2019-11-24 - For the Greater Good

It's morning, right around the time one would be dropping a child at school, or perhaps right after. Well, one assumes that it's right after, considering that Ciprian is here getting coffee, sans child. He's just received his coffee and a croissant, and he makes his way to one of the tables, sitting down and pulling out his phone. He starts to scroll through it absently as he takes a sip, tapping the screen a couple times with his thumb.

Erin had a date! Maybe. The Breakfast Club, meeting one. Of course everything was iffy and when she gets to the door, she pokes her head in to see if there were any familiar faces from.. Cancun. (Don't ask) It's a familar face she sees, Ciprian, so she enters more fully as not to look weird just glancing in. Straight to the counter, because her usual drink enticed her there. "Hello!" The greeting comes easy to Ciprian. Friendly without being overly so. The absence of the child is noted though,

Already situated on the bench seat along the back wall, Katherine sits with a mostly untouched cup of coffee in front of her and definitely untouched Everything bagel. A laptop sits open and she's typing on that. Next to it is a stack of papers, one of them a print out of a lawsuit, from the looks of the front cover, to those who can identify such things at a glance. She sighs slightly at something and sits back against the bench, dark eyes sliding across the coffee shop to allow herself a moment of distraction from what looks like a lot of Work with a capital W.

Hera pauses to take in the strong aroma of coffee and other nice smelling things. In her right hand looks to be a slim briefcase of some sort which leaves her left hand free to open the door. A casual smile is briefly offered to any staffer who would look her way, and she pauses to take note of the menu. An order for iced cappuccino is given and she finds a place to seat, one that is not too far out of the way but not too intrusive on anyone's conversation or personal space either.

Beth pushes the door to Espresso Yourself open with her hip. Dressed in the usual somber dress of her profession she has a messenger bag slung across her chest and a cell phone held up to her ear. She is speaking very quietly into the phone as she steps to the side to let others pass. "...want to make sure everything goes smoothly. Are you sure you don't want them there? They were Mr. Paul's children, and I know it's a shock to find out after he's passed, but-" She pauses to listen and says, "Right." or "Okay." And "Your feelings are valid, Marsha." Before finally she says, "Just...the viewing is in two more days. I know this is upsetting but we have everything planned. Just take the day to think about it, okay?" She then quiets before she says. "Okay. And if you need anything call me. Bye." She hangs up the phone and lets out a long sigh.

Then she looks up and spots Ciprian and then Erin. "Hey." She waves to both of them before getting in line.

Ciprian looks up at the greeting, and he smiles when he sees Erin, setting his phone down and lifting a hand in greeting. "Good morning," he replies. "How are you?" He sits back, pulling off a piece of the croissant and popping it into his mouth. He glances to the side, his eyes falling on Katherine and her work, and being a person who can identify such things at a glance, he...well, identifies it.

"Good luck," he comments a little wryly to Katherine with a nod, before looking back to Erin just in time to see Hera and Beth enter. The former gets a nod of greeting, the latter a nod and a smile as well since he knows her. "Good morning," he says. "Sounds like you've got your work cut out for you today." Judging by her half of the conversation.

Devlin is seen coming up to the door before he walks in. A quick check of his phone and then a shrug on his part. He steps in, this time just ONE book in hand for a change.. no pack, etc.. He glances about as he heads for the line to wait his turn to make an order. Seeing some familiar faces he greets, "Afternoon Hera, Erin." Then spotting Ciprian, "Counselor."

Hera offers the person who bring her cappuccino over a smile and she takes a sip from it. "Oh hi cousin." she tells Devlin, "Seems like the coffee spot always hops around here. Makes me wonder if I invested in the wrong business." A nod is also given toward Erin and Ciprian, assuming that if Devlin know them, hey, they can't be too bad right?

"Thanks?" is offered a little uncertainly to Ciprian, but then Devlin identifies him as 'counselor' and Katherine glances down at the file in front of her then flashes a smile. "Oh, right, that. Thanks. It's one of the time suck types, I'm afraid. It's got some teeth to it, but mostly hours and hours and hours of drudge work that won't have as much pay out." Katherine lifts a shoulder, and glances up at all the rest of the people greeting one another. "Small town life," she says, eyes widening a little. "Does everyone in town know each other?"

"Good morning!" Comes Erin's easy response to Ciprian, "It's nice to see you." As the door opens again and admits Beth she studies her a moment, head sort of tilted and a lopsided smile in place. "Looks like a busy day for you today. Not as busy as last evening so much?" Just testing the waters a little. After her order is placed she moves over towards Ciprian's table, nodding to the others there, Katherine and Hera before nudging a chair at the table. "Mind some company?" Whe Devlin joins, she gives him a warm smile. "Good day to you." It was after noon, she was only realizing it. "I slept in I suppose."

Beth slips her phone into her pocket and lets out a little puff of air in response to Ciprian's comment. "I'd rather be up to my elbows in a chest cavity than deal with that. I can't wait until I find a family services coordinator to hire." She steps up to the counter and orders a breakfast sandwich and a latte with non-fat milk. She glances to Erin then before she shakes her head softly, as if she remembers some detail about the Addington, but can't quite put words do it. "Hey Erin...I'm sorry, but were we supposed to meet for a funeral pre-plan?" She pauses and squints, "What happened last night?"

Hera hears the word funeral pre-plan and kind of winces a little. "Ow" she mutters, "That can't be good." The last thing she imagines being is someone who puts dead bodies in the ground but someone has to do it. "Totally none of my business." she says, "But if something bad happened, well, my condolences." The coffee drink in front of her seems a bit colder than normal due to such a fact. Dead people....ick.

Devlin smiles to Katherine, "Not that small, still meeting people myself. I'm Devlin." He is patient as the line moves forward for him to make an order. "Assuming there is table space by the time I get coffee, I am game. Got my first few exams knocked out. At least I can do something besides sit around at the station now."

"Oh god," Ciprian replies to Katherine, shaking his head. "I have one of those that I'm currently avoiding. If you want a break, feel free to come sit with us. We do mostly all know each other. The perils of living in a small town your whole life." Since it is not Wednesday, she can sit with them without wearing pink. Erin's request has him nodding, and he gestures to one of the seats, replying, "Of course."

He takes a sip from his coffee as he nods to Devlin, lifting his cup in greeting once he's swallowed. "Hi," he says, before he lets out a little chuckle as he turns to Beth. "Well, I hope you do soon. I'd hate to imagine you being taken away from chest cavities." He says it in a pretty good deadpan, but there's a little humor there too.

Devlin's introduction gets him a smile from the town's newcomer. "Katherine. What are you in school for? You can have my space when you need one if there isn't. I have a 10 o'clock settlement hearing," she says, closing her laptop, and finally reaching for the pastry to break off a bit. "Thanks," she says to Ciprian. "Chest cavities? Are you a surgeon?" Kat asks Beth, brows lifting. "My parents wanted me to go law or medicine, and I fainted at the first frog dissection in high school, so medicine was out."

"Ahh, no meeting for a funeral pre-plan." Erin studies Beth a moment and just shakes her head. "Maybe it was just me." Her drink and sandwich arrive and she slides into the chair. "Morning breakfast crew here. If you come often enough you'll spot the regulars." A grateful look is given to Ciprian for his sharing of the table. "Oh you got certified? I remember you were trying to," she tells Devlin, "Congratulations!" Settling in, she smiles to Hera and Katherine both, "I'm Erin. It's nice to meet you."

Hera smile again and reaches for her lukewarm drink, lukewarm by now anyway. "Nice to meet you Erin." her demeanor seeming to be friendly enough, "Pretty name. I guess in a smaller area everyone would know everyone. I keep getting the impression this is one of the better places though." she raises her cup in a bit of a mock salute, "Cheers"

Beth sighs dramatically at Ciprian's quip before she says, "You have no idea the pain it causes me to be away from my basement." She laughs a little at Kat's question before she shakes her head, and comes forward to offer a hand. "Beth Lawson. I am the funeral director for Lawson Funeral Home." She turns to look back to Erin before she says, "No. We were supposed to meet here to talk about snakes, right? I just...maybe it was a dream I had?" She looks terribly confused for a moment before she shrugs. "I need to stop eating blocks of cheddar before bed." Then she steps forward to grab her sandwich and latte, and comes over to sit at the table next to Ciprian and Erin.

Devlin orders a large Mocha Expresso and a chocolate chip muffin. "Just the start, Erin. Those Yo-yos at the state certification board are being nervous Nellys over what happened in LA." He takes a breath as he pays for his order and waits for it. He then answers Katherine, "No school.. just taking the exams to prove I still know my stuff is all. I am a 68 Whiskey or Combat Medic. Twelve years with the Eighty Second and a couple in the guard. Normally a lot of those requirements get wavered for someone with my experience... Not this year." His tone carrying tones of annoyance and frustration as he explains, but once his order is up, his tone is friendly and warm again. "Thank you." He then moves to join the table.

"I was never tempted by medicine, either. But if you want someone to sue a hospital for malpractice, well...actually don't come to me, because I don't really do that very much, either." Ciprian settles back once Beth and Erin are seated at the table, and he says, "Ciprian Kosimar," gesturing to himself. This for Katherine and Hera, presumably, since they are the ones he doesn't yet know. "Nice to meet you."

When Devlin speaks again, The little smile he'd been wearing fades into a look of sympathy, and he continues, "I'm sorry, that's frustrating." He reaches for his coffee again then to take a sip from it, his eyes moving from one to the other. Beth's comment about cheese has him looking a bit amused again, though.

"DB Cooper?" It's a single name, but Erin directs it towards Beth with an inquisitive expression. "Snakes and big babies?" The smile makes a reappearance but she looks like she's going to laugh at any moment. "I mean.. I feel bad about DB but I'm pretty sure that part wasn't real." She hopes. "Either way, it's good to see you. The nurse and reporter said they wouldn't make it but Cole and Liam said they would. We'll see if they do, but everyone was up for a weekly or monthly horror movie night." She shakes her head, trying to clear it.

Looking down at her sandwich she smiles up at Ciprian, "Want half?" Reaching for a plastic knife to cut the breakfast croissant sandwich in half, she uses it to cut the wrapper in half and all, sliding half towards the man across from her. The response from Devlin is met with an apologetic look. "Sorry to hear that. I'm sure it will get worked out." A smile over to Hera and Katherine, scooting her chair over just a little so they could all sit together and have plenty of space. "Where did you move here from, Katherine?"

Hera offers some sympathy, "It'll be fine Dev." she says, "Like I told you, just a better way to prove yourself, that's all. There's a need for good medics out there. I have to admit a small part of me was interested in patching people up, then I met a lot of people who didn't deserve it either. There are some things that call us, and other things that don't."

"Nice to meet all of you," says Katherine to those who've introduced themselves. Devlin's frustration is met with a nod and sympathetic look as well. "Bureaucracy. I can't complain too much; it pays my salary more or less, but it's a pain in the ass," she says. Beth's revelation of her job has Kat's brows lifting in surprise and she nods once. "I can't imagine why you'd want to leave your house, either," she quips, before turning to Erin at her query. "East coast. Connecticut, New York. This is a big change, to say the least, but it's nice to be able to see the sky. When it's not raining or foggy, anyway."

She's about to say more, but her phone buzzes, and she glances at it. "I've got to run. Someone eat my croissant?" She grabs the laptop and the coffee. "Perhaps I'll see you in court," she says with a grin to Ciprian before she makes her way out, a petite whirlwind.

Devlin takes a seat at the table as he says to Katherine, "Nice to meet you also, counselor. Problem with Bureaucracy is that Politicians make a habit of playing them like a harp from hell." He then settles to sip on his coffee first. "Been a good morning for me. Nice work out by the pond.. getting my new place settled in. And.." He taps on the one book with him, "Just one book for the next certification for me to worry about."

At the mention of D. B. Cooper Beth's head turns sharply to stare at Erin for a moment. "...How did you know?" She is quiet for a moment, thoughtful and concerned, before finally she shrugs her shoulders. "God that is so strange. And horror movie night? Well I guess we can talk about it together then." She shakes it off and instead focuses on what's happening in the present. "Nice to meet you." She says to Katherine as the woman leaves. She starts unwrapping her sandwich absently as she listens to the conversation. "I'm sorry. I don't mean to interrupt, but certification for what exactly?" This is directed to Devlin.

"Good luck," Ciprian says when Katherine gets up to leave, lifting a hand to wave before he turns back to the table. He does not eat her croissant, though, since he has his own, and it never does to eat opposing counsel's leftover food. That's Lawyering 101 for those who didn't know. Might be poisoned. Though apparently Erin's offer is fine, since he says, "Sure, thank you." He pulls it toward him, but doesn't eat it yet, and instead wraps it up -- maybe he's saving it for later.

He quiets then, drinking his coffee as he looks around again, letting Devlin answer Beth's question.

Hera finishes up her coffee and begins to open her briefcase. With a bit of a smug grin, she begins to look through some of the hidden paperwork and tries to maybe get some items in order. Nothing seems to be too much of note though, at least for now.

So that catches the healer's ear. Erin swivels her head to look at Hera, her expression one of disbelief. "People who didn't deserve healing? Who are we to play God and decide who? As healers it's our job to heal and leave the questions of worthiness to the higher ups." Immediately she gives a smile, but she seems to stick firm in her beliefs. "Nothing against you personally, I just.. feel strongly about those who need..help." There's another smile. "I do understand where you're coming from though. But I hope the justice system takes care of those that need taking care of and the medical field does their duties as well."

Letting it drop for the moment with another warm smile to Hera, nothing personal, just a difference of opinions, she turns a look to Katherine. "It sounds exciting there. New York? I imagine the night life is incredible. Probably too big and anonymous for me though. We're glad you've chosen Gray Harbor." A wave is offered to Katherine, "Hope to see you around."

Erin looks at Beth, sort of drawn there. "I was there.. but yeah it's really good we were both there, at least we know now."

Devlin answers Beth after a bite taken and a sip of coffee. "EMT. Nothing wrong with my National Accreditation.. just me being run through as many hoops as they can create it seems. Funny.. I have a dustoff slot up in Tacoma in the Guard. But for my civilian side.." he shrugs. "Better than being in a few places I could be. And so far they are not shooting at me here." He sips his coffee. "I know you see it that way Hera. Still frustrating for me. At least I do not have to take the classes. At the station they are letting me help teach some of the Red Cross courses plus I get to sit in for some shifts at dispatch to provide first aide advise over the line till EMS arrives."

Hera hears the note so pleasant comment about certain fields and quirks a brow a bit. She sighs a little and says, "Hence, I'm not a medic. I'm not god either, but yeah, I've seen some scumbags who didn't deserve a healer's grace. I hope you don't meet some of those people." That thought only makes her want to dig into the paperwork more until she finally finds a report or something or another that might catch her eye. She then mumbles something to herself and for now seems to mind her own business.

"Look at all these women trying to feed you." Beth says with a laugh to Ciprian as Erin offers him her half of her sandwich. She takes a bite of her own sandwich before she gives him an askance glance. "Rest assured. I am a huge woman with big man hands who will always eat her entire sandwich." She has another bite for emphasis, and washes it down with her coffee. She quiets to look between Erin and Hera before Devlin joins in. "Ethics are tricky." She offers neutrally before she smiles in a soothing manner that is surprising coming from her, but also seems natural and not forced. "It's good to do what one is meant to do according to their abilities and ethics." She then changes the subject, addressing Devlin, "I'm sorry to hear that. I hope it gets worked out for you." She snaps her fingers then, "Oh, Ciprian, we should tell Erin about our idea for a charitable organization."

Devlin nods, "I have to agree ethics can be tricky." He takes a breath, "Some of the hardest good work I have done was on ISIS insurgents that had just shot up the unit I am with. Been treating our own wounded and there is this guy.. most likely put two guys on the chopper that I evaced. So.. there you go. Insurgent is wounded.. wants to kill you and you treat him." He takes a breath, "Even had one try to knife me when I was dealing with his sucking chest wound. It's how I got one of my purple hearts."

Ciprian doesn't add his opinion to the medical care debate, just drinks his coffee -- but to be fair, it's good coffee! Beth's last words, though, have him setting the cup down as he says, "Oh, no, I didn't." He turns to Erin then, continuing, "We were talking about possibly getting some local business owners together to sponsor fundraising events, in order to get together some emergency funds or scholarships. Since you're doing that Thanksgiving dinner, maybe you might want to help." He looks from her to Devlin, and then Hera, including them in the invitation.

Hera hears the information about fundraising events and her ears almost perk up at the notion of a sponsorship. "I'm trying to get the word out about my new business. Sponsoring things to get the word out, well, that's an interesting notion." She looks back over and tries to connect the dots, "How hard would it be to get a sponsorship going? Sadly, I'm not made of money but willing to take some marketing risks."

"Really, I didn't mean to offend. Also, I wasn't meaning you were claiming to be a God. I only meant healer's weren't Gods and therefore highly unqualified to make the decisions on who to fix and who not to." Erin gives Hera a tentative smile, "Please don't take offense, I didn't mean anything personal. No one is wrong, just differing opinions." Deciding she'd probably said enough, or too much, she unwraps her half of the sandwich and gives Beth a wry look, tilting her head a little at the all these women comment, before she takes a bite from her own.

"Beth mentioned it last evening, briefly. It sounds interesting. Have you considered options other than monetary donations? Such as getting some of the local businesses on board? The doctor's offices for services for those that couldn't afford it. Perhaps the grocery story to donate food to a food pantry we could set up. The bakery for day old bread could be given there. Maybe even the auto mechanics for some work on vehicles so parents can get to work. Especially with winter coming? The hardware store for heaters. Counseling from the psychiatrists, for troubled youth. It could be a whole Community Action type thing with things for most every need. Clothing, anything?" Okay so maybe she had been thinking about it since Beth mentioned it.

Devlin says, "Sounds rather do able. Shoot simple check ups being available for people can go a long way. Or the kids that need the exams before they can enroll in school sports. A lot of good directions could be taken by this. I remember sometimes in garrison, some of us would volunteer to go out with the Meals on Wheels people." He sips his coffee, "Bet you could help with the poster art if it gets that far, Hera." And there is a bit of a tease, "If you are as good as you say you are.."

"Well the reason why we wanted a monetary fund is we discussed what happens when businesses donate services." Beth explains between bites of her sandwich. "For example I offer a sliding scale or even free services for families that can't pay. But I need to keep my lights on so they don't get the experience they deserve. I think you mentioned something similar with pro bono cases taken by big law firms, right Ciprian?" She picks up her latte, "Businesses need to make money to function. They will focus on their higher paying clientele out of necessity, and that leaves the needy with getting subpar services."

Hera shrugs for a moment and says, "It wouldn't be too much of a bad idea to offer free art classes but, that might not be the best sell. If it's got merit, well, I wouldn't mind talking about it to get things rolling. Those with higher levels of income would love to make cute little nick nacks to have something to call theirs. More of a cute thing than something practical, at least from other points of view. Art is beyond practical. Art is life."

Devlin hmms over his food and coffee, "Yeah.. business needs profits. Need something that lets a business be able to maintain services without compromising their bottom lines." Devlin hmms, "Yeah.. and we don't need government wasting resources either. "

"It wouldn't be that difficult," Ciprian replies to Hera, reaching for his croissant. "And I certainly wouldn't want anyone to go broke over it. If anyone wanted to participate, they'd be encouraged to give within reason. Some might be able to give more, some less."

He takes a bite, chewing thoughtfully while Erin and Beth speak, and then Devlin, too. Once he's swallowed, he continues, "That could work as well, Erin. Like Beth said, I think doing both could be a good approach. I'd like to have a fund to make sure that local businesses can offer things like that and still be able to stay afloat, and then they can donate other goods or services if they're able to do so."

"One of your purple hearts?" Erin catches that, looking curious to Devlin. "How many were you awarded? It's very admirable to continue working on someone while they attack you. Above and beyond."

Considering what Beth says, she looks thoughtful. At Ciprian's input, she offers a nod as well. "I know that sometimes it's easier to get a business to donate services rather than money, though both are tax deductible if it's for a charity. Not-for-profit is good, so no one thinks you're taking their money and giving away paychecks to those running it. I only know this from experience with Margaret Addington. She thoroughly checks out anything before she donates to it and even then she's hesitant. However, the historical society she's donating to quite well I might add." There's a smile to Hera, "Art would be great. I bet you could speak with Harper at the library and offer some classes out of there. Parents sign their children up for things like that all the time. They even furnish their own supplies. It'd be worth checking into for children and adults alike."

Hera takes out a piece of paper and begins to jot the name down. "Harper" she says, "Ok" there's finally a bit of a smile, "I'll take a note of that. I actually thought I would check out the schools first but people often want to go to the library, schools aren't as appreciated as they should be." She nods a little bit and pockets the information. "Thanks" she says, leaving it at that.

"If we do this fund we'd need someone who isn't a local business owner to run it and determine when the money is paid out. I don't want anything thinking I am doing this just to make more of a profit." Beth says thoughtfully. "The free services is a good idea. I know a lot of businesses where people need to have it do give away services. As for art..." She looks to Hera, "You could have fundraisers where you do those wine and canvas nights. Drive to the big city to get some booze from Costco and make a killing. Use the money to offer free classes to kids. That's what I would do, at least." She raises her coffee cup to Devlin, "Libertarian after my own heart. Exactly. We can do this as a community without all that mess."

"Two awards.. and to be honest, I stabbed him back on that one. Then packed the wound." He shrugs a little, "I was mad.. being stabbed hurt." Devlin then takes a sip of is coffee, "Yeah, fund raisers make sense and getting an organization set up so it doesn't look like exploitation to me sounds like you need a committee with several upstanding people known for good charitable works.. and a reputation for doing it without making it into a profit game. Open books sound like would be a requirement to pull that off. I think some of us in the PD and FD would be able to donate some time."

Ciprian finishes his croissant, sitting back and listening while the others speak with a thoughtful look. He does shoot a glance to Beth at her last words, and one eyebrow lofts, though he smiles a little as well. "There's a place for government and a place for community organizing, I think," he says, before he stands up, looking around the table. "I should get to the office. Good to see you all. Erin, thank you for the sandwich." Which he wraps up to take, because he needs lunch too, right? He nods as he looks around the table, "Have a good day." He turns then to head out of the coffee shop.

Hera packs up her briefcase, or what was in it, and moves to stand. "Actually, the wine idea was something I have in the works, sadly I just didn't think the cheap wine would work. That's a habit I need to get out of. The cheap stuff would be much better for business. I need to get back to the gallery though, check on somethings. Feel free to stop by anytime you want." the 'you' seeming to be an open invitation for anyone here, "The name is Vivid Dreams, a good name for an artsy place." she offers Devlin a bit of a half hug as she turns to leave, "Try not to stress out over anything Dev. You'll be the best medic ever."

"Anytime." Erin offers to Hera with a smile that transfers to Devlin at his input. "Impressive," she says on his awards, though his comments on the organization are met with a nod. She looks between him and Beth a moment before adding, "Most businesses or groups of people will get behind a good cause. And I agree, the management of it is very important. Several impartial, I think." It surprises her at Ciprian's departure and she checks the time, eyes widening slightly. "I hadn't realized how late in the day it was getting already. I have a couple of errands to run. Let me know of any decisions you make and I'll gladly help all I am able." She gets to her feet, a smile and a wave to Ciprian. "Have a good day as well." She gathers her drink and last couple of bites of her sandwich, discarding the latter. "Take care, I'll see you all later."

Devlin hugs Hera back, "Catch you later on." he finishes up, "Yeah.. it is getting later on. Studying may be a good idea." He smiles, "Good luck on getting this going." He hmms, "Take care Counselor." He looks to Erin and Beth, "See you both later. Sorry about your clients, Beth."

"That's a good idea." Beth says in agreement with Devlin. Then everyone is filtering out on to get their day started. She settles back to finish her sandwich, but her phone begins buzzing in her pocket. She pulls it out of her pocket, looks at the front, and sighs softly. She wraps up the sandwich quickly and puts it in her bag before picking up the coffee and standing up from the table. Then she heads towards the door while answering the phone, "Hi Marsha. How are you?" She bumps the door open with her hip and slips out, presumably to go console poor Marsha.