2021-10-05 - I Can Sense the Weird From Here

It's early afternoon, it appears a few first responders were just chatting together over coffee and other things. Most of the group other than Devlin are getting up to leave, as one comments, "Hey Devlin, you may want to watch out if Morris is there when you respond to a call. He's pretty sore about how that Meth head dropped him and you got that Meth head under control like it was nothing."

Devlin nods as he gets up to move back up to the counter, "Thanks for the heads up, wish that guy would just accept he needs to practice more." Mike chuckles as he heads out and holds the door for the others going out and some folks coming in, "Got that right Devlin." as the man leaves right afterward.

At Devlin's table there is a black hat with a Combat Medic Badge on the front of his chair draped by a nice leather jacket over the back. On the back of his tee-shirt it says -- Skilled enough to become a combat medic, Crazy enough to love it --. At the counter he asks for another cup of tea.

Vittoria enters after a few minutes, the woman squeezing her tall, muscular frame through the door and past a few other patrons as she makes her way to the front. She's an imposing physical presence, with her rippling muscles apparent even under the all-black ensemble of a leather jacket, t-shirt, and skinny jeans she wears. Her hair, dark brown at the roots and medium blond at the tips, is pulled back in an efficient French braid.

She takes off the dark sunglasses she wears as she steps up the counter, setting them atop her head and glancing over the menu. An espresso is ordered, and then she steps back to wait. Devlin's shirt catches her eye, and she grins. "Combat medics are crazy, but they're amazing. Takes real balls." There's a clear rhythm to her speech, each word pronounced carefully and evenly - the accent is definitely European.

As he gets his tea, Devlin turns and smiles a bit, "Four tours.. and to add to the crazy, Airborne. Means in my case.. reason for my brown eyes is that I am full of it. And it's Devlin, Miss." The girl at the counter can't help but grin as she stifles a chuckle at the joke. "One of the local paramedics these days. On your worst day when you need someone to patch you up, I'm the one you want showing up." He pauses as a minor case of ''Oh Yeah'', "Promotion.. still getting used to the change with more time at a desk.." hard to tell if he is displeased or merely still trying to adapt to changes.

"I have lots of respect for those who have also served," Vittoria responds with a chuckle. "I can also sense the crazy from here. You aren't wrong." Her voice is melodic, each word measured and sweet. "Vittoria. Nice to meet you."

Her name is called at the counter and she steps forward to accept her cup. She takes a sip and pulls a face. "Ugh. American coffee."

"Nice to meet you, Vittoria." He shrugs as he returns to his table, "It's decent coffee. Beats field coffee, though at home, I have real Kona. When I am on drill, the officers always are hoping to snag a pot of my coffee." He takes a seat at the table he was at, "Now as to here, they do make a pretty good espresso here. Nearly as good as I had in Saudi en route to Iraq on my first tour." He sips on his tea, "Welcome to the States and hope your a Rod Serling fan if your sticking around for a while."

"Ahhhh, you were Iraq? I was never there - only Afghanistan. I have heard that Saudi Arabian coffee is very good." She sips her drink, smiling lightly. "Thank you for the welcome, though I don't know who that man is."

Motioning to a chair at his table, "Feel free to have a seat. Did two in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. Did time over in Ghazri province and at the Bagram Airbase." He smiles over his tea, "It's a reference to an interesting TV series comprised of various Science Fiction anthologies from the sixties. Mom was a fan, made me one. Rod Serling was the host and narrator. Strange things tend to happen around here.. so the reference." He sips his tea. "Can't place the accent, just know it isn't Greek or French.."

Vittoria sits across from Devlin, cradling her cup in her hands. "I am Italian," she responds with a grin. "My...tour? Yes, my tour was in the Herat province with the Italian Army." She leans back in her seat, flipping her hair over a shoulder. "When you say 'strange things,' what do you mean?"

Devlin nods, "Never worked with the Italians when I was active duty, interesting." He sips at his tea. "Herat province.. hope it wasn't two hairy. As to strange things, stuff like people claiming to have run into a long dead crook.. a few supposedly killed by same crook. Hunters being attacked by trees, just to name a few. Mind you, I do hunt and at times I felt like I was at the edge of a Steven King novel in some areas." He cocks his head towards the harbor area, "Even a few beach ghost stories and boat ones too. Been on a few rescue runs and the wounds were a bit more than what you'd expect to happen in an accident.. "

"It wasn't as...hairy as other places," Vittoria notes, sipping her coffee. At Devlin's list of 'strange things,' her eyes narrow. "Well, those are strange, you're right. I think I will be okay, though. I am used to strange."

Devlin chuckles a bit, "YOu'll fit in then. So, what brings a daughter of Italy to a small coastal town like this?" He sips again at his tea. "Might need some of the skills you learned in the service, especially the discipline to handle things."

"Why will I need those things?" Vittoria asks, leaning in. Her expression is mild but her eyes are filled with a glinting curiosity. "I got bored. I left Italy to go to New York, but I didn't like it there either. This place seemed...interesting. It caught my eye."

There is this knowing look in Devlin's eyes, "Easier experienced than to describe sadly. Though, I have found my past service skills to be conducive to dealing with the strange. In time, you'll see." He takes a bit of a breath, "Boring, this place is not. I like being in the thick of things, though these days.. that will be diminished some. Just be patient strange events will involve you. Listen.. and watch, that would be the best advice for now I could provide."

"I will take your advice, Mister Yoda," Vittoria retorts, snorting. "That is very cryptic and confusing but I still appreciate your help very much." She sips her coffee. "So what places are good to visit here? If they are strange, that is okay."

That widens his smile a bit, "Well, more that Strange shows up when and where it wishes too." Devlin then comments, "Well, better Yoda.. than grasshopper, Caine, or a few other names some have tagged me with. What line of work are you in? I tend to hear a lot, side and unexpected benefit of what I do."

"Security," Vittoria says curtly, sipping from her coffee cup. "You said that you are a paramedic?"

Devlin nods, "Yes, Paramedic in Charge now. Means I get to deal with extra paper work, arrange training, and be the in case shit goes sideways fubar.. break the glass to unleash.. plus a host of other things."

"Paramedic in charge," Vittoria gasps in faux amazement. "I didn't realize I was sitting here with someone so famous and important. Please forgive my improper...ness? Improperness, yes." She grins. "That is very amazing, though. It sounds very dangerous."

Devlin smirks.. "Just wait till you need someone to patch you up? Could let a trainee practice on ya." He then waggles his eye brows, "Better watch out.." his tone teasing, "I'm a Staff Sergeant.. means I have been positively certified as an asshole twice over by the Army." He grins a bit, "Mostly means I am more responsible for very little extra pay. It's easier being the senior medic on a truck. I hate paperwork."

"I'm okay with it, as long as she is hot," Vittoria laughs. "I guess that's what happens when the army thinks that you are an asshole. They stick you with the paperwork." She snorts. "I am kidding. It must be very nice, knowing you are saving lives."

Devlin nods, "Yeah.. first in the family to go the road of a sixty eight whiskey. Family has been doing the combat arms thing since 1812.. I have one brother in the Marines and the other is in the Ranger Bat. My sisters are mean ones.." he laughs a bit. "and yet.. they leave me alone." He winks, "No one wants to see Doc McCloud think about letting some grateful people knowing he's got a small problem."

Vittoria laughs, clear and light. "What a family, Mr. McCloud, yes?" Suddenly she checks her phone and groans. "Minchia, I'm late. I have to get running." She rises to her feet, a nervous smile on her face. "A pleasure to meet you, Devlin." Her phone number is quickly scribbled on a napkin and slid across the table as she rushes out.