Location: Thaw & Bloom Market
Thread: Running into each other by Chance
Event Thread: for @littlesugarnspice
Status: Ongoing
Ibrahim Bağcı
He hadn't really done anything for this town event... gathering. Being this social was not something he did and so he had taken up a few extra hours here and there at the station when others wanted to go to the market or the hospital or the gym. He was fun with the tiredness. Today he had finished up early and gone to Glasseye to grab a few things for home he was missing and couldn't do without for the night. He was tired, it seemed too much because Ashe was walking out he almost ran over someone, dropping the bag to steady them with two hands on their shoulders. "Oh... hi, sorry" he said as he looked down at his neighbor.
Amy Everly
From running into her childhood sweetheart to practically crashing into her current crush, today was an eventful day for Amy. She would've otherwise been annoyed to be bumped into like this, the man was a brick wall and her shoulder hurt a little now but she could forgive Ibrahim murder, pink colored glasses always on when he's around. She spaced out for a moment, thinking how this was very similar to one of those romance books she always reads. If only the follow-up could be the same... "Oh, no, no, I wasn't looking either." She cleared her throat, trying not to meet his eyes, but also not making any effort to pull away herself.
Ibrahim Bağcı
Ibrahim frowned a bit while his lips also turned up. "Yeah, yeah, it's a busy day. Did i hurt you?" he asked as he let go of her shoulders with one hand and so not to move her around he stepped slightly tot he side and looked her up and down. It wasn't him checking her out (he had done that months ago) , he just wanted to see if he'd done any visible damage. "Want to sit somewhere? I think there's a bench near" he looked to the side now, his long hair bouncing in ways men's hair shouldn't be allowed to .
Amy Everly
"Oh, no, no, no, I'm fine!" She is not entirely lying, the shoulder did hurt momentarily upon impact but now she was all good. "We can sit if you want." She would not be refusing that, no sir! She was just hoping he wasn't asking because he was feeling guilty for bumping into her. God, she really wanted to run her fingers through his hair... Thankfully no one was a mind reader here.
Ibrahim Bağcı
"Yeah? Sure?" He asked, shortly as he also let go with his other hand now that he was sure that she won't fall over. "I'm fine, but yes. Let's make sure you're fine." He nodded as he waited for her to lead the way as the local to the best place to sit here. "Are you going somewhere? I don't want to keep you" he asked, in his way noting that she looked nice and as if she had somewhere to be.
Amy Everly
Infinitely sad that he let go - she would gladly let him hold her forever, even if it meant pretending that she is oh so very clumsy - she took the lead, taking the cue that she ought to be the one to choose where they would rest. "I am where I was going, at the festival!" She let out a giggle - an actual giggle, oh my god - feeling a girlish urge to twirl her hair and look at the ground. She didn't. She had some self respect. "But I could be going for crepes if you want some? The stand that has them also put up a few tables and chairs."
Ibrahim Bağcı
"I thought that's outside of town mostly?" He asked as he frowned, following Amy anyway as she led to a place of her choosing. His lips kept towards and the expression was perhaps confusing from the side. "You show me where they are and sit down. I'll go get them" he assured her, still feeling guilty. He was too heavy to have hit her so hard. He still worried she might collapse with how pink her cheeks and...neck were.
Amy Everly
"Oh no, the festivals here are at the square, for ease of access. Lots of elderly and small children, easier to have them come to the town center than the outskirts."
"No, it's fine really, I'd like to walk with you." She insisted, hoping she was being subtle abut it. Making him go get crepes on his own made her feel bad and it also meant a little less time spent in his company.
Ibrahim Bağcı
"Oh, ok, I think I was out of town last year, so I wasn't sure," he said, frowning deeper. Indeed, he knew he had been out camping back then; he was pretty sure he even remembered what he hunted specifically. "If you're sure you're alright," he said and reached as if to pat her shoulder, but then, after a second hesitation, he instead moved the hand up to his hair again. "I'm sorry I still haven't been able to set a date for our dinner..." he said, looking down at her as they started walking side by side towards wherever the crepes were.
Amy Everly
"Right, I don't remember seeing you around last year." Amy nodded a few times, readily agreeing. She would've definitely remembered a man like Ibrahim if she'd noticed him around. Inwardly, she wondered what business could he have out of town. Or was he still in the moving process then? But asking would be too nosy of her. She looked up at him as he, once again, attempted to confirm if she was alright, seeing the hesitating hand and watching it move to his hair again, disappointed. But it was something. Maybe running his hand through his hair was a nervous habit? And if he was nervous right now, around her, what did that mean?
She did not linger on that thought though. Getting all up in her head while in his company didn't sound like a good idea. "I really am, Abe. Don't worry. " She reassured, smile softening for him. "And please, don't apologize anymore, we're both busy people." That drew out a little awkward chuckle from her. She couldn't lie, she was really looking forward to that dinner. "Should we try again, then? Setting a date, I mean." She offered cheerfully, not wanting to make him feel even worse about it.
The crepes stand was in view now and it did really have folding tables and chairs put up, most not able to seat more than four at once and many with chairs available just for two. Which was perfect for them, really. If Amy went here with her family, it would've been a problem.
Location: Bake Sale Pop-Up
Thread: Ry & Mark Frolicking
Thread: for @littlesugarnspice
Status: Ongoing
Mark Carmichael
Mark had agreed to mingle like he had on Christmas, try to present an approachable public image.... or as far as that could happen. He had a casual suit in, no tie for today, no white and black. Even thrown on a pale pair of shades to help with the sun though they mostly stayed on his collar. "I heard Barbara Lienan might be attending, would you keep an eye out?" He asked Ryden as he was fixing the cuffs of his jacket. "I've been attempting to talk to her off the books for a while," he said as he observed the stalls around. They'd already gotten coffee from the pop-up booth from the bakery.
Ryden Bolt
"I can keep both eyes out." Ryden bobbed his head, an unconscious gesture that was usually followed by a slight purse of lips, deceptively making him look like he would do the complete opposite of what he's saying even if there was no intention for that. "But I ain't doin' it rite now. I'm at a festival. And so are you by da way, ya damn workaholic. Always workin' me t'da bone. Pay me my benefits." He gave a light jab to Mark's ribs with his elbow, literally just a light touch but likely the most Mark has ever allowed anyone to be casual with him.
Mark Carmichael
He smiled with a shake of his head. He didn't mind the mingling as much as one would think of him, he did like talking with... most people. Some. And he especially felt good in this town, ergo his desire to help make it even better and make a place he might finally feel at home at. "It won't be considered work talk, that is the point." He raised a brow at the light push but didn't mind it enough to note it. With his free hand he took out a cigarette. "You mean the percentage you get from all the businesses isn't adequate. I thought I'm the one living lavishly" he smirked as he bit on the cigarette and tried to light it.
Ryden Bolt
"'I thought I'm da one livin' lavishly.' Ryden parroted in a childish, mocking voice, like an overgrown kid that he sometimes was, especially compared to Mark. On a more serious note though, what they've done together did give Ryden the house he'd built, everything his family needed and a brand new, very comfortable life in Ennora he did not have to struggle or fear for. "We can negotiate dis. I ain't in much of a need anymore and ya got shit t'fund. I'll cut ya sum slack. Draw a new contract if ya want to." He shrugged because honestly, it's true. Ryden's ultimate goal was not endless income. Ryden's ultimate goal was not even to stop being broke, but to stop being broken. When he glanced at Mark, it wasn't jealousy over who earns more, it was jealousy that Ryden quit smoking for the baby's sake and Mark could still whenever he wanted to. Ah, he loved nicotine and remembered it fondly.
Mark Carmichael
The smile on Mark's lips grew a tiny bit as Ryden imitated him, genuinely amused. He couldn't remember the last time he had laughed, but he knew it would have definitely been at something Ry had done. "Hey, no contract talking today, you said it yourself. You know where my office is," he said with an even tone, though his eyes gave away the joke. His composure had been built for the better part of his life, and, perhaps sadly, perhaps not, even with close people (however little those were), he couldn't let go of it enough to give away loud emotions. Subtlety was his way of life; otherwise, he wouldn't have survived as long. Seeing Ry's eyes on his cigarette, he raised it as if to offer it. "Hey, it's better for your health to have these done with. You can have a whiff if you'd find it enough," he raised a brow as they walked towards another vendor. It was an unplanned day, at least as unplanned as he could afford himself.
Ryden Bolt
"Oh now ya wistlin' a different tune." Ry gave him a look. "Yer office's borin'. Yanno what ya shuld buy for it? A huge ass piranha tank. I mean, huge. A whole wall huge. Dat shuld do it." He nodded again, like an oversized dashboard bobblehead figurine. Neither of the men probably realized it, but they were polar opposites. Where Mark survived in quiet subtlety, Ryden survived in the explosive extremes. The important thing was, they survived. Ryden groaned then, detaching his gaze from the smoke with reluctance. "I didn't quit quit, I just don't smoke if the baby might smell it on me later." He had had a few years to go from abusing everything under the sky to not abusing anything at all. He was actually good in that department. Almost proud of himself.
Mark Carmichael
"My office is perfectly fine as it is. The fun happens in the talking," Mark shook his head again and looked ahead. Of course, that office had seen more than one non-work related fun meeting but that was a topic he wouldn't discuss, even with Ryden. "Maybe in another life we could have had a piranha tank to throw people in, in this one we are just men and not villains," Mark don't consider himself a bad guy no matter her had happened in their past and neither did he think of Ryden that way. "And when is the time she doesn't? I'd think she can smell you every day" he asked and took another drag of the cigarette.
Ryden Bolt
"Bruv, I did not mean t'ave people thrown in, why would ya do dat to da poor fishes?" Ryden gives him a look, like he's the weird one. Alas, unlike Mark, Ryden was fully convinced that he was a horrible person. He could make excuses for others, especially someone whom he'd known for most of his life like Mark, but not for himself. Ennora was Ryden's last-ditch attempt redemption arc. "Is why I jus' don't smoke, period." Ryden shrugged. He'd sacrifice a whole lot more for his family than something that wasn't good for him anyway.
Mark Carmichael
"No? That's what I would expect of you," Mark huffed out, his version of a laugh. "But still, even for aesthetically purposes it does not fit my office." He shook his head at Ry's no smoking but as usual said nothing. He had spent too much time by himself and so felt like at this point of life he enjoyed all of his vices too much to give up anything for anything.
Ryden Bolt
"You jus' tink da worst o'me, don'cha?" Ryden made a pouting face, acting as if his feelings were hurt. Then he grinned somewhat wickedly. "Drownin' sumone in a piranha tank would be so friggin' cool tho, wouldn't it? Like a '90s action movie." Luckily people were passing by them too fast and in much too big of a crowd for conversations to be overheard.
Mark Carmichael
"No, I just know you very well," he said, rotating the cigarette for a sip of his coffee instead. His eyes roamed around them, taking in a few business owners and nodding greetings at all, having met with a big percentage of them. "It would be messy and loud, I think. Far more efficient ways," he said, tone so low that probably Ryden might have a hard time hearing. "But, enough of that. We said no business talk. You enjoying the festival? I've been gathering feedback on what needs to get better for after I win the election."
Ryden Bolt
Ryden did not miss Mark lowkey knowing everyone in town and exchanging pleasantries even if they were just a few curt nods and smiles. "Mr. Popular. Look at you." He couldn't help but comment. He shrugs then, coolly speaking about unspeakable things because he'd done them before. "I can do clean with me eyes closed. Clean is jus' borin' is all I'm sayin'. But then again it ain't loike I've been doin' much in years. I'm a good dog now." Ryden didn't bother lowering his tone too much because his wording, when out of context, could really be taken any way. He was used to speaking in code. It was part of the whole deal that came with his and Mark's past. With the change of topic, Ry sips on his already cold coffee and makes a face at the lukewarm taste. "Yea, I'm enjoyin'. Baby and Mars're havin' a blast so I am havin' a blast too. Wat's yer list of improvements like?"
Mark Carmichael
"I need votes, have to get popular," he said with lips pressed together for a second to show his distaste of the amount of visibility that put on him. But he'd considered it off to a full year before deciding it was what he wanted his next step to be. It made sense. Clean slate, clean life, having everyone and everything in your pocket and on your side. "You're not a dog, you're my partner. And we've been doing been book perfect for years now, yes, even before Marsden came along." Mark sighed, pinching the bud of the cigarette to extinguish the small remainder of it. Someone called out an they had to stop and by the end of the brief conversation Mark had promised to look into that he can help with for the noise of his bar and assure the man that regulations will be implemented. "I'm sorry, " he said, turning back to his friend. "You were saying you enjoy it? I hoped for bad reviews," he said, his non-campaign smile returning. "I think we should she a bit more order. Roads have been jammed because of the passerby's." He said, pointedly leaning his head towards where this was visible even now.
Ryden Bolt
"Yea, yea, yea, you do yer ting." Ryden really did not mind, he was just feeling lucky he wasn't in Mark's shoes. This was way too much socializing, even for Ryden's taste, and Ryden was pretty darn social when he wanted to be, a pack animal so to speak. "Yanno, a well-knit sweater can still unravel. It only takes one itty-bitty thread." Ryden mused absently, ever vigilant, especially now when Marsden and Maria Elena were around. Yes, him and Mark had been careful, oh so very careful. But Ryden hadn't survived this long without always thinking of that one single potential thread. It sounded way too much like a 'threat' for his liking. Then Mark was excusing himself and Ryden waited patiently, amused in his head at the thought how he didn't even need a leash to be a good boy and stay. But it was just an ongoing joke Ry liked to make, he knew Mark and him were equal partners each in their own expertise. "Oh whoops, sorry, rite. It's bad. Very bad, Mr. President." He made his voice ridiculously similar to those bodyguards with earpieces and dark suits who'd always surround the US president in the '90s movies. He even attempted an American accent for a second there.
Mark Carmichael
Mark considered Ryden's words and had to agree. He lived with constant plans of possible ways to continue the businesses in the backend, and his own name as far away as possible. But there were always loose ends, always someone who could snitch if they were unhappy, and there could always be one miss, one dissatisfied thug who was unhappy and not caught by the others... and then that could start a spiral. He was more than aware of the ways things could blow up. But he did his darn best to prevent it. "That's why we keep adding threads and even new sweaters at times," he said later, once the man was gone. Another huff escaped his throat at Ryden's theatrics. "I mean it, Zane and I are gathering betterment ideas for everything happening up until the first debate," he shook his head.
Ryden Bolt
"Yea, yea, yea, gotta keep dat closet full since we're already hidin' skeletons in it anyway." Ryden bantered cheerfully, steering the conversation to some lighter notes. "Make 'um decent and dressed at least. Wanna 'ave me put up loike polls at Rusty's and the gym so people can leave feedback and such?" He offered with a shrug, petitions and books of impressions always went well with an activity that either involved people feeling better about themselves or getting piss drunk. Good info could always be obtained from either category.
Mark Carmichael
"Hmm, there is a basement for that," Mark noted with an even thought and it was uncertain whether he was joking or not. Of course, he was, his basement was filled with wine and some European contraband as well as art that he had taken off the walls of the house/mansion. Plus the pantry, of course, that had mostly canned goods, as he always preferred to eat in the restaurant. "No, no, nothing official. I need word of mouth, and that is why I stop and talk to so many people. Plus... promises of what I can do for them, you've seen how the game is when you want to get something big," the smile returned on his lips at the idea. He liked thinking ahead and trying to predict what one might move on the board in his head. He was usually right. And when he wasn't, he made sure to rectify.
Ryden Bolt
"Pshh, a whole basement?! Fuck me sideways, we've been bad." Of course Ryden was very well aware of the extent of morally dubious things they've gone through but it was always better to joke about it than take it seriously, at least in broad daylight. At night, some nightmares may surface, but by dawn none would be the smarter. Funny now conscience can be easily blamed on insomnia due to indigestion.
"Picky, picky. Can't be picky if ya wanna be a schmoozer." Ryden tutted, really of not much help at the moment because his attitude about these things had always voted for whatever. "A'ight, I can jus' ask casually around, take sum mental notes for ya then circle back an' let ya know. My best offer, mate. Yer da mind-readin' genie in a lamp, not me. All I need is hole-free roads in town." He raised his hands up in humble surrender, one still holding that cup of cold coffee.
Location: Thaw & Bloom Market
Thread: Festival Market Fun
Event Thread: for @hllboymglds @wolfontheloose @tortledimlr1-blog @midnitemoonlight @littlesugarnspice
Status: Finished
Amy Everly
Amy, all bundled up in her sweater, because although the weather has warmed up it was not quite there yet for a coatless walk-around, waited for people she'd arranged to meet with at the festival, first to arrive out of the group. She checked her wrist watch as she waited under an easily recognizable landmark at the festival, scanning the crowds for any familiar faces.
Marsden Lee
There's one fairly recognizable landmark in that he's just so tall so he sticks out from the crowd like a goth thumb. Dressed in all black with the soft chime of chains accompanying his gait and the unmistakable squeak of little toddler feet slamming against the melting pavement. Marsden arrives, sunglasses on, toddler in hand, and very large boyfriend in the other like a small gang.
Ryden Bolt
A lot less chimey and clanky than the other man, and not quite as tall but definitely broader in the shoulders (and everywhere else for that matter) than the man he held the little toddler's hands with, Ryden was just happy to tag along with his family, currently entertained with a hotdog which he often paused all three of them for so he would share a little nibble with the little girl safely trotting between them. One little bite of mostly bread later, because somehow toddlers always found bread way yummier than anything else the bread went with, he looked up, pointing out the woman who seems to be waiting for someone close by. "This that friend o'yers, luv?" He remembered Amy from the photos she and Mars sometimes took together.
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie sat at their stall, looking at lot more bright and welcoming than they did when they were behind a register at Glasseye -- which is to say, not particularly different from normal. They smiled at passersby, using one of the metal frogs they'd bought from Hiro earlier to keep Piper behind their stall. Her little voice rose from beside Jodie, "Ribbit, ribbit, hop!" While Jodie rearranged a blanket on the table.
Marsden Lee
"That's the one," Mars proclaims with a nod, enough to tip his sunglasses lower on the bridge of his nose to look over them to the shorter woman they now approach. "If it ain't the Amazing Amy. Rapid fire intro time. Dis da baby and da babe. Jelly Belly, but you know her and then Ry Bread."
And the little one known colloquially as Jelly Belly or Jelly Baby or any other manner of assorted nickname, like an alien honing in on another species from her planet, immediately seems to notice one of her kind. A little one with a frog. She points with saliva sticky fingers, "Awog!" Translation: a frog.
Amy Everly
It was easy to recognize Mars in the crowd, especially with the memorable entourage he had with him. Amy smiled politely at the three, eyes drifting between Ryden and the toddler, but lingering longer on the child. "Lovely to meet you both, especially the little one." She follows the direction where Maria Elena had pointed to, noticing Jodie's stall and the metal frog the baby took the interest in. "Oh wow, look at all the pretty things there! You guys wanna check it out while we wait for the others?" She suggested.
Marsden Lee
"Release the kraken!" Mars proclaims as he unhands Maria Elena. She scampers free like a hound from hell but the problem with being oh so little is she can't see well over the table. "Dada, dada, dada," she weaves between Ry's legs, already trying to climb him. "Ups!"
"Mm, smort baby," Mars chuckles fondly and looks over at the table with interest before addressing the woman it seemingly belongs to. "What's all this then?" Adopting a poor attempt of a British accent, sounding like a cockney cop patrolling the streets.
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie looked up at the sound of another child, and Piper glanced up as well. Jodie barely had time to stand up before Piper was stealing their chair, yanking it slightly so she could stand on it and look over the table. "Hops!" She squealed, holding the metal frog up. Jodie chuckled a little at the interaction, turning their eyes on the group of adults.
"Good morning!" They greeted brightly. They chuckled again at the mock British accent, shaking their head. "I hope you're all doing well."
Ryden Bolt
"Aye, dada ups. 'ere we go!" Ry, the actual real deal cockney speaker (though definitely not a cop) follows Maria Elena up to the stall and crouches down to pick the toddler up, settling her against his hip facing forward and making sure she had the full view of the display before them. Grinning at the other kid behind the stall, he exaggerated, "Holy shit, ya got sum hops there, don'cha? Lookie baby, it's hops." Between this, he made sure to give the adult behind the stall a friendly nod in greeting.
Marsden Lee
"Amy, ya want some hops, doncha?" Mars grins at her like there's a joke there only he knows about. "Where's your little girlie pals? They still meeting us here?"
Then he spots an adorable knitted sweater, small and cheery looking. "Lookeedere! How much for that one? Jelly Bear, ya like this one?"
Amy Everly
"If the lovely little lady will share some with me. And yes, they are running a little late which is no issue. They can take their time, I planned for a few hours here." Amy smiled at her friend. As Mars took interest in a sweater, Amy turned her attention to Jodie. "Hello there. All this looks lovely. Do you have any recommendations?"
Jodie Kennedy
Piper giggled as she was address, bouncing the metal frog across the counter. "Oh, that sweater is 5 dollars," Jodie answered, brightening at someone showing interest in their creation. They glanced at Amy, still smiling, and reached for one of their blankets. "I know it's supposed to get warmer, but if the weather keeps up like this, these blankets are real nice. Only 10 bucks for each of them, too."
Amy Everly
"Oh my goodness, those are actually wonderful. This one will go so well with my living room throw pillows." Amy marveled at the one Jodie held up, actually surprised how well it will fit her living room setup now that it was pointed out.
Ryden Bolt
Leaning Maria Elena over the counter so she could watch with amazement as the other child made the little metal frog hop all over, he glanced at the sweater Mars had pointed out. "Heckin' cute. A bargain." To Jodie, he nodded. "Deal. Pack it up, she likes it." The baby didn't even glance at it, she was too distracted by the froggo, but Mars liked it and that was a reason enough for Ry to buy it
Marsden Lee
"Yeee, also this one," Mars points out one of the crochet stuffed animals. At least it looked like an animal, or at least animal adjacent. "Goblin guy."
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie nodded and bagged up the sweater, and then picked up the goblin. "Oh, he's one of my favorites to make," Jodie said, setting him gently into the bag. "He's a bit pricier, 15 dollars for him." They said, hoping they weren't charging too much for him.
Ryden Bolt
"Pffff. Pack up the goblin guy too. Into da bag cave." Ryden snorted, handmade shit for this cheap? He almost felt like he was stealing from this person. Maria Elena was now doing a mighty wiggle dance, trying to join in the frog play with Piper but being too high up in her dada's arms she actually could not reach anything. Which was a good thing because her little fingies were STICKY and GRABBY and nothing would be spared. So safely she remained in her dada's arms, letting out small whines of protest, trying to pinch the coat of Ryden's forearm like that measly effort would hurt him any and make him relent.
Marsden Lee
It really did feel like stealing. Mars has no idea how much this shit should cost having no idea about what sort of effort goes into it but you couldn't even find a sweater for $5 at the local thrift store these days. Youths all about avoiding fast fashions had upped the price of second hand goods so much. He nods at Amy when she mentions the coordination of the blanket with her throw pillows, "Oh shit, you right. It would. Kismit."
Amy Everly
"Done deal. But honestly, only $10? Are you sure?" Amy asks Jodie, trying to figure out if this was some charity deal second hand sort of a situation or some other reason why everything seemed so ridiculously cheap. She decided to outright ask. "Is there a reason why your pricings are so low? Should we compensate with tips?" She glanced around for a tip jar or some sort of a poster that's been put up but they all somehow missed that explained the rules of the deals available at the stall.
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie folded up Amy's blanket and put it in a separate bag for her, sliding the bags towards the group. They smiled at the other toddler again, before answering. "Oh, yes, I'm sure," Jodie said seriously. "Honestly, I have a ton of these things, and I'm not hurting for money."
Amy Everly
Biting her lip a little awkwardly, Amy reached for her wallet, pulling out a $20. "Please no need for the change. I insist. And don't add a freebie or anything." She handed the bill over and took her bag.
Ryden Bolt
"Ya got anythin' else ya like, babe?" Ryden had no issues whatsoever with the prices he was given. But he was also fine with getting whatever else Marsden also wanted. As Maria Elena progressively started putting up more fuss, he reached into the bag that was packed for them to pull out the goblin toy and handed it over to her. Finally she smiled, her frowny face now doing a complete switch once she'd gotten her hands on something.
Marsden Lee
Maria Elena seems sufficiently placated now her hands have something to do. She's like her dada Mars at that. Always needing something for his spindly fingers to be handling. "What about you, my love? You see something you want?" They've been focused on himself and the baby thus far.
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie's eyes widened at the 20 but they took it, placing it carefully in the money box set underneath the table. They looked to the other two men to see if there was anything else needed, folding their hands in front of them.
Ryden Bolt
"Eeh, naw. I'll fuck it up eventually." Which was true, anything on the stall would end up being Ryden's stress ball which his destructive hands would end up clawing to shreds. "Though… What's yer longest blanket?" He asked Jodie.
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie perked up and turned around, digging haphazardly through a box behind their stall that was overflowing with creatures and clothes and anything else they could make. They pulled out their longest blanket -- it had taken them a month to finish -- and set it on the table for Ryden to look at.
Ryden Bolt
Ry gave the blanket a scrutinizing glance over the top of his daughter's head, a scarred eyebrow raised. Then he looked at Marsden. "Movie night blankie?"
Marsden Lee
Marsden coos at the blanket. "Hell yes. Movie blanket. Get it. Sold!" He snaps his fingers, knuckles and silver rings clicking. "How long did it take to make this thing? It's fucking taller than me. Is it? Measure me!"
Milvi Orson
Milvi hated running late; in fact, this may have been the first time she had run late for a specifically agreed-upon time in the past decade, probably. Her excuse was not good so she had decided that she would not even try to make it when she arrived at the agreed-upon spot to see neither Amy nor Renée. She turned around on her heels, pulling the hat back on her head to see better and wondered if she was, in fact, early? But then she saw the familiar face by a stall a bit away and slowly headed there. At first she stood by the side then stepped a step towards Amy, touching her elbow, unsure of who the other people were. "Hey, sorry…"
Amy Everly
"Oh, Milvi! You're here! Hi!" Amy startled a little at the sudden touch to her elbow but then put a wide smile when she saw that it was Milvi. She leaned in to place an air kiss against her cheek in greeting. She made no mention of any tardiness. "Let me introduce you, remember my friend Marsden I told you about? This is he. And that's his s/o Ryden and their daughter Maria Elena. Renee is yet to arrive."
Renée Harper
Renée finally arrived, squishing through the damp grass. Grateful she chose to wear platform sneakers instead of heels, knowing still that she would be leaving with muddy shoes. She spotted the group from afar, not her usual crew, but she liked them enough to have an enjoyable market day. Plus, it was fun to see everyone's taste and judge accordingly. "Hi, girls! Ready to find some treasures?" she asked with a grin, completely ignoring the men nearby.
Milvi Orson
"Lovely to meet you, I'm Milvi," she was saying, nodding at the men and small girl, staying by Amy's side as if not to stick out too much as the odd one out. Then her gaze turned towards the items on the table, trying to see if there was something she could buy for her small apartment. "Did you buy anything?" she asked Amy.
And just then, another voice joined them, and she looked up again, glad to see she had arrived second and just on time, too. "Miss Har… Renée," she stopped herself from being official. This was supposed to be a casual day, she could be casual…
Ryden Bolt
"Yo." Ryden nodded Milvi's way, arms too busy with a toddler entertained by just purchased crocheted toy to wave or shake hands or whatever. Then he grinned at Marsden who had demanded to be measured by a blanket. Unfortunately he cannot help him with that as he could not put Maria Elena down here. "Later babe, we'll roll ya up like a burrito when we're home." His friends were here so he was perfectly happy to let him interact with them for a bit, especially now that a third had arrived.
Marsden Lee
Mars lifts a hand to greet the incoming flow of ladies, silver rings adorning long fingers and black eyeliner smudged around the crystal blue of his eyes, "Yo," said right back to them in a smiliar fashion. Ryden and he had been so engrained together that by now they often sounded like the other without even meaning to.
Amy Everly
"Hey Renee. We've found this gem here, take a look. It's lovely and everything is crochet." Then to Milvi she handed her bag which held a beautiful greenish blanket she'd just purchased. "Mars said it's kismet. So I had to have it."
Renée Harper
Renée leaned in to admire the color, "Wow, where'd you find that??" she asked before looking around in attempt to spot the booth. She turned back when she realized Amy had said Mars. "Mars?" she glanced over at the only person she could assume was meant to be Mars. Renée wouldn't admit it, but she wasn't above judging a book by its cover. As beautiful as his cheekbones were, he didn't seem like Amy's type, but she may have been mistaken. "boyfriend?" she pointed over, still only speaking to Amy as her eyes go back and forth between the two of them.
Amy Everly
Amy blinked stupidly for a second at Renée's assumption out of the sheer ridiculousness of it. Because Renée was right with her initial judgement, Marsden was decisively not Amy's type. "Oh my gosh, no, Mars is a friend, he is here with his significant other. I just wanted to introduce him to you guys. And I found this right here." She pointed at Jodie's stall right behind them then waved Mars over. "Marsden, this is Renée, she works at the Art Center. Milvi is with me, at the museum." She clarified.
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie watched the interaction go on, quickly holding the blanket up to Marsden so he can be measured -- not that Jodie was quite tall enough to do all that. They watched the introductions go on, wondering if they ought to cut in and introduce themselves, when one of the newcomers asked Amy about the blanket. "Oh, that was me! I made it!"
Marsden Lee
"Eh?" Mars had decidedly been spacing out as he is wont to do at times and then joins Amy's side once beckoned. Then hums at the introduction and offers his hand to shake, chunky silver rings and black painted nails, "Charmed, I'm sure." It should also be noted that he doesn't offer his hand for a normal handshake and instead offers his hand like he's the Queen of England and is expecting a kiss to be placed upon one of his assorted rings.
Renée Harper
Renée laughed, definitely relieved. Not that there was anything wrong with Mars he just seemed….different. And the proposed handshake did nothing to prove otherwise. "Nice to meet you, Mars, friend of Amy." she said, nodding in his direction, not being baited by the extended hand. She wasn't bothered her own wrong assumption, but it was fun to watch Amy squirm a little at the question. She moved on quickly, not bulldozing, but nearly as she turned to Jodie. "Excellent work, I'll have to stop by and see what else you have!" Renée had been waiting the whole second half of winter to thaw just for this market, she was itching to get browsing as the market bustled around them.
Marsden Lee
The frown upon Marsden's face when his hand gets ignored is deep. Deep frown. But he is as ever, undeterred and after clacking the rings on his fingers together, lets his hand drop and slide easily into his pockets. Maybe something else gets slid into his pocket. Something off the edge of Jodie's table.
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie folded up the extra long blanket, stuffing it into a bag for Ryden to take. They didn't notice someone's sticky fingers take something off of the edge of their table, distracted and frankly, a little overwhelmed at the amount of people surrounding their table. "Oh, thank you," They told Renée. "I have a lot of stuff to choose from, and I'm taking commissions now, too."
Ryden Bolt
With Maria Elena held at hip, Ryden gets a better hold on her and bounces her up, getting his wallet out of the back pocket of his jeans, waiting for Jodie to be done with the conversation to ask, "How much all in total again?"
Jodie Kennedy
Jodie looked at Ryden, blinking a few times before answering. "Oh, it's 20 dollars," They answered, smiling again at Maria Elena.
Milvi Orson
Milvi stood quietly at the side, the slightest of tension causing something in her to wish to be invisible for the time being. A habit she could still not get over. Instead of interacting with Amy's friends she had been browsing the crochets on the table when she heard the price that Jodie gave. "I'm sorry… 20 for…" she looked at the items in Ryden's hands and almost didn't say anything. "Do you mean 200?" she asked, watching the details and having seen enough handmade things to knw they must have taken forever to make.
Ryden Bolt
Ryden made a face. One that pouted his lips, and almost made the upper one touch the bottom of his nose. Then he sucked on his teeth noisily, while playing with the little stud poking through his tongue and at that point he probably looked like he was ready to haggle. But he was not. He was debating inwardly though. Then Milvi spoke up and he spared the woman a brief glance before he shrugged. "She rite, tho." He then motioned for Jodie with a wiggle of the fingers of the hand that held his wallet. Low, so as to not have anyone else hear and therefore not embarrass Jodie in any way, he said, "A word to the wise. You suck at doin' business. Where's yer phone? Look up how much stuff loike this actually costs, yea?" He threw a wink their way then, a conspiratory one. "No need t'thank me later." Then he actually did pull a two $100 bills, making it $200. A quick glance was cast Piper's way. "Cute kid, by the way. How old?"
Jodie Kennedy
"I'm sorry? 200?" Jodie asked, eyes widening as they looked at one of the other women. They were still slightly overwhelmed by just how many people were around, and now they were being told they were charging too low for their items. Their already wide eyes went wider at the 2 hundred dollar bills, half wanting to protest, but half knowing they really needed it. Piper smiled at Ryden as he glanced at her, and Jodie stuttered out an answer. "Oh, she's four. She'll be five in May."
Amy Everly
"Renée, I just saw a very adorable…. tablecloth here, I think, that reminded me of you, you should definitely take a look." Amy suggested to her friend, wanting to move past the awkward little misunderstanding they've all gone through a minute ago, briefly glancing at the otherwise occupied Ryden and feeling guilty on both his and Mars' behalf.
Ryden Bolt
"Eyyy, they're pretty close these two, ain't they? Jelly Baby's three goin' on four." He grinned at Piper then Jodie, not actually minding being honest for a change with someone who had a kid that reminded him of Mars' and his own daughter. "Ya guys do play dates?"
Jodie Kennedy
"Oh, we haven't yet, I don't know many people with kids," Jodie said, looking back at Piper. She was still playing with the frog, very quietly saying 'hop, hop, hop' to herself. "But we can! We totally can, here." Jodie fumbled again for one of the cards their dad had ordered from them, with their stall name and Jodie's phone number on it.
Ryden Bolt
"We can hook ya up. We're the boss o'this block." Ryden bobbed his head, then bounced the baby in his arms a bit. "Yeah, Jelly Beans? We da boss of dis gym?" The kiddo threw her very warmly tucked hands into a snuggly coat that kept her toasty, exclaiming an extatic 'yeah!' In the meanwhile, Ry reached out to take the offered card. "We'll reach out, so when yer in da mood, why not eh?"
Marsden Lee
"Yeah," Mars purrs over Ryden's shoulder, hooking his chin over it as he blinks languidly at Jodie, "Also ya gotta keep a better eye on your shit." Something plops back onto Jodie's table. The dragon fruit spider plush. "This was so easy to steal it wasn't even fun."
Jodie Kennedy
"Yeah, great, no problem," Jodie said, watching Ryden and the toddler interact. They looked over at Mars when he spoke, blinking a few times when they plopped the dragon fruit spider back onto the table. Their cheeks went red slightly, with embarrassment, as they reached out to drag the plush back to its spot. "Oh, okay."
Ryden Bolt
Seeing that Mars had managed to employ his notoriously sticky fingers, Ryden sucked in a breath through bared teeth. Yikes. Jodie was sorely unprepared for street business, it seems. "Ey, is cool, ya live ya learn, yeah?" He comforts lamely, leaning his head a little to rest against Mars' temple. "Oh, marshmallow toast, by da way, we got ourselves a playmate. Would be up for a play date sum time. Cool, huh?" He jerked his chin in Jodie and Piper's direction, taking a chance to ask for daddy Mars' approval of this too.
Marsden Lee
"Mm, lotus blossom," Mars turns the cool glacial gaze of his eyes onto Ryden, instantly warming the moment he looks at him so his gaze becomes a pool of clear water instead, "We up for playdates." And a tender kiss gets pressed into the sharp slant of Ryden's cheek.
Jodie Kennedy
"Perfect," Jodie said, referring to the playdates. They looked at Piper, who absolutely was not listening to Jodie, and looked back at them. "Will um, will that be everything, then?"
Ryden Bolt
"Yea, yea, we'll git outta yer hair." Ryden bobbed his head, taking the bag of their goodies (Maria Elena still had the gremlin toy at this point), happy that taking the money he left with Jodie was no longer an issue. He did not want to further hold up the stall from other business. "Bye kiddo." He said to Piper even if the kid was not too interested in interacting. Maria Elena herself was in her own headspace too at the moment. Looping the arm that held the bags around Marsden's, he lead them to the side. "Sup with yer lady friends? Ya wanna skip off and hang with 'um for a minute? I got things 'ere so don'cha worry." He suggests.
Marsden Lee
"One of them was mean to me," Mars pouts privately. "Didn't take my hand when I offered it like this." And he does it again, the same gesture of his hand extended limply at the wrist like a dignitary. He's not really upset of course, only being a bit pouty to lure more kisses and affection from his love in this separate private aside moment. Once he's placated he'll bounce right back like nothing even happened. Something Ryden who knows Mars so well would know.
Ryden Bolt
"Awww, baby." Ry did not have enough hands to reach out and take Marsden's to kiss so he just bent over to do so when it was offered, smacking a loud smooch against his knuckles. "May she step in dog shit today, my liege. Ptooye."
Marsden Lee
Marsden giggles. "I love you my sweet petal. My darling crispy waffle Ry." Like a waffle fry except it's Ry. "I'm good here with the gals. You go have dada baby time and I'll find you later." He leans in to give his man a proper kiss now that he's been sufficiently placated. Full and warm over his lips.
Renée Harper
"A tablecloth?" she questioned, but moved swiftly along with her regardless. "I'm not really in the market for a new tablecloth. We mostly eat at the kitchen island." she confessed, having felt a little tinge of shame knowing she hadn't hosted anything worth decorating her formal dining space in quite some time. She didn't really have a lot of friends that she felt would accept the invite. Whether it being a falling out or them just not really clicking with her whole "vibe" whatever that means, Marcia., a now ex-friend who recently decided that "spending less time together would be best". She was obviously not bitter.
Amy Everly
"Well I don't know. It might as well be a bath towel maybe. It has your colors, alright, that was my point." Amy said, tone a little bit lowered so as to not offend anyone for really not having a clue. It was not the crocheted piece's fault, or the artists. Amy was just not able to see its designated purpose yet. Perhaps if they asked… She guides her closer to Jodie's stall, pointing out the said piece to her friend. Because yes, Amy did already consider Renée her friend. They shared a drink? Check. Bitched about work to each other? Check. Complimented each other's outfits/style/accessories at least thrice? Check. Therefore, friends.
Renée Harper
"Ooo, I could always spruce up the guest bath"** she was fully bought in now, any excuse to do a little bit of shopping. Even if she hardly ever followed through, the window shopping was most of the fun anyway. She did have a few things on her list that were a must. "Have you seen if there were any purses anywhere, I'm thinking I should get something that says spring. If I don't find it here, I'd be shocked."
Amy Everly
"Purses?" Amy instantly looked up and around, like someone had shouted 'purses on sale!' and it was her sign to go feral. "I did not. Yet. But would I like some? Yes." Turning to Jodie who seemed to be finished with Mars and Ry, Amy smiles sweetly at them. "May I show my friend the daisy patterned…" She trailed off, hopeful that the adorable but a tad mysterious item will be explained to her on this cue. "Oh, and do you crochet bags as well?" That would be interesting to look at too. Amy hoped she wasn't being too demanding here.
Marsden Lee
"Getting a purse now too? We're gonna buy out the whole table," Mars jokes as he leans his chin over top of Amy's head. She just so happens to be the perfect height for it.
Amy Everly
Unperturbed, Amy just casually reaches up with a blank expression to pinch Marsden's nose with the knuckles of her middle and forefinger. "If you want a purse, tree-man, just say so." Her face was perfectly serene, with her neatly plucked eyebrows just a tad raised.
Location: Marsden & Ryden’s Home in Old Mill District
Closed: for @littlesugarnspice @amyinnile @hllboymglds
“Yeaaa, bump every vehicle on yer way in why don’cha. Mess up me new paint job.” Ryden grumbled unduly as Daphne parked her way into their three car garage, a space freed-up for her bike while anyone else would simply have to settle for street parking. She was actually nowhere close to hitting any of the two men’s vehicles parked inside, an expert driver as she was, but with their shared mobile property being at least double the average two vehicles per single family home, it was a tight fit. At least Ryden had kept the garage spick and span at all times, so there was no need to watch out for random clutter.
“We’ve gathered up, the pizza’s on its way and we got beer. Yer the only missin’ link.” He informed her from his vantage point on the steps leading into the mud room and then further into the home, a long arm reaching to the side to hit the garage door switch, the metal closing with a rumble of hinges. He was severely underdressed for something that was supposed to be a ‘double date’, in one of his old tank tops full of what he considered aesthetically holey and torn. The inside of their home is comfortably toasty for the baby, though Ryden would vehemently argue against it if her comfort weren’t more important than anyone else’s, so despite the wintery weather outside, he wore a pair of gym shorts and was padding around barefoot, a sophisticated ‘date’ indeed.
It was a unique place, their home, very snug yet modern-looking on the outside, but eclectic and mainly incoherent on the inside. A relatively new home, hand-built mostly by yours truly unless it was structurally too important to DIY mess around with, full of love and comfort and things. So many things. Not in a cluttered, hoarder sort of way but in an orderly yet enthusiastic and slightly nerdy (okay, a lot nerdy) sort of way. This home loved to accept things that were a bargain on a trinket or a collectible from all sorts of fandoms and popular franchises, mainly from the comic book and superhero universes though a few movie classics could be spotted here and there. Otherwise, there was also a high possibility of something goth or creepy lurking on the shelving, display cabinets and other random furniture surfaces about, a courtesy of Mars’ love for the unusual and macabre.
All in all, most of the place seemed to have started off matching, the first bought furniture purchased in sets as advertised online or in stores, but as the two men settled in, they seem to have begun adopting stray pieces, throwing off the whole initial coherent setup with mismatched whimsical things they did not necessarily need. Yet still everything appeared somewhat organized, with its own rhyme and reason and, most importantly, toddler safe and cozy.
In the living room, a leather couch with much too many blanket coverings and squishy mish-mash of pillows and plush toys hiding cat claw scratches Ryden was perpetually pissed about already had an Amy seated and occupied with the baby, who was just handed to her and left there with good luck wishes and manage on your own regards. Luckily, the woman had been helping raise a few of those since she was a child herself so it did not end up with Maria Elena being returned to a parent even if it had already been almost half an hour since they were left to hang out together. “Pick a seat, any seat. But don’t git too cozy. Cozy means lazy fingers and only losers’ve lazy fingers.” Ryden directed Daphne, leaving her to fend for herself while he walked across the room and disappeared elsewhere only for a second later to be heard shouting for his man to emerge from wherever the heck he’d lost himself at. “YO NOODLE! DAPH’S ‘ERE.”
Location: Golden Eagle Ranch
Closed: for @hllboymglds
It was a sun day, both in the fact that it was a sunny day finally, after weeks of gloomy winter, and a Sunday. A lazy day, a resting day, a fun day in that relaxing stop and smell the roses way. Even the breeze over the pastures which had no roses but only wild meadow flowers was being a fun little warm rascal for a change, running through tall grass like a child playing hide and seek, gone and only leaving its whistling giggles behind to follow.
Minho had laughed all the way to the ranch in Hiro's van, so much so that it was almost impossible to talk to them properly, infinitely amused by how bumpy the unpaved road to it was, very countryside and quaint and backtracking to some more peaceful scenery. All vehicles Minho had ever drove in - or rather was more often driven in - were space ships, gliding down any terrain with tires near capable of rearranging them. Hiro's van was a real thing, made by hardworking hands more than machines, fine-tuned by determination, passion and a desperate need for a home, no matter how rickety it was. Hopes and dreams were unstable, they bounced and sank with every dent, crack and lump on the road, and in a little world tossed and turned by the paths it found itself on, Minho as an unsuspecting passenger found ways to laugh at what others might consider an inconvenience.
Parking at the ranch, with plenty of space to maneuver the vehicle around, they found themselves at the stables after a brief outfit change for Minho, their just put on riding boots crunching over hay covered ground as they passed the comfortable stalls housing stallions and mares of all sizes and patterns, each happily living their horsey lives in between times reserved for work. The stable hand guiding them through was all too content to tell a little life story that went with every name occupying each loose box on the way, much to Minho’s engaged delight. They would likely forget the names of the horses but the stories they’d gladly keep.
“Would you like some recommendations or to take a pick yourself? You seem like you’ve ridden before.” The man asked, glancing more at Minho with their full riding gear, helmet included, while Minho looked at Hiro, eyebrows raised in expectation to hear his opinion and preference.
Perhaps people would find it strange, but Corey enjoyed the fact that barely anyone had seen him in the Town Center during the Founders’ Day Faire. He had a cup of ice cream, the first of the season, finally the weather improving just enough for the frozen flavors to not bother him. So he enjoyed it in full, just walking around the Faire grounds, people-watching. A familiar face here and there was spotted. Some noticed him and some did not, some he’d exchanged a word or two with, some he didn’t bother pestering on their fun day out. In the end, he clocked out early, like the old man he was, slipping away among the first few people who had elsewhere to be and couldn’t stay until the end.
He avoided any crowds, he avoided any commotion, he even missed the usual traffic jam common for around this time on the streets and on the way to his home in Dillon. When he got home, he could continue on with his routine. He had a meal, leftovers from yesterday’s lunch, had a cup of tea, had a shower. He vacuumed. He cleared out Bob’s outdoor aviary. The large raven with the wingspan of almost four feet greeted him with an imitation of a few eerily human-like sounds as per usual. Though Corey did find it odd that Bob wasn’t as talkative as he could usually be. He watched a show. Someone recommended to him to watch Vikings. He wasn’t feeling it, but since he hated not finishing what he'd started, he would suffer through all seasons. Maybe it would improve. He really should’ve known, the show was called ‘Vikings’ after all. But he secretly hoped that it was a history-heavy show after all. It wasn’t really.
He went to bed early, none the wiser, not turning the TV on for the news today. In the morning he got up with the roosters, showered again, had breakfast and another cup of dark tea. He fed Marlowe, the elegant gray Norwegian forest cat who wasn’t feeling particularly chatty with him either, another oddity he didn’t think much on. He went to work and only there, upon noticing that a few of the staff had called in and wouldn’t make an appearance for their scheduled shifts, did the news of the previous day surprise him. Everyone at the clinic and shelter had their own version and experience of yesterday to tell, and they did so at every corner and in every room at the clinic - the place was practically buzzing with all the stuff Corey had missed. And all Corey could think about was how he didn’t know what to think of it.
