Haven Mayhem

Pretty Silent for You

The sun was covered by a few light clouds as we walked back. Once arriving, Zen after looking at the sky smiled at me; "I'm just going to catch up with Wynn for a few preparations and all. Why don't you join Harley, she'd love to speak with you." He scuffed his coat and began walking away from me. Knowing nothing else, I catch up to him.

"And where exactly is Harley? Do you think leaving a visitor is a good sign of a friendly, welcoming Town?" I asked. Hearing this, he turned to me surprised with his brows up. "Oh yes! This wouldn't be a good representation for another visitor. I believe Harley would be by Evan's house currently, his front porch to be exact." The distracted mayor chuckled. He pointed towards one of the identical Beige houses across the road. Pointing to specific Shingle-styled houses, was one with a tree standing in front of the house. "That house there." He pats me on the shoulders, then turns back to his original direction. "Go on!" then walks away.

As I walk towards the house, I noticed something I barely saw earlier, the road wasn't endless with any other routes. It went straight ahead with an abrupt end to it, on each side of it are empty grounds, probably for the construction of another house or building. The houses look all familiar, along with similar ones. The same rectangle-shaped houses, with dark roofs. Two windows in front with just a single door as a front entrance. The grass looked well-kept and mowed regularly too. Peach-colored fencing separates each house from one another.

There, near the tree were Evan and Harley. I run towards them, with them noticing. Harley looked warmer now, unlike our first encounter. Evan still looks shaken, avoiding any contact with me. "What are you doing right now?" "I'm just checking up on my neighbors, that's all!" Harley was ecstatic. Heart glanced at Evan then me. "You guys should talk for a bit; I'm going to get something at home!" She walked off from behind the fence, meanwhile, Evan was hesitant when trying to say something, they looked like they have some conversation starter but turns a blind away.

"How are you? You look distraught." I ask. "Nothing, nothing wrong! I-" Evan was doing panicked hand gestures and looking around. "I don't know... When someone new arrives, I need to be well-mannered." They looked down and then tilted their head again, looking at me. "... and well-prepared too, hehe." They have an obvious body expressions, maybe he can tell me more about this place. "So... have you been a long resident here?" I asked. Immediately he went silent. This is such a simple question, what gives with this behavior? "No... I have been here for only 3 years I think?" "That sounds like you spent time here longer than I thought."

He seemed stunned. Is it him or am I asking pretty basic normal questions? They seemed so expressive with Monika earlier, everything is so off about them. He wears mostly black outdoors first of, he has a matching mask that he doesn't take off while eating to come with it. Ok maybe that's too weird of me and he could just be more- communicative to people he's close to, that could just be it.

I must be assertive but respectful to my targets as a journalist. Remembering every detail is important, maybe grabbing a bite will keep their mind off the questions; "Do you want to eat? I think I saw other buildings and stores near that museum?" Evan's eyes looked delighted. "Yeah, I and Wynn run a partnered restaurant there." Evan stopped leaning on the fence behind them; "We can stop by if you're still hungry, Wynn might be there too!" They have a changed mood when I mentioned food instead of other things, especially since they didn't eat the food they made earlier in the picnic.

He sauntered forward, possibly leading me to their restaurant. "By the way, aren't you sweating under that mask? Especially if we are going to eat, you will have to -" Evan's jolly mood got abruptly shortcut. "Well... it's weird but-" His sentence was too, cut off when we felt a slight push behind with an arm around my shoulder. "Where are you guys going? Without me of course?" Harley had a playful look. "Just getting food in the shop, I need to check on Nuggs! Goodbye again." Then Evan started speed-walking forward, leaving me and Harley quickly. "I'll just catch up to them, you can follow along," I suggested. Harley sighed for a bit. "You know what, Evan might not want me around for a bit so you can go catch up to them." All I did was give a quick nod and then tried to catch up to Evan.

"To answer you're question-" Evan said, slowing down to normal speed. "Naw, I'll be keeping the mask on. Not with them around..." I looked behind seeing Harley walking away from us. Maybe they were talking about her, do they have a dilemma too? "I may seem rude or closed-off to you Akio, sorry for that. Hopefully, a good meal can make amends?" "Oh don't worry, that didn't mean anything bad!"

Arrived at the restaurant's front door with bold lettering above the building "Garden of Eatin' ". Evan opened the door for me with the small bell ringing. I was greeted with a delicious smell; the atmosphere was warm with the scent of pastry. Ahead of me was Windy at the counter with a polite smile. "You can sit wherever! This place is very empty." Wynn then called Evan over behind the counter. Wynn told me; "I'll just discuss something with Evan, be right back!" So I was just left here to maybe wait for food.

I turned my head to see the menu along with their food displays: Donuts, pasta, and pancakes. For some investigation (And my hunger) I walked toward the counter. It had a little bell, a notebook, and a notepad that must be used to take orders. The notebook might be to write recipes, as I start scanning and flipping through pages:

List of things to get:

-flour, buttermilk Eggs (Bette M.'s pancakes)

-noodles, meatballs, (GOE's best food)

-syrup (Z. keeps finishing them)

-cheez fries (Harley loves em)

-WYNN ADD PELLETS FOR NUGGS plspls! (marshamellow for me too) :))

I look up from the notebook to hear the backdoor to where Evan and Wynn must be in. I wonder what they're doing, maybe refilling stocks of ingredients, like in this list? I go behind the counter, about to knock. There was a circle window on the door, that-

"What are you peaking at??"