fandomtownies | The Perk, Monday morning

Entry tags:

The Perk, Monday morning

Jon had woken up far too early to get to the radio station. He hadn't even had time for tea first. So he was remedying that now.

Fortunately, the coffee shop had tea. He ordered Earl Grey with a bit of milk and sugar, and it wasn't as good as Martin's (though he might be somewhat biased there), but it was hot and caffeinated.

Once he thought of Martin, though, he could practically hear him insisting that sitting in the flat all day wasn't healthy. He wavered a bit, then sighed and sat at a table. He could stay out at least until he finished his tea before heading home.

[Open post for all your caffeine and/or Archivist needs!]

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Sleep had been elusive yet again and by the time Dwight walked into the coffee shop, he had already been up for several hours. He was in desperate need of caffeine. And preferably a normal night's sleep. But he would take what he could get and the coffee would suffice for now.

He placed his order of a large iced coffee, because as much as he loved hot coffee, it was still far too hot to be drinking a bunch of that. As he turned from the counter to find a place to sit, Dwight caught sight of Jon sitting a little ways away.

He gave him a smile and a slight wave as he sat down at one of the nearby tables himself.

Jon glanced over at Dwight and gave him a brief smile that was more of a grimace before burying himself in his tea. He supposed it was the curse of a small town that he was likely to see the same people again. So long as he kept a good rein on his hunger and the man didn't try to tell him too much, it should be fine.

He was an adult, he could handle sitting in public. This was a thing he could do.

It didn't take a genius to see how uncomfortable Jon seemed. Dwight settled in with his coffee for a minute or two then looked over st Jon.

"Settling in ok so far after the first week?"

That was a simple enough question right? Open and friendly, but totally up to Jon how in depth he wanted to answer. That was a good start right?

"Ah...yes, thank you." Jon tried for another smile. It went about as well as the first one.

He was quiet for an awkward moment, then managed, "The squirrels got me up early for radio."

"Yeah, caught the broadcast this morning. You have a lot more patience than I do dealing with the squirrels" Dwight said with a slight laugh.

"Hm?" Jon frowned. "They're professional and thorough. I will admit, the fact that they're squirrels was odd at first, but they're clearly sapient. They do drink a bit much, but it doesn't seem to impair them."

Yeah, that wasn't what most people minded about them, Jon. You just had a skewed sense of voyeurism.

Just hope you didn't wake up early one morning to find one of the furry buggers siting at your window pretending to be doing normal squirrel things when you knew for an almost guaranteed fact they were snooping on you as you slept. Just give it some time Jon... it was going to happen.

"I think most people who end up here drink a bit more than they would usually. Course, I know people who can drink like a fish and it not phase them in the least, so I guess 'excessive drinking' is all subjective depending on what planet or universe you are from.... And I am still not use to saying that" Dwight said with a laugh as he took a drink of his coffee.

They wouldn't be the only or the creepiest thing that had watched while he slept.

"I wonder if the squirrels are from somewhere else, then. I know the ones in my world are just...well, pests, really."

He blinked, then looked over to where a squirrel was eyeing him over its notebook. "No offence? They're, um. Nothing like you."

Dwight gave the squirrel a look and sighed.

"So, how's the building manager position treating you? I admit I've never really done much there yet other than passing by on my early morning runs. Only been inside once to drop off something. But the place looks nice from what I've seen of it."

Edited 2021-09-06 21:41 (UTC)

"It's very nice," Jon agreed. "I haven't actually done anything yet, so...I have no idea, really. And the, um...the woodworking?"

"It's going well. Staying busy. Been working on some shelves for one of my regular customers, and that's been a.... bit of an on-going project here lately it seems" (for a number of reasons that didn't need to be brought up- island insanity and all that fun stuff.)

"Ah. Yes, I imagine repeated calamities must be somewhat frustrating. Hopefully there will be no more of...all of that? For a while at least."

"Guess word gets around fast," Dwight said with a smirk. "Course, my first full day on the island was a... ummmm.... memorable one due to island oddness. So it doesn't take long to get your first experience. Though" he said, nodding in agreement "could definitely use a little 'normalcy' for a little while. Would be nice."

"My first day was...well, once I arrived, it was remarkably normal, apart from being expected. And in America. I understand this last week was odd, but it seems to have bypassed me. Apart from giving me a car I can't use, that is."

"Yeah, this week was relatively mild by comparison. Think the craziest thing I've experienced so far on the island was when about a quarter of the town and a bunch of people, including myself, ended up trapped in the bottom of a hole for like three weeks. So yeah... island randomly giving out clothes and cars, I will take that and not complain" Dwight said with a chuckle.

"A hole?" Jon blanched. "I...I mean, that sounds...unpleasant."

"Yeah it was.. quite the ordeal. Especially as the new guy in town..." Dwight rubbed the back of his head and then forced a grin. "But if that didn't chase me away from the island I figured I got a decent chance of making it here huh?"

"I...I suppose so? You are still here, after all."

The Buried was not Jon's favourite fear.

"It takes time but if you get used to the quirks and oddness... the island really isnt all that bad. Annoying and frustrating and disruptive at times. But nothing really overtly dangerous or malevolent. Just- peculiar."

"I- That's...well, that's refreshing, I suppose. It put a suit in my closet, and it hasn't tried to...I don't know, take me over or smother or replace me or anything."

"Nawww, worst I've seen really is relatively harmless hallucinations, the hole businesses.... and random teleportation that is more annoying than anything for the most part..." Dwight shuddered slightly remember being trapped in the weapons shop. "So all in all, not too bad. Kinda helps if you are already used to the odd and bizarre, which I dare say is a safe enough bet to say we both are quite used to no?" he gave Jon a knowing, somewhat sympathetic grin.

Edited 2021-09-07 01:52 (UTC)

"I suppose you could say that," Jon said warily. "In my experience, the 'odd and bizarre' is rarely benign or harmless, though."

"Same back home. Which is why I think Fandom's quirks seem kinda mild in comparison."

Dwight left it at that as he put his attention back to his coffee. He remember how Jon had reacted the other day when he had started walking about things back in Haven. So, he left things there. Jon could ask if wanted to know more.

Edited 2021-09-07 02:36 (UTC)

No, Jon was fine with that, thank you. He relaxed infinitesimally and nodded. "If the worst I have to contend with is ending up in a store I didn't intend, I...I think I would be fine with that."

You said that now, Jon; wait until you ended up in Dite's.

"Yeah, you are going to settle in just fine," Dwight said with a reassuring nod as he fell silent and finished up the coffee.

Jon snorted. "I don't know if that speaks worse of me or this island."

"Little of both?" Dwight reasoned. "Everyone here seems pretty decent and on the up and up (save for a few). But the island does seem to have a very eclectic taste on who it calls."

I mean, have you met Sidon yet, Jon?

He had seen Sidon! He had resolved to stay far away. Less for the "huge shark person" and more for the sheer exhausting enthusiasm.

There were a few questions in what Dwight had said, though. "Except for a few, you said."

"Yeah, well... I mean you cant expect to get along with everyone I guess. Even on a small island like this."

Dwight looked at Jon and gave him a warning nod. "Just don't get on Octavia's bad side. That is all I can say. It's not a good place to be..."

"O-okay." Jon hadn't even met Octavia yet, but he resolved to remember that. "And the island calls people, you said."

"Well, I mean that is the best way I can describe it. Some people are just brought here, like you were. A few of us came here by choice at least somewhat, like me."

Dwight shook his head, knowing how insane what he was about to say sounded.

"I know its crazy to talk like the island itself is sentient or anything. But something brings people here. Even the randomness of it is too good for it to totally be chance. Things might not change a lot for people when they come here, they still have to deal with their pasts and everything, but for some," Dwight glanced at Jon as he spoke. "it's like the island gives a second chance to have a second and hopefully better life. At least, that's how I'm beginning to see it personally."

Dwight fell silent and fiddled with the empty cup in his hand a bit awkwardly, realizing how much rambling he had just done. He gave Jon a small apologetic smirk.

Edited 2021-09-07 15:13 (UTC)

Yeah, Jon was totally ignoring that ridiculous "second chance" thing.

"But if I understand it, it's a nexus of sorts, so it would only make sense that people from other places are drawn to it, like...water circling a drain. Not that individual paths lead here, but given a lack of any other path to take, it's the natural direction of the flow."

"Right.... makes total sense" Dwight said with a slight nod.

Did Jon need to know he caught like maybe half of that? Naw, he knew what he meant... basically.

"However it is that people end up here, seems to have worked out pretty good for the most part.... at least for the few months I have been here. And that is far longer than it would take me to reach a decision one way or another back home. So I will take it as a good sign."

"Because it's more difficult to reach a decision, you feel it's a more valid decision," Jon noted, carefully not making it sound like a question.

Dwight nodded in agreement, not really having much more to say really. After a few minutes of silence he gave a soft sigh and pushed back from the table.

"Well I'm going to get another one for the road..." he said as he held up his empty cup. "I think it's about time I get back to the shop and start at least pretending to be productive today," he said with a laugh.

"Was good running into ya again, Jon. I'm sure I'll see you around" he said, giving him a slight smile and a nod.

Jon huffed a brief laugh. "Very likely, yes." It was, after all, a small island.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

The Perk, Monday morning

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject