Deerington Inbox

[almightythirst]

Hey there, stranger. Don't think I gotta explain the situation: you called, I didn't pick up. Leave me a message and maybe I'll get back to you.

[ Audio / Video / Text ]

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Backdated ; Action ; CW: Violence | Blood | Murder

[cashe]

Killing was part of the world that Ashe had chosen to live in. She’d killed and she’d had her people killed; some had even come close to killing her. Ashe didn’t go out of her way to kill and she preferred to avoid it; too much hassle. But that didn’t mean she was at all squeamish about getting blood on her hands.

In Deerington, many of her kills had been due to necessity and self defense. She hadn’t shot any of the other sleepers. That night she’d stuck to her M.O. which was townsfolk, but this had been in cold blood. Naturally, she’d been concerned about the cats, but she’d been careful in her execution. With a little bit of research and Chloe’s help, she’d been able to track down the townsfolk that had hurt her and she’d sent them a message, with her gun.

Murder could be a bloody act depending on the method and she’d made her way home in the dark, still sporting the stains of her exploits. It was late when she finally entered her home and turned to B.O.B. who was behind her. “Why don’t you go shut off for a bit, I’m gonna shower and go to bed.”

The omnic placed his hand on her shoulder and she was warmed by the look she knew was filled with compassion. Patting him on the hand she nodded. “I’ll see you in the morning.” They bid each other goodnight and Ashe made her way towards the master suite that she now shared with Jesse.

Though the weight of the evening was heavy on her mind, seeing Jesse stretched out was a soothing image and all she wanted was to clean up her body and shake off the feelings that turned uncomfortably inside of her. Deerington made her less sure of so many things, and this was the first time she’d taken so much action in cold blood. Necessary maybe but not the enjoyable endeavour she often pretended it was.

She hoped Jesse wouldn’t wake and bring on questions she wasn’t sure she could answer. She even wonders if he’d be disappointed in her, or worse angry. With Reaper, she’d held back, but she couldn’t with the townsfolk, not this time. Turning the handle, she waits for the water to warm while leaning on the edge of the sink. Her eyes catch sight of her reflection and she cringes. Blood was streaked on her clothes, and spotted on her skin in a splashed pattern, evidence of the chaos of her attack. Ashe had years of blood on her hands and it hadn’t always been so easy to tolerate or move on from. She had gone into a world that was traumatizing in it’s kill or be killed mindset and it had been long enough since the last time she’d kill with such little mercy, that it filled her with a sense of fear, like a noose wrapping around her neck that would never let go.

She was so lost in trauma of her past that she didn’t even realize the sink had filled up and was threatening to overflow. All she could see was the reflection of a tired woman who didn’t know if she could be anything other than destructive. It was hard to even believe the face she saw was her own. In the late hour, with no sleep, it would take her a bit to compartmentalize the trauma the night had brought up and reorganize her thoughts to see it as simply another well deserved kill under her obscured definition of justice.

[almightythirst]

Despite Ashe’s hopes, Jesse is already half-awake when she walks into the room. He knows something is off even without his wits completely about him—call it intuition, or just well-honed instinct. She hadn’t been in bed. She’d gone straight to the bathroom. They’re small things, but they add up. It isn’t until she’s in the other room that he sits up and blinks the sleep out of his eyes, and he’s quiet as he slips out bed and follows her, his footsteps nearly inaudible on the floor. He isn’t really even intending to be sneaky about it. It’s just the way he reacts to these kinds of circumstances, like a reflex. 99% of the time it’s false positive anyway, and Ashe had just come in from smoking outside or finishing up some work out at her office when she comes back in late.

Clearly, this time is very different.

The scene hits him in its entirety at once, and the pang of panic he feels at the sight of her covered in blood almost throws him completely. But he manages to keep it together long enough to realize she doesn’t seem hurt. If anything, she’s distracted. Out of it. Though even if it’s not her blood, that poses a whole other problem.

He comes right up behind her, one hand resting on the counter in front of them while the other reaches around to turn off the water just before it’s set to overflow. There’s no denying the worry in his expression, but he’s not overcome with it. His eyes are serious as they seek hers out in the mirror. Questioning. Concerned.

“Ashe… what did you do?”

[cashe]

For a moment she's transported back to another time when they'd come out of a fight with their first casualties. Killing a man for the first time wasn't something you soon forgot and it had cost her a certain piece of herself that she wasn't sure she had wanted to give. He'd stood behind her then while they tried to figure it out, but the faces looking back in the mirror this time are older. They carry more weight now and she's long since numbed herself to the realities of her chosen life. It's a life that she's sure will doom her to Hell, but she's gonna own her hand rather than fold to it.

Finally she blinks a couple of times as the present catches up to her and she takes a deep breath and lets it out slowly. The vulnerability in her eyes is battling with the coldness that wants to take over.

She's okay. "I'm okay." She dips her hands into the water and watches as the water absorbs the blood into it in clouds of red. Then she wipes her hands on her blouse, it's too late to care. She catches his eyes in the mirror, because she's not sure she can look him dead on.

"Same thing I always do when things get out of hand; I sent a message." Reaching for a washcloth she dips that into the water and takes it to her face, she really needs to just climb into the shower. "Went after those people who were beatin' up on Chloe outside the garage. I've had enough of that and we can't rely on those damn cats to actually uphold the law. Took it into my own hands. Didn't want you to get you involved." After all, he seemed to be trying so hard to keep himself clean of that kind of thing.

[almightythirst]

Jesse’s frown deepens as she explains the situation, the well-worn creases around his eyes becoming more pronounced. It’s true that they’re not young anymore, but some things don’t get easier with time. They might not hit the same, might not have the same weight, but they become complex in new ways. Killing is one such thing. Even if justified, he knows what it can take out of a person.

“Those cats might not uphold the law when it matters, but they could still catch you at this and tear you apart. Did you think about that?” Plenty of Sleepers over the years have been killed by those cats for their actions, fair and unfair alike. The thought that he could have lost her tonight without even knowing… he’s not the least bit tired anymore, not with the adrenaline running high through his system.

“You should have told me.” His tone brooks no argument, and neither does his expression as he watches her in the mirror. “You could’ve died tonight Ashe, and I wouldn’t have even known where you were at. If somethin’ had gone wrong or they’d fought back harder than you expected, what were you gonna do then?”

cw: Throat slitting

[cashe]

When her anger got the better of her, she was hard to stop. Though she'd been fighting and changing some habits here, others just couldn't be erased. The days that had followed Chloe's attack had not eased her temper but only fueled her forward. This was something that she couldn't let stand and she wanted to send the message that she was off limits.

She closes her eyes when he starts to scold her for the decisions and her apparent lack of judgment. This was something she did know how to face, an argument with Jesse. It was familiar and despite that she was having her faults pointed out to her it felt safe and real.

Turning to him she grits her teeth. "I thought about those things, but give me some credit, I know how to work around the cats. If you make too much noise or draw attention to yourself they pick up on it, I did neither of those things. I made it quick and covered my tracks." It had been quick, they'd woken with her hand over their mouths and the look of fear made her smile, she was so tired of living at their mercy. Then taking a sharp knife, she silently slit their throats, messier but quieter than a shotgun.

Video; UN: Godisdead

[in_loveless_memory]

[At Atsushi's encouragement Ritsuka contacts Jesse.]

Jesse-san... I... I don't know how to even ask this without-

I guess... with the bears gone and the trials done, did... you want me to move out? I'll understand if you say yes, I don't want to burden your kindness further.

[almightythirst]

[ Jesse supposes he shouldn't be shocked by the question--it's reasonable to ask--but still. Does the kid think they're just going to kick him out with no prep and no warning?

After a moment, the surprise on his face softens. He doesn't know what Ritsuka has been through, but he can guess he hasn't had a whole lot of kindness thrown his way. Maybe he'd been waiting for the other shoe to drop for a while now. ]

We're not about to put you out on the street without a place to go. You can stay long as you need to 'til then. But what brought this on?

[in_loveless_memory]

[Ritsuka expects nothing in his life... and is still always disappointed back home. So yes, yes he expects the worse and functions as if the other shoe is always about to drop. It makes things less surprising when they ultimately do for him.

At Jesse's comment he blushes and his ears press against his head.]

It's just, I'm not... in imminent danger so... you don't... I mean, I'm extra food, extra water- just all sorts of extra resources. So... I just... I mean, you don't have to keep wasting them on me.

[almightythirst]

Well you aren't wrong about all that... except the part where you call it a waste. We've got plenty to go around. I've been here for ages, and Ashe about half as long. What I mean is, we've got enough stored up that you aren't gonna wipe us out of resources anytime soon.

[ He leans back in whatever he's sitting on, scratching at his beard with a thoughtful look on his face. ]

To be honest, I was more concerned you'd be sick of livin' with a couple of old folks like us. If you want your own place again, I'd be more than happy to help you out with that. But there's no fire at your back to get you out of here.

text; glitch | late october

[glitchinthesystem]

Jesse, got this package in my basket that has your name on it. Don't know where you live so, let me know where I can drop it off.

[almightythirst]

For me? You sure it's not for Jessie? If it's toy-sized, it's probably for her. But you can bring it on over anyway and I'll take a look.

[ He sends over his address, now Ashe's place just a block from where he used to live. ]

If that's too far then I can meet you in town.

[glitchinthesystem]

Trust me. It's for you and I think they can only be used by you. They're too big for toy fingers.

Anyways, that's where the July thing happened right? I can be there to drop 'em off.

[almightythirst]

Only by me huh? Color me intrigued.

And you're right about that. I'll be out front if you're sure you wanna make the trek.

Video;

[cashe]

Hey darlin'. That turkey holiday I love to bitch about is comin' up. Think we should make it special for our girl?

[almightythirst]

Seeing as she remembers who we are this year, I think we owe it to her. And I've got just the thing, picture this—

[ He sits back, feet propped up on something out of frame as he holds his hands out, envisioning his... er, vision. ]

It starts with "deep fried" and ends in "turkey."

[cashe]

[ Deep fried turkey was something that Ashe's mother would have had a heart attack over, and not due to the over indulgence of grease. Which naturally meant that she would always sing its praises, whether she liked it or not.

But the idea gets a laugh out of her. ]

I cannot believe that we have not yet shared such an important family tradition with her.

Now we just need a deep fryer big enough to cook it. I'll put B.O.B. on that.

[almightythirst]

Knowing you two, it won't take more than an hour to dig something up.

But I was having the same thought, about not having done it yet. Last year was a special case though.

[ They'd been so awkward trying to play the part of parents to Chloe. It's almost funny looking back on it now. ]

O' Christmas Treeeeee

[cashe]

December in Deerington was known for being cold and brutal, and since Ashe preferred the reasonable temperatures of the southwest, she had decided to think ahead. This was her second Christmas in Deerington and by now she felt almost downright settled. Sure there was still more bullshit than Deerington had any right to throw at them, but Ashe was certainly not thrown off by a challenge, let alone violence. On top of that, business was strong and getting stronger and she had infinitely stronger foothold in the town than she'd had last year.

On top of that, she and Jesse had made it over a year in an actual relationship. Or if nothing else, sleeping together on a regular basis, handling crisis as it arose together, and not constantly trying to rip each other's heads off, which in her book was suggestive of a very successful relationship. They were even still..."raising" Chloe together. She didn't dare say it, lest Deerington steal it from her, but she was happy.

Or mostly anyway. Recently she'd found a ring hidden away while she was looking for something among Jesse's things and that had certainly thrown a few of her feelings up into the air. She hadn't yet broached the topic, but it had been eating at her all the same. Luckily, Ashe was good at hiding things, especially her feelings. She carried on putting it to the side in lieu of focusing on Chloe and Thanksgiving and now Christmas.

Today, she and Jesse had decided to go chop down a tree for the house. The ones at the lot would never satisfy. She was out on the front porch, dressed as warmly as she could, and smoking a cigarette while she waited for him to get himself together so that he could join her. It was mid afternoon and they'd lose the light in just a couple hours, so she wanted to get moving. B.O.B. stood by the side of the front steps, fiddling with the axe and making sure it was sharp enough.

"What is takin' that man so long? I swear sometimes he preens more than I do." It was questionable, but she couldn't help but make the joke. At least her tone was fond.

[almightythirst]

“Hey, it’s takes time to get this beard lookin’ right.”

Jesse steps out of the house, bundled up for the chilly weather. He’s been all over the world, but he still retains his Texan blood, which means the cold is no friend of his. He scratches at the beard in question, smiling at Ashe before turning a sharp eye on the axe. Whatever he sees there gets a satisfied nod out of him.

“Looks like we’re all set here. How big did you say you want this thing to be again?”

He would be more than happy with a normal-sized tree, but he’s willing to go out and find one that suits Ashe’s “go big or go home” sensibilities. Sounds fun anyway; plus, who knows what’ll be up with the trees this year. Magic spells? Monsters inside? Trees that are monsters?

[cashe]

"And there's the man of the hour." She jumped up and reached out to run a finger over his beard. "Guess you did okay."

Ashe could recall how her mother's circle always wanted the bigger and better Christmas trees and decorations. Holiday parties who get togethers aligned with judging then partying as they sized each other up in some unspoken competition.

While she may not have appreciated her mother's lifestyle, she was definitely a go big or go home kinda gal and so that meant improving every year.

"No less than fifteen feet. We can tie the rope from the second floor balcony to make sure it's held proper. And I got some extra lights this year."

[almightythirst]

“Good thing we’ve got B.O.B. here to do the heaving lifting, otherwise you’d be out of luck.”

Jesse catches Ashe’s hand, pressing a quick kiss to the back of it before shooting a grin towards the omnic of their party. Poor B.O.B. always did get stuck with the grunt work, but at least he never seemed to mind it. It’s more interesting than the stuff Ashe’s parents had him do back home anyhow, least from what Jesse can remember. No serving drinks to rich folks who didn’t appreciate it.

“Well then, you’d best lead the way while we got the daylight.”

Mid-December

[no_reload]

[Tap, tap, tap.

Clink, tap, scratch.

There was a pile of stolen items on the window sill. Old candy wrappers, a toothbrush, a hair comb, some bullet casings (don't ask), a few tuffs of black hair, scrapes of paper and a handful of coins.

A crow wearing a black cowboy hat was definitely there and tapping on the window. Pay attention or the pile of junk will definitely get larger.

Beak on glass window then beady black eye peering inside.]

[almightythirst]

[ Jesse had been ignoring the growing pile of junk outside the window for a while, his eyes glued to the old battered paperback in his hand. All that time spent in the library a couple of months ago had gotten him back on a mystery kick.

It's quickly becoming apparent though that if he doesn't do something, the pile will only get more unwieldy. He folds the corner of his page to mark his place, chuckling as he stands, stretches, and gives the bird a long look through the window. It's another second or two before he opens it, garbage... er, gifts, spilling out into the room. ]

Wow. You shouldn't have.

[ He tries for a deadpan delivery, but it's hard for him not to laugh. ]

[no_reload]

[He hopped back when McCree actually bothered himself to leave the novel behind and come to investigate all the treasures he had brought. Only once the window was actually opened did he drop from the sill and grab some of the real treasure in the form of some actual usable bills of money of varying sizes of notes.

Then he was fluttering into the room itself to come and land on Jesse's shoulder like he owned the place and this particular shoulder. He tilted his head back and forth as he investigated then pecked and pulled on McCree's hair like he was... well, trying to put it back into some order.]

Caw caw.

[That was definitely Reaper just saying the sounds rather than it actually being crow talk.]

You're a mess, as usual. Crows aren't actually any more attracted to shiny objects than any other animal.

[almightythirst]

[ He’s not too proud of it, but Jesse does jump just a little when the crow!Reaper lands on his shoulder. Can you blame him? Most every other time they get this close, they’re at each other’s throats (time spent with gaps in one’s memory not included). But there’s only so much damage he can do in bird form, right? ]

Well excuse me for not gettin’ all gussied-up for a visitor I wasn’t expecting.

[ He still does run a hand back through his hair though. ]

Looks like you’ve been keeping yourself busy. Should've known you'd take to the bird thing like a fish to water. Do I want to know where the pocket change came from?