Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā anything SPECIAL today ?? āĀ Ā Ā nico asks in greeting, smile friendlyĀ before his gaze drops down to the cases of baked goods. he likes wallflour, if not for the wares then for the building it resides in --- as kind as the baker who runs it. if he listens hard enough, maybe the bricks whisper good morning, though itās lost in the tinkle of bells as the previous customer steps out.Ā Ā Ā ā nothing my nutritionist is going to kill me for, though. āĀ Ā Ā
āMy fault, I guess, for trusting that an ice cream place would want people to enjoy their flavours,ā Josiah mused, faux-thoughtful, but notably keeping his tone lowered so as not to offend the employee. Not that he imagined it was the young girl who was behind the flavours, but who was he to assume? Maybe she was a rum and raisin entrepreneur. Blackberry cheesecake, though, now thatĀ Josiah both liked the sound of and couldnāt imagine.Ā āAĀ vibe.ā He repeated, clearly not comfortable with the vernacular. Thirty-four felt like sixty-eight around terms like that.Ā āIām not sure. What vibe is it? A celebration vibe? A boredom vibe? Aā¦ scored a goal vibe?ā He was trying, though. You had to give him that.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā nico, deciding that the purple lettered flavor will be an adequate substitute in the absence of his favorite, nods to himself, digging out a few crumpled bills from his shortsā pocket. perhaps not the most CONVENIENT way to carry money around but one made out of habitĀ all the same. not even three years of pro had changed that. he frowns as josiah.Ā Ā Ā ā itās just -------------------- a VIBE, āĀ Ā Ā he says unhelpfully.Ā Ā Ā ā just feels like the right things to get, yāknow ?? āĀ Ā Ā does he know heās being vague and not at all helpful ?? maybe. but he never was the best at explaining himself, lest of all when it came to the less concrete subject of feelings.Ā Ā Ā ā you getting something else or you leaning into the vibeĀ with me ?? āĀ Ā Ā okay, maybe he isĀ joking a little at josiahās expense now.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā the bells tinkle over the door, pulling nicoās gaze up from his instagram feed.Ā Ā Ā ā theyāre having some TROUBLE with the coffee maker or whatever --- āĀ Ā Ā nico offers helpfully.Ā Ā Ā thereās no ire in his voice ; itās not like heās in much of a hurry these days. thereās no workout scheduled for this morning and his hours on the ice arenāt until the afternoon, so heās content to perch on one of the stools, phone in hand and the comforting aromatic atmosphere of roots swirling around him. the coffee shop always had an EASE about it, quiet whispers and gentle nudges of memory at the edge of his consciousness ( something that holds true even during MORNING rush ).Ā Ā Ā ā shouldnāt be long but if youāre in a hurry ---- āĀ Ā Ā he trails off with a shrug.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā thank GOD for air conditioning in the gym. chavella always had a way of kicking his ass -- metaphorically && LITERALLY -- and he was more than thankful not to add dealing with the oppressive heat outside on top of that. that was why heād HIRED her in the first place though : her tough reputation got RESULTS, and he needed a new change of pace among his usual. he picks at the closure of the wrappings around his hands, an idle gaze turned sideways on her.Ā Ā Ā ā so just out of CURIOSITY --- does the wholeĀ ā you canāt fire me until you kick my ass ā still hold true in say, like fifteen years from now when i RETIRE and it still hasnāt happened ? ā
Having the day off from Salvatoreās, Nora takes it upon herself to take her skateboard out after what felt like months. The weather was finally nice enough to pleasantly skate outside and sheād be damned if she wasnāt going to take advantage of that, maybe if she was lucky sheād find a park or empty swimming pool to practice in. Her peace is abruptly disrupted as sheās skating along the sidewalk when someone walks out in front, causing her to swerve to the side. Fortunately for her, there was a pile of trash bags that she fell into as the board went flying into the air. Well, maybe it was more unfortunate.Ā āMotherfucker.ā She groans, staying in the garbage for a few brief moments before looking over to see just who had gotten in her way.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā nico stops the wayward board from rolling into the street and oncoming traffic with the toe of one sneaker, gaze wandering over to the unfortunate soul whoād taken the trash bags over a collision with him. recognition dawns on him quickly.Ā Ā Ā ā surprised you didnāt just barrel into me ---- āĀ Ā Ā thereās JEST in his tone, not unkind though. the hand not holding his iced coffee is offered in assistance, though he figures thereās a high chance sheāll likely rebuke it.Ā Ā Ā Ā ā you GOOD ? nothing broken ? ā
the sound of the door opening has robin peering over the back of the sofa, looking at nico as he walks through the door. pale hair is piled on the top of her head in a messy bun, still damp from her swim in the river earlier that afternoon.Ā āthank god. itās like an oven in here.ā the windows are all flung open, but the breeze that occasionally blows through them and ruffle the curtains she had picked - pale blue and fluttery - isnāt doing much to cool off their apartment.Ā āugh, somewhere with good ac. swannie hause?ā sheās standing up as she speaks, shoving her feet into the sandals she had kicked off next to the sofa.
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā even the walls of their apartment are uncharacteristically silent, as if the sun has sapped all the energy out of them too. fingers trail briefly over a bit of exposed brick ( an incoherent murmur is all he gets in response --- which is fine with him ) as his head bobs in a nod. itās probably too hot to be eating wings, but a beef on weck doesnāt sound BAD either --- and robin is right about the need for ac.Ā Ā Ā ā iāll put the window unit in when we get back, āĀ Ā Ā he promises. itās unlikely either of them will forget when the reminder of its necessity is all around them. would it be more logical to put it in now and have the apartment at a pleasant temperature when they get back ? maybe, but nico is STARVING.Ā Ā Ā ā --- iāll drive --- my carās got better ac anyway. ā
On a day as beautiful as this, it was impossible to be inside. Josiah had come out to read by the river at a peaceful seven a.m., and had apparently managed to drown out the noise of people rising and gathering around him as the morning had melted into a scorching afternoon. It was only when he turned the final page of his novel that he realised how hungryĀ he was, remembering quite suddenly that his breakfast had consisted of nothing but black coffee from Roots Coffee & Tea. Now he wandered on the boardwalk, hoping something would take his fancy. It was when he was squinting at an ice cream stand, thinking what a poor choice that would be for a lunch, that he heard a familiar voice. Nico. Instinctively, he glanced around for Robin, but then thought, silly. Living together didnāt constitute being attached at the hip. Nevertheless, almost nothing would stop Josiah Abelman searching on the off chance that someone he loved was nearby. Still, he snapped back to focus to find Nico addressing him, and smiled in acknowledgement.Ā āIām afraid Iām not exactly an ice cream connoisseur.ā Josiah confessed.Ā āToo high sugar. But, you could tryā¦ how about this one?ā Josiah hovered a finger above the menu, indicating an option calledĀ āRaise Your Coneā. Tilting his head, he read the description aloud:Ā āA decadent rum and raisin blend.ā His face crumpled.Ā āEugh. I promise I donāt hate you. I just didnāt read the fine print.āĀ
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ICE CREAM wasn't exactly a staple of nico's diet, either --- in-season especially. his nutritionist would have an absolute fit, hence the frozen yogurt that typically frequented his freezer. but summer hasn't even started, the off-season still young in its months --- besides it feels like the nine circle of hell out so he figures he could use a break. he can't help the face he makes at the flavor description, though. nico laughs easily --- he likes josiah even if he jumbles up hockey a bit too often ; he's got the SPIRIT, as robin would say. besides, he's pretty sure robin would kick him out to the street if he DIDN'T like her cousin.Ā Ā Ā " c'mon, man --- that's like one of the FIRST things you learn : ALWAYS read the fine print. "Ā Ā Ā he skims the menu again, still mourning the loss of the vanilla-orange twist because truly NOTHING compares.Ā Ā Ā " okay, okay --- how about that one. "Ā Ā Ā he points to one near the top in lurid purple script,Ā Ā Ā " the blackberry cheesecake one --- sounds like a VIBE, don't you think ?? "
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā itās TOO FUCKING HOT to cook ---- āĀ Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā nico complains as way of greeting as he steps in through their front door. ( though HONESTLY hot temperatures or not, the heavy us of the drawer filled with take out menus probably illuminates their cooking prowess better than anything ). the brick walls of their apartment have lost the last of their coolness in the eighty degree temps. as someone who also spent the better part of the day in a nicely air conditioned gym and then a heavily temperature controlled rink, the heat feels all the more draining. they really need to get the window AC unit out of the closet --- he makes a mental note to do that when they get back.Ā Ā Ā ā you can pick ; iāll PAY --- just not like, temperance landing or some shit. ā
she pauses, thinking on that one for a moment. itās a fair point.Ā āoh right, mr warbucks over here.ā robin leans over to nudge him with an elbow.Ā āmr.Ā āiām gonna buy a house with a fenceā. whatāre you even gonna doĀ with more than a million dollars?ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā stage the WEDDING everyone wants us to have, obviously. āĀ Ā Ā itās too hot to be close if the speed of ice cream melting was any meter to judge by, but nico slings a friendly arm around her anyway. the wall theyāre perched on has maybe seen better days, the worn stone rough against his skin where his shorts have ridden up a bit. but itās quiet, at least, no murmurs pressing against his consciousness --- just his own idle thoughts.Ā Ā Ā ā better eat that FASTER or all youāre going to have is a PUDDLE. ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā the heat is BRUTAL out ---- itās like the weather turned sharply from winter to summer in barely a day ( and a fact thatās not completely far off ). nico didnāt function well in heat, maybe thatās why his profession solidly revolved around the exact opposite : ice. his morning run had been before the worst of it at least ; the mere thought of trying to do anything in the oppressive air smothering him turns his stomach. no, today was a good day to spend at canalside where the bison river emptied into the lake and offshore breezes cooled the air to a manageable level. heās in some line at one of the popup ice cream stands on the boardwalk, idly squinting at the phone in the sun while he waits when he hears the bad news.Ā Ā Ā ā theyāre OUT of vanilla - orange twist ?? āĀ Ā Ā arguably his FAVORITE. tastes just like a fucking creamsickle.Ā Ā Ā ā damn. āĀ Ā Ā he surveys the print on the menu, gaze shifting to the person behind him.Ā Ā Ā ā any SUGGESTIONS ?? i guess itās time to try something NEW. ā
āokay, you get a million dollars butĀ you have to walk everywhere barefoot for a year,ā itās fueled by the fact sheās wearing sandals and admiring the fact that she managed not to get any of the sparkly green nail polish anywhere but her, yāknow, nails,Ā āwhich do you pick?ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ā POOR question --- incredibly WEAK, āĀ Ā Ā nicoās commentary is halted briefly as he takes another lick of his ice cream cone to keep it from dripping messily down the side.Ā Ā Ā ā you forgetting that iām hopefully gunna be making MORE than that soon ??Ā guess, i get to keep my shoes. ā
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā ( WOLFGANG NOVOGRATZ, 24, HE / HIM ) i heard the trees whispering about NICO ASHWOOD the other day. they said the bison falls NATIVE has lived here THEIR ENTIRE LIFE, and that while they might only be a NHL GOALIE, they also COMMUNICATE & HAVE MEMORY TOUCH WITH BUILDINGS. if you saw them, they would remind you of FROST ON LEAVES JUST CHANGING COLOR, 6 AM RUNS, THE SMELL OF HOMEBREWED COFFEE, & ICE SHAVINGS ON FRESHLY ZAMBONIED ICE. ( ollie, 21, est, they/them )Ā
CHILDHOODĀ :Ā nico was born and raised in bison falls to a comfortable life --- two working middle class parents who never struggled to make ends meet but also never lived in the great opulence of some of the mansioned bison falls streets. his childhood was honestly quite uneventful ; his relationship with his parents positive with the usual bumps that come with growing up. his mom is a high school teacher and his father is a mechanical engineer who works locally for like some car tech company. he went to a well-known private catholic all boys school.
COLLEGE : nico went to quinnipiac on an athletic scholarship to play hockey. he, to the surprise of his peers, studied civil engineering with a structural concentration while he was there. he was uncertain as to his future in pro-hockey --- goalies take a notably long time to develop and heād wanted the insurance just in case. he finished out his degree. part of him still harbors a dream to have a hand in designing for an nhl arena. he was also in a fraternity for his final three years.
HOCKEY : hockey is a huge part of nicoās life ( obviously ) and always had been. he gravitated towards being a goalie at a pretty young age because of the responsibility that comes with the position and the control it affords him. he did a brief one-season stint when he was eleven at forward, and maintains that the different perspective made him a better goalie despite the fact he remembers little from it now. he was the starting goalie for quinnipiac his junior and senior years ( practically dragging them through playoffs his final year ), and allegedly considered for co-captaincy his senior year though it was ultimately given to someone else due to his position.
DEVELOPMENT : after quinnipiac, nico realized a dream and signed a contract with his childhood team, the bison falls griffins. heād attended development camp there the summer before, but had assumed it was little more than a cup of coffee for a longtime fan. but the organization obviously saw more in him in his senior year. he spent two years with the griffinsā ahl affiliate the rennington ravens. his third season with the ravens, he was called up unexpectedly when injuries plagued the griffinsā goalies. he then played so well that he remained with the big club the rest of the season ( this past one ). there was an unexpected jump in his development, and he hopes with work he can make the team out of training camp in september.
QUIRKS : he definitely lives up to the wholeĀ āgoalies are weirdā thing. his nickname is still up for debate, but heāsĀ āashwallā on pretty much all social media. he thinksĀ heās being clever and funny. heās the type to kiss the net posts after pucks go off them in game, and likes to spray water from his waterbottle and watch the droplets fall -- it calms him down. he uses bauer and only bauer. his number is #35 for no particular reason.
LIVING ARRANGEMENTS : though nico spent a few weeks in the team hotel on his call up, he is no longer there. he also didnāt want to sign a lease in case that jinxed his chances in september with the team ( #Superstition ). though technically he could move back into his parentsā home, he has no desire to. luckily, an old friend in robin holt offered him her spare room. he has gladly taken it for at least the rest of the summer -- after that, who knows.
PERSONALITY :Ā nico is extremely laidback and it takes a lot to phase him. it helps him keep cool in games and bounce back quickly when he does let in goals. he likes to have fun a lot, on and off the ice. itās like he has a switch in his brain that has him going from goofy to serious in a snap. however, he is also EXTREMELY superstitious and one thing he does not fuck around with is his pre-game routine ā it remains the same every single game. do not mess it up ; youāll regret it.
MISC PERSONALITY REFERENCES : nico goaltending as a kid ; definitely nico at some point probably not that long ago...
APPEARANCE: 6ā²3ā³ with a solid athletic build. surprisingly flexible and is capable of doing a full split ( comes in handy in the creaseā¦ ). he typically wears t-shirts ( from various hockey tournaments, running races, any event with a free t-shirt tbh ), athletic shorts or sweatpants, and sliders. he doesnāt wear a hoodie or jacket until itās at least below 40 and maybe not even then.
HABITS: he is very much a morning person and enjoys going for early morning runs to start his day -- after sun salutations. heās almost always the first person up wherever heās staying ( though robin is rivaling that rn ), and will make coffee for anyone who may be headed out. he does love a good party though and can & will stay up all night. that was moreso in college than now, but hey... he naps A LOT. he can and will sleep pretty much anywhere. at quinnipiac one of this brothers probably started an instagram of him knocked out in random ass places. for all his height and lanky limbs, nico takes up as little space as possible when he sleeps ; typically curled up in a ball on his side. itās RARE that he sprawls out completely. thereās no real reason for this, but maybe it makes him feel safer. he has a hard time paying attention if heās just sitting somewhere, so heās very prone to doodling. he keeps a notebook on him at all times for this purpose, and often can be found sketching something in it before games as part of his pregame ritual.
HIS ABILITY : nico has the ability to communicate with buildings and in some cases, glean snatches of memory from them with touch. it was something his grandmother in his motherās side had, but not his mother. itās hard for him to explain, because buildings are not quite SENTIENT in the way humans are, but they have thoughts and observations. itās like a VIBE he gets. ( if this is confusing... which fair... pls just read this that i wrote which was lowkey the inspo for bison falls lmaooo )
CONNECTIONS :
since heās from bison falls... like anything ?? i like working off chem and vibes so iāll be reaching out to you guys personally after i read ur intros. iāll be starting a connections page soon to keep track of everything.
OOC :
Ā Ā Ā Ā Ā heyo, my dudes. iāll ollie && i am also your admin !!! sorry this wasnāt ready to go right from the drop, but iām superĀ excited to get things going. bison falls has been in the works for over a year now and i canāt wait to see where it goes !!
