#interactions: ocean

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter: Aristotle ( @hearthandhallows ) Location: Prescott Ranch

Ocean had gotten to the ranch early...like two hours early. He'd woken up when it was still dark outside with just a bad feeling, like something was very wrong, but what could that be? It wasn't like he was a witch, so he couldn't be sensing magical energy or anything, right? Maybe that was something even non-witches could do. So much he heard about intuition and listening to your gut and things like that, so what if that was what this was? What if there were signs right in front of him, portents of something he needed to know, yet Ocean was just to dense to see it. You are too dense, one voice whispered, while another hissed, That's just a nicer way of saying your'e an idiot. Sometimes their voices had become so similar that they no longer sounded distinct, but other times they came at him at the same time, like right now. In the end, Ocean had chalked up his bad feeling to the dream he'd been having when he'd woken up, one where everything with Aris had all turned out to be dream. It had been so troubling that for several minutes, Ocean had laid awake in bed, convincing himself that everything with Aris was real. Aris himself was real, and he cared for Ocean. It was hard to believe - nearly impossible in fact - but it was seemingly true.

Just thinking about Aris was enough to improve Ocean's mood, so he'd climbed out of bed, deciding just to get started on his work early. Maybe Aris would come early too, though truthfully Ocean wasn't sure if the man was even scheduled to work that day. That would be nice, Ocean thought as he went about his duties on the ranch. Ever since they had met, things between them had felt so fiery, so explosive. They fit together so perfectly that it was almost like proof that fate was real. And if Ocean believed in reincarnation (which maybe he did; he wasn't sure), then it felt like he and Aris had known each other in not just one past life, but several. Their bond was both tender and intense, and it felt so perfect. Aris, Ocean thought as he worked. Aris Aris Aris. He said his name like a heartbeat, as if it were the thing giving him life.

But then everything came shattering down. Just as he finished the last of his duties, Ocean heard two other ranch workers talking about the attacks that had happened overnight, and Ocean froze. They didn't know the names, but apparently the word going around was that three people had been attacked, had been hurt, and the moment that Ocean realized Aris still wasn't at work hit him like a freight train. Aris, he thought again, though this time it was desperate and scared. What if he were one of the victims? The ranch hands didn't know how seriously the victims had been hurt; were they dead? Was Aris dead right now? That was all Ocean could think about, so without a word, he sprinted to his bike and climbed on it, peddling so quickly that the entire bicycle began to shake. He was single minded in his goal: getting to Aris was all that mattered right now.

After what felt like both an eternity and no time at all, Ocean reached the house that Aris shared with his brother. He skidded to a stop so fast that the bike fell over, Ocean landing hard on the sidewalk, scraping his hands and knees. But it was like Ocean hadn't felt it despite the fact that blood was running down his hand now and the fact that the right knee of his jeans was ripped. All Ocean could think about was reaching Aris. After limping up the front steps, Ocean knocked on the door, pleading, "Aris, are you there? Please? It's Ocean!" Please be okay, he thought, in a full-blown panic now.

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter: Aris ( @hearthandhallows ) Location: Zahara's Kitchen

Before Aris could say anything, Ocean grabbed the check when the waiter brought it to them. "It's my treat," Ocean told his boyfriend. This had been his idea after all, a way to say thank you for Aris spending time teaching him to drive recently. And besides, he didn't need an excuse to do things for his boyfriend. The warmer months were busier at The Green Thumb Nursery, so he was getting more hours there, plus he was still working at the ranch, so Ocean had more than enough money. Plus there was the fact that he'd saved roughly 75-80% of everything he'd made since he started making money. People at the commune weren't very materialistic, and even though Ocean no longer lived there, he still held that mindset. So yeah, Ocean could afford to treat his boyfriend. "I hope you liked your food," he said to Aris. "I know this kind of food isn't for everyone, but I've always liked it, and it's usually easier to find something vegetarian at restaurants like this. This was my first time coming here though...I guess I didn't have a reason to come until now." As he said this, Ocean smiled shyly at Aris; his boyfriend still made him feel like a teenager in love for the first time. That was half true, he supposed - Aris was Ocean's first love.

After he'd paid the bill (leaving a nice tip), Ocean thanked the waiter and walked out with Aris, grabbing his hand and leaning into him. "This was such a nice dinner," he said as they emerged into the cool night air. He was glad the heat wasn't so bad now that the sun had gone down because Ocean was wearing a nice long sleeve button down, black with tiny little turtles on it, subtle in just a few shades lighter than the shirt itself, and he didn't want to get it all sweaty. He'd spent a long time deciding on what to wear tonight because he wanted it to be special - Ocean was ready to take the next step with Aris. It scared him a little still, but he knew it would be so much different than it was with Aaron. With his ex, Ocean had never been in control, had never had any say in anything regarding their relationship, including this. But Aris was a 100 times the man Aaron was, and Ocean trusted him completely. So he was ready.

Still, there was no rush. The night was beautiful, the moon bright, sky clear with stars above them. "Should we go for a walk before we head home?" Ocean asked his boyfriend, still holding his hand.

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter: Aris ( @hearthandhallows ) Location: Cardinal Carnival and Fun Fair

Ocean was trying to enjoy the carnival, he really was. And he should be enjoying it because what was there not to enjoy? There were so many different games and rides and attractions, there was music, there were so many different snacks, and most importantly, there was Aris. Usually his boyfriend was enough to make Ocean feel immediately better about everything, but Ocean was in a better mood than he had been at home. But Ocean kept thinking about that flier, about the secret he hadn't told anyone, not even Forest or Aris. It scared him to think what Aris would do if he knew what Ocean had done. He's going to leave you, if he doesn't leave you for some other reason first, the voices said. He was hearing them less and less, but sometimes the voices still whispered in his ear, told him all the terrible things he tried not to think about.

But Ocean knew that he didn't have to tell Aris, especially not right now. Just enjoy the carnival, he thought, and when he looked over at his boyfriend, Ocean felt a little better. Aris was just so handsome, and Ocean stopped walking, his hand still in Aris's as he turned to face him. "Are you having a good time?" Ocean asked, reaching with his free hand to touch Aris's abs. Although Ocean tried to make it seem casual, he knew Aris would see right through it. "Sorry," Ocean apologized, looking down at the ground, though his hand remained on Aris's abs still. "I'm kind of out of sorts tonight." Ocean almost told Aris about the flier, but he stopped himself, instead looking around before meeting Aris's eyes again. "Can we get some ice cream?" Ocean asked, offering Aris a shy smile.

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter: Aristotle ( @hearthandhallows ) Location: Ocean and Forest's home

Was this a bad idea? That was something Ocean kept asking himself as he stood in the front yard, waiting for Aris to arrive. He had told his boyfriend - that was something Ocean was still getting used to, and just the thought of the word made him smile - what he wanted to do, and while the thought scared him a little bit, Ocean thought it was time. He was 23 years old, so it was time. That wasn't the part that Ocean was wondering if it was a bad idea. No, the part that Ocean was questioning was sitting in the driveway next to him. It had been a spur of the moment decision, but if Ocean was going to learn to drive, he was going to need a car. So when he'd seen a nice-looking car parked in someone's yard on the way home from work with a for sale sign, Ocean had talked to the owner, and after coming back the next day, he was the proud owner of a blue Ford Taurus. What Ocean had thought was true, that he would need a car if he was going to start driving, he wondered if it was stupid to buy a car before he even knew how to drive.

Of course it's stupid, the voices whispered. Everything you do is stupid. But as soon as he thought these things, Ocean forced the voices to be quiet. Ever since he'd met Aris, Ocean had been trying not to think so poorly of himself. If a man as incredible as Aristotle Elio McIntyre could care for him the way he did, could value him, could see so much worth in him, then Ocean needed to try and do the same. After all, he trusted Aris, so he should trust him in this. Even so, those voices lingered, hissing in his ears, even if Ocean couldn't quite make out their treacherous words. Before he could fall too deeply into his self-hate, Ocean saw his boyfriend's truck approaching. There was something so sexy about Aris driving a truck, something that made Ocean's skin feel hot and made his heart pound. Maybe one day he'd find something, but right now, there was nothing that Ocean didn't like about his boyfriend.

"Hi," Ocean said simply when Aris climbed out of the truck, smiling his face off; it was like the sun was threatening to burst right out of him. That was just how much joy Aris brought him. Walking toward his boyfriend, Ocean wrapped his arms around him, resting his head against his shoulder. "I missed you," he said, though he knew it was silly; it hadn't been that long since they'd seen each other. "Sorry," Ocean said, "I don't want to be clingy," though he didn't pull out of the hug at first. Finally though, he did pull back and gestured to the Taurus. "I uh...sort of bought a car," he explained. Since he'd started making money from his pottery at the markets and then jobs once he left the commune, Ocean had spent very little of it, mostly just paying what Forest would accept for him living there and for food and things. So now...well, buying this car had barely put a dent in his substantial savings. Thinking about it that way made it feel less foolish, but Ocean still waited to see what Aris had to say, one arm around his boyfriend.

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter: Jesse ( @angstfactory ) Location: Prescott Ranch

When he'd gotten the job at The Green Thumb Nursery, Ocean actually thought it might be a decent fit. He'd sold things before, goods from the commune and his own art at the markets, and people on the commune did a lot of farming. But something Ocean hadn't accounted for was the fact that he had very little experience with the day to day part of actually growing things. He'd been on the artsier side of commune life, working on his pottery and other works, and when he did get involved in the farming part of commune life, his role had been mostly about tending to the animals. That was something Ocean had always loved, especially when his mind got so busy, when he began to hate himself more and more. The animals didn't judge him, didn't look at him and see a total mess of a person. No, they just seemed to relax around him, as though they could sense he was a kind soul, and being around them had provided Ocean with so much comfort. It wasn't until he'd left the commune that Ocean had realized just how much he missed that.

So when Ocean saw an add in the paper for help wanted at Prescott Ranch, he immediately reached out, ignoring the voice that said he'd be terrible at it. For once, Ocean knew this voice was wrong, a wholly new experience for him; usually he listened to the voices in his head without question. But they were wrong in this instance, so Ocean blocked them out, and now here he was at the ranch a couple of days later. He'd ridden his bike here, and Ocean leaned it against a fence before walking up to the front door of the house, knocking slightly. He'd called to say he was coming, but Ocean wished this Jesse person he'd talked to had been out here because what if he wasn't in the house? What if he was in the barn? What if he was waiting for Ocean and would think he was late if Ocean spent too much time waiting for someone to answer the door of the house? You wouldn't be you if you didn't find something to spiral about, Ocean thought, his inner voice bitter and frustrated with him.

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter: Astrid ( @hexstrom ) Location: Lilla Bakstugan

It was almost Christmas, and Ocean felt like he had everything he needed as far as gifts went. Finding the perfect gift for his family wasn't always easy, especially now that Ocean realized how bad he was at choosing them, so for almost the entire year, he'd been thinking about it. He'd been taking notes about things his family had mentioned, jotting down ideas, shopping various stores when he could, and now with just days to go, he felt like he'd gotten them things they'd like. Maybe they wouldn't love them, but Ocean would just be happy if they liked them. He just wished he were better at choosing things for them. It shouldn't be this hard - he had known them all his entire life, so it should have come more naturally to him. When it came to friends like Corey and Aris and Evangeline, Ocean had a harder time since he hadn't been planning this the entire year; he'd only met Corey and Aris since coming to Cardinal Hill, and he hadn't seen Evangeline in years. But he'd managed to find them something too.

Still, in addition to gifts, Ocean wanted to buy them all some sort of treat. While he'd initially planned on going to Just Like Heaven, he decided instead to try the new bakery in town, which he'd been wanting to check out anyway. Walking into the bakery, Ocean immediately smiled; he loved the smell of baked goods, especially at this time of year. It just felt cozy to be among various treats like this while it snowed softly outside and the sound of Christmas music and bells could be heard wherever you went. Walking to the display case, Ocean looked at the various options, and immediately he felt overwhelmed. This had been a spur of the moment decision, so he hadn't been planning this for the past year. What if he chose the wrong things? What if his family and friends hated what he picked out? Looking at the woman behind the counter, Ocean said, "Excuse me, can you help me? I'm trying to find some nice treats for some people for the holidays."

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter for Corey ( @innocentcurse ) Location: The Moonlit Drive-In

Ocean had never been to a drive-in movie, so when he had learned that Cardinal Hill had one, he of course had to check it out. His first impulse had been to ask Forest or Matteo or Aris, but then he had another idea. Ever since their encounter at the grocery store, Ocean had been thinking about Corey. They just had so much in common, and Ocean saw things in the man that made him feel protective in a way that surprised him. He hated the thought that Corey was so hard on himself, that he was so self-critical, though Ocean knew full well that he himself was like that too. Maybe that was part of why Ocean wanted to help Corey see all the good things he had to offer. He was handsome and kind and funny and talented, so many amazing qualities, and the fact that Corey had such trouble seeing that, well...Ocean wished he could find whoever had distorted Corey's view of himself and shattered his self-esteem. And the more Ocean thought about Corey, the more determined he became to do everything he could to make him happy. That's what friends did for each other, right? Were they friends now? Their bond had been so immediate that it had surprised Ocean, so yeah, they were definitely friends.

So instead of asking Forest, Matteo, or Aris to go to the drive-in, he had decided to ask Corey. This was something fun they could do together, and truthfully it was a good way to dip his toes in to social interaction with someone new. During the movie, there wouldn't be much need to talk, and it would help Ocean to relax. He remembered when he didn't used to be so socially awkward, but that felt so long ago; that felt like a different person now. Corey had agreed, and the ride over had been smoother than Ocean had expected, full of smiles and easy conversation. Yes, they were friends, and Ocean was sure of that now - and happy too.

There was just one problem: Ocean had chosen the wrong movie. Child's Play 2 had just come out, and Ocean had suggested it, thinking it fit the season. Sure, Halloween was over, but things still felt spooky in Cardinal Hill. Without knowing what kind of movies Corey liked, Ocean had chosen this because he thought it would make him look cool to like horror movies, an impulse he knew better than to indulge after the fiasco with the haunted house with Aris. But Ocean apparently hadn't learned his lesson. He had wondered how scary a movie about a doll could actually be, having never seen the original. But, well...Ocean had underestimated the fright factor.

Sitting in the car next to Corey, Ocean sank down in his seat, resisting the urge to cover his eyes; he refused to look like a wimp in front of his friend. But then a particularly gruesome kill scene involving a yard stick happened, and Ocean finally had to look away. "Sorry," Ocean apologized to Corey, hands over his eyes. "I didn't know what I was getting us into with this movie."

[blackcatxmagic]

Closed starter: Sunshine ( @pandemoniumfm ) Location: Sunshine's house

Ocean knew this was a long time coming. While Sunshine had lived in Cardinal Hill long before he had, he hadn't really seen much of her in the months he'd lived here. Whereas it was easy to be around Forest, whom Ocean considered his best friend now too, it had always been harder to be around his oldest sister since everything that had happened with his ex. It was the same with his parents and many of the older members of the commune who had watched out for Ocean his entire life. While he didn't want anyone to see how broken he was, it was even more difficult with those people, and given that Sunshine sometimes felt like a third parent, it was so hard for Ocean to let her see what a mess he was. He hated the idea of Sunshine seeing how weak he had become - had always been really - how pathetic, how he had become such a waste of space. The last thing Ocean wanted was to disappoint Sunshine even though that's what he was: a disappointment.

But Ocean couldn't put it off anymore, and besides, it wasn't fair to his sister. Sunshine had done nothing to deserve Ocean's treatment of her, and he hated himself for being so thoughtless. That's what you are though, that inner voice hissed. You always hurt people. They'd be better off without you. These intrusive thoughts were always so hard to shake, but Ocean tried desperately to do so as he stood on Sunshine's front porch. He wanted to a clear head, hoping he could fake it and pretend like everything was okay, like he wasn't stuck in the labyrinth of what Aaron had done to him. Finally he rang the doorbell, waiting for his sister to answer, and when she did, Ocean smiled softly and said, "Hi Sunny."