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Date: 23/09

Time: Early evening

Location: Brea town centre

Characters: Rosalind, open

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Rosalind meandered past the fire, pulling her new coat tighter around her to avoid it getting caught in the flames. Nova and Bibi had outdone themselves with her dress. The fur Nova had used to line it was apparently a brand new thing and it was all Bibi to thank for finding a way to make it soft. And soft it was, silky as a kitten’s fur against her skin, keeping her warm as the air cooled. She fought the urge to run her finger along it and instead clutched her book a bit tighter. It was by her grandfather, naturally, and she had thought that it could serve as entertainment either for her or to read for an appropriately adult crowd when the children were sleeping.

The whiff of food stopped her in her tracks, and without thinking much about it, turned to follow the delicious scent to where it might be leading, humming under her breath as she did, and distracted enough to not notice the person stepping into her path before she all but collided with them, her book dropping to the ground with a soft thud.?

Tags anyone

Date:?23/09
Time:?Early evening
Location:?Brea town centre
Characters:?Eir, open

“One …two…three,” Eir mumbled to herself as she counted the bottles of ink she had brought with her. “Six,” she muttered, “six. Where is seven?” She started to look around her stall, moving things out of the way, checking underneath, the movements were clean and controlled even as her mind was frantically recalling the events of the day. “Where is number seven. Number seven.”

Standing up, hands on hips, her chin jutted forward in frustration and determination she looked at her neighbouring stalls,

“You guys seen a bottle of ink? Vibrant purple.” They both glanced around their stalls then shook their head. Eir slumped in defeat, “Ok, thanks! If you do spot it, don’t open it. It will stain your fingers for weeks.” She waggled her own purple stained fingertips at them with a wry smile. She had worked with the inks for years and still managed to stain herself. It was a little bit embarrassing.

“Ok!” she counted each bottle again, placing it exactly where she wanted them. The stall was a simple wooden table with two chairs next to it. There were papers artfully displayed that showed the possible designs people could have done. Her pen and cartridges were all stashed away safely until her first customer showed up.? It was her first year doing ink tattoos and she was excited; she had only recently relocated to Brea and she was eager to integrate herself into the community as firmly as she could.

This was her way of showing what she could do and how she could contribute to the community. She was already making plans to expand her dyeing to clothes and fabrics, maybe even paints or wood stains if she could figure it all out. Art was her passion; she loved tattooing permanent and semi-permanent artwork onto people but practical things would be more helpful to those around her. She wished art could be appreciated for art’s sake but she was pragmatic.

Her plan was to offer the temporary ink tattoos for a few hours while there was still some light and the outside lighting was sufficient for the detailed work. Then she was going to go exploring.

Tag

Date:?23/09
Time:?Early evening
Location:?Brea town centre
Characters:?Sinjin, Open

Sinjin wiped his sweaty forehead down with a towel before flipping it over his shoulder in a well-practiced move. It was hot work managing the food production for the equinox. He had many helpers and they were all as equally sweaty and red in the face as he was which his ego was gratified to see.

“Hanna! Hanna!” he waved over a portly woman in her mid-fifties, her greying hair was pulled into a severe bun and her face was bright and shiny as she huffed over to him. “This is nearly done,” he informed her, indicating the bubbling pot of chilli he was standing over. She nodded vigorously and let out a bellow, summoning several young men from amidst the crowd. Sinjin grinned as her sons listened attentively to their mother and followed her orders with precision and care.

“Looks like you have everything handled.” The food was pretty much done, there were the odd bits still cooking waiting to be served later on in the night. The sweets were all hidden away from prying fingers. He was particularly excited to see them revealed later on as he was immensely proud of his own contribution.

“I will keep coming by and checking up. Yell if you need help. I won’t be far.” With her quick nod, Sinjin headed out into the cool night air. It was much colder outside the heat of their makeshift kitchen. It was a relief and he took a moment to savour it, wiping down his neck and forehead before heading towards the grocers. It was a quick trip; a shower, a change, and he was ready for the evening.

Though it was still early the town centre was bustling. Lights were everywhere giving a welcoming amber glow, there were the odd heater and fire pit to warm up if necessary, the stalls were set up and he could see that the large sleeping tent had nearly been constructed. A well of excitement filled his chest and he grinned widely; this was one of his favourite times of year.

Tag

Date:?23/09
Time:?Early evening?
Location:?Brea town centre
Characters:?Sebastian, open

A little way away from the large sleeping tent, that was mostly constructed, was a medium sized fire pit surrounded by stones, the fire starting to burn merrily. It wasn’t huge, about the size for 15 people to cluster around it in a circle. There were standing lights dotted around the area, lighting up the area and making the fire more for heat and aesthetics than for light.

Sebastian was wrapped in several blankets and sitting in an overstuffed chair set as close to the fire as possible without it actually being in the fire. He was already overheating; he didn’t have the heart to tell his grandchildren that he really did not need this much looking after. They had looked at him so earnestly as they tucked blankets and shawls around him, constantly asking him if he were comfortable. He wasn’t that old! Thank you very much.

He cradled a cup of hot coffee, with a secret splash of bathtub moonshine, bringing it up to his lips he inhaled the aroma enjoying the slightly sour smell the alcohol brought. He was the story teller for the night. That was his contribution. The only rule was that it was suitable for children which unfortunately meant the majority of his original works were out.

He sniffed at the snub. They had absolutely no imagination! No romance!

So, to keep those more conservative members of the community happy he had decided to recite Beowulf. It was a classic tale of heroism, epic battles, monsters, and hyper masculine men having inappropriate thoughts about female monsters. It was a tale everyone had heard before. Sebastian had some plans to make it spectacular, a few tricks and sound effects should help liven it up and make it truly a story to remember.

Open tag

Ok everyone! I apologise for my absence … it was a trying time.

Time jump is planned for Friday – we will be jumping 3 days to 23 September which is the Equinox. There will be a big community wide celebration in the evening.

All of the starter threads will be set in the evening, feel free to have some earlier if you would like. This is a free for all so make your own threads and plots or hope onto established threads. I will throw in a few surprises to keep things interesting.

Existing threads can be completed, please just label them as back posts to make it clear that they aren’t ‘active threads’.

I have some new characters to add to the website. Please yell at me if there are other changes that need to be made or changes I promised to do and never did …

Onto the other news Bethy is now a moderator! That means she will continue to be awesome and helpful and amazing but now she has powers!

Thanks!

Jo

开云体育

She gave him a playful nudge, then made sure all the tools were neatly back in place.? After hugging Dobbin, she turned back to Virgil.? "So, um...do you think whoever hires at yer place'll be there?? I mean, if you were serious...I hate givin' up brick makin' an' all, but..."? Grinning, she shrugged. "Now? Well yeah if there ain't any clients still lingering... You got a bed tonight, come by in the morning where I was playing guitar. I don't think its a problem so long as the clients are happy" he replied shrugging his shoulders. "Rosiland and Ella are pretty nice people" Virgil said affectionately

"Nice people are th' best!"? Bettina laughed.? "All right, then, I'll come by in th' mornin' an' dazzle Miss Rosiland an' Miss Ella."? She wiped her sleeve across the smudges on her face.? "I'll get all cleaned up an' proper lookin', too."? She really wanted something besides making bricks, even if it was cleaning.? But maybe there would be plenty of repairs to keep her engaged, and there were cats!

"Thanks for helpin' me out.? I truly do appreciate it, an' I won't do ya wrong."

tags toward a wrap?

Sure, we can start a new thread...is someone playing the ladies that we can tag in?

Giggling, Bettina rolled to her back, then accepted his offer to help her stand.? "You started it!" she pointed out as she brushed straw from her pants.? "But yer right, you might'a broke th' pitchfork an' then I would'a had ta work ta pay it off!"

"Nice" Virgil grunted at her, but he still had a grin on his face.

She gave him a playful nudge, then made sure all the tools were neatly back in place.? After hugging Dobbin, she turned back to Virgil.? "So, um...do you think whoever hires at yer place'll be there?? I mean, if you were serious...I hate givin' up brick makin' an' all, but..."? Grinning, she shrugged.

"Now? Well yeah if there ain't any clients still lingering... You got a bed tonight, come by in the morning where I was playing guitar. I don't think its a problem so long as the clients are happy" he replied shrugging his shoulders. "Rosiland and Ella are pretty nice people" Virgil said affectionately.

tags toward a wrap?

"Oooooof!" Virgil exhaled loudly as she collided into him, knocking him clumsily off his feet. "Bettina!" he exclaimed in surprise. "We could'a landed on the pitchfork!". He looked her over to make sure she was okay, and then realized she was half on top of him. Virgil pushed her off gently and got to his feet and offered her his hand. "You are crazy, girl" he laughed at her.

Giggling, Bettina rolled to her back, then accepted his offer to help her stand.? "You started it!" she pointed out as she brushed straw from her pants.? "But yer right, you might'a broke th' pitchfork an' then I would'a had ta work ta pay it off!"

She gave him a playful nudge, then made sure all the tools were neatly back in place.? After hugging Dobbin, she turned back to Virgil.? "So, um...do you think whoever hires at yer place'll be there?? I mean, if you were serious...I hate givin' up brick makin' an' all, but..."? Grinning, she shrugged.

"Hey!"? Laughing, Bettina swatted the straw out of her hair, then laughed harder.? "Hey!? Hay! See what I did?"? Scooping up an armful of the hay, she charged at Virgil, knowing he'd likely expect her to throw it at? him, but not to use it as padding as she bounced into him!

"Oooooof!" Virgil exhaled loudly as she collided into him, knocking him clumsily off his feet. "Bettina!" he exclaimed in surprise. "We could'a landed on the pitchfork!". He looked her over to make sure she was okay, and then realized she was half on top of him. Virgil pushed her off gently and got to his feet and offered her his hand. "You are crazy, girl" he laughed at her.

tags

Bettina was handing him a piece of candy to give the large horse. Virgil flashed her the warmest smile, because she was willing to share her horse's affection with him. Unwrapping the hard candy Virgil placed it in Bettina's hand and cupped his hand around hers so they could feed Dobbin together. He laughed at the strange sensation of those big drooling lips groping at their palms to find the peppermint.

Grinning,? Bettina looked up at Virgil as he cupped her hand in his.? Not that she shied away from contact, but it was something she didn't seek anymore, since she'd lost Caleb, and appreciated the gesture as a confirmation of friendship.

"C'mon let's finish the stable, it's getting pretty dark. Best to be indoors at night" Virgil said, and then he playfully threw some straw at Bettina so it got stuck in her hair.

"Hey!"? Laughing, Bettina swatted the straw out of her hair, then laughed harder.? "Hey!? Hay! See what I did?"? Scooping up an armful of the hay, she charged at Virgil, knowing he'd likely expect her to throw it at? him, but not to use it as padding as she bounced into him!

Virgil felt relieved that she hadn't been offended by him bring up the subject of her man. Cobbs use to tell him that thought Virgil would say thoughtless things just to see what kind of reaction he would get. He frowned and wondered if maybe he wasn't just mean spirited? Maybe that's why his birth parents didn't want him.... Nah, if he was mean like that he wouldn't be worried by what she thought.

She was a stranger and he just had a shitty way of 'feeling' people out. Virgil preferred the tight circle of family and friends he had, but it was ever growing slowly but surely. It was that gut reaction that as soon as he?liked someone they would probably bail out on him. Just because it happened to both him and his adopted sister Nova Jane, Cobbs had to remind him that it was the exception not the norm. Weren't he and his little sister special... He supposed that was why he and Nova were so close, more than any brother and sister that came from the same parents that he knew.

Bettina was handing him a piece of candy to give the large horse. Virgil flashed her the warmest smile, because she was willing to share her horse's affection with him. Unwrapping the hard candy Virgil placed it in Bettina's hand and cupped his hand around hers so they could feed Dobbin together. He laughed at the strange sensation of those big drooling lips groping at their palms to find the peppermint.

"C'mon let's finish the stable, it's getting pretty dark. Best to be indoors at night" Virgil said, and then he playfully threw some straw at Bettina so it got stuck in her hair.

Virgil tossed a few laps of hay to each animal as they moved through the livery in silence. He felt a little like a heel because he had known the answer and asked anyway. It was kind of a dick thing to do. She covered her grief well, but it was there. "I'm sorry" he blurted out. "About yer' fella.." he scratched at the back of his neck and looked off to the side. "...um..but I'm glad you and Dobbin are alright... and here in Bria... you know.."

"It's okay." Bettina shrugged, continuing to shovel, knowing how awkward it could be for people to know what to say.? She didn't mind, she knew that, for the most part, they were sorry for her, not in a patronizing way, but in a more supportive way.? "He...wouldn't have had it any other way.? I know he had to try to help the horse."? It had just been Caleb's nature, and as angry as it sometimes made her, deep down she knew it couldn't have been any other way, and she would have helped if she hadn't knocked herself silly falling out of the wagon.? "It was just Caleb's way."

He came up to inspect the gray gelding. "He's as big as a house!" Virgil said in awe. His father had a few riding horses crossed with the bigger farming breeds, but he had never seen a full blooded Draft. He tossed some fresh hay in the stall for the horse and checked to make sure he had plenty of water. Scratching the horse's head Virgil hugged the massive skull, "You're a good fella', eh?"

Bettina laughed and nodded.? "Yeah, he's pretty big.? Most folks only seen 'em from a distance and don't realize just how big they can be."? She moved over to stand beside Virgil.? "Fortunately, God made 'em more gentle th' bigger they get."? Reaching out, she ran her fingers under the thick grey mane as Virgil scratched the massive forehead.? The coat there was warm and soft, and it always made her feel comforted.

Virgil liked animals, they were simple in their affections. He looked at Bettina, shoulders coming up in a shrug "It hurts, you know... when they leave you... even if it ain't your fault".

"Yeah."? Nodding somberly, she sighed.? "Sometimes I think it'd be better not ta care too much, but then..." she shrugged, "that'd be worse, I think."? When she looked up at him, her eyes had taken on a more relaxed expression.? "Here, he likes these."? Digging in her pocket, she pulled out a peppermint candy.? "He'll be yer friend forever!? You can ride him sometime, if ya want."

"That's okay."? Bettina shrugged, feeling a lump of grief in her throat, but she had learned, mostly, to cope with the emotion, and she managed to maintain the illusion that things happened for a reason and would somehow 'work out' in the end.? "Our wagon tipped over in in th' river near Thetis an' Caleb went back ta try an' free th' horse."? Another shrug as she opened a stall and stepped in, patting the neck of the bay mare.? "Afternoon, Daisy."? Then she started to shovel damp hay into the cart Virgil had.? "I'm just glad Dobbin was lame that day, or..."

Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, then nodded across the barn.? "That's th' big lunk there.? He's moochin' cookies!"? At that, the big dapple shook his head and nickered, then smacked his lips.

Virgil tossed a few laps of hay to each animal as they moved through the livery in silence. He felt a little like a heel because he had known the answer and asked anyway. It was kind of a dick thing to do. She covered her grief well, but it was there. "I'm sorry" he blurted out. "About yer' fella..." he scratched at the back of his neck and looked off to the side. "...um...but I'm glad you and Dobbin are alright... and here in Bria... you know..."

He came up to inspect the gray gelding. "He's as big as a house!" Virgil said in awe. His father had a few riding horses crossed with the bigger farming breeds, but he had never seen a full blooded Draft. He tossed some fresh hay in the stall for the horse and checked to make sure he had plenty of water. Scratching the horse's head Virgil hugged the massive skull, "You're a good fella', eh?"

Virgil liked animals, they were simple in their affections. He looked at Bettina, shoulders coming up in a shrug "It hurts, you know... when they leave you... even if it ain't your fault".

tags

Although admittedly a bit plastered, Mirriam heard enough of what her bed partner said.

"Thanks, you make.....ummm...pretty bricks," she replied then buried her head into the pillow. It did not take long at all before she was out like a light. She had always been a good sleeper but the long work shift and the alcohol helped too.

"Pretty?"? Not how she'd describe bricks, but whatever!? At least they were neat and professional-looking.? "Thanks."? Bettina snuggled deeper into the covers and was soon back to sleep.

It was far brighter than it should have been when Bettina awoke again, and, forgetting that she had a bed-mate, she sat up suddenly, kicking off the quilt.

"Earwax and kitty whiskers!"? Not that she was going to be late, per sae, but she wanted to be started before the heat of the day, and she didn't want to miss breakfast.

But then she remembered she wasn't alone and didn't really help matters by murmuring, "Oh...sorry..."

"You said your husband, where is he?" Virgil asked, although he had a fearful feeling in his gut. He had seen hide nor hair of a new man in town, but maybe he just missed him somehow. " I mean it ain't my business or nothin'..." he stopped to pick up the fork and to wheel a little cart in the stable with them. He might as well help since he was there, and then she could wash up and sleep sooner than later.

"You'll like Brea, it's a good town with good people".

"That's okay."? Bettina shrugged, feeling a lump of grief in her throat, but she had learned, mostly, to cope with the emotion, and she managed to maintain the illusion that things happened for a reason and would somehow 'work out' in the end.? "Our wagon tipped over in in th' river near Thetis an' Caleb went back ta try an' free th' horse."? Another shrug as she opened a stall and stepped in, patting the neck of the bay mare.? "Afternoon, Daisy."? Then she started to shovel damp hay into the cart Virgil had.? "I'm just glad Dobbin was lame that day, or..."

Taking a deep breath, she let it out slowly, then nodded across the barn.? "That's th' big lunk there.? He's moochin' cookies!"? At that, the big dapple shook his head and nickered, then smacked his lips.

Although admittedly a bit plastered, Mirriam heard enough of what her bed partner said.

"Thanks, you make.....ummm...pretty bricks," she replied then buried her head into the pillow. It did not take long at all before she was out like a light. She had always been a good sleeper but the long work shift and the alcohol helped too.


****
ooc: We can either wrap it up here or just continue this the next morning. I'm good either way.

Virgil's brows arched slightly as Bettina told him how her parents had past on. He gave her a sympathetic expression although he didn't really know what it felt like to love someone and lose them to death. The ones that were suppose to love him, had abandoned him... literally walking out of his life. He had a new family, but for several years he was raised by whomever had the space for him that night.

"You said your husband, where is he?" Virgil asked, although he had a fearful feeling in his gut. He had seen hide nor hair of a new man in town, but maybe he just missed him somehow. " I mean it ain't my business or nothin'..." he stopped to pick up the fork and to wheel a little cart in the stable with them. He might as well help since he was there, and then she could wash up and sleep sooner than later.

"You'll like Brea, it's a good town with good people".

She had hazel eyes just like he did, although his had more green in them. But that's where their similarities ended, he tended to look for his parents or half-siblings in every stranger that walked into town. "I'm originally from Ox Bow, came here when I was thirteen" Virgil said as they sauntered up the dirt road to the stable. "You been traveling the whole time with your pop?" he asked. "You been to any of the cities?"

"Not the whole time," Bettina explained, "we settled in town after I started school so I could get educated."? At that, her nose wrinkled up.? "I don't think it worked out so good!"? She laughed, then shrugged.? "He still took me out sometimes, so I've been to most of th' settlements around Stob, even Ox Bow.? And after he and Mom died, my husband an' I took to th' road again."? The pain was hidden behind a small laugh.? "Those were the best times!? Dobbin was happy ta be back on th' road, even though he was older an' slower..."

With another shrug, she smiled.? "It was ol' Dobbin who whispered in my ear that it was time ta move on, an' said Brea seemed a good a place as any."

Virgil chuckled and smiled widely as she looped her arm through his. They walked amiably toward the livery, bumping hips as they went. Bettina told him about her horse, Dobbin, and how he pulled the caravan wagon she and her dad traveled in. Tinkering. Virgil assumed the way she talked that her old man had passed on, and he squeezed his arm and her hand to his side in some kind of supportive gesture.

She had hazel eyes just like he did, although his had more green in them. But that's where their similarities ended, he tended to look for his parents or half-siblings in every stranger that walked into town. "I'm originally from Ox Bow, came here when I was thirteen" Virgil said as they sauntered up the dirt road to the stable. "You been traveling the whole time with your pop?" he asked. "You been to any of the cities?"

Virgil couldn't help but laugh at the dorky joke. He liked her strange sense of humor, at least she saw the funny things in life "Yeah, that shouldn't be a problem. My old man... that is... my adopted pop, he has horses... I know all about poop relocation skills" he replied giving Bettina a charmingly crooked smile. He got up and brushed off the bottom of his pants. "Let me walk you back to where ever you were going" he insisted.

"Poop relocation..." Bettina grinned, "I hadn't thought of it like that.? Yeah, I reckon as I'm gettin' ta be a specialist at that!" Not that she really minded, though, while it was hard work, she liked being outside and around the animals, and it left her nicely tired so that she never had problems with getting to sleep.? "Sure, c'mon, I was headed ta muck stalls, you can cheer me on!? Oh, and meet Dobbin, too."

She started to walk, at first shoving her hands into her pockets, but then impulsively linking arms with her companion as they strolled.? "You'll like Dob, he's sixteen now, he pulled our caravan when Dad was travelin' around tinkerin'. "? She shrugged.? "All I got left'a that life now, but it's enough, I reckon.? Just gotta make due with what ya have, right?"