J. Arendse

“Who else would it be, dummy?!” Morgan gave the younger man a little shove in the shoulder, clearly nonplussed that he was an officer and you really shouldn’t provoke them. “I’ve always been here, what are you talking about?” The woman huffed, now her hands resting on her hips and forming the tell-tale Peter-Pan-Pose that said someone wasn’t happy. Then again, when had Morgan Morrow ever been happy? She couldn’t remember.. But happiness was for saps and idiots who wanted to believe in wishes. Real life was harsh and ambivalent to everyone equally, it just happened that some people got a real shit hand sometimes. “Nothing’s up with me, I thought my old friend would be sooooo–” she leaned backwards as she enunciated the word, “happy to see me? Guess not!” She lost her balance and stumbled backwards a step, but quickly found footing again. Morgan flipped some blonde hair over her shoulder and pretended that never happened. “I’m just peachy and perfect as always.” 

“This town is so fucked” Liv spoke to herself more than whoever was planted next to her, a cigarette being brought to her lips as she watched the hustle of the event a safe distance away from the crowd

The bustle of the event was getting to be a lot for the man and he decided that he needed smoke break. So, when he let the commanding officer know, he headed towards the area for a few moments to himself. Arriving he planted himself against a tree and began the ritual of rolling himself up a cigarette before hearing an all-too-familiar voice from his left side. ❝ It can be. ❞ Joseph’s head nodded in agreement but he refused to glance over. ❝ But, it’s not the worst. I mean- the town has ‘character’ for sure.. ❞

magnolia chuckled at how the other man addressed the child. “you can call him paul.” she said and then listened to his explanation about where the tent was that he spoke of. she smiled “i don’t really need anything other than them and well... myself.” she said with a bright smile, just because he was being so nice to her. people being kind wasn’t something she took for granted. “oh, and this little guy is august.” she introduced her son, that she was holding. “and i am magnolia.” she introduced herself. “what’s your name, sir?” she asked, polite as ever, especially to a police officer.

at being given a name he gave a small, two-beat laugh.. ❝ well it's nice to meet you paul. ❞ while he was very much sure the child couldn't understand that, he still made the attempt with him. there was an embarrassing smile at her response to his asking so he decided to begin walking, turning around and stepping in side with her before he really started moving. sure her smile made him not red, but he still didn't figure that it wasn't the dumbest thing he's asked. ❝ well, magnolia and august, it's nice to meet you two too. especially the little crying guy there. ❞ a smile graced his lips, something more genuine than he had started the conversation with. ❝ well the nametag here says officer arendse, but most people call me joe. ❞

Morgan was already on her way to a nice, numbing high. She’d taken her pills and was nearly finished with her water bottle of wine – if one paid enough attention, they would notice that her walk was just a bit off on those heels, and every now and then she nearly twisted her ankle. Spotting a familiar face she hadn’t seen in some time, though rumors were out that he was back, Morgan trotted over to the officer to give him a piece of her mind. “Oh aren’t you just the sweetest little man?” The woman crossed her arms over chest, unaware that the bottle was tilted and some of what was left of her red wine had trickled out into the grass as she stood before him. “What do you care about someone’s time here, huh? Not like you stick around anyway!” 

Joseph's face contorted to one of confusion at the woman in front of him, not entirely understanding the sentiment behind the statement. It wasn't until he actually took a moment to observe the other when he began to put it together, and it wasn't until he took a good look at her face when he realized who it was. ❝ Morgan? ❞ There was a moment of a pause; he wasn't sure what to say. ❝ Um... What are you doing here? ❞ His eyes started to wander for a moment to scan the area as he watched the woman's clearly influenced act, both for her sake and his in case something happens. There were eyes, but they only glance at the scene. ❝ Not 'here', I meant- what's up with you? ❞

she looked at him holding out his arm and having left her stroller with a friend, figuring the could search for somewhere to feed her children quicker without it, she passed paul to joseph while she held august. “that sounds fine, sir. i just would like some privacy to feed them, is all.” she said with a small, but grateful smile. that was nice, how he didn’t just dismiss her question.

❝ hey, there... kiddo? ❞ the word ‘kiddo made him sound older than he really was, but he didn’t exactly know the three standing in front of him so he made up something his dad mom would say and kept it moving: moving the child up to his less decorated shoulder with his arms supporting him. while he wasn’t the best with his baby knowledge, he at least knew how to carry one. ❝ of course, it’s a ways towards the other end but we can get there in three minutes if we can keep up a good pace- did you have anything you had to bring? ❞ joseph was already starting a small step towards the direction, his back still facing away from the other to make sure, but he had to double check before so he wasn’t the one to have to walk back for her after.

Connor locked the door to his small office building and crossed the street to the town square. The “celebration of life” was the last place he wanted to be that afternoon, considering everything that had happened in the town’s history, but he had an appearance to keep. He looked around, scouting out a coffee stand and familiar faces. Caffeine was much needed, especially since he had spent the night at his desk, preparing reports for the upcoming week. Once locating it, he made a beeline toward the small, dinky stand. He shoved over a couple of dollar bills with two quarters in exchange for a small cup of black coffee. Turning to a familiar face, he ran a hand through his tousled hair. “The coffee should be free at this ridiculous thing,” he muttered.

❝ No kidding. ❞ Joseph looked over at the man with a lift of his own coffee cup before he set it down to begin his ritual: five splendas, one-third cup of milk, and a tad bit of cinnamon. While the cup wouldn’t be considered coffee, he was one of those who would reject the notion that it wasn’t and will never call it otherwise. ❝ But at least they have the coffee; otherwise I wouldn’t be able to survive all of this. ❞ Poor choice of words on his part, but he didn’t bear any mind as he turned his body slightly to get a closer look around them. He saw so much stuff to do that he couldn’t really remember the message of whatever it was, or whatever the organizers thought it was. It just felt like a giant parade under the guise of something important. ❝ It’ll be a long few days. ❞

It was strange, to say the least, celebrating so soon after the death of someone so young. Evan would have been lying if he said that he thought it was a good idea but it wasn’t his place to say much of anything. “Hey,” he started, glancing at the person next to him “You want some cotton candy? My treat”

Joseph began what he would consider his lunch break - despite the title being misleading in his line of duty - and was on his way over to the booths to find something to eat. As he was looking through foods, he realized a teenager was starting a conversation with him. With a turn of his head he realized what he was doing and he nearly formed a grin. He’s never been offered something on duty yet, and while he had to be careful, he didn’t recognize the kid that well so there was nothing against the law in saying yes. ❝ You know what, sure... I really appreciate that, sir. ❞

      the entire situation had the town on edge and annabeth was going to be the one to OBSERVE it. there was so much bullshit in deercreek to call out but she figured that she’d enjoy it for now. nothing about this was natural and the desperation from the council to brainwash the residents astounded her. the event wasn’t going to make the green-haired woman forget about them, it was only going to increase her interest. “oh, yeah. BAGS of fun. seeing people shitting themselves as they try to be politically correct is very entertaining. it’s like a plot line from a bad scary movie. too bad everyone dies in the end.” perhaps the last part had been a little bleak but annabeth couldn’t help herself. “i’m surprised that this shit went ahead. if it’s one thing deercreek is known for, it’s the element of SURPRISE.”

      it already felt like some sick JOKE to the woman. the council hadn’t let her cancel this event because they had put her happiness below the welfare of the town. her son was DEAD, murdered yet she had to make an appearance here; it was the mayor’s job and apparently it came over her duty as a mother. although there had been murders just after they had moved to deercreek, everything seemed to be in order before this. however, there was a threat amongst them all and her son had become a victim. nobody had ever felt sorry for the dalton’s as they were quite a prominent family but now selina knew that some people would want to give their sympathy… it was too soon, the woman didn’t even know how she felt about everything. furrowing her brow as the other spoke to her, tears welled in her eyes. all selina wanted to do was to snap back at him; how could she be enjoying herself when her son had been murdered? however, she had to represent the council. “it looks to be a success, people seem to be in good spirit.” the same could not be said for her.

Stood by a booth that sold deep-fried snacks, Sophie tried really hard not to start yelling at a group of kids which was running around with their candied apples, laughing. Thankfully, before she lost it, someone caught her attention and it was surprisingly one of the few faces she didn’t mind at this time in her life. “Sure. I’d have more fun if the ground would crack open and swallow me whole but this will do.” She offered him a small smile which was nowhere near reaching her eyes. “How about you, officer? Is the festival keeping you on your toes?”

❝ You don’t mean that, Ms. Dalton. It’ll take a while, but you’ll survive. ❞ Joseph understood that feeling much too well, but he didn’t want to force it into the conversation. Instead, he gave the friendliest smile he could muster and stepped closer to the other. He figured if it was obvious the two were discussing she’d be more likely to be left alone since the faire seemed to have a slight highlight on the family’s life. That was the nice thing to do: right? And besides, he had promised himself he’d help the other out regardless of how. ❝ Me? Well, yeah- it’s a blast. Twelve hours of watching people ‘having’ fun... At least it’s been relatively quiet. ❞ The last statement had him looking down at the ground in thought for a moment before he shook off the thoughts of what could be. He wished he could smoke right then. ❝ Have you gotten anything yet? Food? Drinks? ❞

magnolia was looking for a private place to feed her children, without having to whip her breasts out for everyone to see but around this fair she couldn’t find one and she hated the idea of having to feed her children in a public toilet. too many germs. her breasts were aching though and her children crying, which made her body produce even more milk. she needed to find a place right now. she looked at a police officer who spoke to her and hoped he could help. “i am actually looking for a place to breastfeed my babies. do you know somewhere i could do that?” she asked, her cheeks red because well… even though breastfeeding was natural it was still slightly awkward to talk about with a male stranger. 

the man’s eyes wandered immediately to the children in the probably too young mother’s arms, with which his eyes went wide with realization. he tried to maintain a friendly smile.  ❝ well... ❞ one of his hands went to his neck in thought before he offered out his arm to hold one of the kids. ❝ ma’am, i’m not sure i know the best place. businesses are closed and all that’s around here is a porta potty... ❞ joseph’s head moved around before he paused in a direction. ❝ you could use our tent. it’s a little cluttered but i can keep watch for you. ❞ joseph didn’t quite know what to do in this situation, he wasn’t old enough to have kids and neither were any of his friends in truth; he hasn’t known anyone who had kids and needed to do something like that.