Friendly

Clearing his throat, Ethan carefully considers his next few words. "So, you're in charge?" He motions around the area, trying to save some words.

"Technically, no," Sam shrugs, "But in practice, yes."

Ethan frowns. He really doesn't want to waste more words asking what that means. After a few beats, Sam gets the hint. "Most of the town leadership is quite incapable, so I find myself taking on many hats."

"Harsh."

Shrugging, Sam doesn't seem to fight the succinct accusation. "You'll find out. You should attend the next town hall. You'll see it firsthand."

"Town hall?" Ethan winces, wasting two words he really didn't need to. "When is..." he pauses, "That?"

Sam rolls her eyes. "You're still got forty words. Don't turn into a caveman on me."

Ethan frowns, not surprised she's keeping count so well.

"Next one is scheduled for the 5th of next month," Sam sips her coffee, taking a long pull before she lowers her cup with yet another lip smack. "Now that you're part of the town, you really should come."

Ethan notices her tone shift towards the end there. She actually means it. Considering that, Ethan nods. "I think I will then."

Sam smiles. "Good. This town... It doesn't grow the way most towns do..." Sam frowns, looking around, "New blood is always welcomed here."

"Happy to be welcomed," Ethan shrugs, "Although my blood isn't all that new..."

"I suppose so..." Sam sighs, shaking her head, "Green Valley is in your blood. Quite literally... You didn't... Know about... You know... Before?"

Ethan shakes his head no, not wanting to waste one of his twenty-four remaining words.

"That's insane." Sam shakes her head. "You could have been spreading...Erm..." Sam clears her throat. "Sorry."

"It's okay." Ethan shrugs. The more he talks, the more he realizes it's easy to keep things brief.

Sam sighs again, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Town is too stuck in its ways..."

"You want to change that, right?"

"I am going to change it." Sam clicks her tongue. "You'll fucking see."

Ethan smiles, somehow not doubting it.

"Word count is getting low." Sams swirls her cup, then brings it to her lips for another sip.

Nodding, Ethan thinks on what else he can say. "Anything advice for the town hall?"

Sam considers the question for the moment, swirling her drink again. "Bring a snack... They tend to go a while."

Ethan chuckles. "Noted."

"Ten more words," Sam smiles, clearly having fun counting.

Ethan shrugs. "Next time I'll buy you two coffees."

Sam gives Ethan a wry smile. "If there even is a next time."

"Never know." Ethan smiles, offering another, smaller shrug.

Sam snorts. "I suppose if you stick around we really don't... Two words left."

Ethan doesn't even need to think about what he wants to use them for. "See ya."

Sam snorts again, a little louder this time.

With a wave, Ethan leaves Sam to her coffee, getting back on track for his own affairs.