2021-10-22 - The Stray

There's a lot to be said for hot, black coffee -- just coffee, no cream, or sprinkles, or pumpkin spice, or what have you. Ravn Abildgaard has a whole lot to say about it when he visits the Espresso Yourself. Most of what he has to say is, please serve me some damned black coffee with nothing else in. And Della the Day Manager inevitably says, no.

So that's a sight. The lady behind the counter adamantly shaking her head and declaring that a hazelnut roast is as far as she'll go when it comes to undiluted coffee. The tall copper blond wearing nothing but black shaking his head and declaring it's a bloody miracle this shop is still in business with this kind of customer service.

Hazelnut roast is what he gets.

Laptop under one arm, Ravn heads for the table nearest the window with his coffee. He settles on a chair facing the street but doesn't open the screen yet; he likes to just sit and watch for a bit, gather his thoughts, see who else is in town. It's not a large town; most people seem to have a basic idea of who most other people are, and this is where the writer types tend to congregate. He's not quite certain he qualifies as one of them, but it'll do.

A short figure, feminine, covered in a faded hoodie pulled over her head, a pair of jeans that must have sen better days and sneakers in a similar condition, carrying a small rucksack on her back passes by on the street. The scents coming from the coffee place make her slow down and glance to the window, revealing a young girl / woman's face. Her hands are deep in her hoodie's front pockets to keep them warm. She looks perttier than - but still much like the usual drifter.

It's a good thing the coffee shop staff pays attention, because the wannabe blogger at the table by the door obviously doesn't. Heaven only knows where Ravn's thoughts wandered off to, but they probably brought a field guide and a lunch bag.

Fortunately, the barristas aren't blind. "Yo, Abildgaard," one of them calls out. "That one one of yours?"

And that, at least snaps the man out of wherever his mind went. He blinks, and looks out the window -- at a figure who is not familiar to him, no, but the posture is. He knows that expression, that hands in pockets to keep warm look, that glance towards warmth and the smell of something hot.

"No," he says. "At least not yet."

Then he raises his cup in a small gesture at the figure outside and mouths, 'Hot coffee?' Voices may not pass through glass, but looks do.

The girl outside seems to have learned not to look down at free gifts, especially those that should have no strings attached. She nods briefly and turns to look to the door, moving closer with some hesitation, making sure the person who alerted the man to her presence doesn't seem to frown at her entering their establishment. A moment later and she's in and yes, quite short looking, standing at maybe a cigarette butt over five feet. Once near your table, she pulls her rucksack off and takes a vacant chair, putting down the bag on the floor between her legs, so there's no way of it going anywhere without her. With some unease, she pulls down the hoodie, revealing her head. Free coffee deserves politeness, at least. While not well kept, she is rather exquisite, to some at least.

A "What'll you have, sweetheart?" is the barrista's response, looking at the younger woman. One could get the impression that people falling in from Main Street and the great world beyond is maybe not that uncommon around here. She glances at the man in black for confirmation that he is paying, and he nods back at her.

"Rough time of year to be travelling," he then tells the girl, smiling lightly. "Hi. Ravn Abildgaard. Came into town that way myself a year ago. Hitched a ride to Portland, got tossed off here after arguing with the driver. Same time of year, too."

He's got a pronounced European accent of some kind that isn't quite British but probably wishes it was.

"Latte and.. do you have apple pie?", the young woman asks with a pleasant voice, no ash tray hints to it so if she's addicted to anything it's probably /not/ smoking. "Thank you", she adds with a nod to the waitress and a glance to the man, intending it at both. "I.. guess it depends why and where you're travelling", she says with a soft quick exhale, almost some hint of laughter maybe and a light stretch of her lips. She doesn't give the vibe of someone rotten to the core as her positive hints at least seem genuine, this one didn't give up completely on humanity and life, yet.

"Myeah, I suppose it does, and where you're going. I wasn't going anywhere in particular -- figured I'd just head south until I hit the Tierra del Fuego at some point, and then maybe onwards to Antarctica." Ravn laughs softly. "Decided to stick around a few days and before I knew what hit me I'd been in town for a couple of weeks -- found work, adopted a cat. Never did get around to get back to moving and now I'm probably a permanent fixture."

He sips his hazelnut roast, expression unimpressed; all he ever wanted was regular black coffee. "Apple pie sounds good," he agrees with a nod to the barrista. "I'll have that that too."

Blue-grey eyes take in the younger woman, maybe trying to determine what kind of drifter she is -- a runaway, a backpacking tourist, someone on the run, or just someone travelling for all kinds of reasons. "Gray Harbor tends to keep folks around for a while. Not that it's got a whole lot going on that other small town in the Pacific Northwest haven't -- it's just a friendly place most of the time. Got any plans?"

Selene looks at the man while trying to maintain some kind of pleasant expression but her eyes are fixed, maybe vacant like as he rambles about things until he says cat, a slight movement in her expression, sign of life in that polite mask that shows something did penetrate even if briefly. Shaking her head and making a lock of her hair sway a little, she says "no plans", pulling on her sleeves to cover her palms, showing only the tip of her fingers to keep warmer even inside. She doesn't smell, nothing offensive at least, no visible scars, her hair a bit unkempt but nothing odd either, no bruises or deformities that can easily be spotted either...

"Bit cold to sleep in the street this time of year," Ravn points out. "Not that I haven't -- park benches are park benches, bus stops are bus stops, but, it's not ideal. How are you for sharing space? The shelter from the recent hurricane still has a few families in it -- the Chehalis River washed a number of houses into the bay, and not everyone has a handy cousin uptown to move in with while they work things out. Staying at a high school gym isn't great but I figure it beats a nap under the boardwalk."

He pauses. "Although if you go to the boardwalk, the guys who live under it pretty permanently are nice enough. Bit rough but, you know beach vagrants."

Selene fixes you with her eyes for a moment, maybe sensing strings trying to reach and wrap themselves around as her gaze feels a bit colder, something about the girl becomes a hint defensive. Shaking her head she says "I manage", she says without giving details about her plans or whereabouts, "thanks for the heads up though", she adds a brief moment later. Her fingernails are short and nicely curved, though also a bit irregular in their overall length, clean enough though.

The Dane does not look very surprised at all. He cradles his own coffee cup in hands clad in black kidskin gloves and offers a small smile. "Can't miss it -- Teddy Addington High, across from the town park. I've been volunteering there during the hurricane, that's how I know there are free corners to sleep in. Contrary to how I might come across, I'm not a stalker -- I'm a community centre volunteer."

He chuckles. "I'd give you the same offer a guy gave me last year except, offering you to bunk on our sofa for a bit would probably come across creepy as hell. Besides, the high school has better food."

A hint of a smile and a glance to the counter, she can smell everything but still nothing has been served to at least warm her hands and she knows better than to be so impolite as to keep them under the table in the warmth of her hoodie's pockets."Yes, it.. might", she says, choosing her words so that there's minimum chance her agreeing will mean an offense to her benefactor. "I.. sometimes prefer to be by myself than with others, safety in numbers is nice during a zombie apocalipse, not when the predators can be within", she adds almost in a whisper.

Almost as if on cue, the latte and two plates of apple pie actually happen; things seem to take as long time here as the barrista or the day manager wants. One could almost get the vibe that this is some kind of power struggle between them and Ravn -- a bit tongue in cheek, though.

"Never went through a zombie apocalypse," Ravn says and pulls one plate over to himself. "Predators, though? Yeah. Hitch-hiked enough around Europe and the US to not argue on that one -- and I'm 6'3." And male. "Travelled by myself most of the time. Kind of learning to appreciate company these days, though."

"Cats make for good company", the young woman says and pulls her mug of coffee close so that she can wrap her palms around it and warm her hands a little. The Pie will wait for her fingers to become thawed. Her pale fingers start showing some life like hue that cheeps up and disappears under her sleeves. One could imagine her cheeks after she drinks some.

"Yeah. If I pick up again at some point, I'm taking mine with me. She's a stray that turned up on my boat and informed me that I belong to her now." Ravn nods with the familiarity of one cat-owned person to another. He toys with the cake fork, not actually touching the pie yet -- cutting a small corner off the crust, but just sort of leaving it on the fork. "Difficult to hitch rides, though. People worry they'll do their business on a car seat, or someone's got an allergy."

Selene nods slowly, she doesn't seem to have any living creature travelling with her or on her person right now. Still holding her mug with both hands, she brings it closer to her face and blows on it, having learned her lesson too many times before with hot beverages and approaches it to her mouth, trying to sense the temperature before making contact. A small sip and a longer than usual blink of her eyes. Warmth pouring inside her. She swallows and puts her cofee down, reaching to get two paper bags of sugar to empty them in her cup and stir it. Calories are your friend, callories are good, calories keep you warm...

"It's not going to get any warmer, you know." It's a practical observation; and given the season, likely a true one. "You need to find a place to hole up for winter, or head on south to warmer climate. Last year when I came through, I figured I'd be in L.A. by Christmas." Ravn finally brings that small piece of crust to his mouth. "If you do decide to stick around, though, might be I can give you some pointers on places to apply for something to do, make yourself a bit of money over the winter. People always think living on the street is cheap. Reckon both of us know better."

"A job is nice", she says, "as long as there's no paperwork involved", she adds and pulls the pie closer, poking at the corer with her fork to break the crust. "I mean, no, papertail. I don't care for my rights or insurance", she states, eyes on the cake. Sliding the fork under the broken piece, she brings it to her mouth and pauses. Sweet apple, cinnamon, crunchy pie crust, a glimpse of heaven to be savored.

"Could probably manage something along those lines if you're not too picky." Ravn leans back; he's obviously a slow eater. "I mean, I can't hire you, but I could try to get you in touch with a few people. You're not the first person to blow into this town and not wanting to leave a trail. People have all kinds of reasons to want to stay out of sight. Myself, I was kind of -- running from an ex. I know, I know. Sounds funny when a man says abusive ex but, it does happen."

Wrapping her hands around her coffee mug to get them warmed up again, she brings it close for another, bigger sip. Some color creeps up to her cheeks, making her look more lifelikes still. "If it comes with no strings attached, I'll be grateful, thank you", she says softly, sitting on a chair at Ravn's table as they each has a plate with apple pie in front of them. Selene is dressed much like a hobo with a faded hoodie, a jeans and a pair of sneakers who saw better times and a rucksack on the floor between her legs, kept safe from growing legs and running off.

The soft click of designer heels announces the arrival of another young woman, and in this rather quaint town, there's only a few women who would bother with stilettos at this time of day. Dressed, if not to the nines, at least to the eights. The sheer black blouse flaunts a strapless black bra that was clearly chosen to be seen, a high waisted pencil skirt, with her dark hair spilling loose around her shoulders. The ensemble is partially obscured by the ridiculous puzzled faux fur coat she seems to favor on her more flamboyant days. Pausing in the doorway, she smiles as she spots Ravn, taking in his new companion with a raised eyebrow and... carefully masked sympathy, though to the uninitiated in the finer details of Perdita's expressions, it might seem slightly aloof.

"Speaking of no strings attached," Ravn murmurs and smiles at Perdita. "Dita, come meet -- "

He pauses and looks at Selene. "I didn't get your name actually. Anyhow, come meet another member of the no strings attached society. That makes three of us so far, doesn't it? I was just talking about how this town seems to attract a lot of us, and very often, make us stick around."

Selene glances to the new arrival, not exactly sure why and how -that- one would be a member of a no strings attached club. "Selene", she says softly to Ravn and the newcomer, "a pleasure", she adds for politeness sake, still keeping some decorum above her hobo dressing style. She steals another piece of heavenly pie.

The smile Perdita gives the young man is wry, but friendly, "Careful, Ravn, people might start to get the wrong idea about our friendship, and then all my suitors would give up at the hopelessness of competing against that angelic face." she turns her attention to Selene, smiling, "A lovely name for a lovely young woman. I'm Perdita, feel free to call me Dita, though, should you like. But not Perdy." she pulls a slight face, "I hear banjos whenever someone calls me 'Perdy'." She extends a hand toward Selene. Her nails are filed to sharp points, painted a cerulean blue and burnished with gold. "Welcome to Gray Harbor, I hope the people treat you as well as they've treated me."

"Pull up a chair, Perdy." Ravn smirks; he's never going to stop calling her that. "Selene seems to be in much the same boat as we both were -- coming in from somewhere we don't want to talk about, story that isn't anyone else's business, no need to leave a paper trail. Been suggesting she maybe look at the high school shelter for a place to sleep since I don't want to suggest my sofa -- make me sound like a bloody creeper, you know?"

He picks up another spoonful of apple pie; this man really is either a low eater or a picky eater. "Nice nails, by the way."

Selene 's fingernails are short, uneven in length and rounded, though quite clean. She reaches with her hand to offer the woman slight handshake. Letting Perdita and Raven amuse themselves and do the talking, Selene chooses to remain quiet and enjoy her latte and pie while they're still warm while hopefully learn more about the people and the place from their chatter. Having warmed up, temperature wise, Selene looks almost beautiful despite her overall condition. A touch of mascara, bit of make up, decent clothes, so much wasted potential there.

The look Perdita gives Ravn is positively feline, the smile never leaving her lips but the expression someone conveying a death threat all the same. She does, though, pull up a chair, primly crossing her ankles as she shrugs out of her faux fur, leaving it draped over the back of the chair. "I understand that all too well. Don't worry. Ravn isn't a creeper and he does keep a secret or two pretty well. Though that couch is dreadfully lumpy if it's the one I remember." She looks the girl over thoughtfully, glancing at Ravn from beneath at least two layers of expertly applied false lashes, with eyeliner sharp enough to wield in battle. "Thank you. The better to leave my mark on the world."

"It's Aidan Kinney's couch, technically." Ravn can't resist a chuckle. "But considering we share a house now -- I suppose it doesn't matter. For what it's worth he's the same way -- local boy, more or less, but apart from that, same story. Don't ask too many questions, don't mind the slightly weird."

He pauses. And then amends, "In case of Aidan's fashion sense, the very weird."

The Dane sips his coffee and looks back to Selene. "Most of the year I live on a boat down on the marina. I like that knowledge that if I want to, I can just pull up the anchor and be gone. I don't particularly plan to go anywhere, and I'm pretty sure my girlfriend would have massive issues if I did, but I can. It's a good thing to know, that you're not trapped anywhere."

Selene shrugs, saying "if nobody knows who and where you are, there's hardly a need to get away, unless you get mixed with the wrong kind of crowd", her fingers holding her mug a bit tighter, sucking every last ounce of heat from it. "I don't know if I'm ready to commit to a certain parking spot just yet", Selene adds after a breath, as much as these two look rather sated, like well fed and groomed cats, she still has no indication what price they might have paid or still are.

"I see nothing wrong with the way Aidan dresses." Perdita says, quite seriously. But considering how over the top she's dressed for this little town, in designer fashion to get coffee on a Friday morning, what does that really say about Aidan?

"Clever girl. Get the lay of the land, find your own safety, and keep a bag ready, just in case." She sounds approving. "I don't know what you're looking to avoid, but... this is a good place to do it. Even some of the cops aren't... that bad. You know. For cops." She shrugs slightly, "I'll be right back." she uncrosses her ankles with ease, rising gracefully and walking to the counter to place an order.

Some people dress fancier than others. Ravn's outfit may be stylish insofar that black remains forever the new black, and the old black, and all the blacks in between; the jeans are worn though, and the turtleneck and biker's jacket don't look like they just fell out of some designer's wardrobe -- or if they did, they were purchased for the 'street' look.

He really should ditch the gloves if he wants to take that look all the way, though.

"Most of the cops here are pretty decent. And I say that as someone who used to be a thief." Well, that's honest. "Wouldn't recommend burgling a house or stealing someone's car for shit and giggles, but on the whole -- Gray Harbor is the kind of place the cops will actually hear you out before they toss you on ice. Town's got some history, they got their reasons." He nods.

Selene stiffens a little, barely visibly but it's there at the mention of cops, her jaw muscle twiches and she nods. The very young looking woman is dressed much like hobo fashion week with a faded hoodie, jeans and a pair of sneakers who saw much better days, keeping a rucksack on the floor between her legs all safe from suddenly disappearing for whatever excuse. "I'll.. keep that in mind", she says softly, her voice lacking the usual 'ashtray' coarsness of smokers of any kind.

One can see that door is held open for a morning customer on an office coffee run to judge by the tray they are carrying and once the path is clear Devlin steps in heading to the counter. In one hand, he's carrying a gym bag with various patches on it of the military and what appear to be paramedic sort. As his leather jacket is open, one can see his tshirt proclaiming: They call me DOC. The words above and below a combat medic's badge. For once, rather than the usual hat, he's wearing a city first responder hat with the FD crest on it. Seeing a couple of people he recognizes in passing, he greets. "Morning," to Ravn and Perdita.

Dressed in a pencil skirt, a sheer blouse that shows off a black lacy strapless bra, and with a multicolor faux fur coat draped over the back of her chair, Dita's at the counter, accepting her order. Why, yes, she is getting a pumpkin spice latte, the warm scent wafting around the shop. "Good morning, Mr. McCloud." Dita's tone is vaguely flirtatious as she returns to her seat carrying her order back to her seat, where she sits with Ravn and Selene.

"Pull up a chair, Dev." The first responder is clearly a familiar sight around here too.

Ravn nods at Selene, smiling over the edge of his hazelnut roast. Apparently a single bite of apple pie is all he intends to actually eat. "I know. Cops creep me the hell out too, as a matter of principle. Local chief of police's Mexican -- makes him a little more, how to put it, open-minded. We've got an all right working relationship with the GHPD, at the community centre. We'll let them know if we get any arsonist rapist axe murderers in, and they'll leave us pretty much alone the rest of the time."

Selene glances to Devlin, checking his uniform briefly before labeling them as not bad, potentially good uniforms, the kind that doesn't ask too annoying questions but sometimes feel the urge to call over other uniforms and then people in suits. She moves her chair a little, along with her mug and cake, making space around the table and at the same time also opening some distance away from the newcomer. Nodding at Ravn, she crosses the community centre off, at least for the time being, too much involvement with the police, she finishes her coffee and steals another piece of apple pie. "I, umm, should be leaving soon", she says. Better not to be the sticky clingy hobo that puts people ill at ease when they want to return to their daily life and all of a sudden need to somehow, politely or otherwise get rid of their newly made acquintance.

"Nothing like a little inspiration after a bit of a work out," Devlin flirts back to Dita. "Be there in a moment, just need my caffeine fix is all." He orders a black coffee and a couple slices of the fresh banana nut bread. He gives the table a smile, "Seems once again, I have frustrated a certain officer in the ring. Seems a 'nurse' as he likes to put it is a bit better at kicking ass than he is." Devlin flashes a bit of an evil grin. "Just another good work out for me.. bruised ego for him.."

"Chief's an okay guy. If anyone," Dita does her best to catch Selene's eye, tilting her head slightly, "gives you trouble... or tries anything..." and her tone implies exactly what she means, "you find him. He'll keep you out of harm's way. Just... the man has no sense of humor when he's on duty, a bit too... machisto." She sounds like she knows THAT one from experience. She turns her attention to Devlin, tilting her head slightly, "I wouldn't fight a nurse, they have too many frustrations in their day to day, and would hulk out on me." she winks, blowing on her latte before taking a small sip.

"I'll never ever forget the day I floored Seth Monaghan," Ravn grins back at Devlin. The tall Dane is not exactly built like a brick shithouse; it may be the one time in his life he's actually won a fight. "Neither will Seth, I'm not going to bloody well let him."

He glances over at Selene and smiles. "And you're not going to leave a number, I know, I know. Drop by the high school or the community centre if you need anything, all right? No charge, no paperwork. This is Gray Harbor -- we've got bigger fish to fry than whether you got an angry parent or ex-boss somewhere, or for that matter, castrated a creeper with a rusty spoon back in Washington D.C. Also, Chief de la Vega's got plenty of humour, just not about people getting into trouble."

Selene nods and gets up and grabs her rucksack, arms through the straps and it's on her back. She's warmer and her tummy infinitely better than when she stepped in. "Thanks for the coffee and pie", she says, "I.. don't have a phone but, I guess that if I decide to hang around a bit longer, we'll probably bump into each other again. Seems like a small town", she says and waves with her hand mostly in her sleeve still, just a bit of fingers showing. With that, she puts her hands back in her hoodie's front pocket and heads out while some people are busy with greetings at the door, holding it open.

Devlin gets his coffee and bread. "Just a paramedic.." he winks, "Just a very good one that has seen more than his fair share of trouble." He then chuckles, "I don't hulk out.. besides, I do not like fighting.. sparing yes." He then takes the offered seat. He cocks his head towards Ravn, "He's a decent guy and if someone needs help.. he'll help.. even call on me." He says as Selene leaves

There's the faintest frown of worry from Dita as she watches the girl go, looking like she might want to head out after her, though she doesn't. A well dressed woman chasing after HER a while back would have sent her scurrying for the hills, especially if she offered charity. She falls silent for several seconds, her expression contemplative, before she returns her attention back to the group, smile returning. "I suspect you go looking for trouble." Perdita points out, taking a slow sip of her drink.

Ravn glances at the door as well. "And so does she. Or she's running from it. But I can't really force her to talk or stay somewhere. I mean, offering help is kind of intrusive enough -- if she's on the run, she has no damn reason to trust some strange man who buys her a coffee. I could be any kind of creep."

Devlin nods, "Yeah.. following her would panic her. If you want someone to make changes, truth is.. you can't force it. Just offer the opportunity and hope they will accept. If not.. just be patient and available is the best you can do." He then takes a sip of his coffee and then a bite of the warm bread. "So how have you both been doing?"

One last glance out the door, and Dita shakes her head, putting the girl out of her mind for now, lest she track her down and spook her. "I'm... doing surprisingly alright. Keeping busy, helping out where I can, when I can. Still adjusting to it... suddenly being so cold out. I feel like a week ago I was just unpacking my summer wardrobe."

"I mean, you're not wrong. A lot of us have lost time. Quite a lot of time." Ravn grins slightly into his coffee cup; smugly even. "Me, I kind of fell out of bed one morning, realised I didn't recognise the bed. Turns out I'd bought a house with Aidan Kinney. Next thing I have a girlfriend. Those twelve weeks? I consider them well spent, even if I don't remember them." He grins over at Dev. "And I guess that answers that too -- been doing pretty damn good, even if I don't remember much of it. How about you?"

Devlin nods as he listens. "Yeah, I woke up in an office I didn't recognize.. turns out it is mine. I got promoted to Paramedic in Charge finally. Still have the same apartment.. same Jeep. New medics in my unit over in Tacoma I don't know or recognize.. plus a feud that seems to have escalated a bit."

"So... it's not just me. I thought maybe, like... someone slipped me something? I woke up in bed with a random guy I don't remember, in an apartment I don't recognize, with a cat I didn't own. I thought it was his place, but he thanked me for inviting him over." She seems more irritated about the apartment and the cat than a random man and a strange bed. "Congrats on the promotion!" there's some positives, at least.

Ravn can't help a laugh before shaking his head. "No, it's most of us. Us, you know, us. Hyacinth escaped it because she was in Toronto. Everyone else I've talked to though. Every single one. Hell, August and Eleanor Roen woke up realising they were pregnant. I mean, how's that for keeping busy in those twelve weeks?"

"Sad for me.. woke up with no one there." Devlin sighs over this coffee. "Pregnant.. hmm.. with this being Gray Harbor, makes me wonder if I should get my self checked or something." He chuckles a little. "Mind you.. waking up next to the right woman and discovering.. somewhere down that missing line we are going to have a kid.. " he shrugs a little, "There is a slight appeal to that deep down. Some life rather than seeing death.. you know?"

"Oh, god. Having to suddenly worry about a cat is bad enough, but a baby? I guess it's good they were already, you know... together, at least?" As if imagining herself pregnant, Dita represses a subtle shudder, taking a long drink of her latte. "I suppose I can see the appeal of children... someday. For now, I'm happy being an aunt... at a significant distance. My niece is adorable, but I'm grateful I'm the last in line should anything happen to her parents." and they'd have to track her down, too. Which would be difficult, since no one in her family knows where she is, her current name, anything.

"You know, I've actually never wondered about having kids. Always just assumed that I wouldn't." Ravn hitches a shoulder. "Kind of still assume, at least until further notice, although I suppose at some point I am now obliged to consult the other half of the equation. But yes -- I mean, I can see it. Kind of... the dream, isn't it? True love, forever after, raising kids."

He laughs softly at Dita's discomfort. "I have -- more cousins and nephews and nieces than I possibly know what to do with. Not close to any of them but, if I ever need someone to inherit the family fortune, not going to be short on candidates."

Devlin nods a bit, "The good marriages are work.. when people do not work at them.. they fail. And trust me, I have been on the sidelines for more than a few big failures. Army life can do that to a couple." He smiles to Dita, "I have more than a few cousins, nephews.. < a slight sigh there > .. and nieces. I came from a large family. But for now.. uncle at a distance myself." He sips again at his coffee. "As to true love.. not sure if it exists in truth.. but there is hope.. I point to the song from Fiddler on the Roof, Do you love me? "

"Children are never going to be in my future. I wasn't built for it. If there was a natural disaster and I suddenly had to take care of a child, I would do my best by them, but I think 'only imagining a parental role in an apocalyptic scenario' qualifies me as 'doesn't want children'." She laughs, glancing down at her nails. "I have exactly one niece, at the current time. My parents fucked us up enough that none of my siblings really want kids, either. Kala was an accident, though a loved one." She smiles, her expression softening slightly.

"Same here. Large family. Close knit in the fashion of a clan -- we keep it in the family. But not close in terms of emotional bonds." Ravn shrugs. "If I cared much about my family in that regard I figure I wouldn't live abroad."

He smiles lightly. "I get that people want to, though. I do have the instinct. I just feel like -- I have too much baggage. Too many bad habits, too many old family ghosts to pass on. By which I for once do not mean actual, literal hauntings, just old dysfunctions and silly notions. I come from a very prim and conservative background, all stiff upper lip and keeping up appearances."

Devlin nods, "I can get that. I am sort of a black sheep in my family. I didn't go into combat arms like everyone else.. medic." He shrugs, "It works for me. I'd guess that I have more than a fair share of bad habits and issues. Some are harder to see than others in yourself." He chuckles a little.. "Living in the barracks for a few years does show you how minor habits can become issues and irritation to someone else."

"Conservative backgrounds are... fun. I wasn't allowed to show much emotion growing up, and I wasn't so much the black sheep as much as I felt like a random goat that got thrown in the wrong pen, and my father made sure I knew it once mama moved away." she gestures to Selene's empty seat, "That's why I'm worried about her. I was in similar shoes at one point." and, unvoiced, did things she isn't proud of to survive.

"I was never forced to live on the streets but I certainly did." Ravn nods and expresses a similar sentiment. "I speak the language. I know the game. But, I can't completely convince anyone I belong there, because anyone who does -- can tell that I don't." He glances at Perdita for confirmation; it's a fact, there are always tiny, tiny give-aways.

Devlin nods, "Yeah, I'm worried too for her and many others. Just know they have to make choices that look easy to me but in truth are difficult for them." He sips more at his coffee. "Wish I had the experience to understand better. So all I can do is be a sympathetic ear and may be if allowed.. help them when they get hurt or sick. At least, that is how it looks to me. As to things like Child Services and our numerous other services.. lets just say, I am less than impressed by them." He smiles a bit, "Almost went to jail for putting a foster parent of the bad sort in traction. Funny.. bunch of guys remembered me being passed out at a poker game with a cute blond using my shoulder for a pillow.. go figure."

There's the faintest nod from Perdita, as if to indicate that Ravn's right, "I don't think she's in need of Child Protective Services, at least. Probably aged out of the system. You hit eighteen, they give you enough money to get a hotel for a week and you're on your own, unless you're lucky enough to have foster parents who care. I ran with a few kids like that, before I met... my ex." slightest tension in the shoulders, in the way she holds the mug. "Anyone who hurts kids deserves traction."

"That was my thinking just now," Ravn agrees and glances doorward. "I wanted to just pick her up and take her home but, frankly, no girl that age needs some guy in his thirties to start getting ideas of that kind. I know I'd have no bad designs on her, but she doesn't. And anyone who might come looking for her doesn't, either. Better to just tell her some options -- and hope she's smart enough to take them."

Devlin says, "Yeah.. hard to deal with realizing how quick Mr. Nice guy willing to sleep on couch letting young girl sleep in your bedroom so she can get on her feet.. ect. becomes creepy old guy" another sip from his coffee taken. "Helping a young soldier.. that I have done a few times. This, way different." He looks to the two of you, "And I bet this.." he taps his hat, "Does not help at all in her eyes. Fire Department.. one step removed from cops and other trouble for her."

"It's... all too common." Dita says, softly. "And unfortunately, a woman offering the same isn't much better because you learn young that there are plenty of women willing to sell out their own if it means a quick buck." ah, now there's the voice of experience. "She'll be okay. She seems smart and quick on her feet, and she at least knows there's some people sympathetic to her in town, now. I just... hope she finds somewhere warm for the night because it's supposed to get pretty cold, and sleeping outside during autumn and winter isn't a picnic just about anywhere. I'll never understand people who enjoy roughing it, or... camping. The only time I want to be in the woods is when there's a cabin and a roaring fire waiting." Dita glances up at the hat, "At least you're not a cop, she'd have run instantly... which... isn't the best idea when you're trying to keep a low profile."

"All black and leather gloves is not a great look for 'I'm just the friendly neighbour either'," Ravn notes with a slightly amused look. "However, I like black, and I need the gloves. I directed her to HOPE and to the high school shelter. Even told her the guys under the boardwalk are good guys. It's three options, which is three more than she had."

He chuckles and signals Della the Day Manager for a refill; yes, even of hazelnut roast. "I know what sexual predation looks like. I've been eighteen and on the streets myself, a scrawny kid with a pretty face. There is no way I can offer a kid like that a bunk and not run the risk of it being heard the entirely wrong way."

Devlin says, "Screw ball world we live in." He signals for a refill of his black coffee. "When helping is more likely to make you look like a predator." He smiles a bit and thanks Della when she refills cups. "You'd think after years of being in the field, I'd hate camping. But I don't. Just glad in the missing time I got in my applications for my hunting licenses.. would have hated to miss out on bow season and some camping this fall." He smiles a bit to Dita, "Camping can be fun, as to truly roughing it.. not my style. I have gear and a nice tent""

There's the slightest smile at Ravn, and another for Della, but Dita's still nursing her latte."Unfortunately we live in a society." that's it, that's the sentence. "You might catch me in an RV, but I will never sleep without four walls and a roof made of something sturdier than canvas. There are bears and wolves and men named Big Bubba and Lil Bubba out there." she gestures vaguely toward the world at large, flawlessly mimicking a southern accent at the names. "Though I imagine the woods are really pretty this time of year."

Ravn cracks a smile. "My father used to take me hunting. Tried to make a man out of his asthmatic kid who hated the wild. I don't hate nature the way today that I used to, but I'm still asthmatic. Could probably be talked into camping in some comfort -- a camper, a cabin, or at least a proper tent. The whole man to man, father to son deer hunt though? Screw that sideways with a fig cactus."

Devlin nods, "Not everyone wants to play in the same way. Granted been a couple of times I got invited to a cabin and hunted from there. It was nice to be able to hang out by the fire over some beers with friends. Even breaking out my guitar to sing a bit. As to Big and Little Bubba.. not to worried about that pair. Bears and wolves.. well, best prepare a bit and do things smartly so you don't attract them."

"Mine... never tried to involve me in that, at least. I'd have burst into tears the moment he tried." she laughs, shaking her head slightly. "I'd much rather hunt a designer handbag at a thrift store or an eligible bachelor at a charity event." she smirks slightly, her expression implying she's had luck at both. "A cabin, a lovely fire, a fluffy blanket and some good music does sound nice, however."

"Aaand speaking of eligible bachelors," Ravn murmurs and glances at Perdita with obvious amusement. "You and I really should talk sometime. Occurred to me a while back, just didn't get around to doing anything about it."

He looks at Devlin as if to include him in speculations. "Ever thought, with all the shit the Veil throws at us, why don't we take something back? There are all kinds of realities out there, and there are people who can open doors to come and go as they like. Why are we not, to say it in plain French, robbing the dolorphages blind?"

Devlin shrugs, "Healer.. and seems not so eligible bachelor," his tone perhaps a touch teasing. "But as to going elsewhere and playing games to enrich.." he rubs his chin, "If it were easy to do, we would see evidence of it I think. Mind you.. I would be more inclined to obtaining items and knowledge that help me save lives." He smirks a bit, "Yeah.. may sound goodie two shoes.. but.. I am not as good as you might think." his words followed by a wink.

"... because it never occurred to me before that we could." Perdita smiles at Devlin, her eyebrows lifting slightly behind her blunt cut bangs. "Saving lives, getting revenge, it all sounds good to me and I'm game to have a little fun at the expense of something that deserves it." Those perfectly sharp nails tap against her mug a few times, thoughtful, "They've given me a few bad dreams and I think I've earned payback."

"Nothing goody two shoes about it. You're a healer, you want ways to heal. I'm a thief, I want to steal things -- and they could be things that give you ways to heal." Ravn nods. "Wasn't thinking of how to make myself rich -- I've got what I need, and some. Was literally thinking, payback. Take the war to them. They want to run us through things, and draw in troubled kids like Selene there, to torture? We should do the same right back at them, make ourselves so bloody inconvenient they find another crop to harvest."

He grins at Perdita, though. Yes. Two grifters, same thought. "I don't need to steal anything. But I want to. For pure and simple payback, for the many people who get sucked in and hurt, for making ourselves a sour and unappealing livestock to farm."

"Back when I was at Bragg.. and some times at Bagram(sp?), I had a rep as a pretty decent scrounge." He blows across his coffee, "Warmer than I thought.." He then sips at it. "you'd be surprised at the places a medic can show up and no questions asked..."

"The problem there is that then the problem goes to someone else... but at least then they have to pack up and move camp, I guess. I can't imagine they have UHauls so..." she shrugs slightly tilting her head to look at Devlin again, dark eyes accessing, thoughtful and appraising, and a bit amused. "We'll make a dishonest man of you, yet, Mr. McCloud."

Ravn laughs. "Camping skills may come in handy, you know. From what I've seen, a lot of those other universes aren't quite... urban. I'm told it's hard to bring back things too, but there are always intangibles -- might be we can't steal a truckload of gold, but if we can find a way to, say, know where things get stashed in the past, we can go get them right here in our own reality. It'll take some working around, coming up with good ideas. But I'm game."

Devlin laughs over his coffee, "Beware the combat medic.. honesty only goes so far when dealing with the reaper...and I know the game is rigged." He then sips at his coffee, "But won't stop you from trying," as he eyes Dita. "Gems tend to be easiest to carry, conceal, hide, and hold value." He smirks a little, "I played DnD as a kid.. and sometimes get together online with some friends every couple of months."

The young woman glances at Ravn in faint amusement, raising her drink to her lips once more. On one hand are two rings with what look to be precious stones, and on the other, three. With the earrings and the necklace faintly visible beneath the sheer blouse, she likely has enough on her at the moment to pawn and afford a cheap used car. "Loose gems are hard to move in a small town, but the goal isn't to make money, it's to hit them where they live. The money is just a bonus."

Ravn shakes his head. "No, it doesn't work like that. Bringing something back is very difficult. I've been told that if you were to grab, say, a gemstone -- you'll find yourself with a worthless rock on this side. But let's say you find out where some 18th century pirate stashed his loot -- what's to stop you from go digging it up on our side? Information is valuable. We have the potential ability to move through time and space here."

Devlin nods as he listens, "I go to Tacoma for drill.. so plenty of opportunities there. But information on where to go.. that is good, so long as it isn't pointing to a money pit like that silly show about them digging on Oak Island for possible Templar treasure. Rather work for that smart kid you see on Gold Rush than Oak Island.. As to the move through time and space combo.. not sure what we can do about that part. Seems random to me."

"I've... never even been on the Other Side, except in dreams, so... I'm at a loss, there." Perdita admits, "I'm hardly the most powerful or knowledgeable when it comes to all... that. You want someone's wallet, I'm your girl. You want me to con a ghost into pissing off for a few hours by playing into stereotypes about my heritage? Sure... also, can we talk about how messed up it is that ghosts are real?"

"Well, there's step one, then. Find out if there is a way to control destination." Ravn nods. "if there is -- I mean, there are no closed doors anymore. There's dealing with what we meet in transit through alternate realities, and that can get bad enough. But hypothetically, we can go anywhere, anywhen. If we can find a way to control it."

The Dane looks up from his cup and at Perdita at those words, though. And laughs softly before saying, "Ghosts are real. I grew up surrounded by them. That part is not new to me at all -- the only new thing is not having to pretend I don't know better."

Devlin nods, "I've been across and have some limited knowledge and ability. Learned a few things from a Shrink in the know. She was pretty sharp. Left for personal reasons though. I'm no expert but know enough to get in trouble. It's the getting out part that not to sure on."

"I... wouldn't even know where to begin to find that information. Maybe the library...?" she asks, brows raising slightly. "But as to the ghosts, I didn't really know for sure until we were at the laundromat..." she pauses, thoughtful, "Getting out of trouble is usually the easy part. You run. Sometimes flinging objects at the person chasing you, until they stop chasing."

"We talk to people, find out what they can do. And pitch this idea? It's not illegal to rob other realities." Ravn winks. "We're not talking about committing crimes here so really, there's no real reason to keep it all very secret."

Devlin nods, "Though some may find it a moral issue or worry about retaliation by the other side. I was once hunted along with a few friends because of my other talents. Throwing things did not discourage them and running was nearly equally useless. You need to be either very sneaky or have a nice bit of fire power to convince them that going some place else is an awesome option."

"It's only not illegal because they don't know it can be done, Ravn. We should probably not include the authoritative types until we're sure we have something worthwhile to bother them with." she still doesn't trust the police, fully, it seems.

"Appearances to the contrary... I may have a little experience at sneaking around." Perdita absently touches the multicolor coat she's leaning against, making it plain that yes, she knows exactly how loud and ridiculous it actually is, and the kind of figure she cuts through the town.

"The thing about retaliation is, they already do it. They already hunt us. They already pull people in -- most of us ended up here from all over because they pulled us here. I'm just throwing thoughts on the table, really." Ravn sips his coffee. "Just thinking, anything they do to us -- we are morally entitled to do right back."

He toys with his cake fork, the apple pie still uneaten. "I do know a thing or two about sneaking about, admittedly. As I said, I used to be a thief. And, if I may say so myself, I wasn't a half bad one, either."

Devlin nods, "Fair enough." He then teases Perdita, "Though.. wonder what your process for making a dishonest man of me would be." He smirks a bit, "Ravn.. I know, if lobsters and butter is involved.. time to walk away," he fires off a bit of teasing to the man. "Survived four combat tours and made sure a lot of good people did get home." He takes a breath, "Thankfully more than I lost.. as I said.. the reaper runs a rigged game."

She tilts her head to look at Devlin, then glances at Ravn with amusement, before finishing off her latte and signaling for a refill of her own. "I'm sure whatever I'd have planned wouldn't be able to live up to whatever you're imagining at the moment." she admits, leaning back in her seat. "Though it starts with teaching you not to move like you're ex military. It screams cop."

"Oi. Lobsters and butter is what I do. Thanks to the bloody Veil." Ravn smirks. The lobster league is in its semi-finals for the season, after all -- and he still hasn't raised a finger to make it happen. The Veil just runs that story and somehow, he finds himself on the marina three nights a week, doing nothing, getting all the credit.

"That comes with wearing boots, like I am now plus being on call some nights. You have not seen me practice or play sports." Devlin replies, "Let alone hunt." He chuckles a bit with Ravn, "May be you should have a surf and turf event... with a grill on the side ready to roll. But this idea is entertaining to consider. And not that far out of line for what seems to be a worth while project of sorts."

"... Okay... maybe it's the time hiccup, but... lobsters... and butter?" she tilts her head to Ravn, having heard the reference before, but only connecting that it's something Weird now. "Why, exactly, has the Veil decided you have something to do with seafood and dairy?" her attention is drawn back to Devlin, though, and she raises an eyebrow, "The hunting I probably would never want to see, because Bambi is too adorable, but I could probably be bribed to watch you play sports."

Ravn laughs, again. "Last year? The Veil decided that I run an illegal lobster fighting ring. As in, fight club, for crustaceans. Nothing I've tried to do about it has changed anything. It's this self-contained story that just... runs itself. And a lot of guys in flannels love me for the little element of crime and danger I put into their ... crayfish raising lives. It's very very strange and very very silly, and by now I just shrug and laugh because that's apparently just who I am and who I'm going to go on being."

Devlin says, "Bribed.. huh." Devlin says over his coffee before taking a sip. "As to how I move, I am a practitioner of Tai Chi and Shaolin Kung Fu. Fairly decent dancer to boot." He winks to Ravn, "One of these days, I should show up.. just to be the medic on site for shiggles..""

Ravn leans over, almost theatrically. "Always bet for the one with the blue pincer tape. Stable tip. Straight from the crustacean custodian's mouth. Because for some reason that I have yet to understand, the Veil tips me like that -- that's the winner."

"... illegal... lobster... fighting ring. How did the Veil manage to make crime so unappealing? I'm almost offended on behalf of crime, itself. How do you even get lobsters to fight, aren't they usually just sort of... sea cockroaches?" Perdita asks, looking vaguely flabbergasted, as she glances between the two men, shifting slightly as she recrosses her ankles. "... I really did pick the arse end of the world to run to, didn't I..." that's mostly to herself.

Devlin hmms, "Nope.. the arse end of the World is either at Diego Garcia, Adak, some place in Iraq near the Iranian border, or up in the mountains of Afghanistan.. just depends on whom your talking to is all." He grins over his coffee as he sips and then goes on. "The Veil does some weird shit.. I helped fight a serial killer.. that died like four decades ago I think it was.. who needs pot when you have the Veil."

Ravn upends his coffee and ignores the uneaten pie. "Well, there's an obvious answer here-- you're just going to have to come down to the marina some night, place some bets, and find out. And because it is an illegal fighting ring, you are obviously not allowed to tell the police about it. Mind you, de la Vega has looked like he wanted to shit himself laughing several times it has been mentioned. But yanno, them's the rules, the Veil made the rules."

He nods again and puts the cup down, empty and sad as it is. "Gohl. Heard that story. Well, no surprise, considering he put half my girlfriend's family six foot under. It's -- one of the more horrible Veil stories. Lobsters are funny. Undead mass murderers are not."

“I don’t know, I’m pretty sure it’s the place where lobster fighting is an exciting way to spend an evening, and serial killers come back from the dead and I suddenly have a cat.” there’s no venom behind the words, merely resigned amusement on Perdita's face, “Ravn, I cannot stress enough how unlikely you are to ever see me betting on lobster fights. I’m more likely to free the poor bastards.”

"Life takes weird turns around here. Me, just would want to see it once. May be take something back to grill after all loosing is a bad thing.." Devlin grins a bit. "Well, let me guess, not an early riser?" he inquires of Perdita. "I do practice by the lake many mornings. May let you see that yes, I don't move like a grunt when wearing something else for foot gear."

Ravn picks his laptop up, still unopened, and tucks it under one arm before he stands. "I'm going to nip off because I do need to grade essays and I never get anything done here. But seriously? Both of you, come down to the marina sometime. And free all the damn lobsters you want. The way this works? You might end up having people betting on which one you free first. The Veil runs this story, not me. My ego isn't hurt by a lobster escape."

He grins slightly and tucks his leather jacket on. "Let's stay in touch and talk to anyone we know about how to get in and out of the Veil, all right? Time to let ideas percolate -- but not be forgotten. Whatever they can do to us -- we can do to them."

And then he's gone -- because who doesn't love leaving on a snappy exit line?

"If I'm awake before ten AM on my own, it's a surprise, but I now have a half grown cat waking me up at all hours, so... who knows." She smiles at Devlin, amused at his insistence that he can move like something other than a cop. "I'll think about it, Ravn. Freeing the lobsters does seem fun, at least. Maybe we could turn it into lobster races instead of fights." a slight shrug, but she smiles, "Good luck with grading those papers, and I'll let you know if I hear of anything particularly shiny or worth nicking."

Devlin chuckles a bit. "Cats will do that. My cousin's cat was a visitor at my apartment one weekend. He thought I was his servant. Lets just say he discovered that an attempt to retaliate at someone like me does not work." There is a bit of an evil grin, "Matter of willpower.. and showing that my way was the more pleasurable way for the cat."

Another raised eyebrow from Perdita as she sips her refilled latte, "The carrot and the stick approach only works when you have something the cat truly wants. Which, for cats, tends to mean food... my new companion doesn't seem overly food motivated, however. She wants affection and attention, and to play. Though I imagine if I introduced her to tuna, the food motivation might change."

Devlin says, "Dental Greenies.. that is what won for me. Matter of finding the flavor they love. Turns out for my cousin's cat.. salmon. Side benefit.. keeps the teeth clean and does help on the tuna breath issue if giving them wet food."

"I might have to give that a try. I'm still... I don't know what possessed me to get a cat, or if it was even something I decided. Last I really remember clearly, I was still looking for a place to live permanently." Dita shakes her head reaching up to absently tuck a strand of hair back as it falls out of place.

Devlin nods, "I know what you mean. I found changes to my apartment.. not sure why they happened though. Just small things, different pictures, replaced a coffee table. New games for the playstation with saves I have no clue about."

"The coffee table was because you broke it during a bare knuckle brawl with an intruder after you slammed him through it, I'm sure. Either that or you got rather vigorous with a lady-or-gentleman caller and it... broke." The way she suggests both of those readily seems to imply Perdita has experience with either, or both.

Devlin chuckles, "With my luck it was the former due to my sticking my nose across the veil to do a good deed and got punished for it by some ass hat from the other side. Doubt it was a lady caller. And if it was.. damm.. no memory of that? Talk about a serious rip off."

Perdita laughs, softly, "They just don't make coffee tables like they used to, I suppose..." she shakes her head slightly, then glances at the time and sighs, "I, unfortunately, need to get going. I have a few things I need to get done this afternoon for the boss I apparently have, now." she finishes off her cup with a hint of regret.

Devlin stands with you, "Well, if you would like someone to walk you to your car.. or if you need a ride, glad to be of assistance. I should be going myself. I have a new procedure to study tonight if I like my new job title that is. Got to teach it in a few days."

"I'd like that very much." Perdita shrugs into her coat, the multicolor majestic madness that it is, and leaves a decent tip on the table to cover Della's troubles with any clean up that may be needed, "I'm parked just out here." she leads the way out, gesturing to a cherry red Nissan Altima, which looks to be new, or nearly so.