Log:Coffee Prophecy

The Madness of David Flyte 2020/02/04 	 Carpenter Grimm

16

The smell of fresh coffee is the first thing that assails you. The next is the very old style. It seems the owner has gone for the Edwardian style from early last century. Lots of imitation wood panelling and prints of old English countryside. There are many partitions between the tables, affording some privacy and the sound seems hushed in the room, this has been achieved mainly through very good design, which muffles sounds. At the counter service is quite quick and cheery, conveying a welcoming and friendly attitude. The menu boasts the fact that for a little extra real coffee is served along with light hot and cold meals and snacks. All in all a pleasant place to pass a bit of time.

Carpenter is seated in a booth with a cup of coffee. He's looking at his PDA...and taking long...slow...breaths. He's trying to overcome his PTSD reaction to the area forcibly by confronting it head on.

Gabrielle's trying to evade the grim fate Connor predicted for her. Starting with changes. As much as she wants to meet up with Jack to tell him she can't back him up currently, or to catch up with him in general, she's resisted. She even goes to Past Times. After his last reaction, she's certain he won't be here. If she can change that vision, the rest can change, too!

And so, Gabrielle walks in, picks up her mobile order, and turns to look for a seat when she stops dead cold upon spying Carpenter. And he's not looking great. . o O (Oh no. It's happening. I could just...not talk to him. Walk out. Then the future will change.) But seeing how Jack looks and knowing what he's been through, she just can't.

She walks slowly to his table, trying to justify it with there still being time to change other things. How can this conversation lead to her death? "Hey, Carpenter," she says with a small smile, trying to hide her troubles.

Carpenter looks up and smiles. He still looks tense, but he seems to be holding his own. "I heard you got hurt in that fight with the rats. How are you feeling?"

"I did. Embarrassing to get taken down by rats, but if you were there, you would've seen why. They were armed to the teeth. Power weapons, even. Crazy stuff." Grimm motions to the seat across from him. "Can I join you?"

Carpenter nods. "I heard about it. Crazy stuff. I had to deal with getting that rat family settled who gave us the tip." He shakes his head, "That sounds so dumb when I say it out loud." He chuckles, "Sure...feel free to join me."

Grimm chuckles gently. "Sounds pretty crazy." She slides into the chair across from him. "A Starguard member shielding me from the explosion in the factory while I was unconscious, so thankfully I wasn't too hurt. Just a bit bruised and singed. My pride was fatally wounded in the assault, though," she jokes at the end.

Carpenter smiles, "Well, you're still alive and kicking to tell the tale. That's always good." He raises his cup and takes a drink.

Grimm raises her cup with an uneasy smile and drinks. . o O (For now. How do I tell him? Do I?) And then a realization. . o O (Oh god. If I do get killed...is Jack the one who's going to be assigned to the case?)

Carpenter raises a brow, noting her reaction. "Why the long face?"

Grimm sighs and sets down her cup, grasping it with both hands. Her finger taps the side lightly. She starts with the words she doesn't realize she was fated to say. "There's something I wanted to tell you, Carpenter. I don't know if I'll be able to back you up on the bug case for a while."

Carpenter watches her closely. "What is it?" He sets his cup down, giving her his full attention.

Of course he'd ask. What was she thinking? Gabrielle momentarily debates lying to him to avoid him worrying, but it's brief. He can handle the truth. He's already handled everything the city's had to throw at him. "There's something that was done to me. To my powers. Kind of like an injury or disease that has to be managed. Only...well, more complicated. The nightmares and lack of sleep are part of it. It makes me dangerous. A meta peered into my future to help me figure out how to fix me, and...I..." she trails off, not sure how to word it. She goes from eye contact to looking down at her cup. "I'm not sure I'm going to be around much longer."

Carpenter reaches out to put a hand on hers. "I know how these things go here. Someone will find a solution which will save you. Or you'll die...and come back, like some kind of chrysalis. Like Spirit did. You have to. Otherwise, who am I going to watch old movies with?" He quirks a smile. The concern is clearly there in his eyes, but he's hiding it well.

Grimm finally looks back into his eyes, surprised by his words. Especially the talk of old movies. She can't help but smile a bit, but it's sad. "I could really use a movie night right about now," she chuckles softly, but briefly. "I won't lie to you, Jack." At least not about this. "He looked further in the future. His own. He didn't see me anymore. I...I don't think I come back," she tries to say it as gently as she can. "But it's not fixed yet. I know some events. I just have to try and change things to alter the outcome if I can."

Carpenter nods slowly. "Well, I'm here for you. Whatever you need, okay? Just ask."

Grimm turns her hand so she can give his a squeeze, smiling softly. "I was serious about that movie night," she winks. Humor will get her through this. As will her friends. "Thanks, Jack."

Carpenter smiles. "You're welcome. And if you want, we can do that any night. Just let me know when."

"Given I don't know the timing of these future events...I guess tonight's a good night, or tomorrow? The sooner the better. One of the visions already happened," Gabrielle says. "I can bring the popcorn and soda. Or stronger stuff if you prefer."

Carpenter shakes his head, "I suspect...alcohol won't help things. Tonight works. But let's leave the booze on the shelf."

Grimm smiles. "Okay, sounds good. And this really will help. Part of what's wrong with me is that negative emotions make things worse. Or degrade faster. So you'll be helping keep me together," she tries to offer it as a positive.

Carpenter smiles. "I will try to make sure things are as nice as possible, then."

"You don't have to make an extra effort or anything. I'm sure I'll have fun no matter what." Gabrielle keeps smiling. How could this event possibly by a stepping stone to her demise? She'll still have to let Connor know it occurred, though. "And I guess I'll still be able to back you up in the meantime if these are really bad out there. As long as I'm able to. Did you get any progress on the bug case? Starguard got Zero into custody last I heard, but I haven't been in for a few days."

Carpenter nods. "Apparently one of Zero's accomplices is held as well. Briana Criss. Former gang member."

Carpenter shrugs, "I don't know the full details of what's going on. SG's been locked down pretty well."

"Oh, good. Hopefully they can get leads. Zero's mind was pretty messed up. Not as bad as the people who got converted, but there was a connection to hers that tried to drive her crazy and make her attempt to kill herself," Gabrielle explains. "It's been on lock down? Maybe because of them?"

Carpenter nods. "I think so, yeah. Last I heard, the 'mother' tried to kill Zero through the mental link. Zero attmpted to take her own life, on orders. She was prevented from doing so, and I think she's out of that mental network now."

Grimm smiles faintly. "Yeah. I was able to break her link with the 'mother' and Spirit had to have her physically restrained. I tried healing her mind some, but it'll take time. I still don't know if it even worked."

Carpenter nods. "I don't know who they have working on that stuff there, and I haven't gotten a chance to speak to either one in person since htey were held."

"Some new agent, I think. Unless Spirit's stepped in. I'm sure the Commander will grant you access for questioning once it's deemed safe enough to talk to them. They're probably not that coherent," Gabrielle suggests hopefully.

Carpenter nods. "Yeah, probably." He smiles slightly and sips his coffee, "So, have you seen your friend Malcolm recently?"

Grimm sighs softly and shakes her head. "No," she admits, tracing her finger along the side of her cup idly. "I've been going through all this and he hasn't been able to be around for me," she murmurs.

Carpenter puts his hand on hers again. "All the more reason for you to visit again."

Grimm smiles gently at him. "Yeah, you're right. So tonight is a solid deal." She has momentary second thoughts. "Unless something awful prevents me...uhh. So if I don't show up, call the search party?" she tries to make awkard light of the situation.

Carpenter nods and smiles. "I'll start with a text."

Grimm chuckles and nods. "Yeah, start with that. Good call," she smiles.

Carpenter says, "Then a barrage of texts, like a spurned boyfriend. Then I call out the cavalry."

Grimm bursts out laughing and quickly hushes herself, looking around to see if people are staring. She sheepishly looks back to Carpenter. "Okay, sounds like I'm covered, then."

Carpenter smiles. "Sounds like a plan."

Grimm nods in satisfaction of the plan. "So other than that, how've you been?"

Carpenter smiles. "Pretty good, all things considered."

Next: Log:The Weaver, The Mystic, The Lost