Trauma as Fresh as Daisies
Spider slips on her bike helmet as she steps out, shivering slightly at the snow Spi pauses upon seeing the figures and Cole "..I really should have less faith in you shouldn't I?"
Rowan turns his head towards Spider and sounds muffled, "Spider? Is that you?"
Cole holds Rowan out to the one that stepped forward as he slowly looks over at Spider, "Are you.......I can't have one moment of weakness around you, huh?"
Spi tilts their head clearly annoyed "I really wouldn't call this a moment of weakness but hey not like I can stop you"
They take Rowan and move back behind the others and out of sight. Another aproaches them as they snap their fingers. Icarus appears. He wears his usual clothing though with a few blood stains. He has a slightly dazed expression. The cloaked figure then brings out a needle with a clear liquid and holds it out to Cole.
Cole rolls his eyes at Spider, "Like your any fucking better sometimes, and at least i'm fixing this rather quickly" Cole looks at the needle with a raised eyebrow as he questions, "And what is this?"
The figure responds, "To wake him up faster." The figure turns and begins to walk away as the others turn to walk with them. They all make their way out of sight and go into the woods.
Cole takes the syringe and pockets it as he disappears with Icarus
Spider groans staring at the spot that Cole was in for a few seconds before heading into cherrywood
It takes some time to get there as the sun finishes setting. The streets are lightly dusted in snow aswell as she heads towards downtown, and then to the beach. She can see the glow of a busy carnival thriving by the board walks.
Spi takes a deep breath and heads for the carnival
On aproaching, the busy and loud chatter of nonferals enjoying the atractions fills the air. There's many lights, rides, and stalls decorated to fit right in a magical circus design.
Spider hesitates then continues walking keeping an eye out for the interview tent
Many of the tents for teh workers don't have signs or are hidden away between stalls. A few workers are going in and out between the tents to get to their places.
They glance around and then take a gamble attempting to duck into the nearest tent
The nearest tent she finds has a few workers grabing uniforms from some hangers and heading to seperate curtain covered areas to change. There's also a table with paper work where workers check in and out from work.
A plan forming in their mind Spi heads over to the uniforms, she tilts her head slightly as she gets a closer look at them wondering how easy it would be to slip one on.
They seem fairly normal sizes with clown or jester themed atire, each with their own thought out designs and themes. They look expensive and well made.
Spider takes one of the jester uniforms and heads into the changing area
She steps out after getting changed
Spider takes a second to adjust her bike helmet then steps out the tent and continues walking heading for the next closest staff tent
She finds several workers sitting at benches on their lunch break. A few look up at her
"wrong tent" Spi mutters and walks back out, grumbling quietly to herself they check the next tent.
Reaching the next tent she finds what she's looking for. There's no one else at the moment. It's slightly cluttered inside with a cheap desk, piles of papers, and several filing cabinets surrounding it all.
Taking a second to glance around the tent, Spider smiles slightly then heads over to a pile of papers reading the first one.
There's several different stacks, one looks like a flyer, another like a contract, and the others seem handwritten
Curious they pick up the contract
It looks like a fundraiser where Gambit is claiming to donate to it all to the local boat docks. The contract has various signatures of random names and some legalities involving taxes.
She finishes reading and puts the contract back down picking up one of the hand written papers this time.
The paper looks like a letter that was sent to Gambit with the script of a love story. Theres no names or other identifying features
"..ok" Spi mutters to herself, putting the script back, they flick through the hand written papers taking brief glances at each one.
Its all a rather genaric plot
They move over to one of the file cabinets next attempting to open the first drawer.
It catches due to being locked.
Spi smiles slightly and heads over to the desk looking for a key
on opening the desk drawer its completely empty
"..fuck" Spi mutters, she slides the drawer closed and heads back over to the filing cabinet trying the next drawer
Every drawer on the filing cabinet seems to be locked
Spider grumbles and turns away from the files, giving the tent one last look around she exits and heads back to the changing room.
She makes it safely
Spider gets changed and makes her way out of the carnival. They pause head tilting slightly as she looks for any signs for the boat docks.
In town they mange to find a flyer stapled to a post at the walking track. Theres a cartoony nonferal with a wide smile that stretched from ear tip to ear tip, advertising a boating trip for the family. It lists directions to get to the docks a few blocks away.
Spider squints at the mascot trying to place it. Nothing comes to mind so they give up and head to the docks.
As she gets closer to the docks she can hear a faint yelling. She sees wooden board walks stretching out with layers of cluttered boats. Most are expensive sailboats or covered in blue tarps. A building sits by the gates of a wooden fence that surounds the docks. She can see some practically screaming at a worker who stands behind a counter inside the building
Spider tilts her head curiously at the sound of the screaming. Stuffing her hands into her pockets, she casually walks up to eavesdrop while pretending to admire the boats
From the outside of the building its hard to make out any words. She can see Chester is the one yelling at the employee by looking through the window.
Upon seeing Chester Spider chuckles, and now wanting to know more makes their way into the building.
On walking into the building she can see Chester with one hand on the counter as he yells at the employee, "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY. AND I NEVER DID." The employee however seems tired and frustrated as they keep a professional tone, "Sir. We don't sell cars here."
Spider winces then shakes her head as they hears the employee's response, and steps towards the pair, "everything ok here?"
Chester turns to face Spider and clearly seems intoxicated with a strong smell, "Getta load of this guy. He's just out right denying it."
The employee awkwardly smiles at Spider.
Spider's mind goes back to Terms notes as she studies Chester, her nose wrinkling at the smell "..Right, and what is it you're after?"
Chester begins again, "This... this... this HEATHAN."
The employee mutters, "My name is Brian."
Chester continues, "This BRIAN. This man here. This GUY. He won't stop selling cars."
The employee mutters again, "We rent out boats."
Chester glares at Brian, "SHUSH."
Chester's mannerisms are sloppy and exaggerated.
Spider is quiet for a moment thinking things over then sighs, "Ok, how about we leave Brian alone and go somewhere that doesn't sell cars yeah?"
Chester rolls his eyes at Spider, "You can't be serious! You're just ganna let em get away with it? Those cars are not safe for the roads, they need to be taken OFF the roads!"
Spider rolls her eyes back, not that he can see it, "I am and there's nowt you can do about it by yelling at Brian here"
Chester turns to brian again, "I WANNA TALK TO YOUR MANAGER."
Brain sighs, "He's out of town right now. He will be back after lunch."
Spider winces again, "..give me strength" She then grabs Chester by the back of his shirt and attempts to drag him out of the building.
Chester looses his balence as hes dragged. Brain sighs as he sets a lunch break sign on the desk and heads to a room in the back
As she steps out Spider turns their head to look at Chester, "right, where do you live?"
Chester blinks as he sways slightly, "Like me? Lil ol me?"
"yeah little old you" Spider shakes their head
"I live like down thata-way" He gestures vaguely in a direction towards town, "But as soon as his manager gets here, im starting a RIOT."
"..sure" Spider sighs and starts heading in the direction that Chester pointed dragging him behind her.
Chester stumbles as he continues, "Im ganna get the whole industry shut down and there is nothing they can do about it."
Spider continues walking, "before you run off and do that I might need more directions"
"That way," Chester gestures again as they walk.
Chester mumbles as they reach a crosswalk, "Fucking hate these roads..." As he walks she can notice he has a bit of a limp on one leg.
"Believe me they're not that bad.." Spider tilts her head noticing the stumble "you alright?"
Chester sarcastically growls, "Im GREAT."
"obviously" Spider rolls their eyes "did you twist your ankle or something?"
Chester grumbles, "Broke it. Healed wrong. It just is now. Now stop prying so much."
They shrug, "Sure, I'm surprised you're ok with this though"
Chester resumes yelling as they aproach an apartment building, "IM NOT OK WITH ANY OF IT I WANT THEM SHUT DOWN."
"not what I meant" Spider walks up to the door then glances over at Chester "have you got your keys?"
Chester grabs a ring of keys from his pocket as he heads into the apartment building. He starts up the stairs a bit wobbily, "What I mean is I don't want those dumb ass things on the road around here, its unethical."
"what have you got against cars?" Spider follows him
Chester makes it up to a door with pealing paint as he fumbles with the keys and drops them on the ground, "Fuck. Just they're never working right. Its always either a new bill to the stack or a bigger and bigger risk. They're stupid."
Spider picks the keys up, fumbling slightly herself she unlocks the door, "any other reasons?"
Chester makes a slight gagging sound as he stumbles into the apartment. He sternly states while passing, "No."
As the door is opened, Spider can see into a nearly spotless apartment with minimulist style furniature. A smell of a basic air freshener drifts out the opening.
Spider wrinkles her nose as she steps in not appreciating the air freshener. She takes a quick glance around the room then looks over at Chester, "are you gonna be alright or do I need to wait for you to sober up?"
Chester rushes into his bathroom and leaves the door open as he makes more gagging noises and covers his nose. The air freshener is very faint and not much else can be smelled. The furiture of the room seem standard but cheap. A mop and a broom sit neatly in one corner. The only things out of place is a grocery bag sitting on the kitchen counter with something in it, and a few empty picture frames still hanging on the walls
Spider shoots Chester a mildly concerned look. Assuming he's just going to throw up she stands there unsure what to do with herself while glancing around the room. Then she spots the bag. and curiosity gets the better of them, they walk over and peek inside it.
Inside she sees nothing but new unopened toothbrushes. Just as she looks she can hear Chester opening another toothpaste box from in the bathroom.
Spider sighs then looks over to the bathroom, "you alright?"
She only hears violent scrubbing of the toothbrush in responce (edited)
They walk back over to the bathroom taking a look inside while she waits
The bathroom seems to have seen better days compared to the rest of the house. Beside the sink is a small trashcan full of nearly brand new toothbrushes. Next to that trashcan is a small handheld stapler. Beside the cracked mirror over the sink is a picture frame that has had a piece of paper stapled over it. It still has a slight fresh smell like the rest of the house. It's clear Chester atleast knows how to clean up after himself. Chester right now however is huffing to catch his breath with one arm leaning heavily on the counter and the other shakily griping the new toothbrush.
"..shit" Spider groans walking over to Chester. She places a hand gently on his shoulder attempting to ground him, "Chester? You with me?"
Chester looks over at Spider before sighing. He drops the toothbrush into the trash can and rubs his face. His eyes water some. "I can't keep doing this anymore."
Spider is quiet for a minute as they take their hand off Chester, "can't keep doing what?"
Chester's eyes now run with tears, "S-she's gone and I can't get her back- I keep feeling kike I can hear her, see her, even smell her." He shakes hsi head before putting his hands over his muzzel, "I don't know what to do anymore."
Spider goes to speak then stops, her tail starting to curl against the back of her legs. There's a pause then she tries again, "...and who's she? ..it might not feel like it but talking tends to help a bit"
Chester responds, "Daisy. She's that deer nonferal you all saw in my dream... if I could just forget everything, everything would be fixed."
"how.." Spider trails off shaking their head, "nevermind, and christ I wish it worked like that"
"Fuck it." Chester goes to walk past her and towards the kitchen, "I'm getting another one."
Spider sighs heavily and follows him while grumbling, "and then what? Cause with the way you were acting you're gonna end up getting your skull kicked in"
"Not another date..." Chester heads to one of the cabinets and opens it. Inside is several different bottles of alchohol, "Another one of THESE."
"funnily enough I meant alcohol, ..who said anything about dates?" Spider tilts their head while watching him
"Then how the Hell else am I ganna forget huh? I don't know any brain surgeons." Chester huffs as he takes a bottle of tequila and sets it on the counter.
Spider asks, "you went to Term for a reason right?"
"Becuase he wouldn't shut the fuck up about it. I knew of i didnt go he wouldnt stop." Cjester begins pouring a glass
Spider sighs."then ..do you mind if I ask a question?"
"Fine." Chester shrugs as he takes a swig
Spider leans against the counter watching Chester closely, "what happened to Daisy?"
Chester glances to the side a moment, "She passed. That's it."
Spider's head tilts as something else pops into her mind "so what was with the skipping town talk?"
"I've already wirked everywhere in town and got fired from each and every job. Not to mention theres less and less jobs available lately. Its like the economy is dooming us all to fail."
Spider raises an eyebrow "really?"
"Yeah really. You should know, people don't hire loons much anymore. Its like we're turning into Haze bourogh all over again..."
They shrug "I can't say I know that much about it"
"Just a shitty city with littel to no loons." Chester takes another swig of his drink
Spider nods and sighs "are you feeling any better?"
He shakes his head, "No."
"ok, I've gotta run now but ..just be careful in the future yeah?"
"Whatever. It's their fault for selling cars." Chester rolls his eyes
Spider shakes their head and exits the flat. Closing the door behind them, they glance around before disappearing.
