Trooper Station, Friday

[pocketpretzels]

It was a typical day at the Trooper Station. Which was to say, there was not much happening save the occasional odd phone call. The theme of which, today, seemed to be inquiring about the date for the next Recycling Amnesty Day.

“That continues to not be an officially recognized island event,” Watts told the fourth caller so far. “In fact, why are you even contacting the Trooper Station regarding this? I do believe this sort of inquiry is better suited to Town Hall.”

When he wasn’t fielding calls about a day that didn’t exist, Watts was singing quietly to himself “Katie Casey was baseball mad, had the fever and had it bad… ”

Comments

[pocketpretzels]

“It is a very nice smile,” Watts said. “So I am determined to do my part to see it as often as possible.”

[hasaknightjob]

"Lucky for you, you existing and being my beau does it handily," Steven said. Then, realizing, added, "Thank you."

[pocketpretzels]

“You’re very welcome, darling,” Watts replied.

[hasaknightjob]

That earned Llewellyn another kiss. "I'm looking forward to our trip. Blathers was all right for the time off. Can't remember if I told you?"

Perhaps no one should think too much about what Blathers might be doing next week.

[pocketpretzels]

“You had not, but I am not surprised. He seems an easygoing sort of fellow,” Watts told Steven.

What they would have done if Blathers had said no was… a bridge they’d hopefully never have to cross.

[hasaknightjob]

"He's very kind about that sort of thing," Steven said. He frowned. "Though rather concerned about the possibility of something called a fly ball?"

Blathers not being a fan of things that even sounded like bugs, you see.

[pocketpretzels]

And Watts not knowing that particular fact about Blathers had him giving Steven a confused look. "Why would he be concerned about that?"

[hasaknightjob]

"He doesn't care for insects," Steven said, whispering. Not that it was a secret, or that the Troopers could overhear them, but it still felt like something to say discreetly. "Bothers him to even talk about them."

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah," Watts nodded. "Understood. Well. It has nothing at all to do with insects despite the name."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven nodded as he filed that away for future reference. "I'm sure he'll be relieved. I'll tell him when we get back. Perhaps with other things I've learned."

Not that Steven was expecting to learn much about baseball. He could grab all the knowledge from Marc that he wanted and, well, hadn't felt inspired to do so yet.

[pocketpretzels]

"We could see a show or two while in Toronto," Watts mused. "Perhaps the symphony? We have not been in a while," he said, a note (heh) of something wistful in his voice.

[hasaknightjob]

Steven looked hopeful. "I'd like that. Something we can dress up for?"

[pocketpretzels]

"Be sure to pack a nice suit," Watts nodded. "And," he reached over to fix the collar on Steven's shirt. "Perhaps the tie and pocket square I gave you?" Of course it was ultimately up to Steven what he wanted to wear but Watts wasn't above giving a suggestion.

[hasaknightjob]

"Well they go so well with my nice suits," Steven said. "Of course I'll have to bring them if we're to dress up."

[pocketpretzels]

"Excellent," Watts declared. "Is there anything in particular you would care to do or see while we are there?"

[hasaknightjob]

"I'd love to do at least one museum," Steven said, shocking no one. "Art or history or the like."

[pocketpretzels]

"Yes," Watts said, giving Steven a fond smile. "I do believe we can find the time for that."

[hasaknightjob]

"I'd love that," Steven said. He thought about it. "Flight, baseball, carriage ride, show, museum - what else would you like to do? Is there anything with wine, maybe?"

[pocketpretzels]

"A tasting might be nice," Watts said thoughtfully. "Hopefully the local vineyards have moved on from counterfeiting. And fratricide."

[hasaknightjob]

"Not... into the wine, yes?" Steven asked.

[pocketpretzels]

"Ah," Watts shook his head. "No. Merely poisoned."

Merely.

[hasaknightjob]

"I see," Steven said, since he'd gotten something of an understanding of what Llewellyn's world was like. "But you caught them?"

Steven assumed it was Llewellyn who had solved the case, of course.

[pocketpretzels]

"Oh yes," Watts affirmed. "I still have the bottle of wine, actually. Not," he added after a moment, "the poisoned one. But an otherwise identical vintage. The only remaining, in fact."

[hasaknightjob]

Steven was going to ask if it was the poisoned one so he was relieved for the reassurance. "That's a keepsake, isn't it? Would you ever drink it?"

[pocketpretzels]

"I don't know," Watts admitted. "It's been opened- the killer was drinking from it as we arrived to arrest him. I sampled some from his glass, and it's- not half bad. But I've not as of yet found myself with any inclination to finish off the bottle."