Surface and Turf

Kallan Echo| 31 year old Merman |Handyman | Member of Saintes RPG

[evxnmeyers]

"And that is why we have a drink at the end of it" Evan chuckled."Two Boogymans please" She asked the vendor behind the counter before accepting Kallan's outstretched hand "Pleasure Kallan. I'm Evan" She shook his hand and smiled. "They've really put a lot into the evening. You have to admire it really" She commented as the vendor handed them their drinks. "Wow these look great" She commented grabbing the drinks and handing one to Kallan. "Cheers"

[tailsofahandyman]

"The pleasure is all mine, Evan," he said, shaking her hand before looking around, nodding in agreement. "It is really amazing. I've never been to something like this. It feels like something out of a movie. I hope they go all out for the holidays." Kal lit up when he saw the drinks. "Oh, these definitely look amazing. Thank you, and cheers."

[xfrancisxrowlandx]

"Oh business is just fine," Francis smiled at the merman. "I mean with tourists here constantly, it makes it very easy to keep a busy list," he explained before rolling his eyes. "And with the whole true crime thing being as popular as it is," he added before rolling his eyes and waving a hand, as if his own transgressions were nothing but something to regard with amusement. He chuckled as well as he nodded. "Yeah, my Gran was like that, even after I paid for and put her in assisted living, she still insisted on doing it all herself," he shook his head before he grabbed one of the po-boys he was making as a special for the evening and holding it out to Kal. "On the house," he winked.

[tailsofahandyman]

"Then that is doubly good. I will have to come in before you are to booked for me," He laughed. "True crime? I know what that is, but explain to me as if I don't?" He asked with a wide smile. It was easier to ask than sneaky pull out his phone and try to google it. "Stubborn old people, I guess. I just want him to be safe you know? But not he has to be stubborn. He needs to remember that he is human." Fragile and prone to die. Kal perked up, "Really? For me? You are awesome," he said, taking it and taking a bite, moaning softly and nodding. "This. Amazing."

[xfrancisxrowlandx]

"Oh I've been just fine," Francis smiled at the other man, he had to admit he was a little pleased to see him, they did share many things in common after all. "Was this your underwater family?" he asked. "Who was helping out your grandfather while you were gone?"

[tailsofahandyman]

"That's good. And business is good? I still have to get around to come for dinner. I haven't forgotten," he assured him. He was forgetful, but not when it came to friends. "Yes. I went to visit my father and siblings. My grandfather is a stubborn old man and refused help. I made sure to have someone check in on him and help with work, only to return and find out he refused." He chuckled shaking his head.

[evxnmeyers]

Evan chuckled, amused by the other persons excitement. It was endearing. "After a whole day of making decisions, I don't think I can make any more" She sighed a little "How about.." She held her finger out and closed her eyes, moving her finger around before placing it against the menu in front of her. Opening her eyes, she looked at were her finger landed. "It's decided.Boogyman Brain-freeze for me "

[tailsofahandyman]

"Ah, decision-making all day would give me a headache," he laughed before grinning excitedly as she closed her eyes and picked something. "Boogyman Brain-freeze sounds amazing. I will get the same. Honestly, I'll probably try everything, it all looks interesting. I'm Kallan, by the way," he said offering her his hand.

[xfrancisxrowlandx]

Francis had to admit, the idea of making simplified versions of his food was an interesting one. Small foods that could be shared at a festival- it had been ages since he'd had to do something like that, and he loved the challenge. He had enjoyed making the menu, he'd enjoyed working with his team to sort the food together, and when he saw a familiar face coming up to his booth he couldn't help but smile at the young man who shared his affinity for interesting foods. "Well hello there," he said. "Long time no see," he leaned against the catering table he'd brought, crossing his chef's coat clad arms as he looked at Kallan. "Fancy seeing you here."

@tailsofahandyman

[tailsofahandyman]

Kallan felt like a kid in a candy shop as he looked around at everything at the Festival, but the most crucial thing was food. He was starving and spent the last few weeks underwater so he wanted to try something interesting. Seeing Francis, he quickly made his way over to him. "Hello. It has been a while. I've been visiting family and they make it difficult to leave sometimes," he chuckled. "Have you been well?"

[evxnmeyers]

Evan arrived at the park, the festivities in full swing. There was something charming, if not a tad cliche, about the town hosting a Friday 13th event. Evan tucked her hands in her back pocket eyes wondering over the stalls that had been set up and to the seating that was sprawled in front of a screen ready for the screening later. She wondered over to the first stall, eyes falling upon the cocktail menu in front and the various drinks that were displayed. She wasn't the only one eyeing up the menu and she turned to the person who had wondered to stand next to her. "Whats tempting you more- The Nosferatu Nightmare, The Boogyman Brain-freeze or Poltergeist Potion? I myself am undecided"

[tailsofahandyman]

Kallan looked around everything excitedly at the park. He's never been to something so festive and busy on the surface. He was excited for the film, for the hide and seek, and all the foods to try. He made his way over to a stall looking over all the drinks. He was so focused he didn't even notice someone next to him until she spoke. "Oh, I have no idea either. Everything is new and exciting and I can't decide."

[tailsofahandyman]

xfrancisxrowlandx

Francis couldn’t help but smile at the mention of humans being eaten so casually. God he loved this town. “I am not human,” he said as he glanced at his new walking partner. “And I don’t think it’s rude. It makes sense, we’re all thrown here together, why not learn a little about all the different cultures in this melting pot?” he asked before pulling a lighter from his pocket. He flipped it open and with his other hand took the ball of flames into his palm. “I’m an elemental,” he explained. “I control fire, but I don’t create it,” He closed his hand and the flame disappeared. “I also have a healing ability,” he explained. “I can heal injuries, regrow organs, that kind of thing,” he looked at the other curiously. “Would you find it rude if I asked how many humans you yourself have eaten?”

“Oh, you aren’t. I knew it. Well, I didn’t know it, but I was thinking it. It’s hard to be sure. Not that I don’t like humans, humans are cool. I glad to not offend you and I agree it nice to meet different people and learn about them and their culture. In the sea, we are all the same, nothing is exciting after a while, but up here is so different.” Kal gasped slightly as he took the ball of flame in his hand. “That’s honestly the coolest thing I have ever seen. And you can heal, wow.” He said in awe. “Regrow organ, have you ever cut your own out to see how long it takes?” He asked curiously. “No not rude at all, but I don’t have a number, is that something people keep track of? Do you watch films? Like how in films families have like a chicken ever Sunday and stuff like that. We did something like that. My brothers liked hunting humans and would bring them back to the sea for dinner on certain days. Or like holidays. Humans were a normal part of the diet, but my grandfather is human so I don’t eat them on the surface.” 

[piperallegheny]

“Awh, thank you, that’s too sweet! I promise everything tastes just as good as it smells! And take your time- we’ve got a lot of options to sift through.” Piper simply didn't have the will to hold back the cheesy smile that grew across her face from the man's compliments. A kind word about her shop was taken as a kind word to herself, and she certainly appreciated the praise either way. Piper was quick to pick up on his slight embarrassment however, which absolutely wouldn’t do. If there was anyone in the world who wholly understood chattiness, it was her. She shook her head with a giggle, promptly reassuring her customer. "Oh no no, really, that’s perfectly okay! It's hard to find the time to get out and meet people when I've got this place to run, so please, go on with the rambling!"

She gave the broom a few firm grips as she walked it over to the wall behind her, all the while still smiling warmly at the customer. “Aha, I’m alright! It's not your fault at all, I think I'm just being a little silly tonight. Definitely isn’t the first time that's happened, more than likely won’t be the last. It helps to have a thick skull every now and then!" Moving back to the counter, Piper glanced down at the display between them and made a drawn out, thoughtful noise. “Recommendations are always so difficult for me, I have a new favorite every week if I’m being honest! Buuut- my longtime weakness is any kind of sandwich cookie; latifeh, macarons, cuccidati. There’s a little bit of everything here! Otherwise, if you’re wanting to play it safe, my father came up with our mean whoopie pies. One of my childhood staples from Pennsylvania! Just give me a heads up once you’re ready!”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[tailsofahandyman]

“I don’t doubt that it all tastes as good as it smells. And I am positive I’ll probably be spending too much time and money here in the future.” Kal really had no self-control when it came to sweets. His grandfather had no idea he had a little alcove underwater full of all the things he was not supposed to overindulge in. He sighed in relief when she said she didn't have a problem with his rambling. He tends to get excited and talk forever and only realizes it after he annoyed the person. "Oh, it is definitely hard to find the time to make friends or chat here. I've never been busier in my life, but at the same time I feel so unbusy and lonely." He had his grandfather and he visit his siblings in the sea all the time, but he wanted some land friends as well. "I heard there was an app to meet people, but I believe I was using it worse considering the number of times people swore at me about meeting and fudging," He added shaking his head and looking back at the sweets.

"Perhaps, you should invest in a hard hat of some sort. Don't want to hurt yourself." He said with a kind smile. "I tend to knock into things and get hit quite often as well. Brooms are sort of a mortal enemy of mine. A few days it was the road and before that it was doors." Kal nodded as she talked about the sweets, each one making his mouth water more. "That all sounds amazing. It is difficult to pick. Hmm, how about one of those things you just said. And do you have brownies, I love those."

[tailsofahandyman]

What is your character's name and occupation?

Kallan Echo. He worked at his family's hardware store as a Handyman.

2. What brings them to Saintes?

Well, when Kallan had completely fallen in love with the land, his father and siblings were not too happy about it, even less when he sort out his maternal side and grew close with his grandfather. After a lot of back and forward with the two sides of his family, Kal and his grandfather, moved to Saintes. He is here to experience a different sort of life he had in the sea. He wants to make friends, have adventures and fall in love. He is seeking his own life and happiness.

3. What can we expect next from your character?

You can expect someone eager to please and make friends. Something that is still naive to a lot of things but willing to learn and make a life for himself. In the sea, he is still a child to everyone, but on land, he is an adult and he wants that independence and freedom that comes with being an adult. He's a fun, loving, and goofy lad that just wants to have a happy life.

[xfrancisxrowlandx]

tailsofahandyman​:

“Is it obvious?” He asked looking down and over himself as if he had merman written on him somewhere. “Either way, yes I am a merman. So fresh seafood is my absolute things in the world. Oh you don’t have to buy me, I don’t mind, I like helping people.” He said, taking his hand and shaking it. “Nice to meet you, Francis, I didn’t give my surname, sorry I’m not used to using one, but it’s echo.”

“Mm, probably not to some, but I’ve known a few mermen in my life,” he explained. “There’s a big pod of them in the south pacific who have a little community, they have some boats they’ve ah- liberated- from fishermen, and they live a sort of half in, half out life, fishing and selling the fish to humans on the islands who don’t get much opportunity to buy fish fairly.” he explained. “Good group, I went out and spent some time with them,” He had enjoyed fishing with them, they had been interesting people, and they’d had much in common.

[tailsofahandyman]

“Ah. Well that is a relief. My family is already not keen on me being on me living on the surface, but to know that I am so easily a merman would have them anchoring my tail to the sea floor,” he laughed. Kal listened intensity as he talked about the community of merman he knew. “Really? That sounds incredibly, my family is more traditionalist. The only humans my dad spoke to were my mother, grandfather and whichever ones he’s eaten. Would it be terribly rude of me to ask if you were human or not?”

[niskaxcapel]

“Very new, yes”, Niska agreed with a chuckle. “I hope I can settle in quickly. It’s not my first move” Only the first in a few years, she added in her mind. But she remained hopeful so far. If the others were as friendly as this man, then perhaps this choice had been right.  “That’s nice. I hope I won’t come to need your services, and not only because I am certain I couldn’t afford you”, the blonde laughed half-jokingly. “We don’t get paid very much as students”

It was nice to be around someone who was not in academia. Niska loved her research but many scientists stayed in their own bubble and became, in her opinion, unbearable to be around because of this. “Oh, I guess you wouldn’t now”, she realized and shrugged. “It depends. A few years, I hope? It takes a lot more time than being a handyman. At least you can already work”

[tailsofahandyman]

“I will say that I settled in quite quickly when I moved here, so I am sure you will do the same. It’s nice here, I enjoy being here, meeting new people. I didn’t grow up with a lot of people around.” The best part of being here were the people, the different lives and stories he got to here. “Oh I can do it for free is money is a problem, I don’t really care that much for money.” He knew his grandfather would be upset with him, but money was pointless to him, he didn’t need to make a lot of it to be happy, but he could just be naïve about the world still.

“It did not take long at all to be a handyman. My grandfather taught me all I know and I had to take a few courses to get certifications but it was all a few months at most. But I guess the years are important to do something you like right? I could be anything but I like my job.  What are you getting your PhD in?”

[piperallegheny]

"Hmm? Oh, no, I'm alright! No need to trouble yourself! I'm totally fi-" Piper quite literally almost kicked the bucket, barely managing to catch herself with the broomstick just before she could faceplant like a buffoon in front of her rightfully worried customer. "Fine! See? All good!" With one last triumphant pull, the broom finally came loose. Accompanied by a few of the mops as well, which clattered to the ground loudly. Piper flashed a toothy half-hearted grin as she shimmied out of the closet, broom in hand, not so discreetly kicking away one of the discarded mops in a swift motion as to shut the door behind her.

"Welcome to Fennec's! I'm Piper, it's great to meet you!" Her flustered grin quickly turned to a worn yet genuine smile as she greeted the young man. She proceeded to start sweeping the broken centerpiece up into a neat pile away from the counter. Her gaze flashed down to her watch, humming out a curious noise as she observed the current hour.

"Looks like you got here just in time! We close in about 15 or so minutes. Well, would've if it weren't for me being such a clutz." Her attention fell back down to the growing pile of glistening glass shards as she swiftly swept the last of them together. Once finished she retired the broom against the counter, leaning in excitedly only to have the damn thing slide against the edge of the slick surface and bonk her right on the head. Piper reacted with a sharp jerk, casually pushing it away from her as she continued to smile hopefully at her guest. "So! What can I get started for you?"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[tailsofahandyman]

She said she didn’t need help but, in Kallan humblest opinion, she did need some help. He was in a weird mix of horror and amusement as she tumbled out of the closet. “Yes I see, all fine,” he said smiling back at her just as widely. He wouldn’t comment on her nearly hitting the ground or the party of mops behind her.

“Thank you. Thank you. It smells amazing in here. Everything looks so delicious it’s hard to chose what to get, but don’t worry I won’t take too long. I was unsure if you were open or not and I don’t want to put you or make you stay longer. Which I just realize I am doing with my rambling sorry sorry.” He said, his cheeks heating up slightly.

Kal hand shot out to catch the broom as he saw it moved towards her, but missed by a few centimeters, he winced as it hit her. “I’m sorry, I should have better reflexes,” he said. “Are you alright? And do you have a recommendation.”

[tailsofahandyman]

xfrancisxrowlandx

“Ah,” Francis nodded when his new friend said he just got into the water and caught fish. “I’m guessing, merman?” he asked as he looked at Kallan with a slight smile. “Well, Kallan, if you were to do something like that, I’d be happy to pay you for your services,” he said and then offered his hand to the merman. “Francis,” he introduced himself. “Francis Rowland.”

“Is it obvious?” He asked looking down and over himself as if he had merman written on him somewhere. “Either way, yes I am a merman. So fresh seafood is my absolute things in the world. Oh you don’t have to buy me, I don’t mind, I like helping people.” He said, taking his hand and shaking it. “Nice to meet you, Francis, I didn’t give my surname, sorry I’m not used to using one, but it’s echo.”

[tailsofahandyman]

xfrancisxrowlandx

“Yeah, pretty much, just better food and a better experience all around,” he explained as he nodded. When he said the best way to get fresh was to get it from the ocean, Francis chuckled lightly. “Well,” he said with a shrug. “Unfortunately I don’t have the time or the skills to go fishing myself,” he smiled slightly. “But if I could, trust me, I would.” He noticed the market just ahead of them and grabbed the door, holding it open for his walking partner.

“That is unfortunate that you don’t have time to go fishing or know how to, but to be truthful, I don’t know how to do the whole fishing thing with the pole and waiting. I just get in the water and catch those little suckers. I can catch some for you next time, bring them to the restaurant. I don’t mind helping,” He said walking into the opened door. “Thank you. You know I forget to ask you name or tell you mine. I’m Kallan, or Kal.”

[niskaxcapel]

“Even”, Niska agreed, smiling. This encounter filled her with hope. Unlike the people she had met on the way, this man did not look at her as if she was different. If the rest of the suburb was equally friendly, then perhaps this had been the right choice for a new start.

“Yes, completely new”, the blonde admitted, curious to see his reaction. Maybe he could tell her more about this neighbourhood. “Actually arrived here less than an hour ago” Niska brows first furrowed in confusion as she watched the other look for something, but then started to giggle. This one seemed clumsy – kind of cute. “Oh, that is okay. Maybe you can show me on the way?”, Niska offered. “I’m starting my PhD nearby soon. I’ve got a week to settle in before they expect me at the lab” Something she would most likely fret about later at home. Was she really ready to do this? “And you, handyman? How long have you been here?”

[tailsofahandyman]

He blinked his eyes widened slightly when she said less than an hour since she arrived. “Oh that is incredibly new. The dusk from the ride into town is probably not settled.” Kal laughed, hoping that it made sense, he heard something similar said in a film a few nights ago. “I can most certainly show you. And help with any thing you might need fixed or put together in your home. I am very handy,” he teased.

“Your PhD? Does that take a lot of time? You must be a hard worker then.” Kal’s grandfather once tried to put him into school but it did not work out well for him, he didn’t like being forced to study or learn things he deemed boring. “I’ve been here for a year or so.”

[piperallegheny]

♡ Open starter ft. Piper Allegheny ♡ Location: Fennec's Confectionary ♡ Date & Time: Friday, 6:40pm

Finally settling into Saintes presented Piper with a plethora of unforeseen challenges. One example was how it had taken her a solid few days to comfortably sort out running Fennec’s alone, since she'd been so accustomed to having her father around as a helping hand. Likely the worst part by her own standards was that there wasn't anyone she could divvy up the lengthy, arduous list of closing tasks with anymore.

However, one of her favorite chores since she’d been a little girl had always been freshening up the floral centerpieces for the seating areas. Although she was no designer by any means, Piper felt fairly confident in the shop’s early autumn makeover. The vivid red poinsettias she’d been cultivating in her garden at home added a fitting contrast against the rest of the orange toned fall decor, and being able to reuse a few emptied jam jars as vases was the perfect way to tie in the confectionary’s essence. Just as she’d finished setting up the second to last centerpiece, Piper accidentally bumped one of them off the counter with a misplaced swipe of the hand, sending it careening to the floor. She winced as it shattered by her feet, water and glass shards spreading around a handful of the poor red flowers.

Piper let out a defeated sigh and cautiously stepped over the mess, hurrying off to the utility closet for a broom and dust pan. As if with no better timing, she could hear the welcome bell above the front door chime as a last minute customer entered the shop.

"Ah- hello! I'm so sorry, just give me one teensy moment and I'll be right with you!” Piper shouted to them from inside the closet as she struggled to fight the broom out, which for some forsaken reason was trapped behind a barrier of raggedy old mops and cleaning buckets. “Feel free to take a look at the menu!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[tailsofahandyman]

Kallan was in the mood for something sweet. Since coming on land, he started to developed a sweet tooth and his apartment was severely lacking in something that would give him a tooth ache and bouncing off the walls for a few hours. He walked up and down the street a few times looking for a shop that would fix his craving when he saw Fennec’s Confectionary. He happily jogged towards the door, but the placed seemed closed. Unsure if they were open or not, he pushed the door inside peeking his head.

He walked in when she called out to him and quickly looked around the shop looking at everything. He was slightly overwhelmed with all the options everything looked so yummy. Kal paused when he heard her struggling and he cautiously wandered towards the closet. “Umm, do you need some help?”

[tailsofahandyman]

xfrancisxrowlandx

“Ah,” Francis chuckled at the question before he shrugged. “Typically, yes, fine dining does mean it’s more expensive,” he admitted. “But it also means more goes into it, making sure we use the best, freshest ingredients, making sure the meal is absolutely unforgettable.” he told the other man as they walked. When he said he enjoyed seafood Francis smiled lightly. “As do I,” he said as he looked over at him. “I’m actually heading to the fish market to see what’s fresh and what I can use to make a special for tonight’s dinner.”

“So higher quality all around. I should have known by the use of the word finer. English is full of so many interesting words.” He said, fine dining sound interesting and he was even more sure he wanted to experience it. “Well, you have me convinced about this unforgettable experience. I never turn down an opportunity to try and do something new.” Kal was just excited to be around someone new a lot of the customers weren’t too chatty. “The best way to get the fresh things are from the ocean herself, but I guess that maybe just a me thing. My grandfather would rather pay than do that.” He grumbled shaking his head.