2019-12-12 - An Afternoon At The Gallery

Paperwork is something that is not too unique to the art gallery. However, Hera has a goal to streamline the process a bit. Her laptop glows to where the main counter is and she seems to be putting some data into Excel. Word isn't the best for such a task and while she is an artist first, she is a business woman second. Facts and figures need to be compared and analyzed so, such is the task she sets out to do. To keep herself somewhat 'focused' a glass of wine stands near the computer. There's rarely a lack of wine in this place.

Yesterday it was cleaning so Queso felt a need to remedy that problem. The easels have been 'reclaimed' so, again, they're covered in cat hair. Hera isn't going to stop him this time, especially since it's a fruitless task. Hans sits somewhat near Hera watching the cat, then the door, then the cat. Suddenly, out of nowhere he burps and Hera looks over, "Well the food Thewlis recommended should make you happy." The dog doesn't response but there is, somewhat notably, a gold flicker coming from his collar.

The door opens and in walks Devlin, looking a little tired but otherwise ok, "Hi Hera.. thought I'd stop by." He looks noticing the wine, "One of those days?"

Hera turns away from her computer toward the door. "Cousin!" she says as she moves to head in his direction. "It's good to see you." She's always happy to be a part of certain visits but she pauses as she notices him being tired, "Not going to take any time off I see?"

Devlin says, "Just got back from some certification exams is all. Just exhausting.. a couple more to go.. assuming I have passed." He takes a breath, "I still have shift today with dispatch to help out. So, your right about lack of rest. "

Hera looks over at her wine glass then looks back to him, "You're definitely a coffee type guy anyway. I'll get some brewed for you. I tell you what." she says, "When you pass all these exams, I'm throwing you a party ok? There's no ifs ands or butts about it. None. You really need to take some time out and relax."

A smirk, "So.. not going to matchmake.. good." Devlin takes a seat, "What happened to quiet nights anyways? So anything happening for you of late?" He notices the dog, "Cat get engaged?"

Hera laughs a little and rolls her eyes on that remark, "No, not going to, but I do want you to meet a friend of mine. She and I, well, we kinda bonded. No kinky thoughts mind you but I wound up just telling her more about my past than I thought I would. Her friend is Mae and she's a stripper. I want you and I to go watch one of her shows one time. Don't worry, she's got a boyfriend so, no pressure and." she brings the cup of coffee over, "Hans is guarding your ring." Well, that's the good thing but looks like she's going to drag Devlin to a strip club, oh fun. 😉

A brow raises as he accepts the cup, "Strip club.. have not been to one in a long time. And nothing funny.. " He smirks, "Yeah.. smells like a set up in there.." his tone perhaps teasing some. "That could get rather.. interesting." He looks over to Hans, "Better watch out.. that might ruin your sex life there, Hans. The cat may have tricked you. Have fun.." He looks over back to you, "So no one took the ring from the cat.. amazing.. I want photos of the moron's hand that tries to take it from Hans after the fact."

Hera puts the cup of coffee down in front of him. "He has no sex life." she tells him, "Makes him a bit, healthier that way." Not like the dog had a choice in the matter. "Queso is fixed too but Mae, she's really awesome. I really look forward to you meeting. I also made some more friends at a party and." she grins, "I think I am starting to gain a new confidence about myself. Some tourists were giving a shop owner a hard time the other day and I let them have it. You should be proud of me. However, no one seems to misbehave with Hans around."

Sipping his coffee before he speaks, Devlin then says, "Good to hear. And have fun with the ring.. call it an artistically abandoned past for me. So.. shiney collar.. that is an amusing concept." He sips more of the dark brew. "So.. friends, excellent.. didn't I mention that all you needed to do was get out and about. I take it you met some interesting people at the party?

Hera nods as she goes over to join him with a glass of wine. "I have, yesterday the lady who saved my shoes came by and Leon came by to show me some of his art. He, kind of reminds me of you. Have you met him?"

Devlin says, "Don't know.. ran into a lot of people doing what I do." He hmms, "Saved your shoes? Sounds like a story there.."

Hera says, " yeah it was a lot of fun. I danced and I actually didn't trip over myself. But, my heels flew into the air and Grace caught my shoes. Someone might have gotten hurt if she didn't."

Devlin laughs, "Really kicking up your heels.." He hmms over his coffee, "I did help to find those two missing girls after the Krampus festival. They were over by the pond, one of them almost drowned. Morrigan was able to pull her out of the water." He is rather matter of fact about that. "Guess Krampus still a little scary for some kids. They are home and safe.. with an adventure under their belts."

Hera looks a little relieved at that. "I'm glad. I didn't really know much about Krampus until the festival. I heard about it but, first time for me. I'm really glad the kiddos are safe. Being scared when you are young, not a good feeling."

Devlin nods, "Had to take my coat to the cleaners to dry out. I volunteered at the last moment. One was soaking wet, could not let her freeze."

Hera says, "That is the right thing to do, definitely the right thing to do. So, who is Morrigan?"

Devlin says, "SAR swimmer. She has helped me with a some of my studies. I may even look into some SAR training myself.. Or.. sorry, Search and Rescue is what SAR means."

Hera did have a bit of a blank look on her face and says, "Ah, well that makes more sense. You should bring her by sometime. Though, making new friends, it's kinda become a bit addictive for me. I want this place to be a bit of a haven you know?"

Devlin nods as he sips his coffee, "I can understand that.. you have Espresso Yourself to compete with just down the strip, you realize." He hmms, "I will see what I can do about that. So ladies night.. sounds like you had a blast.. Never got near one of those.. may be a good thing too."

Hera nods to that as well, "Uh, yeah." he says, "I think the guys there were stoned for good reason, really good reason. They can get kind of wild. Don't repeat this but Mae said she woke up the next morning with some strange woman's feet in her face. That's very mild."

Devlin hmms, "Minor weird.. Not like waking up after a blast to find a goat trying to nibble at your pocket for the food inside.." He sips his coffee, "animals.. they seem to have their priorities straight.. but man very weird."

Hera says, "Yeah, at least animals are easy to understand. There's no guesswork, no, manipulation, they just, love."

Devlin says, "Or want the basics.. food water.. sex.. " He smirks over his coffee and then sips it. "Now Queso over there.. she loves that sun beam. I bet if she could expand to fill the floor where the sun beam is to soak it all up, she could."

Hera peers over at the gallery cat and says, "Yeah, he jumped on Maggi's shoulder yesterday. Surprised the heck out of me, really did. I don't even think he's done that for me."

"Oh.. he.." Devlin looks over, "Sorry about that Queso." He sips his coffee, "anything else going on? Been rather same same for me. I did start playing games on my PS4 again to blow off steam. Moved in.. practice.." He shrugs, "yeah.. boring life, huh?

Hera nods a little and says, "Trust me cousin, boredom is good, very good. For me just been enjoying life and rediscovering myself. It's been quite therapeutic. Who knows, maybe the small town life is for me."

Devlin says, "Strange little small town though. Makes me wonder if Steven King hung out in disguise here some days.." He chuckles a bit, "All the weird tales I hear about places, Dark Men, and other things."

Hera purses her lips a bit as she looks at him in thought, "What of that?" she asks, "What of the dark men? I heard that this town has a lot of strange things, but the only thing I noticed that was strange was that people are more kind than I was used to."

Devlin says, "Not sure yet what is up. But from what I do understand.. these dark men like to see others suffer. Fucked up.. huh?" He sips his coffee and sighs, "I thought war was weird..."

Hera blinks as she is quite surprised, "Yeah, very fucked up. Well, we have to stop them then. I've suffered enough in life and if any of them come in here, game over."

Devlin says, "And that is the million dollar question.. who are they and how do you know it is a dark man.. woman?" He shrugs as he sips his coffee. "Same fucking problem when deployed.. figure out who is the bad guy and the local trying to survive.."

Hera says, "Well, if anyone is suffering like that, it simply has to end. I haven't encountered as much but, I won't stand for good people being hurt. Seen enough of that, all in the name of greed, and I'm done with it"

Devlin shrugs, "Don't matter till you can ID them. Assuming what I heard was accurate... going to have to bide my time and learn."

As if summoned via Bat symbol... You know.... Much later than you would assume... A large man pushes through the door into the gallery. Dressed lightly against the cold in his branded parka, jeans, and boots, he carries a little zip up portfolio. He looks at least a little nervous to show up on his own, but figured what the hell. He waves when he sees Hera, but doesn't try to intrude, attempting to communicate through a series of unintelligable hand signals that he can wait for her to finish.

Hera says, "well, keep me informed. I don't like that idea but, I guess that proves I'm still rather clueless about somethings. The term 'dark' doesn't make me happy though, as if there's not enough darkness in this crazy world."

Hera is chatting with Devlin, so she may not notice Leon at first but Hans definitely did. The dog isn't scared of the large man at all, their previous gaze providing a bit of a connection maybe? Whatever the case, the German Sheppard pads over to the newcomer and, offering a sign of friendship, moves in to lick his hand. Whether such said hand is gloved or not, that might remain to be seen.

Hearing the door opens, Devlin turns his head to see whom is there. His gaze quickly evaluating the new comer in that way that many experienced Vets do.. but without that hint of paranoia some have. "It will pass, Hera.. and it appears you have a customer." He sips his coffee to allow her to handle biz

Leon offers the dog a little salute before letting him lick, then patting his head. "Soldier." He says affectionately. He knew service dogs couldn't take too much attention or it would ruin the training, so he looks up a little cautiously for at least some reassurance he could pet this wonderful beast.

"Oh hi!" she says as she recognizes a familiar face. "I'm glad you came by. I wanted to show something to you for your final approval." she tells Leon. Then she addresses Devlin before rising to her feet, "This is someone I want you to meet. You both were in the service, if I remember correctly." She takes a step closer to her dog and the newcomer to say, "He likes you too, quite a good sign. I think I have your print ready to display. Would you like to see how it's mounted?" The dog just goes to sit on his butt now, watching the exchange between the two. Queso remains quiet and, this time, stays out of the way.

Devlin rises up, "Hello." He extends his hand, "No offence, but I hope you did not meet me when I was doing my job.." there is that tone of grim military humor there in Devlin's voice. The tone becomes more pleasant, "Hera makes a good cup of coffee." as he extends his hand to the other man.

Leon looks a little dissapointed at the departed dog, and eager to Hera's words. Sorry, buddy, scratches later. He looks Devlin up and down, making that face side turn squint as he tries to pin something down. "Thing is..." He starts cautiously, never too sure he can't be wrong "I'm pretty sure I'm glad I did. I think you stitched up a brother a couple years back, just had a bad dust off. IED? Afghanistan?" He ends the statement in a question. But takes Devlin's hand to shake. "SFC Leon Gyre. Former, anyhow."

Hera wouldn't recognize the military humor herself so for a moment she does have a bit of a blank look on her face. But, she does notice the introduction going well, and this makes her smile. Then her eyes light up when she sees the portfolio. That definitely catches her attention but she gives Devlin and Leon a moment to chit chat as she goes to get Leon a cup of coffee. It's not a fancy type of coffee, straight black but she puts the cup down near the fellow artist and waits for the large man to talk more about his work.

Devlin nods, "Glad it was not your bad day then. SSG McCloud, still got my toe in the game in the Guard these days." He shakes hand, "I handed so many off to dustoff back in the day due to those damn things." He ponders for a few.. "I think I recall your face. Some days I swear I got passed around like a cheap date to fill in when other medics had been wounded."

"Ah, not me. Needed a clean break. Uncle Sam's a bit of a crazy ex, yaknow?" But he does offer a good natured laugh at Devlin's joke, even if his face is a little pinched with the remark. Stress. Reminder. "Still, if we didn't have good sawbones', we'd have alot less brothers. You'll always have my gratitude." Sharp eyed, he hands the portfolio over to Hera, but makes a closed motion, so maaaaybe she shouldn't open it just yet... But... Shes an adult and can do as she likes.

Hera takes the portfolio from the large man and, perhaps noting the motion, she doesn't open it immediately. Instead, she puts it down on a nearby end table. It wouldn't take much of an empath to realize that Leon is still a bit 'shy' about some of his skills, but she appears excited about the print she made. "I'll be right back." she says and then goes off to find it. What she comes back with is a two by three foot image of the lighthouse print he showed her before. It's not framed under glass like a typical painting, but it is supported by wood that makes the canvas rise about an inch and a half from any wall. The quality of the print is very good, and, of course, Leon's name is printed on the lower right hand corner. All in all, it looks very professionally done and ready to be put on display. "To your liking?" she asks of him.

Devlin nods as he picks his coffee back up to sip at again. "I'm finishing up my state certifications for Washington state so I can be full time EMS here in Gray Harbor. And thinking about picking up SAR diver qualifications.. Hell, had a smoke jumper suggest I look their way too." He pauses as Hera returns with the framed picture, "Nice light house? Where was that taken at?"

Hera grins as if she lets Leon answer that question. "He's a much better artist than he gives himself credit for." But then, the cat. Yup, the cat has been TOO quiet. From behind the counter there's a crashing sound as SOMEONE left a wine glass on the counter. "Oh boy, need to go check that out. Please don't mind me though."

Leon wasn't trying to ignore Devlin, really he wasn't. He just looks actually amazed, eyes wide, mouth coming open, "Oh... Well that looks... Pretty damn good blown up." He wasnt lying, but boy when things got real, they got real, and real fast.

Thankfully, the glass breaking snaps him out of it, "Oh, yeah, I just wanted to drop those by for you if you thought they'd be any better or... I dunno, just wanted to look..." His eyes snap to Devlin, clapping him on the shoulder in a friendly manner, "But damn, its good to meet you again McCloud, so you're a local now? Small world. I gotta get on up the street, but we gotta meet up sometime. I owe you one for Jensen. Or..." He gets a thoughtful look, backing toward the door with a grin. "Actually, maybe you owe me one."

"Take care.. its Devlin..'