video/action:

[charring]

[It's video. On purpose. Charlie's making sure it's done on purpose. She's on the roof of her building and she's filming a row of large, white buckets with dirt in them. And there are green things poking out of the dirt. Some of the buckets have green sticks poking out and with the way the green plants are carefully tied to the green sticks, they're for support.

There's a row of smaller bucket with the same dirt-and-plant combination, some of the plants with small flowers on them.]

This took way too long to do. But, thank God my landlady was cool with this. I have to share some of the strawberries when they grow and some of the tomatoes, too but that's fine. Haven't had a garden in forever and figured I needed one.

[There's more shots of the rooftop garden, even a brief glimpse of a few big coffee cans on a table, again plants-and-dirt and they're labeled things like 'chives', 'oregano', 'parsley', 'thyme' and 'dill'. Someone's been having fun on the roof.] Oh! Also...

[And then the camera is pointing at strands of various lights hung on a frame. The sun is setting so the effect of the white lights on the sky is pretty neat.] These were so cheap to by after Christmas and the frame was already up here. What it was before, I don't know. I just saw the frame and suddenly wanted lights.

[And the camera turns again and there is Charlie on a long, cloth lawn chair. There's an old looking bedside table next to her. It has a couple books and a soda on it. There's a blanket on the back of the chair and the flicker-glow of a nearby fire. And Charlie is grinning.]

Worth every second of work.

[End feed.]

Comments

[ Video ]

[latenightfondue]

It's looking good, sweetheart. Never knew you were much'a gardener.

[ As he pops onto the screen, Howard is entering a building, the entrance doors closing behind him, and he climbs up the stairs. ]

Y'ain't too comfortable, are you? 'Cause unless your door's unlocked you might wanna let me in.

[ Video ]

[charring]

I can get up. I'm all the way on the roof, though. I can meet you at my place in a couple minutes.

[She's getting up already. Lena always has time for Howard. The roof access door squeaks open and shuts behind Charlie and the video shuts off as she heads downstairs. She'll be at her door a few seconds after Howard gets there.]

[ Video | Action ]

[latenightfondue]

[ He beams into the device, eyebrows giving a teasing wiggle, and then switches his own off, tucks it away as he climbs the stairs up the building.

Howard knocks at the door a few minutes later, cheeks slightly flushed from the exercise, and breath a little hitched. ]

[ Action ]

[charring]

[Charlie answers the door, grinning as usual and waving excitedly.] Hi! Come on in. I need to put shoes on.

[Petrichor is peeking out from behind Charlie's leg, watching Howard. There's a mostly destroyed catnip mouse in his mouth. Charlie glances down and sighs, shaking her head.] Really, Petrichor? I just got you that four days ago.

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Hey, darlin', you good?

[ He shuffles on inside, closes the door behind him, and when he notices the cat he bends low, hands steadying him on his thighs. ] Y'got an interesting name, don't you, fella?

[ Action ]

[charring]

It's what he smelled like when I got him. [Lena will never tire of explaining that to anyone. Ever.] So what are you up to, Howard?

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

[ He starts to reach out to stroke the cat, but pulls back at the last minute. Dogs love him, but he's got a dark past with cats. ] One'a my favourite smells.

Was out walking and thought I'd stop by, it's been a couple'a days. [ An awkward, uncertain pause, because now he's here he's actually thinking about what he's doing here. ] Ah, is this one'a those moments where you're supposed to call first?

[ Action ]

[charring]

[Petrichor heads over to Howard, anyway, butting his head against his hand. He liked Howard and couldn't figure out what he was doing, taking the pettings away. Charlie grins, leaning a shoulder on the wall and crossing her arms.]

You told me over the network you were coming. It's enough warning. Calling'd be nice, though but. [Eh. She wasn't doing anything.]

Walking for a reason or just for the sake of walking?

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

[ He scratches under Petrichor's chin, behind his ears, pets at his head, and gains purring in return. He's grinning at the cat. Animals always just easier than people. ]

I'll remember to do that next time. [ He's outright crouching down now, looking up at her. If he's honest, and he rarely is about himself, he's not settling in so great. ] Ran outta stuff to do, y'know how it is. Looks like you've been busy with that green thumb business.

[ Action ]

[charring]

[Oh, Petrichor likes you, good sir. He likes you a lot. He even stands on his back legs for more ear scratching and petting. Especially under the chin. That is his favorite.


Charlie, though, is a perceptive little thing. She sits across from Howard, crouched on her heels and her back against the wall.]

What's wrong?

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

[ He smiles at the kitty, meeting every demand, and the wariness ebbs out. He tries to hold the smile as he lifts his gaze to meet hers. ] There's nothing wrong, Lena, I'm good. Better than good.

[ Action ]

[charring]

Lets get out of the apartment for a bit. [Charlie's grinning from ear to ear and okay, so she's barefoot but if Howard agrees to this, it'll take her all of a minute to get her sneakers on.] I need to get new toys for the cats, anyway and I wouldn't say no to the company.

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Yeah, sure. [ He sounds casual, but his expression is pleased, excited, as he gives the cat one more pat to the head and pushes himself up to full height. ] It ain't bad out there for a bit'a air.

[ Action ]

[charring]

[That works for her. She was starting to worry about Howard. Petrichor, sensing people are going to be leaving, takes what's left of his toy and bounds away to the cat tower with it while Charlie pulls on her shoes and grabs a light jacket off of the couch.]

It's better than the desert. By far.

[And out the door she goes, waiting for Howard so she can lock up.]

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Yeah, don't know about anyone else, but I sure ain't in a hurry to experience that again.

[ He steps out and pulls the door closed, fastens up his jacket and shoves his hands into the pockets. ] Cat person, huh?

[ Action ]

[charring]

Not until I moved here. I typically like horses. But my other cat followed me home and then I figured she needed a friend.

[Down the steps and out the door.] Have you been to the pet shop yet?

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Horses. [ He sounds surprised, then shrugs, walking beside her. ] Nah, ain't had much need. Been thinking 'bout getting a dog or something, though. What d'you think?

[ Action ]

[charring]

Yeah. I sort of had a horse once. [She frowns momentarily, nose wrinkling briefly before that's pushed aside.] We'll see what we find for you. They have a decent variety.

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Guess y'can't really keep a horse in the city. Don't they got places you can ride 'em, though? They still do that sort'a thing?

[ His smile is less forced this time. ] It don't hurt no one to look.

[ Action ]

[charring]

I know of someone who has a horse. And I think there's a place to ride them. I haven't been yet. [She grins when he smiles, pleased that it was coming more naturally for him. And it's not long to the pet shop, Charlie looping her arm through Howard's and pulling him in the right direction.] I'm determined to find you something, just so you know.

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Y'should check it out. [ He looks down to their joined arms, smiles to himself, because as much as he lacks for a different kind of comfort, he'll settle for this right now. ] So this is an elaborate plan to get me some furry company, huh?

Re: [ Action ]

[charring]

Exactly. An elaborate and completely evil plan. [She turns to look up at him, smiling.] Pets help with the ticking, for starters. Plus they're just fun.

[Pet shop door, finally! Charlie reaches for it, pulling it open and untangling her arm from Howards.]

[ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Always thought you had a dark side buried beneath that pretty face'a yours.

[ He shuffles in after her, eyes wide with curiosity as he looks around. ] Where d'you start first?

[ Action ]

[charring]

Don't go telling anyone. I need to maintain appearances and all. [She studies a few lizards in a cage, stepping a bit away from a snake in it's container with a small frown. Snakes. Nope. Not on her list of things to like.] Really, all you have to do is look around. See if anything catches your eye.

Re: [ Action ]

[latenightfondue]

Y'secret's safe with me, darlin'. [ He pretends to lock his mouth with a key, throws it away, and despite what some people might think he does know how to keep secrets.

He shudders at the snake, reminded of the sandworm that tried to eat him, and looks away. ] They got things here I'd never dream'a taking home with me.