dcrkcloud

[dcrkcloud]

It's not often that Sarah listens to her mother's advice. She's spent all these years ignoring it, so why start now? But even she had to admit that pilates did sound relaxing somewhat. She only slightly resents her mother's comment that she needs to chill out, as long as she doesn't think about it too much.

To save herself the embarrassment ( though definitely not any money ) she'd booked a private session for her first foray. This way she could make all the common mistakes with someone who's seen them all a million times, instead of in front of anyone who's likely to remember them outside the wellness centre's four walls. "Please. If that's okay? I've got about half left, but if there's a station nearby, that'd be great." She's been trying for months to make a better habit of staying hydrated and carrying a bottle tends to help her wallet, too. Coffee isn't cheap these days. She laughs lightly, taking her eye off her fast-filling bottle to smile at her instructor. "So, just to preface, I'm a total beginner, so go easy on me."

location:     cove  wellness  center status:      open @palmviewstarters

fine.  perhaps  having  a  date  on  valentine's  day  wouldn’t  have  been  the  worst  thing.  it  surely  wouldn’t  have  been  as  bad  as  …  work  in  the  morning  after  valentine’s.   cheerful  faces  (  probably  either  because  they  had  a  good  time  last  night  or  because  they  were  looking  forward  to  their  saturday  evening,  huh  ?  )  people  chatting  and  exchanging  their  love  stories.  how  endearing.  selma  sighs  –   another  year  of  not  taking  part  in  a  tradition  that  she  never  cared  for  as  much  ;     until  moving  to  palm  view.  maybe  because  back  home  valentine’s  day  wasn’t  as  big  of  a  deal  as  it  is  here,  maybe  because  she  is  getting  sucked  into  the  life  in  palm  view  more  and  more  after  years  of  living  here. 

“  do  you  want  to  fill  your  water  bottle  before  we  start  ?  “  she  offers  her  client,  setting  up  the  last  bits  of  what  they’d  need  for  their  private  session.  “  we  got  another  five  minutes  if  needed.  “  at  least  her  voice  sounds  warmer  in  contrast  to  the  icky  thoughts.  at  least,  with  an  hour  of  pilates  ahead,   she’d  think  about  something  other  than  cupid  and  all  that  comes  with  it. 

[dcrkcloud]

Realising she'd yet to buy flowers for her grandmother this close to Valentine's weekend hadn't been the best epiphany she'd ever had. Getting a card had taken the better part of an hour alone, and then all of five minutes to write during a coffee break on the way here. If she'd realised how quickly the special occasion was creeping up on her, she'd have put an order in for pick up and be able to fast track this long queue, but with other things clouding her mind, she'd have to make do with whatever she could get.

All she can be thankful for is that she's happy to wait, especially since it gives her time to decide what to ask for. "Oh, me, too! I usually get Forget-Me-Nots this time of year for my grandma, but I feel like I don't get them often enough to be a tradition, but also often enough that maybe it's time for a change— But I can't decide, because I know she likes them anyway." She sighs, moving to stand more beside the customer in front of her. "Who are yours for? If you don't mind me asking. Then maybe you can match the meanings to the recipient."

status: open @palmviewstarters

where: fleurist

one of angel's traditions was he liked to buy himself flowers for special occasions. like valentine's day, his birthday, or other events that didn't often. he figured it was his way of treating himself because he knew no one else would. he didn't talk to his parents anymore and he wasn't dating anyone, so why not make himself feel special from time to time?

so, here he stood, in line at fleurist, trying to make a decision regarding which flowers he wanted to get. but, he was having issues deciding between blooms, not sure which combination he would think looks better. he notices that he's next in line and turns to the person behind him, gesturing for them to go in front of him. "go ahead of me, i still need to make a decision. i can't figure out if i want to do tulips and peonies or lilies and roses. what do you think?"

[dcrkcloud]

Most people take late night walks to clear their head, but Sarah usually finds it a good time to fill it. At best, she'll square away all the thoughts she's had through the day, filing them into neat, categorised folders, then sorted by most to least important. It helps her to visualise her notes this way, for when she retrieves her pocket notebook to make sense of the literal bullet points she'd scribbled down between customers. The sand sneaking under her clothes and the waves washing over the shore are her only reminder of where she is as she thumbs through the pages, pencil tucked over her ear so she can't possibly lose it, not again.

It's not often that she's caught off guard, a tear ripping into the paper as she jumps at the voice beside her. She's usually more observant, but that's why night is the best time for her to focus: there's never usually anyone else around.

"Oh, no, but thank you." She smiles, and that should be the end of it, but she's nothing if not curious. "Looking for company, or smoking to forget?"

Status: open @palmviewstarters Location: Sunset Villa Beach

There was something so still about the beach in the twilight hours. Late enough where the usual night dwellers have stopped their hustle and bustle but not quite early enough for the other surfers to start rolling in with their boards and chatters, everything was...calm. Quiet.

Just the way Slater prefers it.

He's not quite ready to hit the waves; instead, he's laying flat against his surfboard nestled on the sand, his wetsuit half on. The sound of crashing waves his only melody, he lifts his joint to his lips...and inhales, deep but not deep enough, holding in the smoke for one, two, before it curls out of his lips. If he could feel anything stronger than the munchies in his hazy state, then he would assume this would be close enough to bliss. But, bliss is fleeting and there's something nagging in the back of his mind that he's not as alone as he wishes.

He pushes himself up, one palm in the sand as red tinged eyes blink once, twice as his gaze lands on the person in question. And, he extends his hand out, the joint still it.

"Wanna hit?"

[dcrkcloud]

BASICS

NAME: sarah wilson NICKNAMES: sar, wilson GENDER: cis female PRONOUNS: she/her BIRTHDAY: october 1, 1995 AGE: 29 HEIGHT: 5'1" SEXUALITY: heterosexual OCCUPATION: salesperson at retro roots LIVING: harborview residences #2b, coral cove HOMETOWN: palmview, florida TIME IN PALM VIEW: her whole life

DETAILS

POSITIVE TRAITS: sunny disposition, imaginative, determined, teacherly. NEUTRAL TRAITS: nosy, gossip, talkative, questioning, observant. NEGATIVE TRAITS: assertive, impulsive, obsessive, paranoid. LIKES: night walks, urban exploring videos, thrifting, handwritten letters. DISLIKES: baseball, bugs, bad upcycling jobs, driving fast, mannequins.

HISTORY

Having two educators for parents means you're destined for great things. At least, that's what everyone tells her as she's growing up, how her future must be so bright and she must be so smart. Turns out, the thing she's smartest at, is sneaking out her window undetected.

Her parents had thought she was going to parties, meeting boys and drinking underage when she'd climb down from her bedroom in her teens, but she was actually breaking and entering instead — still against the law, but somehow they were a little relieved.

Her thirst for the truth hinders her studies, her teachers finding her a little too much and some of her classmates never quite sure if they can trust her with a secret, but she's not here to tell the world Janey's parents might be getting a divorce, she wants to know why their physical ed. teacher disappeared mid-semester and if it has anything to do with the reward money from their team's last soccer competition.

This passion follows her into adulthood, and it's hard to hold a job when your bosses feel like they're the ones being interviewed, but eventually she finds her footing at Retro Roots amongst the vintage clothes and old records and she satisfies her need to know all by learning the histories of the items they sell. Her polite, sunny disposition does well with customers, at least.

Her blog, dated back to high school, still sees a new post every so often, with the facts and theories from happenings across town. As she's gotten older, it's taken more of a backseat, investigating so much easier when all else you have to worry about is homework.

She's still dreaming of one day having an office with a little plaque with her name on, but she finds herself mostly investigating the digital footprints of her friends' dates these days. Unfortunately — or fortunately depending on how you look at it — nothing much of intrigue seems to happen around Palmview very often, but she can't bring herself to leave either.

It's not like she's given up, but with her parents' nagging, she thinks maybe pushing thirty is a good time to settle down in every meaning of the word.

TRIVIA

Despite not doing so much reporting since she's gotten older, Sarah is always investigating something, be it the owners of a new business opening up ( pyramid scheme or smokescreen? ) or her new neighbour moving in downstairs ( he could be anyone! ). She has wild theories about everything happening around her but knows better by now to keep them secret unless it's someone who doesn't take her ramblings too seriously.

Sarah takes a lot of pride in her outfits and spends a lot of time searching through the racks to thrift almost all of her pieces. She'll always be perfectly dressed for any occasion — even if she's just grabbing milk, she wouldn't dare leave the apartment in her loungewear.

LINKS

connections — coming soon!

pinterest

RESOURCES

gif packs #1 & #2

[dcrkcloud]

Marley's almost certain she doesn't know Elena once the woman introduces herself and honestly it just makes her feel worse. She could've avoided all this discomfort for them both by just minding her business, and yet, unsurprisingly, she found herself in these situations once again. Thankfully, Elena doesn't seem to find her excuse too strange, or if she does, she doesn't say it outright. "Maybe we've passed each other in the street, like ships in the night." She chuckles, unintentionally keeping the air between them thick. "I don't— I don't think I'd know for someone for being 'eye candy', but— I don't recognise the name. Sorry, I honestly don't know many people so I don't know why I thought— Sorry." Is she apologising too much? "It's nice to meet new people, though. It's nice to meet you." She offers politely, trying to shrug off all her uncertainty. "Oh, no worries. I would've found it weird, too." Marley has to bite her tongue not to keep rambling, to say something that makes her even less likely to consider Marley a potential friend after all this. Elena might just want her to leave, but Marley doesn't notice. "So, if you used to live here, have you been back long?"

          elena  had  once  prided  herself  in  knowing  everyone  in  palmview  and  having  a  mental  fact  about  each  of  them  within  her  mind.  a  social  butterfly  with  a  knack  of  trying  to  make  friends  with  everyone  that  came  in  her  direction  —  although  now  it  was  known  within  her  mind  that  it  was  due  to  the  fear  of  loneliness,  refusing  to  be  alone  with  her  own  thoughts  and  drown  in  the  self-loathing  that  was  beneath  the  surface.  looking  towards  marley,  elena  couldn’t  even  think  of  a  name  that  matched  the  face  before  her,  struggling  to  think  of  who  she  was  or  a  fact  she  probably  should  know  about  her  —  thankfully,  marley  was  kind  enough  to  actually  speak  and  make  elena’s  shoulders  drop  in  tension.   “   i  used  to  live  here,   ”   she  finally  admits,  leaning  back  in  the  booth  with  a  shrug.   “   you  might  know  my  twin  —  daniel  de  luca?  pretty  sure  he’s  eye  candy  and  a  popular  chef  still.   ”   conversations  with  daniel  usually  focused  on  her  recovery  and  some  distracting  topics,  rarely  about  his  life  in  palmview,  she  would’ve  been  more  inclined  to  ask  about  knox  that  way.   “   elena,  and  it’s  fine.  sorry  i  snapped.   ”

[dcrkcloud]

"Honestly, it wouldn't be my first time having to explain an embarrassing fall to a paramedic, so I can take the literal fall if push comes to shove." She muses, still staring up at the top shelf. It shouldn't be this difficult to buy pasta. "I don't think we'll have to climb, though. You definitely shouldn't, that's a pretty dress, it's not worth risking." Marley's rosy cheeks round in a grin aimed her way. "We just need something we can hook around the bag and tug and then the other and catch it before it hits the ground. Right?"

Savannah realized her mistake almost immediately. Like her, this woman was not appropriately dressed for scaling grocery shelves. "I was really tempted to start climbing," she laughed, "but I was afraid that my dress would get caught on something or I'd topple over and make a very interesting story for the paramedics when they arrived." That was not part of her plan for a simple day of errand running. "Honestly, why would they even put the healthier pastas on the top shelf?"

[dcrkcloud]

Marley shouldn't, but she throws her head back in a laugh. Maybe he's right, maybe doctors do get confused, but she can't see it. You can't do all those years of schooling and not be able to do it in your sleep, surely. "Let's hope not, not if they're using them on people. Imagine trying to stitch someone up with one of these!" She grins, waving the knitting needle around, tangling her yarn. "Yes, I'm afraid so. To both of those questions. If it makes you feel any better, by that logic, I've got to give myself a child and then that child has to give me a grandchild, so I think you've got time."

“now  that  you  mention  it,  there  are  a  lot  of  things  called  needles…  do  you  think  doctors  ever  get  confused  ?  i  could  definitely  see  myself  getting  confused…”  the  world  was  a  better  place  specifically  because  major  powell  was  not  practicing  medicine.  “oh  no,  is  carrying  a  sewing  kit  a  GRANDMA  thing  ?  my  mother  carries  one  of  those  around…  shit,  am  i  gonna  have  to  get  her  a  kid  soon  ?”  his  brows  furrow,  wondering  how  the  hell  he's  going  to  find  a  mother  for  his  children,  much  less  A  GOOD  ONE. 

[dcrkcloud]

"I don't see why they wouldn't have sushi!" She grins, happy to have found a common ground between them, even if it's seafood. "The owner recommended the scallops and a wine to match for me and they were incredible." Her gushing reminds her she needs to go back soon, when she has a free evening where she isn't tired by 7pm. "Vineyards, huh?" Every word, every action from Ripley just seems to emphasise how different their lifestyles are — down to the vape Marley turns her own head to avoid looking at. "I don't see it like that. I see it as people willing to help in your hour of need, and being able to offer the same to others." Her smile falls. "It doesn't have to be, but it should at least be you. Parties were never for me, they were just a smokescreen."

Ripley nodded at the others words "Fine dining is always entertaining, I'm really into sushi of late so if they serve that then I might well engage myself" They mused, having found it to be an easy enough meal and quite the delicacy. "Wine is also something I find myself easily interested in, I have done a number of wine tasting seminars and spent enough time with lovers on vineyards" They mused, stepping away as they took a drag on their vape and blew smoke the other way. "Community means you have too many in your business, never works out well..." They shrugged. "And what gave? Partying doesn't have to always be carnage."

[dcrkcloud]

Georgia picks at her food, a little unsure for once. She hadn't signed up for the event, too scared to make a decision until it was too late, and now she's starting to really regret it. "Isn't it supposed to be 'professionals' picking the matches?" She asks, recalling the posters she'd seen around and the pitch her friend had given her to try to persuade her. "Hey, that's totally a valid first date idea if he's cute enough." Georgia teases, wagging a knowing finger in Sofia's direction. "I didn't sign up, no." She shrugs, "I should've, but I'd have felt bad for whoever got partnered with me. I'd have eaten them alive. Unfortunately, that does mean I'm probably going to be alone on Valentine's, but... Whatever."

closed \ @dcrkcloud location \ sunrise cafe

" you know, i'm starting to have second thoughts about signing up for this matchmaking event, " sofia muses, taking another bite of her waffles, a long pause settling as she enjoys the sweet delicacy. " i mean, am i really trusting someone in their twenties to pick out a decent match for me, when i've failed to do it for myself countless times ? knowing my luck, i'll end up with a guy who still calls his mom over any minor inconvenience and thinks ‘ netflix and chill ’ is a valid first date idea. " she's just being cynical and she knows it, but sometimes optimism is hard to find. " what about you, did you sign up ? "

[dcrkcloud]

"I did." She answers dumbly, cheeks warm. Marley feels out of place here, a little silly for even thinking she could come say hello to a friend after his show. Surely there'd be more important things to do, more important people to see— "Oh?" Or a party to go to. She only half registers his friends' teasing, which is for the best if the redness to her ears already is anything to go by. She's not sure what makes her stomach churn more; how this interaction must look to an outsider, or how she's going to survive going to a party again after all these years. "A party? Me?" Eventually, she'll get a full, coherent sentence out but not yet. "Are you— Sure? Sorry—" Why is she apologising? God, she's all over the place. Why would he want to be seen a party with her? "Sure! If you want!" What is she getting herself into? Maybe she can get out of drinking, at least.

"oh, hey! you came," he smiles as he sees marley in front of him. he'd invited her to this festival gig he and other artists were throwing. leon and his band just closed the night. "that's so cool. thanks." she probably would've heard about it anyway at the library, it had a few posters for the event. leon's heart races over so slightly, still a foot in the show and the other one now. it's easy to feel out of breath after an energetic show -more and more less now that he's got himself a personal trainer. the sweaty shirt clings to his chest for dear life. he leans in, closer to her ear, "do you wanna come to a party?" he whispers. do you wanna kiss him? some of his friends tease him and the blond blushes. "alright, alright guys. back off." his ears feel hot and red, but a smirk is beginning on his lips. it doesn't give too much away about what he's feeling.

[dcrkcloud]

All Marley can do is chuckle. Honestly, if her dads had access to her finances, they'd probably have a similar reaction. She dreads to think what they'd say to her bank statements after a convention now; they were exasperated enough back when she was starting out in the adult world. "They really do; they match the vibe perfectly." Marley's honestly a little inspired to do it herself, but she wouldn't have much to hang from it. It probably wouldn't have the same effect with a graphic tee and a well-worn jacket she stole from her father's 80's closet a decade ago. "It's better spread across a couple days, anyway," she muses with a warm smile, "the excitement is over too quick if you do it straight away. How often are you going to change it around?" She laughs. "Don't worry, it's all aesthetically stacked in the corner of the room now, but thank you."

“i  thought  about  getting  one  of  those  framed  tv's,  but  i  think  my  dad  might  cut  me  off  if  he  sees  another  charge  on  my  card,”  she  always  got  a  little  swipe  happy  when  inspiration  struck,  needing  the  materials  for  her  newest  project  rather  than  wanting  them.  the  racks  had  been  a  happy  medium  for  her,  settling  the  urge  to  create  while  also  keeping  her  wallet  in  tact.  “i'm  obsessed  with  the  way  the  pipes  look,  i  thought  they  might  be  too  gaudy,  but  i  think  they  match  the  brick  so  well,”  turns  to  marley,  features  brightening.  “i  started  it  two  nights  ago,  finished  it  today.  if  i  worked  on  it  from  start  to  finish  it  would  probably  only  take  a  few  hours,  but  you  know  me,  i  get  sidetracked.  do  you  want  me  to  put  the  shelf  up  for  you,  though  ?  i  know  my  way  around  a  drill,  babe.”

[dcrkcloud]

Taking that step forward closer to the front of the line at last tastes so sweet. Georgia isn't the most patient person at the best of times, so given enough chance, she'd have said something she should probably regret. If she was more self aware, she'd thank her new company. Instead, she hums in agreement, "mine, too." With a groan, she adds, "right? Honestly, I'm already judging him either way. He should've stood to the side, decided, and then joined the line, if he's that indecisive. I hope he's not like this with other decisions, his future partner would be waiting a long fucking time."

"right,  i  can't  argue  when  you  keep  making  valid  points,"  josie  let  out  a  soft  laugh,  watching  as  the  indecisive  man  ahead  finally  moved  out  of  line  and  they  started  moving  along.  it  felt  as  if  everyone  in  the  room  let  out  a  collective  sigh  of  relief,  eager  to  recieve  the  promised  free  ice  cream.  "my  favorite  invention,  if  i  have  to  pick,"  she  shrugged,  "so  was  i,  it  felt  like  it  honestly.  i'd  be  lying  if  i  said  i'm  not  going  to  judge  his  order  hard  as  i  watch  him  eat  it.  especially  if  it's  the  free  ice  cream  flavor  because  come  on,  really?"

[dcrkcloud]

Your conditions aren’t as strict as I thought. I guess we’re a good match.

Youth of May | Episode 2

[dcrkcloud]

"I am so down for a movie and nails." She gasps, excitement genuine as she shows Maisie her chipped hands. "They are desperate need. When I have to help at the pizzeria, it never seems worth it, I always chip them." Pouting, she listens with an attentive ear. Famous? Admittedly, she's had her fair share of hanging around with famous people after years with her sister, but she's curious. "Lionel? Hmm, never heard of him either. Ooh, I bet they were lying, just to get your attention... Sounds like the start of a new Netflix original movie to me." Georgia teases, nose crinkling at the bridge.

“ right ! ” maisie nods , as if georgia is being optimistic about it , “ ah , i'm so excited ! should we watch a movie tonight ? paint our nails ? call some boys up ? ” she wiggles her brows , a look of mischief on her features . “ ooh , i forgot to tell you ! i met some guy named lionel the other day who i guess might be a famous musician here . have you ever heard of him ? i think he was maybe lying about being famous though , because when i went home to google him , nothing came up but lionel richie . ”

[dcrkcloud]

Is it a little conceited to attend events she'd had a hand in organising? She tells herself she's just here to make sure everything goes to plan, just like she does every time, but tonight she'd actually been hoping to hear some really life-changing prose, the kind that makes the walk home seem so short. Unfortunately, she's yet to be treated to anything along those lines, but the night is still young. "Hey, now. I think this was specifically advertised as an all levels welcome night, not professionals only." She teases with an unsure smile. Truthfully, she feels it a little rude to voice aloud, even out of earshot of the poet — and even if she'd been thinking similarly.

closed \ @dcrkcloud location \ adult poetry group @ lagoon library !

" what on gods green earth have i just sat and listened to ? " amusement is clear in his tone, accent accelerated. but the look on his face, despite the slight curl of lips, is one of pure disbelief. kai enjoys poetry, has written a lot of it over his time. is aware that some of his might be considered ridiculous to most, but this he can't help but to judge. " that was not poetry, that was a five-page love letter to his pet bloody snake. " a pause, shake of his head as a huff of laughter dares slip out. " gotta give it to him, though. he really threw in ever word he could think of that rhymed with it, eh ? " now he thinks about it, he really hopes it was about a pet, and not a euphemism for something else.

[dcrkcloud]

"Really," she laughs softly, cheeks a little warm. Had she come across too eager? "Walked. I walked; that way I could take pictures along the way. What about you?" It doesn't really matter. If they were desperate, they could always catch a cab, but she thinks they could make it on foot still — as long as they don't dawdle too much. Although, she's got nowhere to be for the rest of the day except right here.

wyatt lights up with a smile , surprised by her immediate response to him , “ really ? ” he echoes back , eyes blinking , “ okay , ” he stands up , all out of sorts , “ let's do it . uh , did you drive here ? walk ? bike ? ” he rattles off , filled with a sudden burst of energy . this was the sort of spontaneity he lived for . it was refreshing , different — nice . 

[dcrkcloud]

"Are you sure we can fit all these flights on this little table?" She asks, already shifting over their tea to make space. Georgia will never say no to being spoilt; she'll always crumble under being given even a shred of attention. In her head, she has him wrapped around her finger, the reverse is even more true. "Both pastry and chocolate sound heavenly. A man after my heart."

She can't help the small laugh that bubbles past at his expression as he takes a sip from the middle cup of their so far untouched tea flight. He says nothing, just moves on, and she's somewhat prepared to do the same, if not for a little light-hearted tease. "I could say the same about that little face you just pulled, too."

"i mean, i never expect anything to happen. but i like it just fine. the encounter, the coffee. the pastry flight i'm gonna order for us," he grins before looking over at the menu on his phone again. he misses when cafés had for real menus, not just qr codes on the table. "how do you feel about a chocolate flight?" leon chuckles softly at her next words. "alright, alright. i can compromise." he takes a sip of the middle teacup and can't help but grimace, but he doesn't say anything. he doesn't want to look too inflexible, or -let's face it,- weak. "hope you know that smile would make me do anything," the blond finally says. his voice is nonchalant as he waves to a waiter. a small blush accompanies his smirk as he orders.