2020-09-03 - A Morning At The Park

It's early morning and Devlin still has another light duty day. Thus he is out in the park near the lake and already has been practicing various forms for couple hours. He is wearing his Kwoon shirt and yoga pants as he practices. A gym bag, with various Airborne patches on it, holds his practice weapons, a few water bottles, and of course a well stocked first aide kit. He is currently going through a series of Kung Fu forms with speed, grace, and one might think accuracy.

Hera would find such training helpful, but her passion for art often leads her down another path. It's all about taking care of the animals, trying to spend time with Jessica, and of course, running the art gallery. All in all it's a happy life and her canine companion walks along her side as she figures it's time to go to the park in an effort to find a new diversion. "Ok boy, maybe I'll let you go without the leash for right now." She does just that and Hans just looks at her funny. But then she spots Devlin at work and waves. It's a silent wave though as if she doesn't want to disturb his practice.

At first Hera might think that Devlin did not see her and Hans, but during a toe kick a nice suitable fetch stick is driven into the air so that it flies across Hans' field of view perhaps only 20 feet away at the top of its arc from Hans. Though the wide smile does clearly give it away it was deliberate on Devlin's part.

Deliberation, uh oh. Hans is a smart dog anyway but it doesn't take much effort for him to figure out he's been spotted. Devlin is a fun family member though so he bounces up and down on his front feet and goes to barking madly. It's a fun motion though and after a few more ups and downs the German Shephard charges! Yup, Devlin is about to get pounded with a large doggie love bomb. He runssssssssssss and moves to tackle Devlin. His goal to give the dog and long slurppppp of affection. Kung fu or not, no one can defeat the doggie charge!

Ah yes, the happy doggy charge of doom. Perhaps that is the truth for some, but for Devlin, not always. He grins, "Hans buddy.." as he moves to the gym bag to extract a tug of war rope that has been sprayed with.. yup.. bacon smell and taste on one end. "You want to play don't cha.." As he continues to evade just enough as he presents Hans with the business end, "I got your four legging pulling this time!!"

Hans is definitely in play mode, especially since his alpha has let him off his leash! Besides, who can resist the smell of bacon?! Not a dog! Nope! The rope distracts him enough to bounce up and down on his front legs and make a lunge for the end in his direction. He's a working dog and so he easily grabs the hemp and commencing to playing the game of tug of war. No time for katas today!

Devlin uses his knowledge of staying firmly rooted by taking up a good back stance to resist the pulls with, "Yeah.. there we go Hans." He shifts forward a little to let Hans have a small victory before he sinks deeper into that back stance pulling back on the canine. "Nope.. it's mine you silly Shepard."

But, never underestimate the power of the dog! His teeth clamp down hard on the rope and he puts more and more pressure on the twine. While he's not a rottie, he has been trained to grab grab and grab! This is just playing, right? Well you can't keep a good dog down and Hans proves that. He even lets out a loud grrrrrrr while pulling against the paramedic. It'll be a fight for dominance for sure!

There is a laugh as Devlin struggles to keep his stance well rooted, seems Hans is challenging him. Other people might have been dragged along, not Devlin, his feet remain planted. All that happens are shifts of his weight and stance to answer Hans' pulls. But as they say, all good training. It is perhaps a long five minutes before Hans is able to slowly pull the paramedic off his root. At that point, Devlin lets go, "Ok.. Hans..that's close to a record. I think your getting better at this game. You are a smart boy."

It's all play and play and play again, but play is important and it is rooted in reality, almost as good as Devlin is rooted! Training has its benefits for both parties but when Devlin lets go the doggie snaps back a bit and the rope almost goes flying. But, he claims his prize! He takes the hemp within his paws and goes into licking and licking. Finally, Hera steps forward with a grin, "He's a wonderful guard but he can be a good playmate too."

Devlin nods as he steps up to offer a hug, "That makes for a more interesting work out. I think I am done for the day, cousin. You are looking great as always. How are you doing?"

Hera isn't wearing much of a dress but the jeans and green shirt she sports are fancy enough. With a smile she nods her head and says, "Thank you. Your training is doing you well if you could put up that much of a fight against my guardian here. One day I might get you to show me some of your stances. I get the impression that most of the battles here are more mental at times, but still. Rumor has it you are rising in the ranks of the medical teams here."

Devlin says, "I'm not yet a Lao Shr, a qualified instructor hon." He kisses your cheek during the hug, "Yeah, just hoping they were not kidding about that as a slot. I still have a few rounds of interviews and testing. Then the city may consider it; budgets... you know?" He then reaches down to pet Hans, "And thank you.. but if you want to trade there may be a ball for you to chase."

Hans just continues to lick and chew on the rope. There might not be much of a rope left after this! In the meantime the greeting is well accepted but it doesn't take her long to appear to move deep in thought, "Well, I wish I had better contacts to pull some strings for you on that one. I haven't made enemies with the Addingtons but, I'm not exactly their best friends either. Sorry, I should be more political. Then again word will spread of your reputation but, knowing the right people wouldn't hurt."

Devlin smiles as he reaches for water, "Water?" he offers. He shrugs, "Don't worry about it to much, something like this should be more merit than political really. Well, as I think about it." He hmms, "It is nice seeing you enjoying some fresh air and fun. You spend a lot of time in the gallery.. don't know how you do it, Hera. You should get an assistant.. really."

Hera shakes her head at the offer and says, "Thanks. I guess I decided to get a change of scenery. As far as an assistant well, not yet. I don't know of anyone who would really fit that bill. It's ok. My place is my life. It helps to keep me focused. Sometimes I still remember that time I had nothing so, it's refreshing to have something. Speaking of assistances, is Stephanie like gone for good?"

Devlin says, "Well, out of my life. I think she moved over to county. Works for me. I might work a call with her in some places.. but no skin off my teeth." He hmms, "come to think about it, we have a lot of newbies. Was not so long ago, I was a newbie here myself. Just having my combat experience is helping."

Hera takes a step closer as if to try to make sure this is a bit more of a private conversation. "She never liked me." She tells him, "She was quite rude to me multiple times and heck, I know she was sick but, whining and whining and I brought her flowers, always stopped by in the hospital and all she did was snap at me. I don't wish her harm but sheesh, she was too much. Sorry but, there were many times she wasn't exactly nice to me."

Devlin nods, "Yeah.. I think she was interested in me and not pleased that I was not interested in return. Started taking offence at everything.. but not voicing it."

Hera sighs and says, "That's so immature, it really is. If someone doesn't return the interest, let it go. There's so many other things that can be so much worse than that and love, when it's returned, it amazing. I know how much it sucks to have your heart broken. Having someone who isn't interested is not that much of a big deal."

Devlin nods, "No argument from me there. I'll admit there were a couple of medics that in country we spent time together. However in those cases, no one had a serious relationship or spouse going. Here, strikes me as even more risky. How are things for you and Grace?"

Hera can't help but smile at the mention of true romance, "Jessica is the best thing to ever happen to me. I wish we didn't work so much but, we both like our careers so, there's got to be some sort of trade off. As goofy as it sounds I never thought I would fall for a woman and wow, boy have I." She grins as she gets her phone and goes to show off a photo of some extravagant jewlery. "I got her this. Now tell me, will she look hot in it and nothing else? Be honest, she is going to look so hot in that."

Devlin looks at the jewelry and whistles.. "Damn.. why would she wear anything else.." He grins, "Almost makes me wish I was female and your girl friend.." the tone teasing. He then hmms, "If she doesn't love it.. she isn't for you. And I figure, she will.. and you better have your night free plus the next morning.. you'll be worn out."

Hera giggles as she slowly takes the phone back. "I'll make sure I buy you a gold steheoscope when you get promoted. I thought this was just so perfect for her. I don't think she would wear it to work though. If so I would have to beat some people over the head with a newspaper for sure."

Devlin grins, "I think you better up grade to a stout staff." He hmms, "Well, I have to run. Need to get cleaned up, attend a class on some new techniques and then.. late this evening.. have some fun happening here.. a water balloon fight."

Hera grins and whistles in Hans' direction. He recognizes that whistle and obediently trots over to his alpha. "I might be cleaning up." She's a bit of an annoying house keeper and so, the work is never done. Gathering her leash though, she begins to lead the way so her dog follows. "Be safe, and I mean that cousin. There's really scary things out there as you know."

Devlin nods, "I will and take care."