#moonlight roller

[rosetintedgunman]

Muse Update: Five Years

"Wilford?"

"Yessee?"

"There aren't any events booked for the today in the Roller, correct?"

"Correct."

"And there aren't any visitors celebrating a birthday?"

"People? Not that I know of."

"So then why are you hanging birthday balloons all over the place?"

"Oh, these?" Wilford turned around, holding two "5 Today!" balloons - one in pink and one in blue, "Ya wouldn't understand. I’m itchin’ ta see a lot of th’ number 5 today. It’s a reaaal quirky number when ya stop an’ look at how it’s made up."

Every single staff member knew the owner of the Roller was an odd - but nice - man, and they had learned fast not to question anything further if they didn't get a proper answer. And so, they didn’t ask further. It wouldn’t be worth the inevitable confusion.

But once the staff member walked off, Wilford chuckled to himself as he threw a glance in your direction.

“Not often I remember dates on time,” he quietly began, “but I’m gettin’ better at it. Memory’s a loooot better than it used ta be too - didn’t think that’d be a sentence I’d ever say. Havin’ y’all comin’ by has helped with that, y'know. Whether yer folks who stuck ‘round, or yer someone who used ta be here an’ then left. Doesn’t matter, really. It’s th’ point of bein’ here in th’ first place. And if this place is nothin’ more than somewhere fer ya ta stop by on yer way ta greener pastures, or some sorta steppin' stone ta better things… then so be it. At least ya came in ta say hi.”

The two balloons finally stayed on the wall, and Wilford could put his hands on his hips to admire his handiwork. “It’s not really a cause fer celebration, just like anythin’ can be a cause fer celebration. This isn’t gonna be one of those ‘ask me anything’ events, or one of them posts recallin’ things that happened an' gettin' all nostalgic fer things that have been gone fer years. It’s not th’ time or th’ place fer things like that. Ya stick up a few balloons, laugh at th’ fact this blog can go ta school now, an’ then ya carry on with yer day. Ya might even make an amused hum at th’ times this blog has lined up with canon appearances, but most of ya won’t get that one, I’m afraid.”

At last, he turned around to face you. You could catch a hint of a smile under his moustache, but his expression was not as bubbly as it normally would be. Or… At least you thought it was. You blinked, and the mischief was sparkling in his eyes.

“But what ya can do is do somethin’ good fer yerself. I’ve been told it’s the solstice too! Longest day of th' year 'round these parts! Y’ve got HOURS ta mess ‘round an’ do stuff. Go ‘cause a bitta trouble. My treat. An’ anyway, who’s gonna stop ya? A broody edgelord who can only give sulky monologues? Some weirdo in red who’ll stomp his foot an’ complain ‘bout a script? Maybe a robot who doesn’t like humans so why would he bother stoppin’ ya? Go onnn. Have some fun today. What’s life fer if ya can’t have a bitta madness in it?”

[aphroditesfever]

God I got to take my very own pair of skates out for our first roll today. I’m so so fucking excited to have them! 🥰😭 (design is Flashdance by Moonlight Roller if y’all wanna check out the shop!)

[rileyks]

snek walk🐍

[absolutecheezit]

Those of you who are interested in getting rollerskates, have the budget for a slightly higher price range, and would love to support a business founded and run by a black woman

Please consider buying skates from Moonlight Roller ! They are a black owned rollerskate business, as well as a roller rink owner from Tennessee, USA. Their skate, the Moon Boot was designed for those with wider feet (something hard to come by if you want cute skates) and come in men's sizes.

Here are some examples of their skates, including the ones I ordered, Safety Dance:

Please consider supporting Moonlight Roller!!

They just restocked yesterday with shipping estimates of late September to early October, but the wait is worth it!!

(ps: their skates are genuine suede, except for the Flash Dance and Safety Dance skates which are made from pvc and are vegan friendly if youre into that)

Disclaimer: I was not paid any kind of sponsorship, I just think theyre neat

[rosetintedgunman]

what do you remember? do you remember? what are you looking for?

@mysweetlouise

-

An unfamiliar voice. Nothing new there. There was probably a source to it, but Wilford wasn't really paying attention. He was currently rummaging through one of the backrooms of the Moonlight Roller's bar.

"I'm lookin' fer th' box of new white coffee mugs that was ordered an' delivered. Wrote it on th' back of my hand so I wouldn't forget."

His left hand was waved blindly in the air to reveal that, yes, 'COFFEE MUGS' was written in black gel pen.

"One of th' staff had th' bright idea of getting a coffee machine up here too so folks have another choice fer coffee meetups that might be a little quieter than th' diner downstairs. Usin' their noggin, if ya ask me. So we got more mugs! Which I put, ah... Here! No, no. Those are flip-flops."

Another pause, before Wilford paused.

"... Yer not askin' those questions in one of them subtle 'it isn't here' prompts that Dante uses, are ya?"

[rosetintedgunman]

Things are very crazy for Ace right now. The existencial game of chess he's found himself sucked into is terrifying and exhausting.

He really needs a break. And he knows that there's one place that's always been open for him when he needs it.

The Roller isn't packed, which he appreciates, because he's already stretched thin. He makes his way over to the bar and sits down with a pained groan. After a while, he sighs, and when he spots Wilford, a smile manages to make its way onto his face.

"...hi." He clears his throat and looks down at the bartop. "Thanks, y'know? For everything."

@the-graves-family

-

For those who need it, the Roller will always find a way there. Even if Aaron were to spot Ace slipping through, he'd land in a... different location should he choose to follow. This truly was the safe haven, a brief (for now) breather from the world Ace was forced to call 'home'.

The upstairs bar is the quietest area that evening - a staff party booked out the roller rink. The patrons dotted around the bar keep to their own company, not paying Ace much attention as he approaches the counter.

But Wilford does. Of course he does. He's lacking the outlandish pink in his hair and moustache. Tonight, the pink only appears on the tips of his moustache, which itself almost adds a different look to him.

"Hi ta you too." There's a look of fondness as Wilford places an icy glass of water in front of Ace. There's a long, curly, silly straw sticking out of it to add a splash of colour. Somehow, the barman's expression softens further when Ace continues.

"Yer welcome. If this helps ya remember that yer never alone, then y'll always find yer way back here every time." He reaches over, and though he successfully resists the urge to ruffle Ace's hair, he instead brushes some of it to the side. "An' anyway, ya make th' day so much better when ya visit."

[rosetintedgunman]

“I come bearing gifts,” says Mark, placing a brightly coloured box on the bar. As a small turning of the tables, the present will spit forth as much rainbow glitter as it could fit if Wilford isn’t careful about opening it. There is a Pride flag at the bottom, though! (@stageplayhero 🎉🎉)

@stageplayhero

-

"You did?"

This was new! No one ever considered bringing gifts! Why wasn't casual gift-giving a thing, aside from the obvious 'societal pressures of returning the favour which ultimately leaves you in a never-ending loop of gift-giving'?

The box's colours made it stand out compared to the darker wood of the bar. Not even the decorative bunting matched the intensity of the box, which was truly a surprise for even Wilford.

"I hope ya don't want th' box back. I'm keepin' it as well as whatever's inside." An obvious statement, perhaps, but he wanted to make sure Mark knew - you never know what actors and their love of hoarding items as 'just-in-cases' for props might do!

No caution is even considered as the lid is yanked off and glitters erupts out of the box like a fabulous volcano. It's almost cartoonish how Wilford is completely engulfed in glitter. This is something that's more obvious when his wide eyes are seemingly unaffected when he opens them. He blinks owlishly at Mark for a few seconds, trying to comprehend what just happened. He's (somehow) even more colourful than usual, and the glitter has gone everywhere. Curiously, it's only affected his side of the bar counter. Mark's side is completely safe.

"A flag! I lost mine! How didja know I needed one?" A bedazzled hand snatches the flag out to wave proudly before it's quickly found a place poking out of the decorative roller skates that hang behind the bar. "It's such a thoughtful thing fer - fer -"

There's only a split second warning before Wilford lets out an almighty sneeze that can be heard downstairs. At the same time, some of the glitter puffs out of him and gradually flutters to whatever poor surface hasn't been made bright and sparkly.

"This was real kind of ya, glitter an' all." At last, he's acknowledged the obvious prank! "Should've expected it wouldn't have been such an innocent thing. But with th' month that's in it, can't say I'm not gonna take th' opportunity ta be more fabulous, eh?"

There's a pause, which prompts him to reach up and brush some of the glitter off his cheeks.

"Well, once I look a little more presentable, heh."

[rosetintedgunman]

The Moonlight Roller was abuzz with activity. Wilford had decided it would be the perfect time to have a full-blown staff party where they could invite friends and family to make it something memorable. And it worked! Everyone chipped in to make sure the work was evenly spread out, and Wilford himself took on extra duties around the building to make sure no one felt that obligation.

The ground floor was bursting with festive cheer to accommodate every December celebration: from religious events, to magical connotations, to a few birthdays. It was a proper 'end of year' bash before they officially rang out the end of the year. But that wasn't all. Every single person attending, regardless of age or beliefs, was briefly pulled aside so they could receive a present from a man in a bright red suit and a white beard.

Santa?

Oh no, don't be silly.

It's clearly Wilford. See? You can see the black hair under his hat and the unmistakable pink moustache. Saying that, the beard looks like a really good quality one, likely a prop from the TV studio. When not serving drinks at the bar, or checking that roller skates were properly returned, he was bouncing around with a large bag stuffed with presents. It wasn't anything unusual for the staff. They all knew Wilford was one of the strangest employers they ever had, but they wouldn't change him for the world. None of them knew how he had the time and energy to juggle so many things, but it wasn't their place to ask. What mattered most was that their boss was jovial as he snuck envelopes into the back pockets of each of his employees with a Christmas bonus.

The Roller was not a business that was run to make a profit. Everyone knew that.

But if you happen to be in the area with little else to do, swing in and have a good time! The atmosphere is bright and welcoming. It doesn't matter your beliefs or your connections to the place. Come on in and celebrate one of the last days of the year!