dev caught that look before she could pretend she hadn’t, the way it settled on her a second too long, heavy with something she didn’t quite know how to hold. she glanced off instead, eyes drifting somewhere past him like the answer might be written out there, easier than saying anything straight. “yeah,” she said after a moment, her voice lighter than what sat underneath it, “you get all sorts. keeps it interesting, i suppose.” there was a small shrug that followed, casual on the surface, practiced. “some of them are a bit mad, but… harmless, mostly.” she let out a quiet breath that almost passed for a laugh, like she was trying to keep things where they were... easy and untangled.

but it didn’t quite stick. her gaze flickered back to him, softer now, something more honest slipping through whether she meant it to or not. “it’s not so bad,” she added, quieter this time, like she was reassuring him more than anything. a beat passed before she shifted her weight, hands tucking into her sleeves. “you always look like that, you know,” she murmured, not unkindly, just… noticing. “like you’re waiting for something to go wrong.” her lips pressed together briefly, then eased into the faintest smile. “i’m alright, cil. really.” it wasn’t a lie, not exactly. but, it wasn’t the full truth either.

dev watched as she took the photo, a small, almost shy smile forming like she wasn’t entirely used to someone taking interest in the same things as her, but quietly pleased all the same. “yeah, i will,” she said, giving a soft nod as her fingers adjusted around her own book, glancing down at the cover for a second before looking back up. “i’ll let you know what i think… properly, not just a ‘yeah it was grand’ sort of answer,” she added, a faint hint of humor slipping in, gentle and self-aware. her eyes flicked to the book jackie pulled out, curiosity settling in easily now. “that one sounds… slightly concerning,” she admitted, lips curving just a bit, “but in a good way, i think.” she hesitated for half a beat, like she was deciding whether to say the next part, then pushed through it anyway. “maybe we could... i don’t know... swap thoughts after? only if you'd like to too?” her shoulders lifted in a small, uncertain shrug, but her expression stayed warm. “i’m not great at this sort of thing, but… i’d like that, i think.”

dev’s gaze lingered on the cigarette for just a second longer than she probably meant it to, before flicking back up to lenny, something faintly amused tugging at the corner of her mouth. “hunky dory, is it?” she echoed, the words rolling off her tongue with a dry sort of skepticism, like she didn’t quite buy it but found the phrasing entertaining all the same. “that’s one way to put it. i might’ve gone with something a bit less generous.” her shoulders lifted in a small shrug, casual but not dismissive, like she’d already filed the place somewhere in the middle of her own quiet judgment.

at the next comment, she paused—not offended, not surprised, just… acknowledging. her expression didn’t change much, but there was a subtle shift, something a little more grounded settling in. “yeah,” she said simply, then let out a soft breath through her nose, almost a laugh but not quite. “suppose i have.” a beat passed before she added, a touch lighter again, “comes with the territory, i think.” she tilted her head slightly, studying lenny for a moment before offering, “i’m from ireland, originally. not exactly short on stories there either.” a faint smile followed, a bit wry around the edges. “some places just have a way of making sure you don’t leave too soft, y'know?”

"i'll give it a go... can honestly say i've never pet a skunk before." she let out a breathy chuckle as she reached out to pet the skunk. "well, hello there, flora." she greeted, petting her gently before looking up at the owner. mustering up the courage to introduce herself, "i'm devlin, by the way. figured i'd known your name since your introducing me to you baby here." she gave a small shy smile. it wasn't that she couldn't be personable but it wasn't one of her many talents. thankfully the other was kind enough for the both of them it seemed.

“ah yeah, absolutely stunning,” she murmured, her accent curling gently around the words, dry in a way that didn’t quite hide the amusement underneath. “the clouds are really… doing something special today.” she glanced back at her, catching the edge of that too-bright smile, and something in her expression softened just a touch, like she recognized the effort behind it. “though i admire the commitment,” she added lightly, one brow lifting. “takes a brave sort to sell a day like this.”

she shifted a bit in her seat, shoulders tucking in against the cold she clearly wasn’t dressed for either, before giving a small nod. “spring would be nice,” she admitted, a faint smile tugging at her lips. “where i’m from, you learn not to trust it too much... it shows up, makes a bit of a scene, then disappears, it gets cold again, and suddenly it's summer .” a quiet breath of a laugh followed, her gaze dropping for a second before returning. “but i’d still take the chance on it. can’t be worse than this, yeah?”

dev gave a small, absent nod at first, like she was only half there, her attention caught somewhere between his words and the way he seemed a little pulled in another direction entirely. she noticed it—not in any obvious way, but in the restless shift of him, the slight delay before he answered—and it made her pause just a second longer than she normally would, as if deciding whether or not to keep the conversation going. “yeah,” she murmured softly, her gaze drifting briefly toward the sky again, pale and open above them. she glanced back at him, studying him for a brief moment. not intrusively, just enough to notice the edge of distraction he hadn’t quite shaken. “still,” she added after a beat, her voice gentler now, “i’ll take this over the cold any day.” a small breath of a laugh followed, quiet and fleeting. “where i’m from, this would already count as a good day. no rain, no complaints.” her head tilted just slightly, curiosity easing back in as she let the silence sit for a second before nudging it forward again. “you travel often, i take it?” she asked, tone light but genuine, as if giving him an easier place to land in the conversation.

when he held out the flyer, she hesitated just long enough to show she wasn’t used to being handed things so directly, but she took it anyway, fingers brushing the paper as her eyes dropped to the design. she studied it for a moment, her expression shifting. subtle, but curious now, a little more engaged than before. “a skatepark?” she echoed, glancing back up at him, the corners of her mouth lifting slightly at the sudden enthusiasm in his voice. her thumb traced absentmindedly along the edge of the flyer as she considered it, then she gave a small nod. “alright,” she said, tone quiet but open, “i’ve got nowhere pressing to be.” a faint hint of amusement slipped into her expression as she tilted her head just a touch. “go on, then... convince me.”

dev let out a quiet, slightly surprised laugh, her brows lifting just a touch as she tried to follow along with the description, like she was half convinced she’d missed something important in the way it all fit together. “a little sweet, a touch smoky, and just a pinch of salty?” she repeated, glancing down briefly before looking back up at sloane with a faint, amused smile tugging at her lips. “sounds… far more complex than anything i’d usually go for,” she admitted, her tone soft but edged with curiosity. she shifted her weight slightly, folding her arms loosely as if settling into the moment, the hint of an accent curling through her words a little more now that she’d relaxed. “but i suppose that’s the point, isn’t it?” she added, a small huff of a laugh slipping out. at the offer, she hesitated for just a second, not out of refusal but more out of habit, before giving a small nod. “alright… if you’re sure,” she said, the corners of her mouth lifting just enough to show she appreciated it, even if she wasn’t entirely used to accepting. studying sloane for a brief moment, something thoughtful flickering in her gaze. “you always this confident about your recommendations, or am i just lucky?”

dev had the opposite of that problem at the moment. moving in with her brother she barely had a thing outside of her art supplies and those were bought at her arrival. she was still trying to make the town feel like home. but, as she was here looking at all these left over goods she didn't mind not having too many belongings right now. "well, cute in an ugly way is my favorite kind." she let out a slight laugh, "maybe i should grab the other one?"

dev gave a small nod, almost to herself, as if acknowledging the effort it took just to keep the conversation going. she wasn’t entirely sure why she kept trying, small talk had never really been her strength, and more often than not it left her feeling a step out of rhythm... but somehow, here she was, making the attempt anyway. maybe it was something about being somewhere new, something about the unfamiliar air that coaxed a quiet kind of boldness out of her, the kind she didn’t quite recognize yet. “yeah, i’m imagining,” she said with a slight shrug, her voice soft but steady, as though she were piecing the thought together as she spoke. “my home is a bit more cold, so the sunshine will probably do me some good… at least that’s what my nan says.” she let out a light sigh that turned into a small laugh, fondness flickering briefly across her expression at the mention. after a moment, she tilted her head just slightly, glancing back over with a hint of curiosity that felt a little more natural than the rest. “what about you?” she asked, her tone easing into something more genuine. “are you the outdoors type? big on sunshine?”

dev glanced down at her boots and let out a quiet, almost self-conscious laugh, the kind that made it clear the thought of her having anything resembling real plans was a little ridiculous even to her. she shifted slightly on the bench, brushing a bit of dust from her knee as she added, “oh! i was just going to sit here and stare all afternoon,” her tone light and teasing, like she didn’t entirely mind the idea. after a moment, she finally turned her head to look at the other, curiosity softening her expression. “penny park?” she repeated, letting the name linger as she considered it, eyes drifting for a second as if weighing the effort against the comfort of staying put. then she gave a small nod. “yeah… i’ll come,” she said, a hint of hesitation tucked behind her words, “as long as you don’t mind the extra baggage.” a faint smile followed, not overly bright but genuine in her own quiet way, the best she could manage right then. she let out a soft breath and added, a touch more playful now, “they say the best way to someone’s heart is through their stomach, so i guess you’ve already won me over,” her voice carrying just enough warmth to suggest she was looking forward to it more than she let on.

dev sent her a genuine smile. she seemed kind. the type of kind that devlin wished she could radiate. "oh, my nan used to say there is always another cold snap before easter." she replied, "so, i hadn't put my good coat up yet. just in case." she looked over at the young one and then back to the woman, "i'm sure she's enjoying the sunshine today too?"

"Oh. Um." Lenny blinked, taking a drag of her cigarette and blowing a little smoke. "'S'pose it is." Lenny squinted. "You new here?"

dev let out a light laugh at the other. thinking to herself if she wanted to ask for a cigarette. it was her nan's least favorite habit of hers but at least she wasn't drinking again. "is it that obvious?" she asked, mostly joking. but, honestly, it just answered her suspicion that she looked as out of place as she helped. "and here i thought i was beginning to fit in." she shrugged, "i take it you've been here a while."

dev felt bad when she realized all too late she interrupted her reading. considering her biggest pet peeve was being interrupted. "oh, yeah. i actually did." she said pulling a book from her bag. "the princess of 72nd street." she said showing the cover. "it's by elaine kraf. i'm going through some of the modern classics." she gave a small shrug, "what about you? find anything good?"

Location: The Beach (near Cillian's cottage)

The wind whipped at them a little, but it wasn't particularly cold. Just fresh air, and miles and miles of ocean. It was sort of misty, a little, but the sand wasn't rough. And there were blankets laid out, and Cillian had taken to this, this spot, letting the elements "move" him. Maybe this was inspiration, for the next... something. He was trying to keep expectations out of his work, for the moment. He looked over, his baby sister sitting there, and he sighed, heart sort of panging at the sight of her. "Devvy", he started, but there was such a tenderness in his voice, when he spoke to her. "How are you doing? Really?"

devlin was sat on the blanket looking out at the ocean. such a different scenery than the one they had at home. she was quiet. not because she felt differently around cillian now, because honestly she had, but because she felt differently herself in a new place. so, when he asked she shrugged and was silent for a moment more. "dunno." it wasn't a good answer, but, it was the truth. "i like my job, i think." she let out a breathy laugh, "you could've drug me to a worse place, i guess?" she teased lightly, as if to say don't worry.