IVY HANLON. thirty1. they/she. aquarius. born in merrock, backup vocalist/synth/keys for unknown destination. current manager @ seaweed & co dispensary. sibling to few. lover of chai, tchaikovsky, the mountains & dinosaur chicken nuggets. a character study alike fiona gallagher (shameless), lorelai gilmore (gilmore girls), phoebe buffay (friends), marissa cooper (the oc) & liv moore (izombie). penned by jinx for merrock.
"Now I still don't believe you but I'll be holding you to that," Hadi warned. Then he laughed shaking his head. He had never seen the show Bridgerton and had no plans to watch it. But Ivy would do their best to convince him. He was stubborn. He felt like he had other things to do and think about. "Now wait a minute I don't remember you being onstage and singing Wonderwall, where was I?" Hadi asked. He knew they were performing but not which day it was going on. Hadi felt a little bad but it was too late now and he gave nothing away. "Damn if I had known then I'd have only made orange desserts for you," Hadi declared. That may go along with Ivy's whole going against the establishment. He glanced over his shoulder as he put the last cupcake on the shelf. "I have a feeling you're on the lookout for new judges but I'm gonna go out on a limb and suggest the mayor or the Benefactor," Hadi chuckled.
Maybe Hadi was right not to believe Ivy then, as they had to suppress every atom in their body & rearrange the shape of their mouth to stop themselves from doing an accent again. "You can always hold me to the treats, Hadi. The bad accent though..." Ivy shrugged, throwing their hands up in surrender. Waving off the missing of their performance, they went straight into consoling him as it wasn't really a big deal at all. "Oh, shoo, you're fine. Seriously. I've been doing it like every year practically since I was born. The real performance you don't want to miss? My band is playing on the 11th. You do NOT wanna miss that one!" A soft smile was given at the acknowledgement that Hadi would've made the treasured orange desserts, he was truly the best. "Look, as long as you and Cherry Amour aren't going anywhere -- we'll get those desserts! If you do decide to discontinue them though, make sure you tell me so I can start a petition. As for the judges, yes, of course The Benefactor. But for the other one -- do you have a suggestion? Any connects to any of the great culinary and baking brains of Merrock? Besides you, of course."
"Only way it could be more Merrock is if they had a lobster flavored sno*cone," he grinned, even if the idea of it pretty much made him want to gag. Although he was a big fan of the seafood in general, that didn't mean that everything in their small town needed to be themed after it. Especially not ice cold, refreshing desserts. "Okay, yes, that sounds like heaven," he laughed, and then shrugged his shoulders, "but I don't think I would ever want to do music any more professionally than on this level, you know?" He had started out in the band just filling in now and then, had eventually started performing regularly with them. But rockstar life? God, no, definitely not for Darrius. He liked teaching and spending time with his girlfriend far more than that. A slow, amused smile grew on his face as she talked about the old jazz musicians, bouncing music off of each other, coming in to play. "That… yeah, that. We could do something like that at The Mirage."
With an exaggerated gagging sound, Ivy made a disgusted face at the idea of lobster flavored sno*cones. To them, the dramatics were warranted even if they knew that that was both extremely Maine and Merrock. "You're a mad man for saying that, an absolute devil. I'm sure you've spoken it into EXISTENCE now, some chump is going to overhear our convo and think it's the next best business idea. This time next year it'll be everywhere." They sighed, though a smile stayed on their face as they listened to Darrius admit that he wouldn't want to do music any more at the level that they were. Though, Ivy could imagine it for themselves, they did understand. "I get that. I mean. It's kinda intense? Not even the paparazzi aspect. When do you stop? Even when the greats are at their peak, there's always pressure to keep going. It's a bottomless, dude." A pit Ivy wouldn't mind exploring, though they kept that to themselves. Their face further lit up at the pinpointing of a venue. "Wait! Yes! Amazing! I always forget that place exists but it's perfect. Maybe if we proposed that it would be good exposure for them or imposed on people a one drink minimum they'd let us do either free or at a discounted price?"
"Oh, I didn't tell you? I hired an Etsy witch to help me give me a sixth sense for whenever you're in need of rescuing. Don't know if it worked or if it's just the fact we're too alike for our own good." Her grin isn't shadowed by the wave of her hand in dismissal. "Nah — still working my way through last week's fill up. Besides, Dolly's out front running with her A/C blaring."
Emerson suppresses a groan, fighting the urge to pinch the bridge of her nose. "That someone being Mr. Wallace," she draws out. "Since I'm closed for the night, I just know he's on the prowl taking advantage of some teenager working that stand, telling 'em that they still haven't brought out his fries even though they've given him three rounds already. He oughta know by now that only works on my newbies." Emerson stands by the door, nudging it open with her hip for Ivy. "I think it's the vinegar. Nothing screams carnival like vinegar fries."
"Oh, you take such good care of me. Now, I have to find an Etsy witch of my own to make sure at the very least your birthday that's coming up is the BEST one yet," they start to properly pack up their things with a swiftness as making both Dolly and Em wait at this point would be criminal. Her words were correct, they were too alike for their own good, Ivy grateful that they were magnets who did not repel each other. Grateful even more than after everything they'd been through, they could still walk side by side -- open to the journey itself. When the loss of all that Ivy had gone through threatened to take them under, they saw Emerson, having gone through things that would've made them crumble. Emerson made them brave, in return, they stayed brave.
Walk Ivy does through the door, "oh so this is a rescue mission. We actually need that Etsy witch to curse Mr. Wallace's ass out of Merrock's bounds. We could get some salt, too. Maybe even holy water because he sounds like an Emotional Energy & Fry Vampire. Which as we know is the most DANGEROUS thing." They wave at the actual receptionist who'd been a bystander to their conversation, having headphones in ear, waving back both at Ivy and Emerson. "Vinegar is kind of a miracle substance, isn't it? You know who invented it? Or has Big Vinegar been around since the Dark Ages?"
"Think they would make us one in a bucket?" he asked with a wide grin, trying to imagine walking around with the biggest sno*cone that anyone at the carnival had ever seen. It would definitely be something different, not something anyone else could really brag about having themselves. "Because I like to eat," he nodded his agreement solemnly. "And I like to feed my dogs. And the latter of those things would break my heart if it didn't happen, so... teaching. And then history. And then banging the drums for fun." And it was fun, and it did get his adrenaline going, pretty much every single time. "That would be fun! Like one big giant jam session."
"That might be the most Merrock thing to do, so, yes," Ivy grinned back, now determined to find them a bucket of sno*cones with Darrius. If they couldn't get one at the event? Then, Ivy was even more determined to make one themselves, decorate one for each band member even. It would be perfect. "So, what? You're saying those pups couldn't come on the road with you? You REALLY think that Unknown Destination's first stops wouldn't be to the best food around? That would absolutely be my first stop at any of our World Wide tours. Drugs, sex and rock and roll meet a new type of rockstar -- Food, dogs and sleeping right after a show." Nodding at Darrius' the cogs in Ivy's head started to turn. "Yes! Exactly that! We could have a free play where it was kinda like those old jazz musicians bouncing off of each other. Then, we could have organized acts, solo acts...I think we got something here, Dare."
"Is there any other way? I feel like there should be sort of prize if you make it through them all. An "I survived the food truck crawl" t-shirt or something like that," Kennedy laughed, glancing over from the array of options. After a day in the sun, she was ready to indulge in some carnival food, no other thoughts on her mind. "I mean, they have to right? There's no other explanation for it to be this good," she nodded in agreement. "What are you leaning towards- sweet or savory?
"As always, you're BRILLIANT Kennedy Warren. I'll get that in the works immediately. I've got Canva Pro for the dispo anyways, I bet we could make a small killing off of those shirts." Ivy's eyes follow Kennedy's, deciding that they were feeling both options but knowing that starting with savory would be good. "You know, I heard that eating sweet things helps expand the stomach after eating a bunch so let's go for savory. I heard they had some short ribs this year? Like short rib tacos?"
Good grief. Why are you like this? Have you really been put on this earth to be my personal torment? With all of those descriptors you used for yourself, I have to admit: I'm not convinced. You'll simply have to try and haunt me at the carnival, see what happens when you do. I'm looking forwards to it. Somehow, I have this ... sneaking feeling, that it's after midnight, and something evil lurks in the dark. Am I right about that sentiment? Terrific. Every time I step through the door and apologise for how late I am, in the next breath, I'll tell all of my fellow veterinarians about how you leapt out of my air-conditioning vents. Why exactly are you thinking us to be doomed? Please tell me this isn't about global warming.
Why am I like this? Me? You started it, bucko. You're looking forward to me haunting you at the carnival? Now, I feel like I'm being mean to a puppy. Fine, you're right, I'm a terrible tormentor. I'll call off the shadows, for now. You're really funny though. I'm not the type to be hiding in air conditioning vents, I'm more of a in your closet, under your bed, even hiding in your refrigerator type of ghost. At least tell your fellow vets the truth and don't lie on me. You're the one who said we were probably all doomed, by the way. But yes, it is about global warming. Unfortch, we can't get our shit together as a world so we're going to burn up in flames, the ice caps are going to melt and guess what? We're going to be doomed.
"Now don't you come in this tent and act that kind of way. You know by now I will put you right back out that door," Hadi said. But he said it without any threat because he was used to Ivy's antics every time she came into the bakery. She liked to pretend she was on that one cooking reality show and she put on the accent which was terrible and he had to pretend like he didn't find it funny. "Besides if you paid attention you would see this is just vanilla buttercream but I should have known better," Hadi chuckled. Of course the laugh almost made him offset the swirl. He covered it up with another sweep not wanting to prove her right. "Are you the only judge?" Hadi asked.
Putting both hands over their mouth in faux embarrassment, Ivy laughs and blushes. "Fine, fine, I'll stop the Bridgerton accent and go back to picking my next victim. That won't be you -- I promise. I did mean the treats." Of course, Ivy had missed a fine detail though they did hope that maybe by saying what they wanted the very thing would come into fruition. "Hmm, so why ISN'T there an orange buttercream ganache, Hadi? You hate me? This feels specifically anti-Ivy. Even after I shouted you out on stage after Wonderwall." Nodding she continues, "I am the only judge. I fired the others. They weren't meeting KPIs and I put them all on PIPs. They got fired last week. You have any ideas for who could be my next fellow co-judges?"
"Ring-a-ding-dong," Emerson all but sang, the shit-eating grin tugging hard enough on the corners of her lips that it ached in its near performative nature. "I forced myself away from a riveting time of payroll to jailbreak you — shift's over, and there are French fries that are calling our names. Can't you hear 'em?"
"A riveting time of payroll? Ugh, how did you know that that I just finished up the same thing," the grin on Ivy's lips matches Emerson's then, they easily get up from their post at reception ( as it was way past time to leave the dispensary anyways ) and leave their things behind the way that they were. "Let freedom and french fries RING! Do you want anything before we head out? I'm not gonna lie, I think we might need to skidaddle to the carnival before someone eats all the french fries. They really don't make 'em like this all year round and we have to get our fill."
"ACK!" Minnie dodged sideways in the water, both hands coming up to touch their chin, only belatedly realising that it might have been a better freaking idea to catch the dang thing! They stood in the waist-high water, sunhat still clamped onto their head, shocked and watching as the pinstripes disappear. They turn and the towel was wrapped, but Minnie still gasped, covering their eyes. "Oh, jeez, oh, jeez! Naked! Naked person! ... Okay, this is fine, it's ... fine. Hold on. Here." They peel off their beloved, huge sun hat and they smack it right in front of the other's chest. "I've got it. Just let me get out of the — OOH!" Their foot, the same one Sylvia tended to ( and this irony was not lost on Minnie ) brushed the spiny — something. "Ooh, oh, no, there's something in here with me!" A slimy thing wrapped around their calf too. When they ducked under to peel it off, their hair bun got right into the salt water. This was getting worse by the minute. "My bag! The bag right there! In the pink bag in the pink bag!"
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! ACK!" Ivy says in reply to Minnie's ack, equally as mortified though even more grateful that the other did have something to cover themselves with. The sunhat is a good cover in the moment and Ivy makes a mental note to either find a way to dry clean it ( was that a thing? ) or get them a new one. Upon Minnie claiming there was something in the ocean with them, Ivy screams along, starting to hop from foot to foot entirely forgetting the task at hand and even so, forgetting their nakedness. "What do you mean there's SOMETHING in here with YOU? With us! With us!" Ivy then watches the scene of Minnie's hair getting wet and frowns, feeling hesitant to leave them in the ocean to face whatever demon that's in the water alone. "Can you run out of the water with me? I don't want you to DIE here!"
"Just say the word," Mena grinned at Ivy, "you know I will always be happy to give you one." That was definitely true, loving her job Mena enjoyed helping out the fine residents of Merrock add ink to the collection or help a firstimer out start one. "Oh really? And what would that include?" She was quite intrigued, the gears already starting turning in her mind. Looking at the game in front of them and then back at Ivy, Mena smirked, "you got yourself a deal Hanlon. I've been itching to tat some of my flash drawings on someone."
"My hero, my knightess in shining armor, the heart of my hearts," Ivy reached out to give Mena a squeeze on the arm, smiling. When it came to the idea of their Merrock tattoo -- it was simple though they did want to jazz it up a bit. "It's just going to be the state outline, I think. For now. Maybe I get some signatures in there, like our YEARBOOK," a laugh erupts from Ivy's mouth at the idea, because really it's absurd. The idea of having multiple signatures from people from their hometown read as a little too podunk to them. Clapping their hands in excitement, Ivy starts to walk towards the bean bag toss. "Okay, since I told you my Merrock tattoo idea now you have to show me your flash drawing tattoo ideas."
"I don't know about you, but I think I need about a dozen sno*cones after that," Darrius said with a laugh, hopping off the stage and brushing his hands off on his jeans. It had been a while since he had performed publicly, but he knew that he could count on Alec to get them lined up for the perfect gig. And it didn't get much more perfect than the carnival, and getting to perform around people that they knew. "You were great up there, as usual."
"Oh my god, a dozen and a half. Make them triples!" They laughed, hopping down in tandem with Darrius. Being on stage had always been something that didn't make Ivy nervous, they'd enjoyed it and could tune out the world when doing so. Their dad had always said they could've been a rockstar if they wanted to be -- they frown at the memory before looking up at Darrius and coming up with a smile. "Oh, well, I'd be NOTHING without you up there too. You'd think this was your day job. Which, why isn't this our day jobs? Oh yeah, it doesn't pay for shit." They laugh again, "honestly, Merrock needs more of events like this. We should really get our own Battle of the Bands. If that doesn't work? Maybe just a Gather and Groove, you know?"
When Eliana said there was one place in this world that she loved to be more than anywhere else, the beach was it. From the moment she could be around water, it was like she was drawn to it. Her father always said she had been his little fish, that there were some days he could barely get her out of the water if anyone let her near it. It made sense why she was drawn to it, and she soaked up every ounce of beauty it had during the summer time. Given that time in Merrock was far more limiting than San Diego where she had lived before, it gave her a true appreciation for it that she would never be able to really speak to. Heading out to the beach she dropped all of her things setting up her little beach chair, putting a towel down and laying out in the sun, letting her body take in the sun, feeling it beat down against her skin. It was probably not even an hour later when she sat up, ran her hand against her arm feeling the warm skin. "Think it's time for a dip." she said, not really to anyone before turning to see someone had made station next to her, "Oh sorry, I didn't mean to -- ha, sorry, talking to myself."
A long day, that's what today was. There may have been a lot for Ivy to look forward to, sure, but they were exhausted. They should've anticipated it, really. The holidays were always a time people indulged in cannabis -- whether it be because they were around family they didn't want to cater to, fireworks that caused too much jumping and fear or just because it was their weekly ritual. To finally be at the beach, away from it all, was something that Ivy had quite literally jumped at the chance to do. Haphazardly making their way to the beach, they had sat a few paces away from a person who had seemed to be on the same wavelength they had been. Besides, the beach was packed and they didn't want to be disturbed. Waking up almost simultaneously as the other did, they groggily said, "no worries, chica. I talk to myself ALL the darn time. You can always talk to me, tee bee h. If you want company in the water, you can have that too. It's like the perfect day for this and I'm just glad that you're not a screaming child. Or worse. A screaming couple. Appreciate all the zen vibes you got goin' on."
Her boots smacked through the thick underbrush as she emerged out of the foot path leading deeper into the woods. Her light pack, a weight against her back, and almost in slow motion, she swiped her hand against her forehead, breathing out slow. Eyes shut behind her sunglasses, hair up in an untidy bun, the noise of someone calling her name shouted her out of the withdrawn existence. She spun, in actual shock, to see Ivy Hanlon coming right at her. Rory quickly throws up her hands, as though warding off — something. "Shit! Oh, my god, I'm so fucking sweaty, I'll get you gross. Ivy?" Recognition coming belated, but sharp. A huge and near owlish blink overtook her brown eyes. "What the hell are you doing back here? Or here? In the woods? Are you hiking in ... a puffer coat?" Not that she'd be judging, not with how her pulse suddenly hurt in her throat from the change. The grin was huge. The eyes too. Rory narrowed their eyes, peering even more intently at her. "I'm a Grade A, bonafide runner, not a stalker," she dryly retorts.
"Oh, come on. A little sweat never hurt anyone. Come here." In a sweeping motion, Ivy goes to hug Rory. What the hell was she doing there? What a good question, one that they escaped to the woods to ponder often. It felt like the only escape they'd have from the everyday trial and tribulations of life. "It's actually a weighted puffer coat, makes the hikes an actual workout so I don't have to hit the gym and do leg or arm or wrist or ankle day." Their smile matched the others, it was perhaps one of the best surprises they'd had in Merrock in years. "A bonafide RUNNER? I tried that for a bit. I wanted to run myself off the cliffs after a while, it's just not for me." Which was hilarious considering they'd avoided the question of what they were doing in Merrock, not sure how to answer, unsure if jumping right into the bullshit of the last decade was the right move. "But what is for me? These glorious woods. I try to hit Arcadia once a month but ya know, Merrock's woods have a beauty of their own once you stop and smell the roses. Or foliage."
If this were another life, Ivy would spend half their time in a cabin in the mountains, playing piano for all their days, the occasional visitor gracing their doorstep. They would've had this fictional cabin as a getaway from a bustling city life as a musician and they'd still have Merrock to run back to, to have family dinners at. But this is not that life and that life is far from her reach. Ivy's current childlike wonder in the world and youthful disposition comes from a place of wanting things they can't and no longer have, from trying to find the joy in the little things when they are bound by so many big things. Don't get them wrong, they love their family & they love the life they've built from the ashes of so much loss but they have never been a phoenix -- able to rise bigger and better from their worst defeats. Ivy Hanlon made the best of a bad deal, though they have run on fumes for longer than they'd care to admit. For now, Ivy keeps things copacetic but underneath it all --she wonders if she'll ever be more than a failed prodigal pianist turned caregiver turned professional drug dealer or if the time to follow her dreams is up.
The oldest of three, Ivy Hanlon was born and raised in Merrock with a silver spoon in their mouth that only came to rust. For the first 16 years of their life, it was idyllic. A mother who was a Pediatrician, a father who was an Architect, a beautiful house in the cliffs -- the lighthouse her constant view. A home that would eventually store what was their first love -- the piano. There was nothing that was not within their reach, dreams, goals, ideals becoming a reality with the opportunities they were afforded. This did not make them rotten or spoiled, only enhanced their love of the world, being the friend that would always pay for your meal or movie ticket. Ivy had love to give and creativity to spare, so much so, it became their anchor. They became a staple in their community at an early age, a social butterfly and an open presence that attracted many people. Ivy came out fairly early as bisexual to their parents becoming head of Merrock High School GSA and while some did find them a little out there -- they didn't care. They'd be out of Merrock in no time, off to Juilliard and catapult into the next phase of their life.
These plans fell apart once Ivy turned 16, their former superwoman of a mother started to deteriorate -- at first it was just sleeping in, forgetfulness, achiness. Her mother tried to dismiss this as getting older, diagnosing herself and shoo-ing away any worries that her kids had about her state. Until one night came; the screaming in pain that woke up the household started and never left. Many times the oldest Hanlon would hear her mother's screams, be tasked with looking after her siblings and driving them to school in the mornings. The stress of this made them question the viability of Juilliard -- after all, how could they leave their mother in this state? With the medical bills starting to pile up, their mother out of work and no answers being given about what was actually wrong with her? Their father assured Ivy that he would have it handled, that he would take care of everything and that money wouldn't be an issue. That they would get through this together. When Ivy missed the second round of Juilliard auditions due to missing the train to New York -- they started to doubt everything they'd known but kept it to themself out of fear that them acknowledging these fears would make it come true.
And come true it did -- though Ivy was able to have two idyllic years in the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, making all sorts of personal discoveries, falling more in love with the landscape of California itself than they knew what to do with -- they came back to Merrock during spring break of their Junior Year to find that their father was leaving. That he couldn't take this anymore, he couldn't handle what it all meant and left. The idea that her father would ever leave her mother, her siblings, her had not once occurred to Ivy and as they picked up the pieces of their world falling apart they did not stop to process a single thing going straight into action mode. The community of Merrock helped rally around the family, setting Ivy up with a job as a pianist at the country club she'd grown up going to, helping them sell their beautiful family home to downgrade to one in the burbs. Ivy learned how to do taxes, argue with insurance, pay a water bill -- and though their anger towards their father & situation manifested itself in a delicate balancing act of wild nights and morning responsibilities, Ivy persevered. For their mother, who was newly diagnosed with CRPS and for their siblings, who deserved the life that Ivy got in their adolescence -- not this shit storm.
Though this diagnosis was bittersweet -- the treatments both experimental and theoretical were not cheap. No matter how much Ivy worked, it was never enough, especially with college coming up for their siblings. So, when she got a second job at Merrock's first dispensary, finding that it still didn't help, she asked her own drug dealer if they needed help. They did and for the second half of Ivy's twenties, they sold only drugs they would do -- capitalizing on the privilege they had as a pretty white 'girl'. It was lucrative for a the second half of Ivy’s twenties but soul sucking, they sold only drugs they'd do themselves and only to the richer people who would trapeze in and out of Merrock like a playground -- that was their rule. As time passed and Ivy's mother became stable & resigned to the life she had, pursuing pain killers over doctors, Ivy turned 30 and stopped dealing. The promotion to manager they got at their dispensary was just enough to cut it with them taking odd jobs here and there, anywhere they could. While they seem carefree, impulsive and free-spirited -- they feel both anchored & haunted by Merrock. The nostalgia of the past, the what if's of the future and the reality of the present potential they feel they're squandering keeps them up at night. Ivy wonders how much longer they'll be able to find beauty & comfort in the now before they explode.
WHERE: The Swim Beach in the food trucks
WHO: Hadi and your character
WHEN: Mid-afternoon or any time that works
Hadi had been putting a lot of work into the pastry he was debuting at the corner tent. They didn't have a food truck set up yet for Cherry Amour but there was no waiting around so far as he was concerned. The intention was to have it be red, white and blue stripes but there was a problem with it being hot despite being in the shade. He was really focused and not wanting to look away from the swirl of icing he put atop the mini cupcake. "Go ahead and have a look around," Hadi said when a shadow fell across his way. "I've got more than just this done, but if you want one of these it'll be a bit of a wait." Hadi gave an apologetic smile because he couldn't turn his attention away yet.
For Maine, it was warm. For Ivy? It was perfect. The Summer Bash always marked the true beginning of summer for them, seeing everyone in town come to gather round it was a treat. That was Merrock though, through and through, they thought as they intently watched Hadi decorating the cupcake -- pretending they were a judge on the Great British Bake Off. "Could've made those a lines a bit more fluid," they start off in a ridiculous British accent. "I'm willing to wait to taste but if the Orange Buttercream ganache isn't perfectly balanced between sweet and savory, I may have to ELIMINATE you from the competition."
"SOS SOS!" Ivy's top came flying undone in the water and was lost to the world -- oh how they needed an emergency responder now. "Please tell me you have an extra top. Something. I thought, hey, let's go full beach and come to this thing in just your bikini, Ivy. That'll be FINE, Ivy! Well, I look like an idiot now, I'll tell ya," they also refused to put their towel over their body not wanting to be covered in the beach sand which would be an even further uncomfortable fate. "I'm really like one of those Tik Toks I've been seeing of the friend who doesn't bring shit to the beach. Usually I'm more prepped than this but I thought hey, live a little. Lived a little TOO much."
