laughter and love

elinor frell for godscobhhq language teacher and activist. they/them.

[spendfcrever]

Godscobh Task 02: Elinor's Style

Look, teachers aren't exactly rolling in spending money these days. Elinor thrifts clothes, keeps them until they are threadbare, and then resews or patches them so they can last another year - and they look good! They can even sew their own tops sometimes, making basics like tank tops and plain t-shirts from upcycled fabric. The more unique parts of Elinor's wardrobe are the pops of calming blue that they like to tie into outfits, perfect for a slightly more professional meeting with the Speech and Debate clubs or a protest at city hall. They also have a mountain of reusable tote bags, since those are easily printed on, given away as gifts, and lugged around for all their many errands.

[kingoftheskiesgc]

That the issue posed is that the gravest struggle the students of Godscobh and their families are facing is that of a lack of means with which to afford their higher education is a realization that had not occurred to him immediately but one that, now that it has, appears to him to be as easily resolved as the matter of the funding, or the lack thereof, of local schools — but the solution to this is one that he wishes to hear coming from them, not from himself.

Despite his request that they be frank with him, in his eyes, it almost seems that they are still reluctant to speak in his presence. That they believe that simply because he holds all of the power and authority that he does, he will dismiss them out of hand — and they are not entirely wrong to be reticent because he might have, had they not made a compelling enough case as to why he should continue to listen to what they have to say.

A scholarship fund. Now that can be easily arranged by a man of his means, but what did they have in mind, exactly?

A more generous sum for the few in the form of a merit grant for only those select students who prove themselves gifted enough to earn the town’s support? A lesser sum for the many, in the form of a stipend for each and every student who graduates from the local high schools, so long as they commit themselves to the continued pursuit of their education or professionalization, in whatever form that takes for them? Something else entirely?

“I would like to hear more about your scholarship idea. Reiterating, once more, that this is under the assumption that money is no object of concern as to this plan of yours, how would you see that implemented? What safeguards would you put in place to ensure that the most students become successful and these funds are not misappropriated or misused?”

@spendfcrever

[spendfcrever]

When Elinor realizes Zander is actually listening, something shifts. Sure, they had gotten the meeting, but internally they'd still expected this to be nothing more than a charade of effort so that the council could say they at least attempted to fix something this fiscal year.

"Okay, well, I do have some ideas I've mapped out," Reaching into the depths of their teaching bag, Elinor produces a thick three ring binder to thump onto Zander's desk. They only hadn't brought it out before because they figured the meeting would be over before either of them sat down.

"The issue I began to see in lots of scholarships is in how they reward students for good academic showing. Of course, grades are a measurement of success in one sense, but Godscobh has so many students that have adult responsibilities as early as 14 or 15 years old. They don't really ever reach traditional forms of academic successes because they're too busy just plain surviving."

Knowing all this, Elinor didn't really believe in making small changes to an already broken system. Any more short-term initiatives at Cove to fix things up would only put further, harsher pressure on the teachers. You couldn't just "fix" the kind of rot that had soaked through Godscobh over the past several decades. You had to cut the rot out completely.

"Starting junior, maybe even sophomore, year, students opt in. Each student is paired with a mentor from the community, like tradespeople, small business owners, healthcare workers, city planners, you get the idea. The intention would be to show them what adulthood really looks like, and by extension would give more adult role models for the kids who don't have any. This way, it's also more milestone based, marked by how well students can employ the skills they've learned into workshops or building a portfolio by the time they graduate."

A moment passes, and Elinor realizes they've spoken quite a bit all at once. They pause, trying to remember if they'd answered all of Zander's questions. He's very right to have questions. Luckily, Elinor has answers.

"As far as safeguards go, I think a board of teachers mixed with the tradespeople volunteers is fair, to avoid misuse. But on some level, I suppose it would be an honor system. I think we could trust students to want to better themselves if we show them how much it can change things."

[theuglyducklinggc]

Hannah stays quiet while Elinor speaks. Quiet because she knows that this was important. Quiet because there was something being shared between them now that they weren't able to share before. Some invisible wall that was being passed through, or a door that they hadn't seen before suddenly appearing in it. This was something worth listening to. This was something worth analyzing and, potentially, fixing that rift that Hannah knows she caused through her own actions.

Hannah always knew that there was some nebulous something that always seemed to be keeping Elinor at a distance from all of Hannah's own experiences. It doesn't take a genius to decipher that. Nor does it take a genius to decipher the fact that bringing it up in any capacity wasn't wanted or welcomed if they themselves didn't bring it up on their own. She knows how raw it is to be made to speak to what's eating at you before you want to. Why would she force it on Elinor?

Which, is another point to the significance of the speech. The fact that it's being willingly shared and not ripped out of them.

"Eli. Nothing about you is unbearable to me either."

Her voice is soft when she says it. Not soft like how it is when she mumbles something mean under her breath. It's closer to how she usually spoke with Tinley, kind and open, but different than that too. There was a different shape to this softness that she didn't quite know how to explain herself. And it makes the truth that comes next all the more raw in her chest. Her eyes feel wet, but she doesn't want to let herself cry, so she twists her lips in strange shapes to hold it back.

There are two things that Hannah wants to say at the same time. But both feel insurmountable. A confession of her own, her own struggles, her own demons. And the urge to beg Elinor to not live by themself, but live anywhere else. Anywhere else in the world.

"I think I am exhausted from making my own decisions, from being alone. And I think you are exhausted from people taking those from you. And I think I am becoming somebody I don't like. And that makes me wonder how you can stand me, sometimes. And I worry that sometimes you stick with me not because you want to, but because I somehow took a choice from you without realizing it."

[spendfcrever]

On some level, it couldn't quite be said that other people take away Elinor's decisions - technically speaking, they are always aware when they defer to someone else or when they are compelled into something for the appeasement of others. It's always still their choice ultimately, just heaped along with the suffocating feeling that comes as a consequence of refusing. Sometimes Elinor liked not having all of their choices though... there was a comfort in just following what their father and stepmother wanted. A safety in what was known, even if it wasn't healthy.

Maybe Hannah wasn't all that different after all. Elinor had always wanted to connect with their friend on a deeper level, but had sensed a hesitation on both of their parts to actually talk about the darker, distressing parts of life. The distance was closing though, Elinor can feel it. The car is small, but they close that distance physically and wrap a small hug around Hannah's bicep, leaning their forehead into the woman.

"I promise you I am choosing this," Elinor chuckles into Hannah's shoulder, "I could be wrapped up in a heated blanket right now getting grades done, but I am choosing to be here with you because I want to be."

A solution to both of their problems does worm it's way in Elinor's mind. They don't feel safe living alone, Hannah doesn't want to be alone either. Hannah needs decisions taken out of her hands, Elinor needs the ability to make more decisions independently. They could move in together, be roommates. But Elinor couldn't suggest that. Wasn't that far too presumptuous? Like inviting yourself to a party where you might not be wanted?

"I know quite a lot about spiraling, Hannah, and at the risk of being an armchair psychiatrist, it sounds like you've let your fears isolate you for a long, long time. I'm not going anywhere though. Not just because I physically can't, because I would not do that to you."

[thegoddessoflovegc]

Antonia feels a small pulse throb in her head. Which already doesn't bode well. If this little creature gave her a headache, and, god forbid, gave her wrinkles, it would be over for them. Antonia would make it so that they never have a life ever again. It was always something with this one. Oh the sidewalks aren't good. Oh the zoning laws are bad. Oh this, oh that, oh something something something! Always something and always the issue was so painfully small and irrelevant that Antonia felt like falling asleep just hearing about it. She had bigger things to be doing!

"Little Frell." She interjects, doubling down, her tone here at first firm and cutting.

As mind-numbing as the verbal topic was, there is something interesting to her about this interaction. The immediate obedience. She can't quite tell if it's enthusiasm for their silly little pitch, or something else entirely. And that was something she intended to figure out. And then, if she can, perhaps see what that potential weakness might do for herself in turn. Enthusiasm can be curbed, or turned, or even destroyed. Confidence can be removed and rebuilt in the proper image. Anything can be ruined or raised with the right hand to touch it. And Antonia believes that she has just that. The right touch.

"Stop talking. Can't you see you're giving me a headache?" She whines dramatically, overexaggerating the very miniscule pain she felt.

"How can I help anybody if I can't even think?"

[spendfcrever]

"I think it could be really bene-"

Elinor doesn't much mind being interrupted - sometimes it showed that someone was actively engaged in conversation if they were following up quickly with thoughts and opinions. The direct order from Antonia is clear though, and Elinor's lips zip tightly without a second thought to it. The councilwoman wasn't so grouchy the other times Elinor had met her at community events... maybe this was just a bad day. If they wanted to get anywhere with her, the teacher figured it was just best to follow what she said. They'd had enough arguments with officials in the past, they didn't need anything else bubbling up.

The teacher was a little incorrigible aside from not talking though. Elinor slides the flyer across the bar in silence, so Antonia could look at it while she "thinks".

[peterpevensiegc]

There are certain moments in life in which a single, small occurrence seems to throw the entire world off its axis, and that is how it feels for Peter to be greeted with Elinor’s presence in his office now. As though everything that had been known and comforting and familiar to him about this environment has just shifted a little bit to the left — not enough to bring him significant pause or make him hesitate in any meaningful way, but just enough to throw him. Just enough to bring him to the realisation that this is the first time they have ever visited him here. The first time these most important facets of his life, the strictly professional and the intimately personal, have truly collided.

When he watches as they lower themselves onto the seat that has been offered to them, he cannot help but to notice just how small they seem to be here. Meek and stiff and uncomfortable.

It brings him to wondering, for a brief moment, just how they might see him now, and if he is the reason for their unease. Has he come so far from the man he had once been, from the man they had known so well, that all they can see him as now is not as Peter Pevensie, their friend, but as Sheriff Pevensie, the man responsible for the sudden chaos and upheaval faced by their community in these past weeks? Have they started to resent him for the part he has played in the raid, for being the one to organise it in the first place, when he knows they believe the solution to the rampant crime in their streets to be a peaceful one?

These thoughts are swiftly interrupted as they push forth the container that had been carrying with them and crack open the lid to reveal… carefully wrapped portions of food. Homemade food, as he can immediately tell. For a long moment, all he can do is blink down at it, stunned into silence, as he finds himself attempting to remember how long  it has been, actually, since he has had a proper meal. Days, surely.

“Elinor…” Peter starts, before allowing his words to trail off. He doesn’t know what to say. How he could possibly express his gratitude towards them. Words always seem to fail him when he needs them the most, particularly so when the matter concerns his own feelings. 

More than anything else, he does not know how to express how touched he is that they had thought of him. That he still inspires enough affection in them, enough fondness to bring them here, late at night when he is sure they would rather be comfortable at home, only to extend to him this kindness and ensure that he does not neglect himself for his duty, as he is wont to do.

A thank you does not seem adequate enough — nothing seems adequate enough, grateful enough — but it’s all he has.

“Elinor, this is immensely thoughtful of you. I don’t know what to say other than… to thank you. Truly. Thank you.”

@spendfcrever

[spendfcrever]

Maybe it's because Peter's office has all the formality of a principal's office, but the silence as he tries to string together words for a "thank you" almost makes Elinor worry they'd be in trouble. Is this some violation of social or literal law to bring comfort food to someone with no explicit permission or expectation? The awkwardness does actually make them laugh, shattering a thin layer of discomfort.

"If I had known it would surprise you so much, I would've just left it on your doorstep," In this town though, one couldn't just leave anything out on the sidewalk without expecting it to get swiped.

The natural instinct is to deflect, and Elinor is beginning to say 'it's alright' or 'it's nothing' to avoid receiving thanks, but they think better of it. It's unavoidable to acknowledge the oddity of the action, so why try? They couldn't quite be said to be "friends" - close like they used to be - but honestly Elinor had just wanted to do it. Sure, it was a gift, but they hadn't thought twice about doing something that helped Peter on a personal level because they just knew he'd need it, and wasn't the type to ask for or admit to wanting the help on his own. And honestly? It was sort of the only thing Elinor felt they could do when the pair so often lacked the common goals that tied them together before.

"You're very welcome, Peter. It's not like I wasn't cooking already in the first place," They sit up straight, remembering that the rolling cart wasn't the only thing they needed to give him. They slip the leather jacket off their shoulders and fold in the sleeves, then fold in half, presenting it like another packaged gift ( even though it was his in the first place ), "Plus, I've stolen this for long enough."

It'd been a solid season or two since Peter had loaned out his jacket, and unfortunately Elinor could no longer justify keeping it when they had other perfectly good ones in their own wardrobe. Perhaps it had been selfish, but beneath anything they might've said or avoided saying to each other, they'd enjoyed the reminder that Peter cared in his actions more so than his words, and that there was still that presence in each other's lives. Elinor had lost many friends and family members to time and distance, so they held close the little expressions of connection wherever they could. It was only a jacket they had to give up, not the reminder itself

He'd have to return their rolling cart and tupperware in a few months anyways.

[kingoftheskiesgc]

The decision to grant Elinor Frell a personal audience with him, the man of most authority in this town, had come about as much due to his own curiosity so as to what brings them to his door with such determination this time as it had been due to the topic he imagined they wished to broach with him — The admittedly precarious state of the education in Godscobh.

Lo and behold, he had been correct in his assumption.

Their earnest concern was, if nothing else, understandable. This was a long-standing issue, one he is well aware of, and fortunately for them, one that is near to his heart as a man with school-aged children, himself. Their once great schools had fallen into much disrepair over the years, and slipped into a precariousness far beneath what a town like his deserves. Perhaps the time had come for him to correct that.

“Financial constraints, is it?” Zander muses once they finish their line of thinking, lacing his fingers together as he leans forward in his seat. It is immediately apparent to him that this is an issue that can be easily resolved with nary an opening of his checkbook and a flick of his pen — but he stays his hand, for now.

“If you would indulge me for a moment, teacher, then be frank with me: What would you, as an educator and an idealist, as someone who is closest to the heart of the matter and can see the disenfranchisement of our youth first-hand, do to solve this problem? What concrete steps would you have me take? What measures would you wish to see put in place for the benefit of your students, if money were no object?”

@spendfcrever

[spendfcrever]

The ease with which Zander - or really, anyone in politics - speaks of money is extremely foreign to Elinor. There was a point their own father might've been the type of person to just throw money at a problem until it went away, but it had been a long time since that era of their childhood. City-wide spending was another ballpark entirely of course, and Elinor found themself a little stunned to imagine having any control over the budgets like this, even if Zander was only posing a hypothetical.

"I think you misunderstand, I'm not referring to the city's finances, it's the financial constraints that something like college tuition puts on families. Unfortunately, that's more of a personal problem for a lot of them, and each case is different," While the school could certainly use more money too, the matter Elinor was arguing was more of a social issue with helping young people believe in their own city.

Honestly, Elinor didn't think they would even get this far They're surprised Zander hasn't cut them off yet. This is good though, it's exactly what they prepared for.

"So, if the economic issues of our student's families can't be helped in the short term, I can imagine a few options helping the students we have in our senior classes going forward. For one thing, a scholarship fund is something that's hasn't been a possibility in decades and would certainly provide some financial relief. But if that's too big of an ask, I would love to think of options for reinstating hard skill classes, like home repairs or garage work. We don't even have the career skills curriculum, or frankly, the time to teach things like resume building and interview skills."

[thegoddessoflovegc]

There were some people that just didn't know how to quit while they were ahead.

It was amusing, really, to watch Elinor Frell dance for her. Antonia felt no qualms at all in saying that seeing the way people could knee-cap themselves just for a chance at a little bit of her attention was more than just flattering. It was entertaining! And that was what Antonia was always after. Some damn good entertainment.

But, most people also had the good sense to schedule a meeting, first, before bombarding her with silly propositions. About... talking to the youths about business ownership? Yes, because having the most salacious woman in town talking to babies, even if she may or may not have babies of her own, was clearly such a good idea.

She stops in her tracks, ceasing her rhythmic movements. Her nails were red this month, to match the theming, of course. As was much of the decor. At night, it made things appear thick like blood. But here, in the daytime, it felt like the room was on fire. A little bit like how Antonia felt, in the moment. Miffed. She waits a moment, then two, letting the silence from her be answer enough. And if the issue gets pressed further, well, she can refuse in less tactful ways.

"Sit down, little Frell."

[spendfcrever]

Elinor was extremely, painfully aware they tended towards annoying the governing bodies with their persistence, but that never meant they would just give up and stop trying. That said, Elinor's brave face tightens in the silence while Antonia cooks up her response, half expecting to just stand there for eternity if she was never going to speak.

In an instant, Elinor sits. It's awkward, actually, considering they have to hoist themself onto a barstool while holding flyers and business cards for the event. This had to be a good thing though, Elinor figures, if Antonia is interested in listening longer and having a nice sit-down conversation.

"You see, you employ a lot of Cove alumni already, since we don't have a very strong college prep program..." It's not a kind thing to say about their school, but it's true, "But you're very well traveled, of course, and I think it could help a lot to show students what can be done to build businesses in the town they already live in!"

The teacher adjusted their seat again, figuring they were in for more silence, "And, um, it's Elinor. You can just call me Elinor."

[favouritemessenger-deactivated2]

Shaking their head, they grinned at the other’s words. A gold star, huh? “Sure, gotta see if I’ve got enough space on my board for it…” Eh, they’ll make room later. “Gonna have to get you a gold sticker too, for getting through it.”

They probably had something similar enough to one back home. Probably.

As Elinor attempted to move, they tried steadying them for a bit but it seemed the whole moving thing was good. Just gotta focus on slowing down and stopping entirely.

“Hmm… I think it was like a week. To learn the basics, at least. I’d always go real fast but never slow down so there was always that to worry about.”

[spendfcrever]

The whole "slowing down" part was definitely also what Elinor was going to struggle with, and the teacher found themself using the stops on the toe tips to just walk on the track for a moment. Did it look stupid? Probably, but learning a new skill always did. Elinor tried not to get too intimidated by looking like a fool, thought they hope no one else they knew was watching.

"You have a really lovely ability to pick up skills like this naturally," It was a very true compliment, as Mercury's ease was something anyone could pick up on, "Is there anything you're bad at?"

[tootleloo-timothy]

Tim rubs his side where the bandages are still holding him together. The bruises have faded but he still has some pain inside. It makes it hard for him to do his jobs but he can't stop.

"I can take care of myself," he says not really answering their question but not lying. He looks down at them. "You doing alright, teach? Are the kids here as bad as the kids in the Catholic school?"

[spendfcrever]

Okay, so maybe Elinor shouldn't have thought Tim would just open up in this dramatic outpouring of stress - they really didn't know each other very intimately. Still though, they weren't the type to give up on digging deeper when something was obviously the matter.

"Worse, but I would never teach at a private school. Too controlling," Public education was where a lot of struggles happened institutionally, and that was exactly where Elinor wanted to be, helping where it was needed, "I thinking of putting together something like a trade school for the students, actually. I hope it'll be really beneficial for them, they're nowhere near as good at taking care of themselves."

[bete-du-manoir]

Adam's mind wanders while Elinor works, thinking about some work thinks, and then about a painting in his office that he can't remember if it has a bird in it or not, and then about a music box that belonged to his mother that definitely had a bird on its decal, and then about...

A light jolt of pain as Elinor tightens the bandage shoots through him, bringing him back to the moment. He focuses back on Elinor.

"This neighborhood isn't bad. I've seen worse trust me. Been visiting the docks a lot lately and there's some sketchy neighborhoods around there."

He lightly slaps his face, trying to focus in more and not let his mind wander. He definitely drank too much tonight if he's so easily slipping back to his childhood memories.

[spendfcrever]

"Sorry!" Elinor winces in response to Adam clearly reacting in pain, trying to extend his calf out so the whole leg was straight. They were wrapping the knee in practically the entire roll of gauze, not sure when to stop and what amount of pressure was needed for a wound this big. His response does pique their curiosity though, and an additional heaping of worry regarding why he was out this late and where exactly he got the injury.

"The docks? You been taking swimming lessons?" In the middle of the night? Elinor heavily doubted it. They certainly weren't entitled to keeping tabs on Adam's whereabouts necessarily, but his self destructive tendencies weren't exactly top secret, "Wouldn't say that's a great idea considering you'll be limping for the next week."

[swanprncess]

Odette smiled fondly at Elinor, looping her free arm through theirs.

"You're right. Tonight is all about pretending. We're in Old Hollywood. We're glamourous celebrities, leisurely enjoying a warm evening far away from any hint of rain." She craned her neck to peer over the line in front of them, where she could just make out the people slipping into the club's entrance. "And it looks like this line is starting to move faster, anyhow."

[spendfcrever]

It's only a few more minutes until the line begins moving again, and Elinor immediately felt small as the pair entered the threshold. The bar was decorated far more extravagantly than they'd expected, perhaps with the intention of making them feel like they'd literally gone back in time? It certainly made them wonder if they should've rehearsed a character for the night more.

"Oh my god, I think one of my old students in working the bar," Was he even old enough to serve a place like this? Elinor did love connecting to graduates after the fact, but getting startled by one wearing old-timey dress clothes was not on the agenda for the night, "You go first, I have to hide my face."

[gxdlydesires-deactivated2026040]

open starter ! location: Black/White (Estrella's shop/business in Royal Oaks), somewhere in the early afternoon. theme song: Zombie by the Cranberries (actually being played in the building lmao)

Estrella strolled into their own shop, their right hand holding their favourite gold cane. She had a right attitude about them as she rolled their eyes at their own employees and the tasteless customers in their own shop. She looked over at one of the customers, a person who looked like they had no fashion sense whatsoever. "Ugh, please don't tell me that is what you're wearing?"

She scoffed as she looked at their employees, like the people who don't work for them didn't know what was going through Estrella's mind right now. "Well, what are you waiting for?" She ruthlessly said to them, pointing their cane at her own employees and speaking in her London accent. "Help them! They clearly need the Estrella treatment, pronto!"

[spendfcrever]

Elinor almost never came up to Royal Oaks, aside from the rare occasions when they met with Adam regarding organizing. They'd stopped in the fanciful looking boutique to pass out flyers for Cove's career day coming up, but immediately felt dwarfed by the sheer number of opulent gowns and high price tags. Where would someone even wear something like this?

"What I'm w-" Somewhere in the young woman's barrage of words, Elinor thought perhaps there had been a command to tell her... this wasn't what they were wearing? Elinor didn't want to lie and they didn't have a change of clothes, so they stayed silent for a moment while the employees came at them with measuring tapes and scissors. The teacher looked down at their blue jeans and button down - a standard fit for their busy life, even if they did have to pay a fee at the school to have a "jeans day". "What's wrong with it?"

[spendfcrever]

Elinor had crossed paths a handful of times with the great Antonia Lee, the beautiful and dangerous woman who owned a good chunk of the party spots in Godscobh. They didn't actually frequent those spots, that is, but they knew of them enough to know the reputation. And honestly, who didn't know of Antonia's prestige by name alone? They'd always been trying to get Lee to donate volunteers to the "clean up Godscobh" efforts and the woman sometimes seemed amenable! Other times, it felt like trying to herd cats. Dangerous, large jungle cats that might bite Elinor's head off.

"Hello! I was wondering if you had a moment to talk a little bit about something I'm organizing for Cove High, in regards to a career day! Specifically, something along the lines of women in leadership?" Elinor approached the bar Antonia was painting her long, sharp finger nails at. It was daytime, so the bar wouldn't actually open for several more hours. Having the lights on and sunlight streaming in gave the area an almost homey feel, even though shining a blacklight around would contradict that immediately, "I think a lot of my students would enjoy hearing what it's like to own so many businesses at a young age."

@thegoddessoflovegc

[spendfcrever]

Elinor had decided enough was enough once the new semester started. Their classes were thinning out a little, with more and more students losing stamina and convinced they could never get good enough grades to pass classes or even graduate. They hated to think it was all due to the disaster around New Year's, but that certainly didn't help. Truth was, the education and childcare systems in Godscobh had long been broken, and Elinor didn't really believe they could be fixed with small tweaks and waiting patiently. They had to act now, and put real change into place to ensure the numbers of the gangs didn't just grow year after year.

Getting a meeting with the city was... actually pretty surprising. As usual, their first couple letters went unanswered, but then Ms. Moirai was putting them in touch and suddenly a calendar event was created just for them to get clearance to meet with the big man himself. Well, not the big man anymore, so they say. Mr. Olympios had stepped down in recent years, but he was certainly the highest position that had ever given Elinor the time of day.

"So you see, it's becoming harder for a lot of students to believe that even something like a trade school is within possibility, primarily due to the financial constraints and the accessibility of training. We don't have the money for shop classes like welding or plumbing here, and we don't have the busses to take student out of the city to other schools. It's really becoming a problem on the emotional level for students, who don't believe they have options in life after graduation if they don't have money, lodging, or transportation."

@kingoftheskiesgc

[spendfcrever]

Godscobh Task 01: Elinor's Social Media

As a teacher, Elinor has to be careful that they don't put anything on social media that they wouldn't want their students seeing. As such, they don't so much post their own pictures/face online, but they do repost and reblog other people's content that reflect their beliefs. While they do have an Instagram for social reasons, Elinor uses the Pinterest that they'd been cultivating since middle school far more often, with many, many boards that have grown enormous, then gotten deleted because they were cringe-y, then been restarted again ( because to be cringe is to be free, ya know? ).

The wedding board - a staple of any young person's Pinterest - looks far different from when they'd designed it as a teen. What was once eye-sore colors and dated patterns has been toned down to simple decor choices and an aesthetic of literature and love. That is, if they ever even do get married. Nowadays, Elinor also has fun collecting ideas for classroom decorations and activities from other teachers on the platform. Most of the time, the student roll their eyes, but occasionally a goofy idea gets to them! The cooking and journaling board are also very needed during Elinor's personal time at home, as those hobbies help to foster a clear mind and a healthy work-life balance. The tattoo and travel board are... purely aspirational. But maybe one day!

Elinor's phone is quite busy otherwise, keeping track of every extracurricular and parent-teacher meeting they've been pulled into. Never a dull moment! They love it though; from weekends spent chaperoning field trips to moderating Model UN tournaments, Elinor makes good use of the timers, clocks, and calendars. Their camera roll is also full of fit checks that will never be posted, however, since who even really cares about their "OOTD"? It's just a small joy that Elinor does to make themself feel better at home, and the pictures are peppered through spots of selfies with friends and more journaling inspo.

[favouritemessenger-deactivated2]

Mercury smiled, shaking their head. “I’m not just going slow on your account, it’s nice to go slow sometimes, y’know?” It helped them feel in the moment, truly the moment. Speeding through everything was fun but so was inviting time to think. “‘Sides, this’ll be good for me too. It’s never bad to go over the basics, is it?”

They let Elinor use them as a secondary stabiliser, following their movements as best they could. “Alright, sounds good. Lemme know if I’m going too fast for ya, alright?” And with that Mercury moved forward, slow and steady.

[spendfcrever]

The brain of a teacher never really turned off, even when Elinor was just supposed to be having a fun weekend out with their friends. They clung to Mercury as the skates did exactly what they were supposed to do, but their feet were still tightly together only moving with Mercury's influence, "I'll be sure to get you a gold star sticker for putting up with me."

They pushed one skate forward, then the other - an extremely awkward motion that felt more like shuffling than actual skating. But it was something! Elinor tried to remember what they'd read about balance and other speed sports before, moving their arms inward and outward to try to speed up and slow down. Of course, Mercury hadn't had time to teach them how to stop, or curve around the bend, so Elinor was very quickly running into the plastic edge of the rink.

"Okay, I think I got a little ahead of myself there," Elinor's arms flailed, but caught the edge quickly, then pushed off again, rolling backwards back to Mercury, "How long did it take you to learn?"

[tootleloo-timothy]

where: park near school | when: afternoon | whom: Elinor @spendfcrever | ask: "i can tell you're upset, Tim. what happened?"

Tim's literally up a tree in a park across from a school. Apparently the school Elinor works at. There's snow on the ground and really it's too cold to be just sitting outside for no reason.

He'd heard the school bell ring and the noise of people leaving. It's oddly comforting. Like life is still going on and once he heals up, he can join them in the moving along.

He'd noticed the footsteps coming closer but he'd figured it was people wanting to play in the snow. Not the teacher he'd met at Halloween.

"What hasn't happened?" he responds rather than answering their question. "Seems like everything and nothing is happening recently."

He's tugging on the strings of his hoodie, not really doing anything with them.

[spendfcrever]

Moody teenagers were par for the course of Elinor's job, they'd been handling kids of all different backgrounds and life experiences every year they were working in Godscobh. While it couldn't be said that Tim was one of their students, he reminded Elinor of that youthfulness in spirit. The kind of thing that kept him climbing trees like a little sprite.

"Yeah, I noticed that too," They fold their arms in the cold, looking up at the young man and wondering why he chose this park, this tree to do his thinking in. Elinor didn't know much of his background, but with Tinley getting questioned, their own car getting followed, and everything affected by Nauticus' closure? Practically everyone felt involved, even if they didn't want to be.

"You been staying safe these days? Hadn't seen you around in a minute," Could anyone really say they were "safe" in Godscobh? Not of very long, obviously.