Sheriff and Grayson

The sheriff is attending in modest western style. His mood is less dour than usual-- that is to say, he's more animated now than when most spot him during casual encounters.
The sheriff, hair slicked with pomade, and patterned blue long-sleeved shirt-on, approaches Gray with an easygoing saunter. He nods his head in a polite bow towards the girl beside him. He's met with Gray as recently as after the fire, to offer his condolences and possible help. "How's it going, Grayson?"

Grayson turns, his heart sinking as he's addressed by someone. However, to his surprise, it's the sheriff. Not the one he expected to talk to today. "Oh, Sheriff. Nice to see you here, sir." The griffon responds respectfully, sitting up. "Things are going... decently. As busy as ever, if not moreso. Plenty of cases. Healing is slow but sure."

@Grayson Perhaps there's tenderness in his voice. It's hidden like the chirps of baby birds within a downed log. There's mostly pride. "Just like you to be back on your feet lickity split. You can sit, ain't no need for that here."

"Thank you, sir." Grayson says as he takes his seat again, shuffling towards Gwen a tad. "I can't stay doing nothing for long. I become restless. Just ain't in me to wait around, not when there's policing to be done. Got a hefty case load already. How've you been keeping yourself?" He asks, offering a polite smile and a nod to @horse

@Grayson He stares in a few moments of quiet contemplation. He takes his seat beside. "Hefty case load, huh? Mmm, the office is like that. 'Few deputies have quit the force at the worst time possible. I reckon its our fault you're busy, iff'n we're not doing our jobs as properly as I want." His lips are stretched thin and his expression is a little tired.

"I wouldn't say that, sir." Grayson replies, the formality coming as naturally as drinking down a gulp of beer or taking a puff of a cigarette. "Some of the cases are from the sheriffs office, but I've a fair share of private cases too. That's ignoring the fact that I do have a private life. Stuff's pretty complicated, the fire didn't help that." Gray laments, but with a slight smile on his face, albeit a tad wistful. "Crime here's just been ramping up, it seems. Along with life itself."
@horse

@Grayson "Growin' city 'n all," he says. He's not too bothered by the beginning of the ceremonies, barely casting a glance over. "I'm glad to have you out there. It's probably helpin' us get through the day. I know I couldn't spare more than a handful of deputies to investigations that aren't pressing."

Grayson genuinely smiles a bit yo hear that from the sheriff himself. He nods courteously to Jerald. "I appreciate you saying that, sir. I do my best. I've no intention of resting until I close every homicide case that sits on my desk. The dead cannot cry out for justice. It's the duty of the living to do so for them." @horse

@Grayson He departs from his seat. "I reckon. Let's bag this for later. I don't want to be on duty," he says, blowing a breath of mild mirth. "Yeh, good luck, Grayson."

"Later, Sheriff." Grayson says to his boss, nodding to him instead of saluting. That would be much too uniform for this event. He turns back to @Mockingbird (Gwen) and gently nudges her. "So you got the dress up north, huh? It looks amazing on you, you've some fine figure..."