2019-11-08 - Strange Is Relative

Devlin is at a table working on a large Cappuccino and slowly nibbling on a plain bagel with cheese. He is reading or paging through a large book.. frequently just nodding his head. At rare moments, he checks something on his smart phone based of something he is looking at perhaps. There is a black ball cap with a Combat Medic Badge embroidered on the front of it laying on the table in plain view.

Hera pockets her cellphone in her purse as she walks into the coffee shop. She takes in a deep breath and as she does she realizes that now might be a good time to 'powder her nose' literally in this case. The flu brings its own problems and after producing the compact she checks the tiny mirror. First impressions are important and she mutters under her breath, "Real family doesn't die, real family doesn't die, real family doesn't die." But it's a little tense for her, and her eyes open wide as she looks about. There is trepidation but, holding her shoulders back, she checks her posture as she walks on in. Yeah, she's gone from a kid on the streets to a college grad, she's got this!

Devlin glances up as someone enters. He gives you a once over and then his attention is back to his skimming his book. Then again with occasional people coming in and out.. not like he'd take note for the moment. He sips his coffee and coughs into a napkin, a bit of a growl on his part as this is annoying him. Still he seems to be fairly ok other that being a little green about the gills and may be could be tired?

Hera is a little distracted in a way that might not be all that becomming. While she would normally walk in confidence, this time, she feels her submissive side pulling her to act a certain way as some random patron almost bumps into her. "Sorry Sir" she says then clears her throat to find her pride again. Courage isn't something that comes natural to her, she had to earn it, but something earning it reminds one that internal strength could be a prescious gift.

She was given some information beforehand, not much. She technically doesn't know who she is looking for. But hearing someone cough she comments, "A bug is going around I fear." then her kind nature prompts her to ask, "Need some water or something?" Yeah, water, much better than coffee right?

Devlin looks up, and answers, "I'm good to go. Not dying yet, but this crap does exhaust you. Hot fluids seem to help." He closes the book, it appears to be some sort of EMT certification book for the state of Oregon. "No tea here, so drinking coffee." He offers, "There are some good herbal teas that knock the crap out of the back of your throat pretty well. Mind you, shit is back after about twenty minutes.." yup, looks a little exasperated by that last fact.

Hera smiles a little, but it's only a slight smile. There is certainly a little bit of awkwardness in meeting anyone for the first time, even if it's just random strangers in coffee shops. "Tea can be good. It gives you less jitters. Some think that jitters are the way to go though, but, I guess we all have our preferences. I think something might be going around though, but most of the people I know, don't seem to come down with it. I hate being sick myself but, been through worse."

Devlin nods, "Coffee's good. Though.. you here for someone? Most people just bee line for the bar to order and then chat?" He then hmms, "Miss Foster for a guess?"

Hera nods in response to that and says, "Yes, I uhm." Her nerves tingle a bit as they prompt her to take a strand of red hair and tuck it behind her ear. "I, well, am supposed to be meeting a family member that I never met before?" The question is posed as if part of her thinks it's a bit too good to be true. Hopefully, she's not making too much of a fool of herself.

Devlin stands up and offers his hand, "Devlin McCloud." He smiles a little, "Mom loves to drop good drama into lives. One of her more interesting traits." He motions to the counter, "Grab a cup and pull up a chair if you would like."

Hera feels her eyes glisten a little as it's confirmed. Cousins, kin, whatever you would call it, it's all a huge relief to her and a bundle of excitement. The hand if bypassed and she goes in for a tight hug. "I didn't realize...." then, whoa, talk about invading someone's personal space! She coughs a little, maybe it's the flu or maybe it's the excitement of it all? Whatever it is, her emotions have gotten the best of her. "Sorry uhm." she nervously moves to take a seat, "I, just didn't think that real family well...sorry." her subservient side resurfaces it seems but she slowly takes the chair, putting her purse on the top of the small table nearby.

Devlin actually has a sense of empathy so as you dodge the hand for the hug, he just hugs. "You ok? Seem a little over whelmed." He takes his chair again once you release him. "No need to be sorry." There is still a slight smile there on his part. "Mom mentioned something about being a foster kid?" His tone concerned, "Did I get that right?"

Hera shrugs a little and says, "Well, not exactly it's." she sighs a little and then shrugs, "I don't know if you really want to hear it all. Orphaned yes, that is for sure. Things actually got worse from there, then, they got better, then, they got worse. Long story but, managed to finally pick myself up and, try to start a new business. We will see how it goes. My loft it's still under construction but." she finally smirks a little, "Getting there. At least I will finally have a home, a true home. Gets lonely but, it's a haven." she pauses and adds, "It's serene."

Devlin nods, "Well, sounds like some stories for the future then. Grew up an Army brat, been McClouds in some service of the military since the War of 1812. Me, I enlisted as a combat medic. Was with the 82nd Airborne. Been on four tours, two each to Iraq and Afghanistan. I'm out now and trying to get through my certifications for Oregon to be an EMT here in Gray Harbor."

Hera relaxes a little more and says, "Yeah, just, really bad stuff. I guess, that would explain a bit of, me. Sorry if I was a bit too forward. I lost my parents when I was eight and, never really knew of family after that. Sent out a few messages, no one responded." her voice sounds a bit hollow as she says, "Gave up, focused on art and business. It's a bit of a strange combination I guess but, I think this is going to work."

Devlin says, "It's all good." He sips his coffee. "Life is not always fair. Saw that on the battle field and back in LA. We can get to know each other, I have a feeling Mom will want me to report in." He winks, "Dad may be a retired Sergeant Major.. but Mom out ranks everyone."

Hera heaves a heavy sigh, but she doesn't appear depressed or out of sorts for long. "That's an unstatement when it comes to me but, pity, that's worse. Easy to regress from time to time but, life is what we make of it, and the truth will set you free, even if you don't want to see it. It's like that knife that cuts you. It hurts at first then you start to get used to it and when you can finally pull it out and heal, the release it's." then she shrugs and says, "Sorry, maybe not the best analogy. A much better one, if you take the clay and mold it, it takes a while to create the right vase and finally, you come out with something that has no cracks."

Devlin nods, "It works. So been here long? The town that is? Have you noticed anything.. strange?" He takes a breath, "For the longest time I thought some of the stuff I have seen was combat fatigue or me just meditating too deeply. Now, not sure.." Yeah.. the vet has seen things or experience stuff that has him wondering big time.

Hera sits back again and says, "Strange, is a bit of a relative thing. I have noticed that well." she exhales and realizes this is not the nicest thing to say, "I'll be honest. I think I've had the touch of a flu but, I'm noticing that it just doesn't seem to be a very normal flu. As if I'm seeing things that just don't really make sense. I guess I've never had this kind of bug before. It's left me with a bit of a feeling that is a little odd though."

Devlin and Hera are at a table. Delvin has a cappuccino and a bagel that he is slowly working on. Off to his side there is a black ball cap with a Combat Medic badge on the front and next to it is a book that if you look at the title, related to an EMT certifying in this state. Hera strangely has not gotten anything. The two are chatting, with Devlin being the calm one and Hera perhaps just a little emotional on the happy side.

Devlin and Hera are at a table. Delvin has a cappuccino and a bagel that he is slowly working on. Off to his side there is a black ball cap with a Combat Medic badge on the front and next to it is a book that if you look at the title, related to an EMT certifying in this state. Hera strangely has not gotten anything. The two are chatting, with Devlin being the calm one and Hera perhaps just a little emotional on the happy side. <reposed>

Hera hasn't ordered anything to drink yet and she sits across from Devlin as the two continue to have a casual chat. "Yeah so, strange things. Sorry again for saying too much too quickly. It was really bad a week or so ago but I had a few hired helpers to work on getting my gallery setup. I think the best business move is to do weekly art classes and serve cheap wine, that kind of thing." she giggles a little and says, "Of course I'll have to stay sober if the kiln is involved for the pottery."

Honestly? Julia doesn't come in here often. She grew up on una colada and her grandma's pastelitos and sugar cookies, so with some exception it's only a few things in the pastry case that can beg her interest. And that's where she heads. She orders a danish and heads for a table, coincidentally not far from Hera and Devlin.

Devlin sips his cappiccino and nods to Hera. "Take it easy. One thing at a time. We have that, plenty of time. Not everyday you get to meet a" He pauses and rubs his chin, "think Mom said.. 2nd cousin or something like that? Still pretty cool when you think on it."

Hera smiles a comfortable smile and says, "True, speaking of which." her eyes fall over in Devlin's direction, "In the medical field, you said you were? I had some very basic skills taught to me in college, very basic ones. It's a good field to be in." She smiles in Julia's direction and says, "Are the sweets any good? I shouldn't be eating them much but something smells good."

Shaking out her black umbrella just over the threshold, Clarissa steps in and immediately adjusts her hair, closing the umbrella and leaving it in the stand before heading over to the counter, "Coffee, black." She orders when it's her turn, mostly paying attention to the iPhone in her hand before distractedly looking over the people assembled, "Sweets in general are terrible for you," she answers Hera without being asked, "And barely anything in this town is sugar-free or gluten-free."

Julia flashes a smile at Hera. "Well," she says, said smile turing coy, "Here's the thing. The owner is the girlfriend of a friend of mine so I won't they aren't good, but I will suggest that you stop by the Fried Fish shack on the boardwalk some morning around ten, and get a fresh baked mango pastelito." She gives Hera surveying look. "A pound or two isn't going to hurt you." Her amused gaze drifts Clarissa-ward, probably thinking the sentiment applies to her as well. Skinny white ladies, man.

Jacob steps into the cafe a few moments after Clarissa does the same. He's wearing a long overcoat on top of a doctor's jacket, neat shirt, tie, trousers underneath that. He brushes some of the rain out of his messy ginger hair, then joins the queue for coffee. The young doctor stands for a moment, but then as the line doesn't quite move fast enough for his liking, he's got his phone in his hand, scrolling with a thumb.

Devlin nods, "Working on my EMS certifications for the state." He smiles to Julia, "Can't say I have been there yet. Battling this dam... dang bug and so far it hasn't forced me full bed rest. I have these damn exams to take when by rights should be wavered.. Bureaucrats and that SOB down in Cali making what should been an easy situation difficult. I have a slot up in Tacoma with the Guard as part of a Dust Off team... but that doesn't matter it seems." Over to one side, Devlin has a black ball cap with a combat medical badge on it and next to that is one of those Oregon EMS certification exam study guides.

Hera briefly looks down at her hips as she doesn't quite feel the same way Julia does. "I'll be sure to stop in though a pound or two, not a good idea." At the mention of exams her eyes narrow a little, "Have you checked your reading strategies? SQ3R is one of the best and of course Cornell Notes can help. I had to study many things many times. Cramming, it never works." Out of politeness or curiousity, she waves at Jacob then goes back to conversing with Devlin and Julia.

Clarissa gives Julia a raised brow as if to say that of course two pounds will hurt you. She then looks over to Hera with a nod of approval. No extra weight here, "The coffee isn't bad so long as you skip the cream and sugar. And I had that flu," this is to Devlin with a wrinkle of her nose, "It takes a bit to recover from. At least since you didn't have it when everyone in the world did there might be soup available."

"She's right." Julia notes, nibbling on her danish. "Her, I mean." She indicates Hera. Clarissa's comment makes her grin. "Maybe I'll put tortilla soup on special next week. It'd be different, that's for sure." Her gaze flits back to Devlin, offering, "Once you get your cert, if you swing by the boardwalk, the shack gives out small boxes of popcorn shrimp to first responders every day. Veterans get discounts off the other menu items, too." At Jacob's entrance, he gets an amiable nod.

Jacob returns Julia's nod, even though he finds the gesture somewhat confusing from a stranger. Before much longer, it's his turn to order. "Large americano, three cream, four sugar. Please." He speaks with a tone of unsaid urgency, implied seriousness in the relatively unimportant words. He pays with his phone, tapping it to the terminal, then goes back to scrolling on it with his thumb. Until he pulls a second phone out of another pocket and scrolls on that one as well for a moment, then puts it back away, taking a place at the counter to wait for his coffee.

Devlin nods, "Normally Hera, you would be correct and that would be helpful." He sips his coffee and finishes off his bagel. "In my case, already on the National EMT registry, it was part of my qualifications to be come a 68 Whiskey or medic. I have 14 years in my MOS and I have been on two tours to Iraq and two tours to Afghanistan." He taps the book, "I know this stuff dead cold.. main thing I have to learn is the Oregon way of doing business. Every state is a little different as I understand it."

Clarissa picks up her coffee in a to-go cup but then doesn't actually turn to go, "Do you work at one of the restaurants around here?" She asks Julia, taking a careful, tiny sip and deciding it's still too hot to properly drink, "Any soup at all would have been welcome when I was laid out, even if chicken soup is the most traditional." Jacob and his phone get a quick look, perhaps he's also a businessman? But then she turns back to the current conversation she's injecting herself into, "Four tours all together? It's a wonder you're here at all."

Hera begins to stand and says, "I can help you with that too. Though a lot of those lessons need to be learned on one's own. Come by Vivid Dreams. It's about up and rumming. I live upstairs of the main gallery and I need to get information out about the art gallery. For now, I need to head back home." she then pauses to address anyone who listens, giving directions to where she plans to host classes, "Come by, it's an open place for the most part. If you want to learn painting and pottery, it would be worth your time." She then gives a half bow and heads out.

Julia eyes Clarissa incredulously. "I'm a Velez." She doesn't expect that to sink in, so she supplies, "My family's owned Fried Fish for three generations here in town. I'm managing it for right now, but I do other work on my own. Private chef bookings, culinary lessons, cateriing. "

Jacob 's coffee is ready, and he picks it up with a note of thanks to the barista. He moves to a more comfortable seat and stretches out a bit, phone still glued to his other hand. The new location's vantage point puts him within earshot of Devlin as he mentions his background. Impressive. Enough that he'll offer his unasked for opinion. "From the sounds of it, you'll be needed here. There always seems to be strange injuries headed to the hospital." An obnoxious slurp from his coffee cup.

It's a good thing Julia continued because from the blank look on her face that name wasn't going to register, "Ah, yes, I've heard good things. And catering, did you say?" Suddenly Julia has Clarissa's full interest and she flicks a few things on her phone, no doubt looking up some reviews, "Do you ever cater large events or is it more...birthday parties and...quinceaneras?" She pronounces that like someone who took Spanish in high school might. The accent just isn't there. When Jacob comments on strange injuries she once again wrinkles her nose, "Mmm, yes, the police department in this town can't seem to make this place less enticing to violent criminals for some reason."

Devlin nods, "Thanks. I hope to be able to make an impact for the community once I am certified. I'm Devlin McCloud. Though.. this dang bug is wearing me down. May have to go back to my room and crash soon." He takes a breath, "Some times I feel this more at some times than others.. may have some soup at the room or tea."

Julia smirks wryly at the remark about criminals, but on that notion, holds her tongue. "My ability to cater a large event depends entirely on your budget capacity. My biggest event where I ran point was three hundred people, back in San Francisco." Devlin gets a smile less sharp. "I'm Julia." she says. She already mentioned her last name.

There's a small shake of the head from Jacob towards Clarissa. "I don't think that's it. I'm hardly a police officer, but I've been seeing patients with some very strange injuries. Almost as if they're from animals, unusual burns even?" He gives a little shrug. "Nothing too serious, though. No gang battles as far as I've heard."

"Clarissa Robbins, chairwoman of Gray Harbor's Historical Society," Clarissa says like this is some very important position and not like being head of the PTA. "And budget isn't an issue. This would be on New Year's Eve, so don't book anything for then, although I will want some kind of tasting set up. Theme will be 1920's, so we'll want an elegant menu," It seems like she means to say more, but then Jacob mentions animal injuries and she looks briefly uncomfortable, glancing over her shoulder like she expects a bear to be there or something, "...you should rest, it's the only thing that helped me," she offers to Devlin, taking a real sip of her coffee finally.

"I know who you are." Julia's tone is polite and mild as milk. "I'll call your office for more details and schedule a tasting with your assistant." Ladies like Clarissa always have assistants, don't they?

Devlin nods, "LA definitely has gang problems. On one of my familiarization ride alongs, had a GSW victim. Clearly part of a gang. We got there a little earlier than the cops. Kid was bleeding out. No one would get out of the truck. Couldn't let him bleed out.. so I walked out of the truck and started treating him. Some kid came up behind me with a gun, treated to blow my head off. So I appeared to ignore him. He cussed me in Spanish, came up to put the barrel to the back of my head. I swept his leg hard and took the weapon from him. Had him in prusik cuffs wrist and ankle pretty quick. Went back to my patient. Saved his life and got my ass chewed for it." He shrugs, "Glad it is not a problem up here." He then puts on his hat, "Miss Robbins.. at that meeting. Pleased to meet you formally. I'd hang loose but I think I will take that advice to get some more rest."

Jacob shakes his head again, though this time out of commiseration for Devlin, and then gives a polite wave at the departing medic-to-be, and takes a sip from his coffee. His attention fades back towards his phone, or at least what seems to be his primary phone. Scrolling scrolling scrolling.

"Missus," Clarissa corrects automatically as she nods to Julia, "Michael will arrange everything. Probably. He went to Yale." Her tone implies he might as well have gone to community college, "Feel better," she says to Devlin, although it's a bit distracted, "Sorry, do you work at the hospital? Where exactly are you seeing these people with injuries? I haven't seen any notices about rabid animals or anything."

"Was that an important detail?" Now Devlin gets that same mild-as-milk tone. "That you got cussed out in Spanish?" But he's departing, and so Julia simply gives him a little wriggle of her fingers as he departs.

As he leaves, Devlin replies, "Guess it depends on your point of view. Sure wasn't Dari or Arabic.. Have a good evening Missus Robbins, Julia, and Jacob."

Jacob looks back up, nodding at Clarissa. "On occasion when they're overloaded - I have privileges at Addington Memorial, but generally at my practise over on Maple Road. Been open for a little while now. I like to keep up on the ER reports so that I can get a feel for the town, know what injuries we should be anticipating." He smirks a bit at the last bit. "No rabies as far as I've heard, but you can never be too careful around wild animals."

"No," Clarissa has another sip of her coffee, clearly nervous now, "You can't. Luckily we live in a city where there aren't many of them. Usually." She clears her throat, "Miss Velez, I'll tell my assistant to make arrangements. If you'll both excuse me," she doesn't wait for them to say so, heading over to retrieve her umbrella then look around like maybe she's forgotten something else before stepping outside and back into the rain.

Julia watches Clarissa leave and nibbles her danish. "Maybe she thinks you're the devil. It's the hair."

Jacob leans over towards Julia. "Did you say.. a place called Fried Fish? Sorry, I don't mean to be rude."

"Mmmhmm. You're not rude." Julia turns in her seat to face Jacob. "Why do you ask?"

"Just curious. I've seen the place driving past the boardwalk but I've never actually stopped." He takes another sip from his coffee, then peers towards the bottom, seeing that it's getting towards the end. "You don't really see too many places that do fish and chips properly, at least not like in London. You can never trust those chain restaurants for it either. I assume you aren't just slinging frozen fish if you're doing decently enough to open?" His accent is American as they come, though perhaps more of an east coast accent than one would have from growing up in the Pacific Northwest.

"You assume correctly." Julia finishes her danish and rises to pluck up a napkin and return to her chair. "We have contracts with local fishermen. Te regular fish and chips is pretty classic, but we do popcorn shrimp, and po'boys during season. Once a week I do a chef's special, something a little elevated." She makes an inviting gesture, a wave of her hand. "You should come by sometime."

Jacob takes one last swig of his coffee, setting down the empty cup. "Maybe I will. Unless you're about to close for the season, anyways. I can't imagine that it's terribly warm on the boardwalk over the winter." He glances at his phone again. "Mm, I've got an appointment in a few minutes. Have a good rest of your day." Jacob gets up, depositing his cup in the appropriate receptacle, and steps out the door into the wet.