James Wells "The Crusader"

Mirroring his expression, Clara raised her eyebrows as well; his words causing her to tilt her head slightly to the side before responding. “I’m sorry,” she said in a tone that made it abundantly clear that it was the beginning of a rhetorical question, rather than an actual apology. “Are you suggesting that the only alternative to being an arrogant dick is being a pushover? Because I’d like to think that I’m neither. And I do just fine.”

Bringing her glass to her lips, the deputy had a modest sip of her drink before continuing. “I’m not saying that you should dramatically change your personality. I’m merely pointing out that you might have more success if you ask people what they need instead of assuming that you know off the bat. Trust me, this is not a town that’s going buy into the whole white knight thing you’ve got going on here. We’re all perfectly aware of how fucked up the system is. Some of us have been fighting it for years, okay?”

Shaking his head, he let her finish before interrupting her, she clearly had her own ideas, he did his. Whether it worked it for him or not, it would be his fault to blame. This town wasn't open to just anyone coming in, and he knew that coming in. He wasn't going to let anyone stop over him just because he was new either. “Show too many emotions and they will walk all over you.” what she said last caught in interest in him. “For years? You want to resolve things around here?” he was shocked to say the least, she was a deputy, she bound to be corrupt or at least so he thought. 

Clara had met plenty of arrogance in her life. She had been raised around people who lived and breathed entitlement. She encountered blatant misogyny on a regular basis in her profession. Hell, she was shacked up with perhaps the one of the single most overconfident men she had ever met in her entire life. It was a challenge that she had never been able to walk away from. Even if she wanted to. Even if she tried. “Well, I don’t know about you, but I’d start by actually getting to know people before I make them a part of my agenda,” the deputy suggested with a saccharine smile, draining her drink and tapping the rim for a refill.

“Regardless of whether your intentions are good or not, waltzing into town like you think you can do my or my colleague’s jobs better than we can is incredibly arrogant—not to mention patronising as fuck. And you haven’t been here nearly long enough to have earned that right.” Accepting her refilled drink, Clara paused and swirled the amber liquid in the glass without touching it, turning instead in her seat in order to face James properly. The tone in her voice was direct, and perhaps a little too brutally honest, but she was genuinely trying to be helpful. “Look, you say that I don’t know you or your past, and you’re completely right about that. But you don’t know me, either. I’m not from here. I made a home in this town by paying my dues just like everyone else. I’m simply suggesting you do the same.”

This was girl was a tough one to crack, she definitely had fire, and he admired her for it, if she wasn't a deputy he´d appreciate it more. Biased of what her profession currently was, she had a lot to defend, from this town and its people. James was the new guy and he knew that coming in no one would welcome him with open arms, given the towns history. 

Eva’s gaze flitted from his face to his touch. There was a pressure to his touch, as if this was his way of empathizing with her. She knew this, for she would usually do it to the ones she cared for. 

Shaking her head yet again, she answered, “No. No one to my knowledge. It was a party. I wanted to have a good time and get drunk, so I didn’t really pay attention.” In hindsight, she probably should have. Never let your guard down was now her new motto. “Besides, it’s Muddy Waters. Everyone knows everyone there.”

To his second question, however, she might just have an answer. Scooting in the her bed, she pondered for a beat. “But if you’re asking me motive, then there’s a pool for you to choose from.”

James let go of her hand, he thought if he held on too long, it would just be weird for both and he didn't want her to think his intentions were something other than helping her out. Of, course he thought, no one would be wondering if someone was coming to put a disaster to the party. There still had to be someone with a motive, he never thought someone could be that sadistic. 

Clara swirled her drink thoughtfully, considering his words, thinking over his body language and how he was coming across to her before crossing one leg over the other and draining half her glass in one fell swoop. “You’re never going to get the traction you want around here if people still see you as an outsider,” she stated rather bluntly, not one to mince her words and sensing that he wasn’t exactly the type to need sugarcoating, either. “And people are never going to stop seeing you as an outsider if you walk around like you’re some big city lawyer who knows better than them.”

Placing the glass on the bar, the deputy spun it around in her hand by the rim, contemplating what to say next. “Just to be clear, I don’t care if you think that you know better. Hell, I don’t even care if you actually do know better. But you can’t act like it. Not in this town.” 

She looked liked, she was about to give him some hell of advice, he wasn't one to turn down, something that could eventually help him out. Whether he liked it or not or take it or not, it was still worth listening to. Truth was, he did consider himself bigger than them, his life in the city was much better, which is why he came here, to reach back to his stomping grounds, remember where he came from, how he grew up. Instead of replying with something she wouldn't like, he said “How do you suggest I become an insider?”

“Eddie Reyes,” Clara clarified without pause, undeterred by her company’s (understandable) confusion. Or even the fact that it wasn’t exactly the mode of polite society to just ambush complete strangers in bars without at least introducing oneself first. Then again, in her defence, she had been taught that any task she set her mind to was more easily accomplished if she started by making a memorable entrance. “The humourless automaton who was handling incident reports at the front desk today. Does that ring a bell?”

Turning to the bartender, the deputy silently gestured toward the man’s glass and raised two fingers, indicating that she wanted the same. “I’m Clara,” she continued, waiting until the drink was in her hand before looking back at him. “I work at the Sheriff’s Office, and I’m here to offer you a whole lot of unsolicited advice.”

James recalled back to the events that happened earlier that day, ah yes, the idiot wanna be sheriff who didn't have the same logic as him when it came to helping this town out. Taking a sip of his drink, he let it burn his throat as she continued on. “It certainly does, and thanks and no thanks to him, I signed a few clients today.” it was a long day after all, he had met with so many people but the deputy wasn't one he would like to remember. 

As James turned around to rejoin her, Eva heaved a deep inhale. In order for this to work, she was going to have to talk, whether she liked it or not. 

“I’m going to tell you what I told the deputy that came around here.” she informed him, willing to speak her truth. Sitting up straighter, she merely went for it. “We were all gathered ‘round the dance floor for the announcement of winners. Now normally, I couldn’t give a damn about who won what. But I heard Wyatt speak over the microphone, and I thought it would be pretty funny to mock whomever won with a flimsy title, especially if it was someone I knew.” Pausing, she took a breather, before going on, her gaze absent-mindedly going elsewhere. “He had barely announced the winners, when a screech whistled into the air. It was unsettling right away. And then, that was when the floor gave way.”

Staring at her sheets, she murmured.  “I’m not going to lie, it felt like the last few minutes of the titanic.” Bringing her gaze back to his, the blonde held her chin up. No matter how hard she tried, though, her armour cracked. “I fell straight into the pool, and nearly drowned. That’s the last I remember.”

Listening to her speak, he listened to ever detail she said, the whole story was intense and he wasn't going to miss anything. Every now and then he would write stuff down. This was good stuff, good for his clients and good for his case to build up. When she took a pause, he looked up at her face, looked into her eyes and could see the fear she had in them. 

“Really?” Eddie replied, with more than a hint of sarcasm. When he heard the other’s further explanation, he was even more sceptical than before. He paused in his writings for a second to look the other man straight in the eye. “We don’t given out information on ongoing investigations. You’re going to have to wait in line just like everybody else.”

“We’re trying to help them too. I would seriously advise you not to get in the way.”

James rolled his eyes at the man´s answer, clearly they didn't want anyone else intruding on this sort of investigation, anyone else would have taken him up on his offer. Then again, he was a cop here in Muddy Waters, they weren't keen on anything. “Clearly another deputy without initiative.” James said, gathering his things he made his way for door.

“Thanks,” Jeb smiled at the man, giving him a light nod as an expression of gratitude. Despite his tendency to be optimistic, an awful lot of people in Muddy Waters would’ve just continued on with their day, so considering someone actually helped him out was somewhat of a miracle.

“Oh, I just fell,” he chuckled lightly, shaking his head. He wished it could’ve been something more badass. It’d be so much cooler if he’d got it caught between a couple of cement blocks and had to break it to get it out of that situation - like 127 Hours without chopping his arm off. “You new here?”

The kid seemed to have enough trouble as it is, people just went on with their day as if nothing was wrong. James wasn't going to be another one of those people either. “No, problem.” James replied as he picked up his own basket, he needed on as well.

“Pretty nasty fall I bet.” usually when people had a broken bone, they had an incriminating story behind it, but maybe he was just a clumsy kid. “Fairly new...    I´m just getting to know everything about this town.” he had arrived a couple weeks ago and was still settling in with people and places around this town. “This seems to be the only store here.”

The blonde should have let him go, let him leave. After all, he was a lawyer, and she distrusted people whom she didn’t know. 

But then, Eva thought about it: what were the chances that anyone in Muddy would actually figure out who caused the collapse? Up until now, no one knew who started the asylum fire, and it had already been months.Unless someone actually got to studying about what happened, the instigator could most likely get away again. 

Which was why she cleared her throat and spoke up. “Hey. If you want me to talk about the incident, then I will. Someone needs to be held responsible.” She hoped that it was enough to get him on her side.

Just as James was about to reach of the door, she spoke. Smirking he turned around, this was going to be easier than he thought. He thought he would have to work harder for peoples trust. People around Muddy Waters weren't exactly telling on everything, almost like they were afraid to say anything.

“Exactly, someone needs to be held responsible and that´s why I´m here.” he said taking his seat once more. Taking out his notes again, he began “I know it may be hard for you to try and remember everything, but we will get through it together.” he gave her a reassuring smile. James needed to seem like he was the trustworthy guy in order for her to feel safe.

So you’re just someone looking to exploit the victims then. Eddie made sure not to voice his harsh disdain for the other man’s profession. In truth, he wasn’t totally opposed to lawyers on principle. It was just that so many of them seemed to value their paychecks above actually helping people. Then again, the same could be said of plenty of people within the MWPD. 

Reluctantly, he took the man’s hand and shook it. “Deputy Reyes. But I’m afraid that, regardless of what your job is, you’ll have to wait in line like everybody else.”

The Deputy didn't seem like he was pleased to meet him, he was right, two people from these professions couldn't get along well. James just wanted to get enough information for clients and get out of there. “Actually my job could help you, the faster you help me out. I can do the same.”

This time, she didn’t reply, but merely, huffed at him. The nerve he had to keep pressing on an issue she clearly denied. It was either a whole lot of confidence, or such tactlessness. She’d have to decide on it as they went on.

Her blue hues trailed him, watching as he grabbed the jello cup supposedly meant for her, the patient. Boy, was he lucky she had pastries coming over, otherwise, she would have gladly gotten him thrown out over desert. Glaring at him, Eva didn’t know what else to do. 

“Ms.” she adamantly corrected him. She paused then, considering whether or not it would be wise for her to tell him her name. Then again, she did have his name. It was only fair that she gave hers. “Evanessence Reid.”

“Interesting name, I don´t  mean to intrude, but I just need as much leverage as I can get.” not much people were of help, James wanted to get as much information as he could, if he could get it from her, the better. She looked to be more part in the wreckage than any other person. 

“These weren't necessarily my favorite.” he said indicating to the finished jello and throwing it in the trash. Making his way over to get his bag, he told her “I guess I should go, I´ve intruded enough on your presence.” 

Eva instantly looked rather appalled, her lips pursing out - a trait she often donned when making a haughty point. Giving him a once-over look, her brow arched. “Excuse you, I don’t snore.”

Now she was up in arms, wondering of what he wanted from her. There were a number of rooms to choose to enter to, and somehow, he ended up in hers. Warily still, she took hold of his hand, using him up to pull herself up. And despite the kind act, it barely changed any preconceived notion she had in her head. 

“The only help I need is to recover from my injuries,” she gestured to her condition, “and to find out who on Earth caused that collapse.” Locking her eyes on him, she went on to spill to him the first thing he’d need to know about their town: “Nothing ever happens in Muddy without a reason.”

James saw the face she gave him when he made that remark, looking down, afraid of what her reaction might be, he whispered “You should record yourself sleeping...” 

He looked over her body, clearly this wasn't some accident, she was really injured head to toe, he wouldn't want to be in her place right now. “That´s what I´m looking into as well, if I want to build my case up I least need to know whose responsible.” James reasoned with her. Grabbing the jello cup that was there waiting for her, he decided to dig into it himself. “I´m beginning to see that now, people are afraid to say anything.” James gestured to her body, “Are you afraid to say anything Ms.? or Mrs.?”

She’d be lying if his comment didn’t cause her mouth to twitch into a smile. But it was a blink-it-or-miss moment, overtaken by the knowledge that he was ultimately a stranger. Holding her fort, the blonde looked at him, trying to figure him out. 

James Wells. Well, isn’t this new. A lawyer? Now? How bad had things been since she’d been out? “I think my room’s quiet because I’ve been mostly asleep.” she answered quietly, still wary. She needed to know more about him. 

“You’re a lawyer, you say?” Trying to sit up, she propped herself (to the best she could) into a sitting position. “Why would we need a lawyer?” 

She looked surprised when he mentioned he was a lawyer, maybe the people in this town weren't so much interested in that. Giving that they may need him in a time or later. James needed to win some cases first, in order for people to see that he was good and could actually help. James chuckled “Yeah, I could tell by your snoring that you were asleep.”

He could sense her body tense, she was clearly still having trouble with all this, he reassured her. “I´m not going to hurt you, I´m mostly here to help.” seeing her trying to sit up, he offered her his hand if she needed it. “I´m offended.” James said smiling. “People need help, and I´m here to help them, they just need someone to believe in them.”