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bound_lexi (bound_lexi) wrote in bound_rp,
@ 2014-12-22 16:11:00

Entry tags:

alexis ballard

Shopping, wheee.....
Date: December 22nd
Time: Around 5 pm
Location: Coffee Shoppe, Main Street location
Characters: Alexis and Kelo (OPEN)
Description: Trying to find the hottest toy this year....get your minds out of the gutter.
Status: Ongoing

After all, she could have finished all of her shopping for her son right at GameStop, or TechShoppe, or any electronic store within the larger shopping complex. And Alexis had given in and purchased a game for Jacob that had been at the top of his list. She already knew that Benjamin would likely shower their son in every other game known to man, and at least half of those violating her house rules about sex and violence, but she would have one gift that her son appreciated and knew came from her. She wanted to buy the rest of his presents from local places, support their hometown, and teach him a little about gratitude and paying it forward.

But she was tired, and cranky, and her ex-husband had not been returning her calls, so she arranged for Jacob to spend the night at a friend's house, so she could do her last minute local walking-and-buying. The cold wasn't too bad today but it still drove enough people indoors. She had hit every tiny boutique and shop on Main Street as far as she could tell, and now her reward was a strong, hot tea and some peace.

The line inside the Coffee Shoppe threatened to undo her. Shifting from one aching foot to the other, Alexis imagined throwing a tantrum the likes of which her son had finally outgrown, but she remembered all too well. The memory made her smile now, and apparently it was friendly and not-evil enough to get an answering if tired smile from the barista as well.

Finally, clutching the herbal tea tightly in her chapped hand, Alexis ducked and weaved through the patrons until she managed to snag a tiny table all the way against the wall, and settled into the chair with a sigh. Taking off the scarf, hat, gloves, bags, purse, and finally jacket, she felt like spring shedding the frost of winter. Closing her eyes, she paused to breathe in the warmth and scent of her tea. On the table by her elbow, a little spring of poinsettia in a glass vase slowly curled towards her, but she didn't notice.

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bound_lexi
2015-01-18 05:12 am UTC (link)

Alexis had opened her mouth to do just that when he held up his hand, so she relented and just said, "Kelo, got it."

And then hesitated. He was homeless. And at Christmas, too....what a shitty time to be on the streets. In Maine of all places. The old Alexis would have been all about taking in strays...but she had Jacob to worry about, and Benjamin, for that matter.

But she was still who she was. "I think I do," she said, with a nod. "If you don't mind hippies, and probably not a little bit on incense, I know a group around here that offers beds and doesn't ask questions." Well, they didn't ask her questions anymore, because Alexis had stopped answering about when she was coming back to that Circle.

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bound_kelo
2015-01-18 05:25 am UTC (link)

"Seriously?" A smile spread across his face.

"This isn't some homeless shelter that's going to run me through all kinds of checks, make me do all kinds of praying and confiscate me shi..." He bit off the last word as it slid out, revealing more then he intended.

"So, you hang out in coffee shops by yourself much?" He leaned down to grab his backpack with the question then pulled a bag that held what looked like stones, beads and string out of it. He started to fish in it as he waited for her response.

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bound_lexi
2015-01-18 07:25 pm UTC (link)

"It's not that kind of shelter," Alexis assured him, although it was humored. "Truthfully, they are pretty peaceful types. And they don't pray....at least, not in a way that you are likely thinking. Picture more....nature goddess types."

She gave a small laugh at the question as he went into his bag. "I don't usually have time to myself," she said. "So, no. This is just because I have to be out shopping for Christmas, and it's wicked cold. What about you? Why here....why....Maine?"

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bound_kelo
2015-01-18 07:56 pm UTC (link)

Not really sure what she meant, Kelo stared at her for a minute, his experience with religions limited mostly to that of the Islands and the Christian based types found in most shelters.

"I'm afraid you've lost me on that one." He scrutinized her for another few seconds then plucked a couple of pieces from the baggie before returning it to the backpack.

"I'll take whatever I can get though if it means not sleeping in the weather though. I got no cash, but, I can pay my way with these." He pushed a beaded necklace and bracelet across the table toward her, woven hemp with stone beads placed within the twisted pattern.

"I just wander, you know, I kind of needed to see an ocean, an so, I ended up here."

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bound_lexi
2015-01-18 08:39 pm UTC (link)

"You'll figure it out." And if he didn't like it there, he was a big boy, he could get himself back out. Alexis tended to be soft-hearted, but not indulgent.

As he pushed the bracelet over, she appraised it with a sincere eye. "They will probably take that fine....it's quality work." She had lived with her au natural, organic parents long enough to recognize that. "You know, Kelo, this area is pretty heavy into the small business, locally made stuff. You should see if you can sell your work at one of the local shops. Might help." She looked up with a dry smile as he mentioned the ocean. "As for water, there are places the ocean is a lot nicer than this. I wouldn't even call these beaches around here."

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	bound_kelo 2015-01-18 09:33 pm UTC (link)
	"No, those are for you, for offering to help me." He held the bag up. "I have plenty more, though, I make them to help me get by, usually I just hang out on a corner or in a coffee shop to move 'em, so, finding a shop might be kinds sweet." He held the baggie up so she could see the variety in it. "How'd you hook into these people that have this place?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bound_lexi
2015-01-19 02:27 pm UTC (link)

"All I've done is given you an address, more or less," Alexis answered, humored, but she knew better than to be rude and refuse a gift. "Thanks, this is nice." She didn't it on, but palmed it for now.

"I grew up around here," she replied, taking another sip of her tea. "My parents were born and raised roughly in this area, and I still have a good number of cousins and other distant relatives floating around. I know some groups that go way back, and that's one of them. I haven't spent time there recently....left to see the world, and ended up back here." She chuckled. "But they never change, at least."

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bound_kelo
2015-01-19 05:54 pm UTC (link)

"You've kept me from sleeping on the street for at least tonight anyway, and considering you don't know me from a rock on the street, I figure it's more then worth a couple of these." He pushed the necklace over to join the bracelet she'd already picked up.

"Must be kinda nice to have family around." He brought his coffee cup to his lips, even before he felt his Grandmother's presence around him. Oh, God, not now... He gulped several swallows, knowing what he really wanted was a drink, or a smoke.

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bound_lexi
2015-01-19 07:00 pm UTC (link)

"Very well, the price of one night's lodging." Alexis smiled, taking the necklace as well. Her fingers threaded through it, admiring the handiwork.

"Family is a two-edged sword," she admitted. "It depends usually on what they ask of you, isn't it? For example, I have an ex in town.."

Alexis' voice dropped off as she sensed an increase in mana, floating around the two of them. Frowning slightly, she started to open her mouth, but decided to just....maybe, sense it a little. She was non-practicing, she reminded herself. Non-practicing! "Are you....hmm," she changed tack, "it feels a little staticky in here, doesn't it?" Was he a witch? Goddess, it would be just her luck.

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	bound_kelo 2015-01-19 07:37 pm UTC (link)
	Kelo was shoving the baggie back into the bag as she spoke and quickly looked up. "Yeah...I hear ya..."He stopped himself from saying more as his Grandmother's voice chided him to be nice, especially among a stranger. "Static?" He glanced around, not really sure what she was talking about. "You kind of lost me." The urge to silence his grandmother was growing. (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

	bound_lexi 2015-01-19 08:36 pm UTC (link)
	Her smile now was a bit fixed. "Don't mind me. I just mean an odd feeling. I'm pretty sensitive to....well, family would call it 'strange forces', right?" She laughed. "Probably just allergies. What about your family, if that's not too personal?" (Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

bound_kelo
2015-01-19 09:36 pm UTC (link)

"Nah, I don't have anyone anymore," He fiddled with his cup as he contemplated how much to say.

"I was raised by my Grandmother, she died when I was a kid, and after that I just hit the road, been on my own ever since." He gulped back his coffee.

"I grew up on the Islands, when I was olde enough, I decided I needed to find someplace different, so I left., been roaming the mainlands ever since."

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