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Jacob and Ethan help a stranded stranger.
August 16, 2015
La Push Marina
There isn't a roar from him bike or any sound but there is a slightly pitiful sounding call from the marina, "Hey um help?" The kid pushing the bike has his helmet off and strapped to the bike and looks well pitiful he's covered in mud and seriously looks like he hasn't eaten in days. "I uh..." And suddenly the kid is staring off behind Jacob seeing something that isn't there, something that only he can see "I mean um anything I can do for some gas or a bite?"
Jacob appears at the ship's railing, peering down at the half-starved looking kid uncertainly. "You lost, kid?" he calls down, taking the boy for younger than himself. Gas or a bite. A charity case. Jacob groans inwardly. "Where you trying to get to?" he asks, folding his arms across his chest. On the one hand, this is a stranger, and he doubts Jason would like strangers around the place. On the other hand, it's a pathetic-looking kid who seems to need help, and that tugs a bit on Jacob's heartstrings.
Joey doesn't look like he could hurt a fly, and he gives his best charming smile, which actually was pretty charming even though the kid is off beat. "I uh... someplace that needs some help? Where am I anyway last time I checked I was in Cali... But I uh think I might have zone out... And um that'd be why I'm out of gas. " He just looks sheepish and pulls out a wallet , "I uh have 2 bucks? And um .... 57 cents." He then checks his pockets, "And some mint mojito gum?"
Jacob gives Joey a skeptical, dubious look. "You 'zoned out' all the way from California to Washington? You didn't even wave at Oregon as it passed by?" He groans a bit and calls down, "Hey! Ethan! I'm walking up the pier a bit with this kid who needs help. We're out here if you need us." He descends the gangplank, then, and approaches Joey, shrugging into a sleeveless hoodie, which he leaves open at the front. "You like burgers?" he asks the kid, shoving his hands into the hoodie's pockets.
The pale youth definately wasn't part of the tribe, but he perked up and nods, "Yeah burgers are good, and fries. I haven't had a burger and fries in like weeks." He looks around, "Shouldn't i do something first though like, uh um Sweep? I'm a good cook, I uh am good as a handy man." He does follow Jacob though after carefully parking his bike by the one already there. It was an American street bike, old but not antique and in good condition, obviously used but like someone put a lot of TLC into it.
Ethan Carver finally emerges carrying a bottle of Johnny Walker Blue. "I knew there had to be another bottle of the good stuff stashed some...Hey, where're you going?" He leaves the bottle on a small table near the pool and races for the gangplank, eyes narrowing at Joey. And his motorcycle. "What's up, Jake? This one of your...friends?" He puts emphasis on the last word, giving Jacob a meaningful look. At least, he hopes Jacob catches the meaning: /Is this a packmate?/ Apparently, Ethan has a lot to learn about the Quileute pack, if he thinks there are any pale redheads in it.
"Right," Jacob says with a mild sigh, but he's smiling in apparent amusement. "A burger /and/ fries. And, nah." He speaks just slightly louder than he needs to, saying, "We've /got/ a kitchen boy already." And now he's grinning, though when Ethan does appear, he says, "Oh, there he is now." But Ethan's question makes him raise both eyebrows incredulously. "This kid? Nnnno. Not a local. He's out of gas and hungry, so I figured I'd be charitable and help him fill up the tanks. Hey, make yourself useful and grab a gas can, huh?"
Joey smiles up at Ethan then his jaw drops a little, "Gosh you're pretty." Then he shakes his head to clear it and looks slightly apprehensive at what had just slipped out. "He pulls up his back over his shoulder and as he walks pulls out a sketch book, "Maybe a picture? I mean some of them are pretty odd but..." The sketchbook if anyone looks in it is full of pictures, some a beautiful and accurate drawings of people, the kid has talent. Others are however odd, he has pictures of werewolves, of at least 4 types, demons, vampires, fairies, and other strange events a modern city under water, a car soaring through the air, and many other things. And they don't look like fantastical imaginings they have the same are and styles as if he drew them from what he was seeing, not from an image in his head.
Ethan Carver blinks a few times. "Who you callin' kitchen boy?" he snarls, though it's obvious he's being playful, because a moment later, he's grinning at Joey. "So're you. Right, gas can. Uh." He looks around the deck a few times. "Where, um...Where does one keep a gas can on the QE2?" He disappears below for some time, before finally returning with an empty red plastic container. "In the engine room, of course," he says, bounding down the gangplank to join the others. Looking Joey over again, he flashes a cocky grin. "Where you from, kid?"
"I'm calling the boy who knows what to do in the kitchen," Jacob explains reasonably, "The kitchen boy." He then begins leading the way down the pier. "But maybe I have the wrong idea. Maybe I should just call up that little boyfriend of yours and let him know you've been kidnapped by a traveling sketch artist." He does nod at the drawings, "You're good, kid. I'll take one of the wolf ones. That's probably worth a burger, anyway."
Joey gives Jacob this look for a moment, or rather looks over his shoulder at, something. He grins a bit then looks over at Ethan in the same was and see's something that makes him blush. He walks behind the other two, looking the youngest and acting like it, even though he's the eldest. Then suddenly he suddenly answers the question that Ethan has asked earlier, "Um Cali? Originally but I just kind of travel now. I've been to all 50 states, and several places in Canada."
Ethan Carver's eyes brighten, and he suddenly throws an arm around Joey's shoulders. "Ah, another Cali boy, eh? You're outnumbered now, Jake. And if you so much as breathe a word to Liam, I'll serve you nothing but Alpo for a week. How's that for domesticated?" He sticks his tongue out, still grinning, as he walks along with an arm around this perfect stranger. To Jacob, it might become clear just why he's doing so, as Ethan leans in to take a long sniff at Joey's hair.
You paged Joey with 'So what's he smell like? Human?'
Jacob's eyes flash, not so much with anger as with rising to a challenge, and he grins all too widely at Ethan. "We'll see how /that/ goes," he declares. He rolls his eyes a bit as Ethan goes in for the sniff test, keeping up the banter lightly enough. "You do whatever you gotta do, though. I just feel bad for that poor little puppy of yours back home."
Joey seems distracted, and doesn't join the banter he's just glad these two are taking him out to eat. Meanwhile his smell is mostly normal unless Ethan is really paying attention he seems perfectly human, and yet there is something there a slight difference. So very slight if either had ever smelled a spirit in human form, the'd recognize it, but if not it would just be part of his smell. There is another smell though just as faint there is just a touch of the smell of death around him, not violent death or blood, more like the smell of an emotion grief, but the grief over someone who died peacefully and was truly believed to be in a better place now. He for his part snaps back to the here and now for a second, "Um do you like My Shampoo? Its herbal. A nice wi --ccan, made it for me a few weeks ago."
Ethan Carver rolls his eyes at Jacob, then sticks his tongue out again. "That poor little puppy is punishing me for coming here, so this is me punishing him right back for not coming along himself." Whatever that's supposed to mean. He gives Joey a grin then, taking another sniff of his hair. "Very nice. A hint of lavender. So what're you doing way up here, Cali Boy?" He seems content to leave his arm draped casually over Joey's shoulders, letting Jacob lead the way, since he has zero clue where they're going."
The destination becomes apparent, especially to the werewolf, soon enough. There's a little shack, bearing nothing but the word "BAIT" stenciled along one side, but the smell is of hamburgers, fries, and other things you can make with a grill and deep fryer. "Believe it or not," he explains, "They make awesome burgers here." He hops up on a stool and calls a greeting to the woman working the fryer. He orders three burgers with fries, plus three cokes, and pays for it. Then he turns to watch Ethan and Joey, curious to see just how they'll behave around each other.
Joey doesn't shrug off the arm until he jumps on a stool, though he look a little uncomfortable, not like he's insulted. He just seems to feel well awkward. And as soon as he sits down he pulls some pencils out of his bag, and starts sketching something. He keeps staring just over Ethan's shoulder then back down to his notebook, almost as if he's sketching Ethan' but it doesn't seem quite right. He does looks up from time to time though and again suddenly several moments later, "I don't really know 2 weeks ago I was in Florida... I Just... Go where the roads take me? Always looking for a home, never feeling right." He gives his second charming grin though the first one that Ethan sees, "I'm a little odd ya know."
Ethan Carver's arm slips from around Joey's shoulders, and he puts the gas can beside a stool before parking his butt and turning to the others with a nod. "Sure, I get it. I did a bit of wandering myself for a while. Not near as much as you, from the sound of it, but it took a while before I found where I wanted to settle down." He lets out a small sigh, looking past Joey to Jacob. "And then before I knew it, I was on my way up here for...uh, school. Life's like that though. Never know where you'll end up, so all you can do is sit back and enjoy the ride, right?"
Jacob just kind of hangs about, wearing a small smile. He seems to be in a really good mood for whatever reason, though not terribly chatty. Apparently he's quite happy to let the other two carry the conversation. Then he hops up. "I'll get the gas, too. Watch for the food." And he picks up the gas can, walking off toward a service pump a ways off down the pier.
Joey simply nods then focuses on Jacob as he walks away turning to another page, and this one was a quicker sketch he kept talking as he sketched. "Yeah. And I'm lucky so far I've ended up with cool people who help me out or set me up with a job, it’s probably time to find one of those for a few weeks again so I have cash for food. Maybe not here though... They don't seem to like outsiders too much here." He keeps sketching, then stops and gently rips out the two pages, but doesn't hand either over yet, he wants to wait for Jacob to come back, and to get at least a few bites of the burger.
Ethan Carver cocks a brow, eyes following Jacob with just a hint of suspicion in his expression. Is he trying to see if Ethan will actually cheat on Liam with some stranger? Maybe this is a test, set up by Jason. One can never really be sure what tricks mentor-types have up their sleeves. And is this redhead in on it, or was he just the random passerby he appeared, latched onto for this game-test-whatever? Ethan grins slowly, turning his attention back to Joey. Time to see how far this little charade will go. "You need a job, huh? Well, as it happens, I'm in the market for a bed-warmer. What're your qualifications? Got any references I can contact?"
Jacob is a while, filling the gas can. This leaves Ethan with ample time to act like a goofy, paranoid person in the company of Joey. Plus whatever Joey has planned, too. Jacob's just fillin' up the gas can. Nothing to see over here.
Joey was going to wait for Jacob to come back, but since he was taking so long he doesn't and as soon as the burger arrives he takes a bite, then grabs one of the pages turning it over in front of Ethan. And there sketched perfectly is Liam, but not just is it liam, its Liam from the waist up wearing only Ethan's leather jacket and the exact smile Ethan had seen him last. Even bit of whip cream among other things seem to be in the right spots. Joey puts another picture in front of Jacob's plate then walks off plate and soda in his hand to set a little away from the bar on the ground, relying on the shock that Ethan would feel to allow him to get those few feet away. Meanwhile the picture in fornt of Jacob's plate should it be flipped was a simple sketch of Jacob to one side, and a beautiful rendering of his wolf form beside it, even the proportions were almost spot on.
Ethan Carver's jaw drops open as he looks at the sketch. Stares at it, really, and for several long minutes, as his burger and fries cool on the plate. Finally, he manages to look up, only to discover that Joey is gone. Oh no, there he is, sitting on the ground. "What...how...Who /are/ you?" He grabs the page, waving it adamantly as he hops off the stool. "What'd you do, hack into my private video chat last night? If this is some blackmail scheme, you're way outta luck, because I'm not the least bit ashamed of Liam. So whaddyou want? Money?" He hasn't bothered looking at Jacob's sketch yet, perhaps afraid to see what he'd find. He knows the kid stayed over last night, but he also knows nothing happened with Jason, because...well, reasons. Still, who knows what this kid saw to blackmail Jacob with?
Joey doesn't look afraid instead he's just sitting on the ground nibbling on his food and looking off into the distance, he doesn't look cocky or threatening. He just noms away on his food trying to get as much of it in his stomach before Ethan can take it from him. He doesn't waste any time with words, because trying to explain himself might me he gets a few less bites in.
Jacob returns with the full gas can, and he reaches over to snag his burger. "Hey, I'm gonna go fill up your bike. Why don't you go ahead and eat my fries?" He winks at the pair, either not having caught what's going on or trusting Ethan to handle it. Then again, maybe he's just enjoying leaving Ethan to continue trying to resist temptation! Either way, he turns and heads back over to the yacht.
Ethan Carver stalks over to Joey, shaking the sketch some more. "Explain yourself!" he growls, then turns to call after Jacob. "Hey! Get your butt back here. Do you see this? This guy's another spy! Are you just gonna take that lying down?" He spins back to Joey again. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself?" He makes no attempt to grab the kid's food, but he does seem to be growing more agitated.
"Relax, Ethan," Jacob calls back. "Just don't let him run away. Maybe he'll explain once he's done eating." Yep, apparently Jake's letting Ethan handle this one solo.
Joey has shown 0 aggression after all and a vampire would have likely attacked by now. Instead he finishes the burger takes a few sips of his coke then is ready to talk while eating the fries, "These are good." Is all he says at first then looks at you. "Why would I blackmail you? I just thought you'd like a picture of your boyfriend." He keeps nibbling, "At least I think its your boyfriend... his echo is all around you." He stands up and since Jacob said he wasn't going to eat... well... He starts in on the fries though if Jacob doesn't get back in time that second burger is toast too. "I also keep seeing... Something.... like you and a human... and something else... ... And its all like... blurred but... its up almost uh like a .... threesome?" His cheeks manage to get red and that and he shakes it off closing his eyes and concentrating hard on not seeing such echos unless he's supposed to. When he opens his eyes again all he sees are normal things, other than well he's pretty sure there are several wolves about... but that's cool.
Ethan Carver continues growling as he stomps back to his place and sits on the stool like he's trying to smash it with his butt. Crossing his arms, he watches Joey eating, then pushes his untouched plate closer to the kid. "So what, you're saying you're some sorta psychic who reads people's auras and draws...their boyfriends?" He wrinkles his nose. "And I don't normally go in for threeways, whatever you mighta heard. Or thought you saw. This is nuts. Who're you really, and what do you want?"
Joey doesn't need three plate of... okay he probably does and he looks at the cook with one of his smiles, "Uh Can I get a to-go box?" The food keeps vanishing as he talks, leading to a conclusion it'd probably been a tight few weeks. Then once the waiter is away he look at Ethan, "I see things. Your friend is a wolf... You... You're not normal either... I don't think?" He isn't exactly perfect at this, many things can cause echos usually what one is preoccupied about. He opens up his bag and hans Ethan a binder this one with drawing in protective sheets." Maybe you're in there?" It was his own version of a beasitary though perhaps journal is better as there was a picture of a nemeton, (not the one in beacon hills), as well as other rituals along with fairies vampires and several other things. He then pauses as the waited comes back and quickly boxes the burgers before Ethan can change his mind and puts the burgers in a little lunch box type thing in his bag.
Ethan Carver begins flipping through the book, growing more agitated with each sketch. He doesn't recognize himself, nor Aiden, nor thankfully, their super-werewolf, so that's a plus. But what he does see clearly upsets him more than a little. "You've actually witnessed this stuff?" he asks, turning to a gruesome vampire sketch. "Why're you showing this to me?" He makes no comment on Jacob being a wolf, though he does reach over to flip the other sketch over, frowning to see Jacob and his wolf.
Joey finishes the last of the fries and smiles, a cute little kid type smile, before going back to Ethan, "Some of it. Well I've seen all of it... but ... most of it was like I saw your boyfriend. Echoes. Sometimes real spirits. Most of the stuff I've seen while it was happening was nice. Like um witches who make awesome cookies, there was a vegan werewolf once who made this killer stew... A siren who exposed cheaters to their wives at a little club..." He lets Ethan keep flipping, The 'teen wolf' type of were wolf was there, but not the super wolf and most of the sketches in this book were less personal as if he made sure to alter details so they couldn't be recognized as the actual people. Towards the end are more normal looking people with notes, witches slayers etc... The second to last page was about Banshees, with less information than Ethan had just by Aiden dating one. The very last page was a sketch of himself, but he quickly shuts the book at that point.
Ethan Carver frown deepens as Joey explains, still not sure if he believes the kid. "Okay, well...You did a bangup job on Liam." He looks at the sketch again, eyes growing fonder. "It definitely captures his...Liam-ness. But I still don't understand why you'd show this stuff to me. Or Jake. If we really were what you seem to think we are, whatever that is, surely it'd be dangerous to let us know that you know. 'Cuz you know, if we know that you know, we can't let you just run around...uh, knowing. And showing other people. You know?"
Joey looks at you with a completely innocent looking face, which considering some of the things hinted at in his sketches it’s amazing he still has, "You bought me burgers and gas. I had to pay you back, most people... just think I'm weird... or even if they do, they don't let on. They don't admit it. Jacob asked for a picture of a wolf... And you, you miss him. So I drew him... Plus... Once I draw them it’s easier to block them out for a while." He stretches, "And did you really need a bed warmer? Cause like I've never done anything like that before... With anyone but you're really cute. No no no your boyfriend would be angry... "
Ethan Carver snorts a chuckle. "My boyfriend would tear you to shreds, then do the same to me. But that's not the real reason we're not going to bed, kid." He digs into the front pocket of his jeans, pulling out bills folded in a money clip. "Here's twenty...forty...sixty bucks. Nah here, take an even hundred. I'm sure this backwater town's got an ATM somewhere." He slides the cash toward Joey, stuffing the empty clip back into his pocket. "Do yourself a favor and eat now and then." He hops off the stool, looking down the dock toward the motorcycle. "Jake probably filled your tank, so you're good to go. And thanks for the sketch, kid. Be careful out there, okay?"
Joey blinks at the money that's been handed to him, it would help a lot. He hadn't earned it though, then again the universe seemed to take care of him and he's sure he'd find a way. He pulled his wallet back out put the cash in said wallet, and pulled out a card. It was for some bank in Wyoming, but he marked through all that and wrote his name and number on the back and handed it to Ethan, "Call me if you need me. And I'll try to get out of town.. I don't always get a choice though." Then as he starts to walk away he stops, "Um if he's not the real reason then why?" After all he was a 18 year old virgin, so he was curious. He knew he was odd, but he didn't realize that could affect his chances to well...
Ethan Carver cocks a brow as he looks at the card, then tucks it into his pocket, before giving Joey a chuckle. "Oh, he is the reason, but not the fact that he'd kill me. I could live with that. What I couldn't live with is knowing I'd hurt him. See, I'm crazy about the guy. So that's why we won't be sweating up the sheets, you and me." He grins then, adding a wink. "Fun as it would be. But anyway, take care, kid. Maybe I'll see you around town. Might wanna commission a few more sketches from you." Or at least let Jason take a good, long sniff and figure out just what the heck this odd redhead really is.
Joey walks off, though the thing about Washington is it does have a lot of fog... and a bank seems to just appear suddenly. Then Joey is just GONE. No trace of him or his bag. Though when Ethan gets back to the marina his bike is still there. And there's still no sign of the odd redhead.
Ethan Carver makes sure to take the sketch, and Jacob's as well, and when he looks up again, Joey has vanished into the fog. He frowns at first, then shrugs and heads back to the yacht to have a word with Jake. And possibly a housecat.