•┈┈⛧┈ NATALIE ANDERSON.

24 / Lifeguard pulls her hair back as she screams, "I don't really wanna be the queen."♔

[natvlie]

✦ MADELYN CLINE, CIS FEMALE, SHE/HER ✦ NATALIE ANDERSON the TWENTY FOUR year old has been in Hidehill for HER ENTIRE LIFE and was a FAMILY FRIEND to Carter Thompson, one of the shadows. Whispers on the streets are that the LIFEGUARD AT FIG BEACH who lives in HOVE LAKE are said to be AFFABLE and IMPULSIVE but I guess we’ll find out for ourselves.

BASICS

NAME: Natalie Veronica Anderson

AGE: Twenty Four

BIRTHDAY: 31st July

GENDER & PRONOUNS: Cis female/she and her

SEXUALITY: Heterosexual

OCCUPATION: Lifeguard @ Fig Beach

BIOGRAPHY

the only daughter of a commercial fisherman and an in-home therapist, natalie grew up in hove lake. she'd always been a happy child and never went without — some would say she was spoiled, but she was taught how fortunate she was compared to the others around her.

she grew up around her mother's work, often seeing her patients or 'clients' as she would refer to them as, in the house, and would often spy on her sessions through a cracked door. it fascinated her that people thought her mother could fix their problems.

after the tragedies in the '70s, both of her parents became overly protective of natalie and for a lot of her life she was sheltered, not that she minded — because she didn't know any better. that was until she got to high school, and her strict curfew became a problem for her social life.

up until that point, she'd lived a relatively normal life, but the pressure to be someone to her teenage peers became overwhelming. she became the type of girl to sneak out of her room in the middle of the night, go to house parties, get roaring drunk and end up losing her virginity to an older guy in some dingy basement. it wasn't her proudest moment, but it kept her in the limelight.

after high school, she worked with her dad for awhile before becoming a lifeguard at fig beach. she couldn't think of a better job than sitting around all day on a beach in a swimsuit. six years later, she's still there and loving it.

her family were friends with the thompsons, and although natalie didn't know carter all too well, she never expected him to be accused of what he had been. even with his guilty plea, something didn't sit right with her.

natalie still lives at home with her parents and has a pet dog that is her pride and joy called pepper. despite her brief stint in high school, she hasn't really lived and you would often find her drifting through town with her head in a book or humming some show tune to herself, if not at sunbathing on beach or at the lake.

POTENTIAL CONNECTIONS

Best friend: Someone who Natalie has known most, if not all, of her life. The only person she really trusts.

Bad influence: Probably the person that introduced Natalie to the house party scene in high school. Maybe even helped her sneak out.

The V card: The older guy she lost her virginity to.

[natvlie]

closed: @elenabradshaw location: cadillac lounge

It wasn't often that Natalie found herself in the Cadillac Lounge, but tonight had been a spontaneous kind of evening. She'd heard there'd be a performance — that admittedly, she'd been too late to arrive to. As she surveyed the room, wondering what other form of entertainment they had to appease her for the night, her eyes caught sight of someone on stage.

"Elena Bradshaw?" She queried, as she slowly approached her. "Oh my god — you're... you're Elena Bradshaw." Again, she repeated, suddenly becoming something short of starstruck.

[ghxstxstxries]

location: the baby shower, living room open: @hidehillstart

If Dutch hadn't have been close with Ana, there wasn't any percent chance that he would be there right now, probably would've been two drinks deep at Parker's or Dead Dawg. Instead he was cornered by some wrinkled old woman in room full of way too many pastel decorations. "Having my own?" Dutch coughed at the idea of any sort of mini-hims running around. Felt like a tragedy in thought alone. "Yea, not anytime soon. Got Plan B in the nightstand for a reason." He took a sip of his soda immediately after, wanting horribly for it to be spiked with some liquor, any liquor— he'd even take vodka. "Trust me, doing plenty of favors with that," he tacked on quickly, his shifting sideways, seeking either distraction, escape, or confirmation.

[natvlie]

Natalie observed the older man get hounded by the woman from a short distance. It was hard not to overhear, and partly because she was self-proclaimed nosy. He appeared uncomfortable though, and it seemed he was in need of some assistance. Always one to save those in trouble, the blonde stepped a few feet forward into the conversation. "You know, having babies isn't everything." She addressed them both, with a small smile. She certainly wanted her own one day, but she knew that wasn't a shared worldwide opinion. "But anyway," her eyes lifted to the ceiling above where a stray helium filled balloon had met it's end. "How long do you think that's going to stay up there?" It was a quick change of topic, in the hopes that the woman would cease pestering the other. "Shame we don't have any darts to throw at it."

[charliexabbott]

Location: Baby Shower

Open @hidehillstart

"I wonder how many babies I have floating around out there that I don't know about" Charlie spoke out loud as he pondered the thought, his attention on the gift table that was building with plenty of presents.

[natvlie]

"That's a horrifying thought, Charlie." Natalie responded with a crinkle in her nose, as she arrived at his side with a card and small gift in hand. "Didn't you ever get taught to be safe?" She asked. "Those poor kids."

[thebrandxnharris]

"Probably not wise t-to, um, make killer comments right around now," Brandon pointed out lightly, a shrug of his shoulder. "Yeah, I don't t-think it's just the lake that's st-struggling to get custom with everything goin' on right now," he sighed, shaking his head a little. "I-I'll get it," Brandon forced a smile, getting up to go and place the order with another waitress who hadn't just ignored them to go for a smoke before coming back to the table. Her question pulled a sigh from him. "Yeah, I-I'm fine... Just... Tired, it's-- s-seems like it's one thing after the next at the moment, d-doesn't it?" He swallowed thickly. "S-Someone's gotta put a stop to all this..."

[natvlie]

Natalie nodded in agreement, feeling awful for being so careless with her words. "Everything going on is definitely the cause of it, but... I don't understand what we're all expected to do." If her father had his way, the blonde would never even leave the house — his idea of a solution was a full on lock down of the residents. Unfortunately, she couldn't think of anything worse than being stuck indoors all day because of one person... presumably. Once he returned to the table, she reached over and placed her hand over his in an effort to provide some fleeting comfort. "It's going to be alright, Bran." With a gentle squeeze, she added a warm smile that was admittedly forced. "I promise it'll all be over soon. I don't know how, but it will." Her feigned expression couldn't hold and she breathed a sigh. "It has to be, right?"

[christinamorrison]

starter: open / @hidehillstart / Location: Nearby a park

Bored hardly began to explain how Chrissy felt. She sighed as she closed her book, laying it on her lap for a moment before standing to her feet. She spotted someone she thought looked familiar and made her way over to them. "Oh thank goodness, another human, I swear I've seen about two people since I came out here this morning!"

[natvlie]

Natalie had been out for a run, finding some time in between her jobs to appreciate the nature that the park had to offer. When she'd slowed down, almost coming to halt, she was surprised to see a woman coming towards her. A little out of breath, she removed her earphones out of politeness. "Oh hey, yeah," she smiled. "It's empty here today. But I can imagine it's because everyone's scared..." Not her, though. "What are you reading?" She asked, as she noted the book in her hand.

[thealexkingslxy]

Alex returned the smile to the other before shrugging her shoulders and nodding. "Yeah man, it's cool, don't need to know someone to buy them a beer or-- whatever you wanna drink," she pointed back across to the bar. "You here for the music or the booze?" Alex asked, glancing to the stage where her... where Jovi was performing.

[natvlie]

Natalie appreciated the kindness of the other and placed her order with the bartender, before she turned her full attention on the woman. "Both, I guess." She noticed her eyes turn to the stage and the blonde's lips curved upwards into a small grin. "And what or who are you here for?"

[brodymartinez]

"Oh, got a thing for men in uniform do ya?" Brody asked, raising his eyebrows playfully. "Maybe you should ask 'em why they can't seem to do their jobs, like Jesus fuckin' Christ how do you lose a prisoner? If anyone ever tries to say I'm bad at my job again, I'll just bring that up." Tapping his fingers absent-mindedly against the hard metal edge of the booth, Brody's eyes scanned over to the kitchen impatiently, as if watching the cooks would make his food appear faster. "Nah see it's actually the opposite. I have too many bimbos fawning over me, I need someone to act as like, security or something," he joked.

[natvlie]

"Yeah, I mean that authority look just does things to me that no regular dress man can." Natalie teased, as she emitted a small laugh. Although, the smile she'd originally had began to falter as he mentioned the Carter incident and her shoulder shrugged. "It's fucked up, but something was bound to happen. I mean, look at the rest of the town. Nothing ever goes as planned." She wasn't necessarily trying to defend the police or their incompetence at keeping a killer behind bars, but she'd given up on expecting some normality in Hide Hill. At his reasoning for her attendance the club, she snorted before playfully rolling her eyes. "You need security and you come to me?" She laughed. "I can barely protect myself, let alone a bimbo-attracting DJ. But if my presence really means that much to you... I guess I could be one of those bimbos for the night," she bargained. "You have to play some remixed Taylor Swift though."

[maximoaguilar]

𝐈𝐓'𝐒 𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐒 become far too common these days, but Max is riddled with fear. He isn't on any ordinary day, usually walking with his head held high. However -- it's come to his attention lately that not a single da has felt normal in ages. While he fears becoming a father again, it's more because he knows that there is a darkness out there. Something that lies far beyond their reach. After his attack -- his biggest fear has become not himself getting hurt again, but one of those fucks deciding to prove some sick point and take his family from him.

Perhaps this is what finds him picking up Mel's for himself and Adriana -- a way for him to get out of the house, as well as something that can treat them both. Eyes travel to the blonde as he slides into a nearby booth, eyes watching the counter for his order. Within a couple seconds he is up again, a hand slowly outstretching to lightly shake the blonde awake.

"Hey.. you're alright. I've had more of those days than I can count." He says with an understanding smile before returning to his seat just across the way. "I'm gonna guess.. rough shift?"

[natvlie]

Natalie shot the older man a light smile, a gesture of gratitude for not ridiculing her as others may have done. However, she was still embarrassed and felt a warmth rush to her cheeks. "I — uh, it's just been a long day if anything." Any longer and she was almost certain she wouldn't have made it to the diner at all, and would have collapsed in the street right there and then.

"I work at Fig Beach..." she said, hoping the man would understand the reason behind her fatigue. "It's been kind of brutal out there right now... cops everywhere, nosy teenagers. The list could go on and on."

[thealexkingslxy]

starter: OPEN | @hidehillstart | location: cadilac lounge

It had been a while since Alex had actually been out, probably the longest she'd ever been without stepping foot inside a bar or club for-- Fuck, as long back as she could remember. But she couldn't just stay away forever, especially not when Jovi played here which was the case tonight. She'd kept herself away from the bar for most of the night, but a comment from some stranger in the smoking shelter had sent her mind running. If your problem was drugs, why you clean off booze too? He had a point, she'd never exactly been an alcoholic. And... One beer wouldn't hurt, wouldn't send her on a craze. It was just beer. Beer was practically water. Especially like a Bud Light or something. So she came through, practically running, and she felt it-- the excitement. Was sad, really. "Yo," she greeted the bartender. "Just a beer, mate-- Coors'll do," Alex nodded towards the Coors tap. Then she looked to her side and nodded up a greeting to the person who had come up to her. "You want a drink? On me..."

[natvlie]

Natalie hardly visited bars in general, it wasn't really her scene — but that was due to the short leash that her father kept tightly around her neck. Since the happenings within the town, she was reduced to being treated like some rebellious teenager that needed to be kept away from the resident bad boy. She supposed if she was still living under their roof, it was only fair that she followed their rules. However, tonight, she was rebelling. After the incident that occurred at Fig Beach, she'd took it upon herself to deal with the shock in a gratuitous manner — with booze.

As her eyes glanced over to the woman nearby, she flashed her a smile. "Are — Are you sure? You don't even know me."

[dakotaxatwood]

"Me lifesaver? No, you lifesaver," Dakota smiled complimentarily, wasting no time in taking up Natalie's invitation to sit down across from her. "Ugh yes, I'd love a pie. I'm absolutely starving." Shrugging off her jacket, she chuckled wryly at the blonde's comment. "Well it's not like anyone else is asking me out on dates around here. Sorry to hear you had a rough day though. Have you heard any other information? I feel like we only ever get a fraction of the story from the police, it drives me crazy."

[natvlie]

Natalie scrunched up her nose, giving Dakota a little playful smirk. "Us lifesavers," she mimicked, followed by a half-laugh. "Then come and join me, ma'am. It must be hungry work doing what you do. Got any good stories you can tell me?" Lifting a hand, the blonde signaled to a waitress that they were ready to have their order taken. With another brief glance at the menu in front of her, already set on her pie, she shook her head at the other's question. "No, I haven't. Unfortunately, they like to swarm my workplace but they barely speak to me. It's like I don't even exist half the time," she said, although she could understand. They had more important things to worry about than a inquisitive lifeguard. "It's just bizarre. What do you think happened?"

[belkismaddox]

Austin glanced over his shoulder as his name was called from the counter. "Yeah, no, I can join you. Just let me grab that real quick." He moved away from where Natalie was sat, hurrying over to the counter to take his bag of food to-go before rejoining her at the table. "I was going to eat back at home, but I don't mind joining you." He ripped the bag open, pulling a few fries out and popping them into his mouth. "Do you ever do anything for yourself, Nat? You need to take a break once in a while, you know."

[natvlie]

Natalie smiled as he agreed to join her. She always preferred to have the company, afraid of being left to let her mind wander aimlessly down a path she didn't want to go. "Ooh, what'd you get?" She asked, inspecting the now open bag, before pinching a fry or two. "Do anything for myself? What's that?" Her tone teased, as she flagged down a waitress and ordered herself a portion of chicken wings and a milkshake. "I'd rather not. If I take a break, that means being stuck with my parents. You know how strict they are... even in my twenties, I still feel like a grounded teenager." She shrugged. "What about you? Are you taking a break?"

[brodymartinez]

Brody watched the blonde's face fall and grimaced. "Bad joke? Shit my bad, forgot you run the beach and all that. Is it hectic down there at the moment or what?" Flagging down a passing waitress, Brody recited his order, motioning for Natalie to do the same. "God I'm so hungry," he muttered as the waitress scribbled down their orders before turning on her heels and walking towards the kitchen. "I got work tonight over at Envy. You should come, I'll let you be the chick that hangs out at the DJ booth and everything, everyone there will be jealous."

[natvlie]

Natalie shrugged. "I mean, there's cops swarming constantly." It had been tough trying to go to work with all the commotion, even more so when she'd be constantly asked questions as if she were the head detective themselves. "Although, some of them aren't too bad looking.. so it's not all unpleasant." Once the waitress had departed, the blonde slouched back in the booth, with a teasing smile playing over her features. "Envy?" She repeated, never actually setting foot in the club before. "Don't you think I'd cramp your style. Just think you could have some bimbo in there practically fawning over you, you wouldn't want me."

[thecamwright]

"Just me," he smiled, holding his hands up as if he were proving his innocence. "You're good, you've been out on the lake all day, huh?" Cam guessed eyes on the waitress she was trying to signal, rolling his eyes as she was temporarily denied. "Honestly, some people in this town..." He shook his head before bringing his eyes back to Nat. "Without wanting to sound pretentious, I prefer it here at night... The atmosphere changes, makes it easier to think, you know?" Cam shrugged a shoulder. "I've been tryin' to crack the case everyone's thinkin' about, if you've got any ideas I'd be happy to hear 'em... I know there ain't much else to talk about these days..."

[natvlie]

"Indeed, I have. Since... what happened, it's not exactly been the smooth sailing. Quite literally." Natalie quipped, as she breathed another sigh. "No, I get that... it's somehow more peaceful — even with the dodgy people that sometimes like to fill the seats." It was rare that she visited the diner on an evening, but when she had, she'd usually been met with an array of people, each as dubious as the next. She could only wonder what they were up to. "Ideas on what? This shadow business?" Her parents had kept her quite sheltered from the news surrounding all the murders, fearing that if she got too close it'd be the end of her. "I don't think a new 'shadow' killed Alara," she spoke candidly. "I think someone just got revenge."

[thebrandxnharris]

Brandon waved off her apology nonchalantly because he knew she didn't do it on purpose. He didn't think anyone would fall asleep in public on purpose at the moment, and on the other hand, he wouldn't be surprised if someone fell asleep in the middle of the day... He'd not exactly been sleeping at night either. "D-Don't worry about it," he smiled softly. "I-I'm not s-surprised, honestly. I mean, I, um, I don't think I could s-sit out in the Tennessee sun all day a-and not get t-tired..." Brandon shrugged before looking to the menu himself. He wasn't sure if he was hungry, but he knew he should eat. "Maybe chicken and waffles, um, what about you?"

[natvlie]

"Yeah, it's a killer." Natalie said, the irony of her sentence lost on her. "Although, I'm surprised I don't have more of tan." She laughed, as she inspected her light-skinned arms. "You know, I think it's more the boredom of it all. Nobody really wants to come and swim when a dead body washes ashore. Funny, that." After browsing the menu for a few minutes, she pointed to the cheeseburger with a warm smile. "Definitely this. But chicken and waffles is a good choice." It would have been perhaps her second option, if the fried onions and mustard topped patty didn't appeal to her. Her eyes studied him, as she placed down the menu. "Are you okay?"

[dakotaxatwood]

Long shifts in the ambulance called for waffles, and Dakota headed straight to Mel's once her seemingly never-ending shift was finally finished to get her fix. Crossing the threshold into the warmth of the diner, her eyes settled almost immediately on the blonde slouched over a nearby table, her head resting on her forearms. "Hey," greeted softly, nudging Natalie awake as gently as she could, although she didn't blame her for waking with a jolt, the shadow had everyone on alert all the time it seemed. "Well I hope you were asleep because otherwise it means you fainted, and then I'd be far more concerned. Long day too?"

[natvlie]

It was a refreshing sight to see Dakota, after spending her time either conversing with fishes or salty teenagers that didn't obey the rules of the water. "Oh, hey there, lifesaver." She affectionately replied, as she rubbed her eyes once more. "Yeah, it's been hell. Cops keep still coming to Fig Beach and asking questions." Her explanation was cut short by the savory smell of fresh pies. "Oh my god, I'm so getting a pie. Would you care to join me?" The blonde asked, gesturing to the seat opposite her. "I promise it's not a date. Unless you want it to be."

[brodymartinez]

"Sorry, had to check you weren't dead," Brody grinned, removing his hand from Natalie's shoulder and sliding into the booth seat opposite her. "You never know where you're gonna find a body these days." Picking up a menu, he scanned it over for something to fuel the long night ahead of him. Alara's body turning up on Fig Beach wasn't going to stop the party over at Envy, in fact Brody assumed people would be out in force to drink to the death of her. "Not tired she says, why'd you drool all over your arm then?"

[natvlie]

Natalie let out a chuckle, as she shook her head. "No, definitely not dead." However, when he mentioned the body that had turned up on her place of work, her smile faltered into a thin line. She still couldn't wrap her head around it all. "It's just been a long day..." Instead of explaining further, she mirrored his actions, and picked up the spare menu at the side of her. "What are you doing?"