[literallytooliteral-blog]

hunterxhunted:

Vince wandered through the park, shoulders slumped, hands in his pockets. He’d been on a bender for the last week, going between happy drunk, angry drunk, and sad drunk like a bad song on repeat. He’d practically had to force himself to get out of his junk yard, get some fresh air, try to level out his head. Blinking down he was surprised to see a curious puppy sniffing at his boots. He snickered and squatted down to give him a friendly scratch behind the ears. “Aint you cute.”

“I call him Rolo.  Because of the tri-color fur,” she explained, gesturing to her eyebrows.  “He’s 12 weeks old and mouthy, so mind your fingers.”   Quinn felt focused.  Clear.  Dogs like rituals and consistency, and she was only too happy to provide.   

[literallytooliteral-blog]

Ten dogs were leashed to Quinn’s hips as she walked through the park.  They were young, each of them between 2 and 5 months, making the stroll very entertaining.  One of the puppers bounded over a stranger to sniff excitedly at their shoes.  “Oops!  Look out!” 

[literallytooliteral-blog]

leexcameron-walker:

“Oh,” Lee’s eyes went wide as she swiftly withdrew her hands. “I’m so sorry. I’ll be sure not to do that.” She nodded as she tucked her hair behind her ear. “Shall we?” She offered nodding down the sidewalk. 

A small smile crossed her face and she nodded, following Lee.  “I appreciate this.  I’m not inconveniencing you, am I?”

[literallytooliteral-blog]

ianthearcher:

“Oh and how is it that you know?” He jabbed her side playfully, “Come on, let me feed you.”

Quinn moved her bags, situating them neatly next to the couch before making her way to the kitchen.  “You’ve taught me plenty, that’s how.”

[grimsnowangel-blog]

“Hey there, gorgeous.” Snow teased in his usual charismatic fashion that paired well with a pinch of snark. “You’re a sight for sore eyes. I took tomorrow off, so what are you up to?”

He was in the mood to kick back with a bowl of popcorn and movie for the evening, but Snow never had a set plan written out. Time was too precious and the townsfolk of Klamenth Falls seemed to always be up to fun or mischief (he was partial to a mixture of both).

[literallytooliteral-blog]

Upon being addressed as “gorgeous,” Quinn froze in her tracks, head snapping up.  She looked around, but saw no one.  “Um, I was going to meet with my lawyer tomorrow.”  Her response was as stiff as her body.  Who was this guy?  Had they met?  He felt oddly familiar but she couldn’t place him.  

[literallytooliteral-blog]

songoftheselkieseas:

“That is a full three years younger than me. So still a kid.” Gabriel teased, winking at Quinn playfully before he fixed his gaze back on the road. He fell quiet a moment later as she spoke, and his amused expression morphed into one of worry and concern. “Quin… Why didn’t you tell us it was getting this bad?” He asked softly as he came to a stop at a stop sign then hung a right, pulling onto the main road. “We’d have gotten you out here a while ago.” He added, sparing her a glance before looking forward once more. “How bad has it gotten since the last time I saw you?”

Quinn looked down at the worn cube in her hands.  “I’m embarrassed.  By the time she was my age, grandmama had four thriving restaurants.  My parents had me and the Inn.  You’re a professor.  And I can barely hold a job.”  Her shoulder shrugged.  “It’s hard to say?  Everything flickers now.  Which tends to stress me out. So my OCD flares. And then the buzzing gets worse.  So it tends to-” she twirled her fingers, “Spiral.”

[literallytooliteral-blog]

annemarie-bayer:

Annemarie was making her way through campus, when she caught sight of fresh meat. She smiled a little to herself, and made her way over to the woman, tilting her head. “Are you lost, darling?” she asked softly.

“Quinn,” the brunette corrected reflexively.  “I’m Quinn.”  One of her shoulders shrugged and her hands began to move.  “Do you go to school here?”   

[literallytooliteral-blog]

ianthearcher:

“A couple of classes here and there.” He breathed out.

“Good.  You’re a great teacher,” Quinn smiled.

[literallytooliteral-blog]

ianthearcher:

“Well enough,” he smiled happily, “A little busy but it’s the end of the semester.”

“Oh, are you teaching again?”  

[literallytooliteral-blog]

ianthearcher:

“Don’t you dare worry about it,” Ian whispered into her hair before pressing a kiss into the side of her head.

“Well I am known to be a worrier, but I will try,” she promised.  “How have you been?”

[literallytooliteral-blog]

ianthearcher:

“Quinn?” Ian turned and stared, eyes going wide. “Quinn!” He shouted and rushed over, picking her up.

Just in time, Quinn dropped her bags as he lifted her.  “Hi Uncle Ian!  Sorry to drop in on you like this.”

[ianthearcher]

“Ah the joys of coming home to a sink full of other people’s dirty dishes.”

[literallytooliteral-blog]

“Uh oh,” Quinn said, poking her head around the door, bags in hand.  “Did Gabriel not do his part?”

[literallytooliteral-blog]

songoftheselkieseas:

“Might as well call him Tartar Sauce.” Gabriel joked as he leaned against the door of the car. The smile dropped to a more genuine one while he nodded his head. “I’m happy to see you too, kid. It’s been… way too long. Watch your feet.” He nodded vaguely before he closed the door and rounded the car to get in on the driver’s side. Once the car was started and they were pulling away from the curb, he glanced over at her once more. “So. Fill me in on everything I’ve missed.”

“I’m forty-four,” she protested, pulling in her feet.  “Well, grandmama is in France to refresh a menu.  Mama’s inn is flourishing, Papa is traveling to check on the rest of grandmama’s restaurants and I’m...” she glanced over at Gabriel and down at her lap with a sigh.  “I’m having trouble.  The buzzing is getting worse.  The more technology in circulation the worse it gets.  You’d think that I’d have gotten some more control but something is stopping me.”  Quinn held her hand in front of her face, watching as it flickered at the edges.  Snippets of text and video popped in and out of view, brief and unfocused.  “I don’t want to have to control it with rituals.  I’m hoping that being here will help.  I got so out of control that I shut down my work’s computer systems.” 

[literallytooliteral-blog]

leexcameron-walker:

“Of course you could,” Lee smiled brightly and noticed her bags. “Oh do you need help carrying anything.” She offered as she extended her arms. “Quinn, it’s nice to meet you. I’m Lee.” 

“No, it’s just clothes, but thank you,” she smiled.  When Lee extended her arms, Quinn hesitated, unsure of what to do and unwilling to be touched.  “Lee.  It’s nice to meet you too.  I have um, sensory difficulties, so I would appreciate it if you didn’t touch.”  Even if Lee didn’t intend on touching, it was useful information.

[literallytooliteral-blog]

leexcameron-walker:

“Well my first guess would be for you to check around the university.” She nodded as she tapped her finger to her chin. “I’m walking that way if you want to walk with me?” 

“Yeah, could I?”  The cell activity in the area was starting to get to her.  Having a companion to focus on would help.  “I’m Quinn.”

[literallytooliteral-blog]

hollyxhorn:

“Quinn, I’m Holly.” She said with a grin. “Yeah, all the professors have offices on the other side of campus. I’ll show you.” 

“Okay Holly.  I would appreciate that.”   

[literallytooliteral-blog]

songoftheselkieseas:

Gabriel made their way to the car and quickly popped the trunk before he tucked Quinn’s bag into it then dropped the lid shut. “Yupp.” He managed, turning back to glance at her before he rounded to the passenger’s side and tugged open the car door. “As grumpy as ever.”

“He is grumpy, isn’t he?”  Quinn took off her backpack and put it in the floorboard, but before getting in, she took a long look at his face.  “I’m so happy to see you, Gabe.”