elisequinn

[elisequinn]

For me it's every single damn time I cut myself in the kitchen, because I feel like I should know better but also...it always happens at the most embarrassing things like cutting a frozen pizza or chopping cucumbers. No, the cats have plenty of room to run around the house without needing to resort to eating me for entertainment. Oh, I bet she didn't want to go home.

Oh yeah, I think everyone has that one injury that's a story that they blush when they tell. Mine's breaking my leg while hiking, like I didn't grow up in a town with mountain trails without once injuring myself, then did it in college for fun. What's your embarrassing injury? Of course you are! I should have guessed. And the cats didn't go completely insane and end up eating you? I let Mallow stay with my parents, since I was at the barn a lot, and she got very, very spoiled.

[elisequinn]

Well, I generally know how wonderful I am. It's a big perk of this healthy ego of mine, the confidence that I'm the best person around. Still feels nice to hear it from you, though. Honestly, even now that we're settled into April, I have my doubts we're safe. We need to be prepared for the snow well into June.

That's true! And that we have quite a bit to be proud of and happy with ourselves for, so I'm not going to complain about that. It's a good way to be. I appreciate you reminding me that I'm wonderful, and just know that I will always give you that energy right back, and make sure that you feel appreciated, too! I know what you mean, we get those few warm days and see the sunshine and just assume that we're in the clear -- but the thing is, we're never in the clear. Maybe now, though...?

[elisequinn]

Do you do the fancy baths and showers? With the bombs and the scrubs and all that? I like to get in the bath with a book and a good glass of red wine. Yeah, that makes sense. College is something you only do once or twice, after all, and you're not ready for the kids to be grown. That's good, though, that you have a foundation here. And then in a few years when the next one is ready to go, you'll be a pro.

The 'something for myself' is a nice, hot bath after taking care of said animals that are supposedly for everyone else, you know? Or at least a steamy shower. Oh, Bluey, one hundred percent. Don't get me wrong, I don't hesitate when Shawn asks for help, but I can understand Bandit Heeler and his life a lot easier than I understand college applications and financing, that's for damn sure. Shawn's mom and dad were really, really proactive about his college funds, so it'll help, but… yeah, it'll be a thing.

[elisequinn]

Honestly, there's some merit in having an embarrassing injury at least once in your life. Because then you never, ever do it again. But yeah, there really is no shame. We need to make sure people feel it when they need to. I stayed hunkered down at home, I've got the full emergency kit and everything so I'm always set.

Right! And then what happens? Other than being embarrassed about the fact that they have to explain how they got injured, and we know that's not going to end well for them. But the thing is, in the videos, they don't seem to have much shame, do they? I don't know why. Maybe we need to bring back shame. I couldn't agree more! Are you weathering out the storm at home with your fur babies, or traveling somewhere a little warmer?

[elisequinn]

Well, listen, it's a good reminder that we've lived a full life since living high school and we're doing just fine. Plus, if I remind you of your age it's only to remind you of how great and wonderful you are for your age, for any age, really. I don't know why I'm always surprised to have snow in Merrock in the spring time, that's the reality of living in this place and yet...

You didn't have to throw the math in there, Elise! I didn't want to think about how far removed from high school we are! But… you're not wrong, so I can't argue. I can only agree. And you're so good at being supportive, minus the fluke of reminding me of my age. Me too, surround yourself with like minded people. Although I just looked outside and … looks like we're seeing the world under a blanket of white.

[elisequinn]

Well, the mini donkeys aren't for you. You should get something for yourself, because that's how this works. Which do you prefer? The college stuff or Bluey? I suspect both make you cry but in very different ways. Though one of them probably will cost you a fair bit of more money, so I know which one I'd cry over.

You know me, I can always make time for farm animals. But slow and steady, I have a hard rule about not adding too much too fast. Last year was Bean Stalk, this year is Cordelia's mini donkeys, that's enough. I really do, pretty much the best ones that a dad could ask for, I've been told! Or just know. I know, it's insanity sometimes to go from playing with Barbies and watching Bluey to helping Shawn with college stuff. I'm clueless about both. Ready for the snow?

[elisequinn]

Elise had, generally, learned to be wary of random knocks on the door, given that she was a woman living in a remote place. Still, she couldn't shake the feeling that someone knocking at the door would likely be looking for help, and she was more than well stocked for these situations, with her backup kits stored away for Merrock's worst. She slowly opened the door, bundled already in a thick blanket. "Hey, can I help you?" she asked hesitantly. "You good?"

WHO: Rhett Ellington & OPEN (0/2) WHAT: Power outage during the Snow Storm WHEN: March 24, 2025 WHERE: Countryside WHY: Plot Drop

The snow had been falling since late in the night, and despite how much Rhett had prepared for the snow storm, he'd been surprised to wake to a completely dark home with a chill that he couldn't get out despite how much he'd layered on clothes. He was thankful he had a fireplace and plenty of wood to keep his living room warm, but to his dismay the generator he had charged up for this was shot too. So much for trying to prepare. With several layers keeping him warm, the male made his way outside, the snow collecting on the grass similarly to the dust in his house. Maybe he could get lucky enough to find someone with a generator he could borrow. Or maybe he could figure out a way to keep his recent grocery order from spoiling without power. For now, he'd go door to door, see who was home. He knocked on the first door, taking a step back as he waited; maybe he should've waited until it was a little brighter outside.

[elisequinn]

Right, and it's doing a sport with extra risk for no good reason, because you know they will hit themselves with those sticks. Well, we already get the special treatment of being beautiful and talented. That's what I think, happily in love people need to give all of the joy to us, because we don't have loves.

Oh, it's more than a tough delusional! I never want to yuck someone's yum or make them feel bad for something that they enjoy, but… there just comes a time where I think you need to remind someone that they're being a bit… silly. Exactly! We should be the ones that are getting the special treatment, after all. They should want to spread that wealth and good luck around.

[elisequinn]

Because now we have distance, right? Now we're over twenty years older and it doesn't seem so bad because life has kicked us hard a few times since then. Well, of course, it's my greatest honor to be your supportive friend. That's right, I want people who want to see the world the way I'm seeing it.

You're right about that! And we look back on it with a lot more fondness than we felt towards it when we were going through those years, right? That's true! It has its own downsides, but a lot of upsides, too, I try to remember that as much as possible. Thank you for supporting me, my darling. They would be the ones who would give you the most and the best business of everyone, anyway! Those are the people that you want to do business with!

[elisequinn]

Well, I don't think you'd really have the time to also have a cow, on top of everything else you have going on in your life. That completely makes sense to me. Oh, so you've got the sweetest kids in the world? It's wild how you've got both tiny kids and almost grown kids, it's like you're trying to make your life as hard as humanly possible, Cage.

And you thought that I had no idea what I was talking about! Which I didn't, but I sort of lucked into that one. I'm not a huge cow person, I'm more of a donkey and chicken guy, cheese and milk still escapes me. Yeah, yeah, but that's because they're wrong, it's not really my problem. Oh, trust me, I didn't eat a single fucking thing today -- well, since the kids made me breakfast, anyway -- so that I can just go wild tonight as soon as I get there, I'm starving. The girls are in their little green dresses, I already lost the boys, and I am on my first bowl of stew.

[elisequinn]

That's very true. And we don't talk about those horse girls. I've seen it once and once is enough, honestly. To each their own but that just seems...complicated and perhaps a touch delusional. Yeah, people shouldn't get special treatment for being in love, they've already won the lottery of life with their happy little relationship and all that.

I would say that we wasted our time, but… time spent with horses is never really wasted, right? And you know what? No matter how much we might be considered fake, at least we were not those horse girls that ride the stick horses around an arena. I think that's something we can be proud of. Nah, I get it. Especially when they expect to get something for that love -- congratulations, don't you already have enough?

[elisequinn]

It can be a good time and still pretty much the most awful time you ever went through, that's the duality of growing up. Adulthood at least you're the boss of you and in control of everything. And yes, you can be Nari to the core with no hesitations. I suppose it's true, I can always find people who understand the sparkly vision, they're out there waiting.

You're right about that. I actually enjoyed high school, I felt like I hit my stride, I had good friends, I liked my classes -- but nope, you could not pay me to live through those years again! I definitely prefer the adult years. I can be very unapologetically Nari, without worrying about anything. Yeah, I hear you. At least we can admit that we didn't have it nearly as bad as others might have. They would, but you know what? It's their loss for not understanding your sparkly vision, clearly!

[elisequinn]

Exotic sure is a word choice there. Though, to be fair, cheese does vary based on the diet of the cows, so there's some merit to that. Some people like to be adventurous, Cage, and your staples might not be everyone else's staples, so you have to watch out for what you say. So I can assume you'll be having corned beef and hash?

But what if I want something exotic like Pennsylvania cheese, hm? Maybe it somehow tastes different and it could absolutely change my entire world? You wouldn't want to take that from me. You do, there's just some staples when it comes to Chinese food, if you don't have them, then why did you even get it at all, right? I feel like if I wasn't gearing up for colcannon and reuben sandwiches, I'd be getting Chinese right now, but gotta save some room.

[elisequinn]

Damn, I should have known. After dedicating my entire youth to horseback riding, I've been a fake horse girl this whole time. No, no, we just have to get more perfect, reach a new delightful height of perfection. That's exactly it, and I just find love kind of annoying sometimes, people should know better than to get me to care.

We… might be fake horse girls, Elise. Because we are unable to ride side saddle and our ancestors are probably outright laughing at us. How sad! I guess that means we just have some room for improvement, right? Not that I think we need to, being perfect already and all. Minus that side saddle bit. Oh, I don't blame you! Besides, they should love each other enough to treat themselves to your good food, not expect you to do it for them.

[elisequinn]

There are far worse things when talking about high school. I had a decent high school experience and I would never, ever consider reliving it. I can't imagine what it's like for someone who had a worse experience than mine. Sometimes you have to chase the money a little bit but...usually you have to stay true to yourself. I think people would look at me like I'm a bit crazy, to be honest.

That's depressingly true, now that you bring it up. Might end up playing right into their hand and giving them exactly hat they want, although I guess there are worse things when you're talking about high school days. Right, and you have to decide if you can give up your creative freedom to still do what you love, just a little differently, right? Oh, there you go! Imagine you walking into Taste in a very sparkly, glittery version of your every day work outfit.

[elisequinn]

You know, Cage, I appreciate that, but I can get you nice cheese right here in Maine. Just a thought for you. But there are some good wineries down there as well... And you have to have a bunch of egg rolls and a giant pile of fried rice with everything. Or else it's just not worth it. And I usually get some soup to eat later.

You know what, though? There's a lot of questionable practices within that community, but they make damn good cheese. If I ever find myself down in Intercourse, I'll bring some back for you, cheese queen. Of course, hence bringing you cheese, I wouldn't dream of anything else. Oh God, it really does -- sweet and sour chicken, lo mein, beef and broccoli… and then being hungry for it all over again an hour after eating.

[elisequinn]

Oh man, so you're saying we're fake horse girls? Because we woudl only ride them if we could have the slightly more comfortable saddles? Which...now that I think about it, most saddles are at least a little bit uncomfortable, anyway. And if you get engaged at my restaurant, you get free dessert once, none of this free dessert on your anniversary for the rest of your life that some places do.

I guess in a lot of ways, they were stronger than us, since they were even able to do that. They saw horses and thought, "it's fine, I can be uncomfortable if it means getting to be on a horse." I'd like to think that we would be the same way, but I'm really, really glad that we're allowed to use saddles however we want to! Yeah, exactly, all you want to do is have dinner and drinks, and now suddenly you have to make life-changing decisions at the drop of a dime, right? While poor Elise has to watch.