2019-12-02 - Rings and Things

The day greets the art gallery with some interest from those who have come and gone. The rumors of 'free art classes' to get the word out might have spread and 'would be' drifters might come in to schedule a session and get a complimentary glass of cheap wine. Meeting business expenses that are greater than they should be, Hera did have to get the cheap stuff out so a few chilled bottles are put on the counter with a few glasses. She smiles at a few folks who try to come in for more information, but then, they head out after a few minutes. This leaves Queso, the famous gallery cat, to feel more at ease with brushing against the easels again. He doesn't go into purrrr mode just yet but he does make the motion to claim what is his, and being a cat, that's everything here.

Hans, the ever dutiful German Sheppard, appears to be on guard duty still. He stands up on his legs and watches EVERYTHING. He /is/ the ADT security service it seems, and if all hell broke loose, he would react faster than 911. But still, it's just an art gallery mainly featuring pottery and some random canvases. Surely the wine wouldn't drive people too crazy as it is the cheaper stuff. With all appearing to be well though, Hera goes over to scratch Hans behind his ears and make her cute 'googly' sounds with him, likely her way of telling the dog that he's such a good boy for being so protective.

Devlin comes in to the gallery, looking a little tired. A long dog shift supporting the dispatchers and especially having to talk a scared mother though keeping her toddler stable from having fallen off a high porch in the wee hours till EMS arrived. At the end of his shift, he even went to the ER to see how the kiddoe was doing and even spent a few moments reassuring Mom.

Now that he is here..His eyes have some serious dark circles and his movements are of the slow.. I'm still awake kind. "Hi Hera.." he glances to the cat but somehow misses the dog as he enters, "Oh.. got a cat, huh?"

Shopping was a thing for Erin Addington, but this particular shop she had never been to. Word of mouth was a good salesman and after hearing about it, it was on her agenda to stop by. No time like the present! Parking her car outside, the low growl of the Maserati is silenced as she cuts off the engine. Dropping her keys in the clutch purse she carried around, she exits the car and enters the shop. Wearing a fashionable dress with heels, she carries herself with confidence and breezes inside.

And almost collides with the somewhat familiar Devlin in the process. "Oh! Hello." A friendly smile is given over before she notices Hera also. "And to you as well." The smile remains as she also takes note of the animals. "This is a nice place you have, or so I hear."

Hand tenses a little as new faces enter. He should already know about Devlin, right? Well you never know. Better for the dog to be suspicious than not, at least by default. "Oh come now." she tells the German Sheppard, "He's family." That causes the dog to whimper a bit but he knows his place. No need to teach the cat that though and seeing Devlin tired she just shakes her head, "You can't take on the stress of the world cousin. Sit down, relax, I'll get you some coffee ok? Or you can have wine though it might make you fall asleep." And another somewhat familiar person enters and she says, "Welcome. Didn't think you would have the time to stop in but, thank you. It's good to see you. Please, both of you, make yourself at home." The cat, in the meantime, perks up and looks in the hoomans' direction.

Devlin blinks a little as he notices the dog now, "Oh.. hi.." He then puts the crushed cup in the trash. "Leaded please.. some prankster thought it would be funny to use decaf in the coffee at dispatch last night." There is a look in his eyes that speaks volumes of the revenge prank to come once he has a target. "Hi.." he pauses.. "Erin is it?" He suppresses a yawn.. "Sorry, didn't mean to get in your way.. long night.. no good coffee."

Cousins? Erin looks between them. The familiarity between the two was undeniable but she hadn't guessed the two were relatives. "Erin, yes. I apologize for almost plowing you over." Stepping aside, she glances around. "I love artwork. My house is currently furnished with local artists work at the moment, but I do like to change things out now and again." Dipping her head, she smiles at Hera. "It's good to see you again. You own the shop? I thought you were an attorney or something?"

Hera knows how to serve loaded coffee if nothing else. If he had a bad night well, the bean juice offered should keep him up for a while. No extra cream or anything fancy, just a dark liquid is presented to Devlin. "You should come by and visit with Hans and Queso more often." she tells him as she gives the cup over. "Until then, this should keep you up. I would recommend a full night's sleep though, seriously." At the mention of Erin loving art that does get her attention, "Oh wow. Well, you need to visit more often too. I do own the shop yes." At the idea of being an attorney she laughs a little, "Oh no, no no no, definitely not. Studying law, not really my style. I like creativity, not confusing rules."

Another suppressed yawn on Dev's part as he accepts the coffee, "I'll get my second wind soon. Normally in better shape to handle long hours." He nods towards the dog as he sits down. "Morning Erin, second cousins really.. short version, Mom and Hera both used 23 and me, was it?" his brow furrows a bit as he tries to remember details. "They talked.. and here we are." He takes a deep drink of the coffee, nearly killing a fifth of the cup. Once that is down, he reaches into a pocket and pulls out a gold band.. "Your right.." he says looking over towards Hera. The band is set on the table, "Don't need it here.." another suppressed yawn.. hopefully he is winning that battle against being a little exhausted.

"I agree, I should come by more often." Erin meanders over as she looks at some of the art on the walls, "I could also do with a coffee, if you don't mind. Just a little cream and sugar substitute." Erin doesn't drink coffee so often, but it did smell good. "A DNA test? That's interesting. A fun way to connect to family. Does your mother live around here too?" For now she takes a seat at one of the glass covered tables to drink her coffee. Dark eyes land on the gold ring and of course there are questions on her features, but they go unasked. for now.

Abby saunters in. bundled up in a denim jacket over a cobalt polka-dot wrap dress and black leggings, with comfy sneakers on her feet and a fuzzy scarf around her neck. She swings her arms at her sides, shaking off the cool damp from outside, and moves further in with a smile, eyes moving to the walls to see if there's anything new on display she might've missed the first time.

"Hello," she greets the people present with a cheery smile and small wave. Also, the animals. "I didn't get to look at everything the last time," she explains with a look towards Hera.

Hera nods to that and goes back to the coffee pot. In the meantime, Queso decides that the ring is a really cool thing that MUST be hunted down and played with. Nope nope, he doesn't need the ring, the kitty does. With a clink and a clank he bats the band around as if it was prey. It doesn't protest which means that it must be tossed around a bit. If Devlin wants his ring back, he might want to make a move for it immediately. Erin's request doesn't take long though. The coffee is brought to her as requested. When Abby comes back in Hera smiles, "Oh hi! Good to see you again. Would you like some coffee? The pot is still warm. As always, make yourself at home."

Abby, being recognized as a 'cool' type person gets Hans attention and, in a non threatening move, the dog pads over to her, make actually wanting petting for a change?

A few minute after Abby's arrival, the door sweeps open again, letting another come in from the weather outside. Yule's dressed in a white dress shirt, the top couple of buttons left undone, and a gray woolen coat drapes along his form, down to just above his knees. It's been left unbuttoned, and the pair of black slacks and black ankle high boots complete's his outfit. It's not the people that his focus first pivots upon, instead letting himself be drawn over towards the artwork, his hands stuffed into those pockets of his coat to keep his hands warm.

It does not appear that Devlin is attempting to recover the ring. He sips at the dark brew, "Morning Abby. Your looking cheery this morning." He glances towards Hera and then the cat playing with the gold ring. Just a shrug on his part as he takes another sip. "Looks like word is getting around, Hera." He then looks over as the door opens, his attention though quickly back on the coffee mug. "I may have to look later myself once I have two working brain cells to rub together.."

"Thank you. So you're an artist. That's interesting. What sort of work do you do? Have you got some on display? I'm always looking for something new for my home and I have a few empty places that need filling." Erin wraps both her hands around the coffee mug to warm them from the cold outside. "And I'm also shopping for Christmas presents." The entrance of Abby draws her gaze and Erin gives her a warm smile. "Another of the Breakfast Club. We still need to meet for that movie sometime." The smile tilts up further as she watches the dog approach her and the cat bat around the gold band. There's recognition when the last person walks in, but as he moves off for the art, she sips at her coffee, curious as to what art drew him, so she doesn't interrupt his perusal.

"Oh, I'm fine! I already had some, I probably shouldn't overdo it," Abby answers Hera with a smile, leaning down to reach out and give Hans some pettings, fingers stroking along the German Shepard's shoulders, down to just above his tail. "Who's a good boy?" She queries. Still leaning over, one hand on her hip for balance, she glances over at Devlin with a smile. "Morning! I'm trying. I slept pretty well, so that was a good start," she winks, then looks at Erin, blinking for a moment before breaking into a bemused smile, "The Breakfast Club? Did I join a thing and didn't notice? Was there a blood pact? Did I sign anything?"

Ohhh, so Erin wants to know what work Hera has on display, well, she's only thrilled to offer. With a bright smile she begins to head on over to where some small cabinets are showing some pottery. There is a variety of nick nacks, plates, and what not, but some more remarkable pieces are clearly there. Some are quite intricate celebrating trees and other plant life, but one in particular is a very unique light blue vase that almost looks as if the clay was spun in quite a unique direction. The gold trim at the bottom seems to enhance its appearance and she offers it to Erin for her appraisal. (http://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/55fefa07e4b0d08937111603/1540414672977-XUA6KR80MEJ5UKW0BTGM/ke17ZwdGBToddI8pDm48kLsC9i4uka4Xp3lEBNsP5vRZw-zPPgdn4jUwVcJE1ZvWEtT5uBSRWt4vQZAgTJucoTqqXjS3CfNDSuuf31e0tVHu2SKlRiI1O_tjid2pvTOPIo4dG5hbiuKVB_5r5HDDkWuKAyOuhRGqDxd2ikc0GY4/Ripple+Vase%231++7%2522Wx18%2522H+%24800.jpg) "I worked hard on this one, and it turned out better than I expect." While the gallery owner chats, it is important to note that the cat and a dog apparently rule here, at least the cat does.

Speaking of which, Queso continues to bang around Devlin's ring because yes, it IS his. For now, Abby apparently is being stalked by Hans, the German Shepard guard dog who apparently wants petting from the nurse.

It's a slow pace that Yule sets in his admiration, but as a few familiar tones drift his way? It has his head turning. When they fall on Erin, it's a quirk of a smile that fleet across those features. "Hey, Ribbons. Great work with the event, yeah? Everything went well. Especially the angel tree. Had to slip out halfway through. Work." Not an ounce of apology for that, just is what it is, and then his attention falls upon the other man. "Devlin, yeah? Studying for your certifications. Hear you are at least a little bit closer. Ridealongs and the like with the EMTs." Those brown eyes flicker over towards Abby, catching bits of that conversation as he takes a few steps closer towards the group, more than a sparring, affectionate glance offered up towards the animals that inhabit the space as well.

"Morning, and yes a little better. I still find it funny that when the state needed to borrow a dustoff bird while I was on duty to pull an injured hunter out of the back country.. it was ok because National Guard.." He shrugs as he sips on his dark caffeine. "This is good Coffee Hera." He looks back to Yule, "Go figure.. should be done before New Years." He smiles at animals a little, "Looks like you made a friend Abby." He sees Erin and Hera are busy with possible business and leaves off a comment he was about to make. Back to Yule then, "Last night was the medic at dispatch to help with the 911 calls to help people help the victims." He then yawns.. damn it.. the yawn got him. "Toddler fell a few feet off a porch at night.. people need to watch their kids.. close doors and .. you know. Kid is in good hands right now. Mother is a bit of an emotional wreck"

Erin waves it away, but squints over at Abby with the mention of the blood pact. "Is that something you do on the regular?" Having just been joking around on the Breakfast Club thing, she just gives a shake of her head, letting it go. As Hera directs her to the pieces, Erin leaves the coffee there for a moment and walks over to look over the items in the cabinets. While she doesn't reach out to trace anything, clearly the urge is there as her hand stops just shy of the vase in question. "Oh this, yes. I'm interested in this. I like original pieces and the artist seems proud of it, as she should be." Erin smiles at Hera, delight lighting her eyes. It's with that look that she transfers her gaze to Yule, the smile remains even at the teasing nickname. "It was a great success, thanks to all of you." Including most in the shop as a matter of fact. "The last of the ornaments were picked up last evening so the Angel Tree was even a success. Thank you, I appreciate all of the time donated." Though she doesn't acknowledge it immediately, she does catch what it is Devlin says about his previous night, only glancing his way briefly.

Hera blushes a little at the compliment Erin offers but then she realizes in her 'showing' she overlooked Yule and didn't offer a kind welcome. "Oh hi!" she says, "Welcome to Vivid Dreams. Seems like the coffee is a bit of a hit I definitely didn't expect that but, would you like a cup Sir? Totally complimentary and all, totally." Coffee is cheaper than wine and due to Devlin's 'stressful shift' it seems to be 'the' drink for now. In the meantime Hans just loves Abby's attentions. The guard dog can be a puppy dog in the right hands and speaking of hands, or paws, Queso's last bat at the gold ring causes it to go spinning on the table. You have to love the antics of animals.

"Yeah. You'll find all sorts of oddities in Gray Harbor. Good to get your feet wet, understand the hot spots in the city," Yule offers to Devlin, his head dipping towards him, "Don't worry, though. Sure before you realize it, you'll be keeping me without a damn thing to do." Up one brow arches with curiosity for Erin's words, "Yeah? Hadn't known there were some left, else I'd have taken a couple others, too. Glad they all got sorted out, however." It's a broader smile given her way, before those eyes settle on Hera, "Hey. Yule Duchannes. Lovely gallery you have here. Miss these sorts of things from my time in NYC. And yeah, coffee would be great, but only after your done helping Erin. Don't want to interrupt."

"Oh, no, I haven't done one of those in forever," Abby assures Erin with a bright smile, before dropping her voice to admit, "I just wasn't sure what you meant. I might've missed something." She finally stops petting Hans, straightening up entirely with one last pat between his shoulder blades. "I had fun serving the meats. I ate a lot. Mostly brisket and desserts, which isn't really keto but it's half keto so that's close enough," she muses, then wanders a few steps off, eyeing some of the works on the walls that she didn't have a chance to peer at in detail before.

Devlin nods to Yule, "Thanks." Another pull on his coffee is taken. He looks to watch Erin and Hera interact with the various pottery items that draw Erin's eye. The cat playing with the gold band is still ignored by him. For the moment, Devlin is content to listen and watch as he lets the caffeine slowly bring him back to the land of the wakeful.

"Oh yes please, go ahead and take care of him. Could you wrap this up for me when you have a moment? There's no rush, really, I still have the coffee and I want to look around some more also." Erin returns to her coffee for the moment, retaking her seat. "I took several names for myself," she relays to Yule. "I'm looking forward to the shopping. I started on a recent trip to Portland, but I'm considering Seattle for some of the ornaments, so I can buy a lot of things with a bigger selection." With a smile to Abby, she says softly, "I was only referencing the dream." Leaving it at that.

"Sounds like a good idea, trip to Seattle. I'll have to consider the same-" He offers up with a warm smile towards the Addington, before a buzz goes off in his pocket. Out his phone is fished, a low breath pushed out. "Going to have to take a raincheck on the coffee, I'm afraid. And let's catch up sometime, Ribbons, yeah?" With a click on the phone, he pushes it back down into his pocket, before the man turns, slipping back out into the autumn morning.

Hera waves toward Yule as he goes to leave and with a bright smile she goes to wrap up the blue vase. "Oh definitely Miss, yes yes, definitely!" she seems all too happy to have made a sale. Someone or something has to keep this place going after all. She still tries to be the nice hostess though and tells the gentleman who is leaving, "Have a good day! Come back anytime." Then the inevitable happens. Queso gets tired of the ring and in what could only be a 'cat'tastrophe, the ring is batted off the table and goes flying in Abby's direction. Hans only whines which is a way of him saying in dogspeak <<Oh no, not the stupid cat again.>>

Devlin finishes his current mug of coffee, looking less tired now. He gets up and smirks seeing the cat bat the ring, "Interesting aim." He moves to where the coffee service is and pours a cup. Then being used to a serious coffee community, he starts going through the process to start a new pot.. "Nice coffee choice, Hera. No wonder this tastes good."

Abby's eyes widen in Erin's direction, interrupting her art browsing to stare, replying in an equally soft voice, "Oh, I wondered! But then I thought... well, maybe it's something else? But that makes more..." She is starting to ramble when she catches sight of Queso at play, just in time to see the cat bat something in her direction. She hadn't been playing enough attention to even be aware of what Queso had been playing with, so she just thrusts out her hands, instinctively, trying to catch whatever it is that's shining through the air. Miraculously, perhaps, she manages to snap her hands shut around it, opening them a moment later to stare oddly at the ring on her palm. "Does this belong to anyone?"

"I'd like that, Angel." Erin answers back to Yule as he prepares to depart. "It was good to see you again." Once more she wraps her hands around her coffee, eyes drifting over the artwork, especially that nearby her table. Abby though, gets a wink and when she may have said something she watches as the ring is batted over and Abby catches it. "Nice catch," a look between her and Devlin. "Literally." The smile playing over her features shows her amusement.

"Not anymore," Devlin says as he works on getting another pot of coffee started. "Don't need to worry about cheating Army wives around here... as to cheating around here.. could be a different kind of worry," his voice trails there. He smiles a bit, "Ran into a good reason to get rid of the decoy.. repellent..what ever you want to call it." It's just one of those simple gold wedding bands like you might find at a pawn shop. But it is gold.

Hera giggles a little as she seems to watch something out of the corner of her eye. "Well, Queso apparently likes the ring." she says as she finishes packing up Erin's item, "Or, liked it seemed. But yes, Abby, you seem to be getting all of the attention today." Well, maybe, maybe not. Queso has actually started taking an interest in Erin now. The pretty, golden colored cat tries to find Erin's leg to mark his territory but yes, he's using his head for an affectionate head bonk. This makes it official, Erin belongs to the gallery now, if she is close enough for the grazing.

Abby blinks at the ring, giving Erin a very confused look for a split second until Devlin speaks up. "Oh!" She says, though she does not immediately get it until he brings up the word 'decoy', at which point she lets out a slightly more prolonged, "Ohhh!" Then she walks over, carefully placing the ring on the nearby table with a friendly smile, and just a hint of a playful eyeroll shot in Erin's direction once she finally catches up with what the other woman said. "Maybe Queso has strong feelings on marriage," she suggests with a small shrug and a smile for Hera.

Erin takes the interest from the cat, even allowing the cat to jump to her lap. Letting go of her coffee, she pets the cat, scratching lightly behind the ears and under its chin. "Aren't you just the sweetest?" Giving the cat attention as well as the others. There's a speculative look given to Devlin at the explanation of the ring. Or perhaps the comment of having ran into a good reason to get ride of the decoy. "Perhaps," the Addington tells Abby with a smile. "I've avoided that entanglement so far. Or it has avoided me." Laughing softly, she pets the cat and looks down at it, "You've got a good thing going here, all these pretty things around you." She smiles at Hera. "Have you got something with wine bottles or grapes or anything painted onto a canvas? I'd like something like that for my kitchen."

"Anyone else want coffee?" Devlin offers while he is standing up. "Keep it if you want Abby.. or Hera, may be you can do something with it. Or someone else.." He then sips his coffee as he waits to see if any wish a refill.

Purrrrrr, purrrrr looks like Erin is the blessed one for Queso's affections. Ah yes, Erin has a cat at her side, Abby has the dog's attention, and poor Devlin, he doesn't have his ring anymore. All he has is coffee which may very well be lukewarm by now. At the mention of a canvas with wine or grapes or something of the like Hera the artist springs into action. "Oh yes Miss!" She certainly didn't expect Erin to come in to be a customer. Hey, maybe she can afford to make ends meet! She rushes about and begins to load the easels with four pictures showing a bit of a collage. This is definitely showing the whole 'wine and grape' visage. "Oh I don't know about that he is a cat but even /he/ needs attention you know." Then she puts out the canvases and asks Erin, "Would this work?"

Abby backs away with her hands out, glancing at Devlin. "Oh, thank you, but I really couldn't," she replies with a big smile and a curious look in his direction. "You could always pawn it or something like that? I'm not an expert but that looks like it's worth something. Unless it's fake, I suppose, I can't really tell..." the nurse admits with a quick glance at the ring on the table, before looking back to the artwork, gaze briefly distracted by the pieces Hera brings out for Erin.

"I am fine on coffee, thank you though, for the offer." Erin smiles the refusal to Devlin. The offer of the ring to the others just has a brow arching and she pets the cat once more before walking over and picking up the ring to look inside. "It's real gold. I wonder.." As Hera brings displays the the canvases in a row, she nods, looking delighted again. "Yes, that is exactly what I want. I will take that also. I am not so sure it will fit in my car. Do you deliver? If not I could borrow a friends truck if necessary." A Maserati holds very little, unfortunately. "And please call me Erin." She flips the ring between her fingers a little. "If you engrave, you could decorate the ring with different designs or vines or hearts or roses or anything and resell it." It's placed back on the table and she retakes her seat so the cat can come back for more petting.

Devlin shrugs, "No idea what it is worth now, got it as a Pee Ef Cee may be twelve, thirteen years ago." Good chance there is a story behind that somewhere. "So if someone want it.. take it." He returns to sit down again and offers, "If you need to borrow something Hera, I have a Rubicon.." he sips his coffee, "The Jeep Wrangler.. back is clear for now other than my aide kit. Seats fold down if needed."

Hera tries not to jump up and down at the excitement that ta da, she has made another sale. She tries to contain her excitement and mutters something about a dream come true. "Oh yes, I do deliver!" says the woman who doesn't have a truck. But she knows someone with a jeep haha! "Don't worry Erin, I will make it happen, trust me, I will make it happen." Yes, seems as if this small town is coming a true Utopia for her, strange that she hasn't really experiened all of the strange stories behind the shadows though. But now a home, and a business, and pets, and new friends. What more could a lady ask for? Before going to box things away carefully though, because she's going to do such an excellent job of boxing it all up, she says, "Maybe Queso actually does want the ring?" Strange enough, when the cat is mentioned, he gets that 'ambush' look in his eyes and suddenly JUMP he tries to land in Erin's lap for snuggling. Hopefully Erin doesn't have a cat allergy. In the meantime poor Hans tries to shoot Abby a glance on his face as if he's trying to tell her <<See what I have to put up with?>> Poor guard dog, poor dog.

"I'm sure there's a story there," Abby says with a curiously raised eyebrow in Devlin's direction, but she doesn't press, continuing in a light-hearted tone, "But I think Chickpea would get jealous if I brought someone's ring home." She excuses herself with a smile, hands tucked into her jacket pockets as she takes a few more steps, circling around the room to study the works she hasn't had a good close look at, going hmmmm and ohhhh as she browses. In passing, she reaches down to resume petting Hans for a moment. "These are very nice, too."

"This whole store is lovely. I hope you're advertising. It's a great place for Christmas shopping also. If the word gets out you'll be really busy I imagine. I have a few friends I'm definitely going to tell about it." Erin catches the cat on her lap and goes back to petting it in the meantime. "I live at 5 Bayside Drive. Anytime is good for delivery, I'm at home most of the time. But I will give my number also, if you'd rather call or text ahead." Tilting her head, she smiles at Devlin. "You seem in a hurry to dispose of it now. I take it you have found a love interest that makes the ring decoy no longer necessary?"

Devlin chuckles, "The reason for it is gone too. Ever had a Green Beret hunt you down for being seen at the bar with his wife while he was deployed? Lucky for me, I was able to duck out of sight the first couple times and then got a Tee Dee Why trip for a school. He cooled off.. I think" He sips his coffee, "I got a bit of a lecture on I need to get out more and date. From a couple of people." His eyes cut over towards Hera. He then shrugs, "I won't say love interest.. but you miss alot of opportunities so I hear. Thus..." He glances to the ring, "Not needed. I hope.." He sips his coffee, eyeing the ring.. old habits can be difficult to break.

Hera gets a bit of a thoughtful look in her eye, though whatever is crossing her mind she doesn't really say. "Heartbreak happens, it's what we do after it that matters. But, new art is always to be found and cherished." She smiles brightly at Erin and says, "Thank you again, wow, a true pillar of the community. I will get in contact with you about the delivery." she grins over at her cousin and says, "I may hit you up on the help offer. Still have some things to fix around here too but, so happy to have it all, I really am." She didn't forget about Abby's cat either and she smiles, "I need to visit Chickpea's site and yes, no need to make any four legger jealous." Then, the phone rings, a bit of a traditional phone maybe? That's right, LAN lines are not dead. "Oh, I need to go take care of this, please, sit down and enjoy." After a few pleasantries, she's off to take care of other business.

"Ohh, can't say I have," Abby answers Devlin's question, eyebrows shooting even higher at the story, though it's clear some parts of it seem to sail over her head. "Not a lot of Green Berets in Elma. Not ones on active duty, anyway, I don't think..." she continues, as if pondering the possibility. It's remarkably easy to send her mind flying off in a tangent for a moment or two, it seems, though she continues along her tour of the room and the artwork. "That sounds good. Sometimes I've felt like I could wear one, it would be awfully convenient, but then I wouldn't be able to keep my story straight. So to speak. Better to just shoo people the old-fashioned way, I suppose."

"New art can do a lot." Erin smiles, finishing her coffee and petting the cat. She does write down her information and pays for the items she had purchased. The vase, she will be taking with her when she goes, but the paintings will have to be delivered. "I am sure your cousin here would like to help." The whole help offer and all. Erin has two jobs currently! Waving to Hera as she takes off for business, she smiles but looks curious to Abby. "Are you off the market?" Curious at that. Though Devlin is given a nod. "I guess I understand about wearing the ring."

Devlin says, "Most time you don't have to say anything, Abby. But there were some persistent ones you had to actively say no to." He finishes his coffee. "If I am going to sit through another night shift, better start cat napping soon.. " He streches as he stands, "It has been a pleasure ladies.""

Abby turns and calls out after Devlin, "Have a good nap!" Then she wanders over to Queso, reaching out to lightly rub at his head and under his chin, scritching idly as her attention returns to Erin. "Oh, no. It'd be for work. I don't really want people to hit on me while I'm at work - 99 per cent of the time, I suppose there might be an exception in theory, but it's generally the wrong time and wrong place and the wrong people. Sometimes people get the wrong impression."

Devlin is bid a farewell but her focus goes easily back to Abby. "I think I understand. Sometimes I enjoy being single. Other times? It's a little lonely. Still, I'd rather be single than with the wrong person. It's too easy to settle, I think. But wearing a ring? What if you were wearing it and the right person crossed your path?"

Abby keeps petting the cat while talking to Erin. "I haven't had much luck, but I'm not in a hurry!" Her smile brightens up, eyes darting down to follow her own fingers along Queso's fur. "Oh. Then I'd have to take it off and explain why I wear it, I guess. Not that I would wear it, but sometimes I feel like it would be very convenient instead of saying no, thank you, for the 5th time in a row."

"That makes sense." Erin tells her, "I know what you mean though. I friendzone people a lot. Or I get friendzoned by people. I don't mind having more friends though, so it works out, but when I do let people in? Somehow, I seem to always get let down. I see couples around town and they have others in their relationships. I'm not sure I understand that but it seems the thing to do here. What are your thoughts on dating and relationships?"

"Oh, I think it's the thing to do everywhere," Abby jokes with a smile, though her nose scrunches up as she thinks for a moment. "Friendzoning sounds like once you call someone your friend then they're not potential romantic partner, and that just doesn't sound right to me. My longest relationship was with someone who was my friend first..." she continues, pensively, giving Queso light, idle scritches before exhaling a small sigh. "I'm very bad at it! Got stood up just last week, and that was the first date I'd been going on in a while, so I don't really know."

"I wondered that. If it was everywhere and if it was just me that was off. So, there it is. Not much I can say or do about it." Erin finally stands and gathers up the box. "I am sorry you got stood up. I hope the dating gets better for you. I should be going for now though. It was good to see you again."

Abby smiles softly and shakes her head. "No, I'm pretty sure it's everywhere," she tells Erin with a smile, then waves off the sorry with a small shrug, grazing her other hand atop Queso's head before letting go. "Her loss. It was very casual, anyway, and... well, it probably wouldn't have gone anywhere. Good luck for you too! It was nice to see you. While awake, anyway."

"I understand, really. That's how I feel lately." Erin offers another smile, "I am eager to get this vase home and see how it looks. We really all should go see a movie sometime if we can gather everyone back up. It was nice to see you. Take care."