OTA

[thecatinahat]

WHO: Cougar Alvarez
WHERE: Outside the Inn
WHEN: December 12th, after the meeting
OPEN TO: OTA
WARNINGS: n/a
STATUS: Open

---

After the hunting, the wendigo, and the meeting, Cougar's energy is running low. It's not so low that when he comes across a strange box with his name on it that he ignores it, though, even if there's a part of him that does wait and takes his time, because the last thing he wants is a bomb going off just because he's let his guard down. Still, the box isn't ticking when he holds it up to his ear and it's no different than the last (though the last time he got something, he also lost his memory for the next three weeks).

Too exhausted to care, he opens it up and his eyes light up for the first time since the feast. Inside is a rainbow of candies, from nerds to pop rocks, twizzlers and jelly beans, and under it some lollipops and chocolate kisses. He could just be tired and cold, but the sight of it makes him let out a grateful sob of relief, not sure where he wants to go first, but he's starving and thinks he can't be faulted for jamming four kisses into his mouth for the sheer chocolate rush that causes.

When he gets a minute to calm himself, Cougar sets himself down on the stoop of the inn with his new treasure, rifling through like there'll be some message at the bottom. There isn't, though, which means that it has nothing to do with the hunt. Right now, though, he has to ration these, because if Jake finds out that he got candy and didn't share, he might be in the market for a new home soon, even after so long a day.

When he hears the door open behind him, Cougar glances over his shoulder while unwrapping one of the lollipops, jamming it in his cheek and raising his brow in greeting, nudging his hat up just enough to offer a brief moment of eye contact.

Comments

[fishermansweater]

It's been a long day. Long, and unsettling, because the confirmation that there are mutts out there isn't a reassuring one. He's handled mutts before, but he's also watched them rip tributes to shreds for no other reason than their Capitol programming.

He didn't see the girl's body, but he saw the deer, and he's seen people torn apart like that before, though never by a mutt quite like that one. He needs to get the smell out of his head, and even the crispness of the freezing air isn't enough. Finnick himself doesn't feel cold, thanks to the disconcerting new ability he seems to have to make things hot without matches, flint, or anything but his bare hands.

It's like one of Cinna's costumes, without a stylist's trickery, and somehow making him hot, too. He's lit the fire back at their house for Annie, and he's on his way to make a later circuit of his fishtraps when he sees Cougar sitting out on the steps of the inn, unwrapping a piece of candy.

"Is that a lollipop?"

[thecatinahat]

Cougar just presses it to his other cheek with an even bigger smirk on his face. He's still tired, of course, and the hunger is going to kick in again soon once the sugar has worn off, but right now he feels like a child again with a treat. Digging into the box, he debates how much he has and offers one out to him, waving it around a little before he plucks the one out of his mouth. "If I share now, when you have fish, you'll share with me?" He doesn't mean to turn everything into a barter economy, but he also wants to make sure he's keeping his people fed.

And besides, this is a high-value item right now. If he just gave it away without asking for anything, he might not have anything left for himself.

[fishermansweater]

Bartering in this place is still a strange thing to Finnick. Not that it never happens in an arena, but selfish hoarding is more common than trading. It had been Cougar whose talk of trading had made Finnick so confused to start with, but now Finnick has a bit of a better idea of the guy. He's been watching, and he thinks the offer is genuine.

"I'm on my way to check my traps now," he says, by way of agreement to the terms, his face suddenly far more boyish than usual, his grin reminiscent of the brilliant teenager who'd charmed his way to victory in the Games.

Of course, when he takes a couple of steps closer to Cougar, his smile falters.

"I can't take something for myself and nothing for Annie."

It's the first time he's openly spoken any sort of admission to anyone here that it's not just sharing resources the two of them are doing.

[thecatinahat]

Cougar digs into the box and procures another lollipop so that when he draws them out of the box, he's got the sticks of them twined around them as he raises his brows at Finnick with the offer that he can take this, too. A fish will provide the house dinner, the least he can do is offer a few candies. So long as he has some for himself over the months and some to give to Jake (which will be the pop rocks, he's already sure of that), he doesn't mind trading the rest away slowly.

Besides, it's good to keep people thinking of him well. It helps cooperation, down the line. He gestures with them towards Finnick. "Annie will enjoy, I think," he says, not that he knows that much of the woman, but who doesn't enjoy a candy every now and again? And besides, maybe if she does like it, he can use more down the line to procure more bottles.

[fishermansweater]

"I think so too."

Finnick, of the two of them, is the one with the greater taste for the sugared luxuries of the Capitol, but small kindnesses and gifts have always been part of their displays of affection, and an expensive gift from the Capitol means no more than the small hand-made gifts they exchange at home.

Here, everything is more limited, because there's nowhere to go for even the most basic of supplies. This would be a small gift, but a gift, and that matters.

Finnick reaches out to take the candy.

"Thank you. I'll bring you back fish. I promise, I'll come back on my way back from the river."

[repressings]

He doesn't catch Cougar at the meeting--the chaos and noise and smell had made Credence more than a little anxious. He stayed in his room and only when things started to die down that he peeks his head out.

He wasn't really sure what he was expecting, but it wasn't a creature and a whole lot of people he doesn't know. It sets him on edge, not because he doesn't trust the other people but because he feels like he doesn't belong. A huge part of him is sure he'll be politely told that now that there are people in the inn, he really must be going now.

It's something that's spurred him on so much he's about to go for another walk. This time, to try to choose a house, or do something, as long as it's not taking up space in the inn.

Credence opens doors the same way he does anything else--cautiously and with care, and that's exactly why by the time it's half open the strange man with the hat is already looking right at him. Definitely one of the larger group that came back from hunting.

"Sorry," he immediately apologizes despite not actually doing anything wrong, "just passing through, I..."

He frowns, brows knit.

"I thought there were no sweets here, how did you--I mean, where did you find some?"

[thecatinahat]

If this were the team, Cougar would be able to communicate whole paragraphs with a single look or flick of his eyes. So when he smirks a little, pops the lollipop from his cheek, and tips his hat up, Pooch would be able to know that this means 'maybe that's because I'm magic and can make things appear when I want them to', but this is a stranger to him and it means that he's going to have to put in just a little more effort. "There's not," he says, reaching back to drag the box forward with cold hands. He gives it a little rattle and then glances at the boy. While he doesn't want to just give away all his food, he also can see the way that he looks at it with such longing. Digging out a lollipop in a flavour he's not too fond of, he offers it out.

"They come, sometimes, with your name," he says, tapping his name on the box before handing out the lollipop as a peace offering. "Here," he says. "You can have some."

[repressings]

He's not sure what he's expecting, but the offered lollipop isn't it at all. He's visibly caught off guard, and for a moment, he thinks it's handed with a hint of annoyance. Surely, he's just handing it over because he'd seen the way Credence looked forlornly at it--did he think that was some sort of ploy? The way beggars beg for change?

Or maybe he's reading too much into it. Maybe Credence is being silly and hasn't yet learned that not everyone here thinks he's a bad person. Hell, there are some people not even from this world. Ones who haven't heard of New York, let alone the New Salem Philanthropic Society.

His hand is cautious but steady, and his gaze flicks uncertainly not to the treat but to the man with the hat.

"Are you sure?"

[thecatinahat]

Cougar softens slightly as the boy starts to go through a whole process that shows, ending with his unsureness. He's seen this before, but usually he's not entirely sure how he's supposed to deal with it, being so reticent and quiet himself. All that he can offer is a steady, quiet offer of support. "Yes, it's for you," he promises, gesturing out with it again, tipping his head to one side to regard him. "I promise," he says, "I don't want anything for it." His words are accented and heavy, but he tries to keep kindness in his face.

Sometimes, that's all he can offer. He shifts the box forward in order to show the man the contents. "See? They all came for me. I will keep many, but want to share, too. Why not with you?"

[repressings]

Credence's eyes don't widen, but he does still look apprehensive. Even as he grasps the lollipop he's unsure, but that's not Cougar's fault--if anything, cougar's spurring him on, even if Credence has to concentrate on his accent. He should decipher things better, coming from New York, but he hasn't exactly lived a life filled with culture other than New Salem.

"Thank you," he says, and there's an edge of awe in his voice. Ma never lets them have sweets--and in any other time he'd question why he's still obeying his mom like this at age 20 and while she's not there, he can't right now. It's far too ingrained.

He settles on unwrapping it with complete reverence, like it's some sort of holy relic before glancing at the entire box.

"What did you to do earn them?" He asks. If he can push towards getting himself a box of sweets, best believe he will.

[thecatinahat]

Cougar gets to his feet when the boy thanks him, thinking that they should go somewhere warmer than this, but the Inn is still filled with too many people. He isn't sure that he's earned them, but at the same time, he's not sure that he didn't. His Catholic sense of the world in his mind still believes in actions that lead you to one place or another, why not things that bring you gifts. "I don't know," he says bluntly, gesturing for the boy to walk with him. "Maybe what I did, it was good enough to earn a reward?"

"Or maybe," he says, sliding his gaze over the boy, "you don't have to earn good things, sometimes."

[repressings]

He walks, wishing he hat his hat, too, and falls in line with Cougar before purposely staying a half-step behind. Cougar's the one leading and knows where they're going after all. He hugs himself briefly before his hands immediately move to his side and ball up into small fists the moment the other's gaze slides towards him.

Credence isn't looking at the other, not fully, but he can feel the gaze, he swears it. Even though the other is speaking absolute nonsense. Of course you have to earn good things--that's the whole point. He's not going to argue, though. Or at least not phrase it like that.

"Do they come often? Those gifts."

[seekingvinland]

Thorfinn was walking out, his cloak was halfway to being tied when his eyes landed on Cougar, the hood flipped back again as he stopped near his friend, pulling it off in a fancy move from years of practice with hoods and cloaks over his years. Without asking or seeming to think about it he drapes it over Cougar's shoulders before taking a seat at his side. Looking out at the snow more than anything. The cloak was well stitched, and made of many different furs together, meant to keep the wearer as warm as possible. Thorfinn knew bad weather was coming, he had taken all the pelts he had saved since summer to Kate weeks and weeks ago to get this made. He had been wearing it a lot over the last two weeks since it was finished.

"What is that you have?" He asked, not wanting to ask anything to bizarre like what they face, what happened to Jo and Cougar, and all the many questions he had. The stick sticking out of the other's mouth seemed much more important in that second. Though the chill was settling on his skin he didn't seem bothered yet. He was built for this kind of weather, the cloak was nice but only necessary for long trips out. Sitting outside a few minutes he would be fine.

[thecatinahat]

The shivering stops the minute the fur hits his shoulders. For all that Cougar's patience and tolerance have dwindled, he's still grateful for the respite from the cold, nodding to Thorfinn for it as he bundles up a little tighter. He thinks that Thorfinn has definitely earned himself a little sugar. "It's candy, from home," he says. "Or the US," he clarifies, because all the labels are in English and not Spanish, so he doubts that they came from Mexico. "Here," he says, digging in to find a chocolate kiss as he presses it into Thorfinn's hand. "Try this, I guarantee you will enjoy."

Apart from the feast, chocolate has been a very rare thing in this village. While he'll guard these stubbornly, he also does have an extra pile of chocolate at home. He can share some of the ones that have just arrived.

[seekingvinland]

Thorfinn shifted so he was half turned to face towards Cougar. He found it was easier for him to understand when he faced people, Cougar more than others since they had a bit of language issues between each other since English was not either's strong suit. "The US... America yes?" He asked to be sure, he was pretty sure it was but he liked to keep everything in order for him to retain it.

Reaching out to take the kiss he looked it over, the shiny paper catching his eyes before the thought that it make be sweet even connected Thorfinn pulled the little sliver of paper accidentally ripping it, a frown coming to his face. "Must it be destoryed to open? Or do you eay the silver?"

[thecatinahat]

Cougar nods to confirm America, smiling with amusement when Thorfinn stares at the wrapper. He reaches over to nudge it open just a little with his thumb in order to reveal the chocolate beneath. "There," he guides him with a nod of his head, having revealed the prize underneath the wrapper. "It's very good. I have a sweet tooth, what Jake would say." Which is an understatement, in the least. If left alone, Cougar would happily eat whole buckets of chocolates, especially when he'd been on a recon mission with little to do but sit and wait.

At least he always kept moving to avoid putting on the weight. He digs out another kiss from the box and opens it to show Thorfinn before popping it into his mouth, savouring it in the corner of his cheek for a long moment.

[seekingvinland]

When Cougar nudges the wrapper his brown eyes widen. He didn't know chocolate but seeing the color so close to his own eye color, and dirt he was suspicious at least until he watched Cougar do the same with another one.

He slowly peeled the silver away careful not to tear it, it was to pretty for that. Once he popped the chocolate in his mouth his eyes widened. He had never tasted anything like it before. "Oh fuck." He muttered in english, low the taste was not something he expected but he needed a second to process how sweet it was.

[thecatinahat]

Cougar feels bad, but he can't help the amused snort that lives low in the back of his throat at Thorfinn's obvious pleasure with the chocolate. "Good, isn't it?" he teases. He doesn't prod Thorfinn to say that if this is his reaction to a little bit of sweets, then he'd love to see him when he's in the throes of very good sex. They may be friends, but there are limits and it takes years for Cougar to get to that point.

Now, if it were Pooch or Roque or Jake? He wouldn't hesitate. "I took these on missions with me," he admits, tapping one of the unwrapped ones against his palm. "They were good to keep me company, when I was alone."

[seekingvinland]

He started to nod quickly at the question. "Very good!" he couldn't help the bit of excitement, had he realized how good it was he might have tried some if there was some at the feast. Instead he stuck to meat, cider and booze the way he would have back home. One day Thorfinn would be more willing to speak of such things, even to admit he has such feelings but that time was not yet, though it was very likely that Cougar would be the friend to break him out of that shell if someone else didn't first.

"I have never had something like that, my favored was always lakkrís" He didnt know the english name for Licorice root. "It was rare to find though. I was not good with plants as I am now, when I was a warrior like you."

[00nothing]

The meeting had been noisy and crowded, but also rather informative, and the thing is, Alex can't figure out whether that last point makes up for the first two are makes the whole thing worse. Being confronted with all the things wrong with this place made it more difficult for him to ignore them, after all.

And he was trying so desperately to ignore it right now.

Even after the bulk of the crowd has moved along, Alex can't help but feel a bit claustrophobic in the inn, or maybe antsy is a better term for it. Because he can't remember the last time he's done this. The wait and see rather than hunt and find. He feels like he can't breathe inside, all of the discussions that had taken place today pressing down on him like something palpable, and he has to step out for a minute. Just a step. Just to get some fresh air.

There's someone else on the inn stoop when he steps out and Alex stops short just in the doorway, wary, and the eye contact Cougar offers him doesn't help any because that just means that Alex recognizes the man now as being part of the hunt that started this whole thing off today.

He clutches at the doorjam of the inn like a lifeline, fingers going white, and swears very quietly under his breath.

[thecatinahat]

Cougar raises his brow when he sees the way he's holding onto the door, but he does little but suck on the lollipop and tug his hat back to a normal place on his head. He's used to that reaction from his team when they've done something and don't want Cougar and his observation skills to notice, but random strangers looking like that usually have a reason and he's not sure what he's done to earn this one.

"Que?" is all he offers, calmly staring at the boy without flinching, aware that he's being a bit of an asshole in trying to put him off guard, but he's being stared at and sworn at. He thinks he deserves to do whatever he likes.

[00nothing]

Alex takes a step back instinctively when Cougar levels a stare at him, leery of the sudden attention and using the doorjam as a makeshift shield by easing himself halfway behind it before he can even really consider what he's doing. Getting noticed was most certainly not in his plans here. At least not yet.

But then the anger flares up instead, familiar and consuming, and Alex's expression settles into something vaguely benign as he meets the man's gaze directly. He's done with letting adults intimidate him, even abstractly. It's just another form of control, in the end, and he's all too familiar with that. And not in the least bit interested in visiting the experience again any time soon.

Not that he always has that option, but here and now? It's mostly in his own hands.

"Disculpa, no quise decir mirar fijamente." Alex says evenly as he continues to hold the man's stare, words a clear contrast to his actions. After the years he'd spent living in Spain with Ian, the words come easy, and after a year working with MI6, the bravado does too. "No esperaba encontrarme con nadie aquí."

[thecatinahat]

Cougar softens a little when the boy actually apologizes for looking at him. Most of Cougar's posturing isn't really that at all, but his silence allowing other people to come up with perceptions about him that usually aren't true, but that Cougar doesn't exactly do much to dispel. It's funnier, that way, usually. Right now, though, he's just eating candy and decompressing.

"Estoy acostumbrado a mirar a la gente. Soy muy guapo," he deadpans, in a way that makes it clear that while he's not ugly, he's also joking. "¿Quiere uno?" he asks, wiggling the box.

[00nothing]

Deadpan or not, Alex makes a dubious expression at his words, and then a carefully concerned one. "¿Estás seguro de que no estaban mirando porque eran ciegos?" He asks gently, even as something bright and challenging sparks in his eyes. It's habit by now for him to banter like this with adults, even if more often than not it winds up being a very dangerous habit.

All things considered he could be doing much more destructive things right now though. He's not even in life or death peril right now. That's progress, right?

"Mi ama de llaves me enseñó a no tomar dulces de extraños." He adds thoughtlessly a moment later, eyeing the box with no small measure of curiosity, regardless.

[thecatinahat]

Cougar just snorts at the last comment (giving the first nothing more than a quick waggle of his brows in amusement) as he wiggles one of the lollipops back and forth, like he's trying to entice him with it. Yes, he's still a stranger to the boy, but it's wrapped and it's not like he has anything Cougar wants. Not now, at least, but who knows what he might find in the future? "Entonces dime tu nombre," he starts, "Y dejaremos de ser extraños."

It's easy when you put it like that, but it's hard to turn the suspicious parts of your brain off. If the situations were reversed, he's not so sure that he'd be quick to trust, even for something so sweet. Well, maybe back then, but now is a different case.