2020-10-24 - Love and Cats, Cats and Love

The time is just past midafternoon, an early dinner for some, time to start seriously considering what to have for dinner for others. The weathered laundromat has stoically survived yet another day of swallowing quarters it never returns, disappearing socks and having that one machine clank and bang ominously without actually breaking down... yet. It remains, flickering lights and smell of bleach and old water, staunchly in the face of the drizzzling autumn day, warm but quickly cooling.

Gina has, apparently, met with some mishap today, and so is currently seated atop one of the folding tables, dressed in a black t-shirt and dark maroon leggings... and that's it. The brown splatters on her arms and a bit on her jaw might clue in someone's been splattered or fallen in this terrible weather, and just chosen the simplest method of dealing with it. So she's claimed one of the newer washing machines for herself, the coat, purple flannel top and black midi skirt currently swishing away to clean, while Gina taps away on her phone, knees up in front of her, because it's actually a bit cold in here.

The door opens a short while later to admit a tall copper blond who seems to have actually broken with his habit of only wearing black -- a purple scarf breaks up the gloomy colour scheme a little. Ravn Abildgaard carries his duffel bag slung over one shoulder and heads in pretty bee-line, clearly there to use the site for its intended purpose.

It's hard to not notice a Gina, though. In part because she's got rather spectacular air, and in part because she is one of those people whom you tend to stay wary of after having been on the receiving end of her sharp tongue a few times. Maybe that's why he wanders up and sneaks a glance over the diner owner's shoulder to see what she's doing on her phone. "We've got to stop meeting like this, love, people will start talking."

Hera has fallen upon hard times before, and this may be one of them. "I swear I'll never take Thewlis for granted again, ever." she says right as she steps in. This may be one of those 'hard times' as some beloved, highly beloved, appliances in her home may well be on the fritz. Yes, bad luck still happen and she awkwardly walks in with two large black garbage bags full of stuff. What the 'stuff' could be she might well be ashamed to admit.

But, it's a small town so familiar faces are known. She offers Gina a kind smile but doesn't say much to the woman. She has encountered her before and she likely didn't know what to make of her but Ravn, yes, the dashing man get a smile and she offers a wave to him with a bit of gleam in her eyes, showing she's happy to see a friend. "Oh hello!" she says, "Fancy meeting you here. I haven't seen you around lately. I hope you're still enjoying the small town. It's got so many amazing stories as I assume you found out by now."

Hopefully one of those stories ends in clean laundry, for her at least.

Gina doesn't even bother looking up from her phone, once Ravn has identified himself by opening his mouth - the accent is distinct, after all. "I knew it. You're ashamed of me, is that it? Despite our deep history." She sounds like she's ordering food while checking email: distracted, somewhat apathetic, and surely not emotionally torn and betrayed. She keeps it all on the inside, guys.

There is a glance up to spot Hera - no return acknowledgement or greeting, just watching while Hera talks to Ravn, and then a small smirk. "Oh, now I remember." She says... and that's it.

Ravn looks up at another voice which is decidedly familiar. He lights up in a genuine smile at the sight of the gallery owner and waves to her. "Hey! Been a while -- how's Queso? Your cat turned out to be right, I did end up staying around. I got a job and a roof over my head, I'm practically a townie by now. How are you doing? Heard you're working with a few people on this upcoming art festival? Heard about it from several people who are all very excited."

That's a lot of words for hello. Ravn must know and indeed, like the gallery owner.

Hera gently puts her bags down on one of the laundry tables. Hopefully it's a solid one and when it doesn't even creak under the sound of the two big garbage bags she heaves a sigh of relief. She can't help but maintain her smile at the mention of her favorite feline, the cat that /really/ own her business. She offers a hug to the gentleman and confirms, "He's doing fine. He has his favorites, you and Maggi being them. I'm so glad to hear about your job! All is well for me. I'm working on a new gift for Jessica but that's not unusual. If I wasn't working on something for her, that would be a crime. As far as other projects I have fallen in love with a young man's art lately. His name is Grant. Have you heart of his art? It's wonderful, really really wonderful. You'll have to tell me all about your job. We should catch up." But, no need to be rude, especially since everyone in the town knows one another. She doesn't want to exclude Gina out of the conversation, even if her tone may indicate she's a bit wary of her, "So, you two have met already? I hope you have been doing well Miss."

"He follows me around. I'm growing scared and concerned." Gina says, so deadpan it's really hard to judge if she's joking or not. One presumes so. Ravn's such a nice guy! Who wears all black and is charming. Isn't that how serial killers are described? MOving on.

She does shrug as a follow-up to her words. "Been okay. Kind of miss James, he's been busy lately," The terrifying thing is that has a hint of real feeling in it, "Which is tough. But I'm keeping busy."

"I do know Grant Baxter, as it happens. I somehow ended up spending a considerable amount of time with him and his partner." Ravn doesn't sound like he has any objections to passing time in such a fashion at all. "He's a very charming bloke, and very talented. And, I have to admit, I don't understand half of what he says, but I think that's more of a generational thing."

He's at least five years older than Bax. Maybe a little more. That's a generation, right?

The duffel bag goes on top of a laundry machine and the Dane starts pulling items of black clothing out of it. "Gina likes to imagine me as some kind of mysterious and secretive stalker. Or maybe she's just bored, it's a little hard to tell with her." The diner owner gets a lopsided grin in passing and then Ravn looks back at Hera again. "I did meet your Jessica too. Seems nice."

Hera purses her lips for a moment as she looks toward Gina with an air of confusion. One time she got the impression that the strange woman was a bit of a stalker herself. But, she's gotten some impressions about a lot of people and a lot of times. "They seem very fond of each other from what I could tell." She speaks of Grant and Vyv. "I'm glad you're meeting new people though. I think in time anyone who hangs around Gray Harbor finds the right niche. And Jessica." She can't help but smile and get a bit of a happy look on her face, "Isn't she the most gorgeous thing you've ever seen? Like ever? She's also very intelligent too, hard working, well we both are but to find someone so lovely, it's a surprise. The moment I first met her well." she blushes a little, "Sorry. I'm just still really happy she's in my life. Sometimes if things are too good to be true well, you know the saying."

"You flatter yourself thinking I like to imagine you at all, birdboy." Gina points out, her attention going back to her phone, briefly. She does raise her brows as the two continue to talk, "So what breed is she?" Gina asks, showing mild curiosity as she looks up towards Hera. "I'm a cat person myself, but dogs are all right. Jessica's a weird name for a dog, though. I've heard worse. Shelter find, I'm guessing? Kind of thought about getting a dog before, but Iggy and Vee object to alive toys that don't feed them."

Ravn can't help a lopsided smile and an eyeroll in one at Gina. To Hera he observes, "See what I mean? That's Gina being Gina. But yes -- I know what you're saying. Jessica seems nice. Hang on to her, good people are hard enough to find as it is." He refrains from commenting on Jessica's appearance -- perhaps out of some European sense of tact, perhaps just to not inspire Gina to pick that apart too.

Hera pauses for a bit, wondering if Gina meant to say something crass or being, absentminded? Her pleasant tone is replaced by a bit of a curt one, "Good people." she says, "Jessica is nice, but there's many other wonderful things I could say about her. She's not a dog, she's my girlfriend." Hera doesn't take too long to correct the woman, "The most intelligent and beautiful woman in the world to be precise. My dog is another matter, and my dog is a he, not that it's important for you to know such things, but it is important for you to know /that/ about Jessica." It seems she doesn't like the fact that anyone would imply that her beloved is anything but divine.

"Oh." Gina says, and shrugs, "SOrry, it sounded like you were describing a dog. 'Good, hardworking, fine coat, gorgeous thing, clever girl.'" Gina ticks the descriptors off her fingertips, counting them down. "Sounded like fur momma talking, so I just assumed. Just goes to show what they say about assuming." Gina muses. She doesn't seem... particularly upset about the misreading, or embarrassed, or even particularly contrite, as if she truly imagines it was a simple mistake anyone could've made. "Congrats on the love thing, if that's what you're into." She might even be sincere? It's so damned hard to tell, with Gina.

"Who the hell is not into 'the love thing', assuming they meet the right person?" Ravn looks at Gina like she might be multiple goldfish short of a koi pond. Then he shakes his head and laughs softly to himself. "Besides, obviously, Gina Castro. Because we're all going to die so why bother, right?"

Soap and detergent goes into the appropriate slots of the washing machine. "Life goes on. Sure, this town is a bit like living in a war zone, but bloody hell, when something good happens -- hang on to it while it lasts. Ever read any of the great war time novels by people who were actually in the trenches? That's the first thing every single one would tell you. Enjoy the good parts while they are there."

In walks Devlin, with laundry soap and a few other supplies, "Hera.. you forgot ALL of this. Queso was chewing on this.." He nods his chin to one of the bottles. "And tighten the bolts in your neck.. cat gets a hold of that and it's all over." His tone clearly teasing Hera. "Also, I got that silly feline's catnip toy down so he won't start a chewing spree."

Hera begins to sneer at Gina's words but she takes a deep breath and tries to steady herself. Just the thought of anyone hinting that Jessica can be anything but gorgeous and amazing and the list goes on, well, the dark haired woman should be worshiped even if she's not around.... Then the thought of her being compared to a dog? Hera likes dogs but she also knows that people are not polite when they mention certain four leggers and say they are the same thing as people. "Jessica is hard working and she is gorgeous, I didn't mention she had a fine coat. That's your misinterpretation and I know dogs and I clearly wasn't describing one." She's still not at peace with the comparison but the part of her that wanted to punch Gina in the face seems to be taken a back seat for now, especially since the woman doesn't seem all that sincere about the mistake because, in Hera's eyes, it clearly was a mistake.

But then there's Devlin, coming in to save the day from her boiling rage. "Oh cousin thank goodness, you're a life saver." she says, "Yeah, with Thewlis staying busy I can't quite keep everything together." It's ok for Devlin to tease her apparently, hey what else is family for? "I was just telling these two how amazing love is, and one of them gets it."

Hmmm...could this be round one?

"Love's as problematic as any other human shit." Gina points out, "Love, lust, infatuation-- the love thing causes all kinds of drama. Jealousy, paranoia boredom, one side liking the other more than they like them, disappointment with imperfection, being afraid to show imperfection...people are fucked up and the love thing can get fucked up pretty fast. So love's whatever, but the whole...thing around love is a pain in the ass." Gina comments, before straightening her legs and sliding to the front of the table, ready to jump down. She's in a t-shirt and black leggings, and that's it - apparently her outfit's in the washer. Which, perhaps, is why she's heading to the washer now, which is starting to slow from its frantic spinning. "Also, being somebody who likes dogs a shit ton more than I do people, I can tell you there are definitely dog owners who describe their pets like you were doing. But it's whatever. Situation now clarified." Gina smirks, shaking her head as she crouches down in front of her washing machine, which is just a minute from winding down.

"Everything is problematic. But if you just run away from it all, you miss out on all the good bits too." Look who's talking -- it's the fellow who did exactly that for three years. Ravn doesn't seem to notice the irony, though. "I'd rather be well and thoroughly in love just for once in my life and then lose her, than never have that experience at all. Yes, you're welcome to consider me a hopeless romantic, you won't be the first to call me that, either." He closes the machine and starts the program. At least with everything black, colour bleed will not be an issue.

Ok, that little speech gets a raised eye brow from Devlin. He moves towards the snack machines. "If your machines are down Hera, could have asked to come over. At least at the apartment there is beer, TV, and other things. Mind you.. as Wifi connections seem to be a dime a dozen.. bet they have nicely corrupted connection here." He then greets, "Hi there Ravn, Good morning Gina. Sounds like things are off to an interesting start."

Hera still isn't too impressed by Gina, but Ravn's and Devlin's presence may be having a bit of a calming effect on her, which is good. In some ways, she might be a typical redhead. "Oh I know and I thank you. Hopefully Thewlis comes back around or if he doesn't I guess we'll just have to install a new unit. I'd rather do that than deal with warranty crap." If Devlin tells Gina hello maybe she's not that bad? Then again she wasn't too keen on praising Jessica. "You're not hopeless, not hopeless at all. Romance is a good thing. It helps to keep the world alive. Heaven knows that it's inspired some of the greatest poets ever and it's one of the best foundations for many arts. The world needs to be inspired. It's far too dismal at times. Beauty is a good foundation for such inspiration. Of course, there's more than what the eye sees as attractive, there is what the heart seeks."

Gina opens her mouth to reply... then snaps it shut, and instead of commenting rubs the spot between her brows, as if she is faced with a mountain and no idea where to start. So... she doesn't. Her machine beeps, and she opens it up, grabbing the wet clothing and making her way towards the dryer to shove the clothes in there. "My only point's just people put love on a pedestal like it's some holy untouchable shit, and it's a problematic attitude that dismisses the humanity of the people involved. But yeah, sure, love is beautiful and the best thing ever. Woopty doo." Gina makes no attempt to add any enthusiasm to the words, to underline the fact she's really only agreeing to keep the peace. See how benevolent she is, to acquiesce like this? Truly, she is a peacekeeper.

Ravn looks up and waves at Devlin. "Hey there. We're actually not killing each other in here, we just sound like it."

Then he looks back to the two women. "My take on love? If it happens to you, take it and run with it. Sure, Gray Harbor may mess it up for you tomorrow. Anywhere else on the planet, your lover might get hit by car going for a newspaper, or contract some fatal illness. Life is for living. If I meet somebody special, I'm definitely not going to walk away, telling myself that I'll probably just lose her tomorrow. Even if I only have her for one night, I'll make the bloody most of it. What's the point if we don't live?"

"Love is nice when you have it. Worse when it is taken away," Devlin comments, "But I do admit, rather have that one night to know it and the pain of loss rather than never know it." Devlin offers, "Need a hand with any of that Hera?" He hmms, "Hope the snacks here are worth while." He moves over to the machine, "Oh.. the latest in stale junk foods.. What do you think Ravn.. World War One or Two surplus.. doesn't look fresh enough for Korea.."

Hera tries not to chuckle at Ravn's remark though it is quite true. "Gray Harbor was the place where I found real love, and not just romance, I found people that actually care, among other things." Though when she mentions 'among other things' she likely hints at nothing too pleasant. But, now is only a time for pleasant things, right? "I think I'm good." she tells Devlin, either that or she doesn't want her cousin to find out just how rancid her dirty laundry really is. "So, the topic for today is love and laundry. How do those two things relate? If someone really loves you, she will wash your clothes?"

Oh hey, quarters.... where the hell did Gina pull quarters out of? Her boots? Whatever, she apparently needs more of them, and is walking over to the coin machine. Maybe she'll get some dryer sheets, too.

"Pretty sure those crisps there were part of the Charge of the Light Brigade in the Crimean War," Ravn the historian murmurs in response to Devlin's observations about the vending machine. "Only they got sent back behind the British lines on account of being too dry. Also, if I meet that special somebody some day I promise to wash her clothes and not whine about it. Much."

He glances after Gina, then shakes his head. "I mean, she's not wrong. Idealising something creates unrealistic expectations. But, I for one prefer it that way. I want to think that there's someone out there that I'm going to meet some day who'll make it all worthwhile."

Devlin chuckles a bit, "You may be right, Ravn." He walks back towards Hera, pausing by the coin machine. "Need any more coinage, Cousin?" He then hmms, "Got a good point Gina. Unrealistic expectations do cause a lot of trouble in more than just relationships." He waits as Gina gets what she needs from the machines. "Hera, I swear your turning your gallery into the social hub around here."

Hera tries not to blush as she begins to reach into the bag to pull out her laundry. Yup, messy stuff there and it's out in public. Bleah. "I'm glad." she smiles a little as she looks for an empty washer. "And, yeah, she has a point I suppose. We shouldn't try to be unrealistic but, at the same time, we should hope." Her eyes then go over to Ravn as she says, "I'm surprised you haven't found her yet but, in time, I'm sure it will happen. Worse to comes worse and if it doesn't, you still tell the best stories."

"Everything in its time," Ravn agrees and feeds his machine; he at least has quarters. "Besides, contrary to what some blokes will tell you, the single life never killed anyone. I did meet somebody once I thought was the real deal -- just, didn't work out. Guess you can't have everything." He doesn't sound all that bothered in truth. "And of course there's the whole part where you're accustomed to being single and might not quite be ready to have someone else walk in and rearrange your routines and your kitchen."

"Got to sample life. In truth, what may seem right, may not be." Devlin offers as he grabs some quarters for Hera. "I figure you may have under estimated. I know I did alot." He sets the change by her. "So with this being Gray Harbor.. wonder when the laundry will attack or is it the washers n driers trying to eat us?" He chuckles a bit, "Just seems to be what to expect here. Love n suds with laundry, to bad they don't serve beer here and have some decent food. There is a place outside of Ft. Bragg we would go to for laundry. The machines were not beat to hell, you could have interesting conversations and yeah.. beer n decent pizza or dogs."

Hera chimes in, "Much better to be alone than lonely, I guess that's one way of saying it. It's not good to be with someone who simply, doesn't fit, and even worse when you find out your love didn't love you. Speaking of love though, love n suds, now that sounds like a cute name. Who knows if people keep meeting up here to visit we might want to have a coffee bar in the corner there or something. I wouldn't recommend trying to do your laundry drunk though so, stick with beer, none of the heavy stuff. Apparently, I'm a light weight when it comes to drinking."

Ravn leans against his rumbling washing machine, resting one arm on it to support his weight (or keep it from rumbling off down the street, maybe, you never know with these things). "I don't mind being alone, no. At least not as much as I'd mind somebody trying to rearrange my life. I live on a boat, I spend most of my time with my nose in a book or practising my violin, much to my neighbours' regret, when I'm not out walking and asking people about the stories and tales of this town. I got a cat of my own -- she's never home either, so we're probably a better match, I figure." He grins slightly. "You'd like her. A black stray that wandered on to my boat and declared that I too could live there as long as I keep her well supplied with tuna."

That gets a chuckle from Devlin, "We had a couple camp dogs and cats like that when I was deployed. A couple of them, the company arranged for them to get sent back to the States. Had a couple cats that got passed on to the new guys showing up. Amber was a cute little thing, loved the mystery meat from the chow hall. But, yeah.. there were time in the field, you'd feel alone even though you were with twenty, thirty other people about you. Still, you knew they had their back."

Gina returns from her adventure of getting quarters and having a very intense textual conversation with...somebody? Who knows. But she's back now, checking on the dryer and tossing in a stolen dryer sheet into the mix. Just in time to hear Ravn talk about his cats. "Short or long hair?" She wonders, regarding the black cat. "Vee's a white shorthair. Pretty distinct if you ever see him. Fringed ear, too." Soul searching? Let's find more reasonable hobbies, like discussing pets.

Hera frowns as, egads, something strange is in the bottom of her garbage bag. Speaking of pets, life is interesting with them both inside and outside the home.

"Black house cat, perfectly normal, does nothing normal cats don't do. Sheds everywhere, leaves hair balls in my bed, hogs the pillow and kisses me with tuna breath," Ravn replies and then cants his head in mock horror. "Oh heavens, she is my girlfriend, isn't she."

Then he straightens up. "I have some grocery shopping I need to be doing. I hate to preach and run, but -- somebody does indeed not catch her own tuna, and that somebody is still rather grumpy with me for having her spayed so I better make sure I don't forget. Hera, I will absolutely be coming down for that exhibition and art festival. Couldn't keep me away, I consider Grant Baxter a friend. Devlin, Gina -- see you both around?"

The Dane wanders off, clearly not very worried that someone might steal his laundry while he's gone. Then again, let's be fair here, it's just black jeans and turtlenecks. Anything truly interesting probably gets sent to dry cleaning.

There is a bit of a chuckle from Devlin, "Catch you later, Ravn. And hopefully your friend lets you back on board." He then moves to sit on a washer that is in use. "You might have liked Amber, Gina. She was an orange cat but the tabby markings pretty faint. May have had a wild parent or three in her family tree. Sneaky little devil, always showed up where you least expect her to. Once when I was on a medivac, that little minx suddenly slipped out from under the crew chief's seat as if nothing was wrong and hopped up on the chest of the guy we were transporting about 5 minutes before touch down. That cat was surreal in how she could sneak about. And she was bold as brass. Even showed up in the chow hall to steal fish out of the warmer.."

"Sounds like she'd get along with Vee. He's the outdoor cat. Can't keep him inside or he shreds everything. Iggy's the quiet one. Stays at home." GIna explains her adorable cats, shrugging a touch, "I got them as kittens back in London. No weirder than normal cats are, but they hold up pretty well in Gray Harbor. Both are probably downn to like their third life, though