Wondering towns was Capri's way of figuring out exactly what the town held. She'd often say it was the way she truly began to understand the town's secrets, but that would admit that she put more effort into staying in one place or another for longer than she liked to perceive she did. So instead, she'd often keep to herself, hitting up as many of the local places as she could manage. On the Rocks had just happened to be one of the places she'd frequented in the two weeks since she'd arrived in town. Though, today she were coming in a lot later; her shift at Ted's had lasted a lot longer than she'd intended and despite the fact she'd barely worked there a week at this point, Capri would never say no to money. As she sat at the bar, she'd only looked up when the other greeted her. She already knew what she wanted. "Apple Angry Orchard and the buffalo wings, extra blue cheese on the side." she ordered, looking up at him. She wasn't even sure if those things were seasonal or something they kept year round, but, she hoped that the last time she'd ordered it hadn't just been a fluke.
"You got it," Collin replied, grabbing the bars iPad from it's dock so he could put in the food order. She'd made it in just in time, the kitchen would be closing shortly. But wings were easy, he could go back there himself and make them if he really needed to. Collin got her beer and brought it over to her, placing it on the bar in front of her. "New to town?" He asked casually. He'd lived here basically his whole life and had a pretty good eye for faces. He did recognize this one, so he was willing to bet she was fairly new. "I'm Collin..." He motioned a hand around the place. "I own the place... and, sometimes, man the bar, apparently." He chuckled. Collin was usually as behind the scenes as he could manage, but he liked interacting with customers sometimes, too.
the start of summer typically meant work kicking into overdrive - the island abuzz with locals and tourists alike and a flurry of events that needed planning. good for business, but liable to leave tessa fairly frazzled. enough so that just going home and relaxing with a good book and a glass of wine wouldn't quite cut the temptation to work into the early hours of the morning perfecting a table-layout or seating-chart. so instead she'd settled for frequenting a place where she wouldn't be able to fall into the temptation. although mirabella came with so many bars to choose from, on the rocks would always count among her favorites - not just for the cozy familiarity and good drinks, but also for the people. so it's a pleasant surprise to see collin behind the bar, further cementing the fact that coming here had been a good idea, even though she knows it likely means he's been as slammed with work as she's been. an eyebrow lifts at his greeting as she settles into one of the barstools, "and here i was thinking i'd earned regular status a while back. a mojito please." a teasing smile lifts on her lips, no real bite to her words as she contemplates him. "long day? i feel like i rarely see you behind the bar these days."
"You know I can't play favorites," Collin replied, his tone dry but still clearly teasing. Truthfully, it hadn't even registered that it was Tessa taking a seat at the bar or else he would have remembered what she liked to drink. They'd worked together quite a few times over the years, and she was the reason the opening of the bar & grill had gone off with a hitch a few years back. Collin got to work making her drink, a short laugh escaping him at her next comment. "That obvious?" He glanced up, raising a brow. "I've been here since opening... my new bartender called in sick, so..." He didn't like calling his other employees on their days off if he didn't have to, and Collin could work behind the bar for a few hours no problem. But he was exhausted. He finished making the mojito and slid it across the bar towards Tessa. "Long day for you?" He asked, leaning his side against the bar and crossing his arms over his chest. "Planning anything cool?"
birdie was... ridiculously easy to be around. she was someone who always - somehow - managed to make a smile or grin appear on saffron's face. when saffron had first arrived to maribella, she had been a mess. a disaster of epic proportions. meeting birdie had been the catalyst for change; saffron had brightened considerably with the other woman in her life. she was also impassioned and interesting - two things that saffron envied and revered. being birdie's friend was easy; like breathing. being her roommate was like that too and saffron found that she never had to pretend with her. so the grin that slid easily into place at her enthusiasm was bright - practically beaming for saffron who didn't smile easily these days - and she immediately tossed an arm around birdie's shoulders. physical contact wasn't something that she indulged in often, but it was nice to feel the solid weight of another person pressed affectionately up against her in the hug. letting her go, she dropped her purse down onto the chair next to the chaos and her hands found the edges of the table. "what are you working on?"
Finding such a perfect roommate had been incredibly healing for Birdie. Her roommates in college had been fine, they'd gotten along, but they weren't people who she cared to keep in touch with. Saffron, though, was the best friend she'd always wanted. Birdie leaned into Saffron's side when the other woman joined her on the leather couch, accepting the side hug before leaning forward and grabbing a stack of notecards. She shuffled through her notes, her lips pursed. "Still trying to finalize the questions for my Jeopardy game..." She'd been working on this for a week now, and had explained it all to Saffron on numerous occasions already. "I'm trying to narrow down the questions because I came up with way too many... I want it to be challenging but also, like, easy enough for them to win since we're so close to summer..." She sighed, fanning herself with her notecards. "What are you up to?"
tiredly, she found herself sinking down into the stool with a sigh. a twist of her lips in displeasure, saffron kept her eyes decidedly away from collin as she spoke. "you got any good wine?" she usually stuck to milder drinks - particularly when she was depressed or feeling lonely. clearing her throat, hazel orbs finally turned to him and took in his appearance. "you look tired," she remarked, noting it and throwing it away as quickly as it came. as far as observations went, it was innocuous. she'd said a lot worse.
Collin peered over his shoulder, looking to see what wine they currently had in stock. "We've got... a merlot, a chardonnay, and rosé... what's your poison?" He reached under the counter to grab a wine glass and sat it on the bar in front of Saffron. He chuckled when she said he looked tired, raising a brow because it was like the pot calling the kettle black. "It's just been a long day... I've been here since opening." Collin grabbed the bottle of wine she'd picked off the shelf and poured her a hefty glass of it. "Long day for you, too?" He asked, pushing the glass towards her.
what’s better than popping into the cafe for a pick-me-up americano and coming across a pick-me-up in human form? taylor struggles to think … and then doesn’t bother to, taken now with dropping into birdie’s space with a grin to match. “damn, birdie,” spills past his lips, lithe with admiration, “i don’t think there’s any ignoring this. aren’t they supposed to be going on summer break soon? aren’t you?” there’s, obviously, no real malice in his tone. he clears a small corner of the table and sets his takeaway cup there — might as well get comfortable, huh? curiosity pushes him to pick up a small stack of notes, rifling through like he has any notion of where it’s meant to go or what it’s meant to be. “of course you have good handwriting. what’re you working on? anything i can help with?” stack set down, but taylor leans forward where he sits and continues to peruse with his eyes. out the side of his mouth, he asks, “can i get you a fresh coffee or something? they have those scones you like - one left in the display, from what i saw.”
"The grind never stops!" Birdie teased, making more room for Taylor to join her. "I'm planning this game for my class to play during the last week of school... it's Jeopardy, basically, to test them on what we've learned this year, but still have fun!" She was going a bit overboard with her questions, but she wasn't planning on bombarding her students with all of them. She just had to narrow it down later. Birdie perked up at the mention of a fresh coffee and a scone, but she deflated when she looked at her watch. "Probably not a coffee... I'll be up all night if I drink any more caffeine today." She'd already had her usually 3 cups. "But we could split a scone, I won't say no to that!" She smiled at Taylor. "And then I can quiz you to see if you're smarter than a 1st grader..." Birdie waggled her brows teasingly.
khadija found that early morning farmers market runs always made her feel more human. she spent so much time at the tide building, or at her desk, and so getting out and breathing fresh salty-sea water air made her remember how alive she was. there a lot of things about mirabella that khadija could complain about, living here all of her life, she has a grievance or two, but weekend farmers markets were such a sweet spot. she's got a tote bag that is far too big for her thrown over her shoulder, and there's already far too many punnets of blueberries in it, her favorite of all the berries. she's standing in front of a selection of breads, mouth already watering, when she let's out a theatatrical huff of breath "okay, i can't decide, garlic and rosemary or sun-dried tomato and mozzrella? this is life or death, as you can see."
"Why not both?" Birdie suggested. She was so indecisive that her default was usually just choose both of something. Especially at the farmers market when there were so many good things to choose from. The little cart she was wheeling behind her already had fresh fruits and veggies that would last her the week. She'd also gotten some honey, a candle, and a tiny crochet bee because she couldn't resist. Birdie picked up a loaf of bread herself and brought it to her nose to smell. "Or, how about this, I'll get the garlic and rosemary, and you get the other one... and then we can compare notes." Birdie, of course, would give Khadija a slice of her bread if she really wanted to try it. "We could go over to the park before going home and try them both... I bet that honey I got would be so good drizzled over them."
Open to anyone, feel free to assume a prior relationship!
Collin should've already been home by this time of night, but his bartender called out and there was no one else to replace him. So, he was behind the bar until closing. On the Rocks was relatively empty this close to last call, but there were a few stragglers enjoying their meal or nursing a beer while they watched the game. Collin was leaning against the bar, his gaze on one of the televisions when someone took up one of the stools at the bar. "Hey," He said, turning his attention towards them. "How's it going? What can I get you?"
Birdie's usual organized chaos was scattered around her, taking up half a leather couch and a table at the local coffee shop. School was nearly out, but there were still a few things she needed to do for her class of first graders. She wanted to send them off to second grade on a high and make sure they remembered how much fun they had in her class. Birdie liked working in public because she'd usually see someone she could talk to, and Birdie loved talking to people. She never minded sharing her space, even if someone didn't want to chat, so when she saw someone approach from the corner of her eye, she looked up with a smile. "Oh, hi," Birdie quickly grabbed up her colorful papers and things to make room. "Please, join me!" She smiled widely. "Ignore the chaos, I'm like a colorful tornado blowing through..."
Raymond Ablack / Cis-man / he/him ——— ☀︎ no way is that COLLIN PERSAUD.ᐟ rumor has it they’re 36 born on JULY 7TH, a true CANCER .ᐟ Seems like they’ve been in mirabella for 30 YEARS, working as an OWNER OF ON THE ROCKS BAR & GRILL. I’ve seen them around SEABROOK POINT lately; they’re notoriously known for being STUBBORN & SARCASTIC but some people have seen them being RELIABLE & HONEST when the island is quiet and the ferries stop running .ᐟ if you ask me, they remind me a lot of a whiskey on the rocks, a relaxing shower after a long day, showing up 15 minutes early, remembering everyone’s birthday, just keep an eye on them & see if their true colours shine through .ᐟ
basics:
full name: Collin Faoud Persaud
nicknames: N/A
pronouns: he/him
sexuality: heterosexual
age: 36
date of birth: july 7th
zodiac sign: cancer
occupation: owner and manager of On the Rocks Bar & Grill
personality type: TBD
face claim: Raymond Ablack
backstory:
Born to two eccentric artists in New York City, Collin spent the first few years of his life as an Upper East Side toddler. He was being raised by nannies and wearing clothes that cost more than some people made in a week. He doesn't remember much of this part of his life, but he's seen pictures
His paternal grandparents lived in Mirabella Island and his earliest memories were spent with them
His parents decided they needed to follow their muse to Milan, Italy and that Collin and his older brother weren't part of the vision, they'd still provide for them financially and visit, but the boys belonged with their grandparents in Mirabella and Collin, for one, agreed even at 6 years old
The small town is all he's ever really known. He used to dream of a bigger life, but mainly because that's what he always thought he was supposed to do. His parents were always larger than life and the way the talked about it, that's what people were supposed to do. Collin went out and sewed his wild oats over the years, but he always came back home
When he turned 30, he decided to finally put to use to the trust fund he gained access to when he turned 25. He decided to buy a closing restaurant downtown and turn in into the bar & grill he'd always dreamed of after a long year of hard work On the Rocks was opened
Collin has done a little bit of everything when it comes to On the Rocks, he's cooked, he's bartended, served, cleaned, he'd done it all! It's finally gotten to the point where he can act primarily as the owner/manager, but he always fills in where he needs to
He's a good guy but reserved and doesn't ever wear his heart on his sleeve. His face might say he's an asshole, but really, you've just got to strike up a conversation, and you'll see he's not so bad
He's big on rock climbing, both indoor and outdoor. He's gotten a few injuries from falling but he loves it too much to quit
Havana Rose Liu / Cis-woman / she/her ——— ☀︎ no way is that BIRDIE WU.ᐟ rumor has it they’re 28 born on NOVEMBER 15TH, a true SCORPIO .ᐟ Seems like they’ve been in mirabella for 5 YEARS, working as an FIRST GRADE TEACHER. I’ve seen them around PEACH TREE LANE lately; they’re notoriously known for being INFLEXIBLE & GUARDED but some people have seen them being EMPATHETIC & KIND when the island is quiet and the ferries stop running .ᐟ if you ask me, they remind me a lot of the angel on your shoulder, Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh, a shot of espresso in the morning, and organized chaos, just keep an eye on them & see if their true colours shine through .ᐟ
basics:
full name: Birdie Fiona Wu
nicknames: Bird
pronouns: she/her
sexuality: bisexual
age: 28
date of birth: november 15th
zodiac sign: scorpio
occupation: first grade treacher
personality type: TBD
face claim: Havana Rose Liu
backstory:
Birdie had a very difficult upbringing with parents who didn't get along and often fought in front of her. They had money problems and had to move a lot, often to sketchy places
She was always a sweet and sensitive kid, despite the hardships
Since she never had positive examples of what a healthy relationship looked like, she often had partners who mistreated her. When she was young, she let them do it because she didn't realize she deserved better (mainly because she'd always seen her mother staying with her dad even when he misttreated her)
Birdie always did well in school and was able to go to college on a scholarship, she always knew she wanted to be a teacher because she wanted to be a positive influence on young kids lives like her teachers had been on her
Someone she went to college with was from Mirabella Island and the way her friend described it was so appealing that Birdie decided to take a job there when she graduated. She thought it was a sign that they were looking for an elementary school teacher when she was looking for a job.
Right before the move, she ended a toxic relationship that had gone on for too long and she's been single for the past 5 years. She goes on dates and has her fun, but she's nervous about getting into something serious
Birdie is very kind, always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it. She's very much a people person and is always making new friends.
She can be a little kooky and chaotic but that's just because she works with high energy children all day
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