2020-04-06 - Reminders of a New Life

The front door opens and ducking underneith it, solmen Everett passes through. Dragging his backpack behind him, his course takes him straight for the tables the gallery has set up for patrons of the arts to sit, and talk. Everett wouldn't consider himself a patron, however, and when he gets to that secture, he bumps and pushes one table until it connects with another, then, and only then does he drop his backpack and carefully crawl on the two tables, his hip knocking the one vase over. And as water glugs out of the vase, starts to make a puddle on the surface, Everett moans with misery of a thousand cold stars, his arms lifeless at his sides, his head turned, cheek smooched, hair partially concealing his visage.

Hera is in another far off area of the gallery and immediately grumps, "Queso!" she yells because, if a vase was knocked over, it had to be the cat, right? "You can clip a bird's wings but you can't stop a cat from pouncing." And you can't stop Everett from causing a commotion either. She comes in to further scold her cat and voila, there is her favorite mountain of muscle right there. "Oh" Hera says, a bit surprised that this is all the chaos he is causing, "Hi."

Bean has somehow found out where Ev has gone to, she may have installed a phone tracker or something just as neat.... that... or she followed the note on the fridge. The small woman makes her way into the gallery and she lets her eyes move over the puddle of water o the floor she tries not to slip.

As he's greeted, Everett gives a small groan. Looking at the vase on the table with his head on it, Everett stares at it for a while and then. Like Queso, with purpose, Everett reaches over and knocks the vase over.

Gravity, check.

Returning his arm by his side, the ape doesn't return the greeting, but watches the water spilling out of the vase like his life empting. Because he doesn't have a poet's soul. Even if the hip of his workout shorts is starting to feel wet from the first vase he knocked over. There's a louder groan after the first.

Hera growls as she looks like she's really about to get pissed off, but, for now, she forces herself back into chill mode. A repressed redhead might not be a very good thing but, for now, she just grumps a little and goes to find the mop. However, she does let it slip, "I think I saw this in an insurance commercial." She tries to bring some humor into the situation but, don't blow up, don't blow up, it would be bad for a potential customer.

Bean avoids falling i said puddle, she throws out her arms in effort to save herself and ends up knocking over a sculpture which breaks and pieces of art shards join the water... "oooooh!" she calls as her surprise flickers over her face, "woah...." staggering a little, "I am so so sorry I will buy it."

Her's given a soft moan, before Everett reaches up his hand and makes grappy hands in her direction. Then, before the hand is returned to his side again, he does two things with it. The first, brush some hair back, so he can see better. And the second, with forefinger extended, push the vase base nearest to him away. Poke. Poke, poke. Pushing it closer to the table's edge. Push, poke. Nothing bad could come from that. I mean, since there's already something shattering behind him.

Lifting his head to looking, water leaks down his cheek, Everett gives a grunt of dismay and drops his head back on the table with a loud thunk. That might have actually hurt.

Hera is, through it all, seems exceptionally....calm. It's not the end of the world, right? It's just, stuff, there's no need to worry about anything and yup, she's not even annoyed. Is she starting to smoke weed in her spare time? "So, I got a new type of wine." She offers, totally unphased, "Anyone want a glass?"

Bean nods her head to Hera as she steps over liquid and water, consern in her eyes as the thunk happens "hey .... Cuddlebear, why are you so glum?" asks the small woman who then also relocates the vace that said bear was poking...

The offer for a glass doesn't go amiss from Everett. He stops playing with the vase, threatening to push it over like a cat would, when its taken from him, and throws his hand up. "Just attach the wine to an IV and stick me with it." Dropping his hand onto the wet table top, Everett rolls over on the two tables, his shins hanging over the edge and then gives a clue, while the wet spot he was laying in makes it seem like he had an accident on the table.

But he didn't. Swear.

Another woeful sigh escapes his lips, before muttering that lead, "Girls." The single word. Left for Hera, and Bean. "You know what I mean?" he asks, turning to look at Bean, before he opens his arm, inviting her to join him on his soggy, wooden bed.

Bean shakes her head "no... did I miss you getting into a fight with Kay?" she asks then adds "what did you do this time?" the girl says though her tone is caring she can not help poking at him. His arm opens and she looks to his head... "musta been pretty bad." she says quietly

Cuddlebear? She calls him...cuddlebear? Normally Hera would just be mortified at that but this time, she's just chill. That must be some really good stuff that she's one. Normally she would seriously want to pound the man. "Ok" she says, "I'll have to ask Devlin for the needle but, I can look into that." Is she serious? It's hard to tell, she's never this calm.

The offer to climb up onto the tables and join him declined, Everett drops his hand back on the table while he listens to Bean. And then he smirks softly; from the right side of his mouth, Everett smiles. "It's not Kiki, Babydoll. It's all of it." He takes a breath then sits up to take stock of his surroundings. To Hera he offers his left arm and double taps the crook of his arm, indicating where she out to shove the needle. "How is Devlin," and if you ask about him then you can't miss, "And his, what is she? Cousin? What's her name?" Because he needs more women in his life like he needs more bullet holes in his skull. Turning his gaze to Bean, Everett examines her for a moment, then upnods to her, "C'mere, you," his voice slipping from sad to sultry.

The goth wanders into the gallery, finishing taking a long pull from her flask. Putting it back in her purse when Alisha steps into the place. Having a brief look around at those here and the leftover mess. Eyebrow slightly raised as she looks to the owner. "Everything okay here Hera? Random attack of the clumsies or something." she comments, before turning her head to look in Bean's and Everett's direction. Nodding in greeting "Hey there Candyman. Bean. What's up?"

Bean looks to Ev softly his, sadness, the way he just looks ... defeated. She looks confused, and more so when he tells her it was not Kay causing his tears. She reaches over to wipe his eyes a moment gently "you know...." she says softly her eyes focused on him, "I tought we were making you happy... why the tears?" she asks before she is seduced into the larger mans space, eyes are drawn up and she nods her head to the Goth, "Hey Alisha"

Wrapping his big arms around Bean, Everett hugs her into him from behind. His head dips down, nuzzling into the crook of her neck, red hair between them, to keep her from feeling his lips on her neck while he breathes her in. One side of his face still cloaked with his fallen hair, he eyes the new arrival with the one eye with his usual brooding expression. Closing his eyes, his hands slip up and tuck under Bean's scrubs. Not far enough to be rude. Just enough for his hands to cup either side of her stomach under the linen. He takes a deep breath, and exhales it with a throaty rumble, a pleased sound. "I don't like this waiting until we get a house," he murmurs, exploding Bean's skin.

Hera still looks very very very...normal? What is normal? Apparently it should be a setting on a washing machine and little else. "Oh Devlin is fine." she says, offering a slight smile, a smile that might even be a little creepy, for her? A bit more emotionless than she should be. "I'll get some saki." She does go get a few glasses and one is offered to Bean and the other to Everett, "Oh, everything is fine. He's just knocking vases around, how are you?" Maybe she needs to be tested for drugs or maybe sharing them? All is chill and ohm.

Alisha huhs "Ok sure. Well crap happens I suppose." taking a look over Hera "You sure you are fine? You seem a little, not like I've seen you before." but hey to each there own. "I'm doing alright. Another day down and time to relax some. So hey Hera, I guess that you probably don't do all the paintings. But would you or one of the artists take some...I guess it would be commission work?" she asks. Looking back to Bean "Things going well for you Bean?" a comment Ev makes draws her attention "You two getting a house together?"

Bean nods her head to Alisha, yah, and no nooky until he makes it happen, but I swear I didnt wanna make him cry..." she looks into his eyes "I bet it will be real soon, dont cry.." she says sounding sad and she kisses his forhead lightly as she tries to fend down wandering fingers. "you know your in public?" she asks him

Bean answers Alisha, so he doesn't have to. Instead, Everett murmurs, "I know I miss both of you." Still, he keeps his hands at Bean's stomach, lightly stroking. Peering over her shoulder, Everett looks down not that he can see past Bean's large gifts. When the saki glass arrives, he casts a glance at the, pulling a hand out of her scrubs to accept the glass meant for Bean, and puts it next to his. Make his a double. Then he turns his attention back to take affront to something she's said. "I'm not crying. I'm just," pause, "happy to see you. C'mere." Another nuzzle. A kiss to Beans temple.

Hera offers a bit of a half smile to Alisha and says, "Of course. Sometimes commissions are the best ways to go. It all depends. Kim is a really good painter and so is Tara. I'm sure we could do something." Then, another odd response to Everett, "Sorry I don't have something stronger for you." That's, wierd. There's a tone in her voice that may indicate she means that to Everett. She's so calm and polite to him, it's almost a bit erie.

Alisha gives a little nod to Bean "Very nice. Congratulations, I suppose. Probably you just make him happy though lack of sex could make anyone cry." she says in a amused tone with a touch of a grin on her face. Then there is mention of missing both. "Ah. Well a double congrats is in order then." head turning back to Hera "Alright. I don't have a lot of money to spend on it. I really have no idea what it would cost. So I guess I should ask about the normal price range. I want it as a present for someone." she says with a smile.

Bean giggles for some unknown reason she kisses Ev a little "soon" she tries to encourage him and the she was reaching for her drink before .... well Ev's made himself a double and she is reminded as to why. "Can I get some juice?" she asks as she tries to squirm off the large mans lap... they were in public and she didnt want to be /that/ person.

"That's fine," the ape replies to Hera, "thank you. She can't have any, anyways." Turning his head, the thug cuddles Bean something fierce, his eyes closed, for all of half a second. Then to Bean, he murmurs, "Kiki's a painter too." He lifts his head to focus on the gallery owner, "I know a couple of painters. Kailey Holt and Kassandra Hughes," his right hand slips out of Bean's scrubs, to curl around her neck. All the better to turn Bean's head to the side, so he can leave two kisses behind her ear.

"I'm not crying," he repeats, morosely, at Alisha. Huff. The distraction everything Bean needs to slip from Everett's grasp. But like a love sick puppy, be follows, tipping one of the saki's back before nudging her with his elbow then leaning in for more.

Artists, they do have their moments right? Well, apparently someone is having a bit of a stressful time, or maybe she's just bipolar, or she's in one of those moods? Whatever it is, she goes from very calm to suddenly very very upset. Normally she doesn't mind cleaning, especially knowing some of her 'better' days were working hard cleaning this and cleaning that. Whatever the case may be, she immediately goes to sobbing and reaches for her stomach then, the sobbing goes to wailing. She's suddenly very very very and very upset. It all happens so fast too that it really doesn't make sense.

Fortunately there's no bottle of saki in her hand anymore but Hans hears his alpha crying and pads over, attempting to lick her hand in comfort. Of course all the cat does is give her one of those 'duh' looks. She's not getting any sympathy from her cat.

Alisha just watches the interaction been Everett and Bean. Shaking her head a little with a amused smile. Good to see should things in others after all. "Kailey's a painter? Huh might have to try to hit her up. Kassandra I can't say I know her." she looks to down at the seated Ev "Sure thing. Wouldn't matter if you were. Just saying." a small laugh at the escaping Bean.

Then there is the other red head who just does a 180 on the mood scale. She rushes to the owner's side attempting to put her hand on her shoulder. "Hey what's wrong?" not really expecting any sort of answer. Just thinking maybe showing concern could help. She tries to consul the wailing woman.

Bean gives a little nod of her head 'uh-huh' she says to him saying he was not crying, "whatever you say bear, and you know I may not be a painter but I am a stained glass tinkerer." she tells him as she gives a little moan to Ev's antics but!!! she resists! and squirms away "besides... I came to tell you the A-frame sold so I have money for the house."

Suddenly with the mood swing from Hera, Everett goes from being affectionate with Bean, some might say, OVERLY affectionate, to a sudden surprise. Brows lifting wide, he pulls his left hand out of making another attempt at soothingly stroking Bean's abdomen, and uses the hand to brush back his long hair while he stares at the sudden melt down. A glance is given around, to the cop, to the animal technician, then down to the dog that comes over to groom the hand that feeds it. A little more emotion then the cat, but Alisha's question covers what he was thinking of saying. Though any overt attempts he was making to get fresh with Bean have stopped, for now. See? That's real concern right there. "That's great, Jelly bean," he offers Bean, reaching instead for her arm and following it down to wrist and then hand, squeezing her softly once he's found it, without taking his eyes off Hera.

Hera seems to be on the borderline of a mental breakdown but she manages to look away. It's likely best that she does and something clearly unnerves her. She sobs a bit more though but, after a few more deep breaths, she goes to get a find a cloth of some sort and pets Hans. Fortunately Alisha seems nice enough to ask what's amiss and she says, "Nothing, I'm fine." But it's clearly one of those 'I'm fine' sayings that indicates she's far from it. At least she's not having too much of a fit now, for the time being.

Alisha is fairly focused on Hera. Though she does glance back to the pair from time to time. Concerned for Hera more than anything else. Seeing that the red head who wasn't sitting on Everett's lap, calming down after a little while "Just deep breathes there." reaching into her purse to pull out some tissue paper. Offering it to her after the sobbing dies down. "Sure...look I'm fairly positive you aren't. You want to talk about it, I'll listen. No judgements." putting a little bit of her respect my authority training to better use. "You don't have to. That was just a extreme reaction and if talking about whatever triggered it helps." she suggests.

Bean uses hera's breakdown to hurry out of the place.

It's not that hard to disbelieve that sort of 'I'm fine'. Teenagers do it all the time, and Everett wasn't a teenager that long ago. His surprise at the emotional change turns slowly into just plain concern, watching Hera for further change. Maybe it's something he did. In an effort to help, Everett reaches with the hand not holding Bean's to right one of the two vases he's knocked over. He suddenly looks over at Bean, and bites his bottom lip. "That's not fair," he mumbles to himself, like he's being tortured. Slowly though, his attention returns to Hera and, again, everything he would have said is already said, so he stays quiet. And seated.

Hera breathes deep and takes a few steps away from Everett. Yeah, she normally doesn't like the guy but there's something else at work here. She manages to say rather calmly, "I really do appreciate your kindness and your compliments Alisha, I really do. I just missed my chance, that's all. Sometimes, it hurts emotionally. I guess we have to work with the cards we are dealt with eh? As much as it hurts, I just have to accept maybe it's just, not going to happen. No, I know it's definitely not going to happen."

Alisha does look over as Bean rushes out. Again a small shake of her head. Eyes going down to Everett maybe looking a little sorry for him. When Hera speaks up she focuses back on her. "The thing about chances is usually they aren't just once in a lifetime things. Regret or pain over them, it just happens. You aren't wrong though we just have deal. I'm not positive about what you are talking about...but it doesn't mean whatever it is wouldn't happen. You get a say in making something occur and if you tell yourself it won't, then of course it isn't. Tell yourself you might and it opens up a world of possibilities." she offers some comfort.

Watching Bean leave as well, Everett turns his attention back to Hera while shaking his head. Pointing over his shoulder to the doors, he says with his deep voice, "Before I go chase after her, does this have something to do with her and I? Because it's not as easy as you might think, as it might seem. Not straight forward anyways. And she's right," Everett turns his pointing finger to jabbing his thumb at the goth. "There's plenty of chances out there. Take it from me, you don't get just one. Sometimes you have to play with the hand you have, but sometimes you can get new cards, ya know? It's what you do with the cards your delt that makes the difference." And then he smiles softly, trying for the funny finish. "I'm sure you have more chances left; you aren't that old."

Hera grunts a bit toward Everett, "You always have a nack of reminding me that I am." She then just shakes her head, "It's ok, it really is. I have my fur kids. I admit I always wanted real kids of my own, but that's what I have. I never knew my family so, it would have been a wonderful thing to have a kiddo to connect with."

Alisha nods with Everett saying she's right. Of course she is! At least when giving advice to others, on might think she'd follow some of it herself. "The world would be even worse if you only got one." agreeing with him. "And he's right about what you do with the cards that matters. Shrugging at the old comment "She really doesn't seem old at all." then she looks at Hera in near amazement "You want kids? Eh well that's easy then. Plenty of options there for having them. Old-fashioned, adaption, artificial means, surrogates, etc. If you want kids and think you can handle it, then why not go for it?"

"You aren't old, Hera," Everett starts with the same smile which slowly fades. "I like kids too. I just can't eat a whole one." He pauses, then gestures to himself, "You know. Because I'm a giant. Anyways." He considers for a moment, pondering. "Things aren't always what they seem on the surface, Hera. I know you're are, or were anyways, with Jessica. You had to know what that meant. But I am sorry. I thought I could come here and complain to you about my girl troubles. But, uh. I didn't know about." He makes a gesture at Hera, to indicate all of her. "What. You know. You're struggling with."

Everett's smile slowly returns while he looks up at Alisha and he turns his focus back to Hera. Let's see if she'll make it to the trash. "Heck, if you want one that bad, Everclear here'll lock the door, and you can just come up here on the tables." He pats the one beside him, smiling the smile of a man knowing his buff isn't going to be called.

Hera resists the urge to hurl into a near trashcan thanks for her growing mental resolve. "No thank you." She says, "It's, so much to consider. My age, would Jessica even be up for me taking one on? It's a lot of things. There's no easy answer."

Alisha rolls her eyes at the joke. Time and place for everything, just right now seems tacky. Even by Ali's standards. She isn't without sympathy though for the not so jolly giant "Hell you want to complain about your women problems. We can hit a bar later and you can tell me about it." and lucky Hera doesn't flip out again or worse take him up on it. "Hera look. Yeah it's a lot to think about. Have you talked to your girlfriend about this? Could be a good place to start. You still have options though and sure it wouldn't be a easy answer. If you really want it, you'll find a way."

"The answer is as easy as you want to make it," Everett offers. He glances down, looking at his lap a second then stands up from leaning on the table. "If you want a kid, get a kid." He indicates Alisha again with a nod of his head, "Like she says, there's a ton of ways to get one, or a dozen. And if it's important to you, then Jessica would understand. If she doesn't want or can't have children, then you have to decide, like you have been, what's more important to you. That joy of mothership, feeling the life growing in you, all of that. Or the companionship of another."

Standing up, he offers a little more, "Heck. For all you know she might want it too. It sounds like a conversation you get to have. And that makes you luckier than some." His hair sways while he looks behind him again, towards the doors, and then back. "I better go to something with this energy before I hump a tree. I'll take you up on that some other time, Everclear. Just maybe not a bar. Since they can't drink, I'm trying not too also." The last glass of saki on the table is up ended and pours down his throat like the rice wine it is.

"Gah." He addresses Hera, but points at Alisha, "Listen to her. She's pretty smart." Pause, "for a cop." The cup is returned to the table, "I better go," he offers before doing just that.

Hera sighs and looks over at the door leading to her apartment, "It's a lot to discuss and, I wouldn't hand to burden Jessica with any of it, I really wouldn't. I don't want to upset anything there but I think I'm just going to go to sleep. Thank you for your concern Alisha."

Alisha looks at Everett with his luckier than some comment. Maybe that's part of what he wanted to complain about. "Might be a good idea. Just being too damn horny is distracting. Sounds good, guess we'll work on a place another time. Take care." with what was spoken about them avoiding drinking...ok that reminder is probably what triggered Hera. She does still smile at the backhand compliment as he is headed out the door "I'm damn smart for a cop."

Head turned back to Hera "Isn't burdening each other something you do with partners? Hell I wouldn't know, but seems like it. As well you don't her opinion. Seems like you should. Right though better get some rest then. Your welcome." she says heading out the door herself. So Hera can lock up and get some sleep.