2020-06-02 - What Matters - Alexandra

India Tor was mildly surprised at how easy it was to get the permits.  She wanted it all legal and above board, yet that brought on more tears for her that she would think for a second that the city of Alexandra would deny her.

During the morning and early afternoon of June 2, 2020 Kagiso Jackson worked to put up a video screen in the usual place for their free outdoor concerts; the parking lot of Zabats with the screens facing southwest.  They considered several songs, as their usual medium of communication was song.  Both Kagiso and India tweeted their intent to protest peacefully and the result was that Alexandra found itself flooded with humanity by noon.

Josh Greene was aware that the protests were happening and put on extra officers to control the crowds.  He was also glad that the protest was planned for 4 in the afternoon, as he wanted to be there in an official/unofficial capacity.  The police of Alexandria stood in solidarity with the protesters.

At 3:30 pm, Marcus Lawry arrived to help with the last of the set up.  Already people were gathering in the park.  It was a mass of humanity, to be sure.  He couldn’t help but glance up at the Parthenon, but then he got back to work.

When 4pm hit, everything was ready.  India Tor climbed the steps to the stairs with Kagiso Jackson.  Quentin was also there as well as Tony Penhall.  Moving to the microphone, India took a moment to compose herself.  Her daughter was at this protest.  Maybe she was too young, but it was important to India this time.  When she had watched the video, she opted against showing it to her baby, but had tried to explain.  She expected it might cause some difficulties in her house, but she would deal with that fallout.  To India, her daughter was half black and half Japanese … and she waffled back and forth constantly, from the moment she realized that she was pregnant, at the potential difficulties her daughter would face.  One thing she had decided was that it would be better in Canada, because she had always admired Canada.  Yet … Canada had its own very similar problems and sometimes … Canada was so close that the 51’s state jokes stopped feeling like jokes.

Just before she began to speak, Kagiso began the first video.  That video was ‘the’ video.  And India spoke over it.  “I don’t have to tell you all why we are here this afternoon.”  her amplified voice spoke to the crowd.  She knew her voice could be heard all the way to the ferry and halfway to the Academy on the edge of the North Woods.  “Aqoustic Soul and I both made Canada our home way back in 2016.  K made Alexandra his home while I moved from Cedar Point in 2017.  And Alexandra has been a beautiful home for us.  We left a lot of problems I think we both thought were strictly American when we came here, but we’re still rooted in America.  What happened has hit us hard and we wanted to show our support peacefully, because I think we understand why what happened after the murder happened better than most.  And K more than me.”  Behind her Kagiso nodded, slowly as he adjusted something on his keyboard.  “But we also know that others in town …  Quentin Tyrell.  His son Tony Penhall.  And the latest to our family, Marcus Lawry.  They know, too and they support us as we support them.”  she blew out a breath.  “Let’s just get this started before I start crying again or something.”  She laughs softly and motions to Kagiso to start the music.

Quentin nods along with India looking overcome by his own emotions. As India went on he put his hand on Tony’s shoulder and leaned into the side of him. He had seen the video but he gave Tony the choice to watch it or not as it was his own journey too. His own sorrow and rage which Quentin broke watching in his boy. As the song began he closed his eyes and swayed.

Lydia had shown Paul the tweet at work that morning about the peaceful protest. She knew Paul was sporadic on social media but of course he too had been reading the news. She was supposed to be on shift until 6pm but Paul had just hugged her and said “Go…..do what you need to….with your kids.” So Lydia had texted her whole family and planned to meet.

Simon had met her wearing a Black Lives Matter t-shirt and holding poster paper and a pack of markers. He immediately looked for his sister Ziggy because her signs would be better than anyones. He hugged his mom and his siblings as they arrived.

Gareth walked down with Michelle and Brayden but drifted away from them to stand in solidarity with his foster family. He hugged them all too and then looked towards India, Kagiso, Tony and Quentin and made a point of putting his hand on his heart to express his love and support.

As Lydia had left, Paul made a call. He decided to close the shop for the protest and encouraged all the staff to go and be present. He scrawled a handwritten sign and stuck it on the door saying “Closed for George Floyd. Come to the protest in the park.” Then, aprons  still on he led the staff and they stood as a group to one side offering their solidarity.

Seeing Paul and the staff, Cheryl, Joan and the young McLeod girls walked up and joined them. Lucy didn’t fully understand yet but her older sisters were serious today. Daphne swallowed as she watched Tony on stage with his father and then found herself blinking hard.

Fiona was with her coworkers but she scanned the growing crowd for Vincent. She saw her father and the whole power plant crew standing together and waved. She saw her mother with the clinic folks beside Dr. Susan McKinney who was in jeans with a Black Lives Matter shirt on and a large first aid bag. Her mother was in conversation with Susan and Milo Greggory and didn’t see her.

Owen was standing with his coworkers too, beside Paul, his respect for his boss increasing with this choice to close and bring everyone here.

Mitch was off to the side a bit, still standing within the crowd but also apart while he listened and had a quiet smoke.

Cory was on the other side of Owen. He waved Pixie over as she was working at her other job that day and when she walked up he put his arm around her.

George Arnette and Kester were at one edge of the crowd near the road quietly observing and supporting. Kester was greeting everyone who passed with a tail wag and a bum sniff if he could get them.

Stephanie Reinhardt was standing closer to the stage with Ryan, who’s eyes were tearfully on his wife as he held their daughter Jayla. After India spoke he tried to catch her eye and mouthed “I love you.” Stephanie was holding up a handmade sign from the side of a Bear ass Wine box that said “I can’t breathe”. Sakura was beside Stephanie in a wide brimmed black hat and Tristan was on her other side. Tristan watched India and then Tony, his heart tightening for his best friend and his aunt.

Megan was there with Isabella in a stroller standing with Adum and her father in law Adam. She looked around at the crowd for her sister and father. She spotted her father first talking to a really tall man with red hair. He didn’t see her but within a minute Tamela was beside her and bending down to peek at Isabella “Oooh sleepin….” Tamela backed off and gave that side of her family a little wave as she walked off hand in hand with Frank to gather with some of the other off duty cops.

Darcy greeted Tams and Frank as they walked up and stood with them and everyone in solidarity. Cops or the military abusing their power and oppressing or acting out in violence made her sick to her stomach and ashamed to be associated with that energy. It was so abhorrent to her on every level. Sadie was to the right of Darcy and greeted her two fellow officers.

Chris Peterson was dressed in casual clothes, a black shirt and blue jeans. He held up a sign that said “Racism has no place in the Police Force. Black Lives Matter” He didn’t really care if anyone on the force objected to his openly protesting with a  sign but he suspected everyone would feel the same.  He could see his father standing and talking to Gurshan Singh on the fringe of the workers from the clinic.

Sajani was with her coworkers too, within the clinic crowd but not with the doctors and nurses, the paraprofessionals. She waved to Pixie who seh saw standing with Cory across the way. Daryl was talking to her and then he waved at his sister Dana standing with some of the off duty firefighters and Sajani started scanning that group looking for Patrick. He saw her first and slipped in beside her from another direction, his hand now holding hers while he gave Daryl a little sneer.

Judith stood by Hank, holding his hand “This whole thing is heartbreaking for our world...but this town is amazing.”

The younger Stanley family stood near Hank and Judith with Ford and Wendy arm in arm. Robbie was wrapped around his father’s leg being a little silly. He didn’t quite understand but he wasn’t misbehaving. Mabel was uncommonly quiet as she stood with her twin Mason. She could see Mason’s eyes on Tony.

On the other side of Judith, the Baldwin-Russell family stood. Erica and Jeff were focussed more on Maisy while Penny stood closer to her grandmother looking thoughtful. Maisy was getting a bit irritated with Robbie who was teasing her from his father’s leg.

Kurt looked overwhelmed with emotion. He was hugging Logan a lot, maybe too much in public but it was his coping mechanism. He couldn’t believe the news, He couldn’t believe all this happened in Canada. As a European he could be a bit naive about some of it and as a white German European even more so. But Kurt was soft hearted and anyone being hurt, killed or discriminated against just broke him.

Natalie Sokol had been watching from her window, not planning to walk into the fray, even though her heart went with the cause. But spotting Marcus and hearing the music start she took a last swig of her little drink, slipped on her shoes and quietly wandered out. She stood to the edge with some locals who were deeply engaged in their own conversation and just observed as she thought about the injustice of it all.

Avery, Lauren and Morgan listened to the protest on the radio at the farm, sitting together around a daytime campfire and silently sending their own energies to the town and in particular the town’s Black community.

Jude and Nick were deeper in the forest with their own radio on their stumps whittling and thinking.

Walter McLeod stood front and center watching India and Kagiso. He was so grateful to them for forgiving him and he knew today of all days that it was his job to be silent and off the mic. He looked at Tony, Quentin and all around the crowd. He heard India say Marcus but that name was new to him. He observed the Alvin family with Gareth beside them. Sometimes Alexandra seemed like a place apart from the rest of Canada, but today it felt connected, sorely connected. He let the music move him and looked thoughtful.

Tony stood with his father, watching the crowd.  He'd never seen this many people in Alexandra before.  Ever.  He'd taken the opportunity to watch the video and he had a million questions to ask.  None of which had a good enough answer for his young mind.  When India was done, she motioned to him and he stepped forward to sing, knowing that behind him a man was dying.  He saw Daphne in the crows and lifted his arm waving mostly to her but also the crowd.  He noticed the Sigiawa family and included them in a pause in his wave.  Then he spotted Mason and nodded, including him in the wave.  He felt ... supported.

Theodore came out of the vet's clinic with a large grey dog on a leash.  Kester came immediately to introduce himself to the lady dog and Theodore smiled.  After a moment he and the dog joined his family.  He also had on a Black Lives Matter shirt, with a different design than Simons.  After hugging his mother, he also hugged his older brother and watched his sister approach.

Ziggy arrived wearing a loose and flowing shirt with the colors of the Pan-African flag.  She beamed at the supplies Simon had for her and, after hugging him, their mother and Theo ... as well as the big grey dog, she plopped down on the grass and quickly, but artistically made protest sighs with saying like 'I can't breathe' and 'Black Lives Matter' among others, passing them up as she finished them and occasionally pushing the dogs nose out of her way, until Theodore took it back to the kennel.  But when she was done, she hugged her family again, but hugged Gareth longest of all, melting into occasional tears.  She knew how little things had changed and it broke her heart.

Buni Chuku stood on the fringes, just watching the people.  She smiled and swayed, but mostly her thoughts were back home in Trinidad with her family.  In many ways she was glad they weren’t here.  At the same time she was absolutely home on this beautiful island.  The evil hadn’t touched Alexandra and she was glad of that.  It was a safe haven, especially to Alexandra’s black community.  And she was proud to be a part of it.

Vincent found Fiona and kissed her before taking her hand and watching the group on stage.  He'd been told that he wouldn't be performing ... not because he was white but because if things did turn violent, Igor the harp would not be in harms way.  Vincent appreciated that.  He can see Father O'Keeffe, as he was so much taller than anyone else, standing with Jack Douglas.  An interesting budding friendship, indeed.  He spotted Darcy with Tams and Frank and waved with his free hand.

Michael stood near his wife and Ryan.  He tried to catch Chris's eye and give him a thumbs up for his sign and placed a hand on Tristan's shoulder.  He watched Ryan holding his daughter.  Jayla was such a beautiful child.

Adum could feel his father clap him on the shoulder as he watched.  He was dressed in what Megan had dubbed "Mayor Casual"; blakc jeans and a business shirt with the tie down loose.  He slipped an arm around Megan and kissed the top of her head before he gazed at their daughter.  Alexandra was a town of solidarity, he believed and today was proof of that.

Patrick Peterson stood with Sajani and watched.  He saw his brothers sign and wholeheartedly approved.

Hank squeezed Judith's hand and listened to the music.  His gaze fell on the Engine parked on Central.  It was there mostly in case the electrical equipment Kagiso Jackson loved so much shorted out and started a fire, but it also had a large painted sheet over its side that read AFD supports BLM.  As Chief he had approved it without question.

Josh stood near Hank and Judith, keeping half an eye on Maddy, who had run with her friends to watch Tony sing.  He'd sat with his granddaughter and tried to explain things as best he could, but he could not defend the police in ... any of the situations in which police overstepped their bounds.  He felt all he could do is stand in solidarity with this protest.  Alexandra police were, in his opinion, a cut above.

India stepped up ad Tony's song finished, but they weren't done ... She began another with him and Kagiso, blowing a kiss to her husband and daughter before including everyone else as she sang her bit walking around the stage.

Logan did not mind Kurt hugs.  Not in public or anywhere else.  And in the last days, he'd seemed to need them more as friends like Theo and Ziggy Alvin seemed to be in so much pain he couldn't even imagine.

Marcus danced in place, giving Chris a thumbs up and nodding at Ryan.  Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Natalie and gave her a soft smile, moving a little closer to her and spinning a bit as India hit an incredible note before Kagiso took over the singing.

Sally swayed back and forth to the singing and burst into applause when India hit a note that seemed like it might be difficult.  She watched Walter and was actually proud of him again.  There were distracting mainlander tourists girls about, but Walter either hadn't noticed them or was focused on the concert instead of the scattered young ass all over the park.

Clare Mercier stood on the fringes.  She had no sign but with her sundress had her afro tied back with a headband with a replica of the Ghanian flag on it.

Tom O'Leary stood with Heather and his fellow firefighters that were off duty.  He thought of how this town had come to be such a glorious home for him and his woman.  The life they made here had not started easy, but was now more than he dreamed it could be.

Cheryl stood near her daughters.  Chloe was between her and Daphne, supporting Tony and her sister.  Cheryl could see that today .. it was not just about Tony singing, but about the message he and the other blak artists on the island were giving out to Alexandra and the world.

Anna and Phoenix stood on top of their apartment, holding hands and listening to the music.  From the rooftops they could hear the music clearly, but had decided not to go into the crowds today.  They knew that those who needed to know that they were supported knew that they were supported by ‘that odd hippie couple’, and that is what mattered.

As the video of the murder ended, it was replaced by pictures of George Floyd, Régis Korchinski-Paquet and Pierre Coriolan .. this was not just about the crimes against Americans, but Canadians as well.    And intermixed pictures of Martin Lither King and Malcom X, both together and separate.

Darcy was both moved and disturbed by the music and the images and the energy of it all. She noticed Vincent wave to her earlier and waved back with a look of love. She had spotted her neighbour friend Claire standing alone on the fringes just as the music ended. She politely excused herself from the group of women officers she was engaged with and walked over “Hey…” She said kindly to Claire “That was a lot. How are you doing?”

Gareth had supported his family, his Black foster family and hugged and passed out signs and made friends with the grey dog brought in by Theo. She was a sweet thing with lots of kisses for him, maybe too many for Ziggy while she was trying to make signs. After the music stopped he wanted to go ask about the dog, but there was something he had to do first. He wove his way through the crowd looking for Kagiso Jackson. When he spotted him, he held back so as not to interrupt him as many people wanted to talk with both Kagiso and India. When there was a natural break in the flow he stepped in and hesitated, unsure what Kagiso would be comfortable with “Hi…..you’re amazing. Can I hug you?” Was his offering.

Natalie noticed Marcus’s dancing and chuckled a little. It was sweet. God she had a soft spot for this guy. Stop that Natalie. But today’s event had a greater purpose than just her new friend. Was he a friend? Closest thing she had in this town. However her heart was warming to the town as they took this huge stand of solidarity against the atrocity and injustice of what happened to George Floyd and so many others. The names and pictures made her clench her jaw a bit. She gave all the performers her full applause and respect and then with a small but genuine smile at Marcus she looked like she might be getting ready to slip away back to her hotel room.

Upon a little grand herding motion from Paul the Thrifty Foods staff began to walk back to the grocery store together as a cohesive group, united and moved by the events of the prottest. A few of them, including Paul and Fiona had gone to Ziggy to take offered signs from her and hug both her and Lydia.

John was in the center of the Power Plant crew and after giving Quentin a fierce slap on the back type hug he also herded his workers back to their jobs, leaving Quentin to take as much time as he wanted or needed. Quentin looked misty eyed as he let go of John, was hugged by a few other coworkers including Colin and Stacy Henshaw, and then as his work crew walked off he began to scan the crowd for his beloved Addy. As he turned around to look behind him, bam she was right there.

Daphne saw Tony’s prolonged wave and it brought a smile to her face. Then she heard him sing with such feeling among the others and was almost rooted to her spot, As the protest started to thin out she wandered off from her mother and sisters a bit trying to see if she could say something to Tony. A lot of attention was on him today as it should be. She didn’t know what she was going to say. It was bigger than his music or her crush on him. She stood on the edge of a group chatting to him and just kind of hovered, trying to think of something.

Claire looks at Darcy with a combination of happiness, sadness and fear.  "Yes ... it was."  she looks at the images a moment.  "Dave ... would never have ... come here ... or been supportive of this all ... he was just ... so ..."  she blows out a breath.  "But I'm good.  I'd like to move into a smaller place.  I don't need two bedrooms and I'm scared to advertise for a roommate."

Kagiso was a little overwhelmed with autograph requests and the like.  The people coming in from the mainland were asking for autographs from both he and India.  But then he spotted a familiar face.  Gareth.  he asked for a hug and Kagiso gave it all too willingly.  "You're pretty amazing yourself, my man."  he lets the hug linger then pulls back, looking at Gareth for a beat.  "You out the house and it ain't on fire.  Imma take that as a compliment." 

Marcus sees Natalie smile and it warms him.  But she looks like she might be heading back inside and he has a choice to make.  Let her go, or stop her and talk to her.  Neither of them is exactly a huge conversationalist, but he approaches her.  "Leaving so soon?"  he asks with both genuine interest and a slight crings, because he realizes it sounds like a cheap pick up line, but he doesn't back away from it.  He owns it.

Ziggy  hands out signs and takes hugs, feeling a bit better after the protest.  She doubted much would change, but by showing up, she had made her opinion known.  Peacefully.

Addison was making her way to Quentin at the end of the protest, and was standing right there when he turned around.  Putting her arms around him, she stood on tiptoe for a kiss, partly afraid someone might say something.  But she loved this man ... no matter what.  The skin color thing she knew counted.  She'd been with him long enough to understand that.  It was a baseless fear that the last week had changed his feelings for her .. because she still loved him as much as ever .. if not more.  "I love you."  was the first words to come out of her mouth.

Tony got off of the stage and, before he knew what was happening, he was in a circle of girls his age ... and older girls .. and women .. maybe 7 of them in all and all wanting an autograph.  He signed several and accepted the compliments.  Finally he worked his way to the edge of the crowd and saw Daphne standing there.  His smile was refreshed and he moved, reaching out and taking her hand if he could, as the crowd dissipated a bit the other girls looking on.  "Hey, Daph..."  he murmured, looking at her. He was flying on adrenaline and very proud of himself.  He doesn’t even realize that he’s shortened her name to something more familiar.

Hikari and L stand off to the side in quiet  reverence and support to the community and George Floyd in solidarity. They are dressed in simple matching black button up shirts and trousers arms linked

Ryan had seen Marcus’s nod but his daughter commanded his attention before he could return it. When he saw Marcus looking his way later he did nod back with a warm smile. He supported his fellow officer today and moreover he just liked the new guy. Marcus was genuine and a true to heart officer for all the right reasons someone should be. He chose the path because he wanted to help people. It showed in his very respectful work with Kira. After the music ended and the crowds began to move around he handed Jayla off to Sakura, who was only too delighted to have her and he sought out India and as soon as he got to her he pulled her by the hand if she allowed it and into a tight embrace “I’ll say it again. I love you. You are beautiful and strong and what you did today for this town is the most amazing thing I’ve ever seen.”

Darcy tilts her head at Claire “Scared because of..” She gestures in the general direction of the protest. “Dave was a dick. I don’t generally wish anyone dead but I am glad you’re not in that...especially now.” She thinks “You know my kid moved out on me..” She laughs and head juts at Vincent who’s currently all doe eyed next to Fiona “And as you can see, I think it’s permanent. We should talk maybe. I don’t know if we’d click as roommates or drive each other nuts but it’s worth discussing over a pot of tea maybe? I should warn you that my family….is kind of a force of nature when they visit.”

Gareth slides a hand over Kagiso’s cheek “It is. Thank you for the song. It helped.” He stepped back a bit as the crowd pressed in but didn’t step all the way away. He looks around “This was phenomenal.”

Natalie raises a brow at the cliche line from Marcus and looks like she might be about to shoot him down but then from her torso a laugh shakes out “I’m not sure how to answer that nicely but I’m suspecting it’s not actually meant from you the way I’ve heard it before.” She surveys the crowd “I can see why you like it here.”

Quentin beamed at Addy, still raw with all the emotions “I love you too.” He lifted her up a bit, aare that she was on tiptoes and just kissed her tenderly, There was a click of cameras, possibly a friend or possibly a news photographer. He ignored it and just stayed present to the moment.

Daphne looked down at Tony’s hand holding hers and blushed a bit “Hey Tone…” she joked back, shortening his name too and then she made a face “Oh no I don’t like that….you’re Tony. But you can call me Daph if you want. You did amazing up there…” She felt like her words didn’t cover it so she leaned in and if he didn’t run away screaming she would lightly kiss his cheek before becoming shy again and stepping away to almost run and catch up with her family.

India stopped signing autographs as soon as she saw Ryan headed for her.  She relished the tight embrace and returned it.  With a smile she replied.  "It was incredible ... and just wait till Saturday ... that's ....  helping life .. if that makes sense?"  she blows out a breath.

Claire bites her lip at Darcy's initial words.  She has tried to be sad at Dave's passing, but all she really feels is relief.  Then she looks at Vincent and smiles.  Then she blinks and looks at Darcy for a long time.  "I ...  tea ... sounds nice ..."  and she laughs at the description of Darcy's family.  "That might be a breath of fresh air..." and she laughs a little bit.

Kagiso smiles.  "That's what friends are for...."  he sings softly and nods as he looks around.  "Yea.  And more important .. the town ain't on fire and no glass got broken or none of that ..."  he sighs in frustration.  "This is a good place."

Marcus laughs lightly.  "Yea ...  not like that."  he answers succinctly, realizing that answer is both true and false.  He looked around and nodded.  "Yea ... it's ... special."  he huffs lightly.  "I got no fear here."  his eyes drift in the direction of the ferry and then back.  "It's a safe place."  he licks his lips and watches her.

Addison  nearly melted in Quentin's arms with that single kiss.  She heard the camera's also, but assumed they were for India or Kagiso.

Tony chuckled at both the name and the face she made.  "I'm no Tone Loc."  he teased back.  "And maybe I'll call you both."  he teased and then when she mentioned his performance, he was about to reply when she kissed him on the cheek.  Before he could respond, she was gone, back with her family.  He looked at the void where she’d been … a little stunned.

Ryan kissed India lightly and nodded “Yep. You’re doing really meaningful work here India. Today, Saturday, what our daughter is watching you do everyday. And I am looking forward to Saturday. Wouldn’t miss it for anything.”

Darcy has to laugh at Claire’s bravery and optimism. “They’re a breath of something...I’ve always seen it more like that dental gas stuff they used to use.” She smiles “Tea tomorrow after work?”

Gareth smiles at Kagiso’s singing. “People focus too much on the destruction of property though and it lets them forget why people are angry. If we had more towns like this…” He looks around sadly and then gives Kagiso a little shoulder squeeze now stepping away with the indication that he’s departing “Take care Kagiso.”

Natalie looks both relieved and a little pensive. She hears his comment about safety and ses the look towards the ferry, the mainland. She clues in a bit and gives a little sigh “Maybe you were meant to take this job, and not just for the ghost stories.”

Quentin pulled back from Addy and grinned and turned his head just as Daphne McLeod kissed his son on the cheek before taking off. He blinked “Man…...kid’s growing up too fast….did you see that? Maybe it’ll give some light to the darkness for him.”

India accepts the kiss and leans into him.  "You better not miss it."  she laughs lightly.  "And I hope she grows up without all this .... bullshit."  she sighs deeply.  He knows by now that she doesn't believe those words.  She tugs at him a little bit.  “Come on .. let’s go home.”

Claire laughs a bit more at Darcy's words and winces.  "That's ...  kinda ... cold."  but she is still laughing.  "But family can be like that, I guess."  then she nods.  "Yea ... That sounds good.  Tomorrow it is.  I can meet you ....  there?  Wherever .. there is?"

Kagiso gives a sort of sad grin.  "It's misplaced anger ... but what else can we do?  Sing?"  he then nods.  "You too, man."  he watches Gareth walk away and then turns, looking for the source of the cameras he heard.

Marcus purses his lips when she talks about being meant to take this job.  "maybe."  he pauses.  "Nothing happens by mistake, I don't believe.  I just have to figure out why people come into my life ... and how they are meant to touch it."

Addison grins.  "I saw it."  she watches as Tony walks off slowly, in the direction of home.  "I hope it does too.  Should we give him some time with his thoughts?" she wonders.  "Dad's at the bar tonight.  I think after this he AND Jack are working it." which means a little alone time …. If Quentin wasn’t in a dark place himself. If he was, Addy would listen to him, like she always did.

Ryan smiles and then gives India a knowing look and feels her tug “Good plan.” He nudges his mother who has an already sleeping Jayla on her shoulder. It was a lot of intensity surrounding that little girl of theirs. He gently took her so Sakura wouldn’t have to carry her all the way home and comfortably shouldered her himself giving a little sweet look to his beloved wife. She knew how much he loved it when Jayla crashed on him. They walked home.

Darcy tapped her head “Sorry...long day. Uh come by around 5 ish and I’ll make the tea, Unless you’re craving the Perkatory...which is also cool.”

Natalie muses about Marcus’s words, a little skeptically “So it’s all some grand universal plan? What about free will Marcus? Because we humans are highly efficient at fucking with a plan.” She’s dropped more formalities now and is speaking very casually.

Quentin takes Addy’s hand and kisses it “Yeah. I’d like that. Some quiet with you is what I need….” he starts walking with her.

Claire nods.  "Let's make it your place.  The kids will think I am stalking them before finals if I go to Perkatory now."  she laughs.  "So I'll knock on your door after I'm home and drop off my homework.  Thanks, Darcy."  and she'll offer a quick hug before heading home, maybe with her new friend.

Marcus arches a brow.  "Free will is crucial.  But people come into our lives and there is always a reason.  Sometimes it's good, sometimes it's bad and sometimes it's something so insignificant we don't really even notice it."  he huckles.  "Planning is usually the first step to fucking up.  Maybe the best plan is not to plan.  Just ... let things happen."  he holds up a hand.  "Not in your work, obviously .. but in other areas."  he lets her think of this what she will, but watches her reaction, even if he looks casual.

Darcy gives Claire a quick hug back and smiles “Aww thanks.” She laughs about the students and as they start to walk their chatter goes on and the potential roommate question can be heard before they’re away from the crowd “So where do you stand on Star Trek….” and they’re off and out of range.

Natalie considers that their conversation warrants more investment and gestures to a nearby bench before sitting down “Alright. I’ll keep an open mind. Although I’m a planner by nature. Is this in the realm of philosophy for you or … psychology? Spirituality?” She’s not drawing his comments into the realm of the personal. “Would you like to discuss it over a drink? Purely for intellectual curiosity of course.”

Marcus nods at her open mind and then answers her question in his simple way.  "Yes."  He is ready to talk and then she asks him if he'd like to talk over a drink.  "Of course.  You bought last time, so this drink is on me."  he considers.  "Statutes .. the only bar in town besides the dance club.  Perkatory .. and there's always 'my place or yours'."  he quips.  Mostly.

Natalie considers Marcus with an unreadable expression for a near full minute. Then she just leans in and whispers something in his ear before clearing her throat and quietly standing up to walk away...

Kagiso remained behind.  He oversaw the workers as they took down what they had so carefully put up.  The park was not immaculate, but it wasn’t trashed, either and town workers were already setting about cleaning.  He loved that about this place.  When it wasn’t being a nightmare, it could be almost too idyllic.  But mostly, Alexandra was in between.  They were back in the world and the world was now free to touch them … for good or ill.