deputyjparker

[deputyjparker]

Jonah's excitement was infectious and had Jo laughed and smiling at the memory of the blob. "Yeah, be prepared to be shot at least 50 feet in the air if you try it. For some reason I really didn't expect to go that high." Nodding as if she understand anything he was saying, Jo started to head towards the surf shop. Turning to Jonah, she said, "you sure trying to keep me on the board won't ruin the fun for you? I appreciate the help but if you want to branch off at any moment to ride a big wave or something, go for it." It seemed they weren't the only ones with the idea to surf, there was a line to get a board. "So, how long have you been surfing?"

"Hey, that's good!" Jonah replied enthusiastically, "Might click on a new favourite. I have yet to try the blob, have you done that one yet? I know it might not be feasible, but I would love if that thing stuck around." What wasn't to love than being flung in the air and dive back into the water. Jonah quickly realised all these camp activities were making his inner child come out, the non-nerdy side of his childhood at least. "Fantastic! Yeah yeah, just head down to the guys, they'll set you up with one. I'll come with if you'd like, get you something a longer board with a soft top preferably, that'd be good I think, since this'll be your first time." Waving off the warning, he grinned, "You'll be fine. I'll show you the ropes, we'll keep it simple. It'll be fun."

[deputyjparker]

Jo listened to Meena's ideas, shocked more at herself for not thinking outside of the box and considering these as options. But the rules of not being allowed anything you were given must have blocked any creative thinking she had, and made her just deal with what was given. Nodding, she smiled at Meena in thanks for her advice. "Yeah, they're helping me think up some other options. To be honest I didn't even consider taking it apart, but maybe I can figure something out that works for both Eren and myself." Remembering that Meena and JC had gotten a hammock, Jo asked, "how are you feeling about your set up? Thinking of modifying it as well?"

"If it's any consolation, it seems like half the team that won the sleeping bags, didn't want it But," A glint flickered across her gaze as she moved to sit next to Jo as she told her, "I have a few options. One, you keep that horrendous bivy sack unzipped, so that it could be used more like a fancy sleeping bag with an overhang to stop any potential rain from falling on you. It also seems a little less claustrophobic that way. Option two, we call a wolf over to cut it for you with their claws, so that there is a bottom sleeping bag-esque tarp with an overhang and a separate tarp piece to lay out across the ground. Neither of you will have to lay in the dirt in that case. I saw Nico taking apart his set up earlier, so it looks like deconstructing is fair game. Or three, if you're not against the help of a little magic, compulsion could make your body think that it is comfortable or an illusion could place you somewhere else. Or bonus option, we could just get drunk. Then you'll sleep like a baby regardless of where we are. Any of these sound appealing?"

[deputyjparker]

Jo couldn't help but snort at Skye's shock at her explaining these exercises had been intended to help everyone bond. "Yep, help you bond with your team, not everyone else's." While she could see his point, she wanted to clarify this wasn't meant to help the whole community bond, not yet, just make the teams stronger. "That's later on in the week." She wasn't going to agree or disagree on how trust could be built. Honestly, she just didn't want to pick apart the whole week. All she really wanted was to eat her burger and drink her beer.

As Skye asked about the kind of women she was interested in, Jo found herself shocked at the switch up and stumbling for words. And then he started scoping out the room. "Okay, reign it in." She said, trying to get his attention back to her. "I'm not looking to meet anyone right now, you're good." Taking a bite of her burger, she looked him over as she chewed. "Anyone looking good to you?"

Skye frowned at the answer, "This was bonding?" he asked with a small humorless laugh, "There was nothing but cheating and team against team," he shrugged and popped up a seltzer, taking a large drink and grimacing as he did. Who brought these? He thought bitterly, eyes scanning the crowd before his attention landed easily back on Jo. He shrugged, "You can't force people into a better space by putting them in bonding exercises and cross-the-line questions. Trust has to be built organically, by actions in moments that matter; grief has to pass on its own. This won't change that," he answered in a rare moment of sincerity. Having been forced into a boys camp where these sort of exercises were pushed upon them in terrible extremes, Skye had seen how these things could go wrong. Time was the answer to healing, and reflection was the answer to trust. Trust was earned, not won in a field day game. Skye realized after a short second what she was implying and he nodded, "Oh dope!" he exclaimed and sat down easily beside her, "What I'm gathering then is I'd be your perfect wingman- what sort of women are you into?" he said nodding his head towards a petite redhead, "She's cute, right?" He smiled, "I think she technically has a boyfriend-" he furrowed his brow and instead nodded towards the Fae Queen sitting by herself nursing a drink he'd not seen her put down all night, "She kinda intimidates me, but as far as I know," he nudged her playfully and sat back unbothered as ever as he sipped the seltzer and pulled another dissatisfied face.

[deputyjparker]

Lily Gladstone as Cam Bentland Under the Bridge - 1x03

[deputyjparker]

option a.

Cats could be picky assholes sometimes. Having run out of Lucky's favorite brand of wet food, Jo though she'd treat him to something new. No. You'd think after eight years of being a cat mom she'd realize it was best to stick with what her furry son liked. Tucking a 28 count of minced morsels canned food under her arm, she was headed to the check out when she noticed a nearby display starting to fall over. Putting her free hand out to stop it, Jo was surprised to see it's movement halted, having not even noticed the person who hit it and now held onto it. She was just so focused on the display. Putting her box of cat food on the ground, Jo smiled and shook her head no as she began to help fix the display. "No, no I'm good. You okay?" She saw all the items they had been holding and then offered, "you want any help?"

open / accepting replies (will probably cap it at four replies? not sure. my thread count is actually insane but haru needs love too)

A. in Paws and Claws

It didn't make sense for one of their first stops in town to be the small pet store, but that's where Haru found themself. In the midst of colorful collars, treats, and basically all they could need, Haru was carrying two overfilled baskets with stuff and still looking for more. Did their cats need new collars? No. Did Haru grab two for each cat? Yes. Did they need this ungodly amount of treats? No. Was Haru getting it all? Yes. Shuffling through the tight aisle before bumping into a small display and nearly causing it to topple over. "Fuck." Thankfully they dropped a basket on the ground in time to keep the display from falling. "Maybe I should check out." They whispered before looking to see someone near where the display almost fell. "It didn't hit you, did it?" The question was more just to confirm rather than to take accountability for what happened.

B. in any coffee shop, bakery, or eating spot

Haru should have known better than to walk into the small eatery at rush hour. They really should have. But against their better judgement, they entered, ordered, and received their order. The problem was just how many people were inside the place. It took a matter of seconds for them to bump into something and then another, and suddenly their drink was all over the floor and on themself. "You have to be fucking kidding me."

[deputyjparker]

She held Aaliyah's gaze for a moment, then finishing off her drink as she agreed. "Yeah, seems the most dangerous things are the most fun." Watching her grab the bartenders attention, Jo gave them a curt smile as she pushed her now empty drink towards them. She took the second beer and held it up to cheers with Aaliyah's. "Round two!"

{TIME SKIP}

Jo was barely listening as Aaliyah spoke about the piece of furniture the two were supposed to assemble. Assessing the pieces, tied her hair back in a low bun before she began to lie out everything by name and size. "I'll take a beer." Jo said, not taking her eyes off the pieces before grabbing the instructions. At the woman's question, Jo couldn't help but chuckle as she handed her the paper booklet. "Yeah, I have. How 'bout this, I build as you read out loud what pieces go where and hand me whatever screws are needed?" Getting down on her knees, Jo reached for a drill and what she assumed was the base of the dresser. Looking back at her partner, she said, "ready whenever you are."

"What can I say?" Aaliyah started, shrugging. "I'm a winner." Though, really, she cared very little for winning or losing the silly little camping games. Sure, it was fun, in a trifling sort of way, but she hardly found it important or the most enjoyable thing in the word. Just a necessity. She attempted a frown at Jo's laughter, but she could stop herself from smiling. "Aren't all the dangerous things the most fun?" she asked. "Aw, you're too sweet, Deputy. I look forward to seeing pictures of my quote hanging up." She raised her eyebrows and finished her beer, motioning for the bartender to bring their next round and put it on her tab. "Rules are for chumps. But... I suppose that's a decent one. Ready for round two?"

[time skip]

"Okay, so this apparently something called the Hemnes," Aaliyah said, setting down a six pack and looking at the disassembled mess in front of them. "It's supposed to be some drawers or something, I think." It looked like a fucking nightmare, in truth. Why anyone thought this would be a proper bonding session was anyone's guess. "I brought beer, at the very least, so this shouldn't be the shittiest thing in the world. Have you ever built one of these before?"

[deputyjparker]

Jo chewed on the inside of her cheek before letting out a soft chuckle at Aspen's question. "I'm pretty sure it was just supposed to be a way for us to understand each other a bit more, maybe connect?" Brows raising at the introduction, Jo was suddenly struck by how much Aspen looked like her sisters. Hearing that she was a Bishop made complete and total sense. At the mention of trouble, Jo shifted on her feet. She wasn't quite sure if Aspen was asking if there had been trouble, or trying to inform her of some. "Trouble?" She questioned, her voice becoming more serious than previously.

Her back had been feeling it for long after the campgrounds had ended things. Aspen definitely blamed the changing tent for this, although she would be remiss to admit it. She had taken that one for the team, despite Daphne's protests. And look! She had been right. No one had wrestled it away from them. This was simply how she lived her entire life: making decisions to do things that no one else would get in the way of. It could be said that this was how she ended up in this predicament. "That whole thing was a week of firsts for me. Including all the random questions. I'm still fucking sore about it. Like, did they collect it for surveys or something?"

And now, whispers from the council permeated the town. Narrowing her gaze at the hand outstretched, but ultimately, Aspen tried to be a good sport and also somewhat of a good neighbour. She shook Jo's hand. "Aspen. Eldest of the damn Bishop clan who have come here." She was proud of that, which took her back. At one point, she might not have been proud to be attached to them at all. But here she was. "And it looks like there's trouble of some kind? Lingering after what was supposed to be fun?" Then again, anything that went before the Council somewhat felt like being in trouble in school. She would know; she was usually the biggest culprit.

[deputyjparker]

She let out a laugh at the dig at Pickleball before confessing, "you know honestly, I don't even really know how that game works. But tennis is already not my speed, so if it's worse, you can count me out." Listening to Efe talk about his parents hopes for him when he was a kid, Jo nodded. Although she never really experience that. Her mother just wanted her to be happy and find a path in life that she would deem successful. But she understood what Efe meant, when he explained what he wanted out of his career. Jo felt very similar at times. "Paperwork is the bane of my existence. But don't let it deter you from chasing something you want, if you do want the title of lieutenant." All Jo wanted was to think the best of people, her community. It's why she wanted them all to come out of this week stronger then they entered it. "Hey, be as emo as you want. At the end of the day this is helping us build bonds as a team, but also as a community. I think that's pretty fucking beautiful."

"Ah, that's cool," Efe nodded in understanding. "When I left Lunar Cove for a bit, sports were always a good way to meet people. Pick-up basketball. Sparring at the gym. Hell, I started to learn Pickleball of all things, but between you and me, it kind of just feels like worse tennis, you know what I mean?" He laughed, shaking his head. An easy sigh escaped his lips. "Sure. I can't imagine doing anything else really. My parents wanted me to be a doctor, which is...you know, great. I'm a first responder. I'm not not in the medical field. But I find firefighting real fulfilling." he explained. "I'm not gonna pretend I don't like the action. I do. But I've just really wanted to...be out in the field. Helping people. Working with my hands. Making a difference. I'd explode in an office. I'm thinking about pursuing a lieutenant title, but...paperwork. Like hell, you know? Desk hours. Do I really want to do that?" He shrugged weakly, meeting her eye with a soft smile. "I hear that. I think I must be an idiot really. I still want to believe in the good in people. Something as stupid as being out here playing makes me want to do that. But I think it helps you fight another day. Not to be, like, emo in baseball or anything. I don't think that's allowed."

[deputyjparker]

"Ah I've been trying a little bit of everything out," she said with a shrug. Bringing a hand up to block the sun, her eyes settled on Jonah and his surfboard. At the invitation to join him, Jo looked between him and the water. Another day she might turn him down, but this week was teaching her one thing, she needed to try new things. Branch out, find some hobbies. Maybe surfing would be one. "Yeah, I'll join you." She began to walk towards him, wondering to herself if she needed to rent a board or if she could share Jonah's. "I've never done it before though. Just warning you. Should I go rent a board or?"

"Glad to hear it!" Jonah replied with a bright smile, "What have you been up to? There's a lot young on isn't there?" He had his eye on a few more things after this, especially the blob, but surfing came first. His smile quickly turned to a grin at the statement, "Ah, well, what can I say, I'm not hard to read. Especially not with a surfboard in hand." Not many things could keep him away from the water, and when it came to surfing, it grew even less. "Yeah actually, just about to head in. Wanna try it out? I promise it'll be fun. Unless you're here just for stroll along the beach? Or the jetskis, which are pretty cool too."

[deputyjparker]

Jo wasn't necessarily upset that she had to sleep in a bivy sack. Honestly, it could be much worse. She was however, upset that Eren ultimately would be forced to sleep outside. She and Eren weren't best friends. Being a P.I and a Deputy meant they had some fundamental issues they did not agree on, but it also meant that they could lean on each other when it came to cases. Perhaps Jo had some information she needed to get and didn't exactly have a way to do it in her line of work, she'd turn to Eren. Or, Eren needed information that was held in a database Jo had a log in to. They could have a mutually beneficial relationship, and so far that was how it had been. And on a personal level, well Jo liked Eren. He kept to himself, didn't talk when it wasn't necessary and sometimes you needed people around you that were like that. Which meant she didn't want him in a situation that made him uncomfortable, and clearly this arraignment was a nightmare for him.

She was currently checking out the bivy sack and the space it had. Honestly, if this was just her sleeping arraignments she would be pretty content with this arraignment. But it wasn't. Noticing Eren had returned from the bathrooms, she gave him a soft smile as she continued to wind down. She'd let him talk when he wanted to, she had decided. And clearly that was now, as he asked about how she was settling in. "Yeah, you?" She asked, eyes drifting to his makeshift sleeping arraignments for the night. Obviously there was only so much they had been allowed to bring out here, and Jo had packed her pajamas, a second layer of heavy clothes in case it got cold, along with snacks and water. Realizing she probably had more to keep her comfortable out in the grass then Eren, she made a decision. "Yeah, grew up in the woods so my mom and I would go camping a few times a year. How about you take the bivy sack tonight? I have some more clothes I can layer up in to keep warm. But at least in the bivy you've got some shelter. " And a nice place to escape everyone. "Besides, we probably would've been okay in the giant net if I wasn't so scared of heights."

setting: the campgrounds, night one

featuring: eren öztürk & jo parker @deputyjparker

His life was no fairy tale, but if it truly had been then Eren’s story would have started simple: Once Upon A Time there was a boy who fell in a hole. Ridiculously sounding at first, until the event which would end up defining his entire existence had been outlined. An event which he had tried to blink away from the hazy corners of his mind as they’d been driving through wooded areas towards the massive clearing for the final exercise of this whole event. Eren had spent decades of his life trying to forget that moment, the tumbling forward over his own bicycle into the murky depths, scraping his knees and elbows, trying to feel around for purchase, only for the deafening squelch as his hand settled into something soft and decaying. He had to swallow down bile at the thought, covertly taking a large swallow from his water bottle and hoping no telepath could hear it as he silently smoldered and reminisced. The last thing he needed was a panic attack where the whole town may see.

Perhaps that was why he’d been so damn surly during all of it. Anger flaring at the “sleeping arrangements” he and his partner had been securing, the only comfortable option for such a low ranking team that ensured they both slept decently without having to explore the potential of accidental touching being stolen away by some douchebag of a witch who by the way was too fucking tall for the sleeping bags anyway. This was asinine, this was messed up, this was—

It's a cruel (Cruel), cruel summer Leaving me here on my own

He liked the way Bananarama put it, the song blaring in his ears as he went about setting up for the night. Perhaps it was karma, for having dealt a somewhat cruel hand to a fellow fae with their own situation during the whole swap and steal mess of the game, but Eren found himself trying to craft a makeshift bed out of what he’d brought for himself beside the weird sack which he unceremoniously dumped on his partner. Perhaps it wasn’t as kind a gesture as it could seem — gentlemanly, because of course the ghost of his mother haunted him and told him he needed to take care of anyone else he was with more than himself, but there was also an odd sort of dynamic between local law enforcement and private investigators. A weird sort of camaraderie that also gave way to some level of animosity and rivalry at times. So he offered Jo the bivy sack while he neatly folded up the jacket and extra long sleeve he brought along for the two night camping, creating a sort of pillow to layer over his duffel and then laying out his unseasonal trench coat he took with him everywhere as a sort of “mattress” to lay on. Perfect by no means, but it would suffice.

Arriving back sometime later from the bathrooms, toothbrush still sticking out of his mouth and the nightwear combo of a potentially surprising white short sleeved t shirt and less shocking joggers, (because he’d been boiling all day in his layers and perhaps needed the cool night air on his skin to calm) Eren settled down onto his makeshift bed, flattening his leather gloves before carefully placing them between his folded clothes pillow and the duffle. Shaking his fingers out, flexing the digits that had been choked all day in their comfort confines, he turned then to the sack which was a few feet away and lifted his chin in an acknowledgement nod towards Deputy Parker. “Are you settling in fine?” He asked, words soft and expressing a sort of care though his tone was painted in his frustration with the whole thing. He was spraying his bare arms, the sleeves extra short and hugging his shoulders, with big repellent and had his head phones around his neck, volume up enough to hear the low hum of his music, but not enough to fully register the words. Eren stopped the casette player a moment later, digging out the tapes he’d brought along and flipping through to find a calming music mixtape he had made a while back for anxiety inducing moments such as this, shoving it into the Walkman and placing his small collection back into the duffle but not playing it just yet. “I’m sorry I didn’t spring for something better, but I assumed off that hiking pack that you may potentially be used to some level of roughing it while camping?” And at least it was ground level, as he could originally tell with one of their other options that the deputy disliked heights.

[deputyjparker]

Jo shrugged off the apology. Objectively she knew she should just try to move on, this was what she agreed on when partaking in the group events. But she knew Eren had issues with close contact, which meant even though she'd have shelter for the next two nights, he'd resort to sleeping on the ground. Maybe she should've pushed through her fear of heights and agreed to the net bed. At least they'd both have pillows and blankets. "Really was hoping no one was gonna want the sleeping bags." She said with a shrug. however, her eyes furrowed at Meena's offer to help. "What's going on in that head of yours?

"Please do," Her eyes crinkled at the thought. "The Clan could host, though we likely should keep it to Council only. Trying to squeeze the whole town onto a boat seems like a recipe for disaster," She pointed out with a playful wink as she gave Jo a small nod before heading off to go fetch them a pair of beers and a bottle of whiskey that she had no doubt some wolf had a bottle of somewhere around here.

{ TIME SKIP }

Meena wandered out of the change rooms in a matching silk set that many might chose to wear out for a night on the town and yet, for Meena, the silk ensemble was loungewear at best. Her brow lifting as she made a note of Jo clearly mentally preparing herself for what she could only imagine, giving the sight of the bivy sack was bound to be a rough night ahead. "I'm sorry, love. I hate to say it, but I think you ended up with the short end of the stick on this one. More so than most. Though, if you'd like I could help?" She offered up with a curve of her brow.

[deputyjparker]

Jo let out a breathy laugh as she took a drink. "You've won plenty of points already." She teased. At the mention of the blob, Jo actually laughed out loud, trying to envision Aaliyah being ricocheted fifty feet in the air into the water. But as she considered it, she actually could imagine Aaliyah doing some perfect Olympic worthy dive and landing more graceful then anyone else. "Those things are dangerous, but its fun, for sure." Jo had a rather ungraceful experience with a blob during one year at summer camp as a child. Didn't mean it wasn't fun. "Well then. Quote it is. I'll have it custom made." It was nice to know that Aaliyah thought so highly of them. Most of the time Jo was terrified of how she'd measure up if and when another supernatural attack happened. They had weapons for sure, but that wasn't always a fool proof plan. "Maiming was against the rules, didn't you hear?" She said playfully. But honestly, it was a good thing that rule was in place. Otherwise she was sure they would have had plenty of hospital visit.

"Maybe I'm just being on my best behavior for this little shindig," Aaliyah teased. "Cheating would give the vampires a bad rep. I can't be the one getting caught with that funny business. I'm a law abiding citizen, you know." She gave Jo a wink. "Say, does that win me any points?"

Aaliyah hummed. "Probably. I certainly participating in whatever the fuck a blob is." Then again, she'd never been much for sunbathing, even if she found it more preferable than the water. She'd gotten out of the habit of it; not that she'd ever had a habit for it to begin with. She did enjoy lounging though. There was an ordering coming into Eclipse that she really should monitor, but as long as her phone was on, she shouldn't have to conduct business in the backrooms with nothing but a bikini and a baseball bat. "Oh, please. A quote would be perfect. I do believe in the awesome and, quite frankly, intimidating power of human beings." So powerful, they just didn't try to be. All that potential to be something more, and yet they were perfectly capable all on their lonesome. Only fools underestimated humans. Aaliyah just wished she wasn't constantly surrounded by fools. "The lack of hospital visits is truly heartening. I expected a few more maimings, I won't lie. I was looking forward to breaking up a few fights, but, alas. I suppose this works better, anyways."

[deputyjparker]

"I'll be sure to suggest the next council bonding event is on a Yacht. One of those mega ones with a whole staff and private chef." It was a joke, there was no rhyme or reason for them to host an event on a Yacht, but it was a nice dream. "I'm not gonna say no a beer and a shot of whiskey to go with it. Sounds like a good time."

{ TIME SKIP }

Grabbing a washcloth, Jo patted her face dry after washing it in the communal bathroom. Tonight was likely to be a rough sleep, might as well try to get herself as relaxed as possible before hand right? Dragging the cloth down her face, she noticed Meena. "Okay, I'm trying to stay positive but I'm also not going to lie and say I'm excited to go to sleep tonight."

"I like boats. Just boats with a motor or a yacht. Yachts are wonderful. Why don't we do more events with Yachts?" She teased. The corner of her lips tilting upright at the thought. "Well, it's worth a shot?" She offered up with a small shrug. "Yes, I definitely was talking about alcohol. Two cold beers coming right up and maybe something a little stronger?" She teased, shooting Jo a playful wink at the thought.

[deputyjparker]

Jo laughed at Johan, he was upbeat and enjoyable to be around. And somehow even made the idea of getting carrots thrown at him feel lighthearted. It was an admirable trait, one that Jo thought could probably rub off on her. "Yeah, we're gonna ice this and make sure you're in tip top shape for tomorrow. Our team needs you." She said, helping him find some ice before ultimately heading home for the night.

{ TIME SKIP }

The free day activities felt like summer camp, and it was the kind of carefree fun that Jo needed. She hadn't done something like this in so long. Between her job and the council, Jo felt a lot of responsibility to keep this town safe and functioning, which meant generally, she was an incredibly serious person. But how could you be serious when being catapulted 40 feet in the air by a blob? She was currently heading towards the Salty Surf to try the jet skis when she noticed Jonah and his surfboard. "Hey! It's been fun." Motioning to the board, she spoke. "Should've figured you surf. You going in right now?"

"Oh I'm sure there are some that have a lot of experience, there's a variety of talent in this town. Magic or otherwise. I'm you think I can be of benefit to the team." And he hoped he could live up to that. "I love being underwater, can't exactly explain the feeling but something about it just calms me." It was a shame he couldn't have been born a Siren, after realising their existence was not just a myth, he wanted that life more. "A cold beer after work isn't bad actually, that hits the spot sometimes. Oh that's pretty cool actually, definitely fun and feeling like a kid is nice too."

He laughed her comment, "Oh absolutely, some vegetables cannot be trusted. But yes, sounds good," he nodded and got up from the floor, "Ice this and prepare for the remaining days, that's the agenda now."

{ TIME SKIP }

The waves called him and he had never been the one to deny that call. Picking up his own surfboard Jonah made his way down to the beach, clapping the helper from Salty Surf on the shoulder with a wide grin. He was well acquainted with the staff, had been one of the first things he did since coming to town, and in familiarity grew a friendship and chances to help wherever he could but they seemed to have things under control for the folk that gathered. About to rush off into the water, Jonah paused seeing a familiar face, "Hey, Jo! How're you enjoying your free days?"

[deputyjparker]

"I'll be sure to remember that." She said as she brought the beer up to her lips and took a long swig. The flirting just seemed to come natural. It was fun, it was light. Why think too deeply on it, right? Smirking, she tease. "Wow, no cheating? You must really like me then."

Crossing her arms, Jo watched Aaliyah fidget with her ring. She often wondered if the vampires missed the sun during the years they had gone without daylight rings. Did they embrace the world of darkness, or yearn for the warmth on their skin. Joe couldn't picture a life hiding from the sun. She also couldn't picture being anything other than human. "So free day, I should just look for you sun bathing by the beach?" Not that she would be actively looking for Aaliyah. Jo took another drink. "Don't worry, it goes up on my wall and I'll send you a picture. Maybe it'll be a quote so everyone knows how much you believe in us." She chuckled at the idea of everyone singing kumbaya, already speculating who in town would be most annoyed. "If they actually try it, that might be the one group activity I'll sit out of. Not my thing. Overall though, this seems to be going pretty okay. There's been some conflict, which is expected with so many strong personalities, but I'm feeling hesitantly optimistic."

"Oh, Jo, compliments will get you everywhere," Aaliyah teased, her grin widening. Easy, familiar steps. As long as Aaliyah remembered this was just their game, this was good. It was wonderful, really. "It's a deal, then. Don't worry, Deputy. I won't even cheat. It'll be fair."

Aaliyah sighed somberly, taking a drink. "Yes, well, vampires can't swim, so why on earth would we learn to row a boat? It's fucking unfortunate, I know, but it's witches that float, I'm afraid. We're weighed down from all the extra iron in our diet." She grinned, twirling her daylight ring. "I'm more of a sun bather than a get in the water kind of person, anyway. At least, I am with this beauty." Nodding, she added, "If you put that on a wall, I expect some credit with photo evidence. I might not be able to come into your exclusive human club, but I expect proof that my legacy's been upheld." She was, of course, glad to contribute something positive to the humans. It wouldn't do for others to forget to fear the people that could very well choose to hunt them into extinction. "I don't sing much myself, but do you need a good singing voice for 'Kumbaya?' Or just a winning spirit and a desire to annoy those around you?"

[deputyjparker]

"Sound's like it's a good thing you're on team CONs. I'm wondering how much rowing experience the rest of the town has." Baseball, dodgeball... that was usually something people at least experienced in grade school. But canoeing, archery, horseback riding, those are a bit more specific events. So she couldn't help but wonder what skills people were going to pull out of their back pockets. Her brows rose as Jonah talked about things like free diving. That took a lot of skill, if she wasn't mistaken. "Wow, impressive. Sounds like you've found a good way to decompress after a long day. I'm jealous. I just relax with a cold beer after work." She said with a laugh, although thinking about it, it might not be that funny. Kind of sad, actually. "I played softball when I was younger, so baseball fun. I felt like I was a kid again."

"I don't think anyone deserves being lobbed with carrots. If anything probably causes you to be mistrustful of vegetables." Softly patting his shoulder, she motioned over her shoulder. "Come on, we can go find you some ice."

"That," Jonah said with some reserve energy returning in anticipation, "That I'm excited for." He nodded at her question, "Sort of? I was on the swim team at school, but that's about as competitive as I got? I was mostly confined myself to the labs instead of being in sports teams. These games unlocked a different side that I didn't know I had. But most water related things I enjoy. I go for dives on the regular, either all suited up with gear or just free dives. Underwater is relaxing than above ground...which I know sounds strange." It had always been that way, it won't likely change nor would like that to change. "Were you into sports? Is there any game you're looking forward to?"

He gave her a smile, "I most probably will. Thank you." Shaking his head next though, he caught the wince and rushed to reassure her, "Don't worry about the carrots thing! I sorta deserved that." Thinking back to that moment, Bri did really help him in the end with that throw. "That'd be nice, I can't have it be sore for tomorrow."

[deputyjparker]

"The kind that aren't supposed to be the focus of a bonding exercise." Jo could be competitive in the right setting, but this wasn't it. This was supposed to a bonding experience at it's core, and Jo didn't want to cause any more tension or drama between factions just because she decided to be competitive about the bonding events. Jo smirked as she listened to Skye's idea of town bonding. While she didn't think it was a bad idea, the idea of throwing a party where there would definitely be alcohol meant a potential for a lot of inebriated adults who might have intense emotions about each other... it felt like bad news. "I agree, it does feel like theres been a lot of pressure... some of it self inflicted. I just hope everyone comes out of this in a better space." This was the third time Skye had made a slightly flirty comment and Jo knew that meant she had to lay it down thick. Which was unusual for her... she couldn't remember the last time she had to tell a man she was a lesbian. "Hey uh... I'm flattered and everything but, just wanna make it known I'm not interested in men." She took a bite of her burger after saying it, because sometimes shit gets awkward after that.

Skye leaned against the table, a coy interested smile toying on his lips, "Oh, so what sort of games would make you competitive?" he asked with a raise of his brow. Skye hummed, "I don't need a bonding exercise. I run a brewery. More than half the town has been sitting at my bar treating me like a therapist," he sighed, "we're bonded, like this," he crossed his fingers over one another. "I get the sentiment from the good ole council," he said, giving her a knowing look, "and I would never dream of questioning the supreme knowledge of our towns esteemed leaders, but if you were worried about bonding I'd say throwing a party where nothing bad happens, no cursed tamagotchi, no death, psychological torture etcetra, but maybe just a good party like that and we'd all be right as rain," he said dusting his hands together as if he had solved the mystery. Skye followed after, grabbing a plate for them both, he tilted his head towards her with a non-committal shrug, "I think it's been fun. I think some people might be putting too much pressure on one another- but whatever not my business what people stress over. I'm having the best time and," he looked down at her, "it's only getting better."