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@laurenxbennett
LAUREN BENNETT
Lauren (she/her, cis woman) was born on September 5, 1990 in Merrock, Maine, and is a local. They’re working as a bartender at Tumbleweed and an archery instructor, and live in the countryside. – (written by myr (she/her, gmt+½) & portrayed by kat graham).
BIO (FULL) | TIMELINE | CONNECTIONS | WANTED CONNECTIONS
"General observation," he assured her with a laugh. It was a weird situation, to know someone who had gone from a kid to an adult in the blink of an eye. If the blink of that eye was twenty years long, though, which probably was not normally the case. But in this situation… "But yeah, you can take the compliment about looking good, let's go with that," and that brought a smile to his face, because she did look good. He was grateful, even just internally, when she glossed over the subject of his parents to talk about what she studied, feeling a smile touch his mouth, instead. "Might not be the most exciting subjects to a lot of people, but… you got out there and visited a new place and did something you wanted to do, which is something to be proud of," considering how many didn't. He could understand wanting to come back home, though, finding herself most comfortable in a town like Merrock, where she knew everyone and everything. "Big change. Necessary change, though, I like it." He was much happier in his ranger uniform than Army fatigues, to say the least. "I am, yeah. Less of the law side of things, more of the environmental, teaching programs, keeping the trails in shape kind of stuff. Today's actually my day off."
Lauren smiled at Jason when he let her know that she looked good. She just nodded in acceptance and then pushed her hands in her pockets as she walked along with him. “You could say that. New York City was interesting, for sure. I’ve had many different parties there, I’ve enjoyed all of them. But Merrock was more interesting after all. Although if you asked me what’s so special about this place, I’m not sure I would be able to tell you what it is.” The feeling of the town. The people she cared so much about. The place that she had called home since forever. It all helped her decision, probably. She tilted her head slightly when he pointed out that the change had been necessary. There was probably a reason behind it but this was not the time to ask about it. Not just that, who was she in the end to him. She wasn’t the right person to ask about it. “I do have to admit… Being a ranger sounds a lot less stressful than being in the army. And you decided that taking a look at the annual nature week on your day off was the way to go?”
Who: open! (capping at 3 — 1/3) Where: the swimming beach When: June 2023
They looked like a bunch of students, all in their late 20s but still playing football on the beach. Every year, as soon as the weather turned warm again, the beach became Maverick's second home. When he was not in the beach house or at the shop, he was there, his feet deep in the sand. As he missed the ball and got booed by his friends, he looked behind himself, caught it near someone and headed right away to get it back. "Sorry about that," he said, picking the ball up. "Wanna join?", he asked then because there was nothing more veracious than the adage 'the more the merrier'.
Lauren and sitting still was something that wasn’t a good combination. But visiting the beach and then enjoying the sun and the sight of the large waters in front of her… That surprisingly was one of the things she was able to do without getting restless. Unfortunately for her, she jumped up at the football that suddenly fell down near her feet. She was still a bit too surprised when a voice sounded and she looked up at the man who had spoken. She tilted her head slightly so she could look around him at the others who were waiting for him to return with the ball. “Are you sure that they will be okay with a woman joining who has no ball feeling in any sports whatsoever?”
A part of him was surprised not to get an argument from her, since it seemed like most of their time spent talking went that way -- one of them would say something, the other would argue just for the sake of arguing. But when it came to views in Merrock, Ryder supposed that there really wasn't that much to argue about. There were gorgeous views everywhere that you looked. Looking over as she pulled out the other bottle, Ryder couldn't help his grin, knowing that he would never, ever judge someone for choosing to take a bottle of a little somethin' extra with them on one of these hikes. Taking the bottle, he took a swig without even asking what was inside before passing it back to her with a nodded thanks. "No, seems like a pretty anti-parent thing," he laughed, shaking his head, and looking out over the view. "But I can see why it would be special for you, if that's the case."
The woman took back the bottle from Ryder and took one more sip of it. She then screwed back the cap on it and put it on the floor. Her gaze was set on the horizon as she listened to the man next to her. “I do think that his mind might have changed on the alcohol when I grew older but when I would come here with him… Not done at all.” A smile had formed on her face but as soon as Lauren realised that, she quickly looked at Ryder. “How about you? Are you here for a reason besides the fact that it’s a beautiful view?”
Maybe just be grateful they're not asking you why you're not wearing denim and a cowboy hat…? Or wondering if there's going to be line dancing at this party. But I get it, it would be kind of annoying, especially if you're just trying to enjoy yourself. It's been good, I've been here far too long, since Colton dragged me out earlier, but it's once a year, right? Are you having a good time?
I’ll never be wearing those in my spare time, I can tell you that. I still can’t believe they make me wear it during working hours. Also, let me tell you a secret… I have no clue how to linedance. Please don’t tell my boss. How is Colton doing right now? He is growing way too fast, to be honest. And I am having a good time. What’s not to like about a pool party and drinks to go with it?
A small, playful smirk tugged at the corner of his mouth when she said that she hadn't meant to tell him that he looked old, at least grateful for that little tidbit, if nothing else. "For what it's worth, you don't really look like twenty years have gone by," older, sure, more mature, having grown into herself and a beautiful young woman at that, but definitely not like twenty years of life had passed between them. Jason as acutely aware of how much a person could change in that time-- mostly because he felt like he had. Wrinkling his nose when his parents were mentioned again, he nodded, "let's just say that I'm not exactly chomping at the bit to have it," he would end up seeing them when he saw them, whether that meant working up the courage to show up at their front step, or bumping into them around town. Given the sheer amount of years that had passed between them with no communication, he wasn't ready for the theatrics. "New York City?" he asked, intrigued, smiling, "what did you end up studying down there?" It seemed to be the popular choice, having spoken to a few people who headed to the big Apple, and he could understand it; it was the place to find who you were, apparently. Lifting his hand to scratch at his beard when she turned the question back around on him, he let out one of those breathless, almost shy kind of laughs, "I did the Army right out of high school, then when my enlistment was up, moved out west, went to school in Montana, worked in Yellowstone as a ranger."
Lauren couldn’t stop laughing when he said that she didn’t look like twenty years had gone by. To go from 12 to 32… That was a big difference. “I’m not sure if I have to take that as a compliment or not since being twelve wasn’t exactly my prime time but for now I will take it as a sign that you don’t think I look old,” she said, throwing a wink in his direction before her gaze moved over to the flowers around them while she listened to his next words. She only glanced up for a second at the sound of the tone of his voice when he mentioned something about the meeting with his parents. Time to steer away from that subject. “I studied English and History there. Not the most exciting subjects to learn about probably, but I liked it.” She had chosen them because she enjoyed them the most but if she was honest… She also selected them because it meant knowing she was going to have a relatively easy time during her school years. “New York was good, but I missed Merrock so I came right back after I finished my education.” And so far Lauren hadn’t thought she had made the wrong decision in that matter. His breathless laugh made her look up from the flowers once more as she listened to what he had been doing since high school. “From the Army to being a ranger… That is quite a change. So you’re going to be a park ranger here as well?”
There were always going to be people in one's life that they just could not get along with, no matter how hard they tried. For Ryder and Lauren, they had each other. It didn't really make sense; neither of them had ever done anything to the other. They just butted heads and once their horns were locked, they refused to let go. Stubborn deer. "I wouldn't argue that," he held up both hands, starting up towards the rock where she was sitting and dropping down to sit far enough away that they weren't going to share a breath, just in case. He pulled his water bottle from his backpack, uncapping it and taking a long swig before continuing. "Only better view is the cliffs by the ocean, but that just depends on what kind of vista you're looking for," it was different to see the whole town laid out below you versus the splendor of the ocean, which truly did seem never ending, sometimes. "Enjoying the week?"
Her dark eyes followed Ryder as he sat down just the right distance away. She had hoped to be alone so company in general hadn’t been a preference to her. But Ryder’s presence was even less inviting. Lauren opened up her mouth to tell him he was wrong about the ocean view. She stopped herself, however. This was supposed to be a beautiful ending to this day. Starting an argument with Ryder was not going to make that happen. “I guess,” was all that left her mouth before she reached into her own bag. She had brought a water bottle as well, but also a bottle of liquor. She had brought it along to complete the night. Not too much because she still had to walk back to town and her place in the end. Lauren nodded before taking a sip from the bottle before holding it out to Ryder. “Yeah, the week has been good so far. Used to walk up here with my dad, back in the days. Without the alcohol. I don’t think he would completely approve of that.”
Tell me about it... the amount of people asking me to build a house today. Kidding, before you bite my head off. I take it as you've been having a lot of people asking for drink recommendations...?
Quite a lot of people have been asking, yes. I think this is a sign that I’ve been working too much at Tumbleweed lately, don’t you think? Have you been enjoying the party so far?
"Oh, darn," Vince chuckled with a smirk. "Oh, I think I can manage that," he quipped. He took the bow in his hand. "Only in video games," he laughed softly. "But can't be much different, right?" he teased, setting up the bow. "But in any case... Do you have any pointers?"
“You caused this yourself,” Lauren pointed out to him when he suddenly seemed to realise what he had gotten himself into. She let go of the bow as soon as he held it and she had to laugh at his comment. “I do have to warn you, it’s much easier for people in video games than in real life.” She stepped closer to him when he set up the bow. She placed her hand on his elbow, lowering it so it was level to his shoulder. “Keep your shoulder there and keep your forearm away from the string because if it snaps back while your arm is too close… I would not advise that.”
DEACON HASN'T EVER tried to hide his unhealthy — quite literally! — obsession with sugar, and tilts his chin up with pride when lauren calls him out on it. "ah, might as well put the sugar high to good use." the excess energy can only afford him a narrow window before he wears himself out doing absolutely nothing, so he pushes himself off the plastic chair with a loud, craggy groan, stretches his arms over his head and makes a show out of doing some high knees, even shakes his arms out like he's about to run a marathon — all ten feet that it takes for him to reach the target boards.
he starts plucking each arrow out from one of the hard, colorfully painted foams next to lauren when he says, "i meant to tell you sooner, by the way, but remember your friend? the one whose number you gave me?" the one he'd spent all of two weeks talking to via text and video chat. the one who'd ghosted him at vibrations two months ago, where deacon instead ran into someone else he was never expecting to see. "well, he just texted again the other day. said he was sorry he was a no-show that night at vibrations. wants to 'meet up'." fingers dart out to make air quotes, the sharp ends of the arrows in his hands dangerously sticking out in all directions. "can't decide if i wanna tell him to go fuck himself or if i'm bored and horny enough to just roll with it." he shrugs. "where'd you say you knew him from again?"
“I am very happy that you have only started talking after the small people left.” Because this subject was definitely not one to be talked about with the little kids - and their parents - around. Lauren moved to one of the target boards as well and started helping Deacon on removing the arrows as well. “I remember him, yes. That’s been a while since I gave you that number.” Was it strange that you set up your ex with new hook ups? Maybe a little. Was it still strange when your ex had become one of your best friends? Not so much any more, to Lauren. “Tell him to go fuck himself. Because the fact that he ghosted you says enough. Besides that there should be enough others to solve your horny moods, mister Newman.” Lauren put the arrows away in the quiver before she continued to pull out some more arrows and she shrugged. “If I’m honest… I think he was someone who arrived at the bar for some drinks and I thought… You know, that is Deacs type. So he isn’t really a close friend.”
Cordelia had made her way to Lauren's to spend the afternoon with her, with Rosalyn running around the free area while they sat outside. It was good to see her running in the sun, enjoying the warming weather. Watching as Lauren swept her up into her arms and swirled her around and her daughter make the squeals of happiness and giggles fell from her lips Cordelia could only chuckle, she knew how much her friends had been such great supports when it came to her with the little girl. "He is." Cordelia nodded, it felt weird, knowing her brother was back in town and they were working on mending that relationship together. "Oh you did?" she asked, "Doesn't surprise me, was he working or was he enjoying the week?" She hadn't been really sure what he'd be doing if he'd be more on the job or off. She hadn't really asked if she was being honest. It was baby steps repairing her relationship with her brother. "Interesting, we're working on it, I'm supposed to go to his place for dinner this week, talk, catch up, think you know work on figuring things out."
“I think he was enjoying the week. It was Nature Week, so you could say we looked at some flowers,” Lauren said with a smile, trying to keep things light. It was good to hear though that they were working on their relationship again. Siblings were one of the most important things to her, her own siblings being a pain in the ass often but she knew that she wouldn’t be able to live without them. “Oh, dinner even? Sounds like a good plan. Is this cutie coming with you or is Cage looking after her? If not, I will happily sign myself up as a babysitter for the night.”
"Oh, I don't want to know, that's for sure," he answered with a laugh. It really did make sense, to be dealing with those fine motor skills at such a young age, but it still was horrifying. "I think I might end up killing someone, but if you guarantee I'll be safe, I'm down to learn how to shoot."
“I can always grab the magnetic arrows for you if you want to start practising with those,” Lauren teased for a moment before picking up one of the bows so she could hand them over to him. “First try it without an arrow. Feel how the tension feels on the bow when you pull it back. And when you pull it back, keep it like that so I can show you how to keep your arms.”
When Tommy was in a good mood life was a game to play. Why take anything serious if you didn't have to? He takes his time to enjoy the display of mayhem unfolding in front of him knowing he would not have to deal with any of the consequences of it. Whilst Lauren looked at him rather unpleasantly, all hands on hips and certainly not fake smiling his way, Tommy was beaming. "You need to work on your humour if you didn't think that was funny."
“Oh, I have plenty of humour. This is just not it,” was Lauren’s response back. The smile on Tommy’s face was something anyone else probably would’ve described as good, as beautiful maybe even but Lauren on the other hand… It annoyed her just even more. Again… How was she able to be friends with his sister for so long while with Tommy things were just different. “Don’t you have anyone else to annoy instead of to grace me with your presence while thinking you’re funny?”
Starter: Open Where: Pool Party When: around 10pm, after she had a few drinks
If anyone else starts asking for a cocktail, I will slap someone. I have a day off, people. Go over to the bar, I am not working tonight. Got it?
Starter for: @xsylcuenco Where: Pool Party When: Around 9pm
Despite their past, Lauren was very happy that she could say that she was still good friends with Syl. Yes, they had dated, hell… Syl had been her first girlfriend ever during high school. With two cocktails in hand, she made her way over to the jacuzzi where she had left her friend behind just a moment earlier. One of the drinks was handed to her friend before she lowered herself into the water. “You know, I think this yearly pool party is definitely one of the best party’s of the year in this town.” Never had she missed one throughout the years she had lived here. Even if school was over in New York and she left for home again… She would visit the party. “Although I definitely prefer the nightly part of the day over the daily part.” Lauren raised her glass to the other woman. “I just love your new bikini, by the way.”
WHAT: Open starter! WHERE: Pool party, sometime after 8pm
Will had been in out of the pool for a while now and honestly she was starting to ache from all the swimming. So she had now perched herself close to the pool so she could people watch, but enough out of the way so that she wouldn't get splashed. Sensing someone coming to sit nearby to her, she turned her head and smiled. "This is pretty cool right? We never did nothing like this back home." Will remarked as she took a long sip through her somewhat soggy paper straw.
“I think I have missed only a few throughout the years.” Even as a local the pool party never got boring. That was at least Lauren’s opinion. Her gaze moved to the person she had responded to and she slightly tilted her head to the side. “You have to be new to town, I don’t think I’ve seen you around much. Are you enjoying Merrock?”
click hereto be taken to my gif pack masterlist where you’ll find a link to 255 gifs of kat graham in operation christmas drop (2020).
