2019-12-14 - Many Meetings

Holding the door for her as always, Thewlis follows Jade in once she's past, letting her pick a table, or the bar, drawing out her seat wherever she chooses. "Will... dad. Brothers. Made if... If I... set up the... pit early? Can they send... a list of wood to... to get? I have lava stone... good for holding... heat."

Moving towards a table that will allow Thewlis to sit with his back to the wall, Jade smiles as he holds her chair for her and shakes her head. "Oh good Lord no. They'll be happy they don't have to do the extra work! They might rib you a little at the start about being sure you dug it right, but its all in good fun and nothing too extreme." Leaning in, she kisses his cheek with a murmured, "And I'll help so we make sure we get the right depth and circumference for the pit." Sitting back up, she smiles and takes up her menu to glance through it, "What are you feeling like today?"

Smiling and turning into the kiss from Jade, Thew nods, "I was thinking... meatloaf sandwich." Thew admits, leaning back in his seat and looking between her and the menu. "Maybe... t-t-t-tayy-take you. Oh-ow-oww-..out if you'd like? Unless... woods? Haunted... they're.... and the pond. We could... I could. We could go there?"

One brow lifting up, Jade leans forward onto one forearm, smiling slowly at Thewlis, "You want to take me out into some haunted woods, with a pond? Will we be recreating a scene from one of the Friday the Thirteenth movies... perhaps one of the skinnydipping scenes?" She reaches across and squeezes his hand, "I think that sounds great, Thew." Looking back to her menu, she murmurs, "I think I'm going to try their french dip sandwich..."

"That ones really good... the... the dip." nodding, Thew chuckles, "Woods and... woods... and pond are separate. Probably... pond... in woods, somewhere." he grins a little and moves to rest a hand on her arm, giving a little squeeze. He doesn't comment on the skinny dipping, but he goes bright red, a little look flashing in his eyes as he watches her.

Jade adopts a wholly innocent expression when he blushes, "What? I was just suggesting that if we're going to be in a pond in haunted woods, we should recreate a scene from a classic horror movie..." She flashes a grin at him and lays her hand over top his with a squeeze. "I love a good french dip, especially if it has a garlic aioli with it. A nice thin layer of the aioli, then some swiss cheese, then thinly sliced prime rib and a tasty au jus from the drippings? Mmmf."

"French Onion... sou-hoo... souu... Soup. Made from. The. Th-th-huh-the drippings... with... sauteed on..onyuhh... Onion, with a li-hi-hiittle carmalizing... in th... th... sandwich... th-th-thats best." Thew notes as he gets comfortable, finally pulling off the flannel and fleece jacket to hang on the back of his seat, a moment passing where his lips slip back into that turtle beaked frown. "Guh-good... scene choice... too." winking at Jade.

"See? Look at this, you are perfect. How am I supposed to keep up with this? You even know the best food porn!" Jade teases him lightly, grinning and looking back tot he menu, "I'll tell you what, though. I would kill for some good chicory coffee and beignets. I got to go to New Orleans once, over Spring Break so no Mardi Gras madness... but oh my God, the Cafe du Monde makes the BEST chicory coffee and beignets."

Smiling as she goes on, Thew smiles a little, looking down at the table. "Muh-may-hay-maybe... we can... Go. When you want. Mardi... Muh-muh-mardi gras, or other... t-t-times." pulling out a pad of paper and writing things down to give to the waiter when they arrive, handling 'ordering' that way. "I. I keep. Extra around... Don't use... I could. Little vacation?" his head ducks down again, and he chews at his lower lip.

"That would be great, maybe sometime when its still cold so we can escape to where its warm for a little bit?" Jade offers with a grin, shifting her hand to turn and twine her fingers through his. "A nice vacation, just us two..." She chuckles, "After the holidays, though. My mother would be supremely disappointed if we ran off over Christmas." Her head cants to the side as she watches him, smiling, "So what would you have if you could have any meal at all?"

"Any muh-meal?" Thew and Jade are at a table, waiting for an order to come in and sight of sights they're holding hands as they sit, talking - the handyman with a little smile on his features, despite mostly staring at the table. "Bu-bu-bu-bison steak fajitas... real lamb yuh-yuh-yuh-gyro on the... suh-side. Huh-hu-honey mead... Not tha-hat imitation crap... St-stu-sthuu... broccoli... steam..." he looks then to Jade, head tilting with his eyes searching hers. "You?"

Hera had finished other business at Vivid Dreams and figures that she isn't in a mood to cook. The pets are fed, so now she might take the time to work on sating her own appetite. This leads her to the bear's den, yeah, maybe she didn't hear the right name for the place? Either way she wanders in and looks about. "Wow, interesting." she pauses to study the atmosphere, "And, the music." But she doesn't comment on that. Either she's going to get agreements that it's loved or hated so she just leaves that comment to hang for a bit. Looking things over a bit more she spots some of her two favorite people, "Oh hi!" she waves over at Jade and Thewlis, do they want personal time though? She doesn't barge on in just yet but she makes an obvious statement, "It is a small city, definitely."

"Oooooo, sounds good!" Jade responds to Thewlis and grins, giving a nod, "Never had bison before, is it really as good as it claims to be?" Looking up at Hera's call, she smiles brightly, "Hey! Come join us! We're just having some lunch and discussing what we would eat if we could have anything at all that we wanted." Turning back to Thewlis, Jade sips her iced tea and focuses, "Goat biyrani with some curry powder tossed in and served with a nice, fresh baked garlic naan... roasted brussel sprouts with a light balsamic glaze. And a strawberry-rhubarb pie with actual whipped cream."

Making a hmmmmm sound, "Strawberry rhubarb... puh-puh-pie..." Sighing, Thew looks to Hera, ducking his head and actually standing up, to draw a chair for her. "Puh-please... Sit." looking then to Jade. "Buh-bison... steak... I'd say... almost buh-buh-better... than..." and then he turns DARK red, looking down and unable to finish the sentence.

Hera smiles to the two, they may fast be beomming her favorite couple as it is. "Oh strawberry rhubarb pie, that sounds sinful. Takes a lot of sugar I think and, rhubarb, I had some of the jelly. It was good, then I was talking to someone and they started to tell me about the calorie content. Talk about a guilty pleasure, seriously." she does take a seat but near them but she makes a move to allow them to have their space. "I don't think I've had bison either. It couldn't taste that different from steak though, right?"

Coming in following behind some other people, Devlin pauses to allow them to find a spot before he moves forward. Looking about he notices Hera, Thewlis, and Jada. "Morning, Good day for a work out and time to refuel." His hair is damp in a way that implies he's showered. He does walk over, "How are you all doing?"

"Strawberry rhubarb is my favorite pie. But," Jade nods to Hera, "its so high in calories that having it more than once or twice a year would... oof. My butt would be the size of the Good Year blimp!" She look back to Thewlis, grinning at the deepening blush, "Well hopefully not AS good as... or else I've got some SERIOUS work to do." Winking at him, she looks back to Her and shrugs, "Never had it myself so we're going off of Thew's word. Which means its every bit as good as he says because Thew is always truthful." THen Devlin arrives and she's grinning once more, "Hey! Come join us, we're having lunch and discussing the best meals."

Bean enters the diner she quikly looks behind her almost as if to check if someone were following her. She relaxes a moment and then tuhs her hands into the front pockets of her scrubs for a moment, as she looks within the establishment with the look of someone whom is new to the town, a pause as she takes in the enviorment

Hera shows Devlin a wide grin, "Doing so much better now cousin." she seems to speak to him of cousin, being a small town it's probable that everyone in town knows the two are related somehow, "Thewlis and Jade came over and fixed the self cleaning litterbox. No way in the world could I have put that together myself it was just awkward. I have to keep the cat happy too." The dog, of course is optional, at least when it comes to his happiness. She does look over at the newcomer though and asks Bean, "Are you ok Miss?"

Devlin walks over to the table, "Nice bit of work there, thank you for helping Hera," says to Jade and Thewlis." He winks to Jade, "I would to agree there." May be adding to Thewlis' deep blush there. He pauses to turn towards Bean after Hera addresses her. His expression calm but there is curiosity for a moment. Nothing asked for now as it has been asked.

Bean turns her head and she looks back to the door, before Hera's words catch her ears and she gives a little nod of her head "Oh, yes, I am fine.. just taking in all the sites here." she says as she moves just a little bit further in

"I'd help... with... the... Out... Workout..." Thew dares to give Jade a wink before he realizes what he did and is blushing again. Devlin's thanks and Hera's praise are met with small nods and a thin nervous smile. "He-heh-hehhhh-Hera... had... Lot of. Has lots. Things to fix. I'm... Regular trips. I'm making" he is distracted then by the acknowledging of Bean. He looks up, studying for a moment before he is looking down at the table, or his hand in Jades, squeezing gently.

Hera watches the couple, especially noting Thewlis' blush. She looks like she's about to say 'dawwwwwww' but she refrains, for now anyway. But she has other good things to say regardless, "He's such a life saver. Even around Hans he's acting like a puppydog. I'm going to fix them a good Tex Mex dinner one day, you are more than welcome to join us if you wish Cousin." But she's not planning on being rude to Bean either. She waves at her and gives her an introduction, "Hera, nice to meet you."

Devlin offers to Bean, "Food is good here, just avoid the omelets." He then turns to nod to Hera and the others, "Hard to find someone good with fixing things, Thewlis. Glad your able to help Hera out." He moves to help Hera with her chair, "I have to admit.. never thought a small community could be like this after dealing with Fayetnam.. and LA."

Bean smiles to Devlin, then to Hera in turn, thanks, I am known as Bean." she shrugs a little and smiles again as the man offers the chair to the lady and she smiles gently at the pair before she wanders over to a nearby table.

"S'no... problem... She's... nice. I. She. I'm. Help. Happy to." Thewlis looks as his and Jade's orders arrive, meatloaf sammich and a french dip for the lady. "Their... sandwiches... good. I. It's. Recommend." looking to Bean as she introduces herself and settles at a close table.

Hera licks her lips for a brief moment, "Actually, a hamburger would be really really good. I guess they have good burgers here? Not sure if I should take a lot of fries though. A hamburger is sinful enough really. Then again, we were just talking about strawberry rhubarb pie." What a thought, well, if they offer hamburgers yup, there she goes, sizzle sizzle grease time!

Devlin takes a seat after Hera settles, "Burger sounds good.. just drag it's hairy.. a... fourth point of contact through the garden is all. Salad and water for me.." He looks around as he starts tracking on where the wayward wait staff can be.. great food at the price of.. not so great service after all.

Bean listens to the recommendations "Taco Salad actually sounds good." she looks up "do you think you can make that?" Asks the woman with a clear Midwest accent. "oh and... half sweet half unsweet tea?" she orders as she looks to the others here "have you all been in town long?"

Thew is a fan of the ass service. They leave him alone generally. It's the reason he comes to the most disreputable diner in town... Privacy. "Meatloaf sandwich... It's..." he points at his gravy soaked cardiac arrest on sourdough...

Hera remembers the few times she had meatloaf and says, "Oh, that's good stuff, depending on how you do it though, really depends." Then, her cellphone goes off and she rises to her feet. "Excuse me, I should go get this. I was actually expecting this call." Then she dashes off to go take care of other business, for now.

Devlin puts his order in finally. "How have things been going for you, Thewlis?" He does get his water and takes a sip of it. "I managed to pass a few more of the exams towards certification," a touch of sarcasm in his tone, clearly not as surprise to him but still annoying to deal with.

Bean settles back into a chair waiting for her salad as she looks about and her eyes linger on the bears thoughtfully, though she dose not try to re-engage anyone in topic, she sips on her tea much like Thew and relaxes after a hard day of work.

"I'm... I... It's. I'm ok." Thew nods, watching Jade move off for a time as well, chewing to get himself time before he has to speak in public. "Wha-whu-huhhh... Certifications?" looking to Bean now "Like... th-that? Muh-muh-mehhhh..." he sighs, and motions to the scrubs.

"Long story short, I ran afoul of a politician because his son died on the operating room table. I waited to send him on the second chopper that had a trauma doctor and nurse on board. The first one was basicly a flying bus without much more than one EMT to watch 2 people enroute." Devlin sighs a bit, "Politician had an investigation launched over it. Killed my chances to be a SWAT Medic and to work as EMS in the State of California. Washington State out of caution is making me take tests they would normally waver for someone with my experience. They are covering their asses basically.. worried there could be issues if someone uses it to challenge my competency.

Bean slowly blinks at the disjointed way of talk that comes from Thew's direction, her eyes soften and she tilts her head a little, Certifications?" she asks then she smiles a little tugging on her scrubs a moment, and she considers "I am working to become enrolled in Veteniry school here, but as if now, I am just a Technician." though as the man tells his story she nods her head a little attentively listening even as her food arrives.

"Oh... Vets... They're... I. They're guh-guuuhh..." Thew sighs and takes another bite of his sammich, looking embarrassed now. "I don't... it. Politics. They..." he sighs again. "Worked at, mill... but. Politics." looking between Bean and Devlin now.

A guy with a black hoodie, leather jacket, and a backpack turns into the diner, pulling his hood down. He rubs the damp off the bottom of black on black chucks, the souls somewhat worn. His thumbs are tucked into the straps of his backpack. Quiet, pensive, he scans the restaurant for an empty booth.

Blake's

Devlin offers to Bean, "Good luck in Vet School, I hear they are pretty demanding." He then introduces himself, "I'm Devlin and the gentleman across from me is Thewlis. Thewlis is a pretty good handyman according to my cousin. She was the one that exited outside to talk on her phone. Must have been Art Gallery business for her."

Bean nods her head a little looking between them as the introductions are made, and she nods her head to the words spoken. "Well I have gone through a few summers of vet camp which were intense... but yes I hope to learn more here." she says before she blinks and simply just tries to pull anything from Thew as she can, "Politics?" she nods ..

Bean also starts to eat the Taco Salad she ordererd

Hera finally comes back and smiles at the others gathered. Hopefully by now she has her food but it may be a bit too cold at this time. "Did someone mention vets?" she asks, "Queso threw something up the other day, it just didn't look like it was a typical hairball to me, but, I don't know. Cats throw up things all the time, right?" Maybe she's not the best cat owner out there or Queso has...issues?

"It... He. " Thewlis points at Devlin, even as his head is half up and his eyes are watching Blake like a deer checking if it needs to bolt. Once he's determined he's safe, for now. He does stand, again, when Hera returns, waiting for her to be seated before he is back down, commenting all the while, "I.. he... we both. Trouble. Politics." motioning vaguely between himself and Devlin

There's still one left, to Blake's relief, so he crosses past the fuller tables to get to it. A bit closer, it's easier to see the little bit of scruff on his chin. He scoots all the way to the inside so he can look out the window, or, as he's doing right now, watching the drizzle collect on the window and slide down. It's a momentary distraction. He keeps his backpack on the seat between him and the window. After working his jacket off, he pulls a menu closer and flips to a specific spot to begin perusing the bear facts. It's hard to tune out absolutely everything being said nearby, but Blake politely pulls out his phone so he can look like any other person who might be eating alone...even if he's the only one. He starts to tap something into his phone in the notes app.

Finally getting his burger with all the fixings and a salad, Devlin can start to eat.... though seems the waitress acts like it is a minor crime to order something other than fries with a burger. He looks over to Hera and shrugs, "Don't ask me.. I was doing good to keep idiots from feeding the camp dog kitkats." He then explains to Bean, "We'd both have had bad turns at the hands of a politician, one way or another. Mind you, I'd pay good money to see a paper where some Reporter got the truth of some of Gomez's back room deals and the way he screws with people that annoy him."

Bean laughs a little to Thew's words "well, everyone needs trouble every now and then, life would get borring otherwise. She looks over to Blake as he enters and she smiles brightly at him. "hey stranger, come n sit if you want." she offers to the man before she nods her head to the cat owner, "feel to brng her by and whatever it was she threw up."

Hera sees Bean notice the new fella and she offers a wave toward him. Then she peers over at Devlin and Thewlis. Her lips are pursed for a moment, wondering if she might have caught something between the two. Nonverbal communication is definitely stronger than most types of messaging but her lips relax after a few more seconds and she asks, "You two guys ok?" Maybe she misinterpreted something?

"I'm... I. Good. Yes. I'm..." Thewlis stumbles before clarifying, "Hi-hiii-his... politicians... Muh-muh-me? Offices... P-p-p-politics." his head is down again and he's eating so much grease that Devlin might be his only hope one day - but other than that flu a few weeks back, the man never seems sick and doesn't seem to take to injury.

Blake made his own bed. He walked into a trap. The others are /literally/ between him and the exit /and/ the bathroom and he only just now realizes when Bean lasers in on him with that smile. "Uh. Sure." WHAT?! Traitor. Blake offers a wan grin in return by comparison, but it reaches his eyes. He grabs his backpack in one hand, menu in the other, and takes a seat. "I'm Blake," he offers to no one in particular, keeping his backpack at his feet.

Bean laughs as she looks onto Blake and she laughs softly "well you dont /have/ to join." she says before she grins then to Thewlis "your good?" she nods her head before she eats a little more on her meal then, her eyes playfully move between one and the other bemused and entertained.

Devlin smiles to Hera, "I am doing ok. Was just telling Thewlis about what that jackass in Cali did to my EMS career in LA is all. And yes, still a little frustrated over it. His reach is slipping off me.. but still.. 12 years as a combat medic and 4 tours.. can't get a waver because of him."

Hera briefly introduces herself, "Hera." she says, her disposition bright and happy and all. "Nice to meet you." She then goes back to chomping on her burger a bit. "So cousin" she says of Devlin, "You finally got some sleep? You don't appear quite as tired, if I'm noticing things right."

Looking to Blake, then Hera and then Bean, Thew gives a soft chuckle "Man... going where... puh-puh-puh... beautiful... women..." he shrugs "Wuh-whu-wise man..." So apparently Jade has been -some- kind of influence on him. He ducks his head, jaw working before he resumes eating again, as if expecting to be struck for his audacity.

"It's too late," Blake informs Bean with a genuine shrug before he nods once to Hera in acknowledgement. "You too." He looks around for a waitress as the others talk and eat. When one finally gets around to him, he orders pancakes and a side of bacon, extra crispy, and a, "Coffee. Thanks...Uh, can I keep the menu? I want to read the...yeah," bear facts. Then he looks over to Thewlis for a long moment. "I was hungry."

Devlin eats as he listens to people and watches what is going on around here. "I got some rest, yes Hera. I don't pull to many seventy two hour days like I used to.. but once I finish the exams, may need it for long shifts here. But seems they have a good depth of people on the team, so shouldn't be a big issue."

Bean looks to Blake and she smiles a little as he wants to read about the bears, she too is looking at the statues as they are scattered around, "dose anyone know who owns this place?" she asks as she eats on her taco salad. A charming smile is given to Thew "thank you."

Hera shakes her head and says, "Don't think I've met him, or her. Pity because I should always continue networking with businesses in the area and all. The burger is good enough." She looks around at some of the questionable customer service though and just shrugs, "Anyone know?"

"Gina... sh-sh-sh... shhh..." Thew grunts, closes his eyes and focuses. "Gina is her name... she is a not very friendly... But she keeps a clean kitchen." taking a long breath and sagging as if that took a lot of the wind out of his sails. Bean's smile is met with Thew turning dark red again. "Whu... whe... Welcome."

"I don't know, but one time one of the waitresses read my fortune I think," Blake announces as if this were as normal as getting up and grabbing the paper from the front porch. When he sees Bean's smile, it throws him into slight confusion and he offers her an unsteady grin in return. He hasn't yet noticed her interest in the bear decor. "Oh that's the same lady," he pipes up when Gina's name is mentioned. He opens the menu back to where he was before like he held his spot in a...mediocre book.

Devlin nods to the name Gina being shared by Thewlis, "Interesting woman.. " He seems to leave it at that as he takes a few bites of his salad. "Bean, I assume you managed to get your app to the head of the line college wise for Vet School then? Quite the accomplishment. My experience with animals medically is limited to knowing what mask to use to give them air. Granted the basics are easy.. keep them from bleeding out. Pressure and bandages."

Bean looks from Blake back to Thew and she nods her head softly to him "hrm I would love to see if maybe we can do a fundraisor or something to help her fix the place up, its got some ... charm no?" she wonders as she clinks her fork in her bowl

Hera pauses from eating and says, "I, I mean I don't know. Too bad she isn't here to speak for herself. To get things up to a certain standard one must." She then pauses as if she's said a bit too much. Yeah, now might not be the best time for her confidence to emerge. Telling or hinting at someone on how to run his or her own business, not good.

Nodding to himself, Thew frowns in thought, "I... she... She's been... She's... I could just... if she wanted. I could. When I'm. When I." The caretaker shrugs again, finishing off his sandwich and going about sipping his coffee. "It. I mean. She's been. I've. She's." Thew shuts up again, knowing he isn't making sense.

"Maybe that's intentional," Blake offers as a theory to Hera. He can't help the ghost of a smile he has, can he? "I don't think she'd take too kindly to something suggesting this place isn't perfect...but you can try." To each their own. His pancakes come out and he butters them up, pouring some maple syrup over the top, but most of it welled up along the side.

Devlin smiles as he continues with his meal. "Easy Thewlis, take a breath. Focus.. " He smile to Hera, "Yeah.. what he said.." He cocks his head towards Blake. "Some places are just what they are.. Trust me, I have seen stranger.. There is this bar where there are nets up on the ceiling with thousands of maroon and hundreds of green beret's are stuffed. Old tradition there when you leave post.. if you are a regular, you take a beret you wore and stuff it into the net. I did it myself.."

Bean smiles a little as she nods her head to Thew "thanks, if nothing will come of it thats fine too sometimes one just needs to show intrest." she pauses looking to Blake, "anything you dont know in there?" she asks about his reading of the menu. Then she nods to the statement, before her eyes turn to Devlin "isnt there a tale that certain fairys like shiny things?" she asks Then she smiles "I remember hiding things in my garden as a child." she shrugs a bit

Hera takes some of Devlin's advice for her own self, especially after what Blake said, "Uh...yeah." she says, hopefully the staffers here didn't notice any potential 'suggestions.' If so, that might be the last time she comes to the diner. She decides to switch gears a little bit to leave a compliment instead of a potential insult, "Yeah yeah uh, the food here is REALLY good, I mean really." Well it's good, she is enjoying it a lot but really, not going to debate that.

"N-n-n-nnnnn-no fairies in... Gr-guh-gr-gray Harbor..." Thewlis mutters, looking back up, taking a breath. "S-s-s-some things... but... Not... fairies." setting his empty coffee cup to the side of the table, in case someone actually comes by to warm his mug.

Devlin nods to Thewlis as he sips on his water, "Every place has its strange tales.. even places like Iraq and Afghanistan. The stories the locals will tell.. and again, same in LA. Some odd people there."

"Plenty. That's why I'm still reading. I've been here a few times, and each time, I learn a little more. I really hope these are legit," Blake suddenly thinks aloud as he looks at the jokey-formed facts. But the word of the ethereal creatures, creatures from childs' fantasies or nightmares causes him to take a larger interest in devouring his pancakes. He's sitting with a group of people, not as far along in his meal than the others.

Bean frowns a little "I did not mean, real such thing, just tales and superstitions" she says in apologetic tones. Before she just goes quiet ..

Oh, he's very definitely in danger of becoming a regular. Maybe the food's good enough to warrant ignoring that there are days when it's like he's invisible to the servers half the time. Joe has that pale, pinched look as he comes in, tugging off the knit cap he's wearing. He goes ambling for the seats at the counter, settles onto a stool with one of those stiff, achey-jointed hitches. Blake gets a nod in greeting - if not a familiar face, then at least a previous acquaintance.

Hera continues to enjoy the casual chit chat and takes note in what Thewlis talks about, "I love fairies, and legends and, well, all those romance stories. Sometimes I can eat them up faster than candy. Took a break from those novels though. Good thing with the new business and all. Never a dull moment on that." Then she considers, "I wonder what kind of wine they have here."

Thewlis looks to Devlin and Blake, quieting himself after his comment on fairies and folklore, looking back up for a moment... when Hera speaks. "I... think... whu-whu-wine here... is Mountain crafted... with... c-c-c-corn." offering a weak smile before he starts getting his coffee to the point that Wilford Brimley is somewhere feeling the need for an insulin shot.

Devlin chuckles, "Hell of a lot better than me shooting the shit able screwed up shit I saw on deployments. I think just about everyone in the platoon read all the Harry Potter books.." with Thewlis' comment, "Actual good Shine? Not that shit the ABC stores pass off as shine?"

Bean grins a little and she nods her head to Devlin, "man if half that stuff could happen..

Bean grins a little and she nods her head to Devlin, "man if half that stuff could happen.." she snaps her fingers "broom, clean!" she chuckles a little and smiles to the group. She yawns and stretches, "I should get going". She stands then and she looks to Blake "hope to see you around" she says before looking to Hera "bring your kitty around soon?"

It's not quite the shocker that one of his previously eavesdropped conversations proved to be....but it seems the Grizzly's where people in this town come to discuss oddities. So Joe's got half an ear cocked to listen, even as he ostensibly runs an eye down the menu. The rate he's going, he'll have it memorized soon enough.

Hera tries to get the attention of one of the servers but, nope, not working. At least it doesn't seem to be working yet. She continues to remain polite though and she briefly speaks to Bean, "Oh I will then sure. I just need to schedule a time and get him into the carrier first."

When Blake sees Joseph, he straightens up a little, swallowing his bite. "Hey Joe," he says a bit too late and too soft, but at least the man gets a knowing look. He looks over to Bean and nods, grinning from her wishful snapping, "Yeah. Nice meeting you," though he can't recall her name. If he never sees her again, that won't be a problem though, so he doesn't push for it. He gets up without explaining to the others at the table and goes over to Joe. "Hey Joe...uh, you want to come eat with us?"

Devlin salutes Bean with his glass of water, "Have a good one." He then looks over towards were Joe is for a moment. He then looks towards Hera, "That cat is going to take some flesh before he goes into a carrier for the vet. You'll have to trick him"

Apparently it's an excellent day for Thew, even though Bean snapping her fingers causes Thewlis to tense, he doesn't duck, or flinch, but he does remain perfectly still for a moment. Mouth closing, swalowing up whatever it was he was going to say, eyes flicking to Devlin, Blake, and then to the man called Joe.

Joe was apparently listening well enough to heed that greeting, and glances over. "Hey, Blake," he says, mildly. "Don't mind if I do, if it's not crowdin' y'all." He hasn't even been given his coffee yet. There's a questioning look to the others at the table, trying to gauge their reluctance or welcome.

Hera nods and remembers, who is really Queso approved when they come in. "Maggi...now she might be able to help, I don't know. Queso jumped on her shoulder. He's a little manipulator but, I guess for now Maggi is his favorite. That can change though, without cause and without warning and without reason." Yes, there's a reason why the priorties can change but she is only a silly hooman obsessed about her pets.

Devlin is finishing up his meal. He nods to Joe, "Seems to be the coffee talk table today." He sips on his water, "Very few things seem to be off limits too." He chuckles some.

"It... it's... It. I. It's... Fine." Thewlis motions for Joe to take a chair if he likes, his head is down again, and he finally finishes sugaring his coffee, taking a sip.

"We just lost someone so...should be room," Blake says in his oddly muted way. "If it's not cool I'll just join you. Just met them." He looks back toward the small sea (pond) of unfamiliar faces. "Let's go test the waters."

Blake boldly leads the way, though his step isn't quite as heroic. Unobtrusive even. He waits till Hera comes up for air while talking about her cat and clears his throat softly. "Uh, I invited my diner friend Joe over to join us." Then he moves any detritus from Bean, who was in the seat next to him, off to another table.

He raises a hand in greeting. "Hi, I'm Joe Cavanaugh, pleasedameetcha." He's got an accent from the coastal south - Georgia, the Carolinas, somewhere far warmer - and a crooked grin. Nevermind the shadows under his eyes, or that pinched look he wears. Long used to dealing with the public and audiences full of strangers. At least here he's not likely to run into some jackass who wants to tell him that the Apollo landings were faked.

Hera doesn't talk about Queso for maybe, the next 30 seonds? She offers a polite nod to Joe. "Hi there." she introduces, "Hera, a bit, new to town." She does hear the accent and tries to place it. Not being to the Carolinas very often, if ever, she doesn't quite recognize it but, he does talk a bit differently. This does prompt her to ask, "You, are from this area?" Her polite way of asking if he is a townie or an out of townie. 😛

"Hi Joe, Devlin McCloud.. Good to meet you." He takes another sip of his water. "New to the area. Came up here from LA, myself... Ft. Bragg before that."

Blake pulls out a chair for Joe and then slips down into his. "Is Queso a cat?" he asks after leaning forward toward Hera while Devlin introduces himself, careful of the syrup. He's not very mindful of the fact that she just asked Joe a question, but seems patient as he tucks into his pancakes again, a small grin at his lips.

"Hu-h-h-hu... H..." Thew sighs, looking down at his coffee. "Th-th-thhhuuu. Thewlis" he manages to get out, looking from face to face. He lets the others do the majority of the talking, go figure, hands folding around his cup.

Hera answers Blake's question rather quickly, "Oh yes, my cat that rules the gallery. I'm his slave you know. If Thewlis continues to be so helpful well, he might turn him into a slave as well." Because, that's what cats do, and Queso is always up to collecting slaves.

That question has Joe giving Hera a rather whimsical look, blue eyes bright. "No, ma'am," he says. "I'm from about as far away as it's possible to be and still be born an American. Savannah, Georgia."

Devlin earns himself a crooked grin. "How long you been out?" he wonders of the soldier. "You airborne? Got out of the Navy myself a few years back, medical discharge." As if the anchor tat weren't tribal marking enough. "Hi there, Thewlis, Hera," he says, clearly assigning names to memory. The old PR habits die hard.

"Left Active about 2 years ago. 68 Whiskey.. Medic." Devlin turns his coffee cup up and nods for a refill as the waitress comes by to fill cups. "Five Oh Four, Devils in Baggy Pants.. " he smiles with that, "Still in the guard myself, got a dust off slot over at Tacoma." He offers his left hand to Joe as he stands up, "You doing ok? Anything you need help with?"

"Oh. That's cool that your cat hangs out in the gallery. May his dominion be vast," Blake says, rather understated as if he were wishing good tidings to a local prefect in a far away land. When he hears Joe and Devlin connecting, he gets a small smile on his face and keeps tucking into his pancakes. "Does Queso have an opinion of the art?"

There's the mention of the cat away. She just shakes her head and says, "Not, really. If I can get him trained not to top over some ceramic cups I would be happy. He does love the easels though but his opinion all relies on whether someone brings treats or pets him in the right place."

"Spoken like a medic," Joe says, amused, as he Devlin's hand, gives it a shake. "Nah, I'm ok." He doesn't look it, not a hundred percent - Dev'll know that look, someone trailing an entourage of ghosts and bad memories. "Lotta vets in this town - I bet the local VFW's a happenin' place."

He's kept an ear out for the cross-conversation and says, "You only feature local artists? Does the cat paint?"

Jade ducks back inside after having to take an emergency call earlier, slipping back into her chair and giving Thewlis a quick kiss and smile, "Sorry for that. Liam got stuck outside town with a flat tire, so I went to pick up the spare from the house since we apparently unloaded it with allt he equipment and ran it out to him. And then had to put it on." She lifts a shrug and smiles, "But he's back safely ensconsed at home and prepping for his Twitch stream. Have I missed anything good?" Then she's glancing towards Hera, "Hey! I meant to ask you earlier.. you run an art gallery, right? Do you ever do music with the shows?"

Devlin's grip is firm in the shake, "If you need someone to just talk to.. even if it is just staring out over the water with a few beers, just ask. I used to help facilitate some Vet self help groups in LA. As to the VFW, I haven't checked it out yet myself. Been busy with some certification issues. Joining EMS here in Gray Harbor."

Thewlis visibly calms when Jade returns and settles next to him. "Th-th-tha-thahaaat... van... Good thing... made... spare truck keys." he goes quiet when Jade is asking questions, but he actually shifts his chair to lean up against her, even leaning to plant a small kiss behind her ear.

Hera goes to look over at Joe, "Local talent, talent outside of town. I've just put up a display that someone did of an amazing photo. I want to create my gallery to show off excellent works, but I want it to be a haven for all artists. Dancers, quilt makers, painters, sketchers, writers, musicians, you name it. My specialization is in pottery and sketching but there's so much out there that needs to be created and shown to the world, no matter what the medium is." She smiles at Jade and then nods, "Not yet but I would love to. What kind of music are you thinking about Jade?"

"You should know better'n to say that to a sailor, I'll talk your damn ear off," Joe threatens, good-naturedly. "At least we weren't in the same service so I won't be comin' out with the old 'Back in my day we had to march uphill both ways carryin' a hundred pounds of lead on our backs'.....and I wasn't a SEAL, so I won't be sittin' there lookin' down my nose atcha."

Jade gets a hand raised in greeting - where'd the tattooed guy come from? He nods at Hera. "A worthy cause. How long you been here?"

That gets a laugh from Devlin, "Like Paratroopers are any different." He smiles as he sits back down to take a long drink of his fresh coffee. "Hi Jade." He settles back in his seat. "I ran into another guy, Army.. he's out. I know he did a tour in Afghanistan, I treated one of his wounded friends and got the guy on to dustoff. His name is Leon, a new photographer at Hera's gallery."

Grinning broadly at the kiss, Jade reaches over to take up Thewlis' hand and laces her fingers through his, giving a small squeeze. "Tell me about it. I'm thinking we'll trade it in for one of the new VW minibus' that they brought back." Lifting her chin towards Joe, she flashes a smile and offers, "Hey, I'm Jade. Sup?" Then its back to Hera with a chuckle, "Well I would hope the music would suit the event. I was going to say, though, if you ever find yourself in need of someone that can play guitar... I can sit in. My dad taught me classic accoustic, then I ended up picking up electric later on. But I still enjoy the accoustic roots I came from." That wild grin appears again for Devlin, "Hey Dev!"

"Would you be offended if I came to your gallery to meet your cat?" Blake actually asks before he starts in on the last quarter of his pancakes. "And give him treats? Or not?" He looks over at Joe when he talks about his training. He watches the woman who has returned to the group. Quiet, he pulls out his wallet and thumbs out some bills to slip under his cup. Then he reaches for his backpack and jacket and tries to quietly slip away to the door.

Hera looks at Jade with growing interest, "Oh yeah, you need to come over and talk then. I'd love to have classic accoustic in my gallery, would love it. It would really help strum up some good business." Pun may or may not be intended. She starts to rise though, likely a sign she may need to get back to her work. Of course, she hands out some business cards about her place, "Come by if you ever want to see some good art, or talk about your own art." She makes sure Jade, Joe, and Blake get some, Devlin, in her mind, doesn't need any. With a yawn she goes to leave. "Thanks for the visit." She goes to pay her bill, leave a huge tip, and heads back to the gallery.

"I'm Joe. A new acquaintance that our man Blake here has been kind enough to take under his wing, at least a little." Hera and Blake get waves in farewell - no, he didn't miss the younger man's quiet withdrawal. Now it's down to Thewlis, Jade, and Devlin. He levels a long finger at Devlin. "Leon the Locksmith. I met him the other night at that place -Pourhouse, innit? I didn't know he was a photographer. If he's got work there, I'll have to go check it out."

"Never heard of... Nev-ev-nev... Locksmith. Of Leon." Thew stutters through, brow knitting. He looks to Jade though and squeezes her hand. "Hey... extra... g-g-g-got your stream... ad the... gig. The gallery. The gig." he closes his mouth and looks back between the retired soldiers, intrigued if his expression is any indicator.

Devlin nods, "That is the one." He then looks to Jade, "you play guitar.. cool. Music is just flat out good for the soul. Got to let me know when your playing next." He nods to Joe, "Yeah, that's the Leon.. Hera framed a really nice picture of a Light house for him. He brought some others over for her to look at. Me.. not an artistic bone in my body.. unless you think of patching people up as art." He nods to Thewlis, "Leon's a good guy. You should meet him."

Smiling towards Hera, she gives a nod, "Sure! I haven't ever like.. played professionally or anything. But I can play for you and you can let me know if you think its good enough." Jade flicks a glance towards Jow, then the missing Blake, then back to Devlin. She starts there and grins, "Ask Hera, since that's the next time I'll be playing. But sure." Then to Joe, "I just moved here from Seattle a few months back. Thew here took in Liam and I when we got here. Good to know people are nice around here."

"Folks seem real friendly here," Joe says, as he looks around for a server, in vain hopes of a refill on his coffee. "If inclined to scare newcomers with vague hints and stories." His tone isn't at all critical. "I'll have to track Leon down again. That's three veterans at least, enough to start drinkin' and storytellin' - call it a therapy group." He's teasing Devlin, at least a little.

A nod by Devlin, "We were doing some BBQ parties. A lot of drinking but also a chance to talk, and yeah.. self help therapy." He finishes his coffee, "I should get going. I have another set of exams on Monday. When your a medic.. unless your incompetent, no one goes out of their way to screw with you. Turns out, Politicians are the exception.. God help us if they create an MOS for a political officer." He sets a tip out under his cup and gets up. "A pleasure.. catch you all later." On the way out, Devlin pays his bill before leaving.

As Devlin leaves Thew gives the man a small wave before looking back to Joe. "So... navy. Georgia. I heard. Pirate. Lots of. Museums... Pirates. Savannah?" head tilting to the side as he looks to the man.

Jade falls quiet as Devlin leaves, shifting to lean in against Thewlis, her head on his shoulder. She smiles and listens to them talk, giving Thewlis' hand a small squeeze and looking to Joe. "Can't say that I've ever been to Georgia, but one of the girls in the dorm at college was from Atlanta. She said it was like being in the armpit of Hell for the weather."

"Yeah. It's an old city, and it was a pirate port for a while - late 18th, early 19th century. Stevenson mentions it in 'Treasure Island', in fact. 's where Captain Flint dies, in the book. I mean, Flint was fictional, but...he was inspired by real privateers."

Jade's comment makes Joe laugh aloud, an unashamed bark. "That is exactly what it's like. The climate in Georgia is brutally hot and humid. At least in Savannah you can get out on the water and it's some better....but Atlanta's landlocked."

"Yeah. I remember. It's. I like that... It's a... Good." Thewlis sighs and closes his eyes. "I liked that book. Much... buh-beh-behhh-hetter than Gulliver's..." he sips his coffee, offering his mug to Jade while she's snugged against him.

Chuckling, Jade accepts the mug from Thewlis and grins towards Joe with a nod, "I never questioned her when she said that. It made too much sense. I've seen movies shot there, seen them struggle with angling the camera so that wavering heat coming off the blacktop didn't ruin a shot." She sips from the mug, letting out a small contented sigh as the warmth spreads through her. "So this is a pretty big change for you. I mean, I know we get those two weeks in August that get hotter than a boil on the devil's nutsack, but most of the rest of the year layers are the word of the day." Jade pauses, then chuckles, "Or in my case, attach yourself to a warm guy and leech off his bodyheat." She flicks a glance up to THewlis and offers a cheeky grin.

"Yeah, it's a classic," Joe says, more gently. "I still reread it, from time to time. I just finished a re-read of 'Captain Blood'. Not Stevenson, but a guy named Rafael Sabatini, who's very much in the same vein. You might like him."

Jade gets a wry smile. "IT's a pleasant change, honestly. Savannah doesn't see real winter from year to year. Already had to get myself another couple blankets for my berth." Though he gives the pair of them an amused look. "I'll have to find a warm guy, too, then, though. Blankets are gettin' expensive."

There's a short bark of laughter before Thewlis looks down into his coffee. "Well... heh... The vet would... probably... sub in... if you don't... prefer men." shoulders shaking as he tries to chuckle, "If you... I can check... Make sure furnace or boiler... Working." Thew works out before leaning back against Jade,

"Yeah, I like the weather out here, its gorgeous for like... 80% of the year. The other 20% is worth slogging through for it." Jade responds with a grin towards Joe before giving a nod. "Warm guy is definitely the way to go. Or girl. Or a floofy dog if you're not in the market for a relationship. Whatever floats your boat, y'know?" She grins up at Thewlis before adding, "I mean, if you would prefer to find yourself a warm guy, Thew.... I'd totally understand. I'd be sad, but I'd understand. Warm guys are awesome."

Thew actually leans into Jade at that line of jokes, lips turning up into a small smile as he whispers something in her ear before taking a long sip of coffee.

Joe's smirking a little at that. "Yeah, heater's workin' okay," he says. "Which vet d' you mean, though? Veteran? Haven't met any that I'd thought would be into ragged old sailors."

"The... ruh-reh-rehdhead... Or even Mrs. Hera..." Thewlis chuckles and blushes at something said back to him, raising the hand Jade is holding and brushes his lips across the knuckles. PDA. Madness. He apparently thinks so, he's red as a devil. "If you... nuh-nuh-need things... fuh-huu-huhhhh.. fixed..." Thew draws out a card and puts it on the table in Joe's reach. Simply reading Thewlis Moore - Handyman and a number.

Jade flushes a bright red after Thewlis' whisper, offering a murmured reply after a moment. Clearing her throat, she grins towards Joe, "Now now, this is a no self-doubt zone. You are a good-looking guy! I bet there's plenty of men -and- women out there that would love a chance to climb into bed and keep you warm at night." She flicks a glance up to Thewlis with a warm smile, "Were I not so desperately hung on my man, I'd be inclined to toss my hat in the ring." Chuckling, she looks back towards Joe and smiles, "But I am very sure that you could easily find someone to claim that spot." Then she's smiling at Thewlis once more for his PDA. So adorable!

"Now you're both flatterin' me, but I'll accept it," Joe says, with mock grandiosity. Like he's doing them the favor. He snags the card with a fingertip, and tucks it away in his wallet. "So, it looks like I'm gonna be here at least through the winter. Where's cheap but decent housing to be found, if anywhere? Preferably within walking distance of the harbor - I don't think I'm up for gettin' a car to come down here and tend to my boat."

"Cheapest... cheap... Across. Town, across. Huckleberry park... elm... Expensive closer to harbor" Thewlis frowns, thinking. "Could ask... round... T-t-t-two if by Sea. They... mu-mu-might... know better."

"Don't look at me, I just moved here from Seattle a few months ago.. I live in Huckleberry with Thew and Liam." Jade offers with a grin and shrug. She chews on her lip light then says, "But I think I did see a few offers of rooms to rent. Might be worth checking out the local paper. See if anyone's looking to sublet or maybe Air B&B a place for awhile."

Joseph scratches at his chin, idly, with a thumbnail. "I'll do that," he says, quietly. "I'm not sure I could deal with a housemate, these days. Got so used to my own company....and spent so much time before that livin' in close quarters. Kinna spoiled for it, you know?"

Chuckling and daring to be a bit cheeky, Thewlis adds, "And I'm... Sure... Hera at V-v-v-vivid Dreams... would have space... for. Crash. For you. Crash. To crash." head down still grinning to himself as he sets down his coffee cup and leans against Jade anew.

"Oooooooo, Hera's awesome. But if you need your own space, I can dig it. I don't know that I could live by myself. I've never actually NOT had people in the house... but I imagine the exact opposite would also be true." Jade gives a nod and smile towards Joe, settling in against THewlis and slipping an arm around him. Her smile freezes for a moment, eyes flaring wide for a second before she clears her throat and chuckles, "In either case, I'm sure you'll figure something out. There's always something going on here, makes things work out."

There's another of those bright grins for that. "Yeah?" he wonders. "You seem damn sure I made a good impression. Or is, uh, she the type to sample whatever might be on offer?" He gives Jade a faintly cock-eyed look. "You don't seem to be one of those who likes to drop hints and scare the newcomers."

"N-n-no... Hera's... nice woman." grinning at something, but there's no malice in it.

"And I thu-thi-the-think you made an impression." Thewlis chuckles and goes quiet once more, brows knitting as he instinctively looks around the diner, as if looking for potential attackers.

Jade chuckles and shakes her head at Joe, "I -am- a newcomer here. Thankfully, Thew isn't one to scare people. He's welcoming. And sweet. And amazing." She smiles towards Thewlis before looking back to Joe, "Besides, I figure you're a grown man. I'm not going to tell you what to do or not do, you've made it this far without me holding your hand. That said, if you need help, I'll be the first one on the scene. But I'll wait til -you- ask."

"Good," Joe says, amiable. "And now I think I'm for my berth. But it was good to meet y'all. You have a good evenin'" He rises, only a hair unsteadily, and takes care of bill and a generous tip. Then he's shrugging on coat and cap, getting ready to head out.