the universe is shifting

"Oh wow, that's so thoughtful. I never even thought about what people who can't have cheese do at a wine and cheese tasting. But these charcuterie boards look amazing, the fruit arrangements? I'm taking notes," she says, even though she has zero reason in her life to arrange anything of similar grandeur. But it never hurt to learn from people, whatever the subject.

"honestly - i can't take credit for the idea, we have a fantastic caterer who arranged everything aside from the wine and they mentioned that some people might appreciate the variety. i can absolutely give you their card if you're ever thinking of hosting a birthday party or event!" while she knew that this was extravagant, even by their standards, there were absolutely moments in life worth celebrating with a little extra circumstance. and even if they didn't come every day, she understood wanting to prepare for them and taking inspiration from the places and things you saw along the way. "nessa, i absolutely have to tag along the next time you go to one. especially if you can find little treasures like that! here i was just scouring thrift-stores when it seems the real trick are estate sales." her head shakes, while céleste didn't tend to theme her outfits per say, there were some who might comment that the colors she chose were to bright or the patterns to bold and she loved seeing nessa express herself through her clothes. "if you spend your life conforming to what others think is normal, is life really worth living? i think not. besides, you look fabulous - and that's all that matters." the laugh that comes at the other woman's next statement is bright - bubbling up unprompted with the surprise that colors it - already picturing bright blonde hair popping out beneath a suit of purple. "we'd be honored to have you as a mascot, i bet you'd be an adorable one."

"Good idea," Rhiannon chimed to Céleste's verdict of focusing on men. "I could never begrudge Aileen Wuornos what she did. Like, that's what men have been doing to women for centuries, y'know? Fuck it." She wouldn't leap to call herself a feminist per se, even though she prescribed to all those ideals. She hadn't read enough theory just yet, and was always hesitant to leap two feet into anything she wasn't fully educated about — except cinema. All bets were off there. "No, I don't. I did some googling one night when I was drunk. Couldn't find anything. You'd think there would be headlines or at least a little news snippet. Unless he paid off people in the town. Can't count that out, I guess."

"i would argue that they had it coming. she was only fulfilling her civic duty." she nods in agreement at her cousin's statement, although she tended to stay away from stories about serial killers and murder, céleste knew enough to have made up her mind about the case. "irregardless, if you do decide to go down the killing pathway, you know i will help you bury a body, or you know, sage a room. although hopefully you're sticking to film instead of murder." she's teasing, voice light with amusement even despite how dark the current topic is. her eyes narrow as she considers her, flickering between rhiannon and the house with increasing trepedation, "you sound like you want to investigate. is that why you dragged me down here? please don't tell me you want to sneak inside."

"Well shit. Croquet was all I came for." She told her, also completely lost on the game. "Guess I'm too late too." smiling, she was there meeting a friend. Her fridge actually chilling one or two bottles from the vineyard, knowing full well she had the good stuff. Not meant for just anyone. (unless it was herself) . . . "you have alternatives?" She asked, catching that bit, "I signed up for it but I'd love not waking up with a raging hangover tomorrow. . .

"i mean - there are still some people playing, maybe you could join them and they can give you a lesson?" it might be later on in the afternoon - but with the views the vineyard offers during sunset, céleste wouldn't be surprised if a few more stragglers showed up and that people would stay and enjoy the food and wine for a while longer. "alternatives for the cheese - micah." it's said with a small laugh, gesturing to the other trays floating around the venue. "although i suppose that there are alcohol free wines nowadays," her nose wrinkles a bit at the thought - sacrilege if you asked her. basically grape juice - which might be close enough to some, but doesn't hold a candle for her. "but we don't make them. i can promise you though that a tasting will not leave a hangover. after all it's a tasting not a binge."

"Ooh, what are the alternate options? I mean how could I say no to a wine tasting, anyway? Especially yours." Onyx was some of Nessa's favorite wine, plus she was always happier whenever she shopped local, supporting her favorite businesses. "Croquet...you mean like in Alice in Wonderland?" She had never played in real life, but it sounded like something she'd be interested in. Nessa had come dressed head to toe for the occasion and she was going to enjoy her night, going wherever the breeze blew. "This is amazing by the way, props." She held a cube of cheese on a stick that she'd plucked off a tray from one of the servers, her mouth already watering to try it.

"we've paired a couple of our wines with different types of cheeses - but if anyone can't have dairy, we do have vegan cheese varieties, cured meats, veggies, fruits, chocolate. they all enhance a different flavor profile and it's an interesting experience seeing what brings what out." most of the time she didn't lead tastings, but she'd picked up enough to be fit for the job on occasions like this, enjoying the surprise on people's faces when they were able to distinguish different notes. "yes - like alice in wonderland." it might not have been the comparison that had first sprung to mind for her when there were people who were confused on what the sport actually was - but now that nessa had mentioned it, she might have to use it for future befuddled visitors. "although without the animal cruelty - no flamingos or hedgehogs will be hurt in the process here." taking the brief pause in conversation to fully glance at the other woman, céleste can't help but admire the outfit that she'd put together. while most people who'd come were dressed in summer cocktail attire - nessa's look was something else - a true celebration of the day. "oh, thank you! i could say the same about your look - the dress is incredible. i don't think i've seen anyone be more on theme. where did you find those earrings? because they're perfection."

with: anyone! / @cascadestarters location: santiago's beach when: 4th of july fireworks, 10pm

she'd been hoping for a peaceful fourth of july - a bottle of wine, a good view of the fireworks, pleasant company - a chance to reconnect with old friends and make new ones. but the fireworks had barely even begun when she realized that she'd left her phone in her car - normally not a concern, especially in a town like cascade ( people might be weird, céleste herself hadn't felt like she fit in quite as well anywhere else aside from here - but she'd left her purse in her car plenty of times while in high school and it hadn't caused an issue. ) but it seemed in her time away things had changed, her heart racing as a shrouded figure desecrated her car. "sneak up on you?" the outrage is barely masked, her expression turning from one of fright to fury. "you're the one spray-painting my car! and not even with proper spelling." it shouldn't be a hang up - but the car was new - not the beat up hand-me-down she'd been gifted during high school ( meant to prove that she was responsible and could follow the rules of the road. ) if she was going to be left driving around with a vandalized car - it might at least not look like a toddler had tried to spell something on it. "what did i ever do to you, do we even know each other?"

her mouth drops open - bamboozled is certainly a word - and not a good one at that. "well, we can't have that. enlightened maybe, inspired, dazzled - give me a moment." scanning the crowd, her eyes meet one of the servers mingling about and waves them over, before her attention turns to the man once more. "yes - we've got vegan options for those with dietary restrictions. but also cured meats, breads, veggies, fruits, and chocolate - they all bring out different notes in the wine, and have different pairings." still, she can't help but note that his hands are empty, leaving céleste to wonder if he perhaps wasn't searching for the perfect pairing - but had come instead for the atmosphere and food. she takes the quick moment to instruct the server, asking them to make a few more rounds and keep an eye out for any newcomers, before offering a few selections from the tray they'd left to the stranger. "here you are. although i have to say, if you're here mainly for the food, there are also appetizers going around. those pair well with the wines too - but are a bit better all on their own." although, she supposes, cheese doesn't need much fancying up to be delicious. give her a good baguette, a brie, and some fruit and she'd be delighted too. a chuckle leaves her lips at his reaction the the game offered, "i'm not surprised, it's english - and mostly you just have to hit balls with mallets through hoops. it's pretty big there, very posh - but i don't think it ever truly caught on here. although it was featured in one of the last bridgerton seasons - anthony's, if you watch those? they called it pall-mall, but as far as i understand, they're essentially the same thing." while she's not one to stereotype, she does have to admit she'd be surprised if that was a show he followed. "we didn't want to do the regular lawn games of cornhole or ladder toss - so we thought this might be a bit more fitting."

Open to: anyone! @cascadestarters Where: by the Shady Belle

céleste's gaze isn't filled with admiration - perhaps more a cautious sort of dread mixed with the itch to leave this place for something more tranquil. one that isn't haunted by ghost stories, although finding that in a town like cascade is hard to come by - but at least most other places don't hold as grisly of a history as this one. "you might be the first person to call him good." in all the stories - even the ones based solely on proven fact, he was corrupt at best. and then there was the fact that so many of the brothel workers simply seemed to disappear - perhaps lost to time, or maybe facing a more gruesome fate. "i don't know about that - i think i'd focus on men, kind of balance the field a little. don't you think?" a skeptical look crosses her features, eyeing the rotting carcass of the house. personally, it had always given her the creeps, even if it was purely superstition. "mhm... you don't? personally... i feel like whenever i stick around long enough i get the shivers - there's bad energy here."