#ft : briar

[camercnbishop]

starter for: @elsiebarnes location: the ballroom at paradise point for the nye bash

The low hum of conversation and clinking glasses filled the grand ballroom, punctuated by bursts of laughter and the occasional cheer as the countdown to midnight drew closer. Cameron adjusted the cuffs of his jacket, scanning the glittering crowd with a faint, restless energy. This wasn’t really his scene anymore—champagne flutes and chandeliers—it reminded him too much of his parents' world, a world he was beginning to realize he wanted no part in.

He had just turned toward the bar when a laugh caught his ear, familiar and warm despite the years. Cameron froze, a beat of nostalgia pumping through him before he turned. And there she was—Elsie.

His childhood best friend was standing near the terrace doors, framed by the glow of fairy lights strung across the outdoor patio. She looked different—older, sure, but there was something else, something about the mark the last ten plus years had left on her that he couldn't quite place, but when she threw her head back in laughter at something someone said, it was like no time had passed at all.

Before he could overthink it, Cameron weaved through the crowd, a lopsided grin tugging at his lips. “Well, if it isn’t Briar Ridge’s prodigal daughter,” he called out, his voice light but carrying a note of genuine warmth. When she turned to face him, his tone softened as he smiled, and spoke again, just for her this time. "Hey stranger."

[papaflynn]

TASK 002 — Happy Holidays, everybody!

Does your character celebrate Christmas?

Yes, very much so. Callum is big into Christmas and always has been since he was young.

If yes, how do they celebrate? Are they super pro Christmas, or a grinch?

Super pro Christmas. They decorate the small apartment in late November, and then, in December, there is a Christmas-themed movie every night with his daughter (Avie). Christmas Eve is a family night. He will spend the day cooking, and they will put on matching pyjamas, watch more movies and shows, then eat lots of Christmas treats. Avie gets to pick and open one present, and then they put out milk and cookies for Santa and Reindeer treats before they go to bed. Avie likes to sleep with her Dad on Christmas Eve, and he will read her different books until she falls asleep. When she's sound asleep, he will go out and fix all the presents for her, eat the cookies and drink the milk, then climb back into bed. A very tired Callum is woken up VERY EARLY, like 5am, and he shuffles out to watch Avie excitedly open presents. He would usually FaceTime his mom around this time, and they all share in the moment.

What do they eat on Christmas?

Christmas dinner is turkey, stuffing, ham, roast potatoes, carrots, parsnips, and sprouts with lots of gravy. Callum likes cranberry sauce, too. They like cake and custard for their Christmas dessert. Outside of that? Lots of chocolate and snacks. Callum has some wine, and Avie has some grape juice or other fancy juices that are her kid's wine.

What their favourite traditions?

Before they settle down for their Christmas Eve night, they carol sing door to door in the apartment complex to raise money for a local shelter, then donate it and help out for an hour at the shelter. That's Callum's favourite tradition, as he loves to share those moments with Avie and friends but also help others. Avie's favourite tradition is chocolate for breakfast (only on Christmas...and maybe Easter), and calling her Granny Flynn back in Ireland as she opens her presents.

What do they love most about Christmas?

Time off with Avie, making memories, and seeing her happy little face.

What’s the best Christmas present they’ve ever gotten?

For Callum, it was his first guitar when he was 9.

What was their favourite Christmas?

The second Christmas with Avie. The first Christmas had been hard as he came to terms with Hayley leaving them; he was sad and heartbroken. However, the following year, he vowed to make those traditions and moments with his daughter, and he's never been happier since.

Have their Christmas traditions changed since they were a child?

There is much more American influence and culture in his Christmasses with a young daughter growing up in the US. Callum keeps some Irish traditions going with movies, food, and treats, but overall elements have changed. The holiday is much smaller as he doesn't have all of his family, but Callum likes to invite friends around on Christmas day, as he loves a big, happy, laughing home on Christmas.

What’s the Christmas wish this year?

That Avie's troubles ease up. She's been having a tough year since the storm and feels her mother's absence more than ever. Callum hopes that sadness lifts from her and that with the new puppy (he bought her for her birthday) and time off with the family she does have, she will feel better. He wouldn't mind a Christmas kiss from a particular woman friend, but he's not expecting anything. They're just friends having some fun...

What’s their Christmas like? Do they dress fancy or in pyjamas? Presents before or after breakfast, presents on Christmas Eve? What’s their typical Christmas day?

Christmas Eve is pyjamas, and Christmas Day is cheesy jumpers. Presents early on Christmas morning before breakfast. After that, Avie naps on the sofa, watching cartoons, as Callum tidies up and preps dinner. He will invite friends over and then help Avie get ready. They will both be in cheesy Christmas jumpers, and when friends turn up, he will dish out dinner. There will be crackers, and they will all wear silly paper hats. After dinner, there's dessert, and theeeeen its party games/board games with Christmas music.

Anything else?

Here's some gifs from NP that give the vibe:

[demidevildiva]

Location: Juno’s home Closed Starter: @islandmumublog

Juno watched Briar's eyes open as she brushed the hair away from their face. “You didn’t have to stay.” Were the first words out of her mouth, as a sort of thank you in her own way without verbalizing it. She did however lean over and plant a kiss on their lips, before pushing up off the bed. “There’s breakfast.” Juno offered, turning back one last time before walking out her bedroom door expecting them to follow.

[destisea-a]

briar sketches. nice to unwind and just throw out a design like this

[tannerkohli]

closed starter for @briarrosedahl at the kismet harbor post office

With Solana and Ian's family being as generous as they were to let her stay with them for the time being, Tanner had been trying her best to be as helpful as possible with the little things that she could manage. That morning it had been nothing too difficult, a simple trip to the post office to send out a package. She was in line, leaning back against a desk waiting to be called when another woman walked in. Tanner's eyes narrowed a bit, looking over with a hint of confusion as she tried to place where she knew her from. The face was entirely too familiar, but Tanner couldn't for the life of her figure out why. By the time the woman was behind her in line, it had become pretty obvious she was looking over and Tanner figured it was better to just say something. "You look familiar. You from around here?" she asked, assuming it could possibly be someone she had known from her summers spent in Kismet in her younger years.

[pwoutykitten]

my favorite book series lately!!! 🥵💖

beasts of the briar by Elizabeth Helen c:

[riaxnunez]

LOCATION: Town square CLOSED for @fadedstarsfms (Briar)

There was so much to look at, and so much to take in, and Ria was starting to feel like she'd been walking around for hours. In reality, it had only been about 45 minutes, but she was still feeling like she needed to sit down and recharge for a few minutes before continuing on. After stopping to grab herself something to eat, she looked for a place to sit and enjoy her fries.

Finding a spot that wasn't already taken proved difficult, but eventually she spotted a bench with just one person and room for one more. "Hey, you mind if I sit here? I'll share my fries with you, which is kind of a huge deal because generally I don't share fries, but I'm desperate to sit down."

[valentincflores]

starter for: @finneganparker location: the bar at the nye bash

She had just managed to make her way to the very crowded bar when she was suddenly plunged into silence. Val let out a groan, not that she could hear herself with her implant not working. She really needed to get the stupid thing checked out. Now what was she going to do? The bar was still just as crowded, she could communicate what she wanted vocally somewhat, but she couldn't gauge how loud she was speaking without her implant and didn't know if the bartender could hear her. Nor could she catch what the bartender tried to ask her after she attempted to give him her order, there was too much activity going on, and the bartender wasn't in one place long enough for her to be able to read his lips.

They'd been standing there for a few minutes, Val resorting to trying to sign in a way that would be understandable to someone who didn't know ASL and failing miserably when she felt someone come to stand at the bar next to her. She was going to need to give up soon, she was taking up valuable space at the bar and clearly wasn't getting her point across.

[julianrchandlerx]

It had almost been an entire week since the Full Moon when Julian had gotten up in the morning, pulled on his shoes, and announced he would be running some errands. ‘I need a change of clothes. I’ll just head home and get some stuff and be right back.’ It had been a lie, hidden behind a warm smile and a kiss to her forehead before he’d completely disentangled himself from Briar-Rose and left for a couple hours. He had made up his mind the morning after the tragic event, a plan of action in order to bring some semblance of happy normality to the woman he loved. And when he returned later, an odd bundle he was trying to keep hidden with his oversized jacket, he had a big and excited grin on his face. ‘I know that this transformation hasn’t been very easy, and I know you’re going to say you have no regrets… but it doesn’t change the fact that you had to lose so much in the span of one night. Your magic, the things that were part of you for most of your life… I can’t imagine how hard it’s been. And while I know it’s not the same…’ His words were interrupted by quiet meows as white fluffy paws slipped free of his hold. Julian allowed the small fluffy kitten to crawl out of his arms and onto the bed, as if beckoning her towards Briar-Rose. ‘I think a familiar is still something we can make work… Kind of.’

Meet Posie Reed-Chandler: cuddle bug, attention seeker, enemy of paint water cups innocently sitting on tables and tall boyfriends who keep walking past the top shelf at the most opportune cat attack moment. @briarreed

[alarakcplan]

starter for: @olivia-harris location: near the bar at the nye bash

Having finally managed to slip Civan's watchful eye, Alara snuck over to the bar, knocking back a shot of tequila and grimacing a little bit. After dealing with seeing her grandparents during her father's memorial at the jeweler's end of year get together, the burn as she swallowed the liquid served as a grounding force, keeping her from spiraling too far.

It was all too much. Too many emotions, too much pain, fighting for a place at the forefront, demanding she feel everything. And all Alara wanted to do was drown it all out.

The perfect distraction presented itself when Alara caught sight of a stunning brunette down at the other side of the bar. Holding up her phone to check her lipstick, she primped for a second before finally making her way over. She was just about to speak when the gorgeous brunette brushed her hair over her shoulder and Alara got a better view of just who she had been about to hit on.

"Liv... Harris?"

Her name came out more as a question than a statement. She hadn't seen the younger girl since they were in high school, but as her eyes scanned Liv's frame, Alara became very much aware of how much the woman before her wasn't the freshman who started showing up at parties Alara's fellow seniors were throwing anymore. Slowly, her gaze slid back up to meet Liv's and a smirk tugged at her lips as she stepped closer to the woman. "Damn, time's treated you very well."

[mcrcosantos]

starter for: @levibecker location: new year's eve bash

Having just exited the kitchens where Marco couldn't help but check in to make sure things were running smoothly, he scanned the crowded ballroom of Paradise Point looking for a familiar face. His shoulders relaxed just a bit when he spotted his very preoccupied best friend.

Walking towards where Levi stood, he stopped for a second behind him, trying to gauge just what, or rather who, had captured his attention so completely. A smirk immediately fell into place when he spotted Nia across the ballroom.

"Dude, you're drooling." he quipped as he moved to stand beside Levi, bumping his shoulder with his own as he did so.

[lia-lozano]

Location: Masquerade Gala, Paradise Point Starter for: @isaiahwarren

"That's great, thank you." With her earpiece set up and the pack clipped onto the back of her dress, Lia carefully manoeuvred the wire around her hair and her ear, resting it so it dangled over her ear. As the sound guys left her alone in the space behind the stage, Lia breathed out a deep sigh, leaning back against the wall. Being on stage was something to her that had become as familiar to her as going to buy milk over the years but with a gala full of people from her hometown and this being the first performance since her life had imploded in the media, the nerves were setting in.

Reaching for her water bottle, she took a few small sips, only then noticing just how much her hands were shaking. "Just disassociate, breathe and disassociate." Repeating the mantra a couple of times, she tried to take her own advice to settle the nerves. As the curtain moved, alerting her to someone on the other side, Lia stood up a little straighter. "I'm not late on am I? Can I just have a couple of minutes?"

[cali-cabrera]

Location: Masquerade Gala, Paradise Point Starter for: @levibecker

"You grab some drinks, I'll grab dessert. Meet me by the ocean wall." Fuelled by the shots that had gone down far too easily and the champagne that seemed to be freely passed around the gala, Cali tapped her fist against her raffle date's before walking over to the dessert table, trying to look as subtle as possible. Not an easy task considering her dress was hot pink. Glancing over the desserts on offer instantly made her mouth water and as soon as she spotted the strawberry cheesecake, Cali knew immediately she'd have to find a way to swipe it for her date. Waiting until the serving assistant was distracted, Cali grabbed two spoons and the plate with the cheesecake, turning quickly and walking to the doors as quickly as her heels would allow.

Finding her way out to the back of the property, Cali made her way over to the familiar figure, placing the cheesecake down on the wall between them. "Just know that if anyone comes looking for this, we may need to push it over the wall."

[demidevildiva]

Closed Starter: @islandmumublog

Juno was a little unnerved after the way in which their texts went. She's never been at the receiving end of an angry Briar. Not that she believed them to be angry, much as perhaps annoyed which is what it seemed more. She didn't want to make herself think it was because of her though. Sure he had mentioned feeling jealous, but that could easily mean anything. Juno snapped out of her thoughts, knocking on their door. "It's kind of chilly out here." she called out as the door opened. "Special delivery."

[destisea-a]

more uhh briar notes.

[scftlightz]

@vvhimsicals  liked  this  post!  muse:  briar  hamilton  .  38  . architect plot:  here

“  HEY  NEIGHBOR  [  .  .  .  ]  I  know  this  very  sudden,  “  she  started  off  breathless  from  running  over  large  puddles  and  having  a  restless  wrestling  match  with  her  stubborn  umbrella.  it  flipped  upwards  due  to  the  strong  winds  and  rain  so  she  was  partially  soaked  but  still  damp  as  she  made  her  last  minute  stop.  their  porch  was  the  closest  she  could  get  to  safe  as  her  home  was  further  down  the  side  walk.  to  add  onto  her  misfortune,  briar’s  keys  slipped  out  fingers  and  into  the  grass  of  her  neighbors  yard.  “  I  lost  my  keys,  I  hope  you  don’t  mind  if  I  camp  here  for  a  while?  until  it’s  not  raining  anymore,  of  course.  “  she  held  a  friendly  gaze,  similar  one  she  had  when  they  would  make  eye  contact  when  they  would  cross  paths.  “  I  don't  like  the  fact  that  a  storm  had  to  bring  me  here  to  introduce  myself,  I’m  briar.  “  she  poked  with  light  humor.