on her face as Cade settled back beside her - her jaw was hurting from smiling so much. She definitely put that down to Cade. "You are tapping into my love language, Cade." Clementine laughed, nodding her head. "I think that sounds like the most perfect plan."

"Okay..." She muttered as she took one of the skewers from him, "Remind me how we do smores again? It's been ... god, a long time since I've done it." She laughed. She loved smores but she hadn't been camping in a long, long time. And she certainly wasn't about to tell Cade just how long it had been. Not for the first time that night, she was wondering how he might take it if he found out about her being a fae. She tried to push it away, though.

[cadesoloman]

Cade was often enough at the library. Usually they were visiting Lucy, but that wasn't always the case. Sometimes it was just time for a new read or some peace and quiet away from the...well, the usually peace and quiet.

There's a moment. Something inane and small with someone else. A fleeting back and forth, a little 'oops going the same way' sort of exchange that has them smiling, politely but wide and warm all the same, and excusing themselves to make their way around the other. A face, somewhat familiar in the back of his mind, fading with crowds often did.

But she's keeping an eye on him and he can't fully turn away at that. Did he do something? Or was it more than a vague crowd familiarity with them and he just didn't think of it? Didn't recognize it?

"No sorrys needed at all-" He started with a smaller smile than before, but one of a gentle genuineness and curiosity. "Um...-probably? I'm here a lot. I help around here. I...I work at the aquarium as well. The Aqua-Marine? I'm a tour guide there. Oh! I'm Cade. By the way. That might help," And then he laughed.

open starter | location: woodside library

An innocent trip to pick up a book in the fifteen minutes between finishing her shift at the hotel and the store closing meant that Piper was working on enjoying gentle silences... but she wasn't so good at the stillness-of-thought part. Someone had recommended a hobby that didn't involve another person, so a book seemed the perfect fit.

Besides, signing up for a library card impulsively was right up her alley. As was returning a book four weeks late, but she'd keep that to herself and hope for the best.

"Excuse me, hon," she started in innocence - just a means of moving past them. Or in front of them, rather, through their field of view. Obstructing from the books on display with the intention of slipping right by.

She had given them a polite smile and a quick glance — the same kind given to a stranger at a grocery store when she walks in the same path as them. And then it turns into a whole ordeal where she'd accidentally mimicked the direction they'd chosen to break free of the endless void of time-locked embarrassment.

So a polite smile. But one that forced her to glance back, then turn around slowly, and study the person opposite her. A face so familiar she'd sworn she'd seen them before. In a dream, maybe. Or a former life. Curious familiarity filled her gaze, with brows knitted in fleeting recognition and a mind swimming with a need to put a name to the face.

And now it was rude. And weird.

"Sorry," she excused herself again, breaking free of her quizzical freeze to bring warmth and sincerity to her features. "So sorry... have we met before?"

[cadesoloman]

"Oh, it was nothing. I'm very happy you're enjoying it. I admit sometimes I ask nonsense questions that help me know what people want more in their coffee or tea or so on, you know?"

The world felt confusing and in a turmoil as of late. Like the town was waiting for its breath to catch up with it. For the other shoe to drop? No, that didn't work. No, waiting for the first shoe to drop? That fit...better. They weren't fully sure why the mood was like it. He had ideas and theories, but most were left on the cutting room floor. As far as Cade was concerned, he just needed to do his best for those who truly felt it.

"For me? Oh! You didn't need to do that Luce. Seriously. I didn't...I didn't, you know, do all of that to get a gift in return. I just appreciate you a bunch!" Her and so many others in town. They all put up with him so much. It was a wonder they hadn't left them behind yet.

Eyebrows lifted and he sat a little more up straight. That was something he had never heard Lucy say before. A secret for his ears only? Wow. No one ever trusted Cade with their secrets. As far as he was aware, he hadn't ever spoiled things for others, but it just seemed to be a fact of his existence. And that was fine! But goodness, to be trusted with a secret? Especially one from Lucy? This was big for them. So much so that despite her serious tone, Cade couldn't help his smile. "You trust me with something like this? I'm...I'm flattered, Lucy. I'm ready to keep it from everyone."

The big reveal at the party had lit the fuse that had been drenched in fuel since the whispering started. Nothing was fine in this town and it never had been. But it had been quiet until most recently, the weirdness surrounding the mines and people hearing whisperings on top of what happened to the host at the radio station, things were in motion. She didn't know what those things were, but she was smart enough to know that it wasn't anything good. And that anyone with a brain—human, fae, hunter, witch, merfolk, it didn't matter—and a general survival mode, they'd know something was coming too.

She figured Cade had picked up on the extra weirdness of late, but wouldn't or didn't know why. Or knew what to be afraid of happening. That's why she was there, nervous and doing her best not to show it. She hadn't meant to get close with them, it had just happened. They kept showing up on the library, sometimes not even bothering with checking a book out. They just talked to her, didn't treat her like a suspected murderer, just...Lucy. That's all she was to him and so she had to do this. Had to break the one rule that all of them had silently agreed on, but she would reveal herself and no one else. Not even Jessica; she had promised her fiancé that.

Smile remained tugging at her lips as she followed the other towards a table. She sat down and allowed hands to interlock and rest on the table as she looked to them. "Oh, yea. Haven't been to the library in a couple days...everyone seems to have stocked up on reading material before the snow hit," she mused with a small chuckle. Single hand broke free from her own hold and rose to fuss with the necklace, the very one that had been gifted to her by the other.

"Thank you, by the way. For the presents," she murmured, glancing down at the rune before back to Cade. "I've been trying to savor the coffee but you just...gods you got a gift, kid," she chuckled, shaking her head at herself before letting out a breath. "So, um...I brought you somethin'..." she said after a moment as hand fell and reached into pocket before pulling the necklace out. "But, before I give it to you I-..." she trailed off and looked around before looking back to them, "I need to tell you something that is for your ears only."

[cadesoloman]

"Yeah, guess we do huh?" The smile is impossible to resist as is the blush. The heat on their face was nothing new. It happened anytime they were embarrassed, felt awkward or anything having to do with those sorts of feelings stirred in them. It was just a reflection of his growing attraction to the other. All the same, he tried to keep it to himself. A small crush was fine, but he didn't want to ruin any friendship by being an idiot. Then there was the stuff with Grace. It put him through a ringer he didn't know how to escape.

"Now that! Sounds like an excellent idea," Cade stood up at that, moving to grab the bag of snacks. It doesn't take him long to fish a few of the non-smore ones and putting them by his chair before grabbing the marshmallows. Those he put right by the fire.

Next came the skewers and chocolates and crackers. "The way I see it- we do smores now actually. Then we eat something more substantial and then? Smores again. While we do the other snacks as well. Because that is what camping is for. That and, like, ghost stories or something."

"Exactly my point!" Clementine laughed, nodding her head. "We get along beyond super well." At least, she certainly thought that they did. She had always been someone who was open to getting to know people but she wasn't sure that she had ever really connected with someone as quickly as she had with Cade. She just had no idea for how long it would last. Would they decide that he didn't want anything to do with her if he and Grace got back together? Would Grace be happy with the two of them spending time together, then? She had no idea. And she was trying not to think about it too much.

Clementine nodded her head, "I've noticed that about you. You're like an open book. It's refreshing, you know? Being around someone like you." She wished that she could be that way. She was that way with a lot of things. But when it came to her abilities, she had to keep them quiet. She had no idea how Cade would react. She didn't want to scare them away. Though she knew, if the two of them stood any chance, she would have to tell them eventually.

She couldn't help but smile a little as she noticed the blush on Cades cheeks. That was cute, she thought, she definitely hoped to see more of that. "I know." She nodded, "But there are a tonne of people who are basically the opposite so it's really good that, that's not you." She shook her head after a moment and pulled her hand away from him, "Alright - shall we dig into some of these snacks?"

[cadesoloman]

"Oh, I agree. For sure and entirely. Normally, I'm the one who'd be saying things like that. Guess I just feel defeated by my own negligence more than anything, you know?" It doesn't take much for Cade to answer about either of the girls. "One likes nature. Natural life and all of that. We met at the aquarium, but all of that stuff seems to be of interest to her. Adventurous. Activities seem to be things like she likes the most. The other? Really into music. An expert fully and for sure. Vintage-y stuff appeals to her too in that regard. Both of them are incredibly smart. And kind! God, they're both so nice and that just makes me feel worse.

It had been a while since Wren had met someone new and he almost instantly felt a sense of ease around the other already. It wasn't a feeling that he was particularly used too. "But, I guess, if we live life like we've already lost, then we're bound to lose, right? Enjoy it while it lasts. That's what I think." He shrugged. It wasn't something which Wren found easy to do but it was something which he was trying to get himself to do more and more often. "Alright - well, start with the basics. What do they like? What would make them ... I dunno, smile, I guess."

[cadesoloman]

Cade felt more and more like something he had done was wrong. Grace had been excited, right? Or was it forced? Clementine had wanted hang out with them, right? Or did he grossly misread the whole situation? How bad at he been at understanding what was going on? Bright eyes glanced down at the gift in his hand and then back up to Grace when she had mentioned her own.

Busy. See him later. Right. "Oh! Um...of course G-Grace. Sorry if I...-I just-" No words felt right. How badly had he messed this all up? It appeared to be- greatly. "I'm glad you liked it. R-Really. I'm sorry. Really, very sorry- to both of you," The same sea foam eyes glanced from Clem to Grace to make sure they knew he was speaking to them both. "I'm sorry if I...presumed too much with you both. That's m-my deepest apologies. I'll...I'll s-see you both when I see you I guess?" And he stepped back fully, away and then out the door. @clem-granger

Okay, she was definitely interrupting something. And Clementine did not like the vibe that she was getting from this other girl. "Yeah, nice to meet you too." She nodded. Though she got the distinct impression that it probably wasn't the case. Clementine wasn't exactly sure what it was that she had done wrong here. She had been spending time with a friend and suddenly she was in the middle of something that she didn't care to be.

And Cades mouthed apology only confused her more. What had she walked in on? "You know what? You two have all the time that you need. I'll - I can leave. I have some catching up to do with some other people anyway..." She shrugged. "Honestly, no big deal." She smiled as she gently placed her hand on Cades arm, "I'll - See you later? Maybe?" She glanced back at Grace and then back at them, "If you're not too busy. Of course." @foxglovegrace

[cadesoloman]

The spirt of the town had seemed to shift and Cade wasn't sure why. Initially he had chalked it up to the change of seasons. Now it was really winter without the joyful lights of the holidays around. That could ruin a mood for sure, but this seemed heavier. It felt like whispers were swirling around the people- wanting to be spoken, but caught on unsure lips. Was it just something unspoken or was it fear? Was it an inability to tell each other? Cade would find it hard to say exactly what they felt as well.

Idle thoughts that have carried them through the past few days. Thoughts that plague around their mind in a miasma. The clearest thoughts continue to be on Grace and Clementine, but when they weren't acting like some lovesick highschooler, Cade couldn't help himself.

Those thoughts broken by a familiar face that could always bring a smile. "Lucy! Hey, hey. For you? Never and never. I actually just got done with a tour group so I'm doubly not busy." Feet carried him the rest of the way to her before leading her off to a small table right by the little cafe they had inside. "God, it's been forever since I've seen you here. You getting stir crazy?"

@cadesoloman gets a semi plotted thing.

Since the New Years Eve party, she had been unsettled with what she knew and had seen. Though that uneasiness had already began to fester like a sore, threatening to burst at any moment, for a while now. But seeing Elias Avery emerge through the crowd? Nothing good was to come of his sudden reappearance. Because, despite everyone else, she didn't need to know that it was in fact the real mayor who had gone missing.

Lilith, her late wife, had told her about how the man had gone missing suddenly without word when she was a child. She didn't remember much—she had barely been one years old—but she could recount the unease that washed over town. Upon getting a job as the new librarian, Lucy had made an effort to read up on the history of the town. She'd focused on the mayor and his family, reading as much as she could about them; rather what had been written. She knew there was a lot missing from the books that wasn't even shared with the public. Family that old, it was bound to have its secrets.

Though she didn't have much of a family, she still had people she cared about. Jessica was the most important, but so long as she kept her wits about her and remembered her teachings from Theus, she'd be okay. Plus, whenever at the house, she'd always be protected by the runes. Kora and Valina had one another and she was certain they had their own line of protection set up incase things got too dicey. But there was another person, one that she had come to grow to care about on a deeper level. Almost something akin to a motherly love and affection for him.

Cade was human. He didn't know her world or the town they lived in so she knew deep down, he was the most vulnerable. And though she wished she could be in multiple places at once, she couldn't. So whatever would come Elias Avery's return, it would be nothing good and she needed to make sure her all of her family was protected. Though they would be at risk of knowing her secret, Cade was in even more danger of not being prepared when shit decided to hit the fan. Because it wasn't an if it would happen, it was a when.

Runes had been used for protection for centuries and she relied on them heavily. So she knew the best case to protect the other would be falling one what she knew. In her pocket was a stone she had fashioned into a necklace for them, knowing it'd be the best form of protecting them without raising too many questions. She'd found it one day while walking along the beach and found it to be a unique piece of rubble washed up by the waves. It'd been collecting dust in her study until recently when she plucked it from the pile and carved the helm of awe into it, whispering an incantation that asked the old Gods to protect Cade Soloman from any and all evil.

Upon reaching the aquarium, Lucy couldn't remember the last time she had been there. She was certain it'd been many years, but she wasn't there for a tour as she told the cute mermaid giving tours. She asked for Cade and was directed by Amelia on where to find them. When she did, she cleared her throat softly and gave a soft knock.

"Thought I'd switch it up by poppin' in on you at work for a change," she mused, offering him a smile and small wave. "You busy?"

[cadesoloman]

"Better than swimmingly? Dang. That's beyond super well then," Cade half joked. Hard for them to know what else could be better than an ocean allegory, but he could see that not everyone was as into it as he was. The sound of her laughter made him smile more and look in her direction. No matter what happened between them, Cade knew he wanted to keep Clementine in his life. For many reasons, but if only to hear her laugh again would be worth it all.

A gentle laugh of his own. "No worries. I appreciate it too. I know people have their own things going on, so I don't expect it back in the same regard. It wouldn't be fair; it's easy for me because my life is an open book and I suck at lying and so many other things," Cade tried to play it up lightly, for laughs. They didn't expect the exact same from her or anyone else. The truth didn't have an expiration day. They 'forgave' Grace the same they would have if all that time ago. Cade would wait.

A tiny, slight hitch in his throat as she touched his hand. Something he couldn't help, but pushed past. There was a small, quiet heat rising to his face- a blush. But his smile grew along with its appearance. "I appreciate it, Clem. Really. I don't know how much I can agree with my own kindness. Just trying to be good for others for their own happiness is all I can really think on that sort of thing, you know?"

"Oh, no. I think we get along way better than that." Clementine laughed. That was the problem. She thought. She knew that she couldn't - and probably shouldn't - hold the actions of other humans against Cade. And she was really trying to move past that. Because everything else about them was perfect. She truly believed that. He was kind and he was funny and they always made her feel special. She knew that it was more complicated than just how she felt - he did have his whole past with Grace after all - but she knew that things wouldn't progress unless she was over those issues.

Clementine nodded her head, "I really appreciate that. And i'll always do the same with you." There was a pang of guilt. She knew that she wasn't being totally honest with him. She wasn't lying, not technically. Clementine just knew that she could never really be able to tell Cade that she was totally honest, until he knew about her being a fae. She didn't even know if Cade knew about any supernatural and that definitely gave her pause.

The brunette smiled as Cade continued. If it wasn't clear that they were one of the good guys, then it certainly would be confirmed now. "I thought that about you." She nodded. "You are a very kind person, Cade." She nodded before she reached out to take a hold of their hand again - Clementine had always been a pretty tactile person - "But your personal wants are important too. And if that's to ensure the people around you are happy - well, I think that's an incredible thing to want." She nodded. In all of her years, she wasn't sure that she had ever come across a human who had as kind of a heart as they did.

[cadesoloman]

"Fair enough, fair enough." The nudge is not lost on them and there's a smile...-well there's always a smile with Cade. It was their default setting, but a large one. A tinge more playful, his own nudging her back a second later. Further proof, to him, that these woods were not something harmful to him. Did terrible things happen? Of course. But it was a place that was as familiar as the reflection in the mirror or the taste of the sea air just outside of town. All the same, she clearly had some ideas of the place and they weren't ones to correct. Not when she had pointed out facts about others.

Another playful reaction, this one a gentle laugh. "Maybe. I don't know. I don't doubt there are things out there...in here, that could do it. I just feel like it's a place I can be. I guess it's about respect. Despite me not being, you know, afraid- I respect both places endlessly. The ocean more I suppose, but I'd also say just differently. Respect for a force I'm more familiar with than another. But should those terrible fates befall me, I'll be sure to silently think of you and be sure to admit you were right on that one."

"I will be the judge of how simple you are, thank you very much." She chuckles, rubbing her gloved hands together to simulate some form of heat. It felt like the cold had settled into her bones at this point, maybe she should have gone home a while ago. But who knows, as a witch she sort of had to believe in fate or destiny, didn't she? Maybe, if she'd left hours ago and gone home, this guy would have gotten & stayed lost, and theirs would be another name among dozens lost to the woods.

She nods as they speak, the sentiment striking a resonant chord in her, more resonant than her neutral facade lets on; the abandonment of the mundane & the search for something interesting. Though, in her case, she was more interested in the pursuit of entertainment, rather than some grand discovery like he seemed to be seeking. "So..." She starts, clearing her throat, like she's about to say something profound. "You realize that what you just told me was a story, right? And a pretty interesting one at that," Flashing them a grin, she brushes just close enough to nudge them lightly with her elbow. "Also, if and or when you finally bump into trouble here or in the ocean, I guess, you won't be able to tell me anything," An eyebrow quirks to emphasize her point. "Because, y'know, you'll be dead, or missing, or hospitalized."

[cadesoloman]

"Wren. Glad to meet you!" It's a pleasant exchange so far and Cade is thankful this guy was not going to hold the backing up incident against him. "Friends. Until, you know, I mess it up somehow. Feels like I'm walking a bit of a balancing act already. As days go on," They began to explain, looking at the shop for a half second before turning back to Wren. "I am...unsure. Which isn't me. Normally I can see plenty of what people want or what I hope they need or what have you, you know? Nothing feels good enough for either of them."

"Cade...Nice to meet you. I'm Wren." He reached out to shake Cades hand, a small smile on his face. "Friends of yours?" Wren questioned. He wasn't going to pry but he was definitely curious. Sometimes it was nice to forget about his own troubles and to be lost in the world of someone else for a little bit. "So what kind of thing were you thinking, then?"

[cadesoloman]

"I dunno. I think we get along swimmingly. Eh? Get it?" The word 'dunno' was stretched out. He didn't want her to feel badly about some sort of decisions before. This was one of Cade's issues- trying to be some sort of savior every time. It wasn't their business and they knew that. It was just a hard feeling to shake- that he needed to reassure everyone of their value even when it was clearly none of his business. All the same, he felt strongly more even with Clementine. It had not been long, their time together, but Cade was thoroughly enjoying every second of it.

The smile is back on their face. It's not as large as normal, but it's there and that's what counts. "If there's one thing you can count on, I will always be honest with you, Clem." No hesitation, no lies in that. It was a promise to her but also himself.

"Can't lie to the sun," They added playfully. "If I may...-I think other people's happiness is what makes me happiest. So I think you, Grace, my friend Lucy- Val and Kora and Daphne and so on. If they're happy, I'm very much happy. The personal wants? Eh," It's a grand shrug that's a little played up for the moment, but it's the truth. Maybe that's why them and Grace had such an awkward moment- maybe she wanted him to chase or bother or something. Some of his old coworkers had said that. He needed to prove himself to her. That seemed oppressive and not at all like him.

"It's all you've got to begin with, right?" Clementine smiled. "I've never been so good at judging people." She shrugged. The people that she usually thought were nice turned out to be the very worst. It was why she was trying to keep Cade at an arms length - though it wasn't very easy. She wanted to let him in. She always enjoyed her time around them and enjoyed being with them but there was just a small part of her that couldn't bring herself to totally trust him. At least not just yet, anyway.

As they spoke, Clementine was quiet but listening. The way that Cade spoke about Grace definitely made Clementine think that there was some unfinished business there. "I didn't think that you would." She smiled. Clementine thought that Cade was probably too kind to hold anything against someone for too long. She didn't think that they were all too capable of a grudge.

Clementine nodded. She had more questions, mainly where did that leave her? But she thought that she had probably interrogated them enough. And, besides, it wasn't like it really mattered. If what was between them was just friendship then that was something which Clementine was happy with. She didn't need something to happen between them for her to be totally happy. "Thank you for being honest with me." She nodded. She was sure that there were a lot of people who would have lied to her, told her what she wanted to hear but he hadn't. And she was entirely grateful for that. "I really do hope that you find whatever it is that is gonna make you the happiest, Cade." She smiled as she looked across to him.

[cadesoloman]

One of Cade's favorite activities was to get lost. He found the notion of it romantic for his well being. It gave them a chance to explore, to see new sights, new places- new people and activities. Doing so in town had yielded plenty of good and plenty of hidden gems. So of course he had worked in time to do the same in the woods. It was a little more wild to do so, but there was usually paths among the trees and he made sure to carry necessary supplies-ish. He wasn't a survivalist, but he did carry things like a compass, a cellphone specifically for hikers, so on.

Bright, sea colored eyes widened slightly at the sudden appearance of both the woman and the cabin. Truthfully his attention had been further down, at what seemed to be a small creek and his thoughts had wandered to having lunch by it. "Oh...-There are? That's...I-I thought this was on p-public land. That's t-totally my apologies, I didn't m-mean to do such a thing. I was just, you know, on the t-trail. Getting lost and such."

open: everyone location: woods / near park ranger cabin

No one had wanted to man this place. It had sat empty for a few years, only ever visited from time to time. The youngest Hawthorne—at the time that is—had enjoyed going out there. She would often times go for a run through the woods, use the space for target practice and a make-shift gun range. It was quite out there, away from her father and her brother ( their father's mini-me ) and she could just be herself out there.

So when the time came, she took up running the ranger cabin, maintaining it and making it look like the real deal. Though it was a front and used to keep an eye on what or who was out in the woods, Faith still had to deal with people using the park as it was intended for. Today she had been out there just to exist, but that had changed when she spotted movement on one of the trail cameras. She couldn't make out who it was, but they were making a bee-line for the cabin. "Here we go..." she muttered to herself as she got up from the desk.

"Ya know there's a bunch of signs that say no trespassing right?" she asked after stepping out on the porch. Hands were on her hips and head cocked to the side. "You need somethin'? Get stung or bit by something?" Though there weren't any snakes up here, it was too cold for them, but there were tics and spiders.

[cadesoloman]

"I just...feel it out is all, I guess." Cade thought of himself less as a person who read others, but always- always, tried to find the good in someone. No matter what. It was a lesson instilled in them for so many years. Thus the incident at the mines. He had kept his promise to Clem, but it hadn't been easy. Resolution had been found, but it just made the whole situation weirder and weirder. He had been right though, apparently someone had been down there.

"I don't blame her. Lives happen to us all." It was a gentler way of putting their feelings, but Cade had had years to think on it. Never one did they blame Grace. Not by intention and that was everything to them. "Those sorts of things can happen to anyone and I...I thought on it for a bit. It took some time, but I made peace with it. I think as much as I could." Cade took the chance to look at himself in that, to see what he had done wrong and then to continuously assure himself of Grace's peace. The last thing she probably wanted was him hounding her for weeks after.

There's another pause. And then a shrug. "I can't lie to you, Clem. But the answer is...-I don't know. There was a time where I wouldn't hesitate to say yes. Like I said, I was really happy. But times change. People change. She's talking to me again and that's something. Whatever that something is- I wish I knew. I want everyone to be comfortable. To enjoy themselves, to feel good and loved the way they want to be. That's really all I can say about those feelings." And despite that, Cade still felt like he was missing something to say. To give Grace her full credit and to not undermine everything she had been through as well. That wasn't fair to her. And most certainly no part of him wanted either of them to feel negatively about one another by giving them the wrong idea or impression.

Clementines smile only got wider and wider, the more that she listened to Cade describe her. Feel like i'm speaking to the sun was definitely something which Clementine was going to remember for a long time to come. She thought that being described like that was maybe one of the kindest things that someone had ever said. "I think that pretty much fits.." She nodded. "You seem like a really good people reader, Cade." She didn't know if she could say the same thing about herself. She thought that she probably picked the wrong people a lot of the time. Cade, though? Clementine was getting more and more sure that they really were one of the good ones. Maybe he was a human that she could truly trust.

While she waited for Cade to talk, Clementine had wondered if she had said the wrong thing. Should she not have brought it up? She just didn't want to constantly be thinking about the Christmas Markets and who the girl was. She wanted to enjoy the evening with him. She nodded, though, as they described who Grace was. And there was that feeling again. The feeling she had whilst he was talking to Grace at the markets. Jealousy. "It's a big change." She nodded. "If you think one way and suddenly it's another. It's a lot to get your head around. She could understand that - she was glad the circumstances were very different, though.

"So ... you might be interested in getting back with her, is that what you're saying?" Clementine asked. She didn't really understand the concept of 'big ex'. She had never really had that. As a fae, she was still pretty young. She had thought she had fallen in love - with Jacob - but he had just turned out to hurt her and now she wasn't so sure. She had heard so many stories about being in love and, upon reflection, she didn't think that she had ever had that. Sometimes, she wondered if she ever would.

[cadesoloman]

For a short time, Cade believed themselves to be the only person left in the aquarium. He was sure he saw most people leave and who else would be here besides him? So the sounds of movement in one of the break rooms had him questioning reality for a moment. Tensed steps over and then through the door, he is relieved to see the familiar face of @whirlingamelia.

"Oh, boy. You gave me a bit of a scare there," He laughed, hand on his heart in a faux hold. "Good to see you." A pause. "Were you scheduled this late or did you forget something here?" A common problem that he had quite regularly.

[cadesoloman]

"You seem adventurous. To me. Of course I c-could be wrong about all of these, so I apologize if I assume things. I...I think that fun-loving works perfectly for you. You're always so bright when we're talking. Negativity seems to be sort of...immune to you? I don't know. I feel like I'm speaking to the sun a lot of the time we talk. You're supportive, for sure. Encouraging, yeah. Willing to try and explore things? Does all of that fit?" It was surprisingly easy to talk about Clementine. As easy it was to think about her. Which Cade had been doing a lot of lately.

There's a deep sigh and he stared at the growing flames for a second. He wasn't going to hide anything ever, but he felt bad this needing to be talked about. "Grace. She's my ex from a few years ago. Big ex is an apt description I suppose." There's a pause. "She...-She broke it off? More or less. It was a bit of a confusing mess. One day was great, the n-next wasn't and it went very south from there. She told me why recently, but...if I'm being honest, I-I-I wasn't sure what to do with myself when all of that happened.

"Like I said, recently she's started talking to me again. She's trying and I want to meet her on that whole...trying front. As for beyond that? It's going to depend, I guess. I'm a firm believer in second chances, but I don't want to speed into that, you know?"

Clementine raised an eyebrow before a smile slipped onto her lips. She liked that he got that vibe from her. And although the two of them were only just getting to know one another, she was glad that they had been able to intuit that much about her. "I'm intrigued at what else you think you know about me." She chuckled. She definitely thought that, it would be interesting to hear, anyway.

"You did that like a pro!" Clementine laughed as she looked over to the fire and gave a little cheer. If things were going to continue to go as well as they already had, then she thought that the two of them were going to have an absolutely incredible evening. She just had to get one thing out of the way first.

She shuffled in her seat a little so that she could look at him before she spoke again. "Alright, can we get any - I dunno - any awkwardness out of the way?" Clementine asked, "Who was that girl? At the Christmas markets? The record store. Is there something going on between you two?" Mostly, Clementine just wanted to see where she stood. She wanted to see if there was anything going on between them or if it was just her imagining things.

[cadesoloman]

"Oh, sheer luck I promise you that much. You just seem like the outdoors type; between the interest at the aquarium and just the overall vibe? I took a lucky guess." Cade answered over their shoulder, making sure she was comfortable before beginning the process. It wasn't long, thankfully the fire pit came with everything needed. And it certainly wasn't the first time he had made a fire, but it had been quite a bit of time. So he was a little rusty.

A shake of their head, a spark into flame of the small kindling and then Cade is quick to put larger logs on top. There had to be some gaps for oxygen to get in, so that was done and then there was a small waiting period to make sure the flames caught on everything they needed to. Check. All set. "Let there be flames!"

"Exactly." Clementine laughed, "It's like you read my mind with that gift, Cade. Seriously. It means a lot." She nodded. She hadn't expected anything from them, after all. So anything would have been nice. But having the promise of the two of them doing something together was even better. Clementine was old enough now to have deal with her fair share of awkward encounters. And although she was curious about who Grace was to him, she wasn't about to ask. At least, not right now.

Clementine chuckled a little as Cade insisted that she relax but she quickly nodded her head, "Okay okay." She sat down then, a smile on her face. "I'm relaxing. See." She smiled as she looked over to them. She was already having such a nice time. "But i'm just here. If you do need help."