james-elroy

[james-elroy]

"I get that-" James said with a nod of his head. "The same reason why I'm here if I'm being honest." A huff of laughter making its way out of him as he took another swig of his soda, debating a small beer for a moment but figuring it probably wasn't the best idea. "But good for you proving her wrong at least. No roommate for me but I know if I don't force myself to get out and about, I'll probably become some sort of hermit." And that was the last thing he wanted to become, not after everything he had survived to get where he was today.

When asked about what he was into, James was unable to stop the wide grin from making it's way onto his face. "Music-" It was what kept him alive, pretty sure it was the only thing he lived for at times. "Was thinking of making a career out of something music related years ago. But now just mainly into old vinyls, the drums- Hell, I just started working at the Vinyl store not too long ago." Sure, he had more ambition when he had been younger, had wanted to make music his career, saw himself doing something related to drums and percussion. But after what life had handed him, James would take working in the record shop. It was more than he could have ever hoped for now. "Tried sports once in high school, attempted the football thing and let me tell you, did not end in my favor at all." He added a moment later with a shrug and laugh. "What about you? You do the sports thing then?"

Moses chuckled. Sports were never really my thing -- the opposite of any kind of aesthetic Moses had ever embraced for himself. While his friendship with Eliana was ample evidence he could embrace someone whole-heartedly when they weren't a sports person, it wasn't a common refrain among people he knew well.

Maybe that made this guy the right person in the bar to talk to. The trouble was that Moses wasn't entirely sure who or what he was if you subtracted baseball from the equation.

"I can only tell you why I'm here," Moses said. "And that's to get out of the house." Sure, he had a beer, but it was a small one. And it was a fairly unremarkable red ale. It was probably only a step above a Diet Coke if someone were making a soda versus beer scale. "My roommate said I don't go out, so this is me proving her wrong." He glanced around, doubtful he was going to find anything other than just that to cling to for the night. Might as well make more conversation here than try to go elsewhere in the room. "If you're not into sports, what are you into?"

[james-elroy]

These days if he wasn't working, James could find himself usually walking along the streets. He needed to be out, no matter the weather, if not, he would get too into his own head these days and really, that was the last thing he needed to be doing. With his hands shoved into his pockets, he made his way down the sidewalk, nowhere really in mind, getting ready to offer the man in front of him a smile in greeting- that was until he watched as the ice cream he had been eating falling right onto the sidewalk. Instantly making a face, chuckling softly as he heard the other.

"That right there is absolute shit luck-" He muttered in response, making a slight face as he did so. That right there was probably way up there on some list of shit things to happen, right behind dropping or spilling your coffee. "Like the ice cream had it out for you or something." The corners of his lips lifting some in amusement before he looked around. Pointing towards a place not too far down the sidewalk that in fact sold ice cream. "Want another? My treat." Hell, it was the least he could do for a stranger.

𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: the streets of willow peak. 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿: @james-elroy

The  day  had  been  long  -  the  kind  that  dripped  by  in  sluggish,  gooey  increments,  each  hour  heavier  than  the  last.  Santiago  hadn’t  asked  for  much,  just  a  moment  of  quiet  and  something  sweet  to  temper  the  lingering  tension  curling  at  the  base  of  his  skull.  A  McDonald’s  sweet  treat  seemed  to  be  the  fix  -  a  vanilla  cone,  a  reminder  that  some  pleasures  were  still  uncomplicated.  And  for  a  while,  it  was  perfect.  The  cool  cream  against  his  tongue,  the  faint  stickiness  gathering  on  his  fingers  where  the  cone  softened  -  small  mercies  in  an  otherwise  graceless  afternoon.  And  then,  betrayal.

His  gaze  followed  the  slow-motion  descent  as  the  ice  cream  slid  clean  from  the  cone,  splattering  against  the  pavement  in  an  unceremonious  smear.  For  a  seoond,  he  just  stared.  The  world  seemed  to  narrow,  the  loss  far  more  personal  than  it  should’ve  been.  Finally,  he  lifted  his  eyes  to  the  person  in  front  of  him,  expression  unreadable,  except  for  the  faint  furrow  in  his  brow.  “… Fuck.  Me.”

[james-elroy]

Since being back home, James was on a mission to visit as many as his old favorite places. And one of them was hands down Mancini's. Pretty sure that nothing would ever beat a slice of deep dish pizza from Chicago. He was getting ready to step off to the side to wait for his order when he heard a voice behind him, turning to face her with a lop sided grin in greeting. "I hate to admit it, but I'm very basic when it comes to pizza-" James said with a laugh. "Though I did spice it up a bit this time around, got pepperoni with Italian sausage. But really, I feel like you can't go wrong with anything from here. Maybe get a few different ones." He paused for a moment, glancing up at the menu before his attention was back on her once more. Wracking his brain for a second before he went on. "It's been a few years since I've been here but from what I remember, it all tastes pretty damn good."

who: amara & james ( @james-elroy) where: mancini’s

Amara looked at the menu board, her hands buried in the pockets of her coat as she considered her choices. Mancini’s was undoubtedly the best place to order pizza, but faced with a selection of deep-dish delights staring at her, she felt utterly overwhelmed. She turned slightly towards the person in front of her, who had just completed his order. "Hey, I have a quick question —what's your favorite here?" she inquired, offering a curious smile. "I'm grabbing some pizzas for my staff, and I want to mix up the choices." She leaned her head slightly, observing the menu again with curiosity. "What did you get? Is there anything I must not miss?"

[james-elroy]

Drinking was something that James tried to be cautious about these days. He felt hazy and uncertain enough just being sober most of the time but there were also good days. Days where he felt like the old version of himself, even for a passing second, and those were the days he was a bit more braver. Even enough to stop by Sharkey's and grab a beer. Though he was nursing it quite slowly, pretty sure he had been working on the drink for the better part of an hour now. But he wasn't for sure when he would feel clear enough for another beer, if he would even let himself drink after this moment. It all depended really. It was the voice that finally cut through his thoughts and James looked up with a half crooked smile on his face. "It's good." He replied, pausing for a second before he continued on. "I am, it's nice. First beer I've had in quite some time." The first he had since his accident, so it had to been nearly a year ago since his last one. And for as nervous as he had been to drink again, James was finding that it was very much alright. That he felt okay, that it didn't make anything of what he felt most of the time worse. So he gave a nod and took another small sip before setting it back down. "How are you doing tonight?" He asked the other behind the counter.

「  ✷  」  STATUS  ﹕  closed  .  「  ✷  」  LOCATION  ﹕  sharkey's  .  「  ✷  」  WITH  ﹕  james  &  calahan  (  @james-elroy )

the  purchase  had  been  made  on  a  whim — the  pages  of  the newspaper  were  rather  persuasive  in  that  way.  local  bar  for  sale,  looking  for  a  dedicated  head  to  front  willow peak's  favorite  watering  hole.  the  maccarthy  parents  had  given  calahan  a  cash  handout,  a  soft  pillow  for  him  to  fall  on  after  uprooting  his  entire  life  and  heading  over  to  illinois,  abandoning  ireland  and  all  that  came  along  with  it ;  stability,  a  career,  family  ties,  and  the  suffocating  feeling  of  a  hand  permanently  around  his  throat.  jesus  had  turned  water  into  wine — he  hoped  he  would  be  forgiven  at  heaven's  gate  for  trying  to  make  something  true  of  his  life  in  the  same  way.  unlike  many  an  owner,  calahan  had  been  occupying  space  at  the  back  of  the  bar  for  the  past  hour.  the  sun  had  fallen  and  given  way  to  a  watercolor  night  sky,  a  backdrop  that  bolstered  his  approach  towards  the  unfamiliar  face.  “how  are  you  finding  it ?  are  you  enjoying  your  drink ? ”  his  accent  was  still  harsh,  unsoftened  by  his  years  stateside.

[james-elroy]

James shrugged some. "It's a game. Sports were never really my thing." He had stupidly tried out for the football team in middle school, all in the hopes to impress a girl. But had promptly broke his wrist during tryouts, which had put a damper on what he had really loved, playing the drums. And thus ended his try to get into sports at all. Not that he really minded all that much if he was being honest.

"It really is, sort of wondering why I made my way down here-" He nodded towards his glass. "Especially just for a Diet Coke." A snort made its way out of him, though he supposed it was better than staying holed up in his apartment. That he needed to make an effort to get out and about. Do something. Even if it was paying for what he was sure was an overly priced soda. But there wasn't much else to do so for now he was settle for this.

Of course it was the guy watching the game on the small television perched above the bar who caught Moses' comment. He chuckled, accepting it easily because at least there was someone to talk to. Finally.

He shrugged. "Maybe I was. How's the game?" He asked, jerking his chin toward the screen. You could take the jock off the field, but you couldn't take the obnoxious nods out of the jock. "I normally pay closer attention, but the television is small and the bar is kind of loud."

[james-elroy]

James gave a nod of his head and took the ticket that was being held out to him. "I can pay you for it-" He offered, voice trailing off some. It wasn't like he had anything else to do and he was planning on seeing what was playing here anyways. And really, it probably wouldn't hurt any going to see a show with a stranger. At the other man's question, James gave another nod of his head.

"Used to come here quite a bit when I was younger-" Pretty sure it had been one of his usual stomping grounds, a place he probably had dreamt about playing at one day. "You don't have to bribe me with a drink or anything." He shrugged his shoulders some. "I was actually coming to see who was playing. Needed to get out of the apartment and I'm a sucker for music." Pausing for a moment before he held his hand out. "James, nice to meet you."

Landon extended the ticket as an emphatic answer. "Yes, I'm sure," he said almost immediately. "I'm not using it. I have my own. This one's extra. My brother cancelled last minute, and I really don't like going places alone."

He wasn't getting into the buddy system the Halloways had employed since his accident with a total stranger. But he was lowkey panicking at the thought he'd be somewhere without a soul he knew in attendance. His performing colleague absolutely didn't count as a 'buddy system.'

"Have you ever been here? It is a pretty good time. And I'll buy you a drink or something if you want. Bribe is an ugly word, but I'd definitely be comfortable calling it incentive."

[james-elroy]

Of all the things James was expecting, it wasn't to hear his name back from the other, from his brother. He had been both so sure and unsure that it was in fact Artie but hearing his name was all the confirmation that he needed. "Yeah, yeah, it's me." He said, his own voice barely above a whisper, shaking some as he did his best to get the words out. His eyes scanning over every inch of his brother, taking in the sight of him, doing his best to remember everything he could about him in case Artie disappeared from right in front of him. However, he only stood there a few seconds later before he locked eyes with him, his eyes stinging as James finally crossed the space between them and pulled his brother into a tight hug.

Artie had always been more than his brother, he had been James' best friend growing up. He had done everything he could in those foster homes to keep his brother safe and even though he was still so little, James blamed himself so deeply for the day the two of them were separated. Convinced there was something he could have done, that he should have put up a fight as they were placed into different cars, he should have done anything- But he had only been twelve, had been so scared. The thought alone made James tighten his grip even tighter around Artie. "I never stopped looking for you." James muttered, his own tears now freely falling down his cheeks.

Finding Artie was something he had wanted to happened for years, though as time passed, James was sure that he would never find him again. That his brother would simply be a memory that he fought to hold onto. Refusing to let those memories be the ones that escaped from his mind these days. Never in his lifetime did he think he would find him, that he would see him in person. Let along by a random happenstance in the middle of a coffee shop. Finally he let his arms drop, taking a step back once more, quickly swiping at the few tears that lingered under his eyes. "Holy shit-" Was all James could breathe out, shaking his head some. "It's really you-" Still trying to wrap his head around the fact that Artie was there in front of him. That it wasn't just someone who happened to look like him, that it wasn't some dream he was having.

It   was   a   day   like   any   other.   With   an   afternoon   shift   at   the   vet   clinic   ahead,   Artie   decided   to   spend   his   morning   editing   videos   at   Morning   Glory.   After   finishing   his   first   cup   of   coffee,   he   got   back   in   line   for   his   second,   and   then   moved   to   the   end   of   the   counter   to   wait   for   his   name   to   be   called.   And   then his   name   was   called,   but   not   the   name   he   expected. Elroy.   The   name   that   was   still   his   –   he’d   made   sure   when   he   was   adopted   that   it   remained   his   middle   name   –   but   the   name   that   no   one   had   addressed   him   by   in   years.   His   body   tensed,   his   mind  ��recognizing   the   sound   before   Artie   had   fully   registered   it.   His   gaze   snapped   up   and   then   landed   on   the   man    standing   by   the   counter.   Artie   swore   he   was   hallucinating   at   first.   He   completely   froze   like   a   deer   in   headlights   as   he   registered   the   features   of   the   man’s   face.   He   had   pictured   this   moment   so, so   many   times,   but   now   it was   happening   and   his   body   refused   to   move.   A   war   raged   within   him   with   his   heart   leaping   into   his   throat   with   hope   and   his   brain   scolding   at   him   to   be   rational.   He   had   seen   so   many   faces   that   almost   looked   like   James   over   the   years.  But   none   of   them   had   ever   said   his   name.  The   second   he   heard   his   name   from   the   man’s   lips,   he   inhaled   a   shaky   breath. Holy   shit.   He   was   scared   to   move,   scared   to   breath,   so   scared   that   if   he   so   much   as   blinked,   James   would   disappear.   “...James?”   his   voice   was   soft,   and too   hopeful   as   he   took   a   hesitant   step   forward.   He   looked   older   –   all   the   soft   edges   of   childhood   sharpened   by   time   –   but   he   still   looked   exactly   the   same.   His   brother.   His family.   Artie’s   bottom   lip   quivered,   eyes   swimming   with   unshed   tears   as   he   stared,   and   stared,   and   stared.

[james-elroy]

Who: Artie ( @ofresoluxe ) Where: Morning Glory

On the days he didn't work, James made sure he still got out of his apartment for a bit. If not, he was sure that he would become some kind if hermit, not wanting to leave the apartment at all. Would fall into wallowing about his situation, which wouldn't help one bit. No, James knew he needed to be out and about. Even on days like today, especially on days like today, where everything felt a bit too much for him to handle. So he decided to make the walk over to Morning Glory for a cup of coffee and some fresh air.

One thing he had learned quickly was there seemed to be a about a hundred James' at a coffee shop at the same time so instead he started to give his last name. Which was almost more familiar than his first name these days, having spent the last eight years simply being called Elroy. So with his order in place, he stood off to the side, scrolling through his goggle calendar to make sure he did in fact have the day free. That there wasn't any appointments he needed to be at or anything else he might have had planned and forgotten about. Hearing his name called out, he pocketed his phone, getting ready to move over to grab it but as he did so, he saw someone else react to the name being called out. His brows furrowed some, it could simply be the one small chance that someone had the same last name or hell, that it was someone's first name. But as he got a better look, James was pretty sure he was officially losing it.

Despite how shit his memory was these days, James knew that face that looked back at him. But at the same time, there was no way in hell it could be- He could be wrong though, he hadn't seen Artie since they were little, had no idea what he might look like these days but he also felt so sure that it was him. His brother he had spent years looking for, that he never forgotten. The memories of their childhood was a few of the most vivid ones he still had. All James could do was stand there and stare. Debating if he should say anything, what if it was his brother? What it this was the only chance he got to see him again? But also what if it was Artie, what if he resented James? Wanted nothing to do with him? Hell- did he know about his injury even? But at the same time it could not be Artie, it could be someone else wo simply looked like him and somehow tied into the name of Elroy. James could feel his mind racing, unsure of what to do. His heart hammering much too fast n his chest as he stood there, his coffee completely forgotten about. After what felt like a lifetime, James offered him a small smile, head tilting to the side some. "Artie?" Figuring it was worth the shot if it was in fact his little brother.

[james-elroy]

James nodded his head along as she spoke. Any chance that he got to talk about anything music related was always a good time. "Very good place to start then." Letting his fingers drum against the counter once more before he made his way out around it. "Do you have any idea what type he tends to listen to? I feel like that could be a good starting point. Don't want to suggest something that is totally opposite of what he likes." He chuckled some. "Either way, we have loads here so I'm sure we'll find something perfect for your co worker."

Amara stepped inside, immediately met with the warm, familiar hum of music filling the space. It was cozy in the way that all good record stores were —like stepping into a world slightly separate from the one outside. The Beatles playing overhead made her smile a little.

Classic choice.

She glanced around briefly before her attention landed on the male, who had already moved toward the front. “Hey,” she greeted easily, tucking her hands into the pockets of her coat. “I’m on a mission, actually. I need a gift for someone—one of my staff. And I know this is his favorite store, so I figured this was the best place to start.” She rocked on her heels slightly, considering. “But I also don’t want to just grab something random, so… any chance I can enlist your expertise?”

[james-elroy]

"You know, I'll take not bad." James was instantly grinning the moment he saw that it was his sister. Never once did it matter to him that they weren't related to each other by blood. She was his sister in every sense of the word and had been such a calming and grounding presence in his life. Both before his accident and after. "The store is still standing so I feel like that's a pretty damn good feat at least." He had been a bit nervous at first when they said he'd be working shifts on his own, not trusting his own memory these days enough for that. But if his boss had trust that he could handle it, well, James was simply rolling with it.

to her own surprise, lucia had a day off from the bakery. her staff had ensured her that they would be in touch if anything drastic happened, but they were perfectly capable of handling things for a few hours, and she tried her best to believe them. instead of wallowing by herself at home, she decided to pay a visit to her brother, wanting to check out his new workplace and see how he was doing. "not bad," lucia praised with a grin on her face as she entered the store, laughing softly at his customer-driven welcome. "i just thought i'd stop by and check on you, see if you needed anything."

[james-elroy]

Who: Open 0/4 ( @willowpeakstartersm) Where: Soundscape

Music was the very core of who James was, it had been his passion for as long as he could remember. A way to cope with everything he had been through in his childhood and now even in his adulthood he found himself using it for the same reason. If it wasn't behind his drum kit back in the day, James was sprawled out on the floor of his room, listening to old records, a collection he still had even to this day. So when he had been offered a job at Soundscape, James had jumped at the chance. Both because he didn't think anywhere would actually hire him and two, he got to surround himself with music once more.

With not much going on in the shop at the moment, he found himself perched on the back counter. His fingers drumming against it along to the Beatles song that was playing over the speakers, his favorite band of all time. Lost in the music at the present, it was only the jingle of the bell above the door that jerked his attention away. Reaching over to turn the music down some before he pushed off the back counter, walking over to the front, and slightly leaning against it. "Hey, welcome in. Anything I can help you with today?"

[james-elroy]

If there was one thing James had promised to himself over the last six months, it was that he wouldn't let himself hole up in apartment. Sure, life was different than how he imagined it would be for him and it would be so easy to become a hermit. But that had never been him and he refused to let it overtake him now. Which is how he found himself sat at bar at almost ten pm with a coke in front of him. Had it been months ago, James was sure he would have been slamming back beers without a care in the world. But that was James before, this was James now. That's how it felt these days, a before and after accident him, figuring out what life had dealt him, what his new norm would be like.

But if he was anything, he was determined. One of his hands resting next to his soda, fingers lightly tapping along to the music that hummed over the jukebox, his eyes on the game on the tv. Not giving much thought to anything else, that was until a voice broke its way through to him. Turning to look at the other man, eyebrows raised enough to disappear into the shaggy curls across his forehead.

"For a second thought you might have been talking to me but I don't think there's that much alcohol in your drink for that." He all but scuffed back, shaking his head as he reached for his soda, taking a small sip of it and sitting it back down. "Might be much drunker than you think you are." James added with a small laugh, the corner of his mouth twitching with amusement.

who: moses & open (0/4) ( @willowpeakstarters ) where: the willow tap, sycamore row when: friday night

Moses walked into The Willow Tap a little on some side of time. Left to his own devices, he would've considered it late when he made his way inside just before 10 pm. It was clear, though, the night was just getting underway in the small bar, the space crowded and dominated by both a hum of voices and the drone of a jukebox. After his conversation with Ellie about getting out, though, this had to be done.

Plus, it had been a long time since he had attempted to find anything resembling a date or even a hookup. Previously, sure there had been bars involved, but there had been the ease of life as a professional or college athlete, too. There had never been any shortage of interested people around in those worlds. This, as he walked in alone, was very different than he'd expected to feel.

He took a seat at the bar, ordering a beer and then swiveling to look around the room. While he was in search of a familiar face, he knew his trip would be more successful if he didn't latch onto one of those.

Some time passed, enough that he had his beer in front of him, and he figured he'd better do something that didn't involve waiting. So he turned to the person next to him, the crowd a little thicker around the bar than anywhere else obviously. "Look, I'm just trying to drink here, but you're very distracting," he said, hoping the look on his face would convey the fact it was a joke.

[james-elroy]

Music was what kept James alive, at least he was pretty sure that it was. And now that he was back home, he was wanting to get back into the music scene. Even if it meant making his way down to Stage Left to see if any bands were playing. Granted, he should have probably checked before hand but well, it had slipped his mind. Like most things these days if he was being honest. With his hands shoved into the pocket of his pants, his head whipped around as the other spoke about the ticket. "Are you sure?" James asked, bringing one of his hands out of his pocket to rub at the stubble on his cheek. "Are you not using it or-?" He trailed off in question, looking at the other.

who: landon & open ( @willowpeakstarters ) when: thursday evening where: Stage Left

Landon stood outside of Stage Left, regretting every second of the decision that had led him to this spot. Well, okay. Maybe not every second. But he should've known Lance's schedule was too busy, and too unpredictable, to bother with something like tickets. Had he not promised his colleague he'd go listen to their open mic night performance, their effort to get something going in terms of a music career that would see them leaving the aquarium, he'd just leave. As it stood, he was in the middle of the fucking sidewalk, his sweatshirt doing precisely nothing to ward of the chill of the biting wind.

"Please take pity on me and use this ticket," he begged. "It's free to you and it might be good music!"

[james-elroy]

Name: James Elroy Age: 30 Faceclaim: Tom Maden Residence: Heritage Apartments Sexuality: Bisexual Occupation: Army Vet, Currently working at Soundscape Vinyl Time in Willow Peak: 30 years.

Bio: (tw army, injury, medical, foster care, adoption, drugs)

James and his sibling were born to a mother that was much too young. The only thing she cared abut was her boyfriend of the week and where she would be getting her next hit from.

By the time James was four, him and his sibling were placed into foster care. While they were younger, the two of them were put into the same homes but one day when they were much older, they were ushered into different cars. James' last glimpse of them was when the car he was in pulled away, never seeing them again.

He bounced around foster care much of his life, finally get placed into one with his soon to be adoptive sibling, Lucia, and finally at the age of seventeen, right before he would age out, James was adopted.

The one thing that kept James sane during his time in foster care was music. He stared to collect old records and even took to playing the drums, which he was incredibly good at. Playing in the school jazz band all four years of high school.

There was no doubt that James wanted to make music his career and soon after high school, he was enrolled in college to study music composition and percussion. However, as he went into his second year, James began to doubt himself, and without telling anyone, he dropped out. Enlisting in the army instead.

James was great in the army and for the first time in a long time, he felt like he belonged somewhere. And he would go on to serve a total of eight years before deciding it was time to get out and see what else the world had to offer.

However, luck was no on his side, and just a few mere weeks before James was supposed to get out, his troop was ambushed on a mission. James had been too close to the explosion and was severely injured, for a brief stint of time, they weren't even for sure if he was going to make it or not.

He spent a month and a half in a hospital overseas, waiting until he was stable enough to be flown back to Chicago. And once he was, James spent over another month in the local hospital. Where he underwent several surgeries and got the diagnosis of a traumatic brain injury.

For the most part he was okay, however the TBI does affect his memory some. Causing him to forget things here and there- which always seems to a be a gamble of what he might remember one day to the next. There is also quite a bit of PTSD that has resulted from not only his accident but his time serving overall.

Now James is just trying to navigate this new life, figuring out what his new normal looks like. Though with his love of music, James has landed a job at the record store. Which has brought some much needed normalcy to his life.

Has been back in Chicago for six months now.

Wanted Connections:

Ex partner/fiancé: The two of them were high school sweet hearts and dated on and off. They continued to date while James was in the army and he even could have proposed at some point as well. They intended to get married once James was done serving however, once James was stateside and they got wind of what was wrong with James, they called everything off. The how and why is something that can be plotted out and if there might be any chance to save their relationship or not. Sibling/Half Sibling: (depends on ethnicity, Tom Maden is Hispanic/Native American/White) The two of them were place into foster care together but when James was twelve, the two of them were separated and it was the last they had seen of one another. Exes Friends Unlikely friends Army Buddies Music buddies (maybe a band together???) Neighbors Friends/exes who ended on bad terms Give me all the things!