CARDIGAN.

Nathaniel Ariel Strauss Nate 39 Secret author Head Librarian Beach front

[nate-strauss]

Full Name: Nathaniel Ariel Strauss

Nicknames: Nate

Age & Birthday: 39 - 3rd July 1985

Occupation: Author and Head Librarian at Septima Poinsette Clark Library

Preferred Pronouns & Gender: He/Him & Cis-male

Sexuality: Heterosexual

Hometown & length of time in town: Washington DC - He's been in town on and off for 3 years. He's been back in town for six weeks.

Neighbourhood: Beach front

Family: TBC

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Born and raised in DC, his dad was never in the picture and he was raised by his mum. Has a good relationship with his step family, very much appreciates his step dad for stepping up and also making his mum happy.

He has two step siblings, one brother and one sister and he also has a half sister.

Went to University of South Carolina to major in English, he stayed there to complete his masters.

Whilst at college, he met his first long-term girlfriend. They were together for a few years before he proposed. About a year into their engagement, they ended up breaking up. This was when he decided he needed a change from Columbia and around 10 months later, he moved to Briar Ridge. Although they met at college, his ex was also from DC.

Went back home for a while before moving back to Columbia as he liked the city. He began working at the university whilst writing a book on the side.

He later sold his novel and continued to write a series which he is still writing, it’s an incredibly popular series but he writers under a different name “Matthew Marshall” as he doesn’t want recognition or a following of his actual life. He maintains social media under his writing name, but no pictures of him are included. Few people know he is Matthew Marshall.

He moved to Briar Ridge for a quieter life to write.

Whilst waiting for his first book to be published, he went to work at X college, this is where he met Holly. A year after meeting her, his mum got sick and he went home to care for her, intending to move back to Briar Ridge when she was better.

When he got home, he ended up running into his ex who had recently had a baby. She told him it was his and in his spiral and the demands that he "do the right thing", he crumbled and ended up ghosting Holly, something he regrets to this day.

He later found out that his ex had lied and the baby wasn't his but she had broken up with the baby daddy and had panicked. He was gutted that he wasn't actually the dad and decided it was time to start afresh, he decided to move back to his happy place. Briar Ridge.

He's been back in town for around six weeks, but has kept to himself as he's been finishing his latest novel and securing his job at the library.

headcanons 

Non practicing Jew. His grandmother was quite religious but his parents weren’t. His family does celebrate Hanukkah, but his stepfather isn’t Jewish, so they also celebrate Christmas. 

His favourite holiday is Thanksgiving. He’s as passionate about his leftovers sandwich as Ross Gellar. 

He's exceptionally charming but without trying to be. He's a nerd, bit of a dweeb, but is easy to talk to and is instantly charming.

He’s a runner, he’s a track star. Nate loves to go running to clear his head. He doesn’t listen to music but uses ear plugs to try and work through his thoughts as he runs. 

He always smells fucking fabulous. He exclusively wears bleu de chanel.

He has a record player and a vinyl collection. His favourite way to unwind in an evening is a good record, a good book and a drop of whiskey.

He will not entertain the idea of iced coffee. He likes it hot, black and with one sugar. He will occasionally stretch to a flat white if he’s feeling fancy. 

He hates baths. He thinks they’re disgusting. He’s a shower only guy, he probably showers twice a day. 

Whenever he’s had a little too much to drink, the man has an insane need to sing. This can be in his living room if he’s at home, or if he’s out, he will find a karaoke machine like a bloodhound. If you hear a mediocre attempt at living on a prayer? There’s Nate.

He has two goldfish, they are the only pets he trusts himself to have. He’s very proud they’re still alive and their names are Stanley and Norbert. He does believe they're in love and he made a little waterproof pride flag for their tank.

Don’t talk to him about his soda consumption. He will defend his love of Dr Pepper and Coke Zero until the day he drops dead from them.

He is terrified of ducks, geese and seagulls. He will not entertain being near them.

Fucking loves slippers. They go well with his one true love, cardigans.

He loves true crime podcasts, documentaries, the works. He also loves jigsaws, crossword puzzles, board games.

His love of crime is reflected in his writing, he writes crime/thriller novels and also has a second series which is his passion project of historical fiction.

His hips don't lie.

[alarakcplan]

The fact that Alara hadn't been creeping on Nate’s door lately for his late-night pizza deliveries said a lot. It wasn’t that she hadn’t been awake—she hadn’t slept properly in weeks—but she just hadn’t been in the right headspace for the playful ritual of stealing Nate’s pizza.

She adored her neighbor, truly. But lately... she’d been too down to make the effort.

So when she heard someone at her door, Alara groaned.

"Allah sabır versin," she muttered under her breath as she dragged herself off the couch, still wrapped in a blanket, fluffy slippers padding across the floor. It might’ve been the height of summer, but she kept her condo freezing just so she could bundle up like this.

She shuffled to the door and opened it with a sigh. But before she could say anything, the smell of melted cheese hit her full force—and all her defenses crumbled.

"Did you get Giorgio’s?" she asked, gnawing on her bottom lip as she weighed her commitment to self-imposed isolation against the undeniable pull of her favorite pizza. Noting the box with Giorgio's logo very clearly printed on it, she opened the door wide enough for him to come in. "I'm warning you though, my motivations are entirely selfish. I won't be fun company tonight. If it weren't for that pizza, I'd truly be pushing you to the curb."

[nate-strauss]

"Do I need to be insulted that you think I'd turn up with anything other than Giorgio's? What did you think I was going to do, make you eat Dominos?" Rolling his eyes playfully, he tried not to focus on the icy breeze coming from her apartment or the attire she had answered the door in. If she wanted to talk to him about it, he was sure she would of her own accord. "Good thing I'm happy to eat pizza in silence then, isn't it?"

Stepping inside her place, Nate shivered a little before making his way through to plop himself on the couch. If nothing else, he knew how to make himself at home and comfortable. Opening the box of steaming hot, cheesy pizza, Nate almost groaned. "See how good of a neighbour I am? I'm so nice, I'm even encouraging you to steal my pizza now." Producing some sauce packets and napkins from his pocket, Nate placed them on the couch. "I got worried about my favourite little thief, I've had to force myself to eat all of my own pizza lately. You're basically to blame for why my jeans feel a tiny bit tight."

He was joking, of course, but he wanted to check on her and after seeing her dressed up like she was living in Antarctica, he felt he was right to. "Everything okay? Are you trying to adopt a penguin or something and are preparing yourself for the climate it'll need?"

[wildspringday]

adam brody via instagram

[shanepcrker]

Shane wasn’t entirely sure what the hell he was doing here. Part of him still wanted to turn around, climb back into his truck, and call it a night. But deep down, he knew the least he could do was hear Nate out. Reaching out had taken guts—Shane could give him that.

He let out a quiet huff, squaring his shoulders as footsteps approached the door. His jaw tightened when it swung open and Nate greeted him with coffee and a thank you. Shane didn’t know how to talk things out—but he was here, and he was going to try to listen.

He stepped over the threshold, letting the silence hang a second too long as he tried to figure out how what to say or do without biting Nate's head off. "No thanks." he shook off the offer for coffee, he wasn't sure he was sticking around that long. “Look,” he added after a beat, “I told myself I wasn’t gonna take a swing at you. Figured I owed you that at least. Beyond that, I can’t promise much—so let’s just rip the damn bandaid off.”

[nate-strauss]

"Honestly wouldn't blame you if you did." Closing the door behind him, Nate took a second before he turned back and walked through towards the kitchen. "The living room is like a war zone at the minute, we can talk in here." It had served as Nate's planning room for long enough and he was yet to tidy everything away, especially given his latest apology tour.

"I just wanted to apologise to you, the least you deserve is the truth and I want to be upfront." Taking a seat at his dining table, Nate blew out a breath, not entirely knowing where to start. "I wanted to tell you as soon as I found out Holly was your sister. I promise you, which I know won't mean much to you now, but I promise I didn't know who she was when we met," he paused for a second, not entirely sure on how deep to go. "I wanted to tell you, but Holly wanted to keep things quiet. I'm not saying that to throw her under the bus, it's just what happened and with you being her brother.. I didn't want to go against her with her family."

He knew he was probably rambling, talking way too much for how little time Shane had been inside, but at least he'd done what he'd asked and the bandaid was off. "I am sorry and it has never sat right with me and I am sorry you found out that way. I really had hoped we could tell you properly." He didn't expect forgiveness, it wasn't something he was used to getting anyway, but the least he could do was try. "So I hope that if nothing else, that gives you some closure. I don't expect anything else, but I hope you get what you need from it."

[niaxbailey]

Something about the seemingly casual way Nate made his observation slithered under her skin and left Nia to wrestle with a slow brewing indignation. It all still felt a little surreal, and perhaps, hypocritical. Yet attaching a name, a warm smile, and one of the kindest people she'd ever had the pleasure of meeting to his previously admitted backstory was hard to swallow. "...Only some?" She arched a brow, picturing somewhat of a Briar Ridge mob in her head. "You told me," she reminded him "—but yes, Holly pointed you out to me... as her ex." The extent of how things transpired were elaborated on, of course, because Nia always wanted to be able to lend a listening ear. She'd never had a sister, but if she had, she'd wish for someone like Holly— so full of life and with such a caring heart. Her gaze raked over Nathaniel, jaw tight as she tried to tame some of her defensive outrange. "...Yes." Annoyed, again, that he'd immediately guessed Nia had been actively avoiding him. Though it was an easy guess to make, honestly. Before they'd bumped into one another so naturally. "But no, I've not come to run you off the damn trail..." she tipped her head to the side. "Okay. I might've thought about it. I also thought about pushing you in a pond or somethin'... you see it movies a lot, always wanted to give it a try."

[nate-strauss]

When Nate had come back to town, he had taken everything in his stride. He had taken whatever came to him from Holly and her friends as he knew that he had deserved it. He had messed up and now he was back, it was time to pay for the crime. But standing at the beginning of his favourite trail with a woman he had thought was his friend, until it seemed the inevitable happened, he felt a little at a loss.

"It's amazing really, I didn't really the entire perfect population of the world ended up in Briar Ridge." It was petty, but there was something that was just grating to him. Maybe it was because he was tired, maybe a lack of energy and maybe he'd regret this tomorrow, or even when he got home. "Seems like no one around here has ever made a mistake. I'm the only one that deserves to be shunned by what feels like the whole town."

Finishing his stretches, Nate rolled his shoulders a couple of times before reaching for the smart watch on his wrist. "Not everyone has to hate me, you know? I fucked up, I apologised over and over again, I don't see what more people want from me." Beginning to walk towards the trees, Nate glanced over his shoulder. "You liked me before you decided you had to dislike me in solidarity, you know?"

[pinarxcerkez]

Pinar heard a voice and it pulled her attention away from the ocean. She turned, blinking against the brightened light that had once been shielded from her hat. Face to face with a stranger holding her hat, "Sun faded and smells faintly like coconut sunscreen, yes, that'd be mine," she tilted her head, studying him for a moment. With an outstretched hand, she promptly returned the hat to her head. "I think this color would look just fine on you, by the way," she quipped, a slow smile crossing her lips, "But I appreciate the rescue." Pinar turned to the ocean, her heart fluttering as she saw her daughter still playing. "Can I interest you in a thank you drink? I've got a few spares in my cooler," they weren't anything special. Low percentages and likely going to go to waste if she didn't offer one to the stranger. "Pinar," she held out her hand, this time to shake that of the others. "The one that the wind has a personal vendetta against today, apparently." @nate-strauss

[nate-strauss]

"That would be the one." Holding the hat out towards her, Nate's smile was polite. "Well, thank you. I did rock a pink hat with bunny ears at the Easter festival a couple of months back, so maybe it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world." He'd gotten a lot of stick for his hat that day, but it still sat in closet regardless. It seemed rare that Nate met anyone new in the town, but it was refreshing in a way, especially given his self imposed restriction on leaving the house until his book was finished. "It's unnecessary honestly, but sure, it'll encourage me to stay out and get some colour to these pasty arms."

Reaching out to gently shake her hand, Nate smiled in response. "Nate, it's nice to meet you." Looking back out at the water, he had a sudden urge to go in but he'd have to settle by sitting by the shoreline instead. "Mind if I sit with you whilst I have that drink?"

[niaxbailey]

who: @nate-strauss where: Birdsong park, again. Avoidance was a coping mechanism that she was trying to unroot, it was slow going. It ran deep, seeded by the weight of expectation to just take everything in life on the chin with a painted on smile. Luck had given her a window of time before she'd found him on the path, luck and a bit of intentional avoidance. So that early morning when she'd round the path to see the familiar figure ahead there was a brief instinct to just turn on her heel. Cut him off. Maybe if they were in the city, back home, she would've. Just pruned their budding friendship without a word and moved along with her life. Here, though, Nia knew truly avoiding someone wasn't all that easy and... well, she didn't want to. She didn't want to be that person anymore. So, she took a deep breath and steeled herself. "Oh, so you didn't get run out of town with pitchforks..." came her voice from behind as she stepped into line along where Nate was stretching. Her tone was tight, frosty despite the fact her words could be taken as a joke.

[nate-strauss]

Usually, Nate ran every single day. It was a way for him to clear his head and refocus, but whilst he had been finishing his latest book, he had barely stepped outside of his office, let alone his house. With the ideas in his head, the last thing he had wanted to do, or had time for, was the kind of run he knew he desperately needed. With his book submitted to his editor and the first set of re-writes not for another couple of weeks, he was making up for lost time.

He had done a small run the day before to get back into it and wake his legs up but as he stood by the start of the trail in the park, stretching his legs, the anticipation of a longer run almost had him bouncing up and down.

At the voice to his side, Nate glanced down, his brow furrowing slightly. "Sorry, do I know you?" Smirking a little, Nate let his joke be known instantly before he lifted his foot and held it behind him in a stretch. "Nope, some of them tried but it'll take more than pitchforks to get me out of here." Even if he was sure a lot of the town had them for him. "Let me guess, you're friends with my ex-girlfriend, found out I left her and avoided me ever since?" He was used to it by now. "I can go to a different trail if that's easier for you, don't want you to feel awkward."

[pinarxcerkez]

starter for anyone (@briarridgeprompts) capping at 2

location: briar ridge beach

The water lapped gently against the edge of the shore. Pinar took a slow and deep breath, letting the ocean fill her lung as she watched her daughter play in the sun. Aysa was barefoot, sun-kissed and laughing alongside the friends she had made. She was with some friends she had made, her daughter living in a world where fear did not lurk around every corner. Each night, each day, Pinar wrestled with the same question: if she had done right by her daughter, taking her from the only world that she knew. But, as she watched her playing in the sand along the water's edge with nothing but laughter, the answer was clear. She had.

A sudden gust of wind swept across the beach and caught her by surprise as it plucked the hat from her head. "Oh!" She gasped, startled as the straw brim hat tumbled away from her. Pinar stood quickly and brushed the sands from her hands, but before taking a step in the direction of the hat, she took one look at her daughter, making sure she knew where she was before the pursuit began.

[nate-strauss]

Nate had been holed up in his house for days having got more writing done in those few days than he had even thought possible. He had finished his latest book and as much as it was a weight off his shoulders, he was not far from going stir crazy after sitting in the same room, staring at his laptop and notes for hours on end.

The beach, luckily, was only a short walk and after bringing himself back to life with a sandwich, shower and a coffee, he found himself walking along the sand, finally soaking up some Vitamin D. It was only a matter of time before the beaches were swarmed with tourists, even if they were only from Charleston but for now, it was just about quiet enough that Nate didn't want to avoid it.

As he came to a slightly busier spot, Nate could only blink as he moved his hand out to push through his hair, only for a hat to land directly in them. Looking around, Nate noticed a woman quickly stand and as she looked to the sea and his gaze followed hers, he quickly jogged over to her. "Is this yours by any chance? It landed straight in my hands but unfortunately, it's not really my colour."

[nate-strauss]

Location: Alara's house Starter for: @alarakcplan

"Come on, neighbour, open up! I'm making it worth your while, I promise!" Standing in front of his next door neighbour's house, Nate stood with two pizza boxes in his hands. It had been the way they had gotten to know each other and even if Nate would've preferred to form a friendship with Alara that hadn't involved her stealing his late night pizza one night, at least it was something.

It had almost become a tradition that if Alara got there first, she stole the pizza or occasionally, if he didn't want to risk it, he would just order a second that she could have and he could still enjoy his favourite pizza. But for the last couple of times he'd ordered, the pizza went untouched. So there he stood, pizza in hand to check on her.

"I can't post the pizza through your mailbox and it's going to get cold.. Don't do the pizza dirty like that, Alara. I even got your favourite.."

[nate-strauss]

Location: Nate's house, Beach Front Starter for: @shanepcrker

The idea of keeping his relationship with Holly secret from her family had never sat right with Nate, especially given how open he was with his own family, but keeping it from Shane in particular had always been an issue. Nate and Shane had been friends before Nate even knew who Holly was and even though he had agreed to keep it secret for Holly, it had been his one bug in the relationship. He had hoped one day he and Holly could tell him calmly, in a controlled manner, but the last thing he had wanted was for Shane to find out by overhearing a conversation.

As his doorbell alerted him to someone walking to the door, Nate flicked on the coffee machine before making his way to the door. He had texted Shane, asking him over if he did want to talk things through, or rightfully punch Nate in the jaw, but he was still a little shocked he had turned up. Opening the door, Nate stepped to the side and offered his friend a small smile. "Thanks for coming, I wasn't sure you would but I am grateful. Coffee?"

[aliscncooper]

"You keep bringing up that you saw my side boob and I'll make it fifteen years." She said pointedly, her own voice lowered to spare the ten year old who was currently engrossed in his phone and not paying his mother or godfather an iota of attention. Being back in the same city as Nate had been more of a blessing than she'd ever have been able to guess- sure, her family was here. Being back around her mom and dad was special, sure, but Nate had been in her life for as long as she could remember. He'd been there for every single one of her worst and best days, and without him she wasn't sure she'd be where she was or who she was now. He was that important... though with that importance apparently came annoyance. Playful, of course. But still.

Her laughter couldn't be contained, no matter how embarrassed Ryan looked or how (faux) offended Nate was. It'd been too long since she'd laughed so freely and once the flood gates had been opened, it seemed there was no closing them. Then Ryan slipped out of Nate's grasp so effortlessly, Allie's laughter only intensified. So she wasn't the only one the pre-teen got embarrassed by and that was comforting... and hilarious. "The Cooper family is just trying to be honest with you." She got out between laughs, her hands rested on her knees as she attempted to catch her breath. "But even when you embarrass us with your outfits and weird hats we still love you."

When the hat was placed atop her head, Allie's eyes instantly went up- as if she could see through her skull to the monstrosity now providing her shade from the afternoon sun. Shaking her head with an eye roll and amused grin, Allie pulled her phone out to look at herself in the camera and her uncontrollable laughter almost started again. "God, you really do have a big ol' head don't you?" She teased, pulling the hat off of her head and putting it on Ryan's- who scoffed and mimicked his mother's movements with this own phone before making a comment about not understanding how anyone could think this hat was cool. "I think we've collectively decided this hat should be retired for good, Nate. Maybe we can get you a cute little bunny tail next year or something. Not as manly but somehow not as cringey, either."

[nate-strauss]

“Do you need to see my side boob to even the scales a bit? I’d completely understand and also, wouldn’t be shocked. I know you’ve been after me for years.” He kept his voice quiet to match hers, although amusement was laced through his voice, reinforced by the smirk on his face. He’d let it go eventually, but his relationship with Allie was like that of siblings, they would tease each other and Nate would always strive to be the irritating thorn in her side, that she hopefully continued to love and put up with. 

After everything his best friend had been through in her life, hearing her laugh so freely and to such an extent gave Nate a sense of contentment. This was why he was always joking, even sometimes at her expense, but just for the chance to make sure in a moment, she felt the happiness she deserved. Nate had seen too many tears and too many bad days to want anything other than to see Allie smiling whenever they were together. “The Cooper family needs teaching that when you love someone, like you definitely love me, then sometimes sugar coating is the nicest thing.” Shaking his head, Nate looked at Ryan who was doing everything he could to avoid his gaze. “Come on, buddy, you’re breaking my heart over here. All you’d need to do is try the hat on. Come on, it’s only some bunny ears, I’m sure you’ve worn worse.” For good measure, Nate flicked one of the bunny ears, trying to suppress his own laughter.

As the hat made the rounds between the Coopers, Nate made sure to grab his phone and quickly snap pictures of each of them whilst they had the hat on their heads. If anything, he’d put it on Instagram for the birthday posts he never did, but now would. “What is this? Insult Nate day? It’s almost like we’re not best friend and I’m just a metaphorical and verbal punching bag.” Reaching up to touch his head, Nate frowned slightly. “I think it’s average, yours is just tiny.” As Ryan took the hat off, Nate reached for it before securing it back onto his head. “Now that I know you both love it so much, it’ll never be retired. In saying that, I could be totally talked into a bunny tail next year.” Nudging Allie gently, he smirked at her as Ryan rolled his eyes and turned away from them to look at something else. “Think we’ve embarrassed him enough today or shall I keep going? It’s more fun than I thought it would be.”

[nate-strauss]

If a genie offered to grant you any three wishes (and you couldn't wish for more) what would they be?

"A lifetime of happiness for my three siblings, for birds not to be scary anymore and an unlimited supply of Dr Pepper."

[nate-strauss]

three people you would smooch?

"I guess I'd have to go for Kennedy, Holly, I guess that one is obvious. The third one, let's go for a wildcard. Vanna, I don't know her, but she's cute, let's go with her."

ft. @kennedyastor, ft. @hollyparkcr, ft. @vanna-huang

[nate-strauss]

A sex tape just landed in your hands... and you get to watch! Who would you not mind seeing in action?

"This really isn't my thing. I'm sure everyone would perform really well on their sex tapes, but if one landed in my hands, I would hand it back."

[nate-strauss]

👐 you get a lot of residual hate from people around town, but is there anyone YOU dislike?

"Honestly, not really. No one comes to mind. There are things that irritate me about people, but I wouldn't say anything is bad enough that I dislike them."

[nate-strauss]

Would you rather get back with Holly or have another best selling book?

“Who’s had a best selling book? Nathaniel Strauss doesn’t have any books on Amazon. Sorry, must be the wrong person!”

“I’d probably have to go for the book. Holly and I have a lot to discuss before we even know if that’s something on the horizon, but right now our relationship is over and my career isn’t.”

[nate-strauss]

👐 snog, marry, pie: civan, shane, travis

“You can tell this town hates me with how many answers I give that risk me getting punched. I’ll pie Travis, again, it’s just because I know him the least. I’ll snog Shane and marry Civan. We can share cardigans and buy each other matching slippers for our anniversaries.”

ft. @civanguneri, ft. @travmarshall, ft. @shanepcrker