- the weight of living

♪ All that you desired, when you were a child Was to be old, was to be old Now that you are here, suddenly you fear You've lost control (lost control) Do you like the person you've become

Under the weight of living You're under the weight of living ♫

Ravi hadn’t really had a night out since before Iris had gotten pregnant with Ishani and it was long overdue for him. He found himself sitting at On The Rocks Bar with a beer in his hands, slowly drinking it as he watched the people around him, often rolling his eyes at people making a fool of themselves after having had too much to drink. He looked at the person next to him. “Please stop me if I even get close to acting like that.” He said with a point towards people who were stumbling around on the feet.

@alittlebitalex​

Alex looked at the man for a thoughtful moment before giving a slight nod of her head and extending a hand towards him. “Deal,” she agrees, eyeing the offending drunks whose friends should have cut them off a few drinks ago. Alex didn’t consider herself a control freak but the idea of losing that kind of control over her functions didn’t sit right with her. She’s not twenty anymore. “But only if you promise to do the same for me. Solidarity, right?”

alexis ortiz → aesthetic 

🎶 tastes like strawberries on a summer evenin' and it sounds just like a song i want more berries and that summer feelin' it's so wonderful and warmBreathe me in, breathe me out i don't know if i could ever go without i'm just thinking out loud i don't know if i could ever go without

Aliza: I honestly didn't know if you'd back down that easily. I'm very happy you did.

Aliza: I'm never going to say 'no' to chocolate covered strawberries. Especially on Valentine's day.

Alex: i mean, if you want me to kick up more of a fuss, i'm sure i could come up with a few solid arguments

Aliza: How am I supposed to spoil you if /you/ cook. You always cook. And it's delicious and incredible, but you're going to be cooking all night.

Aliza: Let me cook. Let me take care of you for once.

Alex: okay, you cook

Alex: i will sit back and appreciate the view

Felicity didn’t have any trouble talking to people - it was what she did for a living, after all. And who was to tell what might come of striking up a conversation with someone you didn’t plan to? Didn’t some of life’s great stories start that way? That was what she was telling herself anyway, as she began speaking to the woman beside her. “Have I got to actually come up with the ingredients too, or just the name?” She asked, her eyes lighting up with excitement as she got to express some form of creativity, even if it was just for a make believe drink. “Okay so how about Reddy For Anything!?” She suggested, her eyebrows raising. “Got to be some sort of frozen rosé, or a spirit with some grenadine for the color too?” 

who open to all ♥ @somertonstarter​ when feb 2021  where fletcher park notes doesn’t need to be the person throwing the snowball, or even involved in the fight!! passerbys also being hit, someone laughing at him, gimme all.

“Well.” standing deathly still, George dusted his jacket, the clumped snow falling to the ground with a heavy thud. If he wasn’t the one being pelted, he might actually compliment the person, these were some quality snowballs, very heavy. “Good morning to you too.” Well, this is what he gets for leaving the house twenty minutes late.

AURORA VISTA ⇢ COCKTAIL-LIGHT                                       ft. anyone @somertonstarter​

Felicity took a long sip of her drink her eyes closing for a beat as she took the time to savour it. She had been meant to have been meeting an old friend from high school who had dropped into town, but she hadn’t picked up the message saying that she was no longer able to make it until she’d already arrived at the cocktail bar. Figuring that she had already made the effort to get there, there was no harm in staying for a drink, right? Her hand moved towards one of the small cocktail menu perched atop the bar, her head tilting to one side as her eyes glossed over some of the offerings. “Who do you think comes up with these names? Do you think I could invent one? I bet I could come up with some fancy name, take the world by storm.”

What started out as drinks with the girls ended, as it so often did these days, with Alex sipping the last of her drink at the bar alone. Such are the trials of aging, she figures. But it’s fine. Alex has never minded spending time on her own. It just meant she had more time for her favorite game -- people watching. She’s watching as a blonde seemingly lets down an eager pursuer when the woman next to her starts to speak and tears her attention away from the doomed couple -- a welcome distraction. 

“How’d I know that would be your answer?” Jack chuckled as her nose scrunched up, playfully squinting at the other woman. Of course it might have something to do with her having dated the other beauty, but Jack will joke it’s just a woman’s (and cop’s) intuition for the hell of it. “Oh really? I had no idea, and here I thought icy lakes were my only outlet for bathing,” She teased playfully with a grin. As Alex continued on though, Jack’s grin turned more mischievous before she took a sip from her water. “You know, if I didn’t know any better babe, I’d think that was an invitation for something else. But for the sake of my reputation I’ll take it at face value.” Jack hummed, tossing a wink at the other. “But in all seriousness, a shower sounds great right about now. The last thing I want is to get sweat in the Chevelle.” She chuckled.  

Aliza: I know how to work my audience.

Aliza: I was hoping that would entice you 💕 speaking of Valentine's day - I already promised the husband he could have me for the night, but what do you say to a brunch. Just me, you and some french toast and champagne?

Aliza: If you're free, that is.

Alex: you're cute.

[...]

Alex: vday brunch sounds nice, but only if you let me cook.

Aliza: Are you trying to get out of donating to charity?

Aliza: But as it so happens, it may be a perk. But only if you promise to save me a dance or two in return.

Aliza: I promise I won't even slander the town while we do it.

Alex: well when you put it like that i sound like a real asshole

Alex: two dances and no random dirty laundry aired though?

Aliza: ATTN MAR-TUESDAYS FREQUENTER ; this upcoming week's event will be cancelled due to an issue with our heater from Snowstorm Sally ! Our next Mar-Tuesday will be on the 16th!

Aliza: Never fear about spending Valentine's alone, however - Saturday the 13th will host the 2nd Annual Charity Gala for the local fire department! Tickets are on sale at alizas.com and all proceeds go to our local heroes who save us every snowstorm! Come dance, drink and meet the mate of your dreams from 6pm-midnight.

Open | @somertonstarter​

Most of the time communication wasn’t an issue for Jude. Between being able to slightly read lips and type things out on his phone, he was able to break that barrier when he was out and about. However there were still some instances where people were too rushed, where they simply didn’t care or understand. While they were far and few, they happened, and luck was not on side with it today as he stood at the register in the coffee shop. Jude already had his order jotted down on his phone, all he had to do was show it to the cashier to take his order. He wasn’t exactly sure where it had all went wrong but not only was the cashier ignoring he phone that Jude was holding out to him but he was pretty sure the other was now yelling by this point. If their red face was anything to go by. He could feel the eyes of the other customers on him and for a brief second Jude wondered if a cup of coffee was really worth all of this. So in a desperate last chance to try and get the chaser to understand, Jude gestured towards his ear, shaking his head, waving his phone around some. Trying his best to get his message across clear so he could just get a damn cup of coffee.

—

She’s typically a patient person. Even prides herself in it from time to time while she watches others slowly devolve into some sort of breakdown in a long line from over the top of her phone while she scrolls mindlessly through her insta feed. But today is different. The line is taking longer than usual  and all because of what seems to be a breakdown of communication at the front of it - a confused cashier and a man all but begging him to look at his phone. It’s when he gestures to his ear that the other shoe drops for Alex and she realizes what’s going on. Pocketing her own phone, she gives up her place in line and makes her way to the front of it. “I think he wants you to look at his phone,” she reasons, trying to contain the hint of frustration in her tone. Not at the guy trying to order a coffee, of course, but the one who seems determined not to understand him. She stands next to the other for a moment, trying to catch his eye before placing a hand on his arm, “Can I?” she asks, gestureing to the phone. 

Where: Gym Heroes

With Who: Anyone @somertonstarter

“C’mon,” She groaned, pressing the weights into the air before finally dropping them back on their stand with a sigh. “I am definitely going to be feeling that one tomorrow,” She let out in a breath, the woman shaking out her arms as she laid back on the weight bench for a few more moments. Turning her head to look at the person nearest to her, she let out a chuckle. “Remind me to not lift as much next time, eh? I don’t think my Sergeant would appreciate me having a shaky aim in an emergency.” She grabbed her water bottle before sitting up, taking a long sip from it before dabbing at her neck with her towel. Working out was good for the body, sure, but for Jack it moreso helped clear her mind more than anything else. It was enough to make her forget for the moment about the night terrors from the night before, we’ll see how long that’ll last. “Does it sound crazy that right about now I want to jump into the nearest snowbank, even in this tank top and shorts?” She laughed, setting her bottle down and stretching her arms out behind her back.

Open |  @somertonstarter​

It was strange to be lost in a town that James had grown up in but he was currently stood in the middle of the sidewalk. He had been trying to get to a coffee shop, which one, well, he wasn’t quite for sure anymore. When he had left the apartment, James had known exactly where he was going but like a lot of times with his injury, he could feel things begin to slip from him. It was frustrating at times, to not be able to remember where he was headed or which direction to go. But it was simply his new normal and he needed to get used to it. It had only been a few months since everything had happened. As he stood there off the side, he ran a hand along his jaw, eyes scanning the street. Hoping that maybe if he kept looking to where he was, something would click for him. But the longer he stood there, the less familiar things looked, and James knew that at this point, it was probably unlikely that he would ever get to where he was going in the first place.

—

Fifteen minutes. That’s all the time she can spare for lunch today. Just fifteen minutes. So naturally, she’s going to spend it on a coffee run. She can make herself something between orders and paperwork and whatever other crap the restaurant crops up for her to deal with today, but she can handle none of it without a caffeine boost. But her quest is thwarted by a man blocking the sidewalk. She sighs, audibly and considers the pros and cons of slipping right past him and continuing on her days. She’s only got fourteen minutes left now, a big con -- but the guy also looks confused? Maybe even lost? And does she really want to walk around the rest of her day with that on her conscience? No, she decides with another sigh. Apparently, she doesn’t. 

“You, uh -- you looking for something?” It’s not exactly a big town by any standards, but still easy enough to get lost if you’re not familiar with the layout. 

OPEN STARTER.

Where: The High School Who: @somertonstarter​

As a kid, snow days had always been his favourite. He would spend them sledding and building snowmen and having snowball fights. But apparently adulthood could suck the fun out of EVERYTHING because snow days were not so fun now he was running around saving people from where they were trapped in their houses, rather than playing in the snow and making snowmen. He was still a kid at heart though and even though he’d been given a few hours off to have a break from saving the day and stroking his hero complex, he was already bored. Which was why he’d made himself a snowball from the snow outside and was carrying around the hall until he could find the perfect victim. When he saw somebody unsuspecting, an evil grin graced his lips and he threw it so it hit their shoulder and cheered. “He SHOOTS and he SCOOOORES!” He laughed obnoxiously and clapped his hands together, still laughing stupidly. 

Okay, she’s got canned tomatoes, frozen peas, and another bag of rice. Not a bad haul, she thinks as she moves to root through the box again. She’s fingering a bottle of garlic salt (because of course garlic salt) when something hard and cold connects with her shoulder. What? Surprised, her fingers slip and drop the box unceremoniously. Her head shoots up, eyes narrowing as they set on the laughing figure across the way.

who aliza & @alittlebitalex​ when jan 2021 what for snowstorm sally // aliza needs some distractions from the chaos. 

aliza knew what the town said about her; she was a slut, a whore, a philanderer who couldn’t keep it in her pants. she’d heard all of it and worse - and caused her own rumors to float about those who rallied against her on more than one occasion, only slightly out of spite. but no one bothered to ask her how she truly felt : how she could love her husband entirely, but still be open to the idea of something with someone else. 

really, she knew she and alex should have been coming to an end - she rarely got attached to a second partner for too long, worried about the complications it could bring to her childrens life - but alex was…undeniable. completely out of aliza’s normal social circle, a breath of fresh air she couldn’t wait to breathe whenever she got the chance. 

the restless energy was already crawling through the atmosphere of the school when aliza came up behind her, pressing a quick kiss to her cheek before leaning in close enough to whisper in her ear - “have you ever made out in the janitors closet? it’s surprisingly fun,” she added, an impish grin on her face when she pulled back, only far enough to offer her a hand. if she said ‘no’, aliza would hardly be heartbroken, but there was something inside her that wanted to make things just…a little bit messier for the night. a quick make out in a closet seemed like the perfect solution. 

—

it’s stupid. stupid and so, so messy. she knows this. reminds herself every time she finds herself booked for a pto meeting, or is pulled aside to listen to mindless gossip about people she’s never met and doesn’t care to know. but there’s something about aliza, that magnetic energy that draws alex in and throws all better judgement out the window with a well placed kiss on her cheek. it’s hardly her fault. she is but a simple lesbian ( and more useless than most ) - she sees a beautiful woman and she has no choice but to follow. 

she shakes her head, “no,” and slides her hand into the blondes. the words are out of her mouth before she even knows she’s going to say them but she figures, she deserves this. her years at this school were mostly wrought with heartbreak and confusion. any make-out sessions had been hidden behind carefully locked doors far from school property and away from the preying eyes of her peers. it’s about time she make a good memory in her old high school, right? if not in mid 30′s, then when?

“but it is on my bucket list.” or it would be, if she had one, but that’s beside the point. her staff will be fine without her for a little while. she squeezes her hand, "lead the way.”