2019-12-23 - A Grizzly Dinner And Tarot Reading For A Paramedic

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the Grizzly's so-- open at this time, warm, and has food, mostly. This close to the holidays business is slower, people choosing to stay indoors or sleep instead of grabbing burgers and the like. But the diner IS open. In fact, the only people inside are a bleary-eyed nurse clutches her carafe of coffee for warmth as she tries to wake herself up, a scruffy man with a bundled-up little girl who looks to still be in pajamas tries to limit the amount of syrup she tosses over everything, and one purple-haired Gina, currently leaning over the counter painting her nails a bronze color. Her outfit today is simple: high boots, thick black leggings, a ripped up flannel shirt over a heavy solid deep blue tunic dress.

As he enters the diner, to judge by the expression on Devlin's face, it has been a long day for the man. He doesn't even wait to be seated, he just walks over to the bar to take a seat there. He sees Gina, "Love the polish.." hard to tell if he's serious or being sarcastic, but tired is in the voice. "How goes?" If he notices the others there.. anyone's guess.

Gina doesn't even look up. She's the master of ambiguous tone herself, and is very carefully focused on the sides of that pinky nail. Troublesome spots! Eventually, as the brush has deposited sufficient paint, Gina eyes it critically, then looks at Devlin, his face and his general self with one impassive sweep of her gaze. The nail got way more attention. "Won't complain. If you came in to get out of the cold still gotta buy a coffee or some shit." A fair warning, said without an ounce of real concern or drive.

Devlin nods, "Black as sin." as he replies. "Would kill for a shot or two or Scotch.. though shine would work too.." he takes a breath, "Once I get enough greasing brain gears.. I might figure out food.." His hand move to brush his hair aside and instead contacts the hat. Some reflexes are slow as he manages to knock it off himself, but the other hand slides off the counter and with an economy of motion grabs the falling hat. "Have not been this tired in a long fucking time.. fucking 27 hours in Dispatch... hell, thought I was in Gray Harbor.. not Bagram(sp?)."

Gina rolls her eyes, turning to go head towards the mugs, grabbing one at the top (the bear silhouette has a friendship bracelet and extra-pointed claws) and sets about to pouring coffee. All easily done one-handed, obviously, since she's still got to be careful of her freshly-painted nails. "No liquor license. Pourhouse's across the street though. Feel free to grab your scotch and run back if you need it." Is she taunting? Making a serious recommendation? Being sarcastic about his desire for alcohol? Her tone could easily fill any of those. BUt there is a following snort as she sets the mug down in front of Devlin. "It's Gray Harbor on a holiday. Still surprised the burn unit isn't filled up yet."

One can easily see the gears turn in Devlin's head about grabbing something.. but COFFEE... He takes a sip of the black brew as if it was a slice of heaven.. even if this is a bad batch. Once he sets the mug down, "Some brainiac burned the pots at work today.." He shivers.. "No burn unit still has some space, don't hold your breath." He takes a deep breath, "Not to mention lazy assholes calling in sick when they are not.. " He smiles darkly, "There will be... a reckoning.." He takes another sip of the coffee. "So any specials tonight.. or is it just roadkill?" Ok.. a VERY weak attempt at bad humor on his part.

Hey, Gina is only judging you quietly. She's definitely judging, that's obvious, but instead of informing on her conclusions, she blows lightly on a nail, capping the nail polish with her free (and already painted) hand. "It's early still. And after the holidays is when things really pick up." Gina says this as if it's all quite natural and true, and nothing to doubt, like informing someone from out of town the PNW is always a little damp. The question about the specials, though, does have her glancing at him, "Special's Brunswick stew iwth a side of wild rice. Otherwise you get whatever. Only roadkill is that guy that got run over a few days ago we keep in the fridge." Gina doesn't even bat an eyelash when she says it.

Devlin nods, "The stew with the rice sounds good. Pulled pork or something else? Also could I get a burger bun or two to go with that." He takes a long pull on the mug, "Oh.. if the guy's still breathing, don't tell me.. I'd have to work on him and make a call.." the whole bit there just absolutely dead pan on Devlin's part. "Other wise.. don't tell Yule about him." Another long pull of coffee, nearly drained now. "You guy's rent freezer space at all? Or know someone that does?"

"Who?" Gina asks, when told not to tell somebody. She sounds completely disinterested in the answer, which is proven when she simply walks away to go write down the order and send it to the kitchen. She returns just in time to hear about the freezer, "Nope. Don't want people fucking around in the kitchens and storage unless they work here." She responds, "For obvious reasons."

Devlin nods, "Fair enough.. " he takes a breath.. "Damn.. got two deer tags.. I'll figure something out. Got me a good sniff on where a nice buck beds down.. and a doe at another place." He chuckles, "Wonder if the neighbors will notice me hanging a carcass out on the balcony... with the way the weather is.."

"Not like this is Seattle. Pretty cheap to cooler it outside while the cold lasts." Gina comments, moving to blow on her nail after and grab herself her own mug of coffee. "Won't be the first skinned animal. Recommend you keep the head on, though, or the cops get called to make sure it's not a repeat of '83." Casual mentions, as she adds caramel sauce to the mug and gives it a stirl. Now sweetened! "Not really a fan of hunting animals. Get enough dead shit left for me by my cats. You enjoy hunting in the woods, though." There's a humorless little smile, before Gina takes another sip of her coffee, looking Devlin over once more. There's definitely a small little rise in one corner of her lip, just a little-- not quite mocking. Knowing?

Devlin nods a bit. "That I do. Gives me a chance to get away from things. I use a bow, takes more skill to get in for a good shot. I've got Christmas and a couple days after off.. pretty hard for them to call me in if I am deep in the bush." He smiles a bit to himself. He finishes off his coffee, "Cooler outside.. makes sense. Can't do that in North Carolina or Southern California." He smiles a bit, "Cats do that. Drove mom crazy. Not sure if the dogs tracking mud or cat presents bugged her more."

"You do you. Consequences will be yours, not mine." Gina says, leaning back and sipping her coffee. Wait, what? Doesn't matter, Gina is moving on. "Never really liked dogs. Not my favorite animal. Useful, but not interesting."

"Consequences?" he shrugs, "I'll be ok out there. Just have to understand the weather and not be an idiot with the land. My map and compass skills are decent." He hmms, "Though, sounds like you know something about what is out there.. anything I should take a big hand gun with me for? Bears are hibernating.. the big cats hunt a bit more to the interior.." Devlin asks, "Could I get a refill?"

Gina takes her sweet time to sip her caramel coffee, saying nothing at first. Then, after a few long sips, she straightens herself and reaches up to one of the shelves, pulling down... a deck of cards? Yup, your standard bicycle deck, blue. She taps it on her palm, pulling free the deck before she shuffles them and moves towards Devlin. One hand plucks up the mug-- the other hand spreads the cards out in a line in front of him. "Pick three to show me." She suggests, with that little upturn at the corner of her lip that isn't quite a smile, isn't quite a smirk. She doesn't wait to see if or how he will, but goes to refresh the coffee cup.

Devlin shrugs and pulls three from random spots in the spread, not even looking at them yet. Keeping them face down but off to the side. He watches Gina go to the coffee pot and back. His expression a bit more lively now that he has had coffee. Still easy to see the curiosity in his eyes.

Gina sets the cup of coffee down in front of Devlin, freshly poured-- she also refreshed her own cup while she was at it, adding more caramel sauce. The hand that dropped off the cup also collects the line of cards in one smooth motion, sipping slowly from her own mug, before she taps the side to straighten it and sets them aside. The three cards are set in front of Devlin, one by one. And then gives a small snort at the whole trio, straightening before she sips her coffee again, "Figures you're one of /those/." One of what, GINA?!

"One of what? Another outsider.." Devlin accepts the mug, "Thank you.. some how I think you mean something else. Tarot?" he inquires. "So, what does the universe trying to tell me that I may be ignoring?" He smiles a bit, "I tend to argue with it unless meditating."

"Tarot

"Something like that." Gina says, eyes flicking towards Devlin, "No. That just means you'll bleed sooner or later." Gina glances down at the three cards again, collecting the first one. "Jack of hearts. Emotional, idealistic. Bringer of news and messages. Probably a little idealistic, weren't you? Past, though. Somebody get shaken off a pedestal? Or were you the one pulled down, I wonder." She doesn't sound particularly committed to that wondering, though, and instead she taps between the Jack and the 3 of clubs.

"It got you here. Looking for teamwork. You're more or less stable. Looking outward. A long term view. And that continues." Gina's bronzed nail trails towards the last card, the queen of clubs. "I kind of like this chick. But in your case-- it's an independent card. Self-assured, confidence, in good company. Too confident sometimes, wanting to fix everything at her pace." Gina shrugs, sips her coffee again and collects the three cards, setting them atop the rest of the deck. "It reinforces. You'll grow, but you'll just reinforce yourself and what you are." Another small snort, another long sip of her coffee, "You're one of those people who isn't sure they can, but is willing to help."

"Combat Medic.. Bronze Star and two purple hearts.. " Devlin comments as he sips the fresh coffee. "V device if it matters. Already bled a few times.." he shrugs, "May bleed again.. occupational hazard. Seen a lot over four tours."

No bragging in Devlin's manner either about what he's done, just the facts like someone that has seen too many episodes of Dragnet and are a Joe Friday guy. "So may be the cards could be right.." he nods

Gina doesn't look particularly impressed. Or grateful, like a MONSTER. "Cute for you. Not really about the cards, though." Gina gives that not-a-smile one more time, before there's a ding! And she turns to collect a plate, then set it down in front of Devlin. A thick stew, hearty, with pulled pork in tender shreds in a rich sauce. The vegetables in it are tender and evenly chopped, and a bowl of wild rice, fluffy and gently steaming, accompanies it, along with two -- dare we say fresh baked? -- rolls. "It's never actually about the cards." The man and his baby girl wave from over at the register, and she goes to collect their money.