[OPEN] So what's on your mind?

[lahire]

Who: Jack La Hire and You
What: Settling into yet another new home
When: Early November
Warning(s): In headers as needed

1. There's a piece of me that knows his name [The Oak and Iron]
There is a new face in town. Perhaps you might recognize him from your time in the Black Stag Casino. Perhaps you just have an eye for newcomers. Either way, here he is, sitting at a table alone with a meal he's barely touched, watching everything going on around him with the haunted eyes of a prisoner.


2. Every once in a while, he'll show his face [Out and About Town]
It has been decades since Jack has been allowed outside. While he's not literally kissing the grass in gratitude, he is lying on his ground, under a tree, staring up at the branches blankly with not a moment's care for how dirty his clothes (his casino dealer uniform) might be getting. Or for the fact that it is starting to rain.


3. And when he does I'll have something to say [Aces Wildcard]
[Find me on Discord or PM to plot.]

Comments

[pineapplesalmon]

Dinner is a neutral topic for most people. And yes, César does notice those extra joints. Interesting. And also inconsequential at the moment.

"Any allergies? Or anything you absolutely hate eating? I can order for you if you need it."

[lahire]

"Nothing that was a person." Because clearly this needs to be explicit. A moment later, quieter, "...and perhaps nothing rich? Fancy. Nothing that would have been served at the casino. If that is acceptable?"

[pineapplesalmon]

César's eyebrows go up at that statement, but he doesn't say anything, just nods and takes it as a good, legitimate request, and nods again at the rest. "Yes, of course."

He thinks about it for a moment and picks up the menu that's on the table, humming in thought. "... maybe a non-creamy soup and some fruit? Or a salad?"

[lahire]

"That sounds...yes. I can eat that."

It sounds good, but he's not at a point where he can identify good yet.

[pineapplesalmon]

"They've got a simple chicken soup. And apples are good right now. Any juice, or do you want water?"

César falls into the caretaker role easily. It's something he did when Rex was little and a large menu would take forever for a child to decide on. Restricting the choices to reduce the overwhelm while providing an amount of control.

[lahire]

"Apple juice?" That almost seems to get actual interest, the absolute whisper of a ghost of a hint of excitement. Who would have thought something so small might find a crack in his apathy?

[pineapplesalmon]

It's a start, and César chuckles. "... You know, I could use some myself. But yes, let's get apple juice. It's fresher here with the farms so close by."

[lahire]

"The farms. John wishes me to visit his rooster. And the chicken." So of course Jack will, that's absolutely not up for debate.

[pineapplesalmon]

"Oh, you absolutely should. The leaves are all turning beautiful colors, and the air is cooling. It's a nice, ephemeral moment. A farewell to warmer weather." John Rambo, César assumes. "You can visit mine, too, if you'd like to pet cows."

[lahire]

Jack seems to think about the offer for a long moment. Or maybe something adjacent to the offer.

"I think I may never have seen a cow before. Pictures, sure. But never alive."

[pineapplesalmon]

"A lot of people haven't. It's why I've worked hard to make sure my ladies are good with strangers, so people can go and meet them. There's something about petting a half-ton animal that's completely different than petting the neighbor's cat."

[lahire]

“Why are people here convinced that animals will fix me?”

The question is wholly sincere.

[pineapplesalmon]

"Because too many people suck and sometimes you need a break from that." César answers sincerely. "And animals tend to stay in the moment, which is a good break, too. Also, touch is wholly underrated."

[lahire]

“I need no touch. I have not needed it for years.” That isn’t defensive, it’s just what he sees as a statement of fact. “It was discouraged at the casinos.”

[pineapplesalmon]

"Some people don't." César doesn't bat an eye, letting that statement stand. "People have a lot of rules around how touch works; animals have few. An: my cows don't care what I'm talking about unless I'm giving a command or saying a favorite word."

[lahire]

“It is not…” Jack wrinkles his nose and lets that sentence wither on the vine. “I will see your cows. If you wish me to.”

[pineapplesalmon]

César shrugs and lets that part drop the rest of the way. "At the very least, you'll get some education on what to expect when winter arrives. I can discuss how we're prepping and what'll be available in terms of food."