#chron: present

[sahid-chettair]

OKAY BUT LOOK AT WHAT I BROUGHT || Tuah & Sahid

Sahid had not thought they would return to Astoria this soon. They hadn’t even considered it. Yet it was now a little over a week later, their body still sore and one arm in a sling, yet with a smile on their face that wasn’t anywhere near any they had worn in Wheeler. They had send Cassie several messages so far, and a few to Nadia, letting them know they had safely landed. Cassie had asked for a picture of the beach. Sahid had made that their first order of business, after getting a hostel for the night. They would have to find a new place to stay, a new job. But if their stepfather kept his part of the deal, Sahid would soon be without a record, and then they would be able to teach again. 

They walked all the way to Tuah’s, planning on going to Atlas’ after, then call Laurel, text Sara and Binnie, perhaps go to Lyons to see if Miles was in. Saying hello was easier than saying goodbye. 

The sheera was firmly placed under their arm, the pictures still in there, another reason why they wanted to see everyone, to share this amazing discovery with the people who would want to listen. Even if they were pictures of a father long dead, they felt less alone. 

Sahid to Tuah: open your door.

@tuaharjuna

[maximilian-ganymede-tirmizi]

Location: near the VIP area Time: March 14th, 7.30pm @aleynagreer

Maxi pushed his vest straight and did his hair in the reflection of a small food truck. Despite how full of sun the day had been, the heat, and his own activities that day, he still found his image one of perfection. That wasn’t to say he was sweating, but he had refreshed himself at every convenient time. 

Perching down on one of the seats with a glass of wine, Maxi leaned back to enjoy the hustle of movement around the festival grounds. The final day was tomorrow, and it was noticeable in the expressions and general feeling of calm. The sun was still beating down, and the warmth hadn’t left the area yet. He unbuttoned the jacket he was wearing, cool air hardly reaching his skin except for that which was naked. 

He looked up when he saw a recognisable individual passing by the few tables, recognisable in her comfortable and easy-going beauty. “Aleyna, if I remember correctly, is it not? Are you heading anywhere?” 

[zakary-prashad]

Location: cafe in North Valley @devonbelmont​

Given that they had met each other there last time, Zhyan hoped Devon would somehow find herself at the cafe once again, though this time around, he hoped for a different conversation. He hadn’t seen her since they had saved Laurel’s life, since the Spirit had left him. He had been told she had been at the hospital, but he couldn’t remember if they had talked or not. Most of the time there had been a blur of sleep and worry, ending in relief and loss. He was trying to pick up the pieces of his life again, out of a job, though still with a home to come back to. Adrian hadn’t rented out the room to anyone else, that counted for something. 

He watched as Devon came in, ordered something to drink, and stood as soon as she turned back to the area, walking up to her. “Hey,” he said, trying for a smile, yet realising he still felt guilty for what she had been through on account of him. 

[sahidchettair]

Maybe a date? || Tuah & Sahid

Location: Astoria’s beach @tuaharjuna​

Hey, do you want to hang out? I found an interesting bench that we can sit on :D

Sahid felt incredibly proud of that message for at least ten minutes, after which they started to freak out about multiple things. Was it clear that it was meant as a date? Why did they say bench? What if Tuah said no? Should they have specified a time? Or send a location or something? What if they were presuming? 

They had never been on a date before. At least not a date that hadn’t been set up by their mom who had been incredibly focussed on getting them away from the four friends they had and gossiped way too much with the other ladies in church. Which had resulted in Sahid being the best company they could, doing everything just right, but also letting the girl off at the end by telling her they just didn’t feel like it clicked. They would be sweet about it, of course, because one way or another their mom would hear about all of it. 

Now they worried they didn’t know how to be an actual human on a date. 

They waited for Tuah to respond before suggesting meeting in front of the ferris wheel, anyone could find that place. They got there first, sitting down where the pavement met the beach, staring out over the ocean. They hadn’t seen the ocean ever before coming to Astoria. And now they wished they had paid more attention to the sound of waves, so they could at least pretend to know what they sounded like. 

[raine-morgan]

THE KIDS ARE ALRIGHT || Tuah & Raine

Location: Memorial Park @tuaharjuna

Raine sat down on the bench with an audible sigh, reaching inside their pocket for a cigarette and paying only attention to their own hands for a while before being pulled back to reality by the sound of shrill voices. They looked up, watching a band of kids parade in the grassy field opposite of the bench, one of them was waving a flag of Nova Pangea around and yelling words that were unfamiliar to Raine, which must either mean they were bullshit or a different language. Another kid, who was wearing a cap of fake fur and clear ears, pounced upon the flag barrier. The attack made Raine raise an eyebrow. It seemed like a recital of sorts, but nobody was in charge of it. 

They looked to the side, another person had occupied the same space. They pointed a finger at the display as they caught the eyes of the stranger. “Ye’re seeing that too, right?” they asked. 

[topher-romijn]

Damp || OPEN

Location: Random diner in North Valley @astoriastarter​

Topher sipped from the steaming coffee in front of them. They welcomed the warmth of the place and the drink. They hated coffee though, but they hated tea more. And coffee reminded them of her, she would drink so much. They risked a tiny smile, then adjust their body so they could pull off their shoes. Everything was wet. Or at least damp enough to seriously annoy the fuck out of them. They had throw their backpack and jacket in the boot and stalled them out so they could dry a bit. They got some money from helping at construction somewhere down the street. Not much, but Topher really didn’t need anything more than money for food.

They looked up and eyed the stranger suspiciously, when they came closer to Topher’s boot. The diner was fairly empty, so if someone wanted to sit close to them, they probably had something to say. They narrowed their eyes, and quickly put their shoes back on. Because they didn’t want to be kicked out.

[raine-jones]

I’ll Make a Deal With You || OPEN

Location: Whitegrass property Time: 6 dec @shiverstarters​

Raine had walked away from the vigil like a rat running from a cat. They were standing near the tree line, their hands shaking as they tried to light what little was left from the joint they had started that morning. They could feel grief settling in their chest. Jacob was dead, and their heart was beating at a surging rate that it almost scared them. They sighed in asparation when the joint started burning, and took a very long inhale before letting themselves lay down in the grass. Their eyes closed they could hear someone approaching behind them. The weed was strong, it would take about a few minutes for it to raise a wall of fog in their brain, but they were already celebrating the possibility. 

The person got nearer, and Raine opened their eyes again. They patted the pocket of their jeans. “If it’s a joint you want, they’re five bucks a piece,” they said.

[zach-bastiaans]

The space you used to fill is now || Theo & Zach

Location: The Vigil Time: 6th of December, 2019 @theofawn​

It wasn’t his first vigil, he would be lying to say he had grown used to them. They weren’t a big thing in the UK, so almost all the ones he had visited had been on American soil. People disappeared a lot more in this country, and despite everything, Zach did feel a sort of dread whenever he visited one. Now he had helped, because he knew he needed to further cement his place in the town. He walked around handing out candles and offering a kind word or gesture to people, when he spotted the cashier from the bookstore. He walked up to her and tried to catch her eye. “Hey, are you okay?” he asked, as his brain worked on her name. Didn’t take long however, Zach had a good memory when it came to names and faces.