run for cover @connorbarclay - Tumblr Blog

joliedebeauvoir‌:

starter for; @connorbarclay

The exuberance resting comfortably on her features came seconds after closing up the office until Monday morning. All of her work-related worries simply glazed away realizing worrying over the weekend would do more harm than intended. Anything she needed to accomplish would occupy her priority bright and early in the morning after much-needed caffeine consumption. The weekend was finally here. After another treading week, one which seemed to have flowed with ease from one client’s appointment to the next, Jolie intended to have a trenchant night. It’s how she ended up at Blackie’s By The Sea. Seated dead set in the center, the wandering set of her seafoam hues witnesses as individuals - solo to pairings, came and went from the bar, enjoying their night elsewhere in the establishment. As the hours proceeded on, the clock in hindsight from her position showed ten minutes to ten, the past five hours ticked on with ease and no regret. Of course, the majority of the night had been Jolie re-filling her drink, attempting to make small talk with the bartender at any given in but in the other moments when she fell silent, the blonde was playing a game and picturing bystanders in uncommon scenarios. It was until an erupt belly laugh induced with alcohol flowing through her system had fallen off her lips. “Oh,” hues peered toward the gentlemen beside her, realizing the sound from her mouth may have been too sprightly for someone sitting alone. “I promise I am not crazy.” The words flew out before she could explain. Only a crazy person would say that. Backtracking her words in a rapid motion, her song-bird like tone proceeded on as her arms resting comfortably on the timber bar, “Do you ever just sit somewhere and get lost in the moment imagining what kind of life some of these people have?”

Once again a painful dinner with her parents had driven him back to the nearest bar. After he left steakhouse, he found himself rocked up at Blackie’s By The Sea. It was the second time he visited the bar and while his experience had not been bad, he much rather to frequent the ones closer to his home. There had been more people than he'd expected, but he was able to find an empty stool at the bar and that was all he needed. He wasn't planning to mingle or start a conversation with anyone, it wasn't one of those days. Actually, he couldn't even remember the last time he felt comfortable in a public space. He often missed the feeling of melting into the bar's vibe and move around as easily as the smoke. What it would be like if he could soak in the laughter and the smiles, have fun like most of the people here. Back in reality, instead of that imaginary world, he could only hope that as the night goes on, he'd feel more comfortable in this crowd, intoxicated enough to not even remember the reason why he so desperately needed a drink right now. He made a sign to the bartender so he could refill his drink. It was then when the person next to him laughed, at least someone was having a good time. For the first time since he'd arrived, he looked sideways to catch a brief glimpse of the woman sitting next to him. "Isn't everyone a little crazy?" he mumbled as a crooked smile tugged from his lips. At the sound of her voice again, he had no choice but to join the conversation, but not before he downed the vodka shot the bartender had just left in front of him. "Only all the time," he admitted and the sound of his own chuckle surprised him. While he wasn't in the mood to observe the people in the bar, it was something he did most of the time. As a matter of fact, something he'd done since he was a child and his psychiatrist father explained to him how body language helped him to diagnose people. Of course, his knowledge was nothing compared to the one his father had, but he enjoyed picturing if people actually were as happy as they looked. "So, what kind of life do you think that man sitting on that table with his peers has?" he started, gesturing towards said table before looking back at the woman.

#⊑ threads.⊒#[ jolie de beauvoir. ]

beckanderson‌:

for → @connorbarclay time: friday, 7PM location: malarky’s

For people that knew Beck, it was a well-known fact that she had an awful memory for names and faces. Show her a dance routine once, and she’d replicate it perfectly, but whenever she met people, she didn’t care too much about them to encode their existence to memory. Which was why it was particularly strange that she sensed a hint of familiarity when she caught sight of this man, drinking at Malarky’s. It bugged Beck, to be quite honest, that she even felt the hint of recognition, as now it was nudging her to figure out where exactly she knew him from. Without realizing, Beck had begun to stare intensely at the man for a few long minutes, already tipsy enough to not care if he noticed that she was being a bit of a creep.

He could have been there for an hour or four, it was hard to tell as the alcohol in his veins diverted some of his capacity to concentrate completely. It was easier to ignore his surroundings when all he had to do was focus on the amber liquid and the golden glow of the glass-like cubes. After downing what was left of his drink, he looked up and signed the bartender before catching a young woman staring at him. She didn't look familiar, at least not compared to some of the faces he used to encounter at the pub. In a more sober situation, he would have ignored her, but instead, he looked back at her as if staring longer at her would bring a name to the face. "Do I know?" he asked, even if he already sort of knew the answer to that question.

#⊑ threads.⊒#[ beck anderson. ]

isabel--reynolds‌:

“Mint-chip, my friend,” her voice told him that she recommended it, holding up her green cone with a grin. “Please, I insist. You look like you might need a pick-me-up or a little kindness anyway.” That wasn’t meant to be an insult - just an observation that he seemed a bit down. “I’m Isabel,” she switched her cone to her other hand before holding out her own to shake his in greeting, “I don’t think I’ve seen you around before but I just moved here either months ago.”

While he appreciated the suggestion, he'd never been a fan of anything with mint flavor. "I think I'll stick with cookie dough," he replied with a soft smile upon his features. "Do I look that bad? Somehow that came out a bit offensive yet nice of you." He obviously was teasing her, it didn't take an expert to notice that he wasn't a ray of sunshine. Extending his hand and giving it a firm shake, he mustered a smile. "Connor." He looked at her, thinking if he had seen her before but he didn't know every single person in this town like he used to. "I grew up here actually, then left and now I've been back. Do you like it here?"

#[ isabel reynolds. ]#⊑ threads.⊒

danixlaflorxs‌:

The brunette shrugged. “Would it answer your question if I said that I’d rather have a bad day than be here right now?” For Daniela, a bad was was simple: All she’d do was spend it all away going to a spa, shopping or even stuffing her face in the comforts of her own home. Day drinking normally meant something far more complicated. Facing him, the young woman leisurely leaned against the bar at his next comment.

“I’ve had a lot of practice but by all means please, I’m willing to take your recommendations while I’m under the influence.” Not like she’d do so otherwise.

Connor nodded, no further explanation was needed. She wasn't having an average bad day, it was more than that but it was none of his business to ask for more details. In a way, maybe he was having one of those days too, but the last couple of years had felt like a never-ending bad day. He finished his drink, hoping another drink could be enough to block the racing thoughts.

He smiled at her before calling the bartender. "I'll have another one and so will she," he said before turning. "It's very strong, and while you probably won't feel great tomorrow morning, it will help you forget whatever is happening in your life, at least for a few hours."

#[ daniela flores. ]#⊑ threads.⊒

rorymarquet‌:

@newportstarters

“-I hadn’t been in a dance studio in so long until today, and let me tell you, It was amazing! It was like I hadn’t been gone at all and I just feel so refreshed. Do you ever get like that? Where-you’re just almost elated because you’re finally getting your groove back?”

@newportstarters

If Connor was the jerk he used to be, he would have groaned and rolled his eyes but he refrained from it. Instead, he just shook his head. "No, I've never felt that way." He shrugged and that was a lie. After the injury, he did believe he was going to get back on the field, but that never happened. "So, you are a ballerina?"

#⊑ threads.⊒#[ rory marquet. ]

isabel--reynolds‌:

“Mint-chip or cookies n’ cream, mint-chip or cookies n’ cream, mint chip or….” Carrying off, eyeing the two flavors with interest, Isabel straightened and turned her gaze downward to her fluffy friend. The golden retrivers vest was askew and his tongue lolled out to the side of his mouth as his brow eyes glanced up to blink owlishly at her. “What do you think, Kep?” The two of them communicated silently for a moment before Isabel nodded, satisfied and turned back to the waiting worker. “It’s gonna be a mint-chip day for me, thank you.”

Satisfied with her order, she waited for her cold treat, watching as it got put onto a waffle cone and a small, nearly silent squeak of happiness left her as soon as it was in her hand. The seriousness from before vanished she had a triumphant lick and hummed contently. “Yeah, this was a great choice! Everyone deserves to feel this level of happy every second of their entire lives!” Nodding vigorously, the blonde surgeon kept talking to herself as she was led over to the cash register by the worker who was smiling faintly in amusement at his regular customer - who said the exact same thing each time she came in. “As a matter of fact, I wanna pay for their ice cream today!” Isabel turned to the person beside her, waiting for their own order, and grinned, wiping a bit of ice cream from her lips. “Is that okay?” @newportstarters

The day had been long and honestly, the only thing Connor wanted was to stay home with his dog and have a good 'Snapped' marathon. Yet he needed to meet a client at a restaurant, but of course, just as he got there the client decided to postpone the meeting. He could have gone home, but instead, he decided to talk a walk and explore his hometown that had significantly changed in the last years. He'd been back for a year, but most of the time he went to work, then to the bar and later to his home. He was only now starting to understand that his occasional visits back home didn’t really mean much when he didn’t live there. Just around the corner of the restaurant, there was an ice cream parlor, one that evoked memories of long and warm summers at Newport.

The weather fit his mood, it was gloomy and cloudy. It wasn't the best moment to get ice cream, but at the same time, Connor couldn't remember the last time he'd had ice cream. Blue hues were scanning the variety of flavors, really only trying to find the one he always ordered. He could hear a conversation happening next to him but didn't pay attention until he realized she was addressing him. "Oh, no, you don't have to," he said, not even bothering to match the joyful tone she had. "I'm still trying to decide what I want. I'm sure they used to have a cinnamon bun flavor. What did you get?"

#⊑ threads.⊒#[ isabel reynolds. ]

marley--callahan‌:

She could see the change in his demeanor, a smile that mimicked hers pulling at his lips. It changed his entire face, though Marley had found him to be quite handsome when brooding, just even more so when his face softened. She laughed at his assumption, shoulders lifting in a shrug, but her hand settling easily in his to shook. “I mean, I don’t know this Sally of yours, but I do know Marley is the most determined lady you’ll ever meet.” She informed, eyebrows raising, as if expecting a challenge, though she was quick to break into a small smile again. “Nice to meet you, Connor.” Her head nodded, still close to be heard over the music. At his question, her shoulders shrugged, an almost innocent smile taking over. “Only when they don’t ask me first.”

It was no surprise that she described herself as determined, even before knowing her name or really anything about her, her confidence was a red flag waving right in front of his eyes. She wouldn't take 'no' for an answer, at least not without a fight. "Then I believe we are going to test your determination tonight because I don't give in that easily," he countered, lips now curled up into a smirk. Blue hues scanned the place, huffing out a short breath before he tipped back more of the vodka laced drink. "I find hard to believe you haven't been asked to dance tonight. Either way, I'm sure you can convince anyone with that smile of yours, it's just not gonna be me."

#[ marley callahan. ]#⊑ threads.⊒

remiwilsn‌:

“Someone told me you’d be here,” Remi said from the hallway as she pushed the door open and entered it. “Listen, I need someone to come with me to dinner and at this point I can’t emotionally take no for an answer. So you have no choice. If you already brought a lunch, then you can leave it in the fridge for tomorrow.” A sickly sweet smile framed her lips then as she wiggled her brows. She’d already been denied by two other people and she was beginning to lose hope. “Fine — you’re twisting my arm, I’ll even pay.” @newportstarters

Connor was about to take a bite off his sandwich when Remi stormed into the room. It only took the first words that came off her mouth to make him shake his head, he refused to be dragged into whatever event she had. "Do I look that desperate for money?" he asked, leaning back on his seat. "I don't think I'd be good company, can't you ask anyone else?" Overall, Connor was a good friend. You need to be picked up at three in the morning? He'd do it in a heartbeat. You need to be bailed out of jail? He'd do it without asking any question. However, social gatherings were one of his least favorite things in the world, he'd still do it but only if that was the only choice left.

#⊑ threads.⊒#[ remi wilson. ]

marley--callahan‌:

Marley had been called quite a few wrong names, in her life. Maggie, Molly, Marissa…it was the first time she’d been called Sally, however, nowhere even close to her name. Though perhaps some would be offended, she was more so amused, a laugh bubbling past her lips as the man looked up at her and realized she was not, in fact, his Sally. “I mean, Sally might not want to…” She teased, shaking her head, before reaching her hand out again, this time to introduce herself. “But I’m Marley.” Something told her it would take a bit more convincing than that, but it wouldn’t keep her from trying. And if it didn’t work, she would move on, not in the business of making anybody uncomfortable. She just wanted to have a good time.

Connor used to be that guy who would approach a stranger and start talking but after everything that had happened in the last years, he found it was easier to withdraw into his own little world. He liked his friends, he was comfortable around them, but when it came down to meeting new people and hanging around with them, he struggled. Yet the woman had an infectious smile, one that made him feel a bit more comfortable. "I assume Marley is more determined than Sally," he said, extending his hand to shake hers, a smile beaming her way. "I'm Connor," he added. "So, Marley, do you always go around asking strangers to dance with you?"

#[ marley callahan. ]#⊑ threads.⊒

danixlaflorxs‌:

status: open location: balboa bar @newportstarters

It took everything in Daniela not to rip open the door or the bar as she all but stomped into the nearly empty establishment. She thought she’d be detached to the fact that her mother was tied up in another, “deal”, so to speak but clearly it bothered the brunette more than she let on. The young woman sat herself down at the bar before ordering a glass of whiskey and seeing as how it was only five-o-clock, the bartender gave her a weird look before tending to her order. Once her glass was in front of her, she wasted no time in downing the entire thing in one go, pausing to wince at the taste before beckoning for another. She could feel a handful of eyes on her and, knowing Daniela, she wasn’t one to let it go unnoticed.

“Oh please, like you’ve never needed something strong in the middle of the day, why else would you be here?”

He raised his eyebrows at her, eyes catching hers for a brief few seconds before dropping back to his drink. "I didn't say anything," he replied with a chuckle and shake of his head. How could he judge her when he had been at the bar for the last hour? He didn't even remember if the drink sitting before him was his third or fourth. "Having a bad day?" It was a safe guess, most people who were in a bar this early were there to drown some kind of sorrow. "Can I say something?" he started but didn't even bother to let her answer. "If your day is that bad, you should drink something better than that. I'm not sure how you were able to down that one without wanting to spit it out."

#⊑ threads.⊒#[ daniela flores. ]

marley--callahan‌:

She didn’t understand when people said that they couldn’t dance. Anybody could dance. Whether or not it was good dancing, now, that was up for debate, but underneath the dim lights of Legacy, the influence of alcohol, and the sea of bodies packed in so tightly enough that it was almost a little hard to breathe? Marley doubted that anybody truly cared. She certainly didn’t, swaying her hips to the beat, arms over her head, eyes closed. When they opened, a break in the crowd allowed her to see a lone figure off to the side, immediately piquing her interest. Easing her way through the crowd, Marley approached with a determined smirk, hand reaching in the space between their bodies for the other’s to grip (though, she made no real motion to do so, not yet). “Dance with me.” It wasn’t a question, though not a demand, eyebrows raising curiously as her smirk stretched into a more welcoming grin. Voice nearly drowned out by the thumping bass and indistinguishable words blaring overhead, Marley leaned in closer to be heard. “You know you want to…” She sing-songed.

@newportstarters

Once in a blue moon, Connor let himself be convinced to go out with the few high school friends who still lived in Newport. Instead of feeling better, he felt worst. While Newport wasn't exactly the kind of town people were desperate to leave, he still believed that coming back to his hometown was another way to display the failure his life had been for the past couple of years. Now, however, there was no turning back and he would be stuck in a crowded nightclub for the next two hours. Knowing he wouldn't be able to endure this torture without many drinks, he did the wise thing and didn't take any of the pain killers even if right now that's all he wanted. His friends were having the time of their life on the dance floor, while he enjoyed his third drink of the night on the bar. He was staring at the swirling liquor when he heard another invitation to dance. "Sally, I'm not going to dance with—" he was saying before he turned, only to discover that wasn't Sally. "Believe me, you don't want to dance with me." Not even a pretty face would be ever able to convince him.