2019-11-15 - Ribbons and Angels

For the medical examiner, gray, dreary fall mornings require something more to help his morning continue to be not quite as miserable as the weather outside. Yule's dressed in a pair of dark brown dress slacks and a bone white sweater, the sort that has a coupe of buttons on the collar. Those have been left undone to reveal the dress shirt beneath, an orange and black gringham style pattern to it. He's currently at the counter, having just placed his order, with a folded up newspaper that is tucked up beneath his left arm.

It's becoming a habit for Erin, stopping by the coffee shop in the mornings either on her way to work or just for something as a time filler. Currently she's dressed in a dress sporting a designer label, the dress is an understated aqua color meant to showcase the wearer other than the dress itself and the small gold belt around the middle accentuates her waist. Carrying a clutch inside, she walks directly towards the counter to take her turn ordering. Of course the familiar face is met with a familiar greeting. "Good morning, Doctor. A pleasure seeing you again so soon." The smile she gives is none too demure, just a brief glance over through eyelashes.

The cup with the top on it is slid over to Yule, and whatever he's got? He's not the sort to add extra cream and sugar to it. There is a faint smile that flickers to life on the dark features of the man as he spies Erin, head dipping towards her. "Ribbons. I'm beginning to think your stalking me." Not that the man seems to mind as the fingers of his free hand curl around the newspaper, using it to gesture towards the table he is going towards in a silent invitation once she has her own order. "Am I going to be seeing you at the office today?" With both hands occupied, it's a foot that loops around the leg of a chair, pulling it out so he can settle in to have a seat by one of the groupings by the front window.

"That's the plan." Amusement lights her eyes at his return and she leaves the barista waiting for her order as his is delivered. "So you're still intending on helping me with my Christmas decorations? I warn you, I have every intention on going all out. In a classy and elegant sort of way. I don't think a plastic reindeer on the roof would be appreciated by my neighbors. Which one could argue is precisely a reason to add one." The clearing of a throat reminds her to order and she gives an apologetic smile. "Pardon, I'll take a large to-go half hot chocolate, half french vanilla cappuccino." That's the order, she pays for it and leaves a tip. The interruption is brief but by the time she finishes he's already pulling out his chair. "Stalking though? That's quite a charge," her lips curve into a half smile. "You'll have to have more evidence."

"Yeah? Stalking me, or the office visit?" He quips about her plan, though a sly smile touches to Yule's features as he unfolds the paper so there is only one crease, making it manageable to hold. "Sounds like a lot of work. Evidence, that is. Think I'll just assume it's true until proven otherwise. Just to be on the safe side, you know." Those words are in that calm, casual voice, all with a touch of humor from the examiner as his cup is placed upon the table, though Erin? She gets a glance from over the top of that paper. "Everyone knows you don't use plastic reindeer to be appreciated," The man concurs, "don't worry. I have a number of a guy who has the real thing you can put in your lawn." Surely not serious, given that touch of mischief that momentarily appears on Yule's features.

"The good old American way. Guilty until proven innocent." Collecting her cup, Erin approaches his table and slips into the chair across from him to leave him room for his paper. For the moment she removes the lid of her drink just so it can cool off quicker and turns the lid upside down on the table for now. "Probably it's safe to assume I am stalking, because it may be proven when I get to your office today. For that very reason I've decided on a light breakfast." There's a rueful twist to her lips when she lifts her eyes to his. "A real life reindeer? Let it be said an Addington never does things by half measures. How about taking it to Addington Park during the festivities. I'm sure the children who visit would have a far grander time than I. I have plenty enough fertilizer for my gardens."

"Yeah," He concurs about that particular way of life, that ghost of a smile settled on his lips as his eyes dip down to browse over the half of the paper he can see. "I read it on the internet. Must be true." About guilt, that is. But the mention of the park has a single finger lifting, tugging down the corner of his paper so those brown eyes can lift and more easily find hers. "I'm not sure. You look like the sort who would dote and hug on a reindeer when she thinks no one is looking." Yule's finger releases that corner to let it spring back to it's natural state, that tone of his voice turning to a more serious side. "Wise choice. It isn't a pretty thing. So are you actually working on a degree in medicine of some sort or another? Only caught part of the conversation between you and the fellow who is working towards being a paramedic."

"Do I?" Erin muses as if even questioning herself about it. "I've never had a pet of my own. You could be right." A little self introspection there before she lifts dark eyes to his, the amusement still lingering. Her drink is lifted and she idly blows over the surface, ready for a drink. She doesn't look up as she answers this time. "I am. Nursing. Well, I was. I've just got to make a few decisions on what my preference is and where to apply. I'm considering emergency, I think I could do good there. But starting out in such a fast paced environment may not be the wisest of moves." Finally, she takes a sip from her drink before replacing it on the table and dubbing it cool enough to return the lid to it. "So you and your family. Where did you all live before coming back here?"

"So what type of pet would you get, then." She's opened the box to the inquisitive side of the examiner, which might well be a good or bad thing, depending on ones point of view. "Cat? Dog? Exotic monkey?" Up one brow ticks upwards at that, those brown eyes narrowng as he listens to those reasonings behind the pause in what she's doing. "Sorta bullshit," But it isn't in an accusatory way, just the direct thoughts of Yule that he expresses. "If you don't think you are ready now for fast? You won't be. And that's all right. But equally, if it's what you want? Don't let that fear dictate your choice." Down the paper comes, all so more of his attention can focus on Erin rather than it, and a low 'mmm' comes. "Family never moved. Siblings have always been here. Parents ran the Huckleberry trailer park, and Nat, one of my sisters, took over when they passed. I? Well, I spent twenty years in New York City. Just finally got settled back here fully about a month ago."

"A dog. I did babysit two dogs for a police detective somewhat recently. I found they fit into my life. They love the fireplace, but then so do I so we agreed well on it. They loved eating. I'm not really such an accomplished cook but I have a cousin giving lessons at the college. I figure it's time to learn." Brows arch at the exotic monkey suggestion, laughter dancing throughout her expression. "I don't think I'd want something outside the norm. A dog would be fine. A trained dog." Throwing in the trained part. Him calling her on her own hesitations doesn't really bring any sort of reaction except a knowing look. She knows what he says is true. It's apparent in her eyes. "I will make a decision soon." It was something of a goal to get the questions away from herself and turn them around towards him. Erin does look genuinely interested in his response. "I hadn't realized they had all been here. I imagine the homecoming was all the more celebrated then. That must be really nice to have a big family." Wait, aren't the Addington's a big family? "Welcome home then, to Gray Harbor. I'm happy you got reunited with your siblings."

"Yeah? So what is it you'd want to get out of pet ownership with a dog," It's a telling sign that Yule folds the paper again down into it's smallest size and places it upon the table, before his right hand reaches out to grab his coffee cup. "All sorts of breeds out there with different personalities. Something that can be protection trained to keep you safe? Something that will give you affection and dote on you? One you can take out on... whatever hobbies you enjoy?" There is one corner of his mouth that tucks up into a faint but sly smile, offering that look of a challenge that getting him off of inquiries? Will be quite difficult. "Good." He states crisply about a decision, but equally? He isn't shy about giving answers himself. "I visited as much as I could, but it still isn't the same as being here. Fuck, I moved into a trailer next to theirs just to be close. And thanks. So what about you, Ribbons? Plans with the family for the holidays, or are you the black sheep of the family? I remember the Addington's. Not exactly a small family." No punches pulled in that question, though it is sharp with curiosity and interest, not cruelty.

"I've had enough protection to choke that reindeer you mentioned before. I've learned one thing through it." There's a brief bleak expression in her eyes when she lifts them to his, and equally there's a guard trying to slip into place but not quite making it. "If something wants through the protection, nothing will stop it. It finds a way." Transferring her gaze to her coffee lid she opens it and tucks it back into the opened position without removing the entire thing this time. "I want a chocolate lab, I think. I want the company. I want to go to the beach with him or her, have the company at night, be the company for him too. Just a quiet life with that companionship. That's all I want." It's stark honesty but she smiles at the idea of it, pretty sure she'd just gotten him off of the inquiries by being so honest about them. It's when he talks about his own family that she seems to hang on to his every word. "It sounds like you missed them. Probably." The smile returns at the idea of his big family, but it sort of fizzles when he asks more about her family. "I've always been an only child. No siblings. Almost a whole town of cousins though. Everyone has their separate lives though." It's the bare minimum though, and she hesitates as if that's all she'd share. "Margaret Addington, my grandmother, raised me though. She's still here in town. And no, I'm not sure of my plans other than decorating my house and having all the good, warm and homey smells and sounds I've never had. A real tree, Christmas music, snow, I so hope it snows. I want to go sledding, caroling, I have plans at Thanksgiving to feed the less fortunate. You're more than welcome to bring your family and come celebrate Thanksgiving that way. It's actually the day before Thanksgiving. There will be an Angel tree and everything."

"Yeah? For not having had a pet, you sure seem to have put a lot of thought into it. Though," His chin lifts up, those brown eyes focusing upon the woman for a heartbeat as Yule considers her, "Before you go out and buy that chocolate lab? Look at the portuguese water dogs. Don't shed, non allergenic, if that matters. And? A lot more rare than labs. Say the dog should reflect the owner, yeah? Feels more fitting for you." A warm bit of laughter comes out from the man when she says 'probably' about his family, and one shoulder lifts up into a faint shrug. "Look. Siblings always have our moments of frustration. You saw Ellis the other day. But there isn't a damn thing I wouldn't do to make sure they all are happy. Love them." The bottom line, as far as he's concerned, and then he quiets, sipping from his coffee while she speaks of her plans, that lack of sibblings. "Family is more than just blood. Cousins can be like siblings. Others, too." This is spoken with a calm sureness, though Yule doesn't presume about it applying, or not, to her. "Yeah? Give me the details. Always like volunteering when I can. Work can make that difficult, frequently being on call. So who would you spend the holidays with if you could?"

As curious as Erin is, she doesn't pull out her phone to Google the dog in question. It's just not in her to put her face in a phone when having a conversation. Instead, she uses him as Google. "What do they look like? Are they easy to train? I want something that is already trained. I'm afraid I wouldn't know the first thing about training. I do like the idea of non-shedding. Rarity doesn't really make a lot of difference. Maybe once." A light lift of her shoulders. "I did see Ellis the other day. He seems very active, but he was friendly as well. I think he took a liking to the paramedic." Giving him a lopsided smile, she has understanding in her eyes. "My family may not be the same as the others. My grandmother," who she just right before, called her her grandmother, "Is really my cousin a few times removed. She keeps everyone at each other by changing her will at a whim, whoever seems to be in her good graces at the time. While it's a way to keep us all in her line, it doesn't make for very friendly familial relations." She looks absolutely delighted in sharing the details of the event she has planned. "We have donations that will be prepared the morning of and the evening before. The cooks are already planned. What we need help with are those who will serve the food to those unable to afford a Thanksgiving meal for themselves, their family, hopefully a warm atmosphere for them that doesn't make them feel.. needy or anything. There will be an Angel Tree for signups for gifts for children seventeen and under. The idea is to select a name that only has a few of their wants listed to choose from, but will also contain their sizes in clothing and shoes." She's going on and on, she realizes it, she slows and gives a wry look. "I'm excited about it." Then there's that last glaring question. "My grandmother. Or my parents. Ideally all three."

"What I recall," It's random facts he seems to be full of, though not necessarily all the details, "Dark brown. Sorta like that chocolate lab you love. Super trainable. Their hair is more like a poodle?" It's a brief moment of 'mm', not quite satisfied with that. "But not as tight curls. More wavy. High energy, loves the water obviously. Wants to please." A snort of laughter comes from him when she mentions Ellis and the paramedic, head dipping into a faint nod of agreement. "Yeah. Had he seen you first? You'd probably be the one receiving doting affections from him. He means well, though. Just far more spur of the moment, unfiltered than I am." There is fondness in that voice without a doubt, though his smile fades as she explains those particulars of her family. "Yeah. That'd be rough." It's all he speaks on it, letting that part of the subject lay as the talk turns towards the volunteer work, each detail listened to, his head dipping into a small nod of approval for the care that has been put into it. "Sounds wonderful. Happy to help pass out food, long as my schedule allows. Should. Halloween? Is always a mess. Thanksgiving and Christmas tend to be quieter when it comes to work." It's that last answer that has his head tipping to the side, gaze sharpening, lips pursed in consideration. "Sounds like, since you include spending time with your grandmother in that list, you don't mind the whole... constantly swapping of the will, yeah? Or have you just made peace that it isn't worth the stress of worrying about?"

"I will look into one then, see how compatible we are together." Her an the dog. I love the water, I live nearby the ocean but my back yard is fenced. I'd rather let him out there when he needs out than out on the beach. Unless I'm out walking with him." Erin is protective already, even at the idea of one. His laughter brings a responding smile from her. "I appreciate you saying so, but I'm fine not being on the receiving end of random attention. Nothing against him personally." She lifts dark eyes to his again and can't help but to smile. "That is until Little Johnny chokes on the turkey wishbone. Then there goes Thanksgiving." More morbid humor, but from her this time. She lifts a hand to her forehead and shakes her head. "Sorry. I'm sorry that was awful." But her smile doesn't dim so much. Not when it's about the Thanksgiving event she had just asked him to. It does, however, when it comes back round to her family. For a moment she just tucks her lower lip between her teeth and lays it out there. "I'm no longer in the will. Which is in a way, a relief. I'm no longer under her control. Also, I'm no longer welcome at her house." She tries for a smile, finds one, but it's tentative. "So there'll be no Thanksgiving or Christmas at home like every year before. The good news, I've purchased my own home and get to decorate it. So with you as the tinsel, I should be covered."

"If not, you can always fall back on the black lab." It's all delivered with a touch of amusement, Yule taking no personal stake in which way in particular she decides to lean. "You just let me know when you decide, and I'll send you a dog bowl as a present." It's at her apology that one dark brow lifts upwards, a look that mingles interest and mirth. "Yeah? Why are you apologizing? Don't overthink it." Another drink of his coffee is taken while Yule listens to those circumstances she lays out, and out a breath is pushed. "That's difficult, yeah? Lost both of my parents by the time I was twenty. Different sort of loss all together, but I get it. And Christmas? It was mom's favorite," Which might well explain the naming convention of Yule and his fellow siblings. "So we had to figure out how to adapt to a holiday that was... so much different without her." A small burst of laughter comes from the man at her last words, and back and fourth his head shakes, a touch of arrogance and ego filling those words without a bit of shame. "Yeah? I make a better angel atop the tree. You know, perfect and gorgeous and what everyone wants to look at."

"I intend on checking both out fully and making a more informed decision." Erin realizes he has no stake in it, she looks amused though at his clarification. "One of those fancy ones that distributes the dog food on a timed basis?" Laughter echoes softly before she lifts her drink for a sip now that it's perfect temperature. His loss perhaps inspires her to just tell the rest of hers. "Both of my parents were recently killed. a few months ago. Though like I said, my grandmother raised me." Trying to play it off now that she'd mentioned it. "It sounds like your holidays were filled with warmth and tradition and hopefully you've passed that along to your siblings over the years?" Replacing the coffee on the table, dark eyes are rolled at his easy confidence. "I will have to take your word for it. Does this mean your nickname is angel then?"

"Sure." He states about that professed thought of the food bowl, Yule offering a brief flicker of a smile at that. "Sympathies for your loss. I'd tell you it gets easier? But, it... it just gets different. Manageable. Times where it still hits just as hard, but they become less frequent. Best thing, if you need it? Find someone professional to talk about it. It helps." His head dips into a small nod of agreement about those siblings, a touch of a smile gracing his lips, "Did my best. Nat did too, I think. Though, I'm not sure any of them still love the... traditional Christmas as much as I do." Yule only gives a noncommital shrug at her question, a single finger extending out from his cup to point towards her, "You tell me. I don't give myself nicknames. That just seemss vain to do to myself." Claims the man whom just proclaimed himself gorgeous, and the coy smile she's flashed shows he knows it.

"Then thank you in advance. I should get you a housewarming gift since you've so recently moved back into town." Erin swirls her drink, mixing it together a little better since it's been sitting there. "Thank you, I miss them, but I'm not sure if I miss the idea of what could have been more than anything. They gave me to her when I was a baby. They shared a love so deep they had nothing left for anything outside of it. Least of all a demanding little girl." A smile finds her as she muses over it. "I think losing all of my family at once, several to death and then my grandmother and great uncle who were the closest I had to parents, was the worst. I'll build my own traditions over time. Have the holidays like I've always imagined them to be rather than what my grandmother made them be. Just like your siblings. They have your guidance now it's up to them to make them their own, I suppose. I imagine your holidays this year will be full of color and music and light. Not to mention laughter." His reference to the nickname she'd mentioned brings with it a wicked grin. "I suppose that Dr. Death is taken. So maybe it'll do in the interim."

"Yeah? Just make it something small. It's a small trailer," He quips back with a touch of amusement, even as he quiets down to listen to those more serious thoughts she expresses. It's only when she mentions his siblings again that a snort of laughter comes, his eyes twinkling with affection and resigned amusement both. "Yeah. Though traditions change. This year? They want to do a roadtrip. To a warm beach." Everything in that tone suggests he's going to do everything he can to make it happen, regardless of his thoughts about it. It's her suggestion fo the nickname has his eyes rolling upwards in a playful suggestion, but there is a faint smile of delight for her humor, approving. "All the good ones are taken, isn't that always the case? You'll just have to try it and see if it sticks."

"Something small it will be then." Erin hasn't thought much about it yet, since she'd only just considered it, but you bet she will put thought into anything she finally purchases. "A roadtrip to a warm beach for Christmas?" Looking to be musing over that, she gauges his reaction to it by studying his expression. It's that determination to make it happen that she notices it most. "Maybe holidays are just spending it with the ones you want to be with, no matter where you're spending it. Interesting thought. Wherever you spend it though, I am sure you and your family will have fun with it. When you come back, you'll all be the only ones with the suntans in Washington this winter." His smile brings a matching one to her, "That's a good a reason as any, Angel. We can make sure it sticks though. I can start sending you an Angel a week until it catches on." Already several ideas start tumbling around and she gives a more mysterious smile. Something to look forward to.

"Without a doubt, family is the most important part of it for me." Yule concludes, but it leaves the door open that for others, it may not be the case. "Still. Snow. Christmas trees. Lights. I'll find ways to sneak that all in too and enjoy it." A warm bit of laughter snorts out as she mentions tans, and up one hand lifts to scratch at his trimmed beard as he considers, "Could be. And you'd better not send too many. I'll just have to start taping them to all my neighbors trailers." The last of his drink is had, and then those brown eyes drop to stare at it for a long moment before a wry smile curls to the corners of his mouth, and he just sets it down. "Swing by later on, and we will see if there are any bodies you can take a look at. If not? Just give it a few days. Something always seems to be going on in this town."

"I think I agree. I've never spent mine with anyone but family. Maybe friends this year, I don't know. Maybe a new dog to dote on. I want to go out and find a tree though, a real one I can decorate. I want to play in the snow, make angels and forts and have snowball fights. Maybe snow ice cream. Lots of lights, inside and out. Caroling. Maybe even Christmas Eve mass at the church." There's a brow waggle in response about the angels. "I make no promises. Depends on what I find. I don't want anything too terribly big since you said you have a smaller place. But if you really want to hang lights, I can give you my address and you can help me decorate. If not, then I completely understand and no hard feelings." Her own drink is mostly finished, but not quite. She gives an easy nod. "I'll stop by later then. Or here, want my number? You could let me know and I could hurry on over when it's convenient for you, no matter the day or time." She finally removes her phone and turns it to her personal information before sliding it to him. "There you go, snap a picture of that if you want. It was nice talking with you, Angel."

"You know," It's a long moment pause from Yule, studying Erin, before his head dips into a faint nod, "Hope you end up deciding to be a pet owner. Think you'd really enjoy it, and whatever you brought home? Would love it." That judgement made, he begins to stand, and only a sly smile curls to the corners of his mouth when she extends that offer to hang lights. "We'll see. Have my own place to take care of first." His fingers curl around his cup to gather it up so he can throw it away, but once her phone is slid over? He pauses, looking down at it for a second. "Yeah, I can do that." Fingers delve into his pants pocket, pulling out his own, and with a click a picture is taken. A few more moments of button pushing, and then her phone vibrates. "There. Just so you know it's that creepy guy that is allowed to cut up dead bodies when he says he has one, instead of those other creepy friends you have that text you about dead bodies." A flash of a smile is offered to her. "Good to see you again, Ribbons. Enjoy your day."