ɪꜰ ɪ'ᴍ ᴛᴏᴏ ᴍᴜᴄʜ

ᵇᵃᵇʸ ᵍᵒ ᶠⁱⁿᵈ ˡᵉˢˢ

[rubsomepaintonit]

ɪɴᴛʀᴏᴅᴜᴄɪɴɢ… 𝔼𝕝𝕝𝕚𝕠𝕥 '𝔼𝕝𝕝𝕖' 𝕋𝕒𝕥𝕖

Walking through the picturesque streets of Cardinal Hill, you find Elliot “Elle” Tate, the 28 year old art teacher/volleyball coach at Cardinal High School originally from Brooklyn, New York. Living alongside them in such a small town, you know that they're easygoing and reckless, but what you might not know is that they are a witch, and that they’re hiding something…

tw: abuse & murder

She was a late bloomer, not showing any signs until she was almost fifteen. With her mother having passed and her father nothing more than a useless, abusive drunk, she had no one else to turn to for answers. Elle knew they had to leave in order to know who they were. Their magic always felt dark, but uncertain what to do with her newfound abilities, she left the day after college graduation. That’s when they packed up their shitbox volkwagon for a road-trip that would hopefully end with answers. Once finding Cardinal Hill, things started to fall into place. Elle was finding where she could belong or at least get a better idea as to who she was. The only thing she doesn’t want anyone to find out is that before she left New York, Elle poisoned their father’s beer so that he would never be able to hurt anyone ever again without her watchful eye.

Ever since childhood she'd been good with a pencil. It had been something that helped her express all of what she couldn't say out loud. Their father never understood or cared to, already having enough reason to be mad at them by Elle simply existing. Instead of fueling the fire, they kept to themselves because as long as he was home and they were quiet, he would just pass out in his chair. In the privacy of their room, Elle worked on their art as a way of expression, and that's what inspired them to major in art while in college. The moment she finished her degree, she used their father for the free rent until she had a chance to escape the city. After settling in Cardinal Hill, a job listing for an art teacher caught her eye and she jumped at the opportunity to continue doing what she loved. Coaching the volleyball team came later after the old coach quit and they had enough experience to step up to the job.

It wasn't the home she planned to find but right now, Cardinal Hill might just be the home she needs.

Elle's familiar is a Siamese cat they have lovingly nicknamed Turtle.

jaz sinclair . bisexual . nonbinary. she/they

more tbd

📌 : Pinboard

[spookyfragmentx]

Closed starter for Elle @rubsomepaintonit Location: One Sundae, Two Spoons

"I'm never taking the bus again," she says, her cheeks hurting as she tries to hold back laughter, "I'm telling you, Elle, he was just standing there with his whole ass out." And maybe if that's all she saw, she wouldn't even be relaying the story, but she saw bits of him that she's never had the (mis)fortune of seeing in person. "Like you don't think he could feel the breeze?" Bowie wipes away tears, "I ended up offering him my flannel because apparently he had no idea that he had ripped his pants," or at least she was choosing to believe he wasn't standing there like that on purpose.

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

Their face scrunched at the image created in their mind, already seeing the vision far too clearly. "No, no, he didn't," they denied knowing very well the stranger did exactly that. "How did he not notice? Like..." The laughter was flowing freely now. Maybe the other patrons glanced over at the duo cackling in the corner, but they couldn't be bothered. In these recent times, feeling this light was difficult, and they soaked up every moment. "You're such a good Samaritan, Bowie," Elle confessed as the laughter lightened up into a bright smile. "I can only imagine how many people passed him like that and didn't say anything. Poor guy, stupid, but that's rough."

[wlwsource]

JAZ SINCLAIR as MARIE MOREAU GEN V: S02E03, "H is for Human"

[ecrivainlcvande]

Roman smiled brightly as the other spoke. “You’re brave,” he said, another grin touching his lips. He swallowed briefly as he thought of what someone long gone had always said about teaching high school, but he smiled again as he pushed the memory away. “I don’t think people really cut teenagers enough slack. They’re treated like adults when they want someone to take care of them, and treated like kids when they want to be taken seriously.” He gave a small chuckle. “Still, I don’t know if I could hack it. At least with younger kids, I can put them in timeout if they get too rowdy.” Not that he liked to pull that card a lot, feeling that it was more important to talk them through their mood if they could, but he still had that card. He smiled again as they spoke. “I have to admit that I’ve never had a houseplant before,” he admitted. “I’m not entirely sure I wouldn’t kill one.”

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

A laugh was pressing from her smile before she even noticed. He was right, really, as any real teacher would know. The older the kids got, the less they wanted to listen and the more they thought they knew everything. In a way, they enjoyed wrangling their students, gaining their respect by relating to them when some of the other teachers didn't. "My saving grace is being in the arts," Elle confessed genuinely. If they were a math or history teacher, it might not have been as easy to connect with their students. The way they thought in art was far different than calculus. "Some of them are little assholes, don't get me wrong," they began with a huff of laughter. "They need a place where they can just be kids again, you know? And I say there's no better place than art." They got dirty, used their hands, and all that was expected of them was expressing themselves. Elle wanted her students to leave class feeling refreshed for the first time all day, not more stressed, but it didn't always go to plan, as nothing did in teaching.

"Hey, if your class ever needs some extra supplies or a guest who can bring some activities, let me know. I love my kids, but I'd love to enjoy glitter glue and craft foam for a day." A surprise to say the least, she tilted her head in confusion. He seemed just the type, yet Elle enjoyed the tiny plot twist in conversation, noting that for later. "You should get one for your classroom. A few are super easy to take care of and don't need much light. I even throw Christmas lights and fake spider webs on mine." If her high schoolers liked it, she hoped so would his youngins.

[rubsomepaintonit]

closed starter for happy (@innocentcurse) located at happy's place

As much as Elle knew it wasn't necessary, they found themselves gravitating to the Kaneshiros as if they brought a sense of home they hadn't felt otherwise. They'd been on their own for years now, until them, the two that changed everything, now they couldn't stay away. Nights like this came frequently these days. After work, they'd both return to Happy's home and watch his daughter continue to grow up far too quickly over a meal cooked with their own two hands. It felt normal. A sensation she didn't know she'd ever feel again, fleeting from the days when life once was. She'd stumbled into what she didn't understand, but continued to actively ignore, the way he had her feel.

Elle sat cross-legged on the floor with Keiko, using the coffee table to stabilize her legs and familiarize herself with the feeling of standing up. "Maybe they have one of those child walkers, you know, with the wheels and the handle," they explained broadly. It wasn't their best, but whatever they might've said to clarify was silenced by Keiko's feet moving without anyone to keep her upright. "Happy," Elle started, rising to their knees and holding out a hand to grip the boy's sleeve in surprise. "She's doing it." Eyes welling with tears, they didn't even understand, a child not from their womb yet changing their life for the better every day. The little girl only got a few steps in before gravity took over, and she was humbled by a carpet crawl once again.

[hearthandhallows]

✿ Closed starter for Elle (@rubsomepaintonit) somewhere in Cardinal Hill.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Yeah, so, it didn’t really work out.” Connor gave a little laugh, shoulders lifting in an easy shrug as he thought back on the date. It wasn’t like it had been terrible–just one of those things that fizzled before it ever sparked. Normally, he would’ve chalked it up as a funny story to share with Jo later, maybe even poke fun at himself for striking out again.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ But tonight, talking about it felt… strange. Trivial, almost. Like trying to focus on the punchline of a joke when the whole room was still full of smoke from the fire alarm. The carnival had left its mark on him–flashes of sound and chaos that liked to creep back in when things got too quiet. If he let himself linger on it, he knew that anxious edge would come clawing back.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ So he forced a brighter smile, nudged the rim of his glass with his finger. “Guess that’s dating, though. Sometimes you get fireworks, sometimes you get a dud. At least it makes for a good story, right? Anyway, how’s Turtle?”

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

Elle had been excited for him to report back about his date; they liked the ability to live vicariously through their friend and pined for what they couldn't have. It'd been coming to terms that their feelings for Happy were deeper, stronger, scarier when they stopped diverting them anywhere else they could go. Instead of dealing with any of what they didn't dare think about, they tuned into Connor's dating life instead. He was nice, good-looking, smart. Elle had been genuinely surprised to find out a keeper like him was still single, not that they'd be the one to change that; they were along for the ride. "Ah, bummer." Another one bites the dust. Still, that hadn't been enough to curb her curiosity. "Did you have fun, or was it just like one of those that's a total waste of time?"

Amidst the chaos that had been the town they loved, this was something small enough to handle but big enough to distract from what lurked outside. They feared what it felt like and how the sky took shape. Something was wrong. This conversation felt easier to stomach than that.

"Yeah, was she cute at least?" Not that it mattered, but from her experience, having someone nice to look at made any date better, even if pointless otherwise. The shift to them made Elle curl back into themselves and slunk into the Ceramic Cup's couch cushions. Small talk about their cat was manageable. "He's good, as always. I don't think he's excited for the weather to change; his basking spot keeps disappearing earlier and earlier." That made a smile reappear, wondering where her friend hid out now, as she enjoyed a cup of coffee.

[ecrivainlcvande]

Jackie paused uncertainly as the other spoke. “Fried pancake dough,” she repeated, holding the cardboard carton up to her face again for another delicate sniff. She pursed her lips thoughtfully as Elle went on to describe all the toppings you could add to it. She pinched off a piece between her thumb and forefinger, and put it in her mouth. She considered the flavor profile for a moment as it melted on her tongue. “It’s good,” she said, sounding slightly surprised despite herself. She glanced around. “I’ve never actually had food at a carnival before.”

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

Her friend's uncertainty made a smile crack through her features. It wasn't malicious, as it was an amusement, watching someone experience good food for the first time. Of course, there was a chance she wouldn't like it, but they didn't pay that much thought, hoping the treat spoke for itself. They watched intently for a reaction while ripping off a hunk for themselves, though they didn't bite until hearing from Jackie. "Not a bad introduction, right?" An eyebrow arched, smile widening before tossing back the piece they'd torn off. "You're in for a time. You can find some great food here, but also some that you'll regret in an hour." Elle shivered at the thought, recalling one year in their youth when they got sick on the Zipper. "As long as you don't overdo it, you'll be totally fine." The last thing they wanted to do was alarm her.

[hearthandhallows]

✿ Closed starter for Elle (@rubsomepaintonit) somewhere along a trail.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The Witch squinted at the odd shape on the page, tilting his head like a raven trying to make sense of a puzzle. “You got any idea what this is supposed to be?” he asked, tapping a finger just beneath the image. It had been tucked in the corner of the paper, some little curiosity meant to kill time–but it had snagged his attention immediately.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ “Kinda looks like a bat, right?” he said after a beat, pulling the page closer to his face for a final inspection before sliding it across the table toward Elle. “But maybe that says something about me. Hopefully you won’t use it to psychoanalyze me. Maybe I’ll return the favor if you do.” He grinned, the threat clearly playful, then took a sip of his coffee, his eyes still crinkling with amusement.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The morning air was crisp against his skin, sunlight catching in his curls as he leaned back in his chair. “How’ve you been? It’s been a minute.” His voice softened just a touch. He remembered bumping into Elle not long after arriving in Cardinal Hill, but things had been hectic–he hadn’t had the chance to sit down and really see them since. He had a lot catch them up on, but he mainly wanted to gush about Ocean.

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

They hadn’t been getting out as often as they told themselves they would. Maybe it was the happenings around town or the rock that sat at the bottom of their stomach. Elle hadn’t felt all that social lately. There were only a few people who might’ve been able to slip through the cracks of her free time. When Aris caught her leaving the cafe earlier that week, she couldn’t turn down an after-school adventure in the forest later that week. They thought it might even be good for them to be amongst the trees instead of seeing from their classroom window. The students had been somewhere between unfazed and agoraphobic. Elle couldn’t blame them when she’d felt her own power drain from her like a bathtub until she’d been a shell left unprepared to fight off mildew. This would be good for them.

“Hm?” They drew back from the sketches that their nose had been buried in, adjusting their braids out of their field of vision, and taking the page for assessment. Elle squinted thoughtfully at the doodle in search of its identity. “Yeah, I could see a bat, but I’m also kind of getting bird or maybe even a vampire if you’re a real creative.” They laughed before the words had even come out, amused at Aris’ preface. While there might’ve been something to say for what each of them saw, it wasn’t a skill Elle possessed, at least not enough to make a genuine juxtaposition.

How were they? A question they didn’t even know the answer to. Instead of explaining, they started with a shrug, holding out the picture to create more distance from the question, or at least give pause for them to think about it. There wasn’t a good answer, not when they felt the brink of something horrible on the horizon. A feeling they hadn’t recognized since their father stopped haunting their world. "If weird shit stopped happening, I'd be a lot better," she finally decided on.

[ecrivainlcvande]

Jackie & Elle - @rubsomepaintonit

Jackie looked dubiously at the culinary concoction sitting in the paper boat she cradled in her hands, her brow furrowing. “What is this supposed to be?” she said blankly, her gaze lifting to the person in front of her, though her confusion lingered. She wouldn’t say she was a picky eater, necessarily, but she did prefer her food to be…well, recognizable. Rather than some fried mass that really could be anything at all. She bent her head and gave a tentative sniff, her nose wrinkling. “It smells like someone ran a candy bar through a vat of caramel and then fried it in the same oil as a corndog.”

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

Elle couldn't help but give a little laugh at the other girl's initial reaction. It made sense for someone who hadn't seen a funnel cake before and still gave them the same amusement. "It's like fried pancake dough," was the best way they could think to describe it on the fly. Jackie would need to take a bite to understand the craving that Elle had for the sweet treat the second the carnival came into town. Nothing hit quite as good as fried dough in their opinion. "You can add whatever you want to it, too. Powdered sugar, honey, chocolate, or caramel sauce. Options are basically endless." They had their own usual, but that didn't need to impact Jackie's topping choices. "If you like waffles, you'll like this, trust me."

[innocentcurse]

Family had always been so important to Happy, but his family had also always looked so unconventional. He'd gone through many seasons of his life feeling miserable and isolated, and in those moments especially, he had always vowed to do everything that he could to acquire a family that was full and present when he was older. Keiko was a dream come true, and Elle was a piece of the puzzle that he hadn't realised he was missing before the pair had met. He couldn't imagine his life without Elle, and he hoped that Keiko and himself would never have to know such a life ever again.

"Go for it," he nodded his head, a bright smile on his face. "Considering I have my mom around to help me out with the laundry, I have absolutely no reservations with getting her into painting already," he joked. He hoped that Elle knew just how opposite the dynamic with his mother was, hoped that she had noticed the way that he closely cared for his mother in every way that he could, rather than sticking her with chores such as the laundry; the only thing Happy directly asked his mom for was to watch Keiko, but that was a pleasure for the grandmother, so he never felt guilty for it at all.

"Your pieces will always be priceless to me." Something nagged at Happy for only a moment before he remembered what he had planned on telling Elle earlier in the day. "Oh! Did you see that they're looking for more local pieces at the gallery?" He asked them. "Sneeze - I mean, Simon - was talking about it at practice. They want to do this whole exhibit on Cardinal Hill for the summer break. You should submit some of your work for display, it'd easily be the best from anyone who's ever stepped foot in Cardinal Hill." Happy was awfully biased, but he wasn't mad about the fact at all.

"I definitely don't mind, thank you," he took the diaper bag easily. While he always appreciated their help, Happy tried his hardest to pull more than his own weight; having a child was no joke, and while he appreciated any support that he could get, he never wanted to become lazy in a way that might have effected his relationships with anyone negatively. "Course you can." He didn't say it, but Happy was secretly thrilled that Elle would be riding with them to the restaurant. It's not like it was a long journey there, but even so, the extra few minutes had him feeling excited and grateful. "Hope you don't mind if Keiko drives, though. She says I drive like her Granny, and she's so impatient that she doesn't let me behind the wheel anymore," he joked.

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

Elle found a unique sense of comfort in knowing that Happy had the help of his mother. A relationship she didn't have with her own, it made her feel full that he had been gifted with his and Keiko getting to know her grandma. They weren't blood related to them in any way, shape, or form, yet there was a care that Elle themselves didn't even completely grasp. The way they felt about Happy was quiet but bright. Whether he was at their side or 20 miles out of town at an away game, he was with them. It was unfamiliar to have felt interwined in someone the way they were with Happy, but still treading on the uncertainty of where they stood. Nothing had happened between them, not more than a stolen glance that neither of them admitted any emotion behind. Elle saved that for the pit of their stomach where they'd shoved the butterflies.

"She'll be on her way to being the next Monet," they replied. Keiko could be anything she wanted, and there was nothing that could stand in her way if they had anything to say about it. She could've paused on his comment a second more, but in typical Elle fashion, pushed past and back to what she knew. "I don't know, how would I even pick?" They were their own critic, something they didn't wear proudly, while not denying the obvious. Meanwhile, Happy might've been their biggest fan. It made her feelings all the harder to ignore as they bubbled up her throat. "You don't know that," they argued momentarily. "Maybe you can help me pick a few out to submit." Elle thought it near impossible to disagree with him, especially when he always meant well; they trusted Happy with their art, unlike anyone else.

She was happy to spend the drive with her two favorite people. That may even be half the fun, according to Elle. "Oh, good, I'm glad she's finally doing something about that," they joked, trying to hold back the laughter that lined their words. He was a cautious driver, but with such precious cargo, who could blame him? Elle wasn't one to be in a rush anyway. The laughter tumbled out not long after she finished talking. "I'm just glad it isn't me. I think I'm best suited for the passenger seat." While they walked, a hand would graze against his, and even though they didn't pull away, they knew better than to get comfortable with the feeling. Still, the smile that pulled across Elle's face was one she couldn't erase if she tried.

[lovesspell]

"Ew I could have definitely done without that visual," he replied, covering his mouth as he fake gagged. "Exactly. It feels like shit and can only build so much character." That and winning could really change things for people. He could still remember how it felt to win the State Championship for football back home. It still put a smile on his face as he thought about it. He wanted his kids to have something like that. Fond memories to look back at. Friendships that meant something. Though he hadn't talked to his teammates since he had left home, he asked about them every time he spoke to his family.

He laughed as he watched them walk towards his truck and he was quick to catch up so he could unlock the car and put his things in the trunk. "I wish everyone was as excited to ride with me," he joked before sliding into the drivers seat and turning on the car. He turned on the stereo and one of his Dio albums came blasting from the speakers and he quickly turned it down to a more reasonable level. "Sorry, that's usually what I play for my morning shifts, sometimes works a little better than coffee. Or like in combination with the coffee." He eased the car out of the parking lot, tapping his fingers on the steering wheel as they drove with the windows down and he intentionally took a longer way to get to Emerald Dragon so they could enjoy the breath of fresh air after a long day.

Xander smiled over them as he slowed at a stop light. "You actually gonna take a vacation or anything this summer? I'm thinking of going camping in a few weekends. Don't think I'll make it on a plane this year though."

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

Elle grinned, feeling accomplished by the reaction received from her friend. It wasn't the prettiest picture, but they wanted to create a clear image of what the school tried to feed their staff and students. With the way they seemed to so easily take money out of the art program's budget, Elle would've hoped at least some went to making sure the food was at least a little above edible. "Imagine eating it," they challenged with an arch of their brow. That was one of those meals that they poked around at until inevitably deciding consumption wasn't plausible and begrudgingly throwing it away. Elle was one to reduce, reuse, and recycle every chance they got, which made it all the more difficult when so much went to waste. "Sometimes the only way to win is by losing first." That's what she told her team during the first practice of the season. Her volleyball team would know the importance of losing as much as spiking the winning ball or aceing a serve.

"If I'm not driving, I'm happy." Not that Elle minded, being someone who enjoyed a drive around town after a long day to clear their mind, but preferred the view from the passenger's seat when applicable. Only seconds after they were in the car did his vehicle greeted them with his morning tunes, but she didn't so much as flinch; her students had trained their teacher to expect antics. In fact, a day that whispered felt strange, now requiring the noise of some sort when working if she was to be the most productive. "I get it, gotta stay awake and get through another day somehow." Elle had their own ways, coffee being a crucial part, along with a pair of headphones pounding in tunes on her walk to work. "Turn it up if you want." They didn't mind, having already shifted gears to the road with their arm resting effortlessly on the window side. Elle wasn't sure, honestly, and gave a shrug as their first answer while simmering on a better one. "Probably nothing crazy, maybe I'll get out for a camping trip with Happy and Keiko or go out of town to find something to paint," they explained further. To Elle, that was relaxation enough, not needing to go far to feel like they had a vacation. "You going to camp out alone or you bringing someone along?" Their gaze honed in on Xander, curious as to what his answer might be, and eager to hear the latest update.

[ecrivainlcvande]

Roman smiled as the woman spoke, a light chuckle leaving his lips. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he said. “Usually I just let it soak in soapy water and hope for the best.” He smiled again and shook his head. “Kindergarten teacher,” he said, with a chuckle. “They love arts and crafts day, but my classroom always looks like there’s been some sort of skirmish in there.” He plucked at the hem of his shirt and held it away from himself, craning his neck to inspect the stain. He looked up again with another grin. “Looks like I was a casualty this time,” he said. “Or at least my shirt was.” He studied the stain again, his expression thoughtful, before giving a little shrug. “Ah, if I can’t get the stain out, it’s just a t-shirt. Maybe I’ll wear it gardening.” He grinned again. “I’d have to learn to garden first, but that seems like a fun hobby, don’t you think?”

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

They wondered for a moment if another artist was in their midst, and to their surprise, it was a fellow teacher instead. That wasn't an unwelcome change, but their curiosity shifted to that of another sort. "As they should," Elle confirmed with a nod. They were biased, to say the least. After a beat, they decided to reveal where the confidence in their response came from. "I'm an art teacher at the high school." They didn't mention the other role they played at Cardinal High, but they didn't want to bore the stranger with details about a life he didn't know. "Some of my favorite shirts have become gardening shirts or just paint shirts. I have some that I wear every year when we screen printing, they're basically tie dyed with ink now," she reminisced with a smile and a laugh to boot. The kids that came through her classroom made the job worth it, a reason to fight against a system that didn't treat their teachers right. Arts were losing funding, but she wouldn't stop fighting it. "Absolutely, I've got plants on my patio that are basically family to me now," they explained. It was meant to be lighthearted, even if there was some semblance of truth to their statement.

[ritualove]

The idea of vanishing into the woods was a thought that flickered across Tsubame's mind more and more recently. It was definitely just a symptom of her environment, the picturesque trees acround the city changing the typically forboding energy of a dark forest to just a denser version of the main street. She wouldn't ever do it though, at least she doesn't think she would, she was never much of a nature person, and it would be awful on her cat Miso's fur. "Well, if you want to go start a commune out there and raise geese or whatever count me in." She smiled, the legitimate possibility of it happening not even crossing her mind.

Tsu bit her lip in contemplation at Elle's question. That very question had been circling in her mind for a while now, remaining unanswered up until even now. "I'm not sure," Tsu said dejectedly, it was obvious that this is something looming over her. "I can't go back or else that means dad gave me a task I couldn't complete. That would hang over me more than I'd like to admit." She hadn't told Elle exactly what her task in Cardinal Hill was, but giving context wasn't the main thing on her mind as she talked. "Getting someone else to look into it just means that someone else can do the job instead of me, I wouldn't get fired instantly, but the reality of it happening would go up from zero percent." Tsu let out a long sigh, turning her gaze that had gone to the floor to Elle, "I really have no idea what to do."

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

Elliot's laugh was dancing off their tongue before the girl had even stopped talking. Tsu was easy to talk to, not that they expected anything else, being related to Happy. No one could be quite as filled with life as him, but a conversation that went smoothly never went unappreciated. "You'll be the first to know if I do," she replied with a grin. There were options in town, sure, but the silence of the forest was unbeatable. Not that they'd ever fulfill that pipedream, she enjoyed basking in the fantasy. In all honesty, Elle would run anywhere if Happy asked her to, not wanting to share the inner workings of her heart in case they were reciprocated.

It seemed like a tough job, one that they certainly couldn't do or would've bitten someone's head off by now. Tsu held the weight of the company on her shoulders, and they couldn't imagine it was a light one. "That's fair, you are a boss bitch and a hard worker, if anyone can do it, it's you." Elle meant every word, her tone reading as genuine as she could. "Sounds like you're in the middle of a rock and a hard place." Sometimes it was worse being there than on either side of the matter. The middle couldn't be as easily defined unless you were stuck in it. "I know one thing for sure, and that's no one else can replace you. Nobody else would put that much care and time into it that they'd be thinking about it now. You can't replace that kind of thing," they said sincerely.

[dcminions]

JAZ   SINCLAIR   as   MARIE   MOREAU Gen   V   S2   Trailer

[innocentcurse]

To Happy, it felt like Elle had always been meant to find themself in his and Keiko's life; they were such a normal part of his day, though their presence hadn't come to be so normal that it didn't still feel special. Happy was almost certain that Elle's presence in his life would always feel at least somewhat special, and he hoped that that was going to be the case for many, many years to come. "I can see it now," he chuckled light-heartedly, "the two of you ganging up on me. She's gonna become an artist, I just know it. My dreams of having her follow in my footsteps will be absolutely crushed." Of course, Happy was only joking; whatever Keiko decided to pursue in her future would be backed by Happy one-hundred percent - as long as it didn't hurt herself or others, of course.

"Oh my goodness," Happy almost felt breathless at the mental image of his sweet daughter in a little jersey of her size. "I think I might perish at the sight, how precious," he spoke in an overly dramatic tone of voice, one filled with too much breath and a little bit of whimsy. "You could totally pull that off, by the way. If there's anyone who could make something like it, you'd be the one," Happy hyped her up. It wasn't that he was trying to hold her to unrealistic standards, he'd just seen too much of her artistic endeavours to always believe in her abilities.

"It would be my absolute pleasure. Your highness," he repositioned Keiko in his arms so that he could stand up and comfortably walk with her, the little girl happily cooing and kicking her legs - one of her new favourite activities. "You sure you're good with it all?" He double checked. He didn't want Elle lugging too much alongside of him while Keiko was still more than manageable to hold while also carrying a bag or two.

[rubsomepaintonit]

༝༝ 🎨 ༝༝ 

A Keiko and Happy-sized hole was filled that she hadn't even known existed. They completed a life she never thought she lacked. Family was interesting, something Elle struggled to know, or even find in the world that spat her out. Whatever childhood they were supposed to have had was discarded by the family that never accepted them. Elle was a black sheep from the beginning, and here, them, made her feel accepted. "It'd be great to have someone to paint with, maybe I should get her some finger paints to get her started." A partial joke but based in seriousness, making a mental note to grab some from the school next time she was there. It wouldn't be long before she was reunited with her little best friend and they could make masterpieces. "You'd have so many Keiko originals. Mine might not be worth much anymore." A few of their creations were given to Happy if he ever mentioned them. They gathered dust in her art room most of the time. For his birthday this year, she already had an image in mind, a family photo of sorts. The apple of their eye wouldn't be little forever, and Elle thought it was time they captured them just like this for eternity.

For hating gender roles as much as they did, they knew how to do most of the stereotypical woman things. Their father needed someone to do the cooking, cleaning, and on a dime, which meant it was up to Elle, or suffer the consequences. What was once the norm had become things she only did for herself or those closest to her. That included Keiko, who needed a jersey to be sewn to match the rest of her team. "You know I won't say no to a project." It was true, once they got the idea, the itch wouldn't be scratched until their creation took flight. Elle put everything in place to make the trip to the car as efficient as possible. His offer didn't go unnoticed, a smile coming to her lips, and the child's diaper bag was held out for him to take with him. "I can get the rest if you don't mind." With that settled, they were up on their feet, ready to make their way towards a good meal. "Mind if I hitch a ride with you? I walked today." They didn't live far and never minded the time for themselves, but it made for a little difficulty when needing to get somewhere straight from work.

[ecrivainlcvande]

Location: somewhere near Cardinal Hill school (??) open to anyone 0/5

Roman loved arts and crafts day, which was the last lesson of the afternoon every Friday. He thought it was a good way for the kids to get their energy out without running themselves ragged on the playground, starting the weekend off with a brand-new project to put on the fridge rather than torn clothes, dirty hands and/or scraped knees. At the same time, though, there were sometimes…unintended consequences, which essentially translated into a mess. He’d cleaned up his classroom before leaving, of course, but he hadn’t really thought about himself. 

And so there he was, walking down that sidewalk, with a big red stain on his shirt. He really hadn’t noticed it, until he saw someone approaching him, staring at his shirt with an expression which he interpreted as worry. His own brow furrowed with concern, wondering if something was wrong, before he followed their gaze and looked down at himself. Roman stopped, trying not to laugh, as he didn’t want them to think he was blowing off their concern. “Oh, no — ” He pulled his shirt away from himself, to get a better look at the stain. “No, no, it’s okay, really. It’s just paint. It’s water-based, even, it’ll come right out.” 

[rubsomepaintonit]

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Elle left work that day with a bad taste in her mouth. Of course, none of her kids were at fault but the faculty themselves. Yet again funding was being threatened, Elle having none of it, and making sure everyone knew it. Arts were already dying out and a loss of money would only continue to contribute to its downfall. There was so much already on her mind that she'd zoned out on her walk home. Maybe her eyes had locked on something inappropriate but the man's voice drew her back to reality. "Oh, totally, been there," they confirmed with a laugh expelling after. Today was one of the few where they were going home without a stain on their shirt, not that it was anything new, most of their clothes have seen paint in their day. "Acrylic is the worst but some isopropyl has saved my ass before." That was her favorite dress that nearly got destroyed that day in the park one day, dropping a clump on the hem while cleaning up. Her lifesaver was a bottle of isopropyl alcohol that normally got used for wounds of the flesh instead of the fabric. "You an artist or just starting a new fashion trend?"

[wcirdo]

"Oh, yeah," Elias confirmed with a little chuckle, He did suppose his order was pretty typical of any New Yorker's and he certainly ordered them like one even if the pace was far different ordering his breakfast at a coffee shop and not in a bustling deli with a cat at your feet. "I got my girlfriend hooked on the bacon egg and cheese when I took her to the city," he explained. He certainly understood the hype though he tried not to eat pork on a regular basis.

"I'm from the lower east side. Grew up a few blocks away from Katz's but I got around," he explained. He certainly didn't expect to be having a conversation about New York right now though he welcomed it. It'd been a while since he found someone he could relate to out of the blue here in Cardinal Hill. "Not long, no, just over a year," He informed her. "My brother's in town but he's the only other New Yorker I know here," he said. "And yeah the pizza's nothing to write home about," he confirmed. The Rustic Oven was okay for what it was but it couldn't hold a candle to any dollar slice you could find in New York.

[rubsomepaintonit]

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They were humming at the thought, nothing being the same as back home but knowing they'd never be returning to the city they once loved. Instead, they did what they could to find the best replacements around Cardinal Hill. Her favorite place to make one was in the comfort of her own kitchen but today she simply hadn't had the energy. The Ceramic Cup was the closest feeling to home and they made a mean cup of coffee. They were taking a sip as a smile pushed through and curled around the side of the mug. "She's been officially educated on the goodness that is a BEC." With food in front of them, their stomach grumbled at the thought, humming in amusement at the noise.

Elle nodded in understanding. That was an area they'd been to before, knowing a coffee shop they used to study in around there. New York was so big and yet felt all too small when meeting anyone else from the area. "It's nothin' like back home but in all the best ways if you ask me," she remarked with a laugh pressing from her lips. "You two look alike? I can give him some shit if I ever see him." A joke, not knowing either of the boys but finding anyone who understood her past to be someone worth knowing. Elle was grinning as if they'd been friends for years though complete strangers. "They try but nothing is the same as a New York slice. The bagels too, don't get me started."