Like Summer in a Bottle

Emerson blinked in surprise at how adamant the man beside her suddenly became, insisting that she take the drink and she let out a breath, a little blush coloring her face at how flustered everything was seemingly making her before she managed to give the man a little smile and nodded, “Thank you. And sweet seems…good. I’m not much of a drinker as it is..” She wrinkled her nose a bit as she said it, but at least the idea of it being sweet might save her from the burn she knew alcohol had. “Well not every color. I’ve never seen a green berry for instance.”

Emerson was smiling more genuinely as she said it, relaxing slightly as the seconds ticked by, and when he introduced himself she nodded. “Safe to say I’ll remember someone named Sunshine.” She teased lightly. “I’m Emerson.” she introduced, offering her hand out before she looked down to the cup and she nodded, taking a sip from it. Sweet was definitely a good word for it. And berry-y. It wasn’t too bad, all things considered. “Also safe to say your pinkberry is a hit.”

“Is a grape not just a green berry?” Cameron asked with all the preponderance of a great philosopher. He pretends to smoke on a corncob pipe, raising an eyebrow suspiciously. Then he flattened his face, dropping the act. “No, really. Does a grape count as a berry? Because they kind of look like berries, and a whole bunch, if you hold em up like the Roman guys, looks like a big raspberry.” Cameron smiled, “If not, I need some Ecto-Cooler so I can invent greenberry cocktails, too.”

He laughed at that, and nodded at his nickname being mentioned. “It’s half the reason I think people chose it. More of a descriptor than a name,” he winked at Emerson, “Plus how many guys have you ever met named Sunshine? It’s all about brand recognition. I’m glad you like pinkberry, Emerson. But really, the best thing to do at a Remembrance Day party is dance,” He leans on one elbow, turning the full Sunshine-beam smile onto her, “I could show you a few. Guaranteed vintage dances from the town’s history. Very respectful.” He tilts his head to the open dance floor, eyebrows raised.

anna can’t help but laugh, her delighted smile reaching her eyes. of all the things to have happened to her these past few months she’d been back in queens lace, reconnecting with her old childhood friend ranked among the best. “i didn’t know i needed a costume! it’s not like i’ve ever gone to this thing before - dad would have killed me! he might still kill me, if he realises i’m here tonight.”

cam’s poses have her nodding in approval, an overly serious expression on her face. “i see the vision, definitely, but you can’t go for that aesthetic and then not have a cowboy hat! surely you have a rancher great-grandfather in that family tree of yours.” she’s teasing of course, thinks a hat might make the outfit a bit too much, but she’d hardly tell him that. besides, she thinks cam could probably rock anything and make it seem cool.

anna hums in acknowledgment of the question, the alcohol in her veins leaving her less on edge than usual. “i’m not sure. nothing, i guess. you’ll have to try me again next year.” there’s a few implications there, but she lets them hang and copies cam in taking a swig of her drink.

“There’s no way! There’s no way I never dragged you to Remembrance Day!” Cameron’s jaw hung open incredulously, “Arguably my favorite Queen’s Lace holiday? Right next to the Pie Eating Contest and Rib Fest?” Cameron playfully smacked her shoulder, “There’s no way you’ve come up with excuses every year! How has that happened? Do you not love me?” He faked a serious pout that only lasted about six seconds before it was replaced with a soft trail of laughter. “And you picked this year of all years to participate, when we’re locked in a church, hiding from the mayor instead of out and proud across town square.” The blonde-haired boy did a disappointed ‘tsk tsk’ sound, “I mean, better late than never, but you’re not getting the full remembrancing experience here Anns.” He gestured at his outfit, “Every year, I invent a theme. Every year, the town criminally ignores my theme, partly because it doesn’t know I’ve chosen one, and hosts a pretty bare-minimum party. Which I of course liven up with my presence. It’s a tried and true classic! And you’re never going to escape going with me ever again. I’m sorry but you’ve just put the biggest party-target on your back for the rest of eternity.” At her comment about his lack of hat, he did sigh and run his hand through his hair. “I know. I didn’t have a cowboy hat. I even contacted the Queen’s Lace Historical Garment Society and asked for help, but nobody had a vintage hat to donate.” By that he meant about thirty minutes ago he stood on a pew and asked if anyone had a hat, and was met with silence. Damn. 

Sage was relatively new to Queens Lace, having only moved there just before the curfew was announced with the intentions of figuring out what was going on with her new abilities as… a medium? It still felt strange to refer to herself as one. She’d always been a skeptic about things like that, always believed supernatural creatures and beings were merely fictional but all of that changed about six months ago when she’d… well, the accident that led her to become a medium. 

Sage couldn’t remember the last time she’d been to a party, and frankly, she didn’t necessarily want to come to this one, but she knew it would be a good opportunity to meet the other residents and maybe even learn a little more about the supernatural world. She was speaking with the other, hoping to get a little bit of information about Remembrance Day, supernaturals, the missing persons in town- literally anything, but instead, he was giving a rundown of his entire outfit. “Guess I didn’t get the memo.” She fought to roll her eyes at the other as she listened to him continue speaking. Sage thought she’d dressed appropriately for a party but according to him every piece should have represented something or someone. 

She was standing with her arms folded over her chest, leaning against the wall as she listened but it was when he asked who are you remembering, that she felt herself deflate a bit, her mind immediately turning to her fiancé she’d lost. “No one.” she swallowed, letting her arms fall in front of her as she absent mindedly began to play with her engagement ring she never took off. “I would ask who you are remembering, but you’ve already given me your life story, so…” Sage shrugged lightly, clearly exaggerating as she quickly composed herself. “Is this how it is every year or is it just because of the curfew?” She asked as she took a quick look around, recalling how secretive everything seemed to be. She wasn’t sure if this was an annual party the mayor never knew about or what. 

“Oh, definitely the curfew. We’re kind of hiding the party from the mayor, so mums the word on our activities,” Cameron said with a smile and a raised ‘shh!’ finger, “Urban legend says that if we don’t do the whole Remembrance Day thing, the ghosts of the deceased will rise up and eat our faces. I personally don’t buy that, but my face is too pretty to be eaten, so come missing persons or high water, party till dawn we shall!” Cameron drained his glass of pinkish liquid and whooped once enthusiastically. His...second? third? of the night. He was starting to lose count, which was a problem both for his sobriety and his future stomach ache.

“Usually we do this kinda of stuff in the town square. One year we had a dunk tank with a really hot guy getting dunked. I can’t remember his name, but I could still draw his torso from memory...” Cameron frowned, as if he should know that one, “Anyways, we had these like, tiny slingshots that looked like canons, and the balls were all painted grey. Very renaissance civil war. I keep waiting for a full on themed party, but this city continues to fail me year after year. So I invent my own themes until eventually, it catches on with everyone.” Cameron was clearly very impressed with himself, gesturing once more ot his home-made theme.

   “   no   ,   can’t   say   that   i   did   .   looks   like   you’re   all   decked   out   ,   though   .   maybe   i   should   run   home   and   change   .   pretty   sure   i   still   have   some   of   my   parents’   old   clothing   .   ”   eyes   squint   slightly   as   he   averts   his   gaze   from   cameron’s   face   to   his   ensemble   .   “   it’s   not   bad   .   just   could   use   a   cowboy   hat   or   something   .   or   a   horse   .   now   that   would   be   cool   .   ”   levi   adjusts   his   posture   slightly   ,   standing   up   a   little   taller   .   

   “   you’re   uh   –   you’ve   got   .   .  .   you’re   like   a   sun   ray   or   something   .   ”   levi   laughs   ,   unable   to   truly   explain   or   elaborate   further   .   “   uh   ,   my   parents   .   gone   too    soon   ,   or   whatever   .   why   ?   i   mean   ,   like   –   what   about  you   ?   ”

   “   i’m   wearing   a   white   tee   and   ripped   jeans   ,   what   the   fuck   do   you   mean   did   i   dress   up   ?   ”   benji   can’t   help   but   laugh   at   cameron’s   descriptions   of   his   outfit   .   plus   ,   it   doesn’t   hurt   that   he’s   already   stoned   from   the   mini   joint   circle   earlier   .   “   buddy   ,   i’m   no   english   major   ,   but   pretty   sure   remembrancing   isn’t   a   word   .   no   offense   or   anything   ,   but   it’s   giving   me   a   piercing   fuckin’   pain   in   my   forehead   everytime   you   say   it   .   ”   shrugging   his   shoulders   ,   he   watches   as   the   other   starts   posing   ,   laughing   along   with   him   .   “   you   ,   uh   ,   model   or   somethin’   ?   oh   ,   man   ,   wait   ,   am   i   in   the   presence   of   a   tiktok   celebrity   ?   ”   

   benji   isn’t   being   harsh   on   purpose   ;   today’s   just   been   a   hard   day   and   he’s   stoned   and   ,   god   ,   if   someone   mentions   this   stupid   holiday   meant   to   honor   the   dead   –   “   don’t   really   have   anyone   to   remember   ,   no   .   unless   you   count   my   dad   ,   but   uh   ,   he’s   just   locked   up   .   not   really   much   of   a   sob   story   ,   but   you’ve   probably   heard   all   about   him   .   ”   clearing   his   throat   ,   benji   takes   a   swig   from   his   solo   cup   .   “   god   ,   this   shit’s   bottom   shelf   .   might   as   well   be   on   the   ground   .   ”

valencia looks down at cameron’s outfit with a smile. “i think it’s really working for you.” she concluded, watching the boy show off his outfit. “no, i didn’t dress up. i don’t have much to remember my family by. my parents aren’t sentimental people, and my grandparents were buried with their gold.” she smiled, picking up her cup to take a drink from it. valencia tried to hold back making a face. it tasted like ash, and almost made her want to be sick. she swallows it anyway. “right now i’m remembering life here before this curfew.” she joked, and it wasn’t a lie, per say – but she doesn’t exactly have the memory of who she was when she was a human. the things are a bit blurry in her brain between then, and now, and things are so much different now with the people going missing. “how’s your mom, by the way? i can come over and hang out with her if you need a break! you work so hard.”

open event starter 

Emerson wasn’t exactly the party type– especially since she was still pretty new in town in general. But it seemed like everyone was there (which…was odd, given there was supposed to be a curfew?) so she decided to go against her instincts and check it out, figuring once she inevitably got overwhelmed by the newness of it all she could just ditch and go back to the safety and calm of her own new little apartment.

And overwhelmed she sure did get, countless people around talking and laughing and…dancing? A band wasn’t exactly what she’d been expecting, but then, none of this was expected. At least there’s drinks she thought to herself as she walked over to one of the vendors, seeing a tray set out with some cups and just as she was reaching for the last one her hand bumped someone else’s and she immediately yanked hers back, a little flush coloring her face, “Oh–sorry! You um..you go ahead.” She offered softly, shaking her head. “I’ll wait for the next batch.”

Cameron’s goof sense immediately went into overdrive as the two hands collided. The ‘um’, the pull back, that deference. His brain screamed ‘that’s a nervous person’ and he went into full Sunshine mode. “Of course not! I won’t hear of it. I’ve already tried one. I was just being greedy and going back for seconds.” He held up the empty glass in his hand, the same shape as the one they had just bumped hands over. “Go ahead. They’re really good, I promise. Very sweet. You’re probably saving me from a tummy ache by taking it, actually.” He patted his stomach for good measure. “I think there’s some kind of berry in it? Is pinkberry a thing?” Sunshine smiled, “If not, I’m inventing it. Every other color gets its own berry. Why not pink?” Then he set down his glass and stuck out his hand, “I’m Cameron. Everyone calls me Sunshine. Tonight’s supposed to be all about remembrancing, but I don’t remembrance you, and I’ve been here a long time.” He smiled something soft and bright, then pointed at the drink on the table. The pinkish liquid awaited Emerson. “Well go on, tell me what you think of Pinkberry! No pressure, but I worked very hard to invent this entirely new berry. Be gentle on my feelings.”

Cherry couldn’t help but chuckle at this sunshine personafide, describing his outfit while they nervously plicked at the hem of their own dress. They’d heard of Queen Lace’s annual Day of Remembrance, and were excited that they were here for it. Though they did feel more awkward than they probably should. Everyone here knew everyone else here, but she was an unfamiliar face, in town for just under two months. 

Taking a sip from her cup, she nodded her head as he spoke, another laugh at “gay Walker Texas Ranger vibe, their drink threatening to spray out their nose. Giving a little spin in her dress, she shrugged, “This years fashion doesn’t really count as dressing in vintage does it?” Softly smiling at the mention of what this whole event was about, the brunette took a longer drink from their cup before lowering it and fidgeting with the lip. “My parents, actually. They lived here for about fifteen years before I was born, so them, yeah.”

“Remembrancing the Rememberers”

*  gavin casalegno  ,  male  , he/him  ,  24  .  don't  suppose  you've  seen  cameron keller  around  anywhere  ?  i've  been  meaning  to  return  their  stuffed stitch doll  ,  and  tell  them  i  listened  to  saturday sun  by  vance joy  that  reminds  me  of  them  .  i  swear  they're  reminding  me  more  and  more  of  wide smiles and bright laughter, seriously trying to win at children's games, the scent of salt and sunscreen, confidently shouting a dumb idea, and "but doctor, I am pagliacci",  each  time  i  see  them  .  hey  ,  if  you  happen  to  see  them  ,  give  me  a  call  .  especially  if  they're  acting  a  little  repressive  ,  but  if  they're  acting  too  energetic  ,  that  warrants  a  worry   from  me  ,  too  .  with  everything  going  on  in  town  ,  i  just  want  them  to  be  alright  .  [  penned  by  cory  ,  30  ,  he/him  ,  cst  .  ]