shelter from the storm ϟ zak

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semper
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shelter from the storm ϟ zak Aug 5, 2013 17:26:28 GMT -5

Post by semper on Aug 5, 2013 17:26:28 GMT -5

It’s one of those evenings where even as the sky turns dark the heat and humidity still make your skin crawl. Huge clouds had been circling around all day and they’re finally growing dark and heavy with rain, lighting up with a few bolts of lightning spider-webbing across the billowing surface of the clouds. The clouds converge to a point at the front and it’s just crawling, crawling, crawling along the sky like it’s some glass surface, hiding the shades of blue and little stars behind it. The storm must be far off cause the crickets and frogs are still chirping and croaking their evening tune, unconcerned about the looming threat in the sky.

It’s roughly around 8:30 (or so it was the last time I checked) and so the last little bits of sunlight are still darkened. The dirt road I’m walking on is bordered by two pastures so I’m out in the open and exposed to the grand evening. I’ve no fear of a petty little storm so even though the hair stands up on the back of my neck I don’t waver or turn around – it’s one of those other nights where I need to go to the diner and get those mashed potatoes and meatloaf. There’s nothing to eat at home (honestly I blame Jonah for eating everything) and honestly I don’t want to go back there for just a few more hours. No one’s really there anyway; Jonah’s off getting his ass beat by someone, Aden’s probably off preaching and brainwashing some child if he isn’t in bed yet, Ollie’s probably doing some kinky pictures, and Mom and Dad are probably asleep. The Warsaw house is really rather boring, especially at night, so that’s why I like to stay out. I feel it bothers Aden particularly since he has some godly set of morals that prevents me from going out and having fun but he can suck it.

I almost don’t even have to pay attention to the dusty road to get to the diner. The path is so engrained in my mind that I could probably walk here in my sleep. I don’t think it’d be very well received if I did that but that’s not the point. A clap of thunder sounds and I look up, seeing the dark clouds nearly above me now. The crickets’ and frogs’ songs are starting to become sparse and die down so I know the storm is approaching. Like I said earlier, I don’t care for storms, but I sure don’t want to get soaked. I pick up the pace and jog the rest of the way, coming to a stop and opening up the diner.

Lucy Blues is nothing fancy, but as soon as you step through the door you’re hit with a wall of warm scents of meat and potatoes and a few other things. It’s really comforting and the place is rather homey. I wave to a few other people I always see here while on my way up to the bar, taking my usual seat.

”’ello, miss,” I say, a grin on my face. You’d think by now I would know all the people’s names that work here but this girl in particular has a nameless face. ”Could I get meatloaf and mashed potatoes? And if I could get a beer that’d be nice, but if not then water is just as dandy.”

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i hear the mountains calling me home

zakattack
Merchant

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152 POSTS
last seen Dec 31, 2013 14:15:27 GMT -5

shelter from the storm ϟ zak Aug 6, 2013 12:03:44 GMT -5

Post by zakattack on Aug 6, 2013 12:03:44 GMT -5

It seemed like every day another storm rolled through, shaking and quaking the little diner’s windows as most the regulars rushed home to seal up the leaks in their own little farmhouses. The wind and the rain slushing around like buckets being emptied into a well. It was hard work during the rainy season for everyone. Most the men that came into the diner now were older and worn, their ruddy faces hardened with lines that ached from the sun, and they all just sat at the bar and downed their almost cold beers or distilled liquor that the Capitol sent in. Sure it was more expensive than Pa’s home brewed stuff, but there wasn’t that bite that almost made a grown man gag. Today was different than the rest, instead of being out on the floor like normal, Lucy had stationed herself behind the bar. It wasn’t the first time, certainly wouldn’t be the last, however it just didn’t keep her as busy as running food did. But when the diner is damn near empty anymore she did what she could.

Today wasn’t any different in the since of the storm though, the air was heavy and you could smell the rain coming. She didn’t need to look out the windows to know that it was going to break soon. Giving a sigh her hands grab an empty glass and a rag and start wiping it down, keeping things clean in this dusty old place is a full time job in itself, but when the tinkle of the bell on the front door chimes her eyes look up to see a tall boy (at least to her) with such a baby face he couldn’t have been more than fourteen. He came in often, always had enough to pay his tabs, but Lucy had never had to chance to wait on him til now. As he moseyed on up to the bar and sat down she realized he had to be older than her initial impression, her eyes sparkled as she listened to his order, ”No problem.” her loopy handwriting scribbling down his order before turning around and putting it on the window for the cook ringing a little hand bell to let him know there was food to be made. Reaching under the bar into the ice chest we need more ice she pulled out one of the dark brown bottles and popped the top off handing it to the boy. ”My names Lucy, I don’t think we’ve met yet. But I see you in here a lot.” she smiled again leaning her hands against the bar.

She could hear the gentle start of the rain and looked down to the other men who nodded softly and she turned to grab a couple slips of paper off the back counter. ”You want me to just keep the tab open big John?” Lucy laughed as the men started gathering their things. Big John nodded and chuckled back, “As long as the bars, open I’ll keep that tab up little Lucy Goosey.” And the men headed out into the rain, turning back to the boy she laughed, ”Big John’s roofs got a hole in it the size of a corn field so he’s gotta go make sure his tub’s placed under it before the bad rain hits. He’d rather buy the beer than fix it up, but he’s a good man...What about you? You gonna try to me make it home before the storm hits?” Her eyes glanced around the now empty diner before looking back at him. She wouldn’t blame him if he did get up and go, she’d dutifully pack up the meat loaf and mashed potatoes and send him on his way with a smile, but deep down she didn’t want to ride out this storm alone.

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semper
Retired Staff

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last seen Jan 1, 2014 0:57:11 GMT -5

shelter from the storm ϟ zak Aug 7, 2013 11:19:59 GMT -5

Post by semper on Aug 7, 2013 11:19:59 GMT -5

She takes my order and pins up the little paper, ringing the bell that I’ve gotten used to hearing in this place. I can feel the hunger gnaw in my belly and I guess my brain knows that the bell means food because suddenly all I can think about is the meatloaf and potatoes. I shift a little on the seat and hope the movement is enough to quiet the growling my stomach is doing but the sweet aroma coming from the kitchen isn’t helping me any. I really should’ve had a bigger breakfast. Well, actually, I should’ve eaten lunch but I was too busy meandering around Ten and watching people, trying to find things I can commit to memory and use against people later. No one of interest was in the bakery, or the seamstress shop, or the butcher’s, or anywhere, really. And if there were people I recognized then they weren’t doing anything worth remembering. Eventually I gave up and so that’s why I’m at the diner.

She pops back up from under the counter and hands me a nice cold one. Graciously I accept it and take a little sip as she introduces herself as Lucy. The cold and bitter drink is a shock to my taste buds but it’s welcomed, and so I take another quick little sip before setting it back down to reply to her. ”Lucy? Nice name and nice to meet you.” I give her a smile and a nod of my head. ”Milo Warsaw, and yes, I do love coming here.”

I got here at a perfect time because I can hear the rain starting to hit the roof. Lucy turns and starts talking to someone in the kitchen and so I cast a glance at the rest of the diner. The other patrons are getting up and gathering their things, pulling on the jackets and hats, probably heading out to try to make it home before the worst of the storm hits.

Lucy’s voice pulls me back around as she explains about some hole in the roof that’s probably already leaking since the front of the storm is here. ”No worries, I’m not in any rush.” I take another sip of the cold beer and clasp my hands around the bottle once I set it back down on the bar, putting my elbows on the counter and leaning onto it. ”Nah, I’m not afraid of a little rain. S’just water.” I give a little shrug. I’ve walked home through plenty of storms and I can honestly say that I’m not afraid of lightning or the torrential downpours. Honestly mud just makes the travelling a bit more fun and the occasional clap of thunder is only good when I can feel it in my bones, otherwise it’s just weak. Besides, I think my room is starting to leak and I can never find the damn spot that’s letting in the water so I’m stuck suffering through an endless drip, drip, drip and it’s enough to drive me insane.

”’sides, part of the reason I come here is for the atmosphere cause you’re all such lovely people.” Okay, maybe that is a little too sugary but part of it is true. I can only take so much of Aden’s “holy” talk before I decide to go out and purposefully sin against him, and Jonah, odd Jonah, never fights back so he’s no fun. He even chickened out the one time I tried to take him cow tipping so there’s no hope left for him in me. I drink some of the beer, satisfied with the bitter sting on my tongue. ”If you’ve got a leak I can probably patch it up or something. I’ve got a few spare planks of wood and shingles.” Maybe that is a lie – I don’t actually have wood and shingles but I know exactly where I can get some. I know how to fix frames too and apply shingles, and if all else fails I know where I can snatch a tarp and rig up a makeshift cover.