How Green Becomes Wood

Dark just sat on the kitchen chair, texting with Daizi and giving her the full details of the situation. Immediately, Daizi also made a joke about how You're really going through a lot of trouble to obscure your affair from me. Since it was only over text, and Ciara wouldn't have to overhear and feel awkward, Dark played along.

When Cooger came home, he tossed a flannel at Dark, who immediately scrambled to put it on. It didn't fit quite right, but at least he was covered.
 
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"Thank you for your help," Ciara told Dark, able to fully look at him now that he was properly covered. "I am very appreciative of your aid, as well as your willingness to bring my bracelet to me. It was very thoughtful of you."
 
"You are welcome," Dark replied, tucking his phone away while Cooger continued to do his job, "You seemed as though you needed it, and I was already here. It would have been rude of me to just walk away."
 
"I would not have considered it rude. There are many other things that require your attention, and, as you mentioned, one of the benefits of renting is the fact that I can simply leave this mess for someone else to clean up," Ciara remarked.
 
"Thank you for your consideration. I do not wish to keep you from your other duties any longer," Ciara said politely. "I will be staying for a while to see what, if anything, Mr. Cooger might need from me."
 
"Let me know if you need anything," Dark told Ciara, gathering up his belongings and saying goodbye to both Ciara and Cooger before finally getting to go home. Honestly, he was very much looking forward to changing into completely dry clothes.
 
Ciara watched Cooger work for a bit in silence. "Is there anything you need of me?" she asked. "I do not wish to hover over your shoulder and make you uncomfortable, nor do I wish to leave if you have need of me."
 
"No, I've got it, thanks though," Cooger assured her, "The work itself isn't that bad, just snaking my camera through your pipes to see what's what. Gonna have to call your landlord in a bit though, I think."
 
"Very well. Here is my spare key, in case you need it." She handed over a key that had a tag attached that said, "House Spare" in neat lettering on the label. "I trust you have my number in case you need anything. I will be taking my leave now."
 
"Indeed," Ciara said dryly. She went to her room and picked up her bags. She'd made certain to pack any carryable valuables, anyway, so there was very little to steal. There was a television she rarely used and a desktop computer, but she doubted she'd miss the television, and the computer wasn't much use without the hard drive tucked securely in one of her bags in an anti-static sleeve. She said goodbye to Cooger and left to see if any hotels near her would allow for an early check-in. If necessary, she was willing to move to an extended stay, but she didn't want to start there. She'd wait until after the landlord and Cooger had assessed the situation and then let her know what the plan was.
 
Ciara had found a small but decent hotel room. It didn't even offer breakfast, but there was free wifi, and the rooms were perfectly clean. That was enough for now. She sat perched on a worn but comfortable chair looking out the first floor window which stared directly at her car. "Yes, I do have as many seconds as you need," she told him.
 
"Alright, so, I already told your landlord all of this, but I took a look at it, and I even had a buddy of mine who is only a plumber--best in the buisness, I'll tell you, wears his pants too low and everything. A consumate professional. I had him double check. There's this pipe section that is so old and rotted out... I mean, frankly, you're lucky it didn't burst sooner and severe-er. It's gonna take at least a week to fix it all up."
 
"Ah," was all Ciara could say at first. She said nothing for a moment, considering, weighing her options, processing. Then she said, "I appreciate you informing me. You did very good work. I will be discussing some things with my landlord and removing my items so that you - or your plumber friend - can work without having to mind them."
 
Cooger nodded sympathetically, "Sounds good, do whatever it is you need to do. And I hope you take some comfort in the face you don't gotta pay what will definitely be an... Well, it ain't gonna be a cheap fix." He paused for a moment and said, "Can I tell ya something, off the record? As a pal, not the guy your landlord hired?"
 
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