Cooking was partially relaxing, meandering easy task that it consisted of. As Zeke spoke now, offering a shower right before cutting off in shock over the mention of the lodge.... well, Scratch was considering of simply explaining he had no spare clothes to shower. All of that was in the car, and now was probably hell knows dropped where on Alan's way to New York City.
❝Is there something wrong with the lodge?❞ "Elias" forces a small confused voice, to seem equally perplexed about such a reaction as it itself. Elderwood Palace Lodge was merely a hotel now, occupied often enough by Wake and Scratch. Nothing to worry about. ❝I appreciate it, Zeke...❞ At that Scratch hums lightly. He honestly rather stay here, enjoy the company and the literature accessible to him.
❝Just got to hope I don't slip up with myself,❞ Scratch mutters to himself and nobody else in particular as he continues with the pancakes.
He hears the soft ruckus as the two disagree outside, sets the plates once Kayla leaves. Scratch feels at peace again then, chuckling carefully at Zeke's apology and adding a quick 'no worries' to it.
As the Deputy talks, Scratch finds himself listening in honest good effort, but it's difficult. All he can think of is interjecting with his own truth. He clears his throat, allowing for a second of silence that's a little tense to settle.
❝I like you, Zeke. I really... I feel like your light-- which no offense, you do have plenty off-- is offsetting my darkness. I do... erm, I really do like that. But I don't wanna be a charity case, or bother you. I mean, I'm practically homeless now. I couldn't pay for a night in the lodge's room and a day of food, because all I've got is fifty bucks in my pocket.❞ Scratch sighs, laying it heavy. ❝I honestly don't know what to do... It's my addiction that got me into this mess, to begin with. I just...feel bad adding to a list of issues for myself, and especially for you.❞
At that, Scratch focuses his eyes directly at Zeke and offers a weak lopsided smile. ❝I don't know what the best course of action really is. I just wanna get better, and get home eventually.❞
Officer Miller looked as if he were genuinely considering what Elias was asking. What was wrong with letting him stay at the lodge, truly?? What person would be so stupid, so insane as to make such a scene and try and kill someone with so many witnesses around??
Despite feeling uncomfortable about leaving Elias out of sight, the Officer had to let up on his protection detail. Kayla really did know him like that.
"Well.. not really?? It might be a bit much, y'know..?? Tourists. It's swamped come Deerfest time. You understand it makes our job that much more complicated, especially with the murders. If this continues, Deerfest will have to be cancelled for the year and foreseeable future. And you can't just tell these people something like that."
He sighed with a half-hearted smile. He truly adored this town with everything he had and would give his life for it if it came to it.
That, too, would be up for consideration. What would it take to finally catch this butcher??
Approaching the counter, Zeke sighed as he mulled it over and drank from a new cup of coffee made in the way he preferred. It wasn't like the coffee at the Diner, but it would do for now. He stared out the window in silence as he did, listening to the subtle sounds of the spatula and the soft sizzle of the residual pancake batter in the pan.
He wouldn't let this case get to him; after all, Zeke had his other priorities, too. Even if he didn't have Elias staying with him anymore, it didn't mean they didn't have some sort of friendship from this?? Zeke liked Elias. As unfortunate as his life was, most likely even before he came here, Zeke could sense that underneath, there was a man who wanted to be valued and understood more than anything. He would try to give him both the best way he knew how and without causing hardship. As his councillor but as a friend now as well.
Miller paused in mid-sip as his gaze eventually rested on Elias once more. What he said next confused him as much as it hurt him somehow. What did he mean by 'Your light is offsetting my darkness'? Where the heck did that come from, and was it some sort of metaphor?? An unfair comparison?? No. He was overstepping himself again.
He watched the other man as if at a temporary loss for words.
Elias was really in bad shape, wasn't he? It made him all the more angry and justified in having a chat with this other person for leaving him in his struggles like this.
Luckily for both of them, Elias' struggles were why Zeke felt the need to approach him in the first place. No judgement, no expectations. Despite his offer of assistance, the last thing Zeke wanted him to feel was that he felt sorry for him.
"Now hang on, you have it all wrong. I don't see you as a charity case, Elias. I want to help you at least figure things out and make the best of the situation that you're in?? If you feel like 'My light is crowding your darkness,' I'll give you the space, and I'm sorry. Really, I am. I'll let you go, but..I'm just... Ever since we met at the meeting, I felt like you needed something more than what most could offer. You seem surprisingly receptive and willingly accepting of insight and support. It's just too bad we couldn't get further because of all this. And I hope you take this in the right way too, but I would feel personally responsible if I let you leave and something happened to you. I know I said you were free to do what you want, but what can I do to convince you to stay?? Let's see.. You can 'bother me' about anything, all you want, at any time, at night. You can make whatever you want in my kitchen, like coffee. Hell, you can even take my bed. But reconsider this, please?? Call it smothering, but somewhere between that, I'm just trying to be a friend and do what I'm expected to do by protecting the people of this town." Did he seem too desperate?
Placing his cup gently on the counter, Zeke turned fully towards the other he called his friend, a pained smile as he silently hoped his viewpoint was adequately communicated and that Elias would, as a result, reconsider. All Officer Miller needed was more time and something more to go on.
"And we'll figure this out, Elias. Could you please trust me? Let me help you, help yourself. Okay?? We will get you home. I can promise you that."












