put a little love here in my void

I'm just a girl, standing in front a cheese plate, asking it to love her. Merrock local, chef and sommelier, belongs to three cats. rp only.

[elisequinn]

ELISE QUINN

she/her; December 28, 1984. born & raised in Merrock, Maine. countryside dweller, owner of Taste. single, no kids, cat mom to many maine coons. (penned by lindsey.) -- BIO, STATS, TIMELINE, CONNECTIONS.

[leighash]

I was going to say that there's always room to improve, but maybe that wouldn't actually be an improvement, come to think of it... good point. Either way, I think you're safe from being the most terrifying person ever! Oh, those things are... interesting? I guess I don't really understand the point, it feels like more plastic to end up in a landfill somewhere, if you ask me. And I'm not saying a lot of crafts don't end up there, but those even more.

[elisequinn]

I think I don't need to improve anymore, to be honest. I've hit my peak. There are people who are far more terrifying. That's all it is, that's all so much is, unfortunately. And we all contribute to it, but I will not consciously buy complete garbage before it's even in the trash. It better be quality when I purchase it.

[joshlane]

Easier to go bad than to go good, how true is that? And a little bit sad, too, but that's the way it goes. That's true, but that's not me. I feel like I would be lying to the world about the kind of person that I was, and I don't want to do that. Or start chasing rodeo dreams, don't go giving me ideas about that. Well, there's the mechanical bull at Tumbleweed, that's... kind of similar, right?

[elisequinn]

But being bad does feel sort of good, doesn't it? Because there's definitely some joy in that. No, that's not very good therapist of you, to lie about who you are to the world or really to anyone. Maybe you should start with the mechanical bull, let it humble you once or twice, and then see.

[cagenewman]

Do you think I need to worry about that this late in the game? A career change wasn't really in the cards... or at least not something that was going to take me away from wood. Back to the marble drawing board, I guess. Probably grandkids, I feel like... with five kids, it's bound to happen, right? Not saying I want it to, or need it to, just weighing my odds. Fingers crossed! I'm going to try to make it down for at least his first home game, he keeps telling me not to stress it, but I want to see him play, y'know?

[elisequinn]

Eh, you're still young enough to change your mind about your career. Plus, you'd still be a craftsman so you might be able to keep some of your clients. With five kids it's inevitable, yes. That's the reality of having so many- one or two, sure, they might not give you a grandkid, but with five it's definite. Of course you do. You're a dad after all, that's what dads do. Or so I hear.

[estherquinn]

"Eugh," Esther pulled a face the moment that Elise suggested that she would end up living at their parents' place, knowing that it was a fate worse than death. And Essie knew a lot about death. "Haven't I been working most of my life towards being just like you, big sis?" she asked with a teasing grin. But they both knew that it wasn't exactly a joke -- she hadn't looked up to their mother growing up, hadn't wanted to be just like her: it had always been Elise. And if someone told her that she reminded them of her big sister… it was one of the biggest compliments she could receive. "It's kind of comical," she admitted with a laugh, "also makes her my favorite a little." Like rooting for the underdog. Or, well… undercat. "Hm, good idea. Sit out on the porch, listen to the peepers and crickets and drink some sweet tea? I'm sold."

[elisequinn]

"Oh, come on, it's not so bad. You'd get to witness the awkward silences for dinner every single night," Elise joked, if it could be called a joke. It was a bit too close to the truth. "Just like me? I guess you'll have to pick up bartending, we can give you some shifts over at taste and give the poor guys behind the bar a break." She winked at her sister, who likely knew full well that wouldn't happen. "Playing favorites with the nieces and nephews? That's not very kind of you at all." Elise tilted her head, musing for a moment. "Maybe with a big slice of chocolate cake with some homemade ice cream on the side."

[leighash]

I personally wouldn't dream of it! Of all the terrifying people that I've ever met, you rank near the top, and I mean that in the most complimentary way possible, trust me. Ah, see, that helps! But even with that, you can't just run a successful business based off of money alone. There has to be drive and quality behind it, so clearly you're bringing some of that to the table, yeah? I've seen a lot of people in my life who rely too much on connections and money, and if they don't have skills and talent to back it up, they fail.

[elisequinn]

I'm sort of glad I'm near the top and not at the very top, right? Because I wouldn't want to be the most terrifying thing you've seen. Some people really do only want the money- like people who 3D print dragons or sell food without putting in any actual effort to taste test. People see through you eventually, though, if you don't have the skills to back everything up.

[joshlane]

There are people who get straight and don't end up in a lot of trouble, but... there are plenty more who stay on that path to crime, and that's not good. Right, of course, you would have to! It can't be all sunshine and roses all the time, there has to be a dark side lurking somewhere. I own plenty of boots, but most of them are motorcycle boots or the kind you wear for formal occasions. But cowboy...? That might be a stretch, you're right. Maybe one pair!

[elisequinn]

And it's harder to get back to the clean and noble path once you've veered off those familiar ways. Some people have cowboy boots they wear to ride motorcycles, though, I didn't know if you were secretly a biking cowboy or if you've got aspirations to be a rodeo star. You're not too old yet. Probably, they might sort of side eye you if you tried bull riding or something.

[cagenewman]

Never thought that I'd get into marble working this late in my career… or life. And definitely never thought that it would be to build something for a cat, but there are definitely worse causes to make me learn something new. Yeah, but then he'll go from a blob to an energetic little boy to a college kid, and the whole process starts all over again. Yeah, I know, trust me. But… they've done better recently than other years? Ish? And I told him the experience and how he plays is going to be more important than a winning record right now.

[elisequinn]

Never too late to learn something new, in case people get tired of all of your woodworking ventures, you can say you're now a master of marble. But after that one, the process is done forever. Then it's just you as an old fart with...well maybe grandkids, honestly. That's exactly it, and a worse team might mean a higher chance of being on the bench less often.

[estherquinn]

"I wouldn't dream of it!" she countered with a gasping laugh, "of all the things I could do to get kicked out of your house, me messing up your copper pans would probably get me kicked out the quickest." And Esther did want to stay there in the house, at least until she found her own place. There wasn't any big rush for it, though, and for that she was grateful. "Yeah, it's how I know that you love me, when you yell at me to… make me better or something," she rolled he eyes, but it was a playful gesture, tucking her change into her back pocket before turning to look at Elise again. "Not scared, more like… in awe? I always forget how huge they are," and then she came home, and there they were: the beasts of the north. But she also loved them for that. "Yeah?" she turned to look for the jars, "what could we make with it? Maybe something light and easy, or a dessert?"

[elisequinn]

"Kicked out, on the streets, blacklisted from just about every house in town. Except for Mom and Dad's, because that's the worst punishment of all," she said sternly. "I just want you to improve to be more and more like me, isn't that what all big sisters want?" she joked. "They're massive creatures compared to standard cats, it makes the little one look downright tiny, I don't know how she manages it, walking alongside them all the time." She shrugged, holding up a honey jar to admire the clarity. "Or just stir it into some tea in the evening for a sweet way to end the night."

[leighash]

You're right! And don't worry, I got the feeling that you might be a little more talk than action when it comes to being shady. Which is okay, there's nothing wrong with talking yourself up as being a Shady Lady so that everyone knows not to mess with you! I can understand that. You wanted to do things on your own so that you could prove that you didn't need them. And look, I've only known you for what, half a year already? But it seems like you're doing pretty well for yourself!

[elisequinn]

Just a little bit, but I am a lady of action, more broadly speaking, so don't cross me. Well, I did have some support in the form of a very large inheritance and I did grow up with wealth and connections, but I made sure to study my ass off and get the training to back up everything I do, you know? Even with privilege, you're not absolved of being the best version of yourself.

[joshlane]

Right, right, when you're doing actual crimes, you might end up getting in actual trouble, and that's going to follow you into the adult years. Where it becomes a problem. No, I don't think you ever would, you might have an air of mystery or what not, but you're not a criminal. Hmm... it's a thought, but I'm not sure that I give off country boy vibes most of the time?

[elisequinn]

Right, and you can't start out your life with that, or at least you shouldn't if you can help it. Not the super obvious kind of criminal, at least, I do have my more nefarious motivations hiding beneath the surface. No, no you do not. In fact, I can't even say with confidence that you own a pair of cowboy boots.

[cagenewman]

Oh right, with some wrought iron railing and a fancy carpet down the center of the stairs, so that it looks like it belongs in a mega mansion? Or do you prefer that I call my contacts and see if we can find someone willing to build it out of marble? Also, me, scared… I've never been scared of a project. Exactly that, but he's a cute little blob, so I'm happy about that. That early, yeah, they get them started pretty early. I keep telling him that, but I think Maryland's a combination of having a chance to play, but still being big enough he can get noticed, maybe transfer somewhere bigger in a couple of years if he wants, you know?

[elisequinn]

Yes, that's exactly what I believe my cats deserve and if you really love me, you'll learn how to craft it in marble yourself. And someday he'll be a blob that grows features and then grows into an energetic little boy and that will be one of the greatest joys of your life. Or maybe Maryland won't suck in a few years? Not that they "suck" now but...I've seen that record when you told me.

[leighash]

That's sort of like the whole 'misery loves company' saying, except for the part where it's not really misery. But at least we're around equally bad people, so... that counts! Oh no... does that mean you went from ugly duckling to swan, or is this the part where you tell me that you're just being humble? But I get it! I had a lot of long nights like that on the rodeo circuit, too.

[elisequinn]

Shady loves company, because who wants to be anything but shady? I never said my goodness extends to what I say and think behind people's backs. I am joking, by the way, I don't actually do shady things...that you'll ever know of. Somewhere between the ugly duckling and humble. Because I think if I had the money I had now I could have been thriving, but I didn't want to rely on my parents' wealth.

[joshlane]

Which is half the battle. I was … probably the opposite of a bad kid, but it's my understanding that you can misbehave as much as you want as a kid, as long as you're really good at hiding it. Which you clearly were! I feel like a fainting couch might be out of place at a lake house with rustic charm. Although it would be nice right in front of the fish tank. Plop down and look up to see all of them swimming about.

[elisequinn]

That's...sort of correct. Unless you're doing actual crimes, then that's super frowned upon. But I wasn't doing those, I promise. Maybe, or you could redo it with some plaid fabric and make a country boy fainting couch to faint at the beauty of your fish.

[cagenewman]

By 'when you get them stairs', do you happen to mean 'when you ask your friend who is a carpenter to make you custom made stairs so the cats have an easy way up and down onto the bed?' Because I can see myself making some good bank off of this. I know, right? I'm starting to see a little bit more of me every time I look at him. Right off the bat, I thought he was going to be a carbon copy of Cordelia, honestly. He goes in July, it's coming up way too fast. Football practice and all, damn athletes.

[elisequinn]

Well, I thought you could make a little cat spiral staircase or something, just to make sure they keep up with the elegant lifestyle they're accustomed to. Is that something you can do or are you scared? Well, it's hard to tell when they're that little, they're just little cute blobs for the first few months. Football practice that early? Damn. He does know it's hot there, right? It's not too late to change his mind.

[estherquinn]

"Okay," she laughed, unable to hide her amusement. "I just figured with all the time you spend in the kitchen, I'd offer to let you kick your feet up and judge me from afar, but if you want to judge me while looking over my shoulder…" she trailed off, shooting her sister a teasing smile. But it might be kind of fun for them to cook together, and Esther could always learn a few things from her big sister. Not that she was a slack in the kitchen, but she absolutely wasn't an educated, trained, professional in the kitchen the way Elise was. "Yeah, no kidding. If you stand them up toe to toe, some of them might actually be taller than me," she stopped by a stand to check out a jar of homemade honey, taking out a few bills and paying for it before tucking it into the bag on her arm. Good for breakfasts, she figured. "I love them, though. You're obviously the number one perk about being home, but they're number two."

[elisequinn]

"Maybe not too close over the shoulder, I wouldn't want you getting nervous and fucking up my good copper pans," she remarked. "But it's fun to do it together when it's not people I have to yell at. I full choose to yell at you, and that makes all the difference." Once satisfied with the strawberries, she paid, adding to the large pile of greens already tucked into her bag. "Perhaps, does that scare you? They're big softies at their core. This time of year they're not much help but in the winter, they're great to sleep cuddled with," she remarked. "You should try their clover honey, it's one of my favorites."

[estherquinn]

WHO: essie & @elisequinn

WHERE: farmer's market, countryside

WHEN: may 13, 2026

"Alright, so... what am I cooking tonight?" Essie asked as they entered the large, open area of the farmer's market, booth upon booth of fresh produce laid out in front of them. "And before you argue, yes, I am cooking dinner tonight, I think most of my bags and boxes are finally unpacked and I want to say thank you for helping me with that and giving me a place to stay," she looked over at her sister. Esther probably could have stayed with her ex, she knew that he wouldn't have minded, and maybe could have asked her parents, but... living with Elise temporarily seemed like a much, much more relaxing idea. Not to mention... cats. Still, she couldn't help but worry as she touched her sister's arm, small frown crossing her expression, "I know I've asked a hundred thousand times since I got here, but you're sure it's okay that I'm taking up so much of your space?"

[elisequinn]

"Well, we'll see about that," Elise answered, largely under her breath. The reality is that Elise didn't mind someone else cooking now and then, it's just that she had a strong need to control everything in her kitchen. "Or you can help me pick out the ingredients and we can cook together, like old times or something." Elise picked up a basket of strawberries, checking for mold and rot. There was no old times, either, she was controlling in the kitchen from a young age. "Oh, you hardly take up more space than the cats, and that's saying something, because they're all about half your size."