head up in the clouds

trigger warning: neglect

closed starter for : @lizziedevereaux​

sterling made their way to the donut hole, to meet up with lizzie. after becoming fast friends with the new girl in town, sterling was excited to spend more time with her. as they entered the building they went ahead and ordered some coffee for themselves and some donuts to share. when sterling’s coffee was finished they made their way over to an empty table and took a seat, waiting for their friend to join.

The pet name was something Ed had grown used to in their many years of friendship, along with Sterling’s less than subtle attempts at checking on him. “I dunno about that logic but… cheers then, French Fry,” he nodded to his best friend before tilting the shot back into his mouth. It burned on the way down, pulling his face into a grimace before he shot a pretend-annoyed look at Sterling. As if it were possible for him to ever be truly annoyed at them. “Go on, do yours,” he encouraged as the bartender filled up Sterling’s own shot, “too long, way too long,” a few days was probably a record, “uh… you know, good enough that I’m drinkin’ in a bar alone,” so not very good at all, “I’m kinda concerned you’ve got like, an Ed radar on, where ya know how to find me whenever it’s bad.” he wouldn’t put it past them.

“are you questioning my logic? when has sterling scott ever been wrong?” they laughed, knowing that their own logic is what gets them into trouble some of the time. the bartender came over with sterling’s shot. they down it back so quickly it didn’t even have time to burn. sterling would have ordered another round for them to do, but didn’t want to push their luck with the other. “you could have shot me a text to join you or something. then we wouldn’t have to be meeting like this.” they shrugged, not even annoyed with their friend. sterling expects this type of behavior from the other.  “i am happy we’re together now.” they grinned, placing their hand on ed’s. “i do, babes, i do.”

who: sterling @sterlingscott​ 

where: gold crown pawn

Just because you walk into a pawn shop with an expensive item of jewellery doesn’t mean you have to pawn it, right? This was how Yaz justified her actions as she stepped inside the store, a necklace given to her by an ex-girlfriend, and a ring she stole from her mother when she was fifteen settled somewhere in her bag. All she wanted to know was hypothetically, if she were to sell them, how much would she get? Hypothetically. She doesn’t get to ask the question, though, when her gaze lands on a familiar face. Sure, they dress a little differently, and hold themselves different too, but Yaz never forgets an annoying face. “Hey, I know you,” she clicks her fingers, trying to recall the name, but all she can remember is childhood frustration, “you’re that fucker who used to rat me out all the time. “

sterling had just finished up with a costumer. they were kind of being a bit of a pain and questioning everything sterling did. they did remain calm as they wanted the costumer to make a purchase at their shop. when they finally left sterling felt like they could breath. as no costumers had entered the pawn shop they took it upon themselves to dust off the counter. some of the items they sold over time collected dust, as they sat on the shelf or on display for a while. the jingle of the door opening is when they glanced over to see who the costumer was. a small sigh escaped their lips. yaz had to be the last person they wanted to see. although sterling changed and wouldn’t go back to old habits, they could never see eye to eye after that. “i think you’ve got me mistaken for someone else.” they lied, a small grin was on their lips. “maybe they wouldn’t have ratted you out, if you weren’t a little shit.” sterling joked, hoping yaz wouldn’t be offended by the comment.

“I heard a few noises. Got some documented creaks and what sounded like steps. Could’ve been some critters, but… didn’t see much. I’ll be going back in a few days.” He grinned, raising his eyebrows. “Oh yeah? I’d love to hear how you’d keep me awake, darlin’. Maybe it’d be best to have you demonstrate for me later. That way I know, next time.” He watched as Sterling shifted closer to him, and he wrapped an arm around their waist to tug them over with a laugh. “Yeah? It’s sometimes better to have a second pair of eyes with me. Less terrifying with a second person there, too… as long as you’ll take it seriously.” He added quickly. “We’re not gonna fuck in the abandoned warehouse, either. It’s full of roaches an’ spiders, everything’s coated in dust and dirt. Buuut I’d love to have a gorgeous sidekick for a night.” 

“are you sure it wasn’t something?” sterling was actually interested in hearing about the investigation. “could it have been the time of night you started?” if they weren’t in public sterling would have tried right now. a smirk tugged on their lips and they leaned in to whisper, “how about we take this back to your place now and i’ll show you.” they replied, with a kiss on marsh’s cheek. they then rested their head on the other’s shoulder, feeling very comfy in this position. “yes, i’ve told you i’d go join you on you adventures, babe.” a small part of them wanted to see what ghost hunting was all about. “i don’t understand why you don’t go with people in the first place. going along does sound terrifying. i make no promises.” it was as if marsh could see right through them. they might not take the ghost hunting seriously, but they’d do their best for marsh. “having sex in an abandoned warehouse was on my list of places i’d like to do it in. isn’t that part of the charm. it’s gross, and then we go wash up in a shower together. that night i might just wear my sexiest outfit i own.”

OPEN STARTER. anywhere!

“Excuse me, you wouldn’t happen to have a charger for a phone, would you?” he says, gesturing to one of those old, flip-type Vodafones in his hand. @agnesstarters​

sterling chuckled slightly at the question. the phone the other was holding looked older than they were. “i’m pretty sure they discontinued those phone chargers ages ago.” sterling was not in the mindset of being gold crown pawn owner and just being dismissive person. the day was moving by so quickly the moment they felt they could breath they had to assist a costumer. “if you follow me i can show you to the cell phone chargers.” 

Ed raised his eyebrows at once of his oldest friends, shaking his head in amusement but not at all surprised at the turn of events. He and Sterling had known each other for forever and a half, and they were one of the few people Ed could never say no to or shut out. They’d gone through enough together growing up to create that kind of trust between them. So, when Edgar was at the bar drowning his sorrows alone, he didn’t resist when Sterling came to join. “Ya know I can’t do these, I’mma wimp,” still, he nodded for his friend to join them, before turning to the bartender, “pour one for them too. If I’m gonna suffer, we’ve at least gotta suffer together.” 

sterling was so relieved when ed allowed them to join. they never liked to push and pry into their friends life, but they never liked seeing ed alone. especially when drinking. they sat themselves down on the bar stool next to the other. “all the more reason to do them, my chicken nugget.” a pet name sterling couldn’t shake, knowing very well their friend was practically a vegan. they clasped a hand on ed’s shoulder, looking them in the eye. “we aren’t going to suffer. we’re going to have a wild night.” suffer made it sound like sterling was up to no good, which they probably were. “how have you been? it seems like forever since i last seen you.” sterling did show up at ed’s work earlier in the week to drop off food for him, and to do a little check in. 

Lizzie was no stranger to night clubs. They were a perfect place to meet someone and have a drink and go back to their place to have a good time. This town had a night club and she never let a day of the week stop her before. Sure, it wasn’t a LA club or a Manhattan bar, but it had decent music and the bartenders were cute and poured well. There were definitely attractive people milling around, though she’d probably have to go to Providence if she wanted more selection.

Out of nowhere a bartender approached her and asked about her favorite kind of shot. She wasn’t surprised, she was a very beautiful woman. Perhaps some lonely soul at the bar desperately wanted her and was too shy to say. She told the bartender with a smirk and then another person approached her, this time she gave a genuine and bright smile. “Did you know? Is there an occasion or were you just being nice? I ordered a redheaded slut; hopefully the joke isn’t lost on you.” Lizzie replied with a laugh.

sterling returned the genuine smile back. when they wanted to make friends or do anything the go to move was to buy the other a drink. that’s if they were in a bar or night club setting. otherwise they’d use their charm in order to be friendly. drinking is a simple and an easy way to break the ice. “why not both.” they shrugged, as the smile never left their lips. “unless you have an occasion to celebrate?” sterling flagged down the bartender and also ordered the same shot. “it’s not, i think it’s very clever if you ask me.” a small laugh escaped their lips. 

more often than not, derin spent her nights and days drinking in the comfort of her own home. sure, there were other places wherein she could be found indulging but nightclubs were a thing of the past for the most part. in fact, she would ( if she could at this moment in time ) count on the one hand just how many times she had frequented this place since stepping foot in islesbury. not first company in the hours she had been here, but sterling was the first familiar face who had approached. she acknowledged their presence and words with a smile, “ i’m not. though i might have if you chose something awful. ” a brief chuckle followed her words on the bartender’s query, she had ordered herself another kamikaze. simple, but effective. “ did you know people livestream their weddings nowadays? ” her go-to conversation starter of tonight. one would almost think she was deliberately boring people after downing drinks at their expense. though that wasn’t the case with sterling.

sterling scoffed, at her comment. “as if i’d make you drink something horrible.” they placed a hand over their chest as if they were offended. sterling ordered the same shot as derin. they would have ordered a green tea shot, but it’s been a while since they had a kamikaze. sterling laughed, shaking their head. they were already engaged in the conversation with just one line. “why?” it was the first thing that came to their mind. “i’d totally do it for fame, and hope that some moment of my wedding goes viral.”  

…

Marsh watched them come closer and sit beside him, grinning. “Didn’t want to keep you up all night- I was checking out an abandoned warehouse. Was there until maybe 5 AM? So either I would’ve woken you up early, or kept you out late.” He pointed out, leaning back leisurely, arms supporting his weight. “I’m free tonight, but I can’t guarantee I’ll be able to stay awake, sweetheart.” He teased with a wink. “Maybe I’ll start doing early evening ghost hunts. Right when the sun goes down.” He laughed. “Make it easier on my old-ass self.” 

“babes, i’m up all night with or without you.” when they weren’t spending the night at marsh’s which was most nights, they did pull the all night shift at the pawn shop. they were understaffed and sterling wanted to run a fair business so they took most of the late shifts. once more people are hired sterling is planning on changing the schedule so their cycle isn’t so messed up. “did you find anything?” sterling wondered with their brows arched. “i do know of some other things that would keep you awake.” they replied, suggestively. “in all seriousness i can make you some dinner and we can cuddle up on the couch.” sterling shifted themselves closer to the other. “maybe you should have me tag along. i’ll make it worth your while, and you’re old-ass self would if fact be staying again.” when sterling was around marsh they couldn’t help but flirt.

nightclubs, typically, weren’t jin’s scene.  he found himself there on a whim, a little more impulsive than his usual self.  ever since he’d departed from home and found himself in islebury, though, he couldn’t help but feel like a different person.  a part of him had hoped to start anew, create an entirely different life with a brand new persona.  but, it was hard to do when he continued to run into people from a former life. “ah, so that was you.” jin mused as he looked over at them.  a small smile reached his lips and soon, he gestured to the seat next to him to invite them to sit.  the look of contentment on his face was soon replaced with amusement as he considered the situation as a whole.  “wait, did you get me one and not yourself ?”  it was always a little strange ( in a good way ) when someone else tried to buy drinks for him.  he wondered often if that was ever an issue for others financially speaking.  but, he knew better than to ask or to even offer money in return.  it was a social thing, a custom that jin just couldn’t fully wrap his mind around.  “feel like i haven’t seen you in ages.  you want another or a shot of your own ?” he inquired as he pointed to their glass.

“it is me.” sterling grinned, as they gestured to themselves. they were excited to catch up with jin since it’s been a while. they both had busy lives and sterling honestly, wasn’t always the best at keeping in touch with people. this was something they knew they needed to work on. they took a seat next to the other. “i was just going to take a shot of whatever you’d like.” they shrugged, there wasn’t alcohol sterling didn’t like. “i just wanted you to pick it.” sterling nodded to the others comment. it has been ages. “i know, it’s been forever. when was the last time we went out?” sterling asked, trying to remember that time. they didn’t so they could only assume they weren’t sober, or it was a couple of months ago. “i do apologize for leaving you on read. i’m a bad texter, and my store is open twenty four hours.” the only way to repay their friend was to buy them drinks. 

Status: Open Location: Sunset Gardens Tagging: @agnesstarters​

Marsh wasn’t fully awake yet- but it was probably because he’d done a bit of a stake-out the night before at an abandoned warehouse, and stayed up until sunrise. Drove Perci to school and then promptly found himself outside on a lovely day, zoning out on some abandoned bleachers near the park. “Okay… so let’s say I didn’t sleep last night. Hypothetically.” His light accent from being raised in Tennessee was a charming affectation at this point, along with his big easygoing smile that was almost always on his face. He had thrown on a flannel, some jeans. Gone for a walk, enjoyed the sun, the smell of spring. He was just enjoying his day, talking to someone close-by, whether he knew them or not. It didn’t really matter to Marshall Wilder. “Would it be better to nap now, and risk messing up my sleep schedule? Or should I hold out and keep myself awake, an’ just go to bed early tonight?” ​

sterling decided to venture out of their studio apartment and take a walk, it was a nice day and a rare occasion sterling wasn’t working. little did they expect on their walk they’d run into marsh who was sitting on the bleachers. they got startled as they heard the sweet tennessee accent breaking them from their thoughts. “and you didn’t think of giving me a call? I could have helped.” sterling replied, suggestively taking a seat next to the older. “if it’s going to mess up your sleep schedule than don’t do it. i know of a few things that’ll help keep you awake.”

starter : open @agnesstarters​

sterling was excited as they finished up their workday, very late into the night. a few of their employees called out, which meant sterling had to cover their shifts. it became stressful when they were understaffed. 

sterling made their way over to the deja vu nightclub. it was one of the few places they frequented often. it was a work night so the nightclub wasn’t as busy as it normally was. sterling took a seat at the bar, they flagged down the bartender who made their usual of a vodka cranberry. their eyes darted around the empty room until they noticed a familiar face. their eyes lit up in happiness as sterling didn’t like drinking alone. again they flagged down the bartender and asked, “can you ask that customer what kind of shot they’d like?” with that said sterling walked over to other. “please don’t kill me, but i just ordered you a shot.” a mischievous grin was on their face.