hopeless opus

thomas james 'tj' o'connor. gardener, nature witch, 25. dependent for monardahq. [ wanted connections]

[tjoconnors]

evcrgreens​:

“oh no, we’re definitely open.” he shook his head slightly, offering an apologetic smile; it wasn’t anyone else’s but his own fault that he had no time management skills, so the least he could do is just brush it off and act like it never happened. technically, except his little pajama slip-up there was nothing wrong with the efficiency of his work, at least in his opinion - other might’ve absolutely disagreed though, hence he never asked about it, not really wanting to hear the criticism. if he wanted to get bashed for not acting his age, he’d just call his father or something. “whose order you’re picking up? i’ll get it sorted for you asap.”

he put his mug aside, digging into one of the drawers of his desk to find the notebook with the orders; he really hoped it wasn’t the wedding one, as the lilies for the table toppers still didn’t arrive and he had no replacement ideas either. “would you like some coffee in the meantime? no offense, but you look like you could use it.”

“oh, thank god, that could’ve been embarrassing if i’d just walked into your house.” he scoffed, fishing the note out of his pocket. “this piece of paper should have everything on here? this was all i was given.” tj handed over the note, his other hand shoved into his pocket as he waited, still feeling more than a little guilty for catching the other in his pyjamas.

“i mean.. i wouldn’t say no to a cup if you’re having one? i don’t wanna be more inconvenient than i already am being.” the irishman couldn’t help but let out a small chuckle, hands moving to lean on the counter as shay looked around. “it shouldn’t be a heavy order, its just something for their front lawn or something?” he paused for a moment. “oh, and i’m tj, by the way. i probably should’ve started with that.”

[legacyridley]

FRANKIE RIDLEY HAD NOT expected, per sé, to assimilate perfectly ( or instantly ) into a quaint life in Monarda, for a purpose presently unknown and thus unachieved, but perhaps the social media founder had naively hoped that — three months post-panicked pre-birthday move that made her circle of ‘besties’ ( gross ) titter about avoiding a proper fortieth bash — her status as the local celebrity would, by the present time, be diminished. 

This was precisely the point: naively, because her Zuckerberg-But-Better — a low bar, barely worth even trying to limbo under, but still — status hadn’t budged. She pulled her sunglasses slightly off her face after the most recent encounter, and leant on a wall as though to recuperate some semblance of social energy.

[tjoconnors]

tj had been working since the early mornings attempting to get some more cash in for this months rent when he decided to grab himself a coffee and some food as a ‘thanks’ to himself for working so hard. he had just headed to get himself some sugar for his coffee when he bumped into the woman.

“sorry -- i was just gonna squeeze past to get some sugar so i can actually gain some energy today. i didn’t mean to bother you.” he quickly moved around her and grabbed two sachets. “are you also getting a coffee?”

[ofcomforts]

open to all !!  location // town square !

There was something nice about the cold. While Asher had grown up around the snow, it was different to this - the way he could feel the wind blowing in off of the ocean, even this far into town, the way the snow always seemed… more real. Purposeful. That might’ve been something special about Monarda - he never figured it out, but always appreciated it. He’d gotten himself a cup of coffee from the Little Bite after his shift that morning and made his way into town, sitting down on a bench that didn’t have too much snow accumulated on it yet, and just let himself relax, hands wrapped around his coffee, letting the cold nip at his nose. “Weather’s nice…” he’s not sure if he’s talking to himself or to a passerby - if someone chooses to respond, he’ll be grateful for the conversation; he’s learned from experience that, in this town, small talk can turn into something much more.

[tjoconnors]

tj had just stopped to light his cigarette when he heard the other’s voice, causing him to jump slightly. “hm?” he looked at him, inhaling for a moment before properly turning to look at them. “that really what you’re leaning to? the weather’s nice? jesus, i thought i was crap at small talk.” tj chuckled, looking around just in case he had embarrassed himself and wasn’t being spoken to at all. “we can go with the weather if you want. it’s...definitely something. i’m just holding out for proper spring weather, though.”

[evcrgreens]

open to anyone!

shay carter wholeheartedly believed that being awake before noon should be illegal; or at least illegal for him, considering that he was hardly useful in the morning and there was just no amount of caffeine that could ever fix that. he was holding on to his coffee cup for dear life, trying to gather some motivation to finally start with his day; he could already tell that it was going to be a long day of arguing over wedding bouquets again, continuing the argument going on for the past few days about lilies and roses, and he dreaded the moment when he’d have to meet the bride and groom in person - but that was an issue for the future shay.

for now he had other things to worry about - like the ringing of the bell downstairs; he knew that hanging it above the door would be a bad decision, since his cats always found their way to get to it, sometimes even knocking flowers down to get there, but he just couldn’t be bothered to take it down, even though it was quite annoying so very early in the morning. maybe he’d have to start locking the cats upstairs so they wouldn’t try to jingle it? especially aster, since he tended to be the bigger troublemaker from the two - probably jingling away at the bell right now, too, considering that he hasn’t seen him the whole morning.

“aster, if you don’t stop fucking jingling that stupid bell i swear to god i’m…” reaching the bottom of the stairs though, the first thing he noticed is that the cat wasn’t here either; instead he was facing a potential customer, still in his pajamas, holding on to a disgustingly pink, cat patterned mug. did he forget about an appointment, maybe? “were we….? did i…..? uhhh… can i help you?” kind of awkward.

[tjoconnors]

tj had woken up to a text from one of his clients telling him they needed him to pick up an order for their front lawn. he wasn’t thrilled to be up at this kind of time, especially up, dressed, and driving to the plant place before the sleepy haze had even lifted in his head. 

walking straight into the familiar place, the irishman leaned on the counter and tapped against the wood gently as he waited for the owner to appear. it wasn’t until he heard the first exclamation that he realised maybe he was a little premature in his entrance.  “shit.” he mumbled under his breath once he saw the other in their pyjamas. “i got told to pick some stuff up for a client, i thought you’d be open by now -- “ tj looked at his watch before pulling a face at himself. “i’m sorry, i honestly thought you’d be open. I can come back in a few hours?”

[tjoconnors]

xincantatemsx​:

when the pencil finally stopped moving itself, his hand was free to cup the tea and pull the saucer closer to himself. the removal of the spoon was quick– the metal utensil discarded upon an unused napkin. and despite the vacant stare back, a shaking hand rose to scratch at his neck, just below his ear. such an existential question caused a pause in his speech– a deep sigh followed as he admitted. “Debatable these days.” honestly he liked his chances of someone asking him questions here then out in the real world where it was much scarier– much harder to explain. perhaps, he was wrong about Monarda. perhaps it was something of a home to the middle-aged man.

“If I’m being honest, and if I can speak off the record, the sense of control is slowly unraveling. It’s beginning to scare me. That trick you just saw– I’m hardly certain it was me.” he looked around the room, suspiciously. yet there was still no clear explanation at hand. “Perhaps we should be asking those questions… or I’m seriously losing my mind.”

“Thanks, by the way for not asking too many of those questions.” he was beginning to think the other was one of those people he could trust.

“do you...want to talk about it?” he looked at him, almost nervously before taking the finishing bite out of his lunch. after he had cleaned off his plate, tj moved to the seat in front of the other and placing the drink on the table in front of them both. “what do you mean sense of control? do you think it’s just a you thing or this whole place is losing it?”

“i’m not one to pry...well, kinda, that’s a bit of a lie. i can be nosy but i blame it on getting it from my grandma.” he chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood given that ken looked like he needed a little pick me up. “what’s gotten you so rattled?”

[tjoconnors]

xincantatemsx​:

“That’s the thing. She sent me a couple of laughing face emojis followed by the worst one of the bunch– the clown, and that was it! Am I being bullied?!” 

what she wouldn’t do for a cup of warm coffee in the moment– though she did have Harry’s jacket to keep her warm. it was, perhaps, his excuse to see her again.“Yeah… I guess that’s why I wanted to walk home too– I needed to sort out my thoughts on that whole thing. Growing up with three sisters– it was never really quiet in my house. I guess that’s why I’m talking so much– if it bothers you, I’m an expert on the quiet game.” she chuckled to herself.

“But to answer your question, I think that’s the part I can’t figure out– if he was nice or if he was just as weirded out by the situation as me– I can’t be the only one who thinks it’s a little strange to date someone with the same name as you.” she took a pause before asking, “Would you do it? Maybe they don’t have the exact name, but initials– would that be weird?”

“so she actually sent you the clown emoji and you didn’t think twice about it?” he couldn’t help but chuckle at the thought of all this, he began shaking his head soon after. “i shouldn’t laugh should i?” 

“it doesn’t bother me, it’s actually quite nice to have someone to talk to that doesn’t seem to worry about me talking too much.” he shrugged, a small smile on his lips as he took another long sip from his coffee. “i think it’d be weird if it ended up getting serious...you’d end up with the exact name if you married them. plus i’m not sure how i’d feel about say my own name when -- you know.”

[tjoconnors]

brvkenclocks​:

parker had half the mind to want to smack her own forehead at the others response, only being able to keep herself from doing it because she did not want a red mark on her forehead. “each person and family have their own thoughts.. but i’ve only ever heard it toward black cats and even those of dog or wolf forms in reading tea.” she said, snorting slightly; instantly covering her face out of embarrassment.

“sorry. no digs towards you. truly. each to their own, respect.” pj gave a smile. the prospect of losing her friends dog? terrifying. even more, of not finding said dog? she might as well go into hiding. plus, embarrassing herself in front of someone else? hide her. 

raising a brow, she shook her head with a string of laughter. “oh, no, we certainly are welcome to it, i was just taken aback by it. i ask about a missing dog and you offer a beer.” she deeply exhaled. “if you’re offering, i’m accepting – and your offer on helping looking for this dog?”

“the black dog is very famous in irish folklore, he’s a sign of bad luck. i think it’s similar is english folklore, but don’t quote me on it.” he shrugged, taking a sip of his beer. “it’s also called a hellhound in some tales, so...not too excited to go look for this thing. but, out of the generosity of my own heart, i’ll help you out.” 

“take whichever beer you fancy, they didn’t cost much...which also makes me sound cheap.” he paused for a moment to give her a slight look. “i think i should just quit talking and we just go find this dog now. what’s it called?”

[tjoconnors]

tcmiono​:

She must look like a girl in trouble, of course, but Tomi doesn’t realize it until she finds herself trying to cross the street, her hands holding the architectural model, the thousands of plans hanging from her arms, her backpack and everything else. . She feels a bit miserable and feels sorry for herself, things that focus her mind, as well as daydreaming about the car that she could buy when she has the money. For the same reason, she does not realize that the conversation is directed towards her until a little after her. —Sir … and doesn’t offering beers to people on the street make you feel weird as well?—  because it definitely made her feel that way.

“uh -- no, actually.” he shrugged, looking her up and down and at all the things in her arms and backpacks, wincing slightly at how she looked only a moment away from dropping all of them. “i was just trying to make friends, if you couldn’t tell by the accent.. i’m a little new here.” tj scoffed, cheeks reddening in slight embarrassment. “do you need a hand?”

[tjoconnors]

bcwitching​:

   ▐▐ ░ * .  — it was the perfect afternoon to collect herbs, needing to refill the mason jars at home. with the sky greying with time, rays of sun still desperate to shine through, doe was on her way home with dirt fraying at her jeans edges. her mind was clearly elsewhere, and when the sound of her hairband snapped from it’s old wear, doe took it as a sign. as she grumbled, a small backpack bounced by doe’s side as her feet came to a halt, blue hues noticing the van nearby. curiosity pricked her interest and before she knew it, another figure appeared. 

doe’s lips reflected the same smile as his, recomposing herself from being slightly startled. ❝ you know, mud is very good for the skin, it’s anti-inflammatory. ❞ she nodded. doe couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow at his offer, a shadow of a shrug followed. ❝ do you often offer beers to strangers ? but, what kind do you have ? ❞ she asked curiously, chewing the inside of her cheek. ❝ also, you wouldn’t happen to have string, or even hopefully a hair-tie, by any chance ? ❞ 

tj sat up a little more on the hood, looking the other up and down with a laugh and a shrug. “what can i say? i’m a generous man. they’re just some random brands i got for cheap at the store, nothing too exciting but they’re up on offer if you fancy one.” the irishman nodded to the cooler in the back of his truck, cracking his own open and taking a long sip. “looks like i’m not the only one messing around in the mud today, huh? what were you doing?” he raised a brow as he asked the question and slid off of the hood so he could look for some kind of string or band for her to wrap her hair in. 

“will this do?” he popped back up from the side, his hand filled with a rubber band and some string. “take your pick...i know there’s almost too many options for you to put up your hair with so don’t stress too much.”

[tjoconnors]

kitchencandles​:

“What? Gross,” She even stuck her tongue out at the idea that the green M&M - a literal piece of candy - could be deemed attractive. “I think she wears some like. Strappy heels because, you know, the animators and design team have to make sure everyone knows that she’s a girl M&M and the rest of them are boys even though they’re all just candy. Anyway, she’s definitely not hot.” Again, Annabelle shook her head. “What, did you not like my story?” She asked while gratefully borrowing his phone. “Don’t tell me you’re a sucker for Skittles on top of thinking that the green M&M is hot.”

“maybe she’s just not your type? maybe you’re into sportier M&M women?” he raised a brow, the smirk still firm on his lips. “it depends, sometimes skittles taste too sour for me i gotta be in the mood. i loved your story but i’m also just a person who is so giving i don’t need to have a reason to help. it’s one of my better qualities.” tj pointed out, holding out his phone for her. “what happened to your own phone, or are you one of those people who are unplugged?”

[tjoconnors]

laughterlincs​:

“i wanna say no,” he answers with a shrug of his shoulders. “the mud is understandable given what you’re doing. i think it would be weirder if you were perfectly clean right now.” he attempts to reassure him nonchalantly. “i could go for some beers, yeah, you just made my day. ” he nods his head, a smile forming on his lips. “how do you keep them cold though? is it ‘cause it’s cold outside or… can you have a mini fridge in a car- wait, no- the answer is that they’re in a cooler, isn’t it?”

“you know, its less fun when you answer your own question.” tj shook his head, smirking slightly. reaching into the back of his truck, he pulled two out for the pair of them and held one out for miles. “ i got them from the cooler in the back of my truck, nothing magical here. or should i just lie and make it sound more impressive?”  

[tjoconnors]

socialmxsfit​:

“yeah, not really.” he shook his head slightly, taking the beer and glancing at the poor plant again; yeah, it was definitely in a terrible shape, like a thisty-something year old with a hangover - not that he had first hand experience with that, he wasn’t even thirty yet, but he kind of imagined it like that. “you think they’d listen? i mean, it would be nice, since we’re kind of running out of spare places where we could put plants and i really don’t want a hibiscus or something in my bed with me, so…” he chuckled, as he imagined how this scene would even look. 

“i mean, if you have a date or something, don’t let me hold you back.” free hand running through his hair, he let out another small laugh; there was literally no reason to immediately go there, but of course he had to, god damn blabbermouth that he was. “but i was thinking of a movie marathon and making chow mein with crispy tofu, if you’re interested? i’ll let you pick the movies, as long as it’s not some romantic comedy for teens.”

“you don’t wanna live in some kinda forest?” tj feigned shock before he grabbed the worse-for-ware plant to carry it inside with them both. “i think it definitely adds to our cool factor if we did. it makes us look like we can look after stuff, massive hit with any future partners we bring over.” he tipped the top of the bottle towards him as he spoke to make more of a point, a grin on his lips. 

“as flattering as you thinking i’m smooth enough to have a date is, i’m not actually good when it comes to that shit. so i’m all yours for a movie marathon if you want? especially if you’re planning on making the food.” tj finally put the plant down once they had gotten inside, leaning against one of the counters as he looked at his roommate. “you really think i have a preference for romantic comedies for teens?”

[tjoconnors]

brvkenclocks​:

“actually, have you seen a black lab run past here by any chance?” the woman asked, slowing to a stop from a jog; looking at the male, hopeful. “my friend’s damn dog ran off and they will probably murder me if I can’t find this dog.” parker explained, having already been searching for the furry friend the past hour. it wasn’t her fault anyway that the dog got away. she just so happened to feel the need to search for them. A chuckle left her lips, raising an eyebrow. “wait.. are you just out right offering beer to strangers that pass you by?” she mused.

“i was taught to ignore any black dogs growing up, they’re shite luck. always mean something bad is gonna happen so you just gotta ignore them.” he shrugged, soon enough opening one of the bottles and taking a swig from it. “i’m...partially kidding. but, no, i haven’t seen any dog today, actually. but i can try and help you look if you need it?” tj added, pointing the neck of the bottle towards her. “yeah, is that not what we can count as being neighbourly anymore?”

[solitaryspirits]

“And then he tried to tell me that Skittles were somehow better than M&Ms, so I was like, ‘You must have Skittles for brains if you think their whole taste the rainbow slogan is actually good. I mean, rainbows are just water vapor, so they’re basically trying to market Skittles as being colorful water?’ And I didn’t even get into those weird commercials where people eat Skittles and get that weird candy-chicken-pocks. Why would you want to eat something that makes you sick? But he retweeted me with, ‘The only reason people buy M&Ms is because they think the green one is hot,’ Which, first of all, gross,”

“…And secondly, what about those commercials where the red one has to save all the others from the rocket ship? But I didn’t point that out. I…may have chosen some other select, not-so-nice words and…got myself locked out of my account for the next three days… Anyway,” Annabelle took a breath. “My whole job is using my phone to post stuff but the app on my phone isn’t even working now which…is why I just need to take a little quick sneak peak at your phone. Pretty please?”

[tjoconnors]

tj attempted to follow her story, the occasional chuckle leaving his lips when he successfully followed what she was saying, not having had someone so eagerly take his ear off like this since he had been around his grandmother. “i mean, in fairness -- the green on is kinda hot. the one with the thigh highs, right?” he teased, bringing his phone out of his pocket and unlocking it, double checking he’d closed all his apps first and foremost to prevent anything embarrassing occurring. “next time this happens, just ask for my phone straight up. i promise i’ll just hand it over.”

[tjoconnors]

socialmxsfit​:

lynx never considered himself a nature person; okay, he liked being outdoors, that was an undeniable fact, but plants still just seemed to hate him, with even the most durable ones saying goodbye to dear life under his care within a few weeks tops, so he gave up on them as well - or so he believed. he still felt bad seeing some poor, sad looking fern left behind on the shelf in the flowers section of the store, and before he could properly think it through, he was already walking back home with it, clutching it proudly in his hands like some kind of new trophy. only he didn’t expect tj to be back early, before he had the chance to come up with a reason to why he was actually carrying around a sad looking plant. “in fact… i think yeah. doctor, the patient is dying.” he held up the flowerpot with a small, almost apologetic smile. “well, i still think you still clean up nicely, so… and as long as you don’t get mud on the fur carpet, i honestly don’t care.”

he leaned against the car too, putting the fern off to the side if tj didn’t take it from him yet; for a moment he debated whether he was allowed to sit on the hood, but then dropped the idea of asking about it - it was enough that he scratched his own car this way and never had it fixed… “you know me, i’ll never say no to a cold beer. does that also mean you’re free for today?”

tj looked at him with an amused expression across his face, taking a bottle each for the pair of them and handing one over. “things are not looking too hot for that guy, huh?” the irishman looked closer at the plant, frowning slightly when his free hand hovered over some of the leaves after he had relieved the other with it. “i gotta start telling these places to put their plants in nicer areas, or i gotta start buying up all of them and i only think one of those ideas is supported by my bank account.” he snorted, twisting the top open and taking a long drink, rolling his shoulders back as he relaxed slightly. 

“you think i clean up nicely, huh? you’re a real charmer, lynx. and for that? i’m sure i can get rid of a few of my plans for you today. did you wanna do something?”

[xemptywithyoux]

status: open location: outside of the little bite

this was arguably the best part of his morning: sitting outside under the few rays of sunshine that started to peak through the winter’s harshness. he sat on a table outside of the cafe, not the chair, the table, on top of it, pulled out his pack of cigarettes and lighter for later, and prepared himself for the first sip of coffee of everyday. sander had to have coffee before he could actually feel human. it was two different people, before and after a decent cup of caffeine. and so he did, taking the first sip with his eyes closed as if he were about to kiss somebody… and immediately spat it back into the cup. he burnt his tongue. of course this would happen to him. he had a mild freak out then, sticking his tongue out as if the cool windchill would relieve him, and then he turned around and realized he wasn’t alone. “you saw nothing–” he said with a little lisp in his speech, since his tongue was still hanging outside of his mouth. 

[tjoconnors]

tj had just walked out of the cafe himself with an irish coffee in one hand his phone in the other, not really paying attention to anything but the device until he heard the spluttering leaving the other’s mouth. he couldn’t help but stare at him for a moment, a small smile on his lips as he watched it unfold before him. “are you alright?” he finally asked, putting his cup down to search his pockets for a napkin or anything to help him. “do you need ice or something?”

[sin-tentional]

KEN & –– || OPEN FOR ALL

he had forty more minutes left of his lunch break. a cup of tea grew cold as time unraveled and the cafe in town square bustled with clientele. the sounds of forks scraping against plates, would have grated his ears. yet he was zoned out, and trying to concentrate on the drawing at hand. Ken wasn’t an artist. he never really tried to be one. he could measure dimensions with a pencil on wood, and craft angels for square feet. his artistry, was typically in the shed building. perhaps that’s why he didn’t assume himself an artist.

but when the flashbacks would come unwillingly, the pencil moved itself. and rather than considering this action a medium, he felt like the medium. as if time used him for clues and cues in his environment. as if to speak something grander and more important than a cup of chowder. 

because he was in the back corner of the cafe, he wouldn’t have realized that others could see that while he was focused on his drawing, the spoon in his saucer began to stir itself. in fact, he himself hadn’t noticed the magic until the sounds rounded at the rim metal cruising against metal. 

“Can you believe it?”

“There are ghosts in this cafe.” 

[tjoconnors]

tj had about half hour before he had to be on a job down the road and so he stopped by the cafe to get something, honestly anything, to drink or eat. he was sitting in one of the corners of the room, flicking through his phone when he overhead the man next to him. the irishman’s ears pricked slightly at the mention of ghosts, brows furrowing in slightly confusion but he turned to look at him anyway.

“i’d stop doing that, if i were you.” he muttered to him just slightly louder than talking volume, hoping to get his attention before anyone noticed. “i’m pretty sure people will ask questions...especially if you start talking about ghosts, too.” tj couldn’t help but snicker at the mention of ghosts, it seeming slightly childish to him. “you alright, buddy?