cityonthemove-blog

[cityonthemove-blog]

((He’s so confused by that idea, too!))

Mr. Manuel has never looked so huggable???

[cityonthemove-blog]

Batman Helps Residents Of San Bernardino Come Together After Massacre

Hello everyone! I have some pretty awesome news about a community coming together. Of course who better than Batman to help bring them together after the mass shooting that happened in San Bernardino.

[cityonthemove-blog]

((Tonight at 8 PM, there will be a benefit concert in memory of those lost in the 2 December 2015 San Bernardino mass shooting.

The program includes pieces of remembrance and of hope for orchestra and choir, from the Baroque to the contemporary. It features world premieres of an orchestral work by Lucas Richman and of a poem by Juan Delgado.

If you’re in the area, you have half an hour to get to San Bernardino Valley College if you’d like to hear this in person. If you’re not in the area or otherwise can’t make it, the whole thing will be webcast at the link above.))

[cityonthemove-blog]

He walks back in with the water, frowning a little.

“Make sure you can get yourself back out. You can’t, it’s a problem for a long time, I’d know.”

Manuel’s about to actually hand her the water, but then he puts two and two together about Julia still holding the package. He sets the water down, then says, “Here’s good. Nobody’s said that about my place in a while.”

[ knocks on his door with a present ] Mr. Manuel?

*At first, Manuel merely looks toward the door, somewhere between skeptical and apathetic. The sound of his name is faint, the voice unfamiliar, but after a moment, he judges it harmless enough. The city extracts himself from his sofa and makes the short but arduous walk to his door, which he opens slowly and not all the way yet.*

“Yeah?”

[cityonthemove-blog]

“Yeah, sure, it’s a Happy Meal like any other gift is a fucking box covered with colored paper!”

He grabs at the doorknob in agitation, but stops himself before actually turning it. He then gives the box a long stare, in deep contemplation of the idea of chucking it at the door. But in reality, its lack of hamburgers and fries means it wouldn’t have enough momentum to even make a sound. Manuel is hardly a physicist, but is still aware of the shortcomings of this situation.

In the end, he just grinds his teeth and drops the box onto the doorstep before turning on his heels and embarking on a search for the nearest bar.

Whenever John might decide to open that box, he’ll find a gift card to Dunkin. A very Massachusetts institution packaged in the one thing San Bernardino made that went viral. Plus a little plastic Boston terrier, because even if it’s not a real Happy Meal, there needs to be a toy.

*Getting Manuel out of the house has proven difficult this month, but the fact that he's here, knocking on the door, is evidence that this is not impossible. His knock is arhythmic and heavy. The hand not doing the knocking holds what appears to be a Happy Meal box.*

John looks over at the door, his dog reaching it before he does. Opening the door, he’s very confused as he’s looking at a face he has not really seen before. “…are you trying to sell me something-”

[cityonthemove-blog]

Manuel stays on the doorstep, box still held up, scowl deepening as he raises his voice at the door.

“You’re gonna be that fucking festive, why’d you even sign up for this shit?”

Pot, kettle. Kettle, pot.

*Getting Manuel out of the house has proven difficult this month, but the fact that he's here, knocking on the door, is evidence that this is not impossible. His knock is arhythmic and heavy. The hand not doing the knocking holds what appears to be a Happy Meal box.*

John looks over at the door, his dog reaching it before he does. Opening the door, he’s very confused as he’s looking at a face he has not really seen before. “…are you trying to sell me something-”

[cityonthemove-blog]

He was trying to look festive. He really was. Sure, he never quite got there, but he was trying. Now, though, even that attempt fades into a legitimate scowl.

“You John? Massachusetts? Not selling stuff if you are. If you’re not, you don’t get to try to buy his Secret Santa gift.”

He holds up the box stiffly.

*Getting Manuel out of the house has proven difficult this month, but the fact that he's here, knocking on the door, is evidence that this is not impossible. His knock is arhythmic and heavy. The hand not doing the knocking holds what appears to be a Happy Meal box.*

John looks over at the door, his dog reaching it before he does. Opening the door, he’s very confused as he’s looking at a face he has not really seen before. “…are you trying to sell me something-”

[cityonthemove-blog]

“Over budget?”

He looks surprised again, then mildly concerned.

“Careful with that, do it too many times and you get screwed over...”

Way to sound grateful, dude!

He motions inside. It’s not a big house, nor is it very organized, save for a wall full of trinkets and road signs that looks as well-maintained as any museum exhibit. Manuel disappears into the kitchen for water before saying anything else.

[ knocks on his door with a present ] Mr. Manuel?

*At first, Manuel merely looks toward the door, somewhere between skeptical and apathetic. The sound of his name is faint, the voice unfamiliar, but after a moment, he judges it harmless enough. The city extracts himself from his sofa and makes the short but arduous walk to his door, which he opens slowly and not all the way yet.*

“Yeah?”

[cityonthemove-blog]

((Here, at last, is my horribly late Secret Santa gift for @bluebxnnets! As it turns out, we both ended up drawing each other’s characters, haha!

Anyway, this is Samuel, her personification of the state of Texas.

I realized quite a bit too late that there’s a drawing of him in a very similar pose on DeviantArt, so I do apologize for that. I just couldn’t give up the chance to draw someone singing cowboy songs, since I’m in a band that has some comparable repertoire. I hope you like it anyway! He was fun to draw!))

[cityonthemove-blog]

*He notices the retraction of her hand, and lowers his own slowly.*

“Don’t need to apologize. Had a lot of people come by, most not for something so...nice.”

*This seems to be an awkward phrase for him, too, but the positive first impression has indeed been made. The door opens all the way now.*

“Want some water or juice, after that trip? Kind of a mess in here, sorry.”

[ knocks on his door with a present ] Mr. Manuel?

*At first, Manuel merely looks toward the door, somewhere between skeptical and apathetic. The sound of his name is faint, the voice unfamiliar, but after a moment, he judges it harmless enough. The city extracts himself from his sofa and makes the short but arduous walk to his door, which he opens slowly and not all the way yet.*

“Yeah?”

[cityonthemove-blog]

*Manuel’s eyebrows lift at the sight of this visitor and the context of her introduction; tension drains from his face in favor of surprise. He looks at her outstretched hand as if uncertain how to respond to it.*

“Washington...came all the way down here just for this...?”

*His voice is still tired, but the gruffness has all but vanished. The door opens wider.*

[ knocks on his door with a present ] Mr. Manuel?

*At first, Manuel merely looks toward the door, somewhere between skeptical and apathetic. The sound of his name is faint, the voice unfamiliar, but after a moment, he judges it harmless enough. The city extracts himself from his sofa and makes the short but arduous walk to his door, which he opens slowly and not all the way yet.*

“Yeah?”

[cityonthemove-blog]

[ knocks on his door with a present ] Mr. Manuel?

*At first, Manuel merely looks toward the door, somewhere between skeptical and apathetic. The sound of his name is faint, the voice unfamiliar, but after a moment, he judges it harmless enough. The city extracts himself from his sofa and makes the short but arduous walk to his door, which he opens slowly and not all the way yet.*

“Yeah?”

[cityonthemove-blog]

Please join us at 8 PM on Monday December 28th, 2015, at San Bernardino Valley College Auditorium for a benefit concert in honor and memory of those affected by the tragedy on December 2nd.

This program features local performers and artists in a wide range of repertoire, commemorative of those lost, and celebratory of the strength of our region in the face of indescribable tragedy. 

Rather than charging for admission, we ask that you consider making a donation to Arrowhead United Way. However, a ticket is required for admission - reserve yours here.

[cityonthemove-blog]

[cityonthemove-blog]

Watch: Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings just hit the nail on the head.

(Especially after last night’s shooting in Minneapolis.)

[cityonthemove-blog]

((I know I haven’t been active on this blog in eons, but I still want to say that I absolutely will not be entertaining any asks or starters related to the terrorism in San Bernardino today. If you send me anything, I will delete it. 

Turning something like this into a roleplay prompt for a fictional character is inappropriate and insensitive to the real people whose lives have been affected by this. 

If you are even thinking of turning this into roleplay, whether for Manuel or for any other California-relevant character belonging to any roleplayer, please think again. Redirect, ask your friends in the area how they’re doing, and, if you’re old enough, put your vote toward people who are trying to make “active shooter” a problem of the past.))