elisequinn

[elisequinn]

"It's why I went to all of those expensive food schools and then bartended in dive bars, to get the full spectrum." She laughed. There was some truth to it, but a lot of it was largely done as a sort of rebellion, her way of being someone new and adventurous in her twenties. "And if you did have that White Christmas you'd know you're fucked- like climate change has gone too far." Merrock was great- there usually was at least the remnants of a snow fall left on the ground.

"Spoken like a true master of the food industry," Josh replied with a fond smile. He really meant it, too; Elise understood that food was not just for eating, but also about the experience that it could give to you, which was why he trusted her a little bit more than he would trust most people. With that particular subject, anyway. "Me too! Can you imagine not even having the fantasy of a white Christmas?" Josh understood that different people were used to different holiday traditions, but he loved his, couldn't dream of living anywhere else.

[elisequinn]

Be really honest, Livvy. We judge everyone. It's just who and how we are as humans, right? That's right, that's who you are now. You're a complete and utter badass and everyone needs to know that. Or else. Honestly, the years sort of blur together. Part of me still thinks it's 2019, but it turns out that was literally half a decade ago and we're old.

Everyone judges their enemies, that's just common sense and human nature! In fact, I'd go as far as to say that we judge our acquaintances that we aren't really friends with… but we also aren't quite to the enemy level with, you know? Oops. I'm going to do just that. The next time that someone at the office tries to give me attitude, I'll get in their face and tell them that Dr. Livvy thinks that they should shut up. Yes! I can't believe we're two days in already. Although… it feels a bit like 2024.

[elisequinn]

I think you can keep them up as long as you like, right? No one can stop you from having Christmas decorations whenever you want them. Only you can shame yourself for it, after all. Time for myself? I don't know what that actually is, but I try to lie to myself about it and make it happen now and then. I even read a book.

That's true! I keep eyeing all of my decorations and telling myself that I should take them down, but… I like enjoying the season for as long as I possibly can, you know? I hate rushing it. You put so much work into making everything pretty, why not enjoy it? Understandable! I bet that it makes things a little hectic, but taking time for yourself is what matters the most.

[elisequinn]

I guess we could have nap time if we wanted it, right? You and I both own our own businesses, after all, so we can have nap time. It's sort of worse because we don't let ourselves have one now. Yeah, that's exactly it. People want to come to Maine for the beaches and when the beaches and the hikes and the blueberries are out of season...we don't have a lot of tourists coming around mucking things up. Not regretful, but I was tired when I got home. I need to stop wearing such high heels, I'm too old now.

That's true, it just sucks that we don't get nap time anymore the way that we did when we were kids, how unfair is that? Just because we're taller now doesn't mean we don't still want to take a nap, you know? Exactly, I hate when summer time comes around, because I feel like that's when the animals come to town, and you end up with people leaving trash up and down the coast and in our parks, and I don't really love that. We do, I won't lie. Things get too calm and quiet and I start getting itchy and longing for a little bit of havoc. And how were your feet after a night of dancing? Regretful?

[elisequinn]

ELISE: Well, you can have alcohol all you want, but I sort of have a restaurant that specializes in it, you know?

ELISE: I guess you'll have to just continue being a great little sister and not buy me gifts.

CLARA: spoil my fun, why don’t you? CLARA: no cats, no sex toys, what’s next — no alcohol??

[elisequinn]

ELISE: I can buy my own vibrators, and prefer it that way.

ELISE: Don't get too crazy for the New Year, that's my late birthday wish.

CLARA: sooooo a new vibrator perhaps? CLARA: HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! CLARA: you’re officially a year older, and a year wiser, yada yada :P

[elisequinn]

It's the Christmas season- it's not even Orthodox Christmas yet, so it counts as Christmas. I honestly just...hid away as much as I could. My birthday is so hard to celebrate because it's such a busy time in everyone's lives, but I took time for me and that's what really matters.

Basically, yeah! The sort of dream that I didn't even know that I had until it came true right before my very eyes, a Christmas miracle! Or… several days after Christmas miracle. Besides, I'm always proud of you, for about a million different reasons, so there's that. Yeah, you're not wrong about that. Happy birthday, by the way! I hope you're getting spoiled rotten today! I always forget you're a so-close-to-Christmas baby!

[elisequinn]

"Yeah, it sounds silly when I was just talking about how much I love booze, but the sweetness and nostalgia is really important. Sometimes food is about what else it does for you, not just the taste of it," she explained. Food was cerebral, and also base at the same time. That's one of the many things she loved about her line of work. "It just feels wrong. I always feel bad for people who live south of the equator- they get hot Christmas!"

"I feel like you're allowed to," he relented with a laugh, nodding his head. After all, given what she did for a living, Josh would have been more surprised if she said anything else. And he couldn't blame her for that. "Oh, absolutely. It makes you feel like a little kid all over again, too, to be honest. Who didn't spend their youth drinking hot cocoa that was just a little too rich?" But also very delicious, that was the way that things worked. "It is," he smiled, leaning back a bit. "I might complain now and then, but I honestly couldn't imagine being one of those people that travels south for the holiday."

[elisequinn]

People just don't want to know our truth. Well, I've never been one to judge my friends. My enemies? Absolutely. But we've never been enemies so you're safe in that regard. That's important, in 2025 you should be proud of being Dr Livvy and tell everyone and tell them to shut up if they give you attitude. Thank you, thank you. And now we get to celebrate the birthday of a whole new year.

Bizarre! If only the rest of the world would catch on to this happening, things would be so much more smooth. But heaven forbid people listen to us and our smarts, given that we have so many smarts and could really make the world a better place! It's true, and I appreciate you allowing me to do that without much judgement, it means a lot to me. I'll do a little better about bragging about medical stuff from here on out, how's that? But not today, today is all about celebrating you!

[elisequinn]

Adulthood is a scam, we're all just tall children doing our best. Honestly, people who think they're so mature are often the worst. People who really understand the town and what makes it special, not just people who like putzing around our beautiful town and ruining it. Listen, quiet means different things when kids are involved, that's for sure. And the Newmans thrive with chaos, don't even like. They both were good, but this week is always chaos for me, I'm always glad to get out and dance for a night.

Nah, it's more like… we are we ever really actually grown? I feel like the second that we think we're done growing, life throws something at us to prove that we're wrong. I'm the walking, talking embodiment of that, you know? Exactly, the ones that are respectful and come by because they grew up spending their holidays here or had a grandparent that lived along the coast, I love those types of people. Who are we to stop them from having their happy memories in Merrock? We did, yeah -- it was nice and… well, I'd say quiet, but having two little girls in the house doesn't always mean quiet, but laidback. How about your holiday? And your birthday?

[elisequinn]

"Well, it's a bit cheap to say my favorite is alcoholic, but..." She stopped and laughed. "I really do like a hot toddy now and then. But honestly, nothing beats a good dark chocolate cocoa with extra marshmallows and all the works, right?" Elise had an expensive palate, that was for sure, but she was alright with that. "It's good to be reminded of how much the chill adds to the holiday spirit in places like this, right?"

"Do you have a favorite for this time of year?" he asked, looking over at Elise, "a tea variety you reach for, or a cocoa flavor you find yourself craving?" Everyone seemed to -- something that they really wanted to have on a cold night, something that would warm them from the inside out. He couldn't blame them; he was the same way with peppermint tea or cocoa. "It does, you wouldn't think to be out on a boat admiring Christmas lights, but it's unique and special for that reason."

[elisequinn]

It's almost like...people who have their needs met have greater outputs as well as outcomes? I know that's a novel idea, but it seems to work. It's why I pay all of my staff as much as I can and give them paid time off for holidays, even if they're part time. That's right, you have to appease your own greed in order to be happy giving to others. It's kinda fucked up that way, I suppose, but it works. You know more about medical stuff than most people, so you should really brag about that, obviously, Dr. Livvy.

Also a huge perk, yes. I think about that a lot, how it matters how the workers are treated, the sort of environment that they're forced to work in, that sort of thing. It's important to put the money where it should be. Exactly, otherwise you're just getting jealous over all of the gifts that you're giving everyone else, and that's not going to help the holly, jolly feeling! Hmm… good point. I did go to school and study medicine to some degree, that counts!

[elisequinn]

That would be like fulfilling a lifelong dream, right? Seeing me wallop some people who well and truly deserve it, then you'll feel real proud of me. Yeah, if we do that then we're assholes and not "tastemakers" even if we're such tastemakers in this town, right?

I would like to be standing around, watching you wallop people, please and thank you! I just think that it would be fun to see, personally. But yeah, hopefully they know better and just mind their own business, right? It's such a catch twenty-two, 'cuz I guess we can't tell people to just have better taste if they don't like something, unfortuantely, we have to respect opinions or whatever.

[elisequinn]

"Basically" really is doing a lot of work here, or maybe no work at all. Because I've got my doubts after you phrased it like that, if I'm being honest. It's nice when it's the good out of towners who really know the town and not the T words that pop in especially in the warmer months. Not that I mind them spending money at my business but... Did you have a good Christmas with your gaggle of kids and Newmans all around?

I'm basically grown now -- who ever would have thought that would be possible? Or at least grown enough that I know how to make food that other men might not know how to make, but I think that counts for something. Yeah, me too. I know that I talked to quite a few out of towners, people who said that they come down every Christmas time to see what's new, or more importantly… enjoy the stuff that's not new, tradition and what not. It was nice, although the crunch time now until Christmas morning is unreal.

[elisequinn]

ELISE: I think my ambitions are much more...ambitious.

ELISE: But I can always make a New Year's Resolution.

CLARA: Because that’s likely… CLARA: Isn’t that the DREAM, though? I mean, aside from taste obviously

[elisequinn]

ELISE: Peace on earth, good will towards men usually works for me.

ELISE: Do not get a cat, though, because I fear I'm one away from being a cat lady

text to: @elisequinn

CLARA: okay so hypothetically speaking CLARA: if you could get the best Christmas gift ever, what would it be? CLARA: how many cats till you’re officially a crazy cat lady?

[elisequinn]

"Yeah, and it'll be nice to get to shore and get some cocoa or a tea," she commented, peering out at the lights. This wasn't something you can get just anywhere, especially because Merrock knew how to highlight only the best lights. "The crisp air really adds to the charm of the light display, even with that sea breeze. It's beautiful."

"Right, of course," he laughed, nodding his head. But cozy was the word of the moment, and Josh did feel it, especially when the music started playing and they set out to enjoy the water, turning to look towards land. It really did look beautiful, all of the houses lit up, the marina decorated for the season, gently nudging Elise to show her. "Worth it for the view, right? Especially with the way that the lights reflect off of the water, that's pretty nice, too."