The stress of the past couple of days were taking a toll on Diego. Just more straws to a camel’s breaking back. Unable to sleep or sit still in his house, he grabbed his keys and went for a drive. He found himself strolling around the town square, right where he knew he would end up. What happened? He thought there had been an understanding. Something that would have let to some sort of communication deeper than a vague message in tossing two bodies and keeping one.
Stopping in the center of block, Diego took out his pack of emergency cigarettes and he scanned his surroundings. He gaze traveled slowly, but eventually it landed on a figure in the distance. For a moment, he considered going back to his car and driving home, but instead opted to approach them in hopes of getting something out of them. He was desperate for even the smallest bit of information, so he waved before making his way over to them. “You wouldn’t happen to have a lighter?” He asked in a friendly tone. // OPEN
Mae stood across the street of the square, leaning against a tree as she waited for the bus to arrive. She was too busy digging around in her bag to notice the man walking towards her until she heard his question. “I’m actually wondering the same thing.” She smirked, flashing the cigarette resting between her fingers. The cast on her opposite hand made it hard to locate things inside her purse but she managed to fish out the lighter. “Ah-ha!” She said as she pulled it out.
It was probably silly to the stranger that she got excited over something so ordinary. “Small victories.” She shrugged. Mae brought her cigarette up to her lips before lighting it. She took a hit as she handed over the lighter.
It appeared to Bennet that those two bodies scared everyone well enough for them to hide in their homes that day. Not that the butchery ever became too busy. There were no lunch hour swells that made him rush through one order after another. He thinks back and counts. Six, maybe seven, parties was the longest the line ever reached here.
The ring of the bell dangling from the doorframe caused his attention to be ripped away from the mental reconstruction of busier days taking place inside his understimulated mind. His senses sharpened instantly at the short jingle; finally, work. Bennet was immediately grateful for the customer, though his expression hardly communicated so. His face remaining neutral even as he greeted the second customer to walk in. “I’ll be right with you,” he called as he began wrapping up the first’s order.
When they left, he turned to the young woman and asked what she would like. Her glazed stare made him think she might be thinking over her options, but when a beat too long passed, Bennet cleared his throat. It did the job at pulling her back in, even getting a small apology out of her. “No worries,” he said. “Do you need more time deciding on what you want?”
“Oh, no, I’m ready. Thank you.” Mae replied, realizing it was just the two of them left in the shop. She walked over to stand across from the man and placed her grocery bags at her feet. She glanced down at her list. “Could I get a half pound of ground pork, a half pound of ground beef?” Mae’s head snapped back up at him. “-oh, would you happen to have any stew meat on sale?” She knew they sometimes had extra tiny pieces of beef leftover that were perfect for stews or to sauté with veggies. She didn’t care if it was a little more to carry, at least she wouldn’t have to go shopping again for a while.
“It’s quiet today.” Mae mentioned, not just about the shop but also about the town. She tucked her hair behind her ear and turned slightly to look out the front window. It really was quiet, the street only had a couple of cars parked on what was usually a bustling strip.
She wondered if there would be more deaths, or if there always were deaths like this here that were hidden from the public. There had to be, she knew what kind of people were in this town. They might not be human but they were all still people and Mae had a strange hope in in their humanity. “I work at Sweetie Pie, we were pretty much dead today other than a few regulars.” Mae assumed it might be the same here.
Mae checked a few things off her list as she waited in line at the local butcher shop. With all of the craziness surrounding those bodies found in the Square yesterday she was glad to have at least a little normalcy, well as much as you could in a town like this. She was a little half way done with her list and the only thing getting her through it was the thought of dinner later. A freshly baked Meat Pie and a glass of wine - though that mead Mae had at the Renaissance fair last year and hasn’t been able to get off her mind would pair even better. She took a step forward as the line moved.
She shifted from one foot to another while holding her bag of groceries - an onion, some carrots and celery, garlic and peas. One of the major drawbacks of having to ride the bus while her car was in the shop was grocery shopping. She didn’t realize how much she bought each time until she had to carry it home. So now she only shops for the necessities and any addental ingredients that she would need for when she makes dinner.
There was only one other customer in the shop besides her so she didn’t worry about waiting in line behind them. She leaned forward to look at the different kinds of meats on display. Her mind drifted as she waited, her thoughts shifting back to the bodies found. They called it an animal attack, but could that really be the case? The full moon had just passed and she heard more vampires were coming into town - making the situation seem so much darker than the news cycles reported on. She was lost in thought and hadn’t realized that someone was speaking to her until she noticed the room grow quiet. “Sorry.” She asked the person speaking to her.
location: the hole in the wall availability: open to everyone ( @willowdalehqstart )
There had been something in the air all day. The morning news were grim and never before had such murders occurred so openly in town. It had Olivia on edge. The full moon was just behind them and she knew well what hid behind so called animal attacks. She knew it wasn’t one of hers, her pack always secure during the transformation. But that did nothing to ease her mind, as it meant someone else was behind this. Distracted, she hadn’t notice the customer right away and with a sigh she made her way to them. “Sorry about the wait, it’s the kind of day, you know?” It was everywhere and many had talked about it already. “What can I get you?”
“No problem at all.” Mae said as the woman walked towards where she just sat at the counter. She locked her screen and placed her phone on the bar, the local news articles about the bodies disappearing as it turned black. “It really is one of those days.” She patted at the coffee stains on her jeans leftover from her spill this afternoon, the cast on her left hand scratching against the fabric. “Ah, I’ll take a-“ Mae thought about it for a moment. “Can I get a shot of your house whiskey and a beer please, whatever Ale you have on tap is fine- I’m not picky.” She attempted a smile. Mae could tell that the woman before her was affected by the news – or something else heavy weighing her mind.
Mae looked down to the cast on her left wrist, a heavy sigh escaping her lips. She sat outside the hospital waiting for the bus just past noon - her dying Volkswagen Golf was in the shop. Mae hasn’t given up hope on it yet, she couldn’t after 10 years with that 1993 hand-me-down from her dad, call it stubnorness or call it emotional attachment either way she should think about getting a new car soon. The bodies found at the Town Square only reminded her of the fact that she wasn’t safe traveling alone at night. She never worries about it much when she was driving from point a to point b, but now she has to walk from the bus stop to her little studio apartment in the dark. Sure, she’s scared. She knows about this towns history, after living here all her life it would be a shame if she didn’t. Mae wanted to be a witch when she was a kid, that was until she found out that they were real. Her mind still on the attack was trying to figure out if it had been the vampires or the werewolves. The full moon makes her think werewolves, but that could be the vampires trying to pin their crimes on them. Hell one person said the kids had been missing for over a week. Does that sound like a werewolf to you?
She picked at the corners of the wrap, pulling the tape off and sticking it back on. One more week and this thing would be off. She’s been clumsy her whole life - bumping into things while walking, tripping over air, always spilling her food. She could blame it on her internal equilibrium, or her lack of focus when her mind wanders, either way it had never quite hindered her like this. The pain or the inconvenience of showering.
Mae stood as the heard the bus heading towards the hospital from down the street. She leaned down to pick up the lukewarm cafeteria coffee from the bench beside her and turned back towards the direction of the bus, the coffee slipped only slightly as she bumped into someone walking by. It would have been fine if she wouldn’t have tried catching it with her other hand. The cast didn’t allow her to grip the cup as she watched it fall to the ground, the coffee staining the street. Thankfully, only a little ended up on her jeans.
“Shit.” When days are bad sometimes they have to get worse before they get better. Mae thought to herself. “Did it get you? I’m sorry.” She said looking up to the person she bumped into.
MAE THOMAS just walked down main street. They are a BAKER who has been in Willowdale for 27 YEARS. They are AWARE of the supernatural. People around town knows them as HUMBLE & ADVENTUREOUS but also as IMPULSIVE & ANTISOCIAL. They are described as THE LAST PERSON SITTING IN A COFFEE SHOP AT CLOSING LOST IN A GOOD BOOK, THE SMELL OF FRESHLY BAKED BREAD, THE CALMNESS OF A QUIET FOREST.
[ LUCY HALE, 27, CIS WOMAN, SHE/HER ]
Connections
Muse Inspo
Hi all, I’m so excited to write with you! Here’s a few quick bits about Mae that might help you get to know her better. p.s. I’m always down to plot!
Mae works at Sweetie Pie Bakery and often works past closing time to prepare for the next days deliveries or to experiment with new recipes.
She is an avid reader and in her spare time you can find her at the local library or bookstore browsing for something new to read, or at a coffee shop or park with her nose stuck in a book.
Mae likes getting out into the surrounding forest and taking long hikes, though she is aware of the supernatural population she thinks it’s worth the risk so she sticks to the busier trails.
Mae’s was born on October 1st, 1994, for her birthday this year she took a trip to New York with her sister. She is not close with her family, her sister is basically the last one she speaks with anymore. Her parents moved to different towns after their split. She usually only sees them on major holidays.
Mae was born and raised in Willowdale, though she did go away for college for a few years. She’s a local, but one that barely pays any attention to others in the town unless they are close. Sure she knows who people are but that’s the extent of it.
Mae is more of a loner, she values her alone time; though she isn’t wary of new people and has an adventurous spirit.
Favorites:
- Ice Cream: Mocha Chip
- Food: Thai Food
- Bands: Bon Iver, Chet Faker, The Kooks, Bright Eyes, The Libertines, La Dispute, Modern Baseball, Bloc Party, Foals, Fleetwood Mac, Klaxons, Blondie, Keaton Henson, ABBA, Cher, and more.
- Movie: Pride & Prejudice and Twilight, her comfort movie
- Color: Orange - but not just any orange. The soft orange of a sunset.
Bad Habits:
- Smoking - Mae was a smoker in her teen years and smoked on and off throughout college. Her habit got worse over the last few years.
- Not texting her friends back - It’s not that she means to leave them on read, she just gets busy and forgets to text them back, or she’s too sucked into her book or movie - plus she isn’t really on her phone much so she forgets to reply.
Hobbies:
- Reading - Mae is an avid reader. Most of her favorite past times had included her being snuggled up with a book - these books took her on adventures and allowed her to be other people when she wasn’t happy with the person she was. Mae has read most of the greats but her favorite genre is YA Fiction.
- Record Collecting - Mae’s mother collected records and passed on her love of collecting to her daughter. Mae’s collection has grown throughout the years as her taste in music progressed to what it is today.
More Info:
- What would be their favorite physical trait about themselves?
Mae loves her hair. It was a sore spot for a very long time because her mother was blonde, she’s dyed it many crazy colors throughout her youth but she has grown to appreciate the natural dark brown that her father passed down to her. She often switches between blonde and brunette
- What is, perhaps, their biggest flaw? Are they aware of this or oblivious to it?
Mae’s biggest flaw could easily be the way she doesn’t allow people into her life. Of course she gets along with work friends and acquaintances she’ll see around town, she doesn’t really let her guard down to just anyone.
- Do they have a favorite season? What about a favorite holiday?
Springtime is Mae’s favorite season. She loves the bloom of the flowers and the April showers. During the sunny days she loves to go on bike rides in the country, or a picnic at the park or lake. On rainy days you can find her snuggled up with a book on her porch or in a quiet café.
Her favorite holiday is New Years.
- Is your character more feminine or masculine?
Mae is a blend of both. She loves menswear, such as blazers and suits, but you can almost always find her in something slightly dressed up even is she’s not at work. This could be a quirky dress or a fun colored cardigan. She keeps her nails short but polished, and her makeup is always neutral with the exception of a winged liner. She loves wearing rings on most of her fingers but keeps them simple as to not overdo it.
Mae has certain mannerisms that could be seen as masculine. She has a firm handshake, always holds eye contact, and is confident and assertive.
- What are your character’s sleeping habits? Heavy or light sleeper? Blanket stealer? One that always rolls onto the floor? Pushes their lover onto the floor? Sleep talker or walker?
Mae is a light sleeper. She loves blankets, the more the merrier when it comes to layering. She likes her space so she spreads out but is courteous when she is sharing a bed, if anything she loves snuggling but needs her own space to be comfortable. She does speak in her sleep but it’s mostly gibberish and never full sentences.
- Is your character the athletic type or more of a couch potato?
Mae loves a good lazy day, once in a while she will spend a whole day watching movies or reading. But for the most part she is a pretty active person as she does go on hikes every, if not every other weekend. She doesn’t love sports but will play because she is competitive.
- Would your character be the kind to get into fights? (physical or verbal) Would they be a good fighter or cave in rather easily?
Mae is more of a lover than a fighter but she will always stand up for herself and others. If she is pushed to fight then she will not give up until the fight is over.
- If your character’s lover offered to take them out on a dream date, what would they want to do?
Mae’s perfect date would be a picnic dinner on a park followed by a walk around downtown while eating ice cream.
- If your character wanted to be alone, where would they go?
Mae would either go for a hike in the woods or go camping for a couple of days.
- Is your character afraid of death? If they got to choose how to die, how would they want to go?
Death is not what she’s afraid of, it’s the pain before and then what comes after that scares her.
- What kind of weather does your character like? Cloudy skies, rainy days, sunshine, etc?
Mae loves rainy days, they’re the best for staying in and cuddling up in front of a fire with a good book and an old record.
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