Event Log: Stepford Summer

[hadrielmods]

Who: Everyone participating in the event
What: The Stepford Summer event!
Where: Across the city
When: July 16th-July 25th
Warnings: None!

Good morning, neighbor!

On the 16th, everyone wakes up feeling a little more... complete. The sun is shining, your bed is nice and comfortable and when you throw off the blankets, your perfect dog (probably named Spot) is sitting eagerly at your feet, waiting to be fed and walked.

The newspaper smacks against your porch and the paper boy calls out in hello as he cycles off further down the road. Sure, you can't actually read the strange symbols on the paper, but it's nice to have the ritual of it in the first place. Your parent or your sibling or your significant other is busy making pancakes in the kitchen when you come in, filling the room with the smell of delicious cooking. Yum!

The rest of the day is much like this. You straighten your tie, adjust your blazer and head off to work at a normal place, doing normal things. So what if you work with a guy who's actually a demon, or a seven foot tall elf? That's normal, isn't it?

There are cracks in the illusion, of course, but whether you're able to put it together is on you. Why would you want to, anyway? You have so many great relatives and an awesome support system, you're drinking awesome coffee every morning, and maybe you'll treat yourself to some ice cream at night before bed. What could be better?

Certainly not the cave. You don't want to remember that, do you?

► This log covers July 16th-25th.
► Feel free to make your own logs as well
► Please tag headers of threads with content warnings where they apply
► Please put your character's name and open/closed in the subject line of your starters!
► If suburbia is your worst nightmare and you succumb to the pressures of a day to day life, please let us know here.

Comments

sans | ota

[skelebro]

hospital; if the world's at large, why should i remain?

He’s got no issue with a life like this. It’s not half as bad as the cannula and the hospital blue sweatpants and the surgical face mask would have you believe. Really, what’s not to love? He’s never in as much peril as he would be if he tried striking out on his own, plus he gets free room and board to boot. Sure, hospital food isn’t the best out there, but it’s impressive, in its own way, the number of flavor configurations they can pull from protein powder. Personally, Sans is of the mind that maybe they’ll need someone to assign some more specific flavors to the misleadingly labeled foodstuffs in a professional sense. "Roast beef" yields a taste that’s more reminiscent of a "mashed potato," and the less said about whatever they put into "chocolate pudding," the better.

It’s not all that bad, honestly. It gets to be its worst whenever he puts the doctors through a little scare or two, which racks up at a rate of about once or twice per month. His vitals go a bit screwy and he kinda loses a few days while they scramble to ensure he doesn’t die from whatever bug he might’ve contracted. His respiratory system ain’t the greatest, and his immune system kinda hates his guts too.

Sans T. Bones is recovering from one such scare, still hooked up to a saline stand as he meanders through the bleached white halls. Gotta be grateful for the cannula up his nostrils for this - cuts the smell of disinfectant and antibacterial soap with the sharp tang of plastic. Just a thoroughly appealing cocktail of interesting smells, right there. It’s still a good day for Sans, all things considered: he’s not fatigued enough to need a wheelchair just yet, which is always nice. The pinch of the needle at the back of his hand, the fat blue veins pumping along there, is a discomfort he’s long since learned to adjust to.

There’s nothing good on TV. Is there ever? Maybe the hospital just doesn't have the channels that show things besides static. Very interesting static, sure, but that's not his bag. So for today, Sans has elected to busy himself with his usual means of passing the time - namely, making as many people laugh as he can.

First stop’s the pediatric ward. He pauses to harass the receptionist some, crack some awful jokes her way, but she doesn’t look to be feeling that particular groove today, so he lets her be. Lotta sick kids in a hospital like this, whether it’s something as small as a cold or a broken arm or something more long-term, and they deserve themselves a comedy routine or two, just to take the edge off.

Lord knows he would’ve loved the same, growing up. But then, he had something like that. He had the best brother ever.

But things like that always change.

football field; gonna find another place, maybe one i can stand

He’s off the saline, he’s out of the danger zone, and he’s in the clear. That in and of itself is cause for a little celebration. His eyes are still misty with the last vestiges of whatever sickness he’s still hacking out of his system, but the hastily scribbled smile is firmly in place atop the face mask hooked around his ears. The occasional glance over his shoulder is a clear indication that he probably shouldn’t be out of the hospital at all right now - that is, if the pale blue hospital scrubs, face mask, and stained sweatpants weren’t just as obvious a giveaway.

But all the same, Sans is in a good mood today. He’s survived another dip into the worrisome and come out smelling...well, maybe not rosy, but near enough to it. The quiet clink of sweating beer bottles in the six-pack swinging at his hip is his victory sentence, and he’s hiking his way on down to the high school’s football field to celebrate his continued existence. Maybe he's not technically supposed to have departed from his bed this soon after a potential calamity, but hey - not in trouble if you don't get caught, right?

He's absolutely aiming to celebrate in his own way, and that way is getting drunk on the high school football field like the irresponsible adult he is. He definitely shouldn't be out of the hospital, but if you catch wind of him...you won't tell anyone, will you?

wildcard; but you still got your words and you got your friends

[I'll match prose or brackets! If you want a closed starter, just let me know or smack me on arrpee!]

Hospital

[drabsolutelynot]

Rosen comes bearing gifts, more specifically he comes with home cooked food.

Sure, his practice is pretty much a one man show but he still tries to make time for any of his patients who are frequent residents of the hospital. Hospitals tend to be full up, all beds taken, and short on staff who, though they try their best, don't often have any extra supply of 'personal touch'. They can't afford to or something in the big system will get over looked.

So Lee hopes maybe he can fill in even just a tiny bit of what friendliness might be missing.

First he checks Sans' usual room, but upon finding the bed empty he has a pretty good idea where to look. When he can hear cheesy one liners just around the corner he knows he's on the right track. He enters the pediatric ward with a soft smile.

"I thought I might find you here."

Dr. Temperance Brennan | mid-event | at school, ota teachers and students | will match format

[notimpervious]

[It has come to your local biology teacher's attention that a fair number of her students are doing poorly in her class. Clearly this means that she must find another teaching method with which to share with everyone the joys of the human skeleton, which is the unit she is currently teaching.

So today, she can be found in her classroom wearing a rather ridiculous and not entirely accurate costume (minus the gloves, those aren't accurate at all, and she is not here for that). It's missing some bones, you see, but that's why you have her! Dr. Brennan's graduate thesis was on human bones, so there is no one more qualified to share your skeleton's secrets with you. (Unless you're not human, in which case she will point you in the direction of the library, where surely the librarian can procure for you a book with diagrams of your particular species's skeleton!)

She wears this get-up all day, so if you don't catch her before or between classes, you will have a chance to see her and strike up a conversation in the teacher's lounge or a hallway or perhaps the parking lot -- or maybe you're her neighbor and catch a glimpse of her at her house before or after heading to school.

Go on ahead and approach her! She will be grinning ear to ear and more than happy to talk bones with you, or other things if you're not a student or don't care about bones. Which you should. :c We're all skeletons on the inside!]

[drabsolutelynot]

That is a wonderful costume

[Rosen is on campus today to pick up this years schedule for his annual health talks. As such he is walking with a hefty folder under his arm, offering greetings in his normal awkward manner to those who pass by. Some of the teachers he recognizes, others not.

And the skeleton in a tutu he certainly does not recognize but he offers a friendly smile]

I don't believe we've met. Might you be one of the science teachers?

[He takes a moment to fumble with his papers in order to free a hand for the offer of a handshake]

I'm Dr. Rosen, from the clinic in town.

Rosen | OTA

[drabsolutelynot]

[16th-25th ]

Local Gym:

‘Health is a lifestyle choice’, or at least that is what one of the cheesy posters in his waiting room says. Whether or not it is true it is the motto by which Lee lives his life. He may be pushing 61 but his routine hasn’t changed for the past 30 years: 5:30am start. A bowl of shredded wheat and a banana for breakfast. Then off to the local gym for a two-mile swim in their pool by 6:15. And if all goes according to plan he can shower, change, and get to the office by 7:45, ready for his first appointments of the day.

So if you are also an early riser inclined to hitting the gym, you may bump into the local doc either heading to the water or toweling off after a swim. Or perhaps you’d be interested in a good-hearted race in the pool-lane next to his. He’s old but he’ll give you a swim for your money

At Rosen’s General Practice Clinic:

The clinic is bright and inviting and Lee keeps it clean and tidy. The waiting room has the appropriate number of ‘An Apple a Day’-esque decorations, but not so much so that its smothering. More just a playful nod to his profession and a hope to make the children feel more at ease when they have to come in for shots.

Rosen’s personal office is at the back and he can normally be found in a collared shirt and tie all in easter egg color pastels and, of course, his white coat.

The examination room itself has a pair of comfortable arm chairs in addition to the traditional examination bed and a painting of an owl with large glasses much like Rosen’s own hanging in the corner.

Wildcard

Clinic - 23rd?

[sonofacesius]

Will was hanging around in the exam room, waiting for Rosen to come in. He knew the song and dance, he had to get medical clearance for some sporting event or the other. In the meantime while he waited, he peered at Rosen's medical supplies, looking at bottles of gauze and tongue depressors, and posters. He liked going to the clinic, unlike probably most people who ended up here. It was fun, and he liked medicine. And from the looks of his grades, it might be a long shot to ever end up here, considering he was almost failing out of school.

Rey.

[circumitus]

[ooc: This is going to be a catch-all comment with individual starters below. For more details, feel free to check out Rey's plotting and CR meme comments, or hit me up via any one of these avenues for stuff and things!]

firehouse. ota.

[circumitus]

It's quiet today at the station. No roaring sirens, no stomping footsteps or incoherent background chatter. Most of her colleagues have taken refuge elsewhere, probably in the rec room or sleeping in the barracks.

The garage doors are rolled up, though none of the red trucks within are rolling out and it seems that the mechanics have gone for the day. Instead, the cold, empty place is occupied by one: A woman, dressed in casual stationwear, sitting at the rear of a firetruck. Accompanied only by a sickly feline lacking in an eye and leg. Still, the creature hobbles around with ease, undisturbed by even the loudest cries that summons them to a scene. It just happens to be one of the rare quiet moments.

Despite the frequent nudges to join her colleagues in camaraderie, Rey would much rather sit in the silence and company of the animal, affectionately bumping its bald forehead against the palm of her hand as she strokes between its ears and back. The hole left by the still-recent passing of her mother has soured her heart to the prospect of camaraderie. The silent, rumbling companionship of the stray that the others have taken to calling 'Tripod' (for obvious, apparent reasons) has been all the company she wants at the moment. Even her fiancé has given up on urging her to join him and their friends in some stupid distraction, and has since left her to her lonesome in the garage. It's a sad little scene that is certainly noticeable by anyone passing by, or stopping for whatever reason, be it curiosity or business.

For the most part, Rey regards any passersby with a quick look before returning her attention to the cat, who has crawled into her lap and curled up against her. There is something calming in his purrs and lack of useless words. No My condolences, or I'm sorry for your loss, or any of the other pathetic catchphrases people sprout when they have nothing better to say to someone in their grief.

Who could blame them, though? That's what people are supposed to say when they can't think of anything better. Just recite from a script and be done with it. Obligation over. Can we talk about something else?

No.

No, the quiet is nice. Tripod is nice. Fuck everything else.

Firo Prochainezo | ota

[foundafamily]

[Anywhere, anytime]

[Wherever you are in your happy town, whenever, there’s a kid stalking down the road toward you. Slouching, hands in his pockets, he may look like he’s in his own little world until he walks right into you. He scowls up at whomever he just bumped into.]

Hey, watch it, will you?

[He’s oddly annoyed, considering there was plenty of space on the street for him to move out of the way… Someone who’s sharp or wary might notice that it’s almost like he went out of his way to run into them.]

[ooc: If you want Firo to pickpocket your character, just mention in the tag what he might grab! Feel free to catch him at it, too.]

[The outskirts or near one of the temples]

[Firo leans against the wall and watches people file past on the street. He hopes that the carefully crafted look of apathy on his face makes him look tough (it probably doesn’t) because the reality is that he’s just bored. So goddamn bored. When you don’t hold down a job, never go to school, and don’t have too many friends, it’s amazing how little you have to fill your day.

So that’s why he’s here right now, people watching.

If he sees someone he knows, he might call out and greet them with a wave.]

[ooc: Will match format. If you’d like to plot out assumed CR or would like another prompt, just let me know by pm or on plurk at crowghostie!]

Re: Firo Prochainezo |

[drabsolutelynot]

[Rosen had been distractedly checking messages on his phone when he tries to, at the last minute, step out of the way of the seemingly very angry child. Its not very successful, and Rosen ends up bumping into him, or actually on second thought. why did it feel like kid had deliberately stepped into the space Rosen had made for him?

Boney fingers grab at the boy's wrist, missing it just slightly but catching his sleeve. With a clatter Rosen's watch, which had been in his pocket awaiting a drop-off to the jewelers for repairs, falls onto the ground.

Lee frowns]

My husband wouldn't appreciate you stealing that [He releases Firo's sleeve to bend and pick up his watch] it was an anniversary gift after all.

[Instead of putting it back into his pocket it he holds it in his hand for the time being]

Is there nothing better to do on a weekday? In fact, shouldn't you be in school?

kate galloway. open / maybe closed.

[dedikated]

( starters will be in the comments below! if you want to set up anything specific, hit me up at forethought and check out her plotting comment! )

high school / office.

[dedikated]

Sitting still doesn't work well for Kate. Even when she's staring down a pile of reports (first three signed off with a "Kid did good", as if that's an adequate summary of her students' reactions to the multitude of exercises she's put them through this year), she's moving, doing squats by the window with a set of dumbbells in hand, pink hair tied back into plaits and cheeks flushed with the effort that comes from having done exercises for far longer than she's actually been writing her reports.

It's lunchtime and she's eyeing her work as if it's a particularly boring assignment, an apple and salad uneaten at the side of her desk and that damned familiar smell of cafeteria food lingering through the halls outside. If there was one place she never saw herself spending another second in once she'd graduated-

Well.

Things change, don't they? Like her hair colour, which is a better talking point than all the things which changed a few years ago, causing her to hang up her shorts in the professional circuit and end up back here.

She braces herself against the wall, as though there's an invisible stool holding her up, leg muscles solid, and wipes sweat from her brow. There's no point thinking about any of that, now. She avoids hanging medals in her office, sticks to the diploma from the modest community college, proof that she is - somehow - qualified to teach.

"Yeah?" If someone comes in, her response is a little delayed, a little late. A little head in the clouds. Or the past. Same difference.

Henry Percy | open & closed prompts

[hotspurred]

[This is a catch-all for the duration of the event. Look below for individual prompts, or feel free to post your own wildcard in reply!

Here's a rundown of his Pleasant Valley life.

If you want to plan something with him, contact me at himewakako or hit up my plotting comment.]

16th; open

[hotspurred]

[As dawn breaks on the morning of the sixteenth Henry wakes with it, a consistently early riser. His wife, Irisviel, sleeps beside him; he smiles to himself as he gets out of bed carefully, aiming not to wake her.

He assumes that the twins, Madoka and Nico, are also asleep. But their eldest son, Akira, is much more difficult to predict. Still, he does not hear the sounds of activity as he heads to the bathroom for a shower.

It's a Sunday so he needs to get to the stables and finish his morning tasks before he heads to church for the usual service. He's never demanded that his family attend with him. But he does expect everyone to be around for Sunday dinner, including his siblings Cecily and Rome — provided that Rome is not on shift. He adds calling them both to his mental to-do list.

While he washes, he runs through his plans for the week ahead. What riding lessons he is booked to teach. Tuesday and Thursday's running sessions. He and Saber have a Ren Faire display coming up, so that means additional practice time at her fencing school and his stables. Over breakfast he'll discover what Irisviel and their children have going on, so he can work around their schedules. He needs to pay the jewellers a visit.

But his very first task for the day after he's cleaned and dressed will be to check his garden for any signs of sabotage, and perhaps take advantage of the early hour to scout out Rydia's in turn.]

Raidou Kuzunoha, aka "Johei" | open

[the_fourteenth]

[School - lunchtime]
[It's a nice day out, and Raidou - or in this case, Johei, his actual given name - sits under a tree, reading. It's yet another occult book; today the subject is cryptids of North America. Joining him today, like he does often, is his "dog", Nue. Care to join him?]


[School - class time and track practice]
[Johei is sitting on class, lost in thought. Instead of paying attention, he's either staring out the window or doodling in his notebook. If this is a history or literature class, though, he pays attention a bit more.

In phys ed class, he's all in. He's ruthless in kickball, taking it seriously-
but with a devilish grin on his face. He's having a good time whether he's winning it losing.

After school, Johei is a star member of the track team. He's a great runner and jumper with those long skinny legs of his. If you're on the team and up for some friendly competition, he'd love to race you.]


[At home]
[Johei is home late from practice tonight, but he tries to act like everything is fine. He joins the family at the dinner table and mumbles a hello to them as he fills up his plate. He's totally not going to mention the black eye and split lip he's now sporting. Nope. Nothing bad happened.]

Home, of course

[blessedmaiden]

His mother looks around while generously filling her husband's plate with MORE meatloaf and more vegetables, unsure on how to behave right now. Kain definitely noticed their kid's black eye as well and... oh, who cares.

"Honey..." the woman leans a bit closer on the table, trying to look directly at Johei "is there anything you'd like to tell me and dad, maybe?" There, a kind of... super tactful approach to the whole thing- that translates into a 'before your father steps in the conversation'.

gren | ota

[murderpotato]

the witch house

There is a house on the edge of town that's been there since about as far back as anyone can remember-- a little creaky wooden thing with faded paint and a dire need of new shingles on the roof, surrounded by hedges and patchy fences. Rumors have gone around about it for years, about the grumpy recluse who lives there and rarely comes out and the strange shadows that can sometimes be seen in the windows. Sometimes, neighborhood children dare each other to run up and knock at the door, or to throw rocks through the windows or try to get over the hedges. Maybe there are monsters inside, like minotaurs guarding a labyrinth. Maybe there's a dragon's hoard of treasure.

Actually, there's just a solitary monster man who spends his days beekeeping and growing flowers for said bees and only really leaves to go drink at the bar. It's not an exciting life that Gren leads, but it's quiet and he likes not being bothered. He likes taking care of his bees and collecting honey and having as little interaction with other people as is humanly (ha) possible.

It doesn't always work out how he wants, though.

balls in holes

On Friday nights, people go out-- they go on dates or to movies or parties or whatever the hell. The normal social things that normal people do, he doesn't fuckin' know, maybe they go to a malt shop and order milkshakes. Gren prefers to go down to the local dive, order as much whiskey as he has cash for in his wallet, and play pool with himself. Which sounds like it should be dirty, but really only involved sticks, balls, and holes in the most mundane ways possible. Gren's life-- not very exciting, but it prefers it that way.

Sometimes-- very rarely, usually only when some motorist comes in from out of town and his wallet's running low-- he'll play someone. A lifetime of alcohol problems and being a barfly has given him surprising skill in bar games. The missing arm doesn't even really hinder him much at this point; it's an advantage, to be honest, because if he's trying to hustle somebody, a missing arm just makes them think he'll be an easy mark. Who needs two arms when you've got decades of experience?

He's playing 15-ball with himself, sinking the balls in numerical order after the break, one after the other. If he misses, he starts over, re-racks the balls and breaks them again and goes until he gets all of them in without a mistake.

wildcard

If you want something in particular, let me know at inkblotmeringue.

witch house

[nothingleft]

[No, it really doesn't.

But that's how it generally goes with creepy houses that were begging to be explored. There were many rumors about it as well, ranging from the mundane to the absurd. Personally Chara thinks the place has pretty flowers and an interesting vibe. Plus the owner always had a pretty good reaction to practical jokes, although that may have to do with a mutual acquaintance they share and Gren being Gren.

Regardless school is out and Chara has been left to their own devices, which never ends well for anyone. It's a bit of a hike to get to the house on the edge of town but the trips generally turns out to be worth it. Besides, Chara got their hands on a few things and they want to test them out. They can't and won't pull a breaking and entering stunt but that doesn't mean they can't have some fun outside.

Anything relating to Gren's flowers and bee-keeping things have been carefully left untouched. Chara's not that cruel. But the fences around have been given a fresh coat of paint in the form of multi-colored silly string. In addition to this Chara has hidden whoopee cushions in any places that they can think Gren might sit down outside. There's also one outside the front door, so he might want to watch if or when he walks out of the house.

They know what they're getting into by also sticking around to see Gren's reaction. Chara is hiding, however, so Gren will have to take a look around if he wants to find them.

Hint: check the hedges. Chara's small enough and forcing themselves into one isn't above them. Have fun!]

duck | open

[quacked]

most days after school; either in the park, his own frontyard or at the hospital

[ Homework is the least fun part of the day. Okay, maybe not less fun than actually being at school, but at least at school there's not as many distractions. He's been told off a lot for not doing homework, but how is he supposed to do math or history work when his comic books are right here? Still, he does try. Sort of.

After getting home from school, Duck usually lays out his books and worksheets on the grass in his front garden, or sometimes at the park, and lies down on his stomach in front of them. Because his dad (the one and only Wade Wilson) is sick and at the hospital a lot, he does sometimes do his homework there too, either in the waiting room or next to Wade while he's going through his chemo.

Of course, there's not only books and school work with him. He also takes his comics. So, if someone comes across him they're a bit more likely to find him browsing the latest goings on in the Batman or Super Dinosuar universes than finding him solving algebra problems. By now the worksheets are abandoned and cluttered with crossings out, scribbles and doodles of monsters and angry faces.

Whatever. School is dumb, and at least he's reading, right? ]

the weekend; around town

[ Duck is still an active child, full of energy and often playing in the street in front of his house. Unfortunately he can also be an... irresponsible kid, who doesn't always think.

Whether it's accidentally running into someone on his bike, kicking a ball into someone by mistake or simply being too quick to go through with dares other kids give him (one time he stole someone's gnome, and another time he ate dirt, don't tell anyone)... well, he might be a bit of a nuisance kid at times. ]

wildcard!

[ Feel free to hit me with anything else you can think up! ]

the weekend

[unknowable]

[Adam is minding his own business, on his way from home to work, when he is rudely and suddenly interrupted by a ball rolling underfoot. Well, less 'rolling underfoot' and more 'smacking into his legs and practically tripping him', but he manages to catch himself before he ends up facedown on the sidewalk. It's not graceful, though.

After catching his balance, he catches the ball too, stopping it with one foot and looking around for the owner.]

Hey, you should be more careful.

Zack Addy + Mid-Event + School Mostly (ota)

[kingoftheloonybin]

[Zack is known for being a bit odd. He teaches the higher level sciences classes as well as an extra curricular engineering class that's offered to juniors and seniors. He's a hard grader but his expectations are always clear and concise.

At lunch, he can be found in his class room, prepping a demonstration for his afternoon class. There are tubes, vials and some strange bubbling liquid that's sitting in the center of the desk beneath a bunsen burner. There is also a device that looks alarmingly like a canon. Anyone passing his classroom will hear a loud pop and then see white foam flying into the hallway.

He might have class outside today...

In the afternoon he can be found sitting at his desk. He offers tutoring after school to any student, in any grade, who feels that they need help in order to pass math or science courses.

Other than school Zack can be seen at the coffee shop picking up his usual order or at the library coming up with new experiments to show off in class. He doesn't like repeating himself and tries to come up with new gizmo's and lessons.]

Afternoon

[yearrounder]

[At least Annabeth feels bad that she's failing a lot of her classes. She's really like not to, though, seeing as she's love to go to college. She can't exactly be an architect without a degree and that means getting her grades up. Hence the tutoring. She's fine with math, but science is too much reading.

And somehow she expects to be at least alright in college.]

Hey. Sorry I'm late. Can you still help?

Terrence Ephemra | ota

[requiemshark]

[Catch-all! Feel free to hit me up at mirrorfaded and my plotting comment is here]

Coffe Shop

[requiemshark]

[Should you wander into the local watering hole in search of sweet, sweet caffeine, you might catch a glimpse of Terrence crammed into the corner with a very large mug of coffee and his GED homework. It's not going well. He's in the midst of pouring Red Bull into his coffee.

Someone should probably help him, either with tutoring or drinks that aren't going to give him heart palpitations.]

[nonscriptum]

high school

So, by now, you've all seen the big "Pop Quiz" on the board there. There isn't one, I just really wanted to see your faces and in hindsight that might not have been a "cool" move.

[Welcome to History class, led by one Nathan Drake in a shirt that isn't regulation educator attire, but since he does his job well he gets away with a few buttons undone and the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. Subjects in this class range from ancient history to contemporary, medieval to Renaissance, pretty much anything that needs covering, he covers. There are one or two elective-style art history courses for the AP students, but they probably get the same laissez-faire treatment as the rest of them.

Nate is excitable, eager to share, and frequently veering off-topic while still creating an environment where people are learning something, even if that something is a story about his grad school years in archaeology and how "sometimes you find dead bodies when you don't really expect it, and you just have to deal with it."

Life lessons.

This is the stuff that comes easy to him, explaining theories and denigrating most textbooks for their inaccuracies, informing the uninformed and encouraging students to ask questions when they don't know the answer. It feels right, even when the venue itself does not, like he's meant to be digging into the minutiae even when McGraw-Hill's garbage keeps getting shuttled into the hands of those whose minds are still being molded. Sure, there are some colonists who helped out with the Revolutionary War effort, but they owned slaves so that shit kind of cancels itself out, y'know?

He spends most of the lectures pacing, occasionally picking out a student to give commentary to further the dialogue. They don't know everything, but they don't have to. It's why they're there.]

Okay, now remember: essays on the Catholics monarchs of Spain are due next Monday. I know I said it could be anything, but if I get twenty papers on the Spanish Inquisition you're all...probably still gonna be fine, because it's pretty freaking awesome, but I don't want to read twenty of the same thing, capisce? Talk about the War of Portugal, or criminal reform, or privateer attacks on Spanish galleons and the effect on the economy - anything.

[After class he can be found loitering in the teacher's lounge, or if you're one of those students needing extra help, his incredibly disheveled office.]

out on the town

[Outside of the classroom, Nate is incapable of staying still.

Sure, he'll drop by the science hall to visit a certain someone when school is still in session, but after that all bets are off. In the gentlest of terms, Nate keeps what many fitness instructors would call an "active lifestyle," if that lifestyle also included the small-town equivalent of parkour on top of the usual running around the school track. Lifting weights is kind of pointless when you're lifting your own body up the gym climbing wall, or the abandoned factory at the edge of town.

When he isn't at home, work, or that liminal work-out space in-between, he's slinking into the diner for a cup of coffee and a full spread of the menu, because he is a genuine bottomless pit. Yes, he wants those hash browns smothered and covered, and yes, you did not mishear, he wants at least six eggs.]

wild card

[He's an active guy and can be spotted just about anywhere! Come at him.]

High School - Office

[synthedick]

[Though he's not a student, Nick needs to see Nate all the same. He checked the teacher's lounge first; the other instructors weren't surprised to see him, and informed him he might find Nate in his office. Or, if he wanted to save himself the walk, he could just drop the mail into his inbox.

However, Nick prefers to deliver these kinds of letters in person, and so after doling out a few pieces into the other inboxes, he makes his way to Professor Drake's office. He keeps the mail in his satchel out of sight and out of mind to most passersby -- these are the type that require some privacy, given they've got stickers and lip prints all over them.

Ah, to be young. He nods to a couple of girls who loiter outside of Nate's office as he knocks on the door, wondering idly which of them mailed which envelope, making guesses based on their interests as displayed through their attire. He might be a mailman now, but it's hard to take the cop out of his instincts.]

Got some mail for you, if you're in there.

Ravine. | OTA

[whip_poor_will]

You might've heard stories of the giant woman haunting the unexpected corners of town. Maybe you've dismissed them as just that -- stories. Or maybe you bought into the strange tales that are spun only by small town gossip with nothing better to do with their lives. Is she a ghost? A serial killer? Just some crazy hobo?

Well, it can't be the middle one, because that'd just be silly. All she is armed with is a thin piece of branch, which she claims speaks to her. Is that so silly?

As you're walking by the streets and find yourself passing an unassuming garbage can, you wouldn't expect anything particularly interesting. It's a garbage can. What can it do to you?

Other than the lid lifting on its own as you start to leave, and a dirty, dark-haired woman with amber brown eyes peeking through the shadows. "Psst. Hey, friend."

Did your mama ever tell you not to talk to strangers? Or crazy tall homeless women in trash cans? No? You're in luck, then.

[doctoral_bird]

It was a good thing that Malkus had forgotten all lessons regarding stranger danger. His cooler was getting noticeably lighter with each home, but he still had so much left. Was he supposed to? Maybe the town wasn't drinking enough milk. Did they all want osteometamisis? Osterobonesis? Weak-bone-disease? He set the crate down by a garbage can and wiped his brow.

"Goodness, a day's work is hard work indeed. Huh? Hm?" Malkus ceased his muttering to give the garbage woman a curious look. And just like that, it clicked. He popped open the case and placed a glass bottle of milk beside the garbage can with a dainty little tip of his hat.

"There."

Malkus Iverwelling | Open!

[doctoral_bird]

[ God, take in that beautiful suburb air. Nothing quite like it! Milkman Malkus ran down the road, hefting a large cooler case filled with the clinking clanking milk bottles he was bound to deliver. ]

Lord, bless this beautiful day! Milk! Milk's-a-comin'! That's... Is that what you say? Bring out your bottles! Your containers!

[ This was how... this worked, right? It had to, obviously! Duh! It wouldn't be your job if it didn't, right Malkus? He went door to door and knocked a friendly shave and a haircut before leaving a fresh glass bottle. ]

Fresh milk for strong bones! Since time immemorial! A pillar of good health!

[ Malkus tugged his mask against his face and straightened those finely pressed slacks of his before continuing on. A hum in his throat and a whistle on his lips, feel free to greet this friendly servant of society! ]

[bythewaves]

[ The door to the local music teacher's house opens as he calls ]

Good morning sir, and a fine day to you too!

[ Maglor smiles as he brings out the bottles. If he thinks that it is REALLY ODD that the Milkman wears a weird bird mask he doesn't say ]

Just the same as always for us, if you please.

Rydia | OTA

[blessedmaiden]

[This will be a catch-all post for Rydia's tags during the event. I will leave prompts here more or less daily trying to cover all the things we planned.

Rydia's family status can be found here and she'll probably reach out toward ALL housewives of the city.]

how about some married couple alone time!

[dragonsgrasp]

It's rare when they have the house to themselves, but when they do? Kain likes to take full advantage of it. With the kids off to practice or with friends, he has some time to enjoy being around his lovely wife.

He comes up to her when she's busy with some household chores, wrapping his arms around her from behind and leaning in to kiss the side of her neck. "That can wait, can't it? It seems as if it's been forever since it's been just the two of us... I say we enjoy it."

jack wynand | ota

[wynand]

the wynand family daycare center

He's always been told that he's good with kids. He's always loved them, and despite his hulking weight and stature, the way he looms over just about everyone he encounters, they love him right back.

It's hard to try and get your credential for teaching when you're maintaining a daycare center full time, but that doesn't matter any; he's more than capable of juggling a job with a decent education, even if it means he's not getting quite as many full nights of sleep as should be typical for him.

Most days, he maintains the daycare both for children too young to be in school and as an after-school center. If he hasn't got a kid or two hanging off his arm or crawled up onto his shoulders, he's helping one of the middle schoolers with their homework or dealing out a rousing game of Go Fish for those who are having difficulties sitting still.

café

The evening finds Jack with a double-espresso in hand, hunched over his latest assignment for the night classes he desperately needs to complete to be eligible for a teaching credential. He's only got an hour or so to fill out the remainder of the forms, and he's consequently doubled down on the requisite caffeine dosage compared to what he'd usually be drinking to keep himself up.

He looks a shade stressed, but he's still polite when he finishes off his drink and orders another, even if his smile is somewhat pinched and strained around the edges.

daycare!!

[save_theworld]

When Frisk's parents actually manage to get them to behave, they usually spend their afternoons at the daycare.

If anything, they'd become more well-behaved once the daycare became a part of their life. Less wandering about the town- much more spending time where they should be. Somewhere with an adult willing to take care of them, an adult that they particularly adored.

Of course, sometimes their parents paid Jack extra to pick them up from school. Sometimes, when they wouldn't be home until late. Sometimes they couldn't really let Frisk decide to wander.

They don't mind. Five minutes after a cheerful bell rings through the building, Frisk comes racing out, looking around for one of their favorite people. Where you at, Jack?

Tyki Mikk | ota

[prazerbutterfly]

Town Hall

[Who knows what this building use to be or even if it existed beforehand but Tyki's comfortably seated behind a nice desk and sitting in a high backed chair. Becoming Mayor wasn't easy but with a strict administrative assistant he kept on track and now that no one bothered to oppose him in the coming elections the job came easy. After all in a small town with barely any problems except for the occasional prank from children, a few traffic violations and drunks he just had to keep minor things in order.

It was true he did care about the citizens of this town but he was lazy even at the best of times. It was the police, the doctors and the schools that kept this town running. He was merely the face and the elected official of this town.

Anyone that entered his office and made it past his assistant would be greeted with a warm smile.] Ah, welcome. How may I help you?

[He might have forgotten your name if he doesn't see you regularly.]

Around Town - Name Your Place

[As much as he could enjoy lazing about in his office or down somewhere quiet he did enjoy the town as a whole. It's what prompted him to wander and visit random houses, hospitals, the police station, the bars or even town square. If he wasn't spending time in meetings or opening a new store or building with a ribbon cutting he would make time for the citizens.

Also, he loved gifts and was rather trusting. Baked goods, a nice bottle of wine, home made pies, confectioneries, pastries. His strict assistant never allowed him to have anything lavish all the time so when he could make an excuse to eat something he shouldn't he would.

He'll even stop in for a morning cup of coffee at a cafe or at a restaurant for lunch. It didn't matter where he went as long as he could brighten up their mood.]

Fishing Dock - Lakeside view

[The Mayor loved to hunt and everyone knew the mayor loved to fish most of all. He's down at the docks with fishing pole in hand and lots of bait. He might be slacking off again but that is just how a man like him was. With no family, a lot of friends and a lot of time on his hands paperwork got so dull after a while. He just had to unwind.

He loved company. Relaxing by the water with a coffee, beer or tea if it was later was preferred. He won't talk business like this on normal occasions but could be prompted if given the right push.]

Wildcard

[Throw anything at me. I'm game for a lot. Available for plotting @ mister_hyde]

restaurant :V

[beanstalk]

[ You know what's not great? Having to constantly make up excuses about why the hell the mayor isn't in attendance to some of his meetings. Not only does he have to lie about changing the appointment, then he actually has to go and actually reschedule the damn meeting.

Not to mention that it just sours Kanda's mood further. Better to just take it out on someone, in his mind. Poor Tyki. He's getting the brunt of his breakup.

He's been out and about looking for the entire day as well, searching for the flaky mayor in his favorite spots. Nope, still not around. Goddamn. Not answering his goddamn phone either. He's rather impatiently tapping a finger against an elbow, arms crossed over his chest as well as tapping his foot against the street as he's just scanning through all of the shops and restaurants on the street, peering through display windows and the patio seating with the restaurants.

It doesn't take much longer of him staring there and just searching before he finally spots the messy mop of Tyki's hair from behind. Better feel his stare in the back of your head, Tyki, because he's coming right for you. ] Tyki.

Maketh Tua | ota

[mismanagement]

[Catch all! Hit me up at mirrorfaded if you have questions. Plotting comment is here

Police Station

[mismanagement]

[Whether you're a criminal, concerned citizen, or just passing by, Maketh can be found pretty easily by poking around the police station a little. Her office is immaculate and lined with file cabinets and framed photographs of her teenage daughter.

Do not disturb her desk. Do not puke on her perfectly clean floor

Or, you know. Do. But be prepared to suffer the consequences.]

Anne of Austria | ota

[souveraine]

school.

[In the classroom she is Miss Hapsburg, just a young teacher who enjoyed her job and adored her students. Well, most of them anyway. There were always going to be the problem kids but she's known for being strict despite her kind manner.

She stays late every day to work on lesson plans, grading papers, supervising clubs and extracurricular activities or meeting with parents and students. It keeps her busy which she is grateful for.]

around town.

[Outside of the classroom she is just Anne, someone who is just trying to live her life on her own after a messy divorce from her husband. Something in the back of her mind nags at the back of her mind when she's running errands, grading papers at the local cafe with a cup of strong coffee. This all seems so ordinary but she's never known anything else.

But the moment passes just as suddenly as it came, she's happy with this life.]

wildcard.

[hit me up at illuminations if you want to plan anything out]

school

[bythewaves]

[ The music teacher has the easiest time of them all, but he makes a point of coming back, in the evenings, to bring coffee for those staying late ]

Ms Anne? [ He calls softly ]

Would you like a coffee, Ms Anne?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ A brief description of Curufin's life in Pleasant Valley is here in the Stepford Summer OOC Post. (See the comment marked "CURUFIN'S UPDATED LIFE AND HISTORY" for the most detail.) If you want to plot, comment to my toplevel there or plurk me at myPlurk me at tangyminx ]

Home -- a cute little (well, maybe not so little) white-painted, green-shingled cottage on a hillside:

Curufin wakes as the sun rises high enough to shine through the bedroom window. He yawns, stretches, and jumps out of bed. Goes to put the coffee on, wakes Yukari and Cel -- it is a work day at the jewelry shop and a school day for Cel. Breakfast is a busy and cheerful time in this household, though sometimes a little chaotic. (Pun intended.)


In his workshop -- making jewelry or doing metalwork (i.e. making weapons):

Tap, tap, tap! Bang, bang, bang! His hammer strikes the malleable metal. This is where he can often be found after his work day is done -- doing the same things as he does at work, except at home. Often, he's helping Cel with the same kind of work -- the kid is very talented, and has his own projects going.


Running in the park or on the trails outside of town:

Pant pant huff huff! -- got to keep going, get his miles in for the day. Get his physical fitness back the way it was when he got out of the Army. Keep Rosen from scolding him next time he comes in for a checkup of his heart, lungs, and blood chemistry.


Tutoring kids and teenagers:

Math, science, and writing. Don't care if it's at the library or in juvenile hall. You get high-quality tutoring and/or mentoring from this ex juvenile delinquent.


Hanging out in the Veterans' Hall:

Swapping war stories and tall tales with other military vets. Also getting drunk.


Anywhere else you can think of:

This includes whatever. Also, relatives or friends or other Pleasant Valley residents knocking at the door or dropping in unexpectedly.

veteran's hall, sometime far too late for you to be out, Curvo

[bythewaves]

"Oh Curvo."

A soft huff, Maglor coming hunting for his brother who did not get home in time.

"Drunk again?"

Maglor | OTA, will match prose/brackets

[bythewaves]

School

The local music teacher's a gentle hand, indulgent. But he's a knack for looking at you as if you've SO BADLY disappointed him because he expected so much better of you! that makes most students at least not disrupt class too badly. He's also got an eye for skill, and those with both the talent and the will he pushes, harder than might be expected.

If the class is really lucky, he'll sing for them, that deep rich voice that fills the auditorium and carries you away.

During lunch he's in the teacher's lounge nursing his coffee, or outside enjoying the sunshine.

After school, he cleans every instrument in the music room lovingly before heading home.

Home Tuition

He offers private lessons too, and his home is always open. It's busier than you might expect, with two brothers, a nephew, and a cousin as well as an adopted son easily expected to be popping in and out. His home is small and comfortable, and pride of place is the grand piano, and next to the window, a massive floor harp. He'll offer to feed anyone who he teaches.

Home

The house itself is small but comfortable - clearly lived in by two bachelors, a little messy, but still fairly clean. There aren't a lot of family pictures, interestingly, and none of Hux as very small child - he's at least ten in his youngest. There's also one, tucked in a back room, which shows Maglor on a magazine cover, hair long and a cocky smirk on his face. Its a comfortable home, if sometimes a little loud with the arguments that inevitably arise.

Wild card

Hit me

home

[therewillbeorder]

He couldn't say he missed either of his parents- he hardly remembered his mother and the memories he had of his father weren't exactly fond. As much as he and his adopted father were very different, he had to admit that Maglor cared for him. He just tried not to think about all the harp lessons he had to take as a child when all he wanted to do was his math homework.

At least now he knew how to play the harp.

"Are you home?" he called out as he slipped his shoes off at the door before heading back into the house.

Wade | OTA

[ishotyouuu]

Hospital

[ishotyouuu]

It was a medical miracle, they called it-- not in so many words, of course, but Wade could tell by the way they looked at his chart; the way countless doctors rushed in and out of his room, hoping to catch a glimpse of the patient who had baffled the entire hospital staff with his prognosis. Truth be told, Wade didn't really believe it himself. After several months of chemotherapy; several months of his entire body aching, of the nausea and stomach cramps; of not being able to look into a mirror without wincing, something miraculous had indeed happened, so rare and unheard of that doctors and medical experts were still struggling to find a term to define it.

It wasn't as though Wade's cancer was cured. Far from it, actually-- as far as he could understand from what they told him, his body was still producing cancer-laden cells at a steady rate. The crazy thing was that new cells were being produced at exactly the same rate that his cancer laden cells were dying. He wasn't getting any better, but he wasn't getting any worse, either, and whatever anomaly had taken place inside him rendered him resistant to any further treatment.

Not all of it is soul-crushingly bad news, though. At least he's still alive to take care of Duck. And if nothing else, at least he still gets visitors.

Prussia | open + home

[occupiesvitalregions]

[Around town]
[Why look! It's your friendly neighborhood insurance salesman out for his usual morning jog. You know, ol' Gilbert Beilschmidt, the fella who aggressively has sold you and everyone else in town way more insurance policies than you probably actually need. He's always out bright and early, giving everyone a friendly wave, and gleefully running past other joggers like this was some sort of race. If you're out in the morning, he may just stop to talk to you, jogging in place or stopping to stretch while he does.]

Mornin'! How's it going today?


[Bar]
[Sometimes after work hours, Gil can be found inside the local bar, or veterans' hall. He's an ex-Marine, after all. Whether you're happy to see him or not, he plops down on a barstool next to you, beer in hand.]

Another successful day. Time to celebrate!


[Outside his home]
[Seems like Gil is one of those suburbanites who obsesses over his front lawn. to be fair, it's pretty damn near perfect. He's out there today, inspecting something closely, kneeling down. He's frowning deeply at one puffy little dandelion that's sprung up near the walkway with intense frustration.]

I don't get it! Where did you come from?! Damnit, there's never just one of these things, you probably brought friends that'll show up any time now.


[Home - locked to Tatara]

Hey, I'm home!

[After a long day at work, Gil can't wait to get home to his lovely spouse. He comes through the door, and it's time to toss the briefcase, loosen the tie, and flop on the couch. There are still plenty of things to do around the house, but he'd like a few minutes to chill with Tatara first.]

Home

[filmthenight]

Welcome home! [Tatara calls from the kitchen, just putting the Eggplant Casserole in the oven as he does so. He had changed up a few ingredients, but he's absolutely certain it'll come out better than ever.

After shutting the oven door, he sets the mitt on the counter and heads into the living room with his usual smile. He greets Gilbert on the sofa, leaning in and kissing him on the lips.]

Dinner should be ready in half an hour. How was your day?

madoka | ota

[revelation]

[ A catch-all to cover all days of the event! Individual prompts will be posted below, feel free to throw in a wildcard prompt or two of your own if you'd like. Here is a rundown of her life in town + her plotting post if you'd like to add on.

Feel free to pm me here on DW or shoot me a message on plurk at kaldwin if you'd for me to set up a personalized prompt for you! ]

home

[revelation]

[ Mondays are always busy days. Her parents are getting ready to head to work while her brothers and herself hurry to get ready for school. Madoka can already smell breakfast from downstairs and already her stomach is growling, ready to eat and get a perfect start to her day. There is still a few final touches before she heads out though like making sure she had her homework, school supplies and her afternoon plans worked out.

Today is fencing and then dressage practice before heading home for dinner. If there was time, she'd likely head to the shelter to take some of the dogs for a walk to help unwind before settling in for the evening. It was a busy schedule, her schedule was always busy but she adored the work. It made her proud and, she hopes, made her parents proud too.

With one final touch-up in the mirror, checking to make sure her ribbons were secure, she takes her bag and hurries on down the stairs and straight for the kitchen. ]

Good morning! [ The cute baby of the family is here and ready to start the day!! ]