southern charm.

Texan living in Merrock. Football addict. Local construction worker. Sidejobs Handyman Single mess. rp purposes

[elliot-newman-deactivated202408]

Elliot couldn't help but grin as Chase brought his hands back up to sign. Always meaning a lot to him when people took the time to even learn a little bit of sign. So he pocketed his phone for the time being. "I'm going to have to go for a milkshake and for sure some salt and vinegar fries." Elliot signed back, keeping his movements slow as to not confuse the other. "Now might have to add in a burger too." That was one of his favorite thing about coming here every year, all the food. Eyes switching between Chase's hands and watching the movements of his lips. With a grin he shook his head and grabbed his phone once more. For someone out of practice, it looks really good. But if it's way easier for you, I should be okay to read your lips, and I can use my phone. Whatever works best for you. Always wanting to make it the easiest for the person that was communicating with him. Also, when the hell did you get back into town? He added after a second with a laugh.

[chasedrayton]

"All for a good cause," It was as if his memory kicked in gear with that sentence. Showing that Chase was quick to defend anyone who chose to order more food. Eyes followed, and one would be able to notice the little gears going in Chase's head as he tried to recall what each movement meant. The two years gone seemed to have done more harm than good from the looks of it. "You watch, you're going to eat two burgers before you realize it." Signing moving slower when he double-guessed himself in a few areas. He leans forward to read, smiling and pats the other without another thought. "No, please continue with signing. Get this brain to work. It rested enough." He chuckles as he signs. "I moved a few days ago. I would have given a heads up but you know that I like to make quite the entrance. How have you been?"

[alejaalverez]

"Well, there are worse things to be addicted to, I suppose." Aleja turned a warm smile to the younger man. She often felt the siren call of anything chocolatey and a milkshake was the perfect treat. "Which kind do you recommend as the very best, though Mr Shake lover?"

[chasedrayton]

"Suppose you're right. I should be thankful." He returns the smile. "Gotta say that I think plain ol' vanilla might be doing it for me." He says in the middle of trying to take another sip. "Found anything 'round here that you got double of?" Chase curiously asks.

[kitellison]

Kit chuckled. She could tell it was a lame excuse, but that's one she could have used, too. "I see. You do it to help people, how kind of you. What flavor do you recommand?," she asked as she took a step further in the line. "Thank you for keeping my secret. And for -- you know, sharing if you hear anything about a support group. You truly are a helper."

[chasedrayton]

"Chocolate was good, but I do have to go with the good ol' plain vanilla. Something about the original always wins for me. I'd offer you a sip but I'm afraid that you're going to finish it all." He smiles, taking a short drink when nodding to her words. "I like to think of myself as a giver. Gotta help when you can." His smile remained on his face. "Have you tried the rest of the stands yet? Any favorites?"

[lucie-newman]

"Hiding? From your ugly mug?" She popped a piece of funnel cake into her mouth. "You should know I don't scare that easily." It'd been some time since she'd seen him last; dressed than by Austin and Texas and all those southern effects. She hadn't kept in touch. That was her formula. One car, one city, one show. "Did you roll in with the carnival? Quit construction to take up the circus life?"

[chasedrayton]

Did Chase believe that he'd cross paths with Lou again? Definitely not. He had no plans to return to Merrock the last time they parted ways. But he also wasn't one to keep things awkward, so he followed along with the bit. "Matter of fact," Tongue clicked on the roof of his mouth when glancing at all the bright lights from the carnival. "been following them from Austin. Offered me a job to be one of the clowns, even offered a pay, too. Here I was doing the job for free." Chase's tone being so dry that one could confuse it with the truth. "If you book me now, I could give you a discount." He offers.

[jaceeverett]

WHO: Jace & @chasedrayton

WHERE: Emergency Services Carnival

WHEN: July, 2024

Nothing made Jace feel like an important part of the community quite like being dunked into a giant tank of water. And while it was fun, and he did enjoy raising money... he was relieved when his turn was over, and he found himself leaving the locker room, hands in his hair, smoothing it back from his face to pull it into a quick, easy bun, not looking up until he had nearly walked into someone else heading towards the carnival grounds. "Whoa, sorry!"

[chasedrayton]

Walking was an important part of the day. Chase felt like he couldn't see or do enough in the carnival. Made a few stops for food or chit chat. One would think he would run out of things to discuss, but he kept on. Finally, he decided to take a small break and sit at least for a few minutes. Regain energy before he did another lap around the area when he bumped into another. "Oops, didn't see- hey, on second thought.." Forcing his leg to give a small limp, Chase acted as if he was hurt. "That was my good leg.." He began before he smiled shortly after. "Kidding, my good dancing leg is still fine. How've you been?"

[cagenewman]

WHO: Cage & @chasedrayton

WHERE: Emergency Services Carnival

WHEN: July, 2024

It felt a little bit like growing up all over again; Cage and Chase, wandering the carnival grounds, looking to get into trouble. Well, more accurately, looking for food, which was actually what most of Cage's life was like those days, anyway. Work, eat, be a family man. Not that he would ever complain. "You know, I don't actually think the food has changed since we were teenagers?" he asked, laughing as he looked up at the menu board at one of the firefighter stands, narrowing his eyes thoughtfully. "Which I guess is a good thing."

[chasedrayton]

"Tryna think if that's impressive that you remember or a little sad. Leaning toward the first option." Chase's smirk hooked on the corner of his mouth. Teasing came naturally after decades of friendship under their belt. "But you might be right. Menu might even be the same reused one." Now he was dipping into a bit of an exaggeration but it easy to joke around with Cage this way. "You think you're still able to eat as many hotdogs like you used to? That's the real question."

[kitellison]

"How many milkshakes did you have so far?" From the way he was talking about it, Kit would bet on three, maybe four, if that's even possible. She wasn't sure her own body would accept that much sugar in a short time. "I do," she nodded. "But no, for now, that's the kind of addiction I wanna keep in my heart." Kit wouldn't be Kit if she weren't eating ice cream anymore. "But if you ever find a support group for your own, maybe I'll consider joining you."

[chasedrayton]

Chase offers a slight shrug, glancing at the milkshake as if it was going to hold the answer. "Give or take two or three. Should probably stop at some point, but it's all going to a good cause." His greatest excuse it seemed like. "Ah, well then, don't worry. I'll do my best to keep your secret from the world. I'll keep my ears out, see if I hear of any in town. Who knows, maybe I'll have to make my own support group after this." He exclaims.

[kitellison]

Kit was waiting for her turn to order a milkshake when she turned to the voice calling her out. "What?," she asked, raising eyebrows. Then she focused a bit more, figured out what the guy was telling her. "I thought you were going to tell me they're disgusting, period. But don't worry about me, I'm pretty sure they won't beat my ice cream addiction."

[chasedrayton]

Leave it to Chase to make an odd conversation starter. He takes a sip, frowning as he did to mask the enjoyment he had from the beverage. "No, this thing is delicious. Thinking about getting another one but might be pushing my limits." He raised his brows slightly. "You have an ice cream addiction? Have you looked into finding a support group?"

[elliot-newman-deactivated202408]

With his brow furrowed in concentration, Elliot kept his eyes on Chase's lips as he spoke. Letting out a huff of a laugh at what the other man was saying. His fingers easily moving over the keyboard of his phone once more. You know, lets wait for that food to settle. Shaking his head as he turned his phone towards Chase to read. Was it at least worth it, that second cheeseburger? I've have yet to hit up the food.

[chasedrayton]

A couple of years away, and Chase's memory seemed to begin to fail him. Luckily, he could still remember a few signs. He leaned in, reading the phone, and chuckled, nodding along. "Good call." Rusty as ever, but he figured he signed the correct terms. Reading again, he thinks of his answer, trying to get his brain to cooperate this time. "Delicious. Think I ate two or three burgers. The milkshakes are good, too." The delivery was slow, but he managed. "Sorry, out of practice. Treat me like a toddler learning how to walk." He signs the first half of the sentence.

[lucie-newman]

"Well for you-" Lou hid her surprise well as she made a show of contemplation. She hadn't realized Chase was in town. But then, maybe he had sent out word, and she'd lost it in the scramble of the day. Did Cage know? Wouldn't it be just the thing for him to take a page out of her playbook and just drop on in unannounced. She tore off a little end piece. It was crusty from the oven and had just a whisper of sugar. She smiled up at him. "Think that will cut it?"

[chasedrayton]

Not too many knew of Chase's return. Frankly, he liked a good surprise, so he kept his composure for the moment."I'll take all the scraps you're willing to give." It didn't take much to satisfy Chase once it came to food. He took steps forward to take the piece of dessert and happily chewed. "You all the way over here to escape the crowd? Or did you hear that I returned, and you wanted to try and hide from me?"

[chasedrayton]

closed: 4/3 (capped) where: carnival

Indulging in food wasn't new to Chase, however, today was different. He was on his second milkshake after finishing his cheeseburger. Would he regret all of his food decisions tomorrow? Probably. Did he care now? Definitely not. "Don't get one," He calls out to the person in line. "they're disgustingly good. You'll become a milkshake addict like me."

[elliot-newman-deactivated202408]

Open (0/3) Where: Carnival Granted, he had seen enough videos about carnival rides to not be tempted to go on one. But yet here he was, eyeing the tilt-a-whirl, wondering if maybe, just maybe it was in fact safe enough. Better yet, maybe he could even drag someone on it with him. He looked through the small crowd of people for a moment, grinning when he caught the sight of a familiar face, already typing on his phone as he approached them. What do I have to do to get you on that? He asked, nodding towards the ride.

[chasedrayton]

"Uh, maybe after the food goes down? Afraid it might end badly for all of us if I get on there after stuffing myself with that second cheeseburger I ate." Chase rubbed his stomach as if that would help the process. "Your call, bub." His smile flashed on his face though he knew what the right answer was.

[lucie-newman]

Who: OPEN (1/5)

"This," Lou sucked powdered sugar off her thumb as she smiled down at her funnel cake, "now this right here is my kryptonite." She was parked on the curb, watching enviously as the tilt-a-whirl cranked into gear again. Her feet were sore, but she wanted to be out, wanted to enjoy the carnival lights and the amusement of the crowd. "Though it is my second so I'm willing to share."

[chasedrayton]

Eyes beamed like a child when looking at the carnival along with its background noise of fun. Chase was admiring from afar when Lou's voice pulled him from a train of thought. "Wow, I'm honored. How much are you willing to share? A bite? Slice? I don't want to lose my hand. Could cost me my livelihood if I get too much." His tone carried a playful tease.