𝙸𝚂 𝚃𝙷𝙸𝚂 𝙸𝚃?

in the pines, in the pines where the sun don't ever shine i would shiver the whole night through. . .

[anchoragecafe]

#𝙰𝙽𝙲𝙷𝙾𝚁𝙰𝙶𝙴𝙲𝙰𝙵𝙴 is a dependent writing blog happily affiliated with anchoragehq    ♡    stories told by amanda

gérard mensah    ›    introduction  /  interactions  /  development

emmy de león    ›    introduction  /  interactions  /  development

[pcisxnivys]

during the party ; @anchoragecafe​ ; gérard

“Have you been watching that man stuffing cannolis down his pants? I’m not saying you should do anything about it, but…” His appalled expression was heavily implicating he would highly prefer otherwise of the investigator on his detour stint of security for the evening. Atticus’ gawking was wrought with a disgusted scrunch of his nose, scoffing and turning aside to refill his glass of wine diligently from one of the securely corked bottles. It’s poison, someone put something in it, those thoughts — whispers — were difficult to ignore with the close proximity of everyone, and he almost lost his appetite when he looked back at the sight. “…Maybe I should just check inventory in the cellar instead.” So far, it was the only incident bordering on requiring security this evening… and hopefully the only one. “Ech.”

[anchoragecafe]

gérard stands tall with his hands intertwined in front of him. he glances towards the aforementioned cannoli man and his nose scrunches.  “as much as i’d like to go over there and tell him to stop, i don’t think someone doing  ..  that  ..  is deemed worthy of being escorted out of the building.”  though it was definitely not something the homme was too keen on looking at for much longer.  “check inventory?”  repeats gérard as he looks over at the other.  “why don’t you stick around?”  and not leave me here alone.  “we could play a little game to make things more interesting.”

[samanthaisms-deactivated2023091]

SETTING: new years eve party, the dulce tierra winery & vineyard, during the party

CLOSED STARTER FOR: emmalina de leon ( @anchoragecafe​ )

        “ is december really over? ” sarai couldn’t help but ask this question (although she didn’t mean to ask it out loud) as she sat, her legs crossed with her clutch in her lap. about a week ago, she was witness to all the christmas decorations in anchorage. now, all that remained were store and house decorations, as the main anchorage decorations were taken down a few days ago by some volunteers. it actually made sarai a little sad — another holiday season complete until november or december 2023 rolls around. in a matter of weeks, anchorage was going to go back to normal and everything that has happened in these past few weeks would be nothing but a memory. it wasn’t until she leaned back in her seat, her tapping her nails against her clutch that she realized she asked the question out loud. turning her head to the nearest person, she sent them an apologetic smile. “ uh, sorry, i didn’t mean to ask that out loud. ” 

[anchoragecafe]

emmy lets out a small sigh; they couldn’t believe it either, really. the years seem to be going by way too fast for their liking. it seemed like just yesterday that them and tj were walking around, looking at the decorations.  “oh, no. you’re good.”  emmy giggles quietly, waving their hand a bit.  “it is really hard to believe december has already come and gone.”  dark eyes glance around the masquerade party  &  their smile only widens. this is so exciting     —     emmy had never been able to dress up and go to an event like this. it is pretty damn cool. after they take a sip of their drink, emmy asks:  “are you making and resolutions for this upcoming year? or maybe some kind of bucket list?”

[anchoragecafe]

               HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   EMMY + TJ.

They were bundled up snugger than a mouse in one of those children’s books they read to their kids, a white beanie covering their head and their dark locks cascading over their shoulders. Their hijab would have been warmer, but they sometimes enjoyed watching the flakes adhere to the strands of their dark hair. The sky was already turning dark as they trekked through the fencing along Delilah’s Den’s gates, their former neighborhood, when they felt a tap on their shoulder. Turning, innocuous eyes immediately found the young person who was the culprit. “Howdy,” they greeted with a small wave and smiling warmly, widening when they heard the other’s request and holding out their hand naturally, “A’course! They’ll be much brighter now that the sun ain’t out, won’t they?”

          “absolutely.”  emmy smiles;  it seemed a bit pointless to go looking at the lights during the daytime. it was much prettier at night. “when i was younger, my parents never used to decorate for any of the holidays.”  says the brunette. arm wraps around tj’s  &  they begin walking down the street at a slow-ish pace.  “not halloween, not christmas or hanukkah   —   nothin’.”  tongue sticks out and they blow to make a farting sound. that wasn’t the main reason her parents sucked but that was certainly one of them.  “so now that i’m living on my own, i like to get all the decorations i can find and deck my little house out for each holiday.”  all of this was completely unprovoked  &  superfluous but that definitely wouldn’t stop them from blabbing on.  “. . . sorry.”  is said softly when they realize how much they’re talking.  “have you been enjoying this holiday season?”

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   EMMY + JAYE.

Jaye had a quiet holiday season, sure she spent Christmas with her family and she was thankful she had a little bit of time off before she had to go back into work. She had been taking a walk when she noticed a familiar face taking down the decorations. “Ah well I always find it super busy, a lot of people wanting pastries for the holiday season come in much more.” She replied running her hand though her hair. “I had a nice time of year, once everything in work was done I got to relax with my family, I swear it gets bigger and bigger every year. How about you? How did yours go?”

          “yeah  -  warm pastries are the best; somehow they’re even better during the holidays.”  emmy sighs, wishing she was eating a fresh gingerbread cookie right now. to her, everything seemed better during the holidays. after the new year comes, things always start to get bleak for her. she smiles sweetly.  “families do tend to that  -  and before you know it, you’re the oldest and looking down at the family you helped create.”  it was pretty magical to emmy. but also incredibly sad. she often thought about how excited she’s going to be when she has a family of her own  (that isn’t just nooboo). she clears her throat after getting slightly off topic.  “oh, i had a lovely holiday  . . .  i don’t really talk to my parents that much these days but my best friend and i hosted our own little friendmas dinner for those who didn’t have family to spend christmas with. it was a lot of fun.”

the brunette picks up the string of lights and tries again to get it off the branch.  “so, uh. you looking forward to the new year? any big plans for 2023?”

[anchoragecafe]

♡   @anchoragestarters​ ♡   status: open to everyone, 2/4 ♡   setting: clean up in the town square, 3pm

        emmy is trying their very best to get the string of lights unstuck but it’s to no avail. with a sigh of defeat, the brunette tosses the end of the festive lights   -   though instead of falling to the ground, they just dangle mockingly. emmy turns to the first person they see  &  strike up a conversation.  “you know, this is probably my least favourite part of the holiday season.”  they say, referring to the taking down of all the beautiful decoration.  “..because it means the holidays are over and it’s back to regular ol’ life in no time.”  sigh.  “anyway. how was your holidays? did you have a nice time this year?”

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   YESENIA + JOSETTE.

       “i mean, i like wine but it’s not the best here.” the woman didn’t know why she was focusing on it so much as it wasn’t that much of a bother for her as long as she wasn’t alone; it was more acceptable for her to drink in this setting than at home by herself. “it’s fine, honestly. i’m just not an egg nog individual, never have been, really. it’s not something we really drank in my household.” perhaps her taste for the expensive stuff had come from her mother as the woman was quite precious about it as well as the glass it should be served in. “it’s alright, i guess. there’s quite a few ‘mush for brains’ individuals that have come up to me, they mean well but… i’m not sure. it’s my first holiday period like, properly single in a while.” her breaks with matthew couldn’t could due to how brief they’d been. however, this time there was no chance for her to reconcile with him. “what about yourself?”  

          “to each their own,”  says yesenia. honestly she could understand not liking egg nog. it wasn’t something people typically drank on the daily   -   especially because it’s seasonal. the femme hums. she definitely didn’t think they meant well but yesenia wasn’t about to dwell on it too much;  those losers didn’t deserve the time of day.  “oh. i’m uh, sorry.”  for some reason, she had just assumed the other meant her partner had passed away.  “you’re young and hot;  i’m sure you’ll be able to move on in no time.”  yesenia offers a small smile before sipping her egg nog. shrug.  “meh. my night has only just started so it’s hard to tell just yet.”  eyes glance around the scene and she giggles quietly to herself.  “but i’m sure there’s going to be more than enough shenanigans tonight. i’m looking forward to it.”

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   GÉRARD + ZIV.

The dumfounded expression on the other’s face might have concluded the disturbance to be well worth it. A hand laid on their own hip, gesturing to their visage and countering, “This is how I upkeep my finery. I know you think I look gorgeous all the time, but the truth is, it’s hard work.” Ever the conduit of self-confidence, they sat the bottle back on the table and bent down to collect the lid for the hot wax foot bath, their eyes wandering to the detective flipping open his notepad as if the compose the public’s next Glass Onion. “Have you ever had one of these? You seem like the type of guy who, you know…” Their gesture was vague, seeking the word that was absconding their brain. “Lacks indulgence. I have hydrating face masks and a charcuterie board.”

They wouldn’t give up so easily on the topic of Gérard’s non-existent self-care, whilst juggling the balancing act of complying with the detective. “Thank you. I think someone who doesn’t explore their own tastes is missing out,” Ziv remarked with a smirk, and they had attempted arguing the same with their partner many times ( over an oven, no less ). The actor sat down at the table, letting out a melodramatic sigh. “I suppose. I hope nothing else has happened. Stress lines are bad for my complexion.” The minor hint of a smirk was indicative that they were merely fooling around, holding up a hand. “Come sit. Have some cheese. It’s gruyere.”

          "i believe it.”  mumbles gérard;  there was a reason he was quite content with his current living style. anything else would be far too much work for him to upkeep. plus, he doesn’t exactly have the time right now to splurge on himself and his family  (who aren’t even in town at the moment). the homme pauses, blinks a few times  &  then looks towards ziv.  “lacks indulgence?”  he repeats, almost in an offended tone. eyebrows raise when he realizes that that comment might not be all that false.  “oh, hush you.”

upon being invited to, gerry sits. not sounding like he had much of a choice, he nibbles on a piece of cheese.  “nothing else happened, no. i’m just trying to piece things together.”  which has proven to be much more difficult and time-consuming than he had thought. gérard crosses one leg over the other and looks at ziv.  “okay, first question  . .  do you feel safe in anchorage?”

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   YESENIA + JOSETTE.

          josette knew that she had to at least attempt to stop herself from getting worse over the holiday period but that was easier said than done. not only was the loneliness on her mind but also her own mortality as her forty second birthday approached. it felt unrealistic for her to want another chance at motherhood but she couldn’t help it. still, she’d wash it down with some wine and hope to at least get some good conversation. smirking a little at the younger woman’s comments, josette wrinkled her nose. “well, i’m not sure as i don’t really like the stuff. i’m sticking to the shitty wine. it’s not so bad once you’re on your third.” she looked back at the other, realising she was talking quite a bit. “sorry. are you alright?”

          "oh, uh. okay.”  yesenia says quietly with an awkward  &  fake-sounding chuckle.  “why do you drink wine if you think it’s shitty?  . .   just find a drink you do like.”  the femme swirls her egg nog around a bit before taking a sip. legs cross  &  she waves her hand dismissively.  “yeah, i’m fine. it takes a lot more than a couple of mush-for-brains to ruin my night.”  eyes glance around the bar scene and then at the other.  “so, um. are you enjoying your night so far?”

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   YESENIA + SARAI.

       “ it gets a thumbs up from me. ” the brunette-haired female nodded her head as she looked down at the glass of eggnog she had just sat down. sarai had been part of the bar hop and you would think she would be drunk by now, but she had only gone to two or three bars, limiting herself to one drink per bar, followed by water to sober herself up a little bit. she definitely wasn’t drunk right now. hearing the other’s suggestion, she raised an eyebrow. “ the carnival is still open? i-i guess it’s not as late as i thought… ” she exclaimed, looking over at yesenia. “ but sure, just as long as it’s not something that can bite or poison me. ” she let out a small laugh.

          “i thought carnivals ran all night.”  yesenia thinks for a moment;  she could most definitely be wrong in that assumption.  “well— whatever  ..  even if it is closed, anything would be better than staying here and being goo-goo eyed at by the drunks.”  eyes briefly glance towards the person who had been bugging her early in the night   -   they were with a group of their friends. groan as she turns back towards sarai. eyebrows dance up and down.  “that’s a part of the fun.”  carnival-goers certainly weren’t supposed to touch the exotic animals but yesenia was looking for an adrenaline rush.  “you ready to go now, or . . ?”

[anchoragecafe]

* HONESTY NIGHT.    ╱    anonymous asked  :  emmy; what do you think of children?? would you ever have any of your own?

         “i love kids!”  emmy’s face lights up.  “i remember wanting younger siblings so badly when i was younger.”  although the thought of their parents bringing more children into the world   -   after what they’d gone through   -   sent chills down their spine. they clear their throat, getting back on track with the question.  “i’d love to have children of my own  ..  i’m definitely not ready to be a parent right now but one day.”

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   GÉRARD + KENNY.

Two quick sweeps over Kineret’s shoulders, just to be certain any staff weren’t circling them like the keen-eyed hawks they’d proven themselves to be time and time again — particularly when they were escaping through a window. “… Sure, yeah. Totally.” they agreed, thinking the stranger was likely in search of their much more prolific father rather than his strange spawn. “Come on in. Ignore the maids, they all have the same stink eye, it’s in the job description.”

          “oh, thank you.”  head nods in thanks before he enters the mansion. despite how much he tries to keep things professional, gérard can’t help but glance around the lavish-looking interior;  it’s quite a beautiful home.  “thank you for your time. this won’t take long, promise.”  gerry flips through his small notebook to a blank page.  “ready?” 

[anchoragecafe]

╰   *   GÉRARD + HANSA.

“Are you a cop?” Then, more softly: “Sir.” Admittedly, Hansa had little experience or even training on dealing with law enforcement. That was more of her older brother’s forte — handling the less than savory aspects of running an international corporation. She fixes an enigmatic smile onto her lips to match the stranger’s. “Or, if you’re here to ask for my sign — I’m a sign from God.” A sign to run, more like. 

          head nods. the corners of his lips tug slightly at being called sir.  “no formalities, it’s okay— gérard or mr. mensah work just fine.”  he chuckles quietly.  “oh  ..  nothing like that.”  gérard adjusts his tie.  “i’m trying to piece things together and i feel like gathering insight from anchorage’s residents is a good place to start.”  he flips to a blank page in his  (almost comically)  small notebook. gerry clears his throat.  “so. are you interested in answering a few questions?”

[anchoragecafe]

♡   status: closed with @hxneybvns​   —   emmy & tj ♡   setting: emmy’s done with her daily chores and isn’t sure what to do now. she decides to ask a stranger (?) to look at the holiday lights with her

         emmy had been walking around for a few minutes, admiring all of the beautiful decorations in the neighbourhood. it doesn’t take long for her to realize how lonely it is, wandering alone.  “excuse me,”  emmy walks up to the first person she sees  &  taps on their shoulder.  “i know this is a bit strange to ask but would you like to look at the lights with me? i thought it would be nice to have some company.”

[anchoragecafe]

♡   status: closed with @scyboo​   —   gerry & ziv ♡   setting: set within the pop up shoppes. gérard is pretty sure he recognizes 

          “ziv?”  brows furrow slightly when he recognizes the back of their head  (it was a bit strange that he’d known it was them just from their hair). face softens.  “it is you  -  hey!”  gérard holds the teddy bear he’d made at the santa’s workshop close;  he’s really looking forward to giving it to her.  “i’m sorry i haven’t been messaging recently  ..  it’s, uh. good to see you. how’ve you been?  -  you doing some shopping or just browsing?”

[anchoragecafe]

* HONESTY NIGHT.    ╱    anonymous asked  :  ( yesenia ) would she ever consider having a career? what would it be and why or why wouldn’t she do it at all?

        yesenia thinks for a moment.  “um. i’ve been going back and forth with this, actually.”  she’d been recently looking into different universities to study fashion design;  she loves doodling different ideas for dresses  &  outfits and feels like she has enough passion to thrive in a proper career surrounding fashion and designing.  “i don’t know though  ..  it’s just like, kind of a big decision, you know?”  sigh.