#chrp.open

[leather-and-grease]

Who: Open When: Morning Dip, Summer Solstice Festival

One thing Lucas will probably never get used to is how cold Scotland summers were. Back home around this time of year, he’d probably be laying on his floor with all the windows open, trying to tempt in a nonexistent breeze to make up for a long-dead AC. Now, he was shivering a bit as he stepped out of the water, grateful for a towel from one of the event volunteers, and looking around to find the coffee setup, or where he’d left his brother standing with Angel on her leash, whichever he might find first. Jumping from Bonny Bay instead of the beach was a good choice, at least, the swim to make it to the right part of the shore to join the rest of the festival had done a good job of keeping him from freezing completely, but still. Yikes. 

Towel around his shoulders and his dog at his side, he took a second to survey the coffee line, weighing his own impatience against the increasingly long wait. Nah. He could get all the free coffee he wanted back at the diner, and, more importantly, clothes a little warmer than swim trunks on a freezing cold beach. 

He stepped back, not looking where he was going and immediately paying the price as he knocked over a person who had been crossing behind him. He turned, holding out a hand to try to keep the person from falling, or at the very least minimize the damage by helping them up, “Oh, shit, sorry! Didn’t see you there.” 

[ameliaharfield]

Who: open! Where/When: Summer Solstice Festival Market, just after noon

Molly had a slow morning at home - those had become one of her most sacred routines since returning to Eden Ros. The first few weeks she felt uneasy despite being able to move back to her childhood home. The space felt enormously empty without Gale. But six months later, Molly had managed to begin to create something for herself in the cottage, around all of her mother's belongings. It was nice, or a "new" kind of nice that Molly had become accustomed to. She still felt like she was living in a shell of who she had been for the last thirty years away.

Finally, after lunch she mustered up the courage to head out to the Solstice Jubilee. A bundle of nerves seemed to settle in the pit of her stomach as she walked down main drag towards the start of a row of vendors. It was odd, feeling like such a stranger in one's hometown. Molly had moments that had her second guessing her choice to return altogether, but she'd rather cease to exist than chance running into Roger back in New York. This was one of her first big outings since returning - outside of a few nights in local pubs or burying herself (sometimes literally) in her work at Figheadair. Perhaps the nerves didn't have to make sense, and maybe a warm drink would help.

After a short meander down a row Molly found a food truck serving coffee. She ordered a Cortado and continued on her way, backtracking to a few of the vendor booths she had slipped past while in search of her beverage. It was no surprise that she found herself spending more time than she realized at a booth selling textiles and woven goods. With her coffee in one hand, her free hand reached out to touch a patchwork shawl. It was soft. "My mother wore one just like this when I was a kid." She spoke to no one in particular, and truly she hadn't meant to speak the thought aloud at all. Great - now she was talking to herself, she thought.

[fangs-and-fortune]

Who: Open Where/When: Summer Solstice Festival Market

Chiara rarely opted to go out in the daytime like this, even with the solstice sun hiding behind some clouds and a light rain making it clear that it wouldn’t be too bad for her skin. One of the perks of running such a successful hotel was that she could make other people bring whatever she wanted right up to her rooms, and she wouldn’t need to even think about going out of doors. 

Sadly, “bring me an assortment of goods from around the city so I could peruse them and argue with you about the price” was a completely ridiculous thing for her to make her employees do, compelled or otherwise, so she needed to actually leave for this experience. Trailed by two of her more regularly-compelled employees, one holding a parasol to block the sun and the other waiting to hold whatever she might pick up, she was actually having a lovely time. 

She had no real intention of keeping any of this shit, but she liked to haggle, and it was always a nice little thrill to show her face around town. It gave the hunters a good scare to see one of the few vampires that had enough Chamber power to be almost entirely off-limits.

She stopped at one of the stands, running a finger over one of the goods. “It's a miracle anything manages to get sold at these prices.” It wasn't directed at anyone in particular, just a musing aloud to garner some sort of response, be it from the person running the stall or a fellow shopper looking for something worthwhile.   

[vidya-telluraves]

who: open! where: the solstice festival at bheagain beach when: midday, around lunchtime

Swimming in the morning was an activity best left to those entirely out of their minds, Vidya had determined. And for those that didn't tend to plants for a living. By the time she'd finished her morning check-in at the greenhouse, it was nearly ten. Oh well. Guess it's too late for a freezing cold swim.

Buttercup was more than delighted to take a car ride down to the beach, and their first order of business upon arrival ended up being a good, long beach run. She'd gotten her morning walk, of course, but after a few hours cooped up in the greenhouse, the dog was eager to stretch her legs. Vidya just did her best to keep up as the dobermann ducked and weaved between beachgoers.

Now, though, they had both worked up an appetite. After a short water break, Vidya hooked her leash onto her collar and walked the dog up to the market area, looking for something to eat. The food trucks didn't disappoint - it was tough to choose what sounded best when it all sounded so good. They stepped into line, and soon enough she was at the window to order her lunch, and something pup-friendly enough for Buttercup to enjoy.

That was just enough of a gap for Buttercup to get into some trouble, of course. Vidya heard an exclamation, just off to her right, and whipped her head around to see Buttercup trying to reach for someone else's momentarily unattended food.

"Hey!" She gently tugged on the leash, recalling the dog back to her side. "You are so impatient, I'm literally getting you lunch right now!"

Buttercup let out a woof! and sat down at her side.

Vidya sighed, and looked over at the victim of her dog's appetite. "I am so sorry about that. I swear I feed her!" She shifted her hands along Buttercup's leash. "Did she get into it? I can get you a replacement."

[dawnlings]

who; open ! ♡ where; Eden Ros Annual Solstice Jubilee : Bonfire.

         Now that the sun's stopped teasing all of them from beyond the clouds, fully tucked away to bed for the night, Allie couldn't be more grateful for the sweater she'd thrown on earlier in the day. The bonfire keeps her warm enough, and the sound of people chattering around her, friendly, and inviting. This is her favorite part of Eden Ros, she thinks, absorbing it as she sits here, quietly. But, maybe, Allie's only kept that way by the sweet carton of berries she produces from her little wicker purse, tied with a bow.

         Someone sits down near her, and Allie can't help but greet them with a smile, and a held out offering of the fruit. " Want some? I don't mind sharing. "

[finlaylevenson]

who: open! where: lone wolf detective agency when: early june, pre-solstice jubilee (your choice of morning or evening hours!)

Consulting hours were one of the more challenging parts of the job. As a one-man operation, he had to balance getting actual work done with being open to more potential work. A good number of clients opted for scheduling a time with him; but he still had enough walk-in business for it to be worth constraining himself to his office.

At least there was always paperwork to be done in the meantime - he needed something to keep him occupied. Answering emails, running online searches, handling business paperwork... it all needed done, and this devoted office time gave him a set time every week to chip away at it. Not quite the excitement that people imagined from P.I. work, but equally important to the more thrilling bits.

He stood up and walked over to the small hot-drinks table. He kept a coffee maker and an electric kettle around, both for his own benefit & for the comfort of his customers. He filled the reservoir and scooped some grounds into a fresh filter, then turned the machine on. It growled to life and began heating the water. Slowly, water began to filter through & drip coffee into the pot below.

Just as he grabbed a mug from the shelf under the table, he heard the door open. "Welcome to Lone Wolf Detective Agency," he said, turning his head to catch a glance at the visitor. "Feel free to take a seat across from the desk, I'll be with you in just a moment."