There's something tragic about you

"Well they aren't super scared of doing things with witnesses so far," Shawn sighed and thought back to the man she'd interviewed that had gotten her almost killed. They left him alive. A witness. There were only a couple reasons to leave a witness alive and desperation wasn't exactly one of them. Desperate usually meant more bodies dropped, not less. Shawn felt like that actually showed hubris. Obsidian was so big and so powerful that they figured taking over the town would be easy. They'd steamroll it, get what they wanted, and move onto the next. Yet here were just a few small town cowboys holding the line. It felt like some old western.

"Well I have a pretty good relationship with Councilman Nazir. So we got that started already. And I do other community events. I have no issue doing a town hall type meeting." It was a good idea. Witnesses they had, it was allies they needed. "You want some coffee or something? Tea? Probably got something stronger if you need it. Feel like we all do lately."

❝ It could be good to have Counselman Nazir on our side, ❞ not for those that he ponders to, but nevertheless support is support. ❝ I'll join with the meetings, ❞ she'd like to be a present as she can with all the steps, she doesn't want to leave the other to do it alone. ❝ I can talk to Counselman Nazir, I'll be running into him this week, ❞ she stated before looking up at Shawn, ❝ Coffee is good, if you don't mind. ❞

at the prickly perk

Mila had become an interesting opponent. She was incredibly skilled at property law, which Rhett knew enough to be formidable but he was no lawyer. He left that detail up to the Chief Council. Instead, he focused his time on finding properties he was interested in. He might occasionally talk to someone, but these days, he partnered closely with Lindsey because she was — well, better at winning people over. Rhett was too reserved and statistical, Lindsey was friendly and patient. Which was not to say that Rhett was unfriendly, he just wasn't always interested in the small talk. Glancing to the barista, "Consider her coffee on me, Belinda," Rhett said over his glasses and then closed his laptop. He enjoyed the coffee here and Belinda was a good worker. She was happy to have a job and bring home money to support her family. "Need to keep you sharp for court."

❝ I'll owe you for next time, ❞ when they run into each other again, which wouldn't be hard considering how small this town is anyways. As opposing as she is towards Obsidian Holdings, Rhett is someone she holds some level of respect towards. ❝ nothing more thrilling than winning a case at your full potential, ❞ a part of why she assumed his comment was for. One she would do in turn.

Chuck couldn't help but laugh but tried to smother it almost immediately. Being rude never got anyone anywhere. "Sorry, sorry, just...you know...the idea of sitting in a stock tank is just...comical. It'd look normal around here but I'd still feel ridiculous." She'd truly have gone native, or would be dead, if someone found her sitting in an animal's water trough. She wanted to fit in with the locals but there were still limits to what she was willing to do. Although the heat here was far different from back home. An ice bath sounded good just because of that.

"Oh no, just..." she looked around with a shrug, "Leg day and standing here doing nothing for a minute is a break. I don't know as I've seen you in here before. You work out here a lot?" She extended her hand and for a moment felt like a regular citizen of Paxton, "I'm Chuck."

Mila gave a nod, ❝ yeah, I come here often. It's a great way to pass time. and the boxing class is great. ❞ She got up from the equipment, extending her hand out to shake. Didn't feel right for her to stay sitting. ❝ I'm Mila, ❞ she offers a smile. She has seen the other around but never really talked or formally met. She presses her lips together as she glances around before turning her attention back to Chuck.

"Thank you," he said as he accepted the gift. He pulled his own gift from his pocket, a small box that contained a necklace, and slid it across the table to her. "I wasn't sure that we were exchanging gifts this year," he began, shoulders shrugging as he gave the disclaimer. "So, it's not as good as my usual presents."

❝ The feeling is mutual, ❞ she started. It felt wrong being apart for the holidays, in general, but she didn't know where they stood. And knowing her family, especially the ones out of state, they would try to persuade him towards a decide they think is best. Mila knows he can stand his own ground, but she didn't want him to deal with that. At least with the family in town they know better. She has her mother's glare. They'll talk amongst themselves. Or when it's just her.

❝ It feels weird being apart, ❞ at odds. Mila knows it was her choice, but still. They were friends longer than they were together. She occupies herself to avoid thinking about it, quite opposite of her usual demeaner. There was a lot on her mind, at the moment. Thinking of what to say until her eyes landed on the small box.

❝ I will love it, regardless ❞ she looks up at him. A bit ironic knowing she'd share the same sentiment; feeling a certain way when she doesn't get to go all out. But the fact that he did get her something, all things considering, is enough for her. Whatever it is. ❝ You can open yours, ❞ her smile grew, failing at trying to approach it nonchalantly. The box now in her hand as her thumb run along the side of it. ❝ if you want ❞ she waves her hand around with a chuckle. Always a little too excited when it comes to exchanging gifts.

Shawn couldn't help but laugh lightly even though it wasn't really funny. At least, it shouldn't be. But there just wasn't really anything left to do but laugh at this point. This huge corporation was so threatened by the little old Historic Society that they had gone after it's President. While Shawn had always thought this was personal, her actions were all professional where it came to Oceanview. Now it seemed that those rich bastards were taking it personal. In her experience, that never ended well.

"Yea," she crossed her arms and let her head fall slightly, "Well they showed their hand a bit there, didn't they? Now we know what they are going to do to oppose it. Gives us a little leverage." Knowing they had that information didn't make her any less scared about being a target but Shawn had known for most of her life that you could feel scared and almost every other emotion at the same time. It was how she lived her life these days. "We do have funds for the applications. It's part of what we fund raise for."

She needs coffee.

❝ that's good, ❞ she took a mental note of that as she gave a nod, ❝ we can get a head start with getting things together for the application but, we should plan when to have a meeting with the town staff about the application for their input. And then a neighborhood meeting one for their awareness and possible support, ❞ though she likes to believe there will be good amount of people in town in support of this.

❝ Not all right now, ❞ she gave the disclaimer, ❝ just the next few steps. ❞ They'll have to discuss their availabilities first. It would be nice if this could be more on the low. And not time consuming. But the process calls for it and it would work in their favor. Obsidian are desperate, so they have to look over their shoulder more than anything. But with people watching, it'll be harder to swipe this under the rug.

Tim wheeled his chair over to his coffee bar, which was more of some fancy espresso machine one of his sisters bought him, and a cabinet he assembled from the nearest Walmart. The mugs inside were clean and large enough to fix the coffee without anything over-following, though.

❝ Okay, ❞ Mila started as she got the milk from his fridge, ❝ I'm want Rajendra on our side, ❞ a pause, the milk in her hand as she turned towards Tim's direction, ❝ Well not our side, ❞ she moved her hand around, insinuating their ‘ group ’, ❝ I'm helping Shawn with Oceanview. If I play to his ego and how this would help his election, him being in support in the rezoning would help. ❞ She confident in Oceanview getting it's historical landmark. Rezoning is a separate issue.

Mila placed the milk down on his desk, moving back to the chair to take a seat. Lost in thought for a moment before continuing on, ❝ in theory; good idea, ❞ but definitely risky considering who he panders to the most. Adding salt to the wound. They already had a failed attempt when they went after Shawn. A fight like this needs to be aggressive, but that doesn't alleviate the worries she has for it. For everything.

Small town people always had that mentality. That everyone was your friend. Chuck wasn't from here, she wasn't even from a small town, and yet she was always welcomed with some sort of friendly banter. It was unnerving. She was used to people wanting her dead or actively trying to make it so. She was used to the political game that had to be played in order to get the outcomes she needed. But not for the first time, she had a brief thought that something was seriously wrong with her since someone being nice was what made her guard go up.

"That actually sounds wonderful," she fiddled with her water bottle but didn't actually made a move to walk away, "Do you have those here? Or just fill up your bathtub or something?" She couldn't imagine there was actually something like that in the gym here. Or even in town. She used to live somewhere that had an actual cryotherapy business just around the corner from her. She smirked slightly at the idea of going to the kwik trip to get bags of ice. "Sauna might help too."

Mila tries to follow a ‘ I'm nice until you give me a reason not to be ’ but who's perfect?

❝ It would. Might be a little insane during the summer time, ❞ with how hot it gets here, might as well feel like being in one while outside. Even though it's not, but who needs to get all technical about it. ❝ Oh, a good stretch will do wonders. If you do an ice bath, stretch first. But if not, stretching on it's own is good to help with soreness. ❞

Technically, things were going well. He had his position, his home, and his health. It was just the other things that loomed around him like the Grim Reaper. In that way, the holidays almost slipped by unnoticed, but it offered an excuse.

❝ Sound equally exciting and tiresome, ❞ the work to get people to donate and then deciding where to allocate them afterwards. Like putting on a show. Her thoughts were cut short as the waiter came. Her order was quick; a coffee and a meal she's been craving all week.

❝ I do, ❞ she started when she turned her attention back on him, ❝ we're going to visit family out of town. ❞ No need to rehash what happened, he knows. Oceanview is not a place for her family, especially the ones out of state, to come and gather for the holidays. And, well, the others in town don't have the space or were going to see their in-laws. ❝ It'll be a nice little get away. ❞ something her parents needed, even if it's only for three days. Mila offers a smile as her thumb presses into the cushion next to her thigh.

❝ I'll be back here for our traditions, ❞ and her parents, but subconsciously she was thinking of someone else. She should buy grapes now for that and have red undergarments ready.

❝ Other than that, ❞ and work, ❝ my life is as boring as it gets. ❞

After a moment he lands on a suitable candidate. "This might be a bit on the nose, but it's probably going to be Eartha Kitt's Santa Baby." The song pairs perfectly with the person's over-the-top ugly sweater theme. "If not, it shall be an unfortunate missed opportunity." Truly.

The first karaoke contestant beginning their rendition of All I want for Christmas draws his attention. "Hm, that's rather ambitious," he muses aloud, while assessing the unfamiliar face on the stage. Must be a tourist, Raj silently deduces. This in turn sparks Raj's curiosity towards the fellow legal mind at his side. "Now, the real challenge is guessing what song or songs you'll be performing tonight." If at all. It's unclear what mood she's in tonight, but as they say– the night's still young.

Well, he wasn't wrong there. He wouldn't need an outfit like that to attract attention. He seems to do that all on his own, coming in like a wrecking ball with no warning. She hates to admit it, but it's quite admirable. But, equally annoying. Unfortunate that the attention of the people he's maintaining are filling his and their own pockets. Going against what he claims he wants for the town.

There's a part of Mila that wonders if he's aware of the harm he caused in the town or if he simply does not care. Politics is politics, and she has met her fair share of people with greed she couldn't even think of without guilt following right after. They always have a, for lack of a better word, freeing sense about them that she could never understand, nor did she ever try to.

❝ That's an interesting choice, ❞ the song doesn't pair with the guys outfit, is an immediate thought. She imagine a more sophisticated look paired with this song. But for the sake of unpredictability, then his guess would be spot on. Annoyingly so. ❝ It would be a great opportunity, but I can't tell if Id want their voice to do the song justice or not, ❞ following the pattern of unpredictability, she'd go with the latter.

Mila's attention turned to the contestant that started singing. ❝ And brave, ❞ she mused with more admiration than doubt. She'd wait for the initial nervousness of performing to subside before casting any judgement, if she were to do so. Not that she plans to, but she imagined Raj would share his and possibly ask of hers.

Mila let out a genuine laugh mixed with disbelief at his words, ❝ If politics don't work out you should try being a comedian, ❞ now that would be interesting to see, knowing the success of that would not be promising. ❝ Don't have any plans for that, ❞ as obvious as that was from her laugh, ❝ might have to get drunk for that to happen. – are you? ❞

As Julie heard the telltale click, she pressed the button and leaned away as the machine roared like it belonged in a coffee shop. While the machine growled and hissed, Julie hopped up to take a seat on her countertop. She swung her legs and considered what to say -- it had been a few months since they hung out. "What's new in the world of my favorite cowgirl litigator?" Julie started.

She rested her head against her cabinet, eyes threatening to close for just a minute. Between Shawn's attack and Faye's accident, then the recent late-nights Caid was having, Julie was struggling to sleep. She was developing a routine of sorts, though, her body remembered what it was like to exist with the worry and stress like muscle memory. "I can't remember -- are you and Shawn working together or were you working with someone else as it relates to Obsidian?"

Mila leaned against the kitchen island, showing momentary amusement for the comment before focusing on the question. There was always something new, but she always have a routine answer for it. To be vague. To minimize it, though that is more of an attempt to help her than anyone else. ❝ a few new cases, ❞ she started, running her fingers through her hair, ❝ well more than few, ❞ she waved a hand ❝ But I am working with Shawn for Oceanview. A work in progress, ❞ one that has already prove to be difficult, and not-so-safe, journey.

❝ My personal life? ❞ she lets out a laugh, ❝ there are a few things that need to be figured out. My marriage and if my parents wants to stay in Paxton or not. ❞ Mila offers a shrug - to try and minimize it, but the sense of defeat in her tone says otherwise. She's trying to keep how she feels about the situation at bay, but it tends to slip through the cracks here and there. ❝ Thing will look up, ❞ one way or another. She find some silver lining for it.

❝ How are you doing? ❞ Mila cants her head to the side, she can see Julie was tired. There never seems to be a break with what's going on with the cowboys. Ignorance is bliss never seem more true. ❝ We could use a vacation day. ❞ or week.

Where: Betancourt House

When: Present

In the quiet moments when there was what Shawn had started calling the changing of the guard where one Cowboy left and another replaced them, she got nervous. She had nearly died for the seemingly normal action that is well within her bounds as the President of the Historic Society. But there were beings far more rich and powerful than herself that took that personally. If she continued down this road, they would likely succeed at some point. And when they hadn't gotten her right away, they went for her father. The one member of her family that was alive. It wasn't just her life she had to worry about.

Then the quiet moment would end and she would get angry. Shawn was dangerous when she was angry. The fury would simmer unchecked under her seemingly meek exterior until it was time to completely unleash it. Her temper wasn't something she was proud of and it had gotten her in one too many scrapes up until this point. Maybe, just maybe, this was going to be one of those times that it worked out for her though. Only time would tell.

"Entra. Entra." She waved Mila into her dining room, the mess from her office overflowing on the table now. Of all of the people in this fight, Mila understood the legal complexities as well if not better than Shawn. It was her job after all. "Ok so I have the whole timeline with different events happening at Oceanview," she faced the wall and gestured to the wall of different photocopied documents, "And I have all of the corresponding documents to each so that affidavit is all written up now. Registering the property is going to be the easy part I think. It's the zoning I'm concerned about."

❝ The rezoning would take a couple months at best, but not completely impossible, ❞ she started, placing her purse and coat on an empty chair, ❝ as long as we have the information we need, we can fill out an application for it. ❞ She looks over at the documents again, making her way over to them. Taking in what she could from scanning the different events that happened at Oceanview. ❝ An affidavit for the rezoning application too will help. Talking to the people in the community — the more that are for it the better, ❞ at his point she's rambling.

There are similarities in the process of registering property as a historical landmark and rezoning. The formal application, a review by a board or commission, public participation, and approval by a local governing body — both just have its own different complexities. ❝ Public hearing is really important for the outcome, ❞ she turns to face Shawn, ❝ and paying a sum, but having the community for it and at least more than half the governing body and we have an in. ❞ Mila cants her head to the side, her body language giving off ‘ but ’ as she pressed her lips together, ❝ We'll have to be prepared for those that will be oppose to this, ❞ and their reaction. And considering what happened previously, they both know what that means. And, with how long she has been working with Shawn — she knows better than to try and change her mind. Even if she tried, it wouldn't come off as convincing considering she wants to do this as well.

"Mila, hey, wanna give me a hand with something?" Carson remembered the first time he'd met the woman, several years ago when he'd been in his first year of firefighting. Some errant cooking oil and a clumsy cook (not pointing any fingers) sending the kitchen up in flames. Luckily, they'd been able to extinguish it with only minor damage. Some mild lecturing about fire safety and a few shared laughs, the two had become friends from then on. The next time Mila and her family had been exposed to a fire, they hadn't been so lucky. It had destroyed their property, leaving them ripe to be picked off by purchasers. It was sad, but so many people had found themselves needing to sell off land and businesses to Obsidian recently. Even Carson's own father had sold some of his commercial buildings to them.

"Which of these little knick-knacks do you think would make a good birthday gift for my dad?" He was perusing a selection of handmade leather bracelets, leather keyrings, leather wallets, et cetera. "Okay, the knife holster is a definite no. Guy is high strung enough without arming him," Carson chuckled. "But you can't beat a classic handmade leather wallet or nice binder for a business guy, right?" He chewed his cheek. "What the hell d'you get for a man who can just buy what he wants anyways?" Carson knew it was the thought that counted, not the monetary value, which was why he'd been drawn to the quality, hand-made items over something you'd find in a store.

❝ Honestly, ❞ she gave another glance at the items before turning her attention back on him, ❝ What does your dad like? What are his hobbies? Has he ever mention wanting to try something new? ❞ she inquired, shifting her body weight from one leg to the other. ❝ It's usually my go to when gift giving. What do you think he'd like the most or be the most excited for? ❞

Edgar was superstitious enough to believe in the necessity of traditions. So, even though he hadn't seen or spoken to his estranged wife in weeks, the closer it got to New Years, the more apparent it became that Edgar would have to reach out. It was that or run the risk of tipping the scales so far to one side that he'd never recover, but with how much bad luck the Fortiers had experienced recently (or bad karma they'd accrued, more likely) Edgar wasn't sure he was willing to risk it.

In the spirit of old traditions and new resolutions, he'd invited his wife out for what he hoped would be a relatively relaxed evening out. Edgar couldn't be sure that she'd show though. So, as he waited, he thumbed through his phone and began to mentally comprise a list of all the things he needed to do -- manage the winery, figure out the direction of his marriage, look into the information Joel had shared. Edgar sat back in the chair and sighed. It was going to be a busy year, he already knew.

They'll figure out what's next but it's the holidays. Mila has come bearing gifs. She didn't arrive as early as she wanted, but her mother's eavesdropping and guessing correctly who she was going to see delayed that.

Mila made her way over to Edgar, her free hand pulling the chair out to sit as the other place the bag on the table. ❝ Your number one fan, ❞ her mother, ❝ almost hijacked our little get together, ❞ she teases, the corner of her lips turned upwards. There is a part of her that believes there is some truth to it. Either way, she wanted to start off light-hearted to leave less room for any awkwardness on her part.

❝ It's from my mom, ❞ she continued, ❝ — and me, I got it awhile ago and hid it at her place. ❞ As much as she loves opening present, she found more joy in giving gifs. She knew he'd at least see her telltale sign or just give it to him early. Hiding it at the farm was best, she even forgot about it until the move to the Oceanview Apartments.

Where: Gym

When: Present

It wasn't her favorite thing to do, but occasionally Chuck needed to work out and spend some time away from the high brow employees of Obsidian. She needed to not be engrossed in that life sometimes. That was not something she would ever admit to anyone.

The easiest place to do that was a gym. It checked multiple boxes for her really. She was able to get some anger out with a workout. She was able to move away from the uptight world of her employer. And she was able to observe and document some of the movements of people in town. More precisely, the people on her list. It was a mental list, only idiots wrote that stuff down, but it was a list nonetheless. People she was told to keep an eye on or people she was actively sent after. Either way, it made it easier to do that. One of those people was an attorney that happened to be listed on several things opposing Obsidian. Curious.

"I'm finished here," she massaged her neck tilting it side to side as if she was sore from her workout, "In case you need to use it."

❝ thanks, ❞ Mila glanced up at her before making her move. This town was not big enough. Regardless of that, she good at being none the wiser about about certain things even if the other knows just as much or more.

She placed her stuff near the machine, adjusting the weight she wanted. ❝ an ice bath will do wonders, ❞ she spoke as she positioned herself to use the machine. Mila doesn't expect much of a conversation other than small talk that doesn't last long. That's usually how it goes, generally, but there's a saying about someone that assumes.

When: Present

Where: Tim’s office @ Paxton Round-Up

Tim just looked away from his monitor at the light knock on his door. He was knee deep in review for Sunday’s print, and his eyes burned from fatigue. “Come in,” He said, rubbing at his eyes.

At the sight of Mila, Tim gestured for her to close the door. His office was one of the only rooms in the building with a true door. The writers were mostly gone, working on projects, but they did have a receptionist and some people heard better than others. Tim steepled his hands on his desktop, stifling a yawn. “I know winter here isn’t really winter, but I’m ready for a day off,” he said; Mila was one of the Top Hands he was closer to within the Cowboys; they tended to have similar viewpoints on things - birds of a feather and all that. “Do you want coffee first,” code for ‘is this a social call?,’ “Or are we diving in?”

❝ Both, ❞ she started as she brought up the box, showing two conchas inside. Moving forward, she placed the open box on his desk, allowing him to take his pick if he wanted one. It didn't feel right for her to come here with food and not be able to offer, especially when she's there to ask a favor — advice.

❝ But, coffee first, ❞ she offers a smile. ❝ I think it would be good if we take a break first, ❞ Mila is familiar with the fatigue look in his eyes, it's one she gets often.

She doesn't intend to beat around the bush, she originally planned to come in and just get straight to the point. Well, offer concha first and then straight to the point. But, being here and seeing his demeanor was enough to suggest taking a break. She could use the breather to slow down.

Sometimes, Beck simply liked to walk. The weather was milder now, enough for her not to want to melt like a stick of butter in a frying pan when she hit the trails, and mild enough for Banjo, her Australian Cattle Dog, to run around more freely. It was nice getting lost in nature for its own sake, but Beck liked getting out of town for the relief that came with not needing to worry about being overheard. Out here, there wasn't anyone around for miles.

"You doin' okay over there? The white collar job ain't made you soft, has it?" Beck teased, looking over her shoulder at Mila. When Lucas had died, practically all his friends and colleagues had taken Beck under their wing. The end result was they'd ended up with about a half-dozen extra extended family members. "Come on. A few more miles. It's good for ya." They were like a wide-eyed toddler with boundless energy, deftly navigating the paths up to the overlook. Banjo bounded up ahead, catching the scent of a rabbit or something. Beck wasn't worried. He'd always come back. "The view from up here is so sick, dude. You ever been up to this part?"

❝ Not even close, ❞ quite the opposite, really. But there was no reason to indulge that information. If anything, it would just make her sound bitter and she'd like to keep the mood light. ❝ I'm sure I can run laps around everyone in the office, ❞ she'll forgo the fact that a lot of her co-workers are much older.

Mila picked up her pace enough to walk by Beck side, matching their tempo. ❝ I prefer a different type of cardio, ❞ she laughs, shaking her head. She enjoys their endless energy, even if she finds herself not being able to catch up with them from time to time. She hopes they never lose that spirit of theirs.