Stillness of Winter

Jamie McConnell: Twenty Four Years Old, Music Major, Hailing from Aberfeldy in Perth and Kinross, Scotland Paxton Creed: Twenty Three Years Old, Dance Major, Star Running back of the Football Team, from Kansas City, Missouri Billy Rook: Twenty Two Years Old, Mechanical Engineering Student, Rotation Center for the Hockey Team, from Detroit, Michigan

[snowyreveries]

(  JOE KEERY.      CIS MAN.      HETEROSEXUAL.     )      ⸻     that's    JASON MILES,  the  michigan  state  university  theatre  student.  they're  twenty three  years  old  and  known  around  campus  to  be  friendly  and  stubborn  .  they're  go  to  karaoke  song  is  scream  by troy bolton from high school musical 3.

STATS.

FULL NAME: Jason Miles NICKNAME(S): Jay BIRTHDAY: October 9th AGE: Twenty-three BIRTHPLACE: Los Angeles, California STAR SIGN: Libra GENDER: Cis Man. PRONOUNS: He/him SEXUALITY: Heterosexual OCCUPATION: Student and actor THEME SONG: TBD

PHYSICAL.

FACE CLAIM: Joe Keery. HAIR COLOR: Brown. EYE COLOR: Green. HEIGHT:  6′ 1″ TATTOOS: Tbd. PIERCINGS: None

PERSONALITY.

POSITIVES (+):Passionate, Friendly, Confident, Charming, Hardworking NEGATIVES (-): Prideful, Obsessive, Stubborn, Competitive, Resentful FEARS: Failure, Disappointing his family, Having to choose between the two things he loves, snakes ELEMENT: fire. HOGWARTS HOUSE: Gryffindor. DRUGS/ ALCOHOL/ SMOKING: sometimes (cannabis) / yes / no AESTHETICS: flashes of earliest memories spent in art galleries, theatres, and on film sets, the squeak of sneakers on polished wood, practicing monologues from the free throw line, an ornate family crest that bears a motto and the weight of great expectations, eyes that come alive under the brightest lights

BACKSTORY.

Jason is kind of like Troy Bolton from High School Musical if you used an UNO reverse card on him; instead of coming from a sports family with a coach dad that doesn't understand his desire to be a theatre kid, Jason comes from a rich, famous, elitist, and snobbish arts family that actively looks down upon his desires to be an athlete.

His dad is a very successful Hollywood director, and his mother is a famous and successful actress. The arts legacy of the Miles name goes back several generations, spans across artistic mediums, and they're basically considered royalty in Hollywood and California. Jay himself was performing in professional theatre from the time he could walk and talk, and from as early as he can remember, he has always felt the weight of expectation to be a great artist that comes with being a member of the Miles family. The family motto is "Per Artem Aeterni" which means "Through art, everlasting" in Latin. The message is pretty clear; the Miles family considers being artists to be their higher purpose and the way their legacy will continue to endure forever, and anything outside of being an artist is considered a lesser pursuit.

Jason, for his part, always loved performing on stage. Though the expectations were heavy, he was able to carry the burden quite well because his own desire to be great reflected what was expected of him. But when he was in high school, and the basketball coach asked him to come and try out for the team because of his height, he quickly found that he loved the sport. This discovery was not only something that his family disapproved of, but actively looked down upon. In their eyes, sports were the antithesis of culture, and a waste of time that Jason could be spending mastering his craft. Still, he wasn't explicitly forbidden from playing, as long as his art didn't suffer for the time he spent on the court.

When it came time to go to college, Jay was recruited to Michigan State to play basketball, and his choice to accept the offer and go was not well received by his family. They had expected him to outgrow the basketball thing, and they certainly hadn't expected for it to influence his college decisions. Ever since then, they've been putting increasing pressure on him to give up the sport and focus on what they think really matters: acting. Torn between what he loves and the weight of the expectations and legacy of his family, Jason knows that eventually he's going to have to make a choice, but for now, he's content to continue trying to balance everything.

[snowyreveries]

Open Starter!!!

"Hey Footloose! Great game on Saturday man!" the star running back heard someone shout in his direction as he walked past, followed immediately by various shouts echoing the sentiment, which prompted a grin to find its way to his features. It had been a great game for him, one of his best of all time in fact, and so he was still riding the high of it all these days later. "Shoot, if you liked that, you better make sure you catch the game this week! Last week was just the warm up baby!" He turned and shouted back to the crowd of admirers, still grinning. As he turned back to face the direction he was heading in before the shouting though, he found himself in a collision with someone, resulting in items falling to the floor. "Damn! I'm so sorry." He said sincerely, the smile quickly falling off of his features as he shook his head at himself and immediately stooped down to pick things up for the person. "Man, I shoulda been paying more attention to where I was going. That's completely my bad. Are you alright?"

[opclites]

tatum set the drink down in front of him , only the slightest of glances offered at one of his latest battle wounds . she wasn't impressed , not even slightly . the notion of grown men measuring their worth by who can throw the best punch something that the femme found to be ridiculously immature . " must be nice ... some people need hobbies " she quips in response , sarcasm thick in dry tone , " you want a medal ? "

[snowyreveries]

"Some people do." Billy agreed with her assessment, his smirk widening despite her clear lack of amusement with him. He couldn't exactly fault her for the attitude, nor was it anything new to him. Lots of people felt the same way about his rowdiness if they didn't get it themselves. "Not me though. I've got plenty of hobbies. This just happens to be one of them." He laughed, waving his hand dismissively at her tone. "Naw, I can see that you don't get it. And Hell, that's probably a good thing! I ain't about to try and explain it to ya." He shrugged, taking a drink from the bottle in front of him. "Some things just can't be explained. 'Specially to people who have already decided you're a fucking idiot." He gave another laugh, shrugging again. "Shit, I can't even fault you. You're probably right about that."

[snowyreveries]

Open Starter!!!

Billy laughed to himself, clutching a bruised rib as and grimacing slightly as he did so. He was a bit banged up, but he'd still come out better than the guy who'd picked a fight with him had; someone had already dragged his unconscious ass outside. Taking his seat back at the bar, Billy signaled for another drink, still smirking with amusement, and turned his gaze to the person sitting next to him. "Never gets old. Not sure why these idiots from Penn State still think sending people in here to pick fights with our players is a good idea when we lay them out every God damn time." He chuckled, before shrugging his shoulders "But hey. I'm not complaining. It's fun getting to kick their asses."

[snowyreveries]

Open Starter!!!

It was a beautiful evening for late October, and Jamie was glad his schedule allowed him to be outside and enjoy it. There was a very light misting coming down from the sky, but the air was warm enough for it to be July, and the sun was peaking through a space in the clouds, casting brilliant golden rays that made the sheet thin raindrops glisten. He sat with his back against a large tree trunk and smiled tranquilly. This reminded him of home. From where he sat, he watched as people crossed both ways across campus, some running frantically trying to get out of the light rain, while others seemed more willing to take their time. But as he watched, one individual had something fall out of their bag and continued to walk without stopping to pick it up, seemingly having not realized it had fallen. Jamie got to his feet quickly and retrieved the item from where it had fallen, before following after them at a quick pace. "Excuse me." He said to the other whilst tapping them on the shoulder as he got close enough to do so. "Hey! Sorry to stop you, but you dropped this. Watched it fall from your bag back there." He explained with a nod, smile, and small shrug. "Figured that you might miss it, so I wanted to make sure I got it back to you."

[icedruins]

she'd , still half reeling from the night , assumed she'd never see that pretty pink bowed heel again . a tragic loss really , one that she had experienced many times before . because it seemed , fee and shoes mixed like oil and water , the didn't mix at all . she'd expected that she'd left it at the random hotel room , lost in a sea of many things , including perhaps some unmentionables that were truly going to stay that way . but when the text came through , albeit after she'd sobered just enough and showered .

barefoot , in a truly known ophelia danvers kind of way , she moved . thick michigan state university sweatshirt , one that didn't belong to her tugged on with a yell of i'll be back to whoever was home , even if it was only lacy she trailed the locations until she found him , grinning she leaned over his face , her forehead lining up with his chin , of course upside down . wide eyed , bright smile . " you found my shoe . " stated sweetly .

[snowyreveries]

Despite the fact that Jamie had been anticipating Fee's arrival, she still managed to sneak up on him and he gave a small startled shout at the appearance of her face over his own. "Sorry! I just...you were so quiet!" he exclaimed with slightly slurred speech, having to really focus to be able to raise himself into a sitting position. Taking a deep breath, he chuckled somewhat breathlessly at himself and shook his head. "I.. seriously, sorry about that. But yes! I did find your shoe." He confirmed, holding it out for her to take. "And...and thanks again for, you know, coming to get me and everything. I really apprecilate it. Apprecilate? That doesn't sound... Appreciate! I appreci-ate it!"

[puckbunnics]

Gianna had been getting ready for cheer practice when she heard giggling from her room, one of her sorority sisters knocking on her door to tell her that someone on a motorcycle had been here to see her, and she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the fact that they were so giddy about it. She had to explain to them that he was just a friend, but when one of her sorority sisters asked if she could keep him for herself, she failed to comment as she made her way downstairs.

Opening the door and making her way outside, she smiled at the sight of the other. The two had grown up in the same town but were in vastly different circles, so she never really got to hang out with him until now.

"It's okay, I'm not picky, I love all donuts." She replied with a small chuckle, taking one from the box and taking a quick bite of it. "Seven times, really? It's not a complicated order, is it? I'll have to change it if it is, I swear I hate making baristas work even harder than they already are." She admitted before then looking back at her sorority sisters. "We should get out of here before they start asking for your number."

[snowyreveries]

Billy chuckled at her words, shaking his head and shrugging. "Well, I actually only asked five times. And it wasn't because the barista was bad or that I didn't trust him. It was just because I didn't want the first time I picked up a coffee order for you, for it to end up being wrong." He admitted, shrugging again. "It's a pretty normal order, I think. Now that I've, hopefully-" he paused and raised his crossed fingers for emphasis "-hopefully gotten it right once, the next time I grab coffee for ya, I should be good. Hell, I might only have to double check three times." He grinned to show that the last part was a joke, whilst resisting the urge to add if there is a next time to his statement.

He'd been so focused on her that he hadn't even noticed the other girls oogling him from the doorway until she mentioned them. He chuckled lowly and gave them a curt wave and nod of his head, before his eyes returned to Gianna. "Yeah, sure, we can get out of here. What were your plans for the day before the denim wearing, motorcycle riding coffee and donut monkey came a-calling?" He asked. "Wherever you were headed, I could give you a ride. Got an extra helmet in the back. But that's only if you're prepared to accept having to recount every detail of it to your sisters up there." he nodded in their direction and grinned. "Seriously though, no pressure. I'm perfectly okay with accepting the role of simply being Delivery Guy #4 to your leading lady. I won't be offended. Pinky promise."

[snowyreveries]

Closed starter for: @puckbunnics

Billy was fully conscious of the fact that he was doing something uncharacteristic of himself by driving the extra distance, and paying the extra money, for artisan donuts, when a Boston Cream from Dunkin should have been good enough for anyone. Trouble was these donuts weren't for just anyone; they were for Gianna Monroe, and that meant they needed to be the very best donuts that he could possibly get.

So, a box of six, it had to be said, truly beautiful looking donuts, was strapped to the back of his bike as he sped towards her place. As he arrived, he was acutely aware of the fact that in twelve years of admiring her from across rooms, and from the audience of packed out theatres as she lit up the stage, this was the first time he'd ever been to a place where she lived. Kicking the stand on his bike, he reached into his pocket and sent her a quick text to let her know he was outside, before getting to work on unstrapping the donut box. Once the box was freed, he held it in one hand, while he used the other to open the small compartment on the back of his bike, and extracted the tray of coffee cups from within. Leaning against his bike, he smiled at the sight of her approach and took a couple steps forward to meet her.

"You never did tell me what kind of donut you wanted, so I got a half a dozen just to be on the safe side." He said with a chuckle and a shrug. "I got your coffee here though. It should be right. I only checked with the barista about seven times." He grinned at the only very slight exaggeration; in truth, he had checked five times.

[snowyreveries]

( austin butler. cis man. heterosexual. ) that’s WILLIAM "BILLY" REED , the michigan state university mechanical engineering student , they're twenty two years old and are known to be loyal and guarded. their go to karaoke song is rock of ages by def leppard.

STATS.

FULL NAME: William Rook NICKNAME(S): Billy, Right-hook Rook BIRTHDAY: April 7th AGE: Twenty-Two BIRTHPLACE: Detroit Michigan STAR SIGN: Aries GENDER: Cis Man. PRONOUNS: He/him SEXUALITY: Heterosexual OCCUPATION: Mechanical Engineering Student and part time mechanic at an auto shop THEME SONG: Rock of Ages by Def Leppard

PHYSICAL.

FACE CLAIM: Austin Butler. HAIR COLOR: Dirty Blonde. EYE COLOR: Blue. HEIGHT:  6 foot, 1 inch″ TATTOOS: Many. PIERCINGS: None

PERSONALITY.

POSITIVES (+): Confident, Intelligent, Loyal, Fierce, Free Spirited NEGATIVES (-): Stubborn, Rowdy, Guarded, Hot headed, Reckless MORAL ALIGNMENT: Chaotic good. FEARS: He would say none. Reality is, he's afraid of his dad. He's also afraid of being forced or tricked into a boring or safe life ELEMENT: fire. HOGWARTS HOUSE: gryffindor. DRUGS/ ALCOHOL/ SMOKING: occasionally / yes / yes AESTHETICS: hands covered in grease and motor oil, a patch covered denim vest over a black leather jacket, fists that are endlessly bruised, a smirk of self assurance when someone drops their gloves and comes at you, the rev and roar of a motorcycle engine, walls covered in vintage posters of bands that were popular long before you were born, a satisfied grin at tasting your own blood

BACKSTORY.

Trigger Warnings: Abuse, violence

Grew up with next to nothing, and a dad who was angry about their socioeconomic class. His dad had a bad tendency towards taking that anger out on his wife and kids. Billy was still pretty young when he started stepping towards his dad any time he was in one his moods, all in an effort to stop his sisters and mom from getting abused, starting a trend of protecting the innocent and defenseless that would continue throughout his life.

When Billy was 16, he finally managed to land a swing back on his old man. Broke his dad's nose and sent him packing, never to come back. His mother, abused though she'd been, blamed Billy for her husband leaving, and hated him for it. Without his dad around to make money, it fell to Billy to do it. In truth, he probably would have had to drop out of high school if it weren't for his high school hockey coach, whose brother owned and operated an auto shop. His coach was able to get Billy a job there, since of the two worthwhile things his dad had ever taught him was how to work on cars; the other was a love for hard rock and heavy metal.

He struggled to manage school, hockey, playing in a band, and working to support his mom and sisters, but he did manage to graduate (albeit a year late because of his schedule) with respectable grades. He was surprised when he was offered a scholarship to attend Michigan State and play hockey for them. He'd always thought college was out of the question for him, but now he had a way, and beyond that, he also had what he was told by a college scout was a reasonable chance at making it to the NHL as a third or fourth round pick if he continued to develop his game in his years at MSU.

Billy is what I would call a good natured rascal. He's rambunctious and rowdy, and likes to get into trouble, but he's never the type to pick on someone, knowing what it's like to be in that position all too well. He loves getting into fights, and will look for any excuse he can to do so, but those excuses are always things like "this guy won't stop hitting on this girl even though she's told him to leave her alone several times" or "that guy is being an asshole to some other guy who is just minding his own business" or "that guy is being a piece of shit to his girlfriend and needs some sense beaten into him." Do any of these reasons justify violence? You could argue no, and that would be reasonable, but it's worth pointing out.

Billy loves three things more than anything in the world: hockey, rock and heavy metal music, and working on cars and bikes. He can talk about any of these things for hours, though chances are he probably wouldn't; he's not really much of a chatterbox. He's pretty guarded emotionally because of his upbringing and the lack of love and affection in his home. This doesn't mean he doesn't love people in his life, it just means he's rarely forthcoming about how he's feeling. Still, if he loves, or even likes you, he'll die for you. That is absolutely another situation where he'll gladly throwdown, is on behalf of someone he cares about.

That's it for now but I may come back and add more about him later. I don't know if you can tell, but I absolutely love this character.

[lxvebgs]

Her fated return had been met with animosity the second she set foot on campus. Spring had expected it, after the fallout between her and Ophelia, and it had all been because of a boy. She didn't even bother to explain, not that it would have mattered after the slew of insults thrown her way. With everything in disarray she found herself in need to scratch certain itches, and one comment under her picture, sparked an ember. A few exchanged texts and one thing led to another, and Spring found herself in front of his door, being led in by the meek boy with nothing more than hi.

She smiled, drinking in the sight of him as her fingers delicately began trailing over his frame. Her thigh length emerald green satin dress, riding up a little too much as she stepped inside. "You're cute," she cooed against his ear, walking over to what she assumed was his bedroom, making herself comfortable on his bed as she sat at the edge. Slowly she spread her legs for him and smirked.

[snowyreveries]

With all of the anticipation, build up, and, let's face it, frustration, that Jamie had been feeling leading up to this moment over the past few months, he was surprised by how well he was able to keep his composure; especially when he followed the red haired bombshell into his room to find that they were cutting right to the chase and wasting no time. But he hadn't been lying in what he'd said; he did feel like a man who had spent far too long wandering in the desert, and the sight of her legs spread apart for him had him desperately wanting to know what her spring tasted like. Wide eyes were quickly replaced with a look of an almost animalistic hunger, and he crossed the room with the haste of a lion pouncing upon its prey. His head found its rightful place between her spread thighs, and his tongue immediately relished in the fresh and sweet nectar that was the taste of her. As his mouth worked, his throat hummed with sounds of a need to continue tasting her that he was sure would never be satisfied. If they stayed here like this for the rest of time, not even then would that be enough.

[abbslancaster]

"well, that might be a little too early to tell," savannah shrugged her shoulders at jamie, letting a smirk form on her lips as he responded to her. it was almost an endearing interaction ... being used to much more vulgar and sleezy people coming in here after too many rounds. "i think that's sort of the beauty of those apps, you just have to swipe and find out for yourself. it can be difficult to judge someone's characters from just a little blurb and a few pictures," she added on, tapping her fingers on the counter. "honestly? feel free the last song that really made you stop and think. the last one that you really found yourself loving, whether just for the lyrics or how it made you feel. no pressure though."

[snowyreveries]

Jamie sat in consideration of her words for a moment, thinking hard about what song might best fit the description. The truth was, there was an easy answer as to a song that had made him feel; the trouble was, it was one of those times where you loved the way a song made you feel because it perfectly captured how you yourself already felt. He didn't love feeling how he'd been feeling over the past several weeks, and especially over the past handful of days, but he couldn't deny that he loved the song and how it felt like having his own feelings be sung back to him. With a clearing of his throat and a nod, he got up from his seat at the bar and headed over to the dusty piano that sat in the corner. As he took his seat on the bench there and opened the lid, he took notice of how the bar got a bit quieter, a few people nearby clearly having taken notice of him being there and about to play something. With a quick breath in and out, his hands began to move across the keys, and as the sound of the piano began, the remaining sound of chatter in the room quieted, fully dying down to nothing as he started to sing.

Sadness always finds an in,

Sneaks its way past and infecting everything,

And every chapter has an end,

But this is one momentous sequel, don't you think?

And the blackbirds they fly,

Like a frown on the skyline....

[snowyreveries]

Closed Starter for: @lxvebgs

Restless energy was coursing through Jamie's body as he frantically made his way around his apartment, tidying up as best he could within the short window of time he had to do so. This entire situation had come about very unexpectedly through a tinder match and subsequent agreement to meet up within the hour. Maybe if his needs were slightly less, he would have had the foresight to make these plans for tomorrow, and actually give himself a bit of grace on getting the place ready for the arrival of a pretty girl, but with how long it had been since he'd been with a girl at all, and how pretty this girl actually was, the concept of waiting until tomorrow seemed like it was impossible; especially because, by then, she was almost certain to find a better option than him.

As he was adjusting the pillows on his couch for the seventh or eighth time, he heard a knock at the door and sprang to his feet with such haste that would be warranted in a life and death situation, though once he was actually on his feet, he lingered in that spot for a few seconds, his legs having gone from feeling like they could have launched him into the stratosphere a second before to now feeling like they were made of lead. Taking a deep breath, he forced himself forward to open the door to his apartment, and when he did so, he smiled a nervous smile. Wow, she really was pretty! "Hi." He said, the slightly breathless sound of his voice making him inwardly cringe at himself.

[snowyreveries]

Closed Starter for: @hellbcnt

After what had been a productive few hours at the gym, Jamie closed his eyes and breathed the cool air in deeply as he stepped outside. That same air felt nice on the skin of his bare chest and torso after such a good workout, and with the sun mostly gone from the sky, making for the perfect conditions for him to run home, he opted not to throw his shirt back on for the time being. As he started to run, the cool air of the twilight hour pushing through his lungs in both directions felt almost cleansing, like the negativity that he'd been feeling lately was being pushed out of his body with each exhale of breath.

After he'd ran for a few minutes Jamie slowed down to a walk as he was approaching a corner, and ran a hand through his newly sheared hair, chuckling satisfactorily at the sweat he'd managed to work up. He was about to start running as he made the turn at the corner, but found himself very nearly bumping right into a very familiar face; one that seemed to make him far more breathless than the run had. "Vi?" He questioned, his tone almost sounding like he was unsure of if it was really her. Given the fact that he hadn't seen her face once since school had started, it was hard to believe that it was. Consequently, he wasn't entirely sure what to say. He was feeling a lot of different, conflicting things. "I...Sorry. The bushes there they um.." He tried to explain how the near collision had happened by gesturing to the bushes that made it impossible to see around the corner, but trailed off, deciding it didn't need to be explained, and shook his head. "How are you?" He asked, but almost immediately, he cut off his own question. "Sorry. I don't know why I just asked that. We talk every day, you literally texted me about how your day was going earlier. You know that. You were there. Sorry. What I meant to say was um... where are you headed?"

[abbslancaster]

savannah had gotten used to talking to people her age from all walks of life, regardless of if she recognized them from campus or not. that was half her job as a bartender, being able to interact with anyon - even the people who seemed a little lonely amongst the crowd. a few moments pass and she returned with the boy's drink of choice, offering him a smile as he seemed busy glancing at his phone. perhaps sending a quick text to someone, or just doom scrolling. hey, she wasn't going to yuck their yum. she's almost caught off guard when she sees a familar selfie displayed on his screen. letting out a giggle, she nodded her head. okay, that was pretty smooth - she couldn't deny that. "you know, i think you should swipe right .... she might even swipe the same direction too. plus, i heard she has a pretty sick taste in music and can make a mean mixed drink too."

[snowyreveries]

"Wait. You-you really think I should?" He responded to her words, feeling legitimately taken aback by her encouragement; he'd expected her to laugh at the absurdity of the situation of him landing on her profile while two feet away from her, before gently nudging him towards swiping left. He had not expected this. "Aye, well, honestly I was thinking that she might be a bit out of my league but...I think I will! I mean, true, you said she 'might' swipe right, which means she also might not, but uh, even the possibility of a 'maybe' with this lass makes it right worth taking the chance, I'd say." Jamie chuckled, but very deliberately held up his phone to show her that he was, in fact, swiping right on her profile. He was feeling very hot in his face and around the collar as he did so, but despite this, he was also feeling very pleased by how this situation had unfolded, whilst also hoping to himself that he didn't do or say something to ruin it and cause her to swipe left after all. Still, he soon found himself grinning for what felt like the first time in months, and as he took a swig from the drink she'd brought him, he scooched forward slightly on his stool, his eyes fixed on her. "So...what song shall I play then?" He asked, his voice a bit softer now. "Swipe or no, I owe you a song. So, what'll it be?"

[ofjuv3nile]

rare sighting: daniela castello in a bar. there's immediate tension in shoulders as she hears the door jingle shut behind her, the chaos immediately occupies her hearing and causes her to actively take a step back as if the environment had given her a soft shove. she's cautious, eyes moving at a quickened speed to try and locate a safe place to situate herself. journal is held tightly against her chest, pen is tucked neatly behind her ear and ready to be pulled out once inspiration were to strike. the deadline of her short story was looming in the background, but she had been challenged to find something new and exciting to write about instead of the common themes she'd found comfort in. trying to come up with new material when she rarely provided herself with the time to experience new things, was found to be a hassle. she's quick to take the empty seat at the bar, smiling politely at the bartender and requesting something simple. a single vodka cranberry which she knew she would nurse the entirety of the night. she's slowly opening her journal and about to grasp onto her pen when the other speaks, pulling her back into her current reality and not fall into the alternative she were to write on paper. “  oh, oh no! no, you don't have to move, i'm not with anyone.   ” the words make her nose wrinkle for a moment, hating how isolating it sounded. “  just mean i'm also here on my own.   ”

[snowyreveries]

Jamie relaxed slightly at the woman's words, feeling glad at the very least that he wasn't being some inconvenient barrier between her and people she wanted to be socializing with. A small part of him also felt a bit better to know that he wasn't the only person in the place who was by themselves, though he quickly felt guilty for wishing a similar loneliness that he was experiencing on anyone, however indirectly. "Aye? Well I'm sorry to have bothered you then." He said earnestly, feeling genuine guilt when he noticed the notebook in front of her for the first time. "I didn't realize you were working or I would have left you alone. And now here I am still yapping your ear off and keeping you from your work. I think I'll shut up now and let you get back to it." The truth was, he was so starved for company and conversation, and so curious about what she might be working on, that he really didn't want to stop talking. But he also was fully aware that this young lady had not invited any conversation with him, and it would be rude and ungentlemanly to impose it on her any further than he already had.

[snowyreveries]

Closed starter for: @icedruins

Crowds at The Elephant Lounge on Thursdays were typically pretty sparse, but on this particular Thursday, thanks to some sort of business convention happening downtown, the place had been specially booked by a private party, and packed full of men wearing suits, and reeking of a quiet desperation to seem cultured and sophisticated to all of their peers who reeked of the very same desperation. All of this meant that Jamie had been called in to take his shift at the piano much earlier in the afternoon than was normal, and it wasn't long before these would-be gentlemen, trying to impress and one up each other with their how carelessly they could spend their money, were buying him drink after drink. Normally, Jamie made it a policy to take it slow while he was working, but something about how the alcohol mixed with the loneliness he'd been feeling as of late saw him breaking that policy hard and fast. By the time the shift was over, he had a pocket full of bills, blurry vision, and only the vaguest idea which direction he needed to go to get back to campus from here.

And that is how he had ended up laying down in this bush, only noticing the size seven heel poking into his lower back after a few minutes of laying there on top of it. Once he removed it, recognized it from a text he'd read earlier in the day, and alerted the owner of his having found it, the owner of the shoe had decided to take it upon herself to come retrieve both the shoe, and Jamie himself, and so now all he could do is wait and hope that she would be able to find him. As he waited, he gently hummed a traditional Scottish folk song, and silently questioned every life choice he had ever made that had led him to ending up here in this bush.

[abbslancaster]

"are you doing alright?" savannah questioned, leaning forward behind the bar to wipe down the counter with a clean rag. it has been a pretty busy night at the bar she worked at. she had gotten pretty good at being able to sniff out people that were by themselves and customers that maybe even seemed slightly lonely. "you know, that group is a bunch of pricks anyways .... came in here last time and stiffed me from any tips," she rolled her eyes. "how about your next round is on me? if you can promise me to play something good on the touch tunes in return?"

[snowyreveries]

As the individual nodded their head at his offer and swapped seats with him to be closer to their friends, Jamie's eyes lingered on the collective for a moment before he exhaled another sigh, turning his attention to his phone. His level of loneliness had reached such a point that he found himself clicking on the flame shaped app, and began swiping as he sat there at the bar, drinking his pint. His eyes raised from his phone screen at the sound of a voice that seemed to be speaking at him, which he found to belong to the pretty bartender working behind the counter. For some reason she looked kind of familiar to him, but he couldn't quite place how, and considering he didn't know anyone apart from Violet at this school, he quickly dismissed the thought as being a mistake. His face flushed slightly at her question, but he shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "M'okay." He answered, though he couldn't help but immediately chuckle at how unbelievable it sounded coming from his mouth in a bit of a croak. "Really." He added more emphatically, managing a small smile.

His brows raised in surprise at her offer for a free pint in exchange for him jumping on the piano, and he wondered how it was that she knew he played. He reasoned that it was likely that she'd been to The Elephant Lounge on one of the nights he was playing. "Uh sure. That sounds fair." He agreed, feeling a bit more cheerful at this proposition as he returned his attention to his phone in his hand. It would surely have been comical from the outside to see his eyes widen when he realized why this bartender looked familiar. "Wait. Isn't this you?" He asked, holding his phone up to her to show what he was about 99% sure was her tinder profile; the last he'd landed on before she'd momentarily distracted him from his swiping. "Crivens! I...that's crazy. I was just about to swipe right on you." He admitted with a playful, but earnest chuckle and nod of his head. "What do you reckon? Should I still?"