#merrockstarter

[cagenewman]

WHO: Cage & OPEN

WHERE: Cage & Cordelia's Wedding

WHEN: October 19, 2024

"Catching a breather, too?" Cage asked with a breathless laugh as he sidled up to the almost-empty table, dropping down to sit carefully. He had a drink in hand, the signature cocktail that he had meticulously planned with Elise over the past few weeks, wanting something special to share with the guests. "I hope you're having a good time, you look great!"

[monixoconnor]

WHO: Moni & open WHERE: The suburbs WHEN: Late August, 2024

"Holy -- shit. I am so sorry." Monique apologised sincerely to the person she'd accidentally bumped into, hot latte in hand and seeing the mess that her divided attention had created. It was her own fault, but with Freya beginning at a new school, she wanted to ensure that she could contact her whenever she required. As a result, she had earned herself a mobile of her own, though it wasn’t anything fancy. It was the best solution she could come up with considering they were attempting to start a life in a completely new destination. “You’re not burnt, are you?”

[alicezhaox]

It feels kind of surreal knowing that summer is coming to a close. I feel like every month is going quicker than the last. How has everyone’s summer been going? Are we looking forward to the change of weather or do we still want to hold onto the sunshine?

[nicholas-quinn]

Where: From Brush to Canvas (Snowflake Gala) When: January 25th Who: Open (5/5)

Manipulating a bottle of champagne from the bartenders was a small feat. He knew some by name, others by the freckles on their thighs, and still one by his morning coffee order. He dropped a bill in their tip jar, offered the sweetest a smile, and walked away with a Dom Perignon. The crowd was a wave of cool pastels, more than enjoyable from a distance. He found a pretty face in the crowd and came to stand beside them. "This beauty is best paired with company." He popped the cork with a flourish, smiling as the foam dripped over his fingers. "Care to join me?"

[auroramuller]

Where: Vibrations When: A random weekday evening

"Be honest with me, am I out of my depth here? I mean, I'm thirty-eight." Saddling up on the first empty barstool she found, Aurora turned to the nearest person who looked sober – and kind – enough to listen. "Totally not in an ageist way, if you're older than me, that's great for you but I've lived here for two years and have only just got the courage to check this place out." Before she could yap herself into trouble, she took a sip of the untouched cocktail the bartender had placed on the bar for her. "Only now did I consider this could be one of those under twenty-one hotspots. Even though my mid-life crisis is rapidly unfolding, I'd rather it not be so...visual, you know?"

[rafaelcb]

WHO: Rafael & OPEN.

WHERE: Lavender Lane.

WHEN: Houseplant Day (January 10).

This was not his usual haunt on a Friday afternoon. Rafael would normally spend his time at the coffee shop, or at home on the couch, listening to Sinatra and reading over case work, flipping through possible listings. But... he had been razzed one too many times about how there was no greenery in his office, and when he saw the flyer for houseplant day at Lavender Lane, he had made the decision to do something new. "I'm never going to keep this alive," he half muttered, realizing the person next to him could probably hear what he was saying, but... it wasn't untrue.

[mikeyhartman]

where: the mirage, downtown who: open when: June 2024

Hey guys - What can I do for you? The usual, or are we trying something different tonight?

[jaceeverett]

WHO: Jace & OPEN!

WHERE: Holiday Light Display, Cityview Park

WHEN: December, 2024

"Here, I think I got this right," Jason held out the cup as he approached the other person, waiting for him at the start of the light display, amiable smile on his face. "Unless that one tastes like french vanilla, and then it might be mine. But it should give us a little bit of warmth to be able to walk through the display."

[oliverxsutton]

I’ve come to the realization that I don’t understand half of what middle schoolers say anymore. Maybe I am getting old or haven’t caught on to American slang as much as I think I have, but oh my. They also ask so many questions, which I definitely will always encourage. They are also brutally honest. Today I had a student ask me that because I’m from the 1900s if I know Gandalf. Sure. So I just let that one sink in for a bit. Does anyone else miss being blissfully unaware of what century we are currently in?

[xjoellasuh]

Who: Joella & open! (6/6)

Where: Animal Sanctuary

When: Shelter Appreciation Weekend

"I want to adopt another cat," Joella stated to the person standing nearby. "At the risk of turning into a childless cat lady, I would, but I don't know how my other two cats would fare. Do cats feel like they're being third-wheeled?" she pursed her lips as she looked around the adoption area.

[jake-fieldsrp]

Who: Open (7/7) capped When: Early Evening Where: Outside Cobblestone Cafe

It'd been a week (a week and a half now?) since being back in town —time showing its cruelty when a week back in his parent's house felt like only an hour and an eternity depending on the day. It'd been a while since he'd felt like this, a truly blank canvas. Supposed to be a recoup of sorts but where a week that would normally be a vacation was permanent. By day three when cracking open a comic was filled with a bizarre tightness in his chest, anxious an understatement. Today though, he left the perimeters of his parent's house in the burbs. An old crushed-up stack of flyers for music lessons with the ends frayed with his contact information he used to staple around Brooklyn in hand, Jake in the midst of stapling to a post for the hell of it, turning to the passerby, "Hey! Hey yeah, you dropped this..." Bending over to pluck the imaginary object to hand over one of his tabs, "You call within a week, first three sessions are free. And I'll tack on a holiday discount for the month of December."

[stellylee]

WHO: Stelly & OPEN!

WHERE: downtown Merrock

WHEN: Hallo-Week (October, 2024)

"My adrenaline is pumping," Stelly let out a jittery, but delighted laugh as they trailed out of Stubs, following the crowd of movie-goers, "like, not ready to go home pumping. What do you want to do for the rest of the night? The haunted spooky things are all open late, we could go skating, take an uber out to the haunted houses, go to the bar -- I could mix us up some drinks, we could go back to my place and hang out. What do you feel like?"

[monixoconnor]

WHO: Moni & OPEN

WHEN: Happy Hour Day, 12 Nov 2024

“When they say happy hour day, does that mean they’re discounted for the entire day? Because how can I say no to that?” Monique smiled playfully at the person close by. “What do you say, want to make our way through the bar?”

[jmiemagvans]

Who: Jamie & OPEN!

Where: around town

When: Hallo-week

"Okay, so it's still early enough to get some drinks, and late enough for all the lights to come on... maybe," he squinted his eyes, looking up at the dim lamp posts. There was tons to do and see, so an adventure was probably the best answer there. "So, where to first?" he grinned, rubbing his hands together.

[xmikamorris]

where: mawk tales when: august 2024 who: tamika & OPEN

Having arrived in town only a few weeks prior, Tamika was still getting to know her new home. Today's adventure was stopping by the mocktail place in her neighborhood. It had been quite a few minutes of reading over the menu, debating on drink options, before Mika ultimately decided that asking for recommendations may be the best option. "Excuse me. It's my first time here. Are there any drinks that you'd recommend I give a try?"

[brooksienewman]

When: October 12th Where: Newman Family Farm (Cage's Bachelor Party) Who: Kellan & open

"Someone got me real good with a paintball," Kellan remarked, poking at the large bonfire. There was something so satisfying about large fires and it always felt like an honor to be the one to stoke the fire for an event. "I'm glad the paintball company did disclaimers," he laughed, lifting his beer to his lips, taking a swig. "No real damage on your end, I hope?"