e m m a

She nodded. "Stickers are definitely a little safer. Just gotta make sure they're not putting anything on the furniture or in books." Stevie laughed, knowing exactly how little minds worked. There have been a number of times she had to replace furniture or fix walls in her house because of a sticker. "Thank you. I'm sure we'll stay as long as the kids want. Lord knows Naomi will pick out a story soon." @emmajlin

"That's the unfortunately part of crafts at the library." Emma stated. "With stickers we have to risk books or furniture getting decorated, sure." she paused. "But with glue it's a lot harder to clean up; that's why I went with scrapbooking glue that makes things easier to remove but also why I went with stickers." she sighed. "They just all love it so much I can't imagine taking it away." she exhaled, shaking her head. "I'm just hoping they get so stickered out here they won't carry them around the library." she admitted. "She can pick out as many as you let her. We love it when the kids take all the books." @steviexwagner

cemrexdeniz

Where: The Rodeo

Who: @emmajlin

"Holy shit! He's still holding on!" Cemre said to the woman next to her with excitement as they watched the bull rider past go past 5 seconds. She'd never actually been to a rodeo, but she'd went all out for her first one and was loving it. Standing up as she bit down on her nails, she hat flipped off as she grabbed them. "I think he's going to go a full 10 seconds. Is that good or bad?"

#emma x cemre #cemre thread; general

"It's not something I've ever seen." Emma stated, gaze fixated on the rider that was now holding on for what felt like an eternity. He'd by far surpassed all the other riders that day so far, and Emma couldn't peel her eyes away. "I think -" she paused, wincing as the rider finally fell off and the call time was given. Eleven seconds. "I'm pretty sure that's a new record. Which is great for him but awful for anyone else that tried to beat it." she admitted, offering the other a smile as she finally peeled her eyes away, the grumbles, whistles and claps of the people around them filling the space. "You're outfit is adorable by the way!" she complimented, eyes fixated on the other fully now. "That color brings out your eyes." @cemrexdeniz

daehyunxkwon

"Scouts honour." Dae-Hyun swore, his hand his hand lifted up, the other against his chest, as if he were making a pledge. The fact she was covering more than half her face made it all the more funnier though, but he waited, and when she asked him he let out a chuckle. "That's ... Kind of deep." He mused, leaning forwards with his arms resting on the table. "Do you want me to answer it?" The question rang, figuring he'd humour her. "I'd have to say.. Chemistry, curiosity, and the feeling that every reply makes me want to ask another question. Perhaps the answer lies on the next page." @emmajlin

#emma x dae #dae hyun thread; event

As he lifted his hand in a fake pledge, Emma let herself smile, one which was more obvious by the flush of her cheeks out of pure embarrassment. She wasn't one that typically found herself someone that got too embarrassed if she were to say something too off beat, but, there was always that one time that would prove her wrong. After asking the question though, and getting nothing but approval from the other by his own countered question - do you want me to answer it - Emma nodded. "Sure." she smiled, this time wider. More genuine. She listened as he spoke, the answer making her mind truly focus. "I think that's brilliant." she nodded. "Enough people don't ask questions. They don't get to know anything about anyone on a deep level or even just the simple questions like, what's your favorite color." she added. "This type of thing makes people have to think of things on the spot." she admitted. "Or at least it should." she paused. "I overheard someone complaining that one of the guys here only wanted to talk about his last relationship." @daehyunxkwon

damonxblakewood

He rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue, playfully showcasing his distain for her sentiment. Of course he was purely joking, thankful for an old friend with whom he could banter and joke around with. "We're old, might as well lean into the boring part," he took a sip of the tea, welcoming the hot liquid as he settled him on the couch, his hand reaching to pet Darcy. "That sounds good to me," he nodded, leaning the mug on his knee, "honestly I haven't the slightest idea of what else to do. I barely know what's going on in this town half the time. At least during the school year I don't." He didn't have a reason to keep up with that kind of thing; not anymore at least. Not since losing his daughter and divorcing his wife. So now he stayed in and stuck to the familiar. "Unless you wanted to do something?" He asked before sitting up straighter at the sound of the car show, "a vintage car show? That sounds interesting enough." @emmajlin

#emma x damon #damon thread; general

Emma laughed as her best friend not only reminded her they weren't as young as they'd once been, but also that they might as well embrace the boring, something Emma was nearly offended by. "I like slow activities that don't require a lot of strenuous activities but I wouldn't consider myself boring." Emma laughed, taking a sip of her tea, watching as Darcy leaned farther into Damon for head scratches, something that the cat had always done. "Well, lucky for you I'm one with town hall sometimes so I always know what's happening in this town." she stated. She felt like she were her friends own personal calendar sometimes, always up to date with the latest things. She really just liked being in the know so she could support small businesses within the town. "I'm fine with sitting here in silence and staring at you all afternoon so don't make me choose." Emma laughed. "Let's do the car show." she nodded. "If we hate it, we can order take out and find something else to do." @damonxblakewood

Watching her kids go over to the arts and crafts, she laughed and looked at Emma. "I'm sure it is. Naomi loves it and definitely sharing it with Tommy and Mikey." The toddlers were basically playing with the paper instead, before she nodded. "I'll watch them and make sure they're okay. If they go for the glue, I'll switch them to something else." Stevie assured her. "We'll look at a few books. We can always use something new to read. We'll just hang out for a bit, though, if that's alright." @emmajlin

"I don't blame you for not wanting them to get involved in glue." Emma laughed. "If I could get away with just doing stickers - which I honestly may try once all this glue is gone - " she paused, taking a breath. "I'll probably try to push that we're a sticker only zone. The idea of glue with all these books around has always made me kind of nervous." she admitted. And even though Emma was in charge of coordinating arts and crafts, she often tried to stick with using materials they already had; something that she was big on; saving money for more books instead. "You all are welcome to look at anything you want, and stay as long as you want." she nodded. "I personally love enthusiasm in families to be here so I'll never turn you away." @steviexwagner

"Wow it's been awhile." Emma smiled a little wider, despite the fact that the mention of the restaurant made her heart sink a little. "I'd remember those eyes anywhere." she laughed; a bit of a flirtatious banter, sure, yet she'd remembered vividly all the times she'd told him that same thing growing up. It had often been how she'd known it was him before she fully saw his face growing up. "How are you, Andrew Cowan?" she asked, using his full name to register that she knew exactly who he was. "You and that brother of yours still causing chaos? I imagine without the mudpies these days." @drewxcowan

drewxcowan

Andrew laughed at the throwback, his eyes never having been much of an attention puller but in true fashion, Emma had always stuck by that compliment. "Definitely no mudpies anymore, we're good yeah." Of course with the losses of their partners and Travis with his son as well, they'd definitely gone through hard times, yet Andrew always tried to see the brighter side of life, even if it hurt at times. "Kids flew out of the nest.. Sort of, they still live at home but they're college wise at least." He mused. "Wow, it must've been years, right? You look amazing, we should definitely grab coffee, just to catch up. @emmajlin

END.

giovannaxwallace

"Honestly, it's the perfect summer flavor." Giovanna agreed with a slight nod of her head. "I swear it can make a gloomy day better, too. Tasting like summer and all." The brunette let out a soft laugh from her lips, only thinning at the question. "Honestly, I could go either way." She told the woman with a shake of her head. "Both have their pros, but," Giovanna trailed off once more. "Okay, let's go cup today." She finally answered after another beat. Whether or not it was the right choice, she figured she would find out. "Thank you, though, really. The gesture is so kind." And while Kismet Harbor was full of kindness, she still wanted to acknowledge it. @emmajlin

#emma x giovanna #giovanna thread; general

"I'm a sucker for really anything lemonade flavor." she admitted. Lemon water was something she often found herself sipping on most of the year, so, lemonade flavored ice cream in the summertime was something she'd never deny herself the opportunity to enjoy. "I agree with both having pros and cons." Emma nodded. "Ice cream cones are easier because you can just eat it all without having to find a trashcan to dispose the cup when you're finished." she admitted. "But, I have a tendency to be miserable after that that most of the time I'd rather walk around with trash in my hand for hours than to spend the rest of my day miserable." she added, volunteering more information than the other asked for. "Cup it is." she nodded. "And really, it's no problem." she smiled. "I'm happy to pass forward a kind gesture today." @giovannaxwallace

She nodded. "I can attest to it, too. Zoe wasn't the biggest fan of me having more kids when I was pregnant with Naomi, but she definitely came around and loves her sister." She grinned as she thought about it. "Hey, a little boost isn't so bad." Stevie said before settling down to listen to the story while keeping an eye on her kids. Naomi was paying attention more than the twins were, but that was probably expected for the kids under two. @emmajlin

"Sometimes it just takes letting them be involved from what I've heard." Emma smiled, eyes focusing on the children. Reading the story - complete with voices for each character - and finished the story, an applause from the older kids as she finished up. Dismissing the kids - most of which ran straight to the art table - Emma approached Stevie again. "This seems to be the best part of story time is the craft that comes along with it." Emma smiled. "If you'd rather the boys not have access to glue sticks we have some foil stickers to replace the foil that the older kids are gluing down." she nodded. "Or, we can find more books if you guys are wanting something new to read at home." @steviexwagner

milesxvaughn

He smiled, "I trust you," he said, and even if she didnt come back, he could just put them back out for sale. He nodded as he looked over his table. He was so nervous about this, worried it wasn't going to work. But he did love woodworking and home repairs, so this worked for him so far. "A little bit, " but it was so new he was just getting started. "I also don't know much how to advertise about it." he chuckled. "I posted on my Facebook, but my niece says that's old and no one cares." he chuckled. "Aw, you're sweet," he smiled as he looked at what he had. "I learned wood carving in Africa, but most of that was done by hand or some hand tools, " not a lot of power tools, but he had some. "But I am glad you see what I put into them, " he said," that he loved them and worked hard to make them look good. @emmajlin

#emma x miles #miles thread; general

Emma listened as he spoke and she paused, raising an eyebrow when he made the comment about his niece. "Wait." she stated. "Your niece said that was old and no one would care?" she questioned. "Is your niece older than you?" she paused. "I just know that the younger generation are so pro-social media these days that seems to be the best way to get word of a business out." she admitted. "We post events from the library's Facebook page and social media page all the time and it's worked." she shrugged. "Maybe you should make a business page." she added. "I'd be willing to help you get it set up if that's something you're interested in." Though she let it go, returning her attention to the incredible work she was looking at in front of her. "I think woodworking is a wonderful skill." she admitted, eyes focusing on the other. "Do you use hand tools? Or power tools?" @milesxvaughn

She chuckled. "Maybe it's just a toddler thing." Which was definitely likely. It was harder to get toddlers to do anything. She smiled as she watched Naomi and nodded. "Definitely. And luckily, she loves her brothers. There was a time I was worried she was going to be jealous." But her and Johnny were able to make sure all their kids still got attention when Mikey and Tommy were born. "That's amazing, really. I bet all the kids love it. I know us parents do." @emmajlin

"Definitely seems to be." Emma nodded eyes focusing on the other. She herself wasn't a parent, nor did she claim to be someone that knew anything about children as a whole. But she'd seen enough of them to know that nothing any parent ever complained about was something she'd never seen before. And all the toddlers were typically doing the same thing in some form or fashion. "I think that's a big fear most parents have." Emma stated with a smile, watching as a few more kids came in and joined, kids she didn't quite know personally so she couldn't greet by name. "I like to think so, but sometimes I think it's just because I want to boost my own ego." Emma laughed. "Who's ready to get started?" she questioned as the kids cheered and she began reading the story, complete with a fish hand puppet. @steviexwagner

damonxblakewood

Who: @emmajlin and Damon

Where: Her home

When: June 2026

"You got me out of the house, away from pouring over the last of my grades to submit," he sighed and then took a sip of the wine in front of him, "now what?" He asked as he looked at his one of his best friends, one who he had known for well over twenty years. He had tirelessly worked himself during yet another semester, thankful to have the summer off, to recuperate his mind and body. "Did you wanna go out or stay in? Or we could go out, pick up food and come back to stay i. I just have to make sure I feed and walk Apollo before I knock out for the night."

#emma x damon #damon thread; general

Emma listened as Damon began to speak through their options, and she laughed, shaking her head. "You make me sound so boring, D." she added, exhaling as she lifted her own cup of tea and sipped it as Darcy situated herself right next to Damon, a spot she'd deemed her favorite anytime the male was over. "I figured - if you wanted - we could finish up our drinks, go grab some food, come back here and watch a movie or something?" she paused. "Unless you'd rather do something out and I think there are a few things going on around town." she paused. "Like pride week I know is this week and I'm pretty sure there's some performance at the local theater if that's more your speed." she looked away for a second as if thinking. "Oh and that vintage car show. Did you want to go to that?" @damonxblakewood

"You know I've never really thought about that." Emma stated, eyes shifting towards the other as he spoke. "Honestly, though, it's always kind of been second nature." A truth. "I don't have any kids of my own as I'm sure everyone in this town knows by now, but, I do have a passion for working with children, so, it's nothing to just figure it out." she shrugged. As he admitted that he'd never appreciated librarians before, though, Emma let herself smile a little wider. "I think we all grow to appreciate some of the under appreciated careers at some point in our lives, better late than never I guess." As the conversation shifted to the time, Emma nodded, letting herself offer him a wider smile. "I concur." she confessed. "I would love to do this again." she wasn't sure if he'd meant this as in the speed dating or simply seeing her again, so she left the answer vague, open to his own interpretation in a sense. "Platonic relationships are just as important as romantic ones, so I have to agree with that too." @connorxbowen

connorxbowen

Connor could appreciate that, coming from her. He hadn't thought twice about whether or not that she had children or why. Frankly, Connor knew that it was none of his business. There had been a time in which he struggled to explain his own situation, but few people seemed to ask anymore. "Great," the man felt a smile growing against his lips. For the first time since his relationship with Fatma ended, he felt hope building inside of him. Whether or not it was anything more than a friendship, Connor was looking forward of what was to come between the two of them. "I'd really like that." @emmajlin

END.

giovannaxwallace

The last few weeks had been warming up in Kismet Harbor, putting Giovanna in the mood to get ice cream. Since Noah was spending time with his siblings and Ines, she stopped into the local ice cream parlor on her way home for the evening. She'd just finished packing up her office for the summer, though she rarely had to bring much home. Giovanna carried herself to the end of the line, though there was only one person in front of her. Met with Emma's smile, she matched it. "Wow, it must be my lucky day." Her smile grew. "That's very kind of you." And she wished someone was in line behind her to do the same, though she supposed she could pay it forward another day. "I've been dying to try the blueberry lemon ice cream." @emmajlin

#emma x giovanna #giovanna thread; general #// i thought that photo behind gio's head was knox for half a second

"That's the same flavor I was looking at too." Emma smile, nodding her head enthusiastically. She was known to have a palette that was a little more mature in the sense of yogurts, ice creams, and treats, but she wasn't opposed to having something like basic chocolate when the mood struck. But today wasn't that day and with the warmer with she was indulging in the first fruity flavor of the season, lemon blueberry. "I don't know what it is about it but I'm a sucker for lemon as is. Toss in some blueberries and I am guaranteed to enjoy it multiple times a week while it's in stock." she laughed. "You a cone girl or a cup girl? No wrong answer I just need to know how to order." @giovannaxwallace

connorxbowen

"Part of me thinks you might have your work cut out more than us single parents." Connor's lips tugged into a faint smile, a playful one at that. "You're trying to plan for a wider range of groups, so many personalities to try and make happy. I've just got the one kid." His smile grew, warmly in her direction. "But, I think it's an honorable job. I might never have appreciated librarians as much as I should have when I was growing up, but I can appreciate them now with my daughter and all the time that we spend at the library." Connor nodded his head to her words. "I understand." Dating histories came with complications, everyone knew that. "No, the speed part is a bit of a challenge." He chuckled, glancing down at his watch. "I've had a nice enough conversation though," he swallowed hard, "that I'd be interested in doing it again. Even if it's platonic." He didn't want to assume anything on her end. @emmajlin

#emma x connor #connor thread; event #event; speed dating