caim :: all i wanna do

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

OUTFIT

Today was errand day.

It had started with a run, a warm shower and a hungry man for breakfast at the diner. Breakfast food, and exercise were some of Mason's favorite things and he felt good enough to spend more time outside with people, despite the whispers. So, he decided to get some groceries for the shop and such. At the general store he bought food, basics like twine and a couple new pens. Basic. His occupation was more hands on than most, so he didn't really need much.

As he walked by the apothecary he paused mid-step. he wondered how "Spike" was doing. His lunch with the quiet Caim had proved nice, if simple and unexciting, but it was still pleasant. It had been one of the more civil moments since he'd been out of jail. Since their interaction, he learned about her mother. She had been a nice woman, and he felt like he should tell her that he thought so, but she was probably sick of sympathy. His mother always taught him to offer it though.

Maybe he'd just leave a note?

But upon reflection, he needed a few basic things inside for cuts or tough grease stains. Anything he had was expired and probably moldy, judging by the water damage in the back of the shop.

As he stepped inside, a little bell chimed and he found what he needed first, bringing it to the counter and sure enough, there was Caim. "Hey," He said kindly. "How's, uh, Spike, doing?"

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

outfit

Today would've been Homecoming. Caim had gotten a couple of phonecalls and emails today from friends today expressing sympathy and well-wishes. They said things like "wish you were here" and Key wished that, too. There was a life she had that had just disappared, but her friends were moving forward and she was pulled back and stuck. The fact that she could practice magic freely was the only redeeming condition of her metaphorical prison, though prison was a harsh word for it.

Key had been jotting down weekly sales and calculating them against cost to estimate profit. It was a tedious process, but it was straightforward. But took a break and opted for sketching her notebook. She drew a couple of flowers, but she was in the middle of shading a human eye when the door chimed open.

Caim looked up, but her hello never made it out of her mouth out of surprise. Mason was still the dominating presence she remembered him to be. He said Hey with that deep voice.

How's, uh, Spike doing?

It seemed peculiar that someone so manly could actually sound unsure and used such a word as "uh." But Key thought past that. "Hi." She finally said, standing up behind the desk. "He's good." Key said, finding it a bit odd to be talking about her car as a person. She thought of him that way, but no one indulged her before - Gil and Mom just called her car, 'her car'. "Running well." she added to use semi-technical language.

After taking Mason in for a moment, Key politely offered, "Can I help you with anything?"

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

He couldn't really figure out to to keep up small talk about her car so he just nodded. Mason had never considered naming his car, but he thought of his as a "she" in terms of talking to it... her. Caim looked more relaxed in her natural habitat, her hair feathered around her pale face.

"Yeah, just getting a few things," He said, placing them on the counter for her to ring up. Mason put his grocery bags on the floor. "Getting supplies for the shop, including grilled cheese ingredients." He chuckled. Not that he really expected her to come over for grilled cheese. He was probably starting to come off as creepy. He was older, larger, an ex-con... But he really had only honest intentions, though she was rather pretty, she was a kid.

Mason ran his fingers through his hair awkwardly before adding what he was considering. Usually he was with his sister, who could feel his feelings anyway so he got in the habit of bothering to express them. "I heard about what happened. Your mom was a real nice lady," Mason said frankly. She was probably sick of sympathy, so he didn't offer any other than a soft smile.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Caim rung up his items one by one and wrapped each one in paper before placing them in a big paper bag. She smiled when Mason mentioned grilled cheese sandwiches, but it wasn't quite funny enough to make her laugh. He was being friendly though - that's what this was, wasn't it? It was simple and low-key and friendly, this thing between them. They were kind to each other and didn't mind each other's company. The other day when Key finally came home, she wished she could invite Mason to eat dinner with her because she didn't want to be alone.

But instead she sat alone in her kitchen, and eventually drank herself to sleep.

He mentioned her mother and Key's hand paused for a milli-second, but she continued packing all the merchandise. "Thanks." she said, smiling sadly. "She was." Caim finished putting everything in the bag and looked up at him. Wondering what to say, Key suddenly remembered her latest business enterprise.

"Oh." She reached to the corner of the desk to a basket of small cloth bags. She picked up one of the bags - simple white cloth, but tied neatly with a bow - and held it up. "I don't have any grilled cheese ingredients here, but I did come up with two new teas. Licorice peppermint and green tea citrus. I've having customers pick one free sample, but since I like you, you get both." Key put them into his bag with a smile. "Let me know how you like them."

"Is that everything?" she asked him after her little sales pitch.

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

Mason nodded lightly, his lips pursed softly, not for any real reason he could identify. Maybe it was just slight awkwardness at the whole situation. They weren't really friends, but they seemed to have an inside joke and now he was offering her sympathy? It felt strange. But then again, everything felt strange in the real world after prison.

"Oh," Mason said as she gave her little pitch and put the tea in his bag. He didn't have the heart to tell her he didn't like tea. For her sake, he would probably try them anyway. Maybe he'd enlist Chloe. "Thank you." He said with a smile, surprised at how glad he was to be liked by her.

Mason fished out his wallet, his hair falling into his eyes and he brushed it back. He'd always lept his hair a bit on the long side, but since jail he'd kept it long enough to pull back. Easier than cutting his own generally. "Yeah that's it, what do I owe you?" He asked, poised and ready to pay her.

He took a moment to notice how lovely her hair was, waves of chocolate... Mason cleared his throat and looked her in the eyes. He refused to be embarrassed but he also hoped she hadn't caught him staring.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

He smiled and she smiled back. She noticed this was happening. His smile was nice. And it was more than just a nice smile on a nice face - there was something about the way the smile hit his eyes first. He smiles with his eyes and his hands are warm. she thought to herself, remember her fingers brushing against his when she handed him a wrench. She filed that thought under Things I Know About Mason Cain in her brain. The reciprocal smiling itself was something Key had experienced before in life - it meant that they were friends, right? You smile, I smile. That's how it starts. The thought made her smile a little wider. It means we get along.

He reached for his wallet and Key kept her eyes on his face, which may've not been entirely polite but he wasn't looking at her at that particular moment. Her eyes traced and studied his features with the same intensity she allotted when examining plants. It was as though she was trying to figure what made him so handsome. It was more than just idly fascinating, though. As Key played with a stand of hair, she also filling with some sort of emotion.

Which she didn't have enough time to identify because he looked back up and Key quickly averted her eyes. Trying to act casual, Key looked at the register for his total. Her mind seemed to be working poorly, because she had to do a double take to actually process what she saw. "$21.30." she said finally. She felt his eyes on her and felt self-conscious - was she doing such a poor job at asking normally?

But he really was very good looking. I can admire you. Key thought to herself. There's no harm in that, is there? Nothing's ever going to come out off it. You're never going to like me. Mason was older, and ex-con, and previously engaged. His life was worlds away from hers. There were probably different things he was looking for and worried about, and Key couldn't fit into that life. She was stuck where she was. A lump of bitter acceptance in chest. They would see each other occasionally and be nice, but that would it.

And that was the truth.

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

Mason nodded and counted out the bills and coins. A twenty, a one, a quarter.... He fished around in his pockets for a nickel so he could give her exact change. She looked momentarily sad again and he wished he had his sister's power. He realized he wanted to cheer her up, wanted to comfort her. Did that mean they were friends? Or did she just remind him of his sister? Did those have to be mutually exclusive? He found a dime and apologetically placed it on the counter, but then he smiled softly and said with a laugh, "You can keep the change."

Mason hesitated, not really wanting to leave, though he wasn't sure why. He wanted to be near her, as if that would help her. Maybe it did, but he doubted it. Maybe his loneliness, or the fact that she was the first truly pretty woman he'd seen since he'd been incarcerated.

"Have you ever seen an impressively built man chop down a tree before?" He asked with a little surprised smile, surprised at himself that is. "I only ask because I need to get some firewood." Usually he sold some at his shop and kept plenty for his house (they had a little fireplace). Mason shrugged.

"No pressure," He added. It was just an adventure... "You just look like you need an adventure." Mason shrugged, trying not to seem too invested or creepy or anything of the sort.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Key had been watching Mason's hands collecting the money (though when he reached for his pockets , so when told her to keep the change, Key was well aware that that amounted to a grand total of five cents. She glanced up at up and had to chuckle along. "Gee, thanks." she said with a slightly sarcastic smile. If she had been a bit more confident around him, she might've added your generosity is overwhelming.

She organized the bills he gave her in the register. The twenty with twenties, the one with the one, and the quarter with the quarters. But she held onto the dime, not quite wanting to put it away. She left it under the register so that she could put it in her pocket later. When she looked up, Mason was still standing there and looking as though he wanted to say more than goodbye or have a nice day. Key raised her brows a little, unable to anticipate what came next.

Blinking in surprise, Key wondered where this was coming from. It was remarkably sweet the way he asked paired with that smile. But Key's mind couldn't get past the 'why', but part of her suspected one particular theory.

It was really lonely for a long time, wasn't it? She almost asked that. Almost.

Instead she said. "Adventures are cool. And no, I have never seen an impressively built man chop down a tree." That last part was hard to say with a straight face, and she ended up smiling over the silliness. She was a bit glad, somehow, that Mason realized himself how ridiculous his physique was. "To be fair, though," she added, "I haven't seen any impressively built men around lately."

She waited two second before smiling, so that it was clear that was a joke.

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

For a moment, he thought for sure she was going to turn him down. He'd gone and ruined a nice, blossoming friendship... But then she agreed that it would be an adventure and she'd never seen a big man chop down a tree. Technically, that wasn't a yes, but it wasn't a no. At her last comment, Mason gave a hearty laugh. It felt good to laugh, it had been a while. He hated to be a downer, but once he said jail, everyone sort of understood, at least in theory what that could have been like.

"Yeah, me neither," Mason joked with a shrug, throwing up his hands. He managed to suppress his urge to bring up Bigfoot or Paul Bunion in some sort of joke. Smiling suited her, and he hoped they'd have more moments like this. Even if all he got were simple moments in passing like this.

"So, would you like to come with me?" He asked, not continuing the line of giant men chopping down trees. Caim surely understood it was an invitation by his simple babbling, but in any case he figured he'd be direct. Though, maybe she would be worried, alone in the woods with him. He wouldn't blame her for that... maybe he should suggest his sister coming too? Mason could probably make Chloe come along, though all the quiet melancholy between them would drive her nuts.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Key laughed along with him, he had a big infectious laughed that felt like it wrapped Key up in a hug. She continued to chuckle even when he threw his hands up. When was the last time she laughed? Certainly not in the most recent days. Gods, if felt like forever. It almost hurt but she didn't mind.

When he asked her more directly, Key pretended to think about it. But then, she said. "Yes. I would like to come with you." The laughter was still bubbling away inside, a few chuckles escaping every now and then. Was this happiness she was feeling? It was bright and spreading through her like she had just drank hot chocolate. Warm and sweet and comfortable.

"I, uh, close up shop at four on Sundays." Today was Sunday, but it was still the early afternoon. "So I'll meet you somewhere later?" she asked, wondering if that'd be okay. It wasn't like she had anyone that could cover for her after all.

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

Mason's mouth turned up in a smile as she agreed to come with him. They didn't have to go today, really, and earlier would be better, but the sun should be out for a while yet, so that would work. "Sure, just come by the shop whenever you're ready I guess," Mason said with a nod. "We'll need some light so we can't wait too long after four if we wanna go today, we could always go another day but I don't know what your schedule is like..." Mason said looking of as he lost his train of thought.

"Anyway, wear something you don't mind getting messy, and boots." he said. She seemed fairly slight and while she'd probably been in the woods before, probably not to chop down trees and hack them apart... Though, he might have to chop the wood on a different day, depending on the light.

He figured he'd wait for her to agree and then continue on home with his provisions.

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

Key nodded to the information. "The store's closed Mondays." she offered up, but she didn't know his schedule either. Was this going to be difficult? With them both being business owners? (Wow, what a thought. It hadn't occurred to Key before.) And internal debate boiled within Key and she shifted from one foot from the other. Finally she threw her hands up. What the hell. "You know what - you're the only person to have come in today. I think I can call it day."

Key glanced down at her attire."This isn't anything fancy, and I'm already wearing boots. So, I'm ready to go whenever you are." Hopefully Mason wasn't going to think her a total slacker. Mom closed up early on slow days all the time, though. Should be fine. No one expects things to be too different now.

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

Mason chuckled and nodded. "Okay, well, let me just get these things to the shop and grab a few things. If you're ready, you can just come over with me in my truck. It's parked down the street." He needed a saw, some chains for hauling wood, an axe, protective gloves... and goggles, if he could find them but he'd bend on that, at least for himself. Her eyes however were far too pretty to ruin with runaway wood.

Mason scooped up his bags and headed to the door, realizing she had to actually close up shop he added, "I'm just gonna get these things in the back. You'll see me, blue pick up." He said, not really waiting for her to reply, assuming she would follow along. She'd already said yes right?

He made his way to his truck with a spring in his step. Something about company and her face just made him feel good. Mason set his bags in the flat back and tied them down with a bit of rope. He originally planned on the passenger seat free...

[CAIM VENUS HYSSOP]

"Ok." Key said lightly. "Be right out." She watched him walk out the door with a smile before walking out back. She flipped the major switches that turned off all the lights. Making sure the safe was locked, Key got her jacket from the coat rack in the mini-office. Putting it on, she picked out the store key from her busy chain and stepped outside to lock the door.

Te blue pick up was visible even from a distance, and Key strode over. Of course she had seen before at the Shop, but she actually took in the vehicle. It's appropriately manly she decided. "Nice truck." she said, mainly because she suspected all men liked to be complimented on their cars. Assuming that since there was no back row, she was meant for the passenger seat, Key opened the open and hopped in.

By now Key was a pro at getting into her own car, but the truck had slightly different measurements. Her movement was off, and she hit her head on the door rim getting inside. "Ow." she said, not because it actually hurt - it was just a bump - but Key tended to say "ow" aloud when she was surprised.

[MASON MIEL CAIN]

Mason grinned and patted the car lightly. "Thanks." She was a good old machine, he could list her assets but Caim wouldn't understand the lingo, so it felt mostly pointless and more than a little sad. And then she started to hop into the passenger side and hit her head. He winced, making a sort of hissing sound through his teeth. She was so little, but still very able to hurt herself in his roomy truck.

Instinctively, he reached out and brushed her hair off her forehead, making sure she was alright. His blue eyes narrowed as he surveyed the skin for a moment before he realized he had totally crossed the line. His chest was inches from her as he peered at her hairline. he cleared his throat and rocked back on his heels. "Uh, looks like you didn't break the skin or anything..." He said before cutting his losses and crossing to the driver's side. There was ice at the shop, and he wouldn't go so far as too presume that she was going to wuit now over a little head bump.

He started the car and drove them in silence, parking in front of his place of business. "Um, do you want to come in for ice? Or just hang out for a second while i put this stuff away?" He asked, still feeling weird about touching her head.