It was a classic wrong place at the wrong time situation. One moment he was in his own world while making his way across the barn, the next he was in the middle of a line dance he had no intention of joining. The whole scene must’ve been comical to any onlookers — Rafael accidentally turning the center of the dance into a jumbled mess while he clumsily moved around in an effort to avoid crashing into any of the lively dancers. The task was, of course, easier said than done. Completely unfamiliar with the dance, it was impossible not to continuously collide into someone — resulting in many embarrassed apologies, his drink spilling all over himself and several others, and the man repeatedly claiming that this was his nightmare.
Once he was finally able to escape the disaster on the dancefloor, he made a beeline for a nearby table where he immediately put his head down. He’d be lying if he said he wasn’t tempted to crawl under the table and remain there for the rest of the evening. “There’s no way that could’ve gone worse, is there?”
James had never been one for crowds, which was likely why shortly after his arrival, he’d all but made a beeline for the clink-a-drink before slinking to a secluded corner to watch the activities alone. Dancing didn’t interest him ( not without the right partner ) and the music was mostly foreign ( even if he’d heard it all as it came to Sage Lake ). The only real saving grace of the event for him had always been the food and the booze.
Eyes flickering toward the figure that had settled for standing beside him, James waited several long seconds before speaking. “I heard a rumor people are placing bets on how many people meet their soulmate at this years bash.” He murmured. “I’d wager about five — at least. Any thoughts?”
-
“I'm thinking somewhere closer to ten. I just got caught in the middle of two lovebirds finding their one and only or whatever and the night’s just started.” Rafael's gaze drifted over to the pair, feeling a twinge of envy. He had a hard time figuring out if it was because they’d found their soulmate while he was still waiting around or if it was simply because they looked happy...like genuinely happy with their situation. Rather than dwell on it, he quickly redirected his attention to the other. “Fingers crossed I’m not one of them — I don’t have my whole ‘apparently the universe thinks we belong together so much so that it felt the need to yank us out of whatever lives we were living before this’ speech ready just yet."
Standing behind the clink-a-drink with a towel thrown over her shoulder, the woman stood with her back to the little counter set up. Swaying lightly to the music that drifted about the space, Ophelia was in the midst of reorganizing the bottle ( ensuring she wouldn’t fumble over finding anything later when the festivities picked up ). Not realizing someone was patiently waiting for her attention, the woman nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of a throat clearing so close. “Oh heavens!” Hand fluttering up to land over her heart, she spun around with a sheepish smile. “You startled me. What can I get you?”
-
Rafael didn’t want to pester one of his co-workers while they were busy, but there was only so much of this event he was willing to sit through without a drink so he eventually made an attempt to get her attention. "Sorry ‘bout that.” He muttered before a defeated sigh slipped out. “There isn’t a magical drink that’s not going to make me too drunk to work a shift later, but makes me just buzzed enough to tolerate that one asshole that’s going to come up to the bar later complaining that they haven’t found their soulmate in the half a year they’ve been here, is there?”
“really, i can say i haven’t really had a night like that in a while. i think after the same night about… fifteen years ago i have just been running on the same hype.” it was the sad but honest truth. by now, clyde should be an old man, and yet he was stuck the same old clyde. “maybe im going to get one dance in… but im not that great anymore so i don’t know.” he looked toward the bar. “i could take down a couple of drinks though. you in?”
-
Rafael could relate a bit to what the other said. There was a time when he probably would’ve spent most of the night in the middle of the whole celebration, but these days it was a rarity to see him participate in even one dance. In addition to that, what dances he knew were long outdated by now. “If it helps, I don’t think people are really going to judge your dance skills or lack thereof. Everyone’s too busy making eyes at their partners or hanging around the bar.” The latter being the more appealing option to him, at least for now. “Hell yeah, man, I’m not one to turn down drinks. Especially when they’re about the only thing that’s going to make this whole thing more tolerable.”
with the festivities now in full swing, delilah was getting a bit more buzzed than she intended. she has been drowning drink after drink that she had to lean against a post for a second to catch her balance. holding a half-empty glass of wine in her hand, she gazed over the booths and muttered to herself, “ maybe we can have a book fair as well next time. though i’m not sure if anyone would be interested in buying some books in a party like this. ” glancing at the person next to her, she shot them a inquisitive look as she asked for their opinion, “ what do you think? ”
By this point in the evening, it was almost a sure thing Rafael would remain firmly planted on the sidelines. To be perfectly honest, celebrating the end of one year and the start of a new one just felt pointless in a place like this. It wasn’t as if time really mattered here. “I don’t know if it’s worth all the trouble of setting up.” He replied to the question that spared him from dwelling too much on the nature of Sage Lake. “I could see a few people being interested in it, but I think most people just come to these things to have a good time with their other half or you know, to drown their sorrows with the rest of the unlucky bastards who are still waiting.”
“ is it just me or does this year feel different?” jamie held his drink, actually participating this year. he and new years had a…tentative relationship, one that saw him occasionally refusing to even show his face on the day. he was fine, really, but something about the day just sort of brought back memories of his family that he’d rather not be forced to remember during a public event. shaking his head, he looked toward the person now standing next to him, shooting a polite smile in their direction. “ where are my manners…how’ve you been?”
It was the same thing every year — at least for Rafael it was. He showed up, drank, usually got annoyed by something, and left once everything started to die down. He sure as hell wasn’t going to hold his breath for this year to be any different. “It feels stickier.” The man grumbled as he blotted at his shirt. “I’d be great if some dumbass didn’t spill their drink all over me.” He huffed before tossing the napkin he’d been using in a nearby trashcan. “Should’ve taken a page out of your book and skipped this shitshow this time.”
“i can’t say im not impressed.” the male announced walking through tthe main entrance only to see how well everything was being put together. he’d been to many new years celebrations and each one was the same. he still went to everyone though hoping one might just be better than the last. “lets see if this one will really beat last years.” clyde moved forward until finally looking over at the figure he had been talking to. “what do you go for first? drinks or dancing?”
-
“I gotta be honest, I don’t really remember last year’s. They all start to blur together after the first twenty or so.” The celebration was just another thing in this town that never seemed to change too much with the passage of time, and yet he found himself there every year -- just in case. Clyde’s question thankfully prevented him from dwelling too much on any of that. “Oh, I’m going to need several drinks before I even consider dancing.” He shook his head, “I don’t know about you, but I’m mostly just here for the food and drinks.”
⤹⋆⸙͎۪۫｡˚۰˚ david castañeda, cis man, he/him. yes, i know RAFAEL ÁLVAREZ. the BARTENDER AT BEE BALM PUB has been in sage lake since 1974, and are still waiting for their soulmate, SELENE PAXTON. they’re known around the lake for being INDEPENDENT & STAUNCH & DAUNTLESS, though it’s rumored they’re SARCASTIC & CYNICAL & HOTHEADED. may they find their other half in the ageless autumn.
Hey everyone! I’m Kip and very late to the party, but here is my disaster! Feel free to like this or message me if you’d like to plot!
▷ currently playing —— CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’ by THE MAMAS AND THE PAPAS.
Name: Rafael Álvarez
Nickname: Raf, doesn’t take too well to being called Álvarez
Age: 30
Birthdate: April 17th, 1944
Birth Order: Youngest of three
Hometown: El Paso, Texas
Languages: English & Spanish
Education Level: High School
Arrival in Sage Lake: June 21st, 1974
▷ currently playing —— FORTUNATE SON by CREEDENCE CLEARWATER.
WAR & DEATH TW
Rafael grew up in a single parent household with two older brothers. His father died in WWII before getting the chance to come home and meet the newest addition to the family. Things weren’t easy growing up this way, but the tightknit family always seemed to manage.
Growing up, he didn’t have too much to complain about. Sure, his family might not have been as well off as others, but it never seemed to bother the free-spirited kid. He was always too busy running around with the other neighborhood kids and getting himself into trouble with his inability to keep his opinions to himself.
Though he was a bright kid, his family didn’t really have the means to send him to college, so he ended up working a factory job right out of high school. Admittedly, he did have bigger dreams for himself and was disappointed life couldn’t pan out the way he wanted it to. He tried to keep his head up though, reminding himself that things could be worse.
With America’s entrance into the Vietnam War, it was more likely to find Rafael speaking out against it than volunteering to fight in it anytime soon — something that caused somewhat of a rift between him and his eldest brother, who decided to enlist at the time. Though his brother would eventually make it back, the two never fully patched things up between them before Rafael ended up in Sage Lake.
Despite his strong opposition to the war, fate seemed to have other plans for him. The draft rolled around in December of ‘69 and Rafael, who was a year away from being exempt, was drafted into an ugly war he wanted nothing to do with. The year he spent in the war was easily the worst and most influential year of his life — full of never ending horrors and death.
After what felt like several lifetimes, his year in service was finally over and he was able to return home. Attempting to adjust back to the life he had before wasn’t as easy as he thought it might be — especially when he held onto a lot anger, guilt, and mistrust from the war.
Just when he felt like his life was somewhat returning to a state of normalcy, the rug was ripped out from underneath him again and he found himself in Sage Lake. Once again, he found himself struggling to adjust to his new reality.
These days, Rafael can usually be found at the Bee Balm Pub either working or drinking. With several decades to accept the things he can’t change here, he’s opened up a bit more in recent years, and is at least attempting to make the most of things.
▷ currently playing —— DON’T LET ME BE MISUNDERSTOOD by THE ANIMALS.
Rafael can be a little rough around the edges, but anyone who gets close enough will come to find he’s actually a lot more caring than he comes across.
He’s extremely ride or die for the people he’s closest to. Like it’s a miracle he made it back from Vietnam with some of the stunts he pulled to make sure the guys he served with made it back okay.
Rafael initially didn’t handle getting stuck in Sage Lake well. It felt like another major choice in life was completely ripped out of hands. He spent a good decade and a half pissed off at everything before eventually accepting things as they were.
Though it’s far more likely to hear him complain about Sage Lake, the place has grown on him. If nothing else, the town has a peacefulness the rest of the world could never seem to offer him.
Definitely a night owl. You’re not going to find him out and about anytime in the morning unless he absolutely has to be awake.
Really used to like going dancing before getting drafted and then getting stuck in Sage Lake. He hasn’t done it much since.
Still listens to a lot of music from the 50s, 60s, and early 70s for the nostalgia.
Probably not the best bartender to tell all your troubles to because he’s far more likely to offer up a sarcastic comment than helpful advice.
Lowkey probably still has some unresolved trauma from the war, but is very “it’s cool, I’ll just ignore it and it will go away.” :/
He honestly didn’t pay attention to his watch when he first got to Sage Lake, too upset about his situation to care. His attitude has changed since and he’ll subtly check it from time to time out of curiosity.
▷ currently playing —— STUCK IN THE MIDDLE WITH YOU by STEALERS WHEEL.
Found Family: I’m an absolute sucker for these kinds of plots/dynamics. And since Rafael was so close to his family, he definitely misses having a strong sense of family and would absolutely love/appreciate having that type of relationship with some people in Sage Lake.
Friends: Even though he can have a difficult personality to get along with and he doesn’t make it easy to get to know him, he has been in Sage Lake for quite some time now so I’m sure even he’s been able to make a few friends.
Coworkers: Throw all the Bee Balm Pub employees my way. Rafael’s worked there for a long time now and I’m super open to the dynamics he has with his coworkers.
Anything and everything! My brain is fighting me right now, but I’m definitely open to more than what I came up with so if you have any ideas you think would work for our muses, feel free to throw them my way!
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