it is lonely in between the stars

Walden Yang (Penned by Kit for zodiacrecords)

[crestfallenx]

staryem​:

“Ah, fair enough.” Emily grinned, very much enjoying the chance to relax, but to also get to talk to someone other than a bar regular, or her sister. At the question, they gave a little shrug before sighing. It was something they thought about more and more – but they were intimidated of messing with the status quo on that type of scale. “I don’t know, really…” They took a sip and hesitated for a minute, “sometimes I think it’s just fun that it’s a hobby. That I can do it when I want to, nobody tells me when to do it, there’s no demand outside of my own. I’m kind of worried to see the ways it being a career could ruin my passion.” 

“That’s fair,” Walden replied with a nod as he leaned on the bar. “I’ve definitely heard not to turn a passion into a job before because then it just becomes work, and stops being something you enjoy. I don’t know how much I believe that.” He hummed for a second. “But I don’t even know what ‘passion’ I’d turn into a hobby. Can’t exactly make a living off of watching tv, which is about all I do outside of work anymore.”

[crestfallenx]

azurecapitalist​:

oh, didn’t he know it. if only wishing for an extra couple hours of sleep a week would grant him such a luxury. sure, he could start using the pto he’d racked up, but what then? morris didn’t think he’d know what to do with himself if he had nothing to do all day. and, really! five hours of sleep was enough. usually.

morris forced smile. didn’t they say you’d feel better if you smiled, even if you didn’t mean it?

“ i’m sure things will calm down sooner or later. late nights will become few and far between. ” ha.

“Well I hope so, for your sake,” Peter said, frowning. “I couldn’t do late nights like this all the time. I think I’d lose my mind. I’ll take my early ass mornings any day, at least they mean I’m home by mid-afternoon.” And sure, the work was hard, but it made him feel like he had accomplished something in a day, which he felt like he needed. 

[crestfallenx]

azurecapitalist​:

morris paused, key still securely resting in lock. he hoped quiet sigh that escaped him wouldn’t be noticed. he felt he walked a fine line in pelican town and, though he wasn’t sure he’d ever see himself a real part of the community, life would be easier if majority didn’t dislike him. right? if not for himself, then for joja. anything and everything for joja. 

man bit back another yawn as attention shifted over shoulder. he’d seen other before, but there was no way he’d recall name - even if he’d not been beyond exhausted.

“ i… ” store keys were withdrawn from door and slipped effortlessly into pocket of manager’s neatly pressed slacks, an action repeated so often morris suspected he could do it in his sleep (if he ever got it). “ late night, ” he offered up as explanation.

“ i’ve grown used to them. ”

“Well that’s no good,” Peter said, shaking his head. He knew he’d seen the other around, but he didn’t go into Joja frequently--partly out of loyalty to the farms, partly because his family could never afford it. He leaned against a nearby wall in order to try and keep himself steady. “Can’t work too much. It’ll drive you crazy, you know? Gotta sleep ‘n stuff.”

[crestfallenx]

abbyknox​:

— location: Pierre’s General Store

— open to all 

flour *click* sugar *click* rice *click* click click click 

Abby crossed her legs on the floor and stuck the pricing gun to her forehead *click* It had slowed down long enough for her to get some stocking done. With her father meeting with a new supplier and her mother getting a chance to meet friends in town, Abby was left to run the store on her own. Of course she had done it before, but she hated when no one was there. No one to talk to, no one to distract her, no one to keep her mind from wondering what else there is in life. “uuugghhh” Abby groaned to the canned vegetables, folding flat to the floor. Closing her eyes, she let her thoughts wander about what she would be doing if she was off at college instead of the floor of the dry goods aisle. Coming back to the land of the here and now, Abby opened her eyes back up to a figure that she hadn’t heard enter. “Fuck” she shot up to a sitting position “where did you come from?”

Grocery shopping for a big family was always a task that Peter dreaded, but as the eldest, it was the errand he was most often sent on. Feeding as many mouths as they had meant a lot of cheap canned goods when they couldn’t get something from the farm Peter worked on. Goods which Peter was looking for when he found Abby sitting on the floor. He cocked his head and chuckled. “The front door, duh,” he teased. “Slow day, I take it?”

[crestfallenx]

staryem​:

“Ah –” They giggled and shook their head, “sorry, I have a tendency to ramble about fashion. It’s just a variation of cloth.” Taking the glass, they happily took a sip – humming in delight as they tasted. “Oh, that is so good. Thank you!” With another drink they thought over the question and sighed. “Fine, fine – there were some other places. I know it’s still local, but Zuzu City was the peak of fashion when I was growing up. Far more ahead of what anyone here was wearing, or would have even considered wearing. Any city with a focus on fashion… ugh, it’s what I really love.” 

“Nah, you’re good, I just need a little context is all,” Walden promised with a smile. He beamed when they said they liked the drink. It was nice to know that he still had a knack for making up good drinks even when he couldn’t sample them himself. “Is it something you’d ever thinking about taking up as a career? You clearly know a lot about it, and if it’s your passion, why not?”

[crestfallenx]

farmermary​:

“Okay, Karen Mary can go on the backburner,” Mary promised with a firm nod, sliding into one of the bar stools. “I could go for a virgin mojito! Could you toss some raspberry or something in there for me, too? That’ll make it a little more complicated to keep you busy. Please and thanks.” She gave a big, hopeful smile.

“Since it’s for you I can throw some raspberry syrup in there,” he teased with a smile as he started to make up the drink. “How’ve you been though? Feel like I haven’t seen you here in a hot minute, and it’s rude that you haven’t come to visit me more often. Frankly, I’m wounded.” It was all lighthearted, of course, but Walden couldn’t help but have a flair for the dramatic.

[crestfallenx]

libbywyler​:

…

“This isn’t the first time BuzzFeed has lied to me so I can’t say I’m surprised,” she said with a laugh and small shake of her head. She then nodded her head, eyebrows raised with intrigue, “Okay, that could be fun though,” she then added, “And probably way better than whatever they had claimed it was,” she said waving next to her as if they were there. “I actually just happen to have a weirdly high tolerance when it comes to alcohol,” she said with a small shrug, “Which I know is hard to believe, but it’s true,” a small laugh escaped her before she shrugged her shoulders again, “I don’t know, I just like how they taste. But i definitely understand why people say they’re so dangerous,” she said. 

Libby was silent for a moment, looking down at the counter as Walden prepared her drink. “So, I have to ask you,” she said, looking back up to him, “Being a bartender do you have to constantly listen to everyone’s drama and problems? Like a therapist that doesn’t get paid to be a therapist?” she asked curiously. “Because I image a lot of people just get drunk and tell you everything even though you definitely didn’t ask for it,”

Walden smiled as he listened to her explanation. “That’ll be drink number two then, since apparently this ain’t gonna knock you on your ass like they do to most people,” he teased gently. “Fair enough though, I did used to like them myself.” It was an easy go-to when he wanted a lot of alcohol quickly, which had been most nights back when he had been in the city. 

He chuckled at the question as he passed her the drink. “Oh, I know arguably too much about everyone here. Which is really fun in the moment, I love a good gossip. Problem is I also have a shit memory, so it’s not even like I can use it as bait or anything. Gotta say, keeps shifts interesting though.”

[crestfallenx]

sofitrres​:

-

“oh no, but what does that say about me?” the brunette asked, sliding onto the barstool despite her own remarks. “the first person, huh? guess i’ll have to give you a challenge, then. how about… a cosmopolitan.” she was a simple woman, and a lightweight drinker, so she didn’t know much about cocktails… so she mustered the easiest one she could think of, partly to mess around with walden. she gave him a little playful smile. “make it extra pink, bartender!” sofi laughed. “how are you doing? other than the slow evening, and all that.”

“Hey, I’m a barkeep, not a therapist, you tell me,” he teased, tossing her a wink. He couldn’t help but have to hold back a chuckle at the idea that a cosmo was a challenge--but he wasn’t about to try and scare away any customers. “Coming right up,” he said with a nod as he moved to start making the drink. He shrugged at the question. “Can’t complain really. Just excited for the weather to start warming up, you know? I’m ready for the beach again. What about you?”

[crestfallenx]

libbywyler​:

It honestly wasn’t that unusual to not see her cat for a couple of days. He’d been a stray that started coming around the bakery, and after feeding him a few times, he decided he liked Libby and stuck around. Since he started coming around though it had progressed from just feeding him to him coming in at night to sleep in her room with her. The past couple days though he hadn’t come around. She didn’t want to admit she was worried about him, but she was starting to be.

After walking around the town for about an hour or so, she was beginning to lose hope. Maybe he’d moved on and found someone else to feed him. Before she gave up her search though, she decided it wouldn’t hurt to at least ask someone if they’d seen him. So, the next person she saw she stopped so she could ask, “Um, hi” she said with a small awkward wave, “This is going to sound like a really odd question, but have you seen a cat in your trash lately?” she then mimed his size with her hands, “He’s about this big and he’s a tabby cat,” she said before letting out a small sigh, “His name is Garbage and I haven’t seen him in a couple days and I’m a little worried about him. Do you think you could help me look for him?” she asked, fidgeting with the end of her sleeve as she waited for their reply. 

Peter had been sent on the family grocery haul for the day--a task he didn’t appreciate on one of his rare days off, but one he’d take up without an out loud complaint. He was on his way there when he was stopped. He frowned at the mention of the lost cat. “Oh, shit, that sucks so much. I’m not home much honestly, but it’s possible one of my siblings has seen him? Either way, I don’t mind helping look. I’d lose my mind if my pet was missing.”

[crestfallenx]

staryem​:

“I’d like to think I’m some type of crepe de chine, not quite as elegant as crepe georgette, but a stunning choice nonetheless,” Emily responded quickly at the mention of cloth. Her tailor mindset was happily brought to the forefront of her mind for a moment. They know better than to muse for too long, though, and let it go in order to return to the thought of travels. “I’ve been all over: deserts, jungles, cities, swamps…” a small sigh escaped before their shoulders picked up in a shrug, “none of it beats Pelican Town, though.” Looking to Walden, their smile never faded, “there’s just so much beauty in the world, you know?”

“See now you’re talking fancy and you’ve lost me,” Walden chuckled as he passed them the drink. “Hard to believe that none of the places you’ve been beat here. I mean it’s nice, sure, it’s grown on me. But come on, nowhere was better?”

[crestfallenx]

staryem​:

Fun wasn’t the word Emily got often – it was usually quirky, or some sort of synonymous word – but it made them beam, a bright smile lit up their whole face. “Y’know, got to keep it fresh, spontaneous!” It was true, Em wasn’t one for routine and being vastly predictable; the world had much to offer, and they didn’t want to miss out. “Honestly, I could count on one hand the times I’ve come in here and not worked, so a drink made by someone else is going to be excellent.” They looked around the familiar saloon and laughed softly, “I’ve traveled a bit with my family and seeing all those amazing cities and towns – the buildings, the people, the cars! Everything was so beautiful, but it can’t beat the little town we got. Every single day there’s something new that pops up and it’s wonderful, you know?” 

“You and I are cut from the same cloth, I think,” Walden hummed with a grin. Never one to worry too much or do the same thing twice, he tended to pride himself on being described as General Aries Chaos by one of his best friends from back home. One the liquor was poured into a shaker of ice, Walden took to shaking as he listened to Emily talk. “That’s so cool,” he said as he poured the drink into a tall glass. “I’ve never really been many places, you’ll have to tell me about everywhere you’ve been so I can live vicariously through you.”

[crestfallenx]

carsbake​:

“Yes really. Nice to meet you, Man! Pleasure is mine.” Carson said with a smile then said “I’ve been playing for over 15 years to be honest with you. You can do it. Trust me, put in the hard work and success will come.”

“Fifteen years?” Peter all but gasped. “That’s awesome. And I appreciate the thought, but I don’t think it’ll ever happen for me. You know how some folks got two left feet when they dance? I think I got two left hands or somethin’,” he laughed. “I can either get my fingers on the chords, or I can strum, but I ain’t able to do both at the same time.”

[crestfallenx]

staryem​:

A laugh burst from Emily as they made their way to the bar of the saloon – a terrible place to be on a day off considering they tended to the bar as well. “I’m going to be honest… I don’t know how many times I’ve been on this side of the bar, but it feels like one of the first.” Sitting and looking over the various alcohols, they sighed and looked up. “I’ll give the freedom to you, my friend. Make me something yummy, please?” 

Walden beamed when she spoke. “Oh, I like you. Finally, someone with a sense of fun around here.” He got to work making something sweet and fruity, humming as he looked over his options. “Listen, you deserve a good drink that’s not one you made. It’s one of the finer luxuries in life.” Not that Walden partook anymore, something he still pouted about even if he knew it was for the best. 

[crestfallenx]

haleybrton​:

“I don’t think I could do it. Grass and air and stuff are nice smells, but only in, like, candle form. Not that you smell bad or anything! You just smell… like Peter,” she said decidedly, her words followed by a curt but definitive nod. “I’ve grown to appreciate it. You and all your grass stains.” She leaned into his side with a bright affectionate grin before stepping into the saloon, a quick ‘thank you’ passing her lips as she did so. “Wanna get a pizza to split? I’m not picky about toppings, so whatever you want.” A beat passed. “As long as there’s no onions or ground beef. Yuck. Or bacon. Or bell peppers. But whatever else!” 

Peter couldn’t help but laugh at Haley’s little rambling. “It’s okay, you can tell me I stink,” he teased, giving her a little nudge with his elbow. He hummed as he thought about the pizza options. “That does sound pretty good right about now,” he said as they found themselves a place to sit. “How about a classic pepperoni then?”

[crestfallenx]

seashcre​:

“ help you? isn’t that exactly what i’m doing? i’d say my presence is a lot of help,” shai quipped, nochalantly leaning his back against the wooden stable wall, offering the farmer a smug little grin. “ and, once you’re done feeding the animals, i’m going to let you take me out for lunch. consider that your reward. i’ve been cooped up inside long enough, it’s time for a change of scenery.” // @crestfallenx​

“I’m gonna throw a horseshoe at you one of these days,” Peter quipped back as he struggled with the ambitious number of feed buckets he’d been determined to carry. He’d thought he could handle four at once, but that had proven difficult. He should’ve known better than to ask Shai’s help though--as often as Peter saw him around the farm, he didn’t think he’d ever seen him lift a finger. “I’m taking you out for lunch?” he asked, setting down the buckets. “I’m startin’ to think you forget how much I get paid around here.”

[crestfallenx]

azurecapitalist​:

back and forth. back and forth. back and forth. very tips of fingers repeated a silent, absentminded gallop across same several inches of manager’s desk. how long had he been doing that? too long. how long had he been staring, bleary-eyed, at empty seat on opposite side of table? too long. how long had he been alone in store, listening only to faint buzzing of fluorescent bulbs high above? lights clicked off, plunging space beyond morris’ office door into darkness. too long.

with yawn that popped jaw, he stood. he made note to turn off timers on lights. it was the same note he made yesterday. and the day before that. and the day before that. maybe if he thought about fixing it just one more time, he’d remember to actually do it when it wasn’t… what time was it? gaze shielded by round lenses slowly turned to clock on nearby cabinet. damn. no going home that night. better to just nap at his desk and hit the diner early for as much coffee as it took to keep him mostly upright for following work day. again.

he laced fingers, pushing palms outwards to crack knuckles. fresh air would do him some good, even if sun had long since gone. maybe walk would even wake him up a bit. ha. he wished.

as he fumbled with store keys to lock front doors behind him, he wondered if trying to sleep in his office was even worth it. 

maybe he’d see if saloon still had lights on.

Peter wasn’t usually one to be out late--a life of getting up at the crack of dawn would do that to you. But this was one of the rare days that he had gotten out of work early and had the next day off. So, fuck it, why not go out? He was only a little drunk as he was starting to make his way home when he saw the other locking up the store. It was the drinks that made him blurt out, “Dude, are you just leaving now?”

[crestfallenx]

carsbake​:

Carson smiles as he then replied to the male “Thanks man! Yeah I do. I’m actually in a band named Saving Annie. I’m Carson by the way.” He said as he put his hand out and waited for the other male to shake his hand.

“Really? That’s sick! I’m Peter,” he said as he reached out to shake the other’s hand. “How long have you been playing? I’ve always wanted to learn, but I’ve never been successful.”