Charlie stood in Flossie’s Florist and looked at the bouquets, trying to figure out if she could justify spending that much money on something that would eventually die on her kitchen table. The same table she’d thrifted for less than the bouquet she wanted. Pouting a little bit when she decided that she couldn’t afford it, the blonde stopped in her tracks when she witnessed the scene unfold in front of her. She’d been known to be a mean girl a time or two, but for the most part, she was often on the receiving end of things. It wasn’t like what she had done in the past was a secret so, of course, she spoke up. “Individuality isn’t a thing anymore? I bet you both feel real cool for making fun of someone despite their outfit or lives having nothing to do with yours, huh?” She said as her eyes landed on the male.
✨
Adrian suddenly felt like he was being scalded like a naughty school child, something that he hadn’t ever experienced in all of his years at school. It took him a minute to regroup, instead staring at the woman in a daze before snapping back into customer service smile mode. “I believe you will find I was celebrating the person’s individuality. While I was indeed shocked to see such a look, and you cannot deny that it was rather eye-catching, I do not believe that I said anything negative. It may have tickled something within me but who am I to judge someone’s form of expression. My way of conversation on the outfit may not be to your standards but I do not appreciate the assumption that I was automatically being negative. Perhaps you are projecting?” He was thankful that Ames wasn’t around today, if she were to overhear him talking like this to a customer he knew that she’d have a lot to say to him later.
Kian was definitely not used to having such a good looking stranger in that much close proximity, even the sound of his voice was sweet. thankfully the scene before him was good enough of a distraction for him to not think about Adrian. “Me? oh my nana would never let me leave the house like that without giving me a scolding, she’d probably tell me i should be revealing a little more skin.” he said through a chuckle his eyes leaving the stranger so his eyes went back to adrian. “is this your way of telling me you’d like to see me wearing that?” kian smiled a little, feeling’s adrians eyes on him. “You’re in luck,” he giggled, before turning to the page where he was drawing the individual, trying to make it look a lot more artistic than what it actually was. “just make sure you don’t turn to the page before that one, i’ll be slightly embarrassed if you do,” there was a slight nervousness in his words as he spoke. kian had originally been sketching the people at the gallery, having been drawing adrian a few seconds before the other one passed by. “i’m not really very good, but have at it.”
✨
Adrian let out an embarrassingly loud laugh at the man’s story about his nana, he couldn’t particularly picture the type of old lady the man was close to but he knew that he wanted to meet her. “I’m sorry but she sounds like an icon. If assless chaps and no top isn’t enough what would she want... I’m sure someone’s probably got a jock somewhere that at least gets your legs out.” He began to mull over ideas in his mind, his imagination running away with him a little as he pictured the handsome stranger in less clothing. He snapped back into reality with the question. “I’m sure you could pull it off that’s for sure. I’d maybe ditch the pasties though, or chose a different franchise at least.” He readjusted himself again as he looked at the sketchbook, his smile growing as he looked at the man’s rendition of the iconic look. “It’s been a while since I actually brought my sketchbook with me here..” He mused outloud as he took in the image. “You know that I wasn’t going to ask to see anything else, I know how personal a sketchbook can be to someone... But now that you’ve said that I’m going to need you to show me what’s on this page that’s embarrassing. I mean, if you want to of course.” Adrian bumped his shoulder lightly against the man, his face lighting up as the conversation left behind the outfit and moved into his own comfort zone. “Also, if anyone has ever told you that being what is conventionally good at art is important their opinion doesn’t matter. It’s about enjoying yourself. Also times two, this is actually quite good anyway.... Now, show me this page.”
Adrian had been back in town for around a year now and yet every time he went to see Max it felt like he was ripping off the band-aid for the first time. It filled him with dread, he knew that he’d not made up for the horrible way he’d left things and the awkward air that he always brought with him on his return for holidays seemed to still be there whenever he spent time with any of the Bishops. However, it was an awkward that Adrian was determined to work through and at what he thought were acceptable intervals he continued to attempt to offer his olive branch.
Today he turned up with a bag of tacos which he hoped were still his brother’s favourite under his arm and a timid smile in hopes that he was going to find Max in a good and calm mood. “I hope you’ve not had lunch yet because there is no way I can eat all these tacos alone.” he said, holding up the bag. “You’re alright to take a bit of a break right?”
irene’s was trying, she really was. for her entire life she’d leaned heavily on the crutch of introversion, preferring to live with her nose embedded deeply into the spine of a book than converse with another human being. but upon the release of the first bonesmith chronicles book suddenly people wanted to interview her, she’d had to host lectures and take pictures. the whole thing (while exciting and a gift for which she was eternally grateful) left a terrible sense of dread rotting in her stomach. her anxiety had only festered in the past month as she’d failed to even write a paragraph for her book that she didn’t entirely hate. she circled her finger over the rim of her iced coffee letting herself find some distraction from writing. “i love that book,” she stage whispered, “did you get to the midsummer battle scene yet?”
@moorbrookestarters
Adrian had lost a lot of his appetite for reading. Growing up it was often something he could be found doing, one way in which he found an escape from the world in which he had to be perfect at all times. Since leaving Moorbrooke, finding himself a little more freedom, he hadn’t felt that same draw to pick up a book but he could feel that void it had left. There was something that a good book can offer a person’s life that you just can’t get anywhere else and as his life had began to return to a calmness that Moorbrooke invoked Adrian found himself returning to the stories in the pages. He’d been drawn in by the cover of a series, one that he’d heard people talking about for a while now but had yet to pick up himself, and was getting rather lost in the pages. He was only drawn back to the real world by the voice of a woman. “Shhhhhhhhh, I’ve only just started! I’ve not got to anything yet really.” He answered in his own stage whisper, using his finger to keep his place as he closed the book over slightly. “You approve of my book choice then do you?”
The art gallery was definitely one of his happy places in moorbrooke, his grandmother would always bring him here whenever he asked for it when he was little. kian would later attempt to recreate some of the masterpieces he saw in the living room, they would never turn out quite right, or at all, but that had never deterred him. now here he was alone, sketching the people he could see in the gallery trying to capture what he could of them admiring art. it was all going amazingly until his eyes caught sight of someone dressed…a bit wildly. kian locked eyes with another and as adrian came up, the redness on his cheeks was noticeable. “Oh you’re not, i would never think of coming to the art gallery in assless chaps, and my little pony pasties. it’s very um…bold. i could never be that confident,”
✨
Adrian took one final glance back at what he was now convinced was a walking art exhibition, continuing to stifle his laughter as to not cause a scene. He’d seen some sights in his life and while this may not have been the wildest one ever, the Moorbrooke setting of the clothing choice was what really set it apart. The man took a seat beside his new observing partner, finally allowing himself a quiet chuckle. “Are you trying to tell me that there are places where you’d go in your assless chaps and My Little Pony pasties?” He asked, another light laugh leaving his lips. Adrian finally peeled his eyes away from the spectacle as the person left for another room, turning slightly to look at the man he sat beside better. “If it helps, I totally think you could have pulled the look off...” He took the opportunity the new angle allowed him to have a proper look at the man, a small glint in his eye as he took in the sight, an excited look spreading across his face as he noticed the small sketchbook. “Please tell me you drew him?” He asked, gesturing towards the book.
open starter @moorbrookestarters
location: Anywhere that suits, if helpful some likely places to find him are; Delia’s, Club Leziate, Flossie’s Florist, the Art Gallery, Driftwood Books.
Adrian mainly tried to keep to himself. Sure he’d returned to Moorbrooke a more adventurous man but that hadn’t completely overruled his introverted tendencies. He was minding his own business when someone walked past in what, even for the art student from New York City, was possibly the most outrageous outfit he’d ever seen. It took all of his energy to stiffle the laugh that was threatening to escape. He looked up, making eye contact with a person across the room who seemed to be sharing the same feeling of shock. With a slight gesture of his head he signalled towards the person before getting out of his seat and approaching his new comrade in ridicule - he needed to talk to someone about what he was seeing. “Please tell me you’re seeing this and I’m no hallucinating.”
ADRIAN BISHOP (He/Him) is a CIS-MALE, TWENTY-SEVEN, year old TRAINEE FLORIST and BARISTA who has been living in Moorbrooke for 15 YEARS (with a break for college). They were born on JUNE 24TH and right now they are currently residing in OAKLEY COURT. It has been said they look suspiciously like GAVIN LEATHERWOOD and if they had to choose a song to describe themselves, they would choose BROKEN by ALFIE TEMPLEMAN.
Basic Information
Full Name: Adrian Bishop
Nickname(s): He doesn’t particularly have any but will accept them from those closest to him.
Age: twenty-seven (27)
Birthday: June 24th
Current Location: Moorbrooke, Maine, USA
Nationality: American
Gender: cis male
Pronouns: he/him
Orientation: Labels himself homosexual but has dated and slept with people across the gender spectrum.
Occupation: Trainee/Junior Florist at Flossie’s Florist, Barista in Art Gallery Cafe. Self Employed artist.
Living Arrangements: Small one bedroom apartment in Oakley Court.
Language(s) Spoken: English
Height: 5 foot 10
Tattoos: None as of yet
Face Claim: Gavin Leatherwood
Health
Physical Ailments: None
Neurological Conditions: None
Allergies: Latex
Sleeping Habits: Recently more so than ever Adrian has no real sleeping habit. While a sleeping routine was something he strived for in his youth since leaving for college at 21 it’s never returned. Now he’s lucky to sleep solidly through the night.
Eating Habits: Inconsistent meal times but always ensures he gets his three main meals a day. A bad habit for snacking but uses the excuses of fuelling his exercise to justify it.
Exercise Habits: Adrian enjoys working out, especially if the gym is quiet. Is also a keen runner. Does at least one exercise session a day.
Emotional Stability: What do you count as being stable?
Sociability: Adrian’s always been on the quieter side but he very much enjoys being social. Since returning from college his attitude has changed a little and he’s becoming less quiet.
Addictions: Caffeine, nicotine
Drug Use: Yes
Alcohol use: Not overly excessive drinker, mainly socially. Will have some red wine or whisky in his flat just in case of solo emergencies.
Extra
Zodiac Sign: Cancer sun, Taurus moon, Capricorn Rising.
MBTI: ISFP
Biography
The Bishop’s had known early on in their marriage that they weren’t going to be able to have their own child and had made the decision that they were going to go the route of adoption. Things fell into place perfectly and Adrian was born and become the first son of the Bishop family. He was the apple of their eye, the perfect child that they had wanted so dearly finally in their life and with all the good intentions in the world they frequently reminded him of that.
Adrian never wanted for anything at any point in his childhood, his parents working hard and providing for all of his wants. They catered for his love of art from a young age, putting him into classes and providing him with all the materials that he needed. They were the perfect little family of three and they were in a routine, one that worked. Adrian was able to thrive, excelling his way through school and constantly living up to the title of his parent’s ‘perfect little miracle’. A title he wore proudly despite how heavy it was. He was always quiet, did just as he was told and excelled in whatever he put his mind to. There were always some worries in the adults around him that he was a little too quiet but nothing that was a huge concern. It was always put down to spending too much time in adult company. When his parents got this note at a school visit it was the final sign they needed that confirmed their thoughts - it was time to expand the family.
They began the adoption process again, this time deciding that there were so many children in the system who were often overlooked for babies that they’d help wherever they could. That was how his first sibling entered Adrian’s life. From the beginning it was a flurry of mixed emotions. Adrian’s life had been pretty perfect, everything was going well and he was doing great but the prospect of a sibling was definitely an appealing one. He approached the idea of his new little brother with all the excitement he could muster and the protective big brother instincts kicked in pretty quickly. However, it turned out things weren’t going to be quite how he imagined them. His new brother was much more of a hot-head than Adrian was ready for and it was a bit of a rocky road for the pair - but despite their clearly very different personalities the brother bond grew quickly. It was awkward, tough at times, but they loved each other.
When his father told him one day, a year or so after Max had joined the family, that they were moving across the country he found it hard to not blame this huge change on the arrival of his brother. Things had never quite settled and the framing of a ‘new start for everyone’ didn’t quite appeal to Adrian. He was happy where he was, he didn’t need a new start. But, the Bishop’s perfect little miracle did as he always did. He smiled, he nodded and he made sure everyone else was happy and okay. They moved to Moorbrooke and everything started again.
In his new setting Adrian’s love for art began to flourish even more. Through his teenage years Adrian’s role in the family as the mediator, the quiet and helpful one who was always there with a smile on his face to put people back together and keep things ticking over began to take its toll. While he never let on to anyone the stress it was causing him, instead plastering the same smile on his face as he always did, he turned to his paints as a way to express himself. He began to see it as more than just his fun hobby to express himself and instead began to consider it as a possible career. Adrian never really came out of his shell other than with his small knit of friends and family. He remained a well liked and respected person throughout the town as he continued through school and into the end of his teenage years but most people of Moorbrooke probably wouldn’t be able to tell you much about him.
As school finished Adrian began applying to art schools. For a couple of years he got nothing but rejections, taking on a full time job at the local art gallery to keep himself busy while he continue to create and apply. It was approaching his 21st birthday when a late acceptance for a small art school in New York came through. Initially he was raked with guilt at the thought of leaving his family, they had given him everything and while he’d made this decision a while ago the fact it was now a reality made it seem harsh. He was so used to being around to make sure everyone was alright that he was worried things would fall apart without him.
The week of his leaving for New York came and something came over Adrian. It was if 21 years of being everyone’s ‘perfect little miracle’, the pristine child who held everything together, got too much for him and he needed to let them know. Adrian unloaded on his parents, releasing all of the pent of resentment he had for them, that he didn’t get to embrace his youth in ways he should have because of the pressures they’d put on him. He unloaded on Max, telling him that the trouble he’d caused the family with his outbursts throughout life was nothing short of ungrateful for the unrelenting love he had been given. Adrian was very harsh with his brother, his final words to him before leaving essentially telling him that he had no faith in him - that he was sure he’d fuck everything up while he was gone and this time he wasn’t going to fix it for him.
Adrian left for New York on a sour note but one that made him feel free, like he had left behind a load of baggage and now he was going to get to start again.
For the first few years the Bishop family (except their mother) barely heard from him. Adrian didn’t come home for the holidays, instead opting to go with his new friends or staying in the City. No one in Moorbrooke knew that the quiet little art boy they knew was in the City finding himself, getting up to things he never imagined he would and making choices that he would never get over. After almost three years of what was basically radio silence a very different Adrian appeared home for Thanksgiving. It was awkward but joyous, they were all back together at least. From then on the contact stayed minimal but Adrian made sure he was back home for every holiday.
Adrian stayed in New York for five years, throughout his studies and a couple of years of trying his best to find a way to sustain a lifestyle there while trying to create an art career. No one ever came to visit, he never brought anyone from his New York life home and when he eventually returned to Moorbrooke a very different man there were so many unanswered questions that he refused to address.
Adrian moved back home, getting himself an apartment in Oakley Court and his old job at the Art Gallery to begin. He was lost, a man unsure what to do with his life as he trudged through his return to the city for months on end in a loop. That was when the junior florist opportunity came up - something new. Adrian jumped at the opportunity. For the last few months he has been learning all that he can about his new trade, working part-time in the small cafe at the Art Gallery and trying to piece together a life for himself in Moorbrooke.
The questions remain. Will the ghosts that he ran away from in New York come back to haunt him? Will his family every get over the way he treated them and things go back to normal? Will he ever make it as an artist in a way that he can sustain himself on it?
Sometimes, I think that I might be broken
Don't you feel like you're broken?
I can't read the signs and some things, they just go unspoken
But don't you feel like you're broken?
