#laurel: threads

[waywardesouls]

@lunarcovestarters

LOCATION : Just in Bloom, before Christmas Day

“Trees are 50% off!” Laurel chimes as she rights a wreath above the front door to Just in Bloom. Over her shoulder, she tosses a cheery smile to those that approach. A small row of bare Christmas trees line the front of the shop, waiting and eager to be brought home and decorated. “We have some beautiful Douglas Firs left, and a few lovely Pines! This one has a wonderful temperament, very sweet.”

LOCATION : Downtown Holiday Market

Cassandra used to love the holiday season. The chilly weather, the light and decorations, getting together with friends and family over hot chocolate or mulled wine. But now, the snowy streets and holiday cheer only served a a reminder of her darkest moments, and the ones she lost. Normally, she would spend her time holed up in her apartment with a bottle of wine (or two), and while that still sounded tempting, it was also beginning to get a little too depressing, even for her. So, she donned her comfiest coat and began walking the downtown streets without any real destination in mind, only away.

Her wandering feet lead her to the bustling holiday market, and though she hadn't intended to buy anything, she found her curiosity–and penchant for spending–take hold. While perusing, she stopped by a particular stall, marveling for a moment at all the options with muted amusement. “Jeez, they have everything here, don't they?”

[waywardesouls]

option a:

Things were out of control—and Cassandra Lin did not like feeling out of control. At least, that is, in a way she did not cause herself. The moment she felt her nails and canines lengthening, the bones and muscles of her face shifting to accommodate something more primal, more monstrous, she knew something was most undeniably wrong. Cassandra didn't like to half-shift if she could help it; she didn't like the feeling of hair—fur—sprouting from places it shouldn't, or teeth too big for her mouth, or claws that would rend her fashionable clothing to tatters if she wasn't careful, much less her own skin. Control over that aspect of her abilities took blood, sweat, and tears, and she was not pleased at that control being severed.

But it seemed she was not the only one to be losing control over their more magical faculties; around her were wolves in various stages of shifting, vines bursting forth from the ground and toppling structures or tripping fleeing festival-goers, lightning striking indiscriminately, and suddenly portals with equally confused and fearful individuals passing through—and some that seemed downright threatening. A rushing body knocked into Cassandra's shoulder, causing her to let out an oof that tapered off in a displeased growl. “Watsch it.” Sharpened canines garbled her speech as she went to reach out to steady the other, only stopping short to keep her claws from slicing them with a curse. “You oh-kay?”

option b:

“Oh God, oh God, oh God–” The words were an anxious chant under her breath as Laurel tried valiantly to dodge incoming bodies, weaving through the sea of strangers fleeing the campground. Each step she took, vines and brambles and long, tendril-like grass grew to snag and catch unwitting individuals. “Shit– sorry!” She called as she saw one of her vines succeed, a poor soul getting their ankle caught and falling hard in the dirt. Laurel made an anxious sound in the back of her throat, shifting her weight from one foot to the other before finally backpedaling and helping the other to their feet. “I'm not doing it on purpose, I swear.”

[waywardesouls]

@lunarcovestarters (capping at 4) LOCATION : Just In Bloom, flower arranging class

Something like pride warmed Laurel's chest as she watched the classes' attendees begin to chat and laugh amongst themselves, reaching across tables for loose flowers for their arrangement. The class had only just begun and was already nearly full, much to Laurel's delighted surprise. She hadn't expected nearly such a good turnout, and was more than pleased with the outcome—even so soon into the activity and people were already enjoying themselves; she couldn't ask for more.

The chiming of the bell above the door announced the newest arrival, and Laurel looked up with a smile, brightening as she hurried to greet them. “Oh, hello! Come in, you're just in time. Are you here for the class? I've just about got everyone set up, but we have a few more open stations over here.” With a wave she bid them to follow her to an empty seat at the end of a long table, her own station adjacent. “With the rodeo going on, we're going to be arranging flowers in these cowboy boot vases. There's a few colors left to choose from—we've got some more brown and white ones left,” she gestures to a handful of remaining vases, looking like your typical cowboy boot in ceramic form. “But I also have this cute yellow one, or one last turquoise!” She beamed as she held a brightly colored boot in each hand.

[waywardesouls]

@dhruvxmehta

Laurel knew she looked mad. Downright ridiculous, running around town with a tote bag full of newly purchased sunglasses, going from flower to flower, bush to bush, sapling to sapling and affixing a pair. She knew she could have ignored them, but flora were just so convincing, and once the first sunflower asked for one and she had amusedly complied then everyone wanted a pair. And really, how could she say no? Especially when just walking down the street the ordinarily polite and insular plants were now all but begging for her attention.

She'd just finished placing a pair of bright green sunglasses on rosemary bush and was about to turn her attention to a small group of cacti when she nearly ran headlong into another person. “Shit- shoot. Sorry.” A few sunglasses had fallen from her grasp and she hurriedly bent to retrieve them, looking positively sheepish when she finally faces her would-be collision. “I promise there's a perfectly rational explanation for this.”

[waywardesouls]

@moonglowmagic location: Starlight Bar, before opening hours

The air was crips and heavy with the thread of rain as Laurel walked the streets of downtown, a steaming Daily Drip to-go cup in each hand. It was still early in the day, all things considered, but she knew if there was one place to find Poppy it would be at her bar, and it was a route she knew by heart. She picked up her pace once the familiar signage came into view, shouldering open the front door despite the illuminated closed sign, eager to be out of the chilly air.

“Hey,” she called out, seeing the back of a familiar blonde head behind the bar. Taking a moment to perform an impromptu balancing act while keeping hold of both cups, Laurel shrugged out of her coat. Finally succeeding without spilling a drop, she grinned as she draped the discarded garment across the back of an empty chair before approaching Poppy. “I got the feeling you were burning the candle at both ends, so I come bearing gifts.” She lifted one of the to-go cups in her hand for emphasis, accompanied by a small grin before handing it out to her sister.