#knowthystarter

[dontcallmedarlene-blog]

Nevermind All That

Time: July 14th, 5:00 pm Location: The Yellow Book Road, Mini Cafe Status: Open

Suspicion ate Daria up and it was highly appropriate. The night of the Ridge’s has passed but chaos still left the town in shock. But still, Hermosa is known for a town that’s full of secrets and passive aggression. She would know these traits well. His father exudes them in an alarming rate. Able to escape the tragedy with her family, she left the scene unscathed. Her semi-circle of friends or rather colleagues seemed to fine and dandy as well. But as she reviewed her footage in her dingy, DV camera, it was as if she had clips on the latest natural disaster-based blockbuster.

She held the camera a bit high but just high enough for it to stay in her line of vision. She tapped her unmanicured finger nails mindlessly on the table before her. There’s a story in here was a phrase echoing her mind that moment. Another was what the Sibyls had said in their late night transmission: the universe is very much upset. She heard these phrases on repeat in her head as she watched mindlessly of the meteors bringing destruction to the kind people of the town. A lot has happened. And that just meant she had lots and lots of work to do if she wants to get started. 

She sipped on her cup of cafe Americana and stared at the pile of flyers beside it. It read: Where you at the night of the falling? You comfortable being filmed? Hit me up. in a modernized Impact-esque font. She looked at the barista in the counter, trying to build up her confidence. After psyching herself up, she grabbed her flyers and her brown leather rugsack. But as she stood up, she accidentally collided with another person causing her flyers to fall slowly to the ground. 

She sighed at the sight of it and at her slight humiliation. “At least, we’re off into a good start.” she murmured under her breath. 

[aladdinelkadi-blog]

Date: June 25th

Time: 9:00 AM

Location: Bread and Butter Cafe (outside)

Status: Open

Aladdin had always been more of a night owl than a morning person, and that was still true, but lately he’d gotten in the habit of being up at normal hours. Of course, a lot of his late hours used to be because he was finding things to take, knowing the cover of darkness always made it easier, so maybe he’d never been a night owl for any reason other than necessity. 

He certainly didn’t feel like he was dragging too much this morning, but that was probably because he was sitting outside the cafe and nursing his second cup of coffee. His dog, Abu, was lying at his feet, sleeping. He definitely wasn’t a morning person and made sure to let Aladdin know that by barking and raising a fuss if he got woken up. Aladdin would just smile and shake his head and pat the dog’s head, and he’d quiet down when he realized his tantrum wasn’t getting the attention he expected.

He looked down into his coffee cup, chin pressed into one hand. He was four days without a cigarette, so the caffeine had become his substitute. He didn’t think smoking made him look very cool. Now that he had this new identity (and the money to come with it thanks to his benefactor), he needed to step his game up. Nicer clothes, nicer hair, nicer personality. Girls didn’t like guys who smoked. Jasmine didn’t like guys who smoked...

He didn’t know that for sure, of course, since he’d never talked to her outside of that one night, but she was so high-class he suspected that she didn’t. He wanted to be good enough to talk to her. He had to be good enough to talk to her. He’d keep working on it. 

“What do ya’ think?” Aladdin asked the dog, not realizing someone else was standing near the table. “Maybe I should get something cool to wear. Like a suit or something.” He bit into his muffin, chewing on it as he thought about it. “I could look like a prince, right?”

[elizabethdear]

date: june 26th time: 10:33am location: little river park status: open

Manicured nails skimmed through the stack of adverts residing in her arms, the pile barely feeling lighter than it did two hours ago. She's always had a way with words. Her tongue's ability to craft phrases evoking intense emotions from others has forever been a talent of the girl’s. It's no wonder the animal shelter Elizabeth has been volunteering at for the past three years has deemed her their official unpaid spokesperson. Doe eyes capable of sprouting tears on command while discussing the adversities stray kittens in Hermosa have to endure is a rare feat. Her fliers are usually gone and donation cup overflowing within two hours at Little River Park, but on this particular Monday morning the hundreds of passerby's she's observed were far from interested. The usual sun kissed flesh residing on her face was replaced with the blush of summer -- a burn slowly but surely making its way down to her neck.

The generally serene girl is replaced with one who has known nothing but annoyance as no one seems to care about the pets in need as much as she does. Huffing a stray girl from her face, she crosses her arm, slightly wrinkling the papers underneath her firm grasp. The displeasure is soon replaced with determination as she's decided that in order to receive at least two-hundred dollars in donations within the next hour, she's going to have to be a little more confrontational. Brows furrowed and lips turned into a pout, Elizabeth makes her way directly in the path of the pedestrians walking by. Approaching a middle-aged woman jogging alongside her pooch, she strides in front of the two, stopping them. "I can see you're an animal lover." She mentions to the blonde woman, currently jogging in place. Receiving no response, she continues. "If so, how can you live with yourself knowing there are hundreds of animals even more precious your pure-bred puppy who are dying of starvation, heart worms, and many other avoidable illnesses, all which could be solved with the help of a small donation no more than five dollars?" Liz mentions to the unsuspecting woman, thrusting a flier into her hands. "Have a nice day!"

The tactic of preying on one's sympathy may be a bit sadistic, but it's proven to work through the means of commercials consisting of sad animals paired with emotional country music. Flies are starting to swarm Elizabeth as she wipes the beads of sweat forming on her forehead with the back of her hand, pondering how she really would rather be anywhere else in the world right now. However, the cause she's fighting for is much larger than her own desires. The search for another being to enlighten is cut short as a body passes right by her, their shoulders just barely missing. A pastel acrylic taps them on the nape of the neck as they’re greeted by an ivory smile and voice raised an octave to emphasize the apparently lacking enthusiasm. "Hi! Are you interested in being educated about the immense yet preventable hardships hundreds of thousands of animals across the country are currently being forced to face?"

[primevcl]

date: june 25th time: 3:19pm location: the police station status: open

"WHAT?" he barks, perhaps a bit louder than is absolutely necessary, though of course it's not something he would quite know at the moment; while the station has a strict policy PROHIBITING anything that could impair your hearing while on duty, it's never stopped him from stashing a pair of earbuds, hiding behind a pristine hooded sweatshirt only styled to look dirty and worn. This is, of course, layered under an equally aged and weathered brown leather jacket, the earbuds in question name brand only, like most things he owns, a bad habit he once picked up from Adam and FORGOT to ever let go of, and blaring classic rock at a decibel sure to prematurely damage his eardrums. 

This demand, though he means it as an inquiry, comes from the small kitchen of the station, shouting from within with the door hanging open, Gaston pouring himself his FIFTH cup of coffee, only counting those he's downed during this one shift, gaze still focused on making sure he doesn't overflow his cup. Of course, as a minimal gesture of courtesy, his head angles towards whoever's just called his name — at least, he thinks it was his name, but over the music it sounded more like a garbled whisper, though really there are any number of reasons for absolutely anyone to be screaming his name, so he decides to take his chances — feigning some sort of interest, some shred of ATTENTION to spare for them rather than his afternoon caffeine boost. 

It's admittedly short-lived, however, as he doesn't even ATTEMPT to make his way back to his desk until after he's added half a packet of brown sugar and an ice cube to his cup and taken a sip to make sure it's just to his specifications. Now, finally, the tightness that's contorted such handsome features lets up with a sigh of contentment, giving way to a smile which wrinkles just right around the ages to suggest not age but a WISDOM which perhaps he can only pretend to possess. Another sip, and then Gaston saunters back to his desk. The cheap swivel chair rolls several feet backwards as he falls into it, and it allows space for him to lift first one leg, and then the other up onto the desk, crossing them at the ankles. Still smiling, a fond glint in his eye, though he'll never reveal it's secretly for the coffee rather than his newfound companion, he peers around muddy hiking boots, cup still clutched between two large, rough hands. "Now. What can I do for you?"

[ebbandflcw-blog]

time: 3: 34 pm location: little river park status: open

When he was not busy with meeting people or talking to them, when he was not concerned with his father’s demands and inquiries, Eric enjoyed being mundane. His hobbies or ways to spend a calm afternoon were usually simple walks on the beach, going to the park, hanging out with Adam and his grumpy self or just doing something normal, something SIMPLE. Today though, Max was by his side, leashless and too enthusiastic to roll around the muddy streets or mess with the dry leaves piled up in the corners.

Eric stopped and bowed down, looking his dog seriously in the eyes and getting out a treat out of his pocket. “You know, if you sit down and stop being so messy, you could get that and enjoy your-” mid-sentence, Max barked and Eric was forced to jump and extend his arm out of the animal’s reach. “No, not jump -- sit down.” It was more of a polite ask than a command, but then again Abernathy never liked treating his dog like his servant. When Max began his attempts to climb him, Eric gave up and brought the treat low enough for the pet to devour. Ruffling the fur on his head, his head caught the attention of a passerby who had almost fallen victim of the English sheepdog’s fierce optimism. “Don’t bark at people! I’m terribly sorry, he’s just very social and apparently excited to talk to you... or bark at you. Either way, I’m sorry.” he repeated and looked the person next to him, smiling as his ocean-blue eyes shifted between the new addition and his barking dog.

[curiouscvt-blog]

Time: 4:35 pm

Location: Little River Park

Status: Open

Morning. The sun had filtered through the window, the slight breeze had blown the curtains into the room. Thalia slipped in from the window sill, pawed her way up to the bed to nudge Felix’s arm where he still laid in bed asleep. It took a few more minutes, excessive meowing, and a bite to his ear to get him out of bed. A lumbering mess, he’d stumbled to his bathroom to do his morning routine while debating if he felt like burning bacon and toast for breakfast. Charcoal never really tasted good. Felix settled on cold pizza for breakfast and left his apartment with Thalia at his heels.

Afternoon. There had been a laundry list of things that Felix needed to do that he was very much so not getting done. Instead, Felix had taken his sweet time wandering around, visiting friends, and buying Thalia an ice cream cone. It’s how he ended up finding his way to Little River Park--a frequent favorite.

Felix glances at his phone to check the time, realizing that nothing was going to get done and it would just be another lazy day. Oh well. He finds himself a patch of dry grass in the sunshine to sit down, ice cream cup held in his hand. Thalia clambers up onto his lap, licking away at the vanilla ice cream as if it was the best thing in the world. “Eat up, I know you’re just gonna wonder on off to do whatever it is you do when you’re gone.” Felix would never say he owns Thalia. She comes and goes as she pleases. “That means I’m going to have to be social, doesn’t it?” He mumbles aloud. He could imagine looking a bit crazy right now.

[ariaruysch-blog]

Location: devil’s ridge

She’d been trying to find the right spot to watch the meteor shower. Somewhere not too far away from the crowd, but definitely not where everywhere would distract her. With such a fleeting and rare occurrence, Aria aimed to see the meteor shower from start to finish. So, in preparation of one of Aria’s first ever natural phenomenons, she’d cooked a variety of sweets, snacks and teas, three large blankets and different gadgets to help her see and experience the shower even better. Looking upwards, Aria watched the sky and its clouds move slightly. Such a beautiful sight, so calming and, in a way, perfect to start off the event. “I just want to sit here and wait until it happens, kind of. We’re so lucky, to see the meteor shower today, to be surrounded by people we love and respect, don’t you agree? We’re the luckiest people on earth to see such a rare occurrence,” Aria said as she whirled around once and sat herself down in one, smooth motion. With all those snacks and gadgets, Aria hoped she’d get to sing and enjoy herself as much as possible -- and document everything. “Treat yourself! I’m so thrilled to be here today, I could literally sing and dance all day.”

[paintpetal]

TIMESTAMP : 8:13 pm / June 25th LOCATION : Gothel Florals STATUS : Open

She’s always worked better alone. Solitude suited for the girl who was stowed away with such carelessness. For, as bright as her eyes could be, there remained an emptiness that had come with years of isolation. Yet, within the chilled shop, Phoebe had always found herself at home. Among things of beauty, plants that required the love and care in which she’d so desperately yearned to bestow upon others. Cool summers eve falls, the sun soon turns into a pale moonlight and Phoebe cannot help but find herself content. Within ever cabinet and crevasse, florals bloomed and her heart began to sing a song of heavenly hymns. Tangled vines clipped and pruned, books lay askew upon counter top --- teeth graze lip with determination as the woman finds herself stretched thin. Tap overflowing as arm reaches out to stop it if only to allow other limbs to balance her freshly painted pot against granite. 

Door opens, a slight breeze to follow as brows arch. Inquisitive as ever, gaze averts slightly if only to catch sight of her visitor. “Good evening !” Called out into the dimming room as footsteps echo, each step causes a stir of anticipation within her bodice. Yet, the sight in which they’d see was one Phoebe found herself in much too often. Teeth now clamped down upon the tip of her tongue as silver stained tap lies an inch out of reach. “I don’t suppose you’d consider yourself a good samaritan at all, would you?” Hollowed laughter follows, cheeks blush with slightest hue of pink as neck cranes slightly, golden flecked faze catching sight of her visitor in a plea for help.