#gideon01

[darcyxanthonyx]

closed starter: @greengideon

where: the diner

Darcy had always been convinced that the diner in town was haunted, and she was aboslutely determined to prove that she was right. So, with her working on this ghost hunting YouTube channel of hers, she decided to go to the diner and talk to the owner.

"How would you feel about allowing me to do a real ghost investigation in your diner?" She asked the owner as though it was the best thing he could possibly allow to happen to his business. "I mean, I'll make a video about it and it'll bring in customers. You know how tourists are anyway, and we get a shit ton of tourists here, so you know there will be people who think it's super cool that you have a ghost here and they'll want to see it for themselves! I think this would be a win win for both of us. You ever seen Ghost Adventures? I'll do a whole thing like that where we do a lock down and I'll just do my investigation and I'll be out of your hair in the morning!" Darcy was practically rambling at this point.

"So what do you say?"

[fletcher-bailey]

"It's the perfect time to plan ahead, considering you're a month out. Spirit Halloween's have already popped up everywhere."

The plaid shirt idea is an easy, cheap one, and Fletcher almost suggests that maybe Gideon can add a straw hat and paint cross-stitching over his mouth to change it up to a scarecrow, but he's curious to see what would come to mind.

"I'm locked into being Snoopy. The kiddo is Woodstock. We almost went the Calvin and Hobbes route, but he changed his mind in the last second."

@greengideon

starter: open @aurorabaystarter location: up to player

"Have you started thinking about your Halloween costume yet? I need to plan ahead this year and not just throw on a plaid shirt and call myself Paul Bunyan."

[blondiefortescue]

WHEN: September 17th, 3:48pm. WHERE: Third floor corridor. WHO: Alice & @prewettxgideon

"Gideon!” The name fell past her lips--- easy and familiar. Alice first started to get to know her fellow Gryffindor when a professor suggested she take him up as someone to tutor. He was the very first peer she started tutoring and he became a brilliant friend beyond that over the years. Things got a little more complicated—- things tended to over alcohol. At least that’s how she believed their...arrangement started out. Well, that wasn’t the right word for it. Friends who hooked up every now and then was a much better description. She thought they went back to just friends...until she saw him over the summer, that is. Alice never really got the chance to talk to Gideon much after she saw him last, but hoped things weren’t weird between them. “I had been meaning to find you. Did you still want me to tutor you this year? I figured with NEWTs and all...”

[maryedenmacdonalds]

closed starter for @prewettgid

With the new threat alarming everyone within the wizarding world, Mary realized her own skills were nothing compared to what was needed of her to survive. To eventually strike back, defend herself, she had to be capable of hexes, jinxes, a variety of counter and protection spells -- everything one could possibly use on the battlefield. She looked almost paranoid, relentless, as she flipped the pages of her old book, before reaching one she could use. The sat underneath a tree, hair pinned into a bun -- and, as she heard footsteps approaching, Mary immediately pressed the book against herself. “Bloody hell, you scared me, Gideon. I wasn’t expecting anyone to go as far away from school as I did.” He placed the book on top of her lap. “I-- might be a bit paranoid ever since, you know... the news.”

[samucl-kane]

The two thoughts that pass Samuel's mind then are about whether they could even find the person responsible at the party tonight, or if maybe he can find information on the catering business to inquire about said recipe. Probably not considering most places keep one key ingredient out of what they share, protecting their recipe and keeping it exclusive to what they can offer.

"I haven't been at the diner in a few months. How's things going over there?" In the two weeks Samuel's been home, he hasn't carved out much time to go anywhere other than his place of work and maybe to Driftwood to snag a quick coffee.

"I've been for as long as I can remember, not as stringent as being vegan or keto or paleo, I'd like to think. One of my foster families had cows. Very gentle, affectionate creatures, and I got attached. Then one of the kids pointed out that the burgers on the grill get made from cows."

"Being that I was so young, I cried and it stuck and… that's it. That's the story. More than you asked for."

@greengideon

"The thing I hate about parties this size is that you can't just snag someone and ask them what their recipe is, you know? Not that I would have much of a market for these at the diner," he observes -- with the full knowledge that no one had ever stepped foot into the place asking for a mushroom of any kind specifically.

He had, however, once had someone ask why he didn't have sushi on the menu.

"Always thought that took an incredible amount of willpower, being a vegetarian," Gideon tells him with a nod, popping another mushroom into his mouth.

"I already gave up a lot of vices, so I couldn't ever give up meat. How long you been at it?"

@samucl-kane

[finn-brooks]

Finn gaps, jaw dropped and hand to his chest in mock offense. “Excuse me, Gideon, Don't ever lump me in with the tasteless youth. I enjoy my fair share of older music.” Aerosmith and Def Leppard being the more commonly listened to bands on his list, and his favorite — The Pixies. “I was even listening to No Diggity on the way here.”

That’s a lie, as Finn definitely was listening to Another Night while in his 90s kick, but he’s not going to say so.

"Bathroom cleaning..." he parrots. "I don't envy that." It's oftentimes forgotten that Gideon has done time behind bars, but Finn barely bats an eye at the reminder. "Hmm, unwanted aggression. That's... terrible, honestly. I don't understand that. So they'd just come up and take a swing? It's a wonder what they were trying to accomplish."

The need to throw a fist for the Hell of it. Even in all the rare times Finn has felt an inkling of anger, he'd never felt the urge. "Safe to say that's quieted down here?" In California, and in a small little beach town where Gideon is no longer a bouncer but the All-Nighter's owner.

@greengideon

"Okay, I'm gonna forgive you on that one but you kids gotta start scraping up on your music history and be listening to things that came out before the Shrek soundtrack, you following me? Next time you come in here I'm gonna quiz ya."

At Finn's obvious interest, Gideon is chuckling and shaking his head as he takes a sip of his fresh coffee.

"I gotta preface this with saying that this was by far easily about the worst job I've ever had. And I had bathroom cleaning detail in a men's prison, so keep that in mind. But you work bouncing in one place long enough and people start to ask around about you. Guys hear you were inside and they start thinking that means that you're itching to throw hands, which was never my scene. I just wanted to hear cool music and look at pretty girls and get paid for it."

@finn-brooks

[darcyxanthonyx]

"Or! I can start my investigation closer to ten. Hell, maybe even around three in the morning! I mean, who's coming to a diner at three in the morning anyway? Besides, anyone who might be here could participate!" Darcy suggested. And although it was a longshot to get him to agree to letting her investigate the dinner that night, she figured it was worth a try.

@greengideon

Gideon grinned at her clear excitement, holding out his hand to shake on it and seal the deal.

"Can't do tonight and can't do seven -- that's the dinner rush," he informs her, looking at the calendar in an attempt to line up a better date.

"Hard to find a time to close when a place is open twenty-four hours," he says, half to himself, as he points out a date and offers it to Darcy.

"How about next Tuesday? Gives me enough time to tell my staff and patrons that we'll be closed for the night. You can start your filming at nine, how does that sound?"

@darcyxanthonyx

[darcyxanthonyx]

"But let me also suggest--" Darcy cut herself off when she realized just what he'd said. See, she had this whole speech planned in case he said he didn't want her to do her investigation, and she was so prepared for it that she was already starting it. But he agreed. "Oh my god, really?" Darcy beamed as she happily clapped her hands together. "You bet! You've got yourself a deal, sir!" And with that, she held her hand out for them to shake on it. "What time and day works best for you? I was thinking tonight at seven."

@greengideon

Gideon believed that the Diner was haunted -- he himself had witnessed just odd things happening when he worked the night shift alone. He'd never seen anything conrete and always found himself blaming things like the 'the witching hour' or 'it's a full moon' or whatever someone told him was currently in retrograde.

"I would be down for it," he agreed with a nod, leaning his weight against the counter behind him.

"But on the condition that I be here for it. I want a Ghost Adventure."

[samucl-kane]

"I try not to wonder, those numbers would drive me mad." Something he never before and never will be able to afford. If anything, forcing himself out to this event despite wanting to hide away does grant him the opportunity to enjoy a high quality spread. The sense of community helps in its own way, and at least Sam is beginning to use this time to reflect and determine his own resolutions for the upcoming year.

"Perfect, I don't eat meat, and they look amazing, so I would've been disappointed if I couldn't." It's a bit of pointless information shared for the other man, but Sam just continues on with scooping a few onto his plate. "Oh."

The first taste has him nodding in approval, he is also polite enough to not talk with his mouth full. "Definitely goat cheese. It's, for lack of a better word, lighter and you know how Feta has that distinct, strong taste?" Sour might not be the right word, but it's the closest Sam thinks he can mentally get to it. "These are amazing."

@greengideon

"Gotta wonder how much they're spending on food for this thing. They haven't skipped on quality, that's for sure," Gideon says thoughtfully as he takes another survey of the nibbles on his plate and decides to try his hand at some sort of fig concoction.

"No, man, just spinach and this really smooth cheese. I think it might be goat but I can't be sure. Wanna try?"

@samucl-kane

[finn-brooks]

Finn definitely preferred the wrist fracture over breaking his nose or cracking a tooth. "Uh… point made there, Gideon." What is the alternative? He figures it isn't important to figure out. He can't go through his life covered in bubble wrap.

"I feel like I haven't seen her in a minute," Finn quickly drifts into the conversation about her, his worry now falling onto her late, coffee-filled nights. "Hopefully someone is feeding her a steady supply of french fries in my absence." The only thing to save her from just coffee.

Finn spins on his stool to fully face Gideon now, clearly intrigued. Storytime about the music shop is over, because the bouncer story sounds all that much more interesting now. "No, you couldn't lay down the law?! Was it at a bar? Or a club? Chuck-E-Cheese playplace?"

"I don't think I've ever heard this story. Oh, no. What's the story that made you realize it wasn't for you?"

@greengideon

"Yeah but if you're not supposed to catch yourself with you hands then what the hell are you supposed to catch yourself with? Your face? Come on, now."

He invites Finn to take a stool at the front of the diner, checking the counter before taking a seat next to him and laughing at the mention of Lorelai Lewis.

"Yeah, something like that. I always ask her what she's studying and every answer she gives me sounds like a made up thing and I don't dare question her."

Especially when she's often in there until the small hours of the morning.

"I'm glad you're liking the new place," Gideon smile, and he means the sentiment genuinely.

"You always gotta start somewhere. My first job outta jail was working as a bouncer and to this day I'm not even sure why the hell I took it because I was awful at it."

@finnbrooks

[finn-brooks]

“Yah, we live in the same building, but I think our schedules are pretty opposite. I’m also a terrible texter.” His phone is often left in his room, and in his car when he heads to class. Forget even at work, Finn’s phone is buried in the drawer beneath the register. It still wouldn’t hurt to shoot her text.

“I’m… not real familiar with that venue. I know music, but I don’t know music, does that make sense?” His knowledge is limited to what he likes, and how he’s started to branch out in the form of research for his position at Tidal Wave.

“Faking it until I make it! Kidding, mostly. Daniel knows. I know he and Wren will teach me enough, and I’ll pick up.” Just like he did here at the diner.

Finn watches Gideon collect his coffee, and he leans forward on the counter to rest his chin in the heel of his palm, making himself comfortable. “Do go I. I sense a fun story time, and I’m naturally a nosy individual, so I want to know about all the trials and tribulations of Gideon’s bouncer days."

@greengideon

"Yeah, I tend to do that pretty well," Gideon agrees when Finn expresses that he's made a fair point.

"She's been in and out doing her thing, I'll let her know that you asked after her. I try to slip her a muffin or a banana occasionally but I'm never quite sure if she actually ingests them."

Gideon groans as he's obviously piqued the younger man's interest with the little tidbit about his past. He lets out a low laugh as he stands to walk behind the counter, deciding he's gonna need a refill on his coffee for this one.

"It wasn't Chuck E Cheese, gimmie some credit man," he laughs as he turns to grab a logo mug and fill it to the near brim.

"Okay, Mr. Music, I'm assuming you know First Avenue? It's an iconic music venue up in Minneapolis. It's where Prince got his start."

@finn-brooks

[finn-brooks]

Gideon has always had this very warm, comforting air about him. The very thing that has made it easy for Finn to grow attached and to be able to come to him as a boss as well as a source for advice and perspective. 

“Yeah, hah. I break easily, it seems. Nothing but a fracture, just in the wrong spot. You know they tell you when you fall to never catch yourself with your hands.” Finn learned on his own how important that advice is, but it could have been easily avoided if he listened to his own physical cues. 

End of season lull comes as no surprise, but the mention of students has Finn fondly thinking back to the nights of Lorelai’s visits to the diner, scavenging his fries and judging the lack of chicken tenders. “Has Lori been in? She gets caught up in all nighters, with all that science stuff. Bio-something, right?” If Gideon even knows.

“My new boss is… interesting. I like him, he definitely suits the vibe of a music shop. I also get to work with an old friend of mine, so that’s nice. It doesn’t replace here, though. You know, it being my first job in Aurora Bay, it’s a place of memory.”

@greengideon

"Ay, good to see the wing all healed up!" Gideon grins as he walks around the counter to approach him.

"I'll go easy with you on handshakes for the next few months, just to be safe," he jokes before embracing Finn with one arm and inviting him to take a seat down on one of the stools, sitting on the next one over.

It always sucked to lose a good employee, but Gideon understood that diner work was never a permanent place for most people -- it was a stopover to get by until they could make it with the things they were actually passionate about pursuing. But he did his best to make it a nice place to be while they were there.

"Slowing down a little, but that's always how it gets when summer wraps up. Less tourist families, more students pulling all-nighters. How's the new place treating you?"

@finnbrooks

[finn-brooks]

Gideon had been the hardest part about leaving the diner as it's always hard to leave a good boss. Someone who cares about his people. It truly created a thriving work environment with good morale, which can be difficult in a diner setting — high stress, low control jobs could make tensions run high.

"That I have, and fully mended!" Finn lifts his arm that's free of the cast, wiggling his fingers in the air.

He crosses the distance from the door to the diner bartop, swinging the messenger bag hanging from his shoulder to follow behind him — inside it, a card and a gift he'd been meaning to grab once his first music shop paycheck hit the bank account. "Hey, boss man."

"I can afford a side of fries, but I also am not one to turn down a generous offer. How have things been here? How have you been?"

@greengideon

location: all nighter diner starter for: @finnbrooks

"Ah, the prodigal son returns!" Gideon grins as he spots Finn at the door, welcoming him forward with a wave of his hand.

"I'm afraid the employee discount doesn't apply anymore...Okay, fine, you can use it one more time."

[samucl-kane]

"They might be banking on folks filling up on drinks, and then picking when their munchies kick in." Sam has helped himself to a few of the appetizers that fall within the restrictions of his diet, and he can easily commend the cooks and catering service for their talents. He expected nothing less from a high end restaurant in a high end hotel. "Haven't tried though — is there bacon in them? Sometimes the recipe calls for bacon. The burrata spread for the toasted bread hits the spot."

@greengideon

starter: open @aurorabaystarter location: seaside hotel, new year's eve

"I can't say that I have the most fancy palette, but I'm really on board with what they're serving here. Only problem is is that you gotta snag a whole tray to even halfway satisfy your hunger," Gideon observes, offering his tiny cocktail plate to the other.

"You tried these stuffed mushroom caps yet?"