like a bird in flight

jibril knew they had nothing to be worried about, but their morning had been filled with more anxiety than usual. he spent more time looking in the mirror making sure his hair was just so, picked out the perfect outfit, contemplated whether he should change his jewelry. len already knew them, but they wanted to put extra effort into how they looked today. after all, he did want to look nice for his date, because it wasn't a date with just anyone, it was a date with len.

they arrive at the coffee shop fifteen minutes before the scheduled time, choosing a table in a corner with nice lighting. he decides to place his order shortly after coming in, opting for an iced latte with chocolate and strawberry syrup. they take their seat at the table, fingers drumming idly against their coffee cup and leg bouncing nervously under the table. then, he sees len approach him, and his nerves all but melt away.

"you made it!" he exclaims, a broad smile stretching his lips before he even realizes it. "i mean, of course you made it, you said you'd be here." they blush, slightly embarrassed by their burst of enthusiasm. "gimme just a second? i have something for you."

his attention turns to the small brown backpack he brought with him, rifling through it before pulling a small, crotchet kermit the frog keychain out of it. "do you remember when we were in that thrift store a few weeks ago? you said you liked this but didn't get it." they explain, holding the keychain out and hiding part of their face with one hand. "i went back and got it for you… and then i wasn't really sure when to give it to you." a nervous laugh escapes him. "then we planned today and… it just kind of felt right."

Len had been under the assumption that going on a date with someone who he had already established a friendship with would have been easier than going on a date with a stranger. He knew that Jibril already liked him, already accepted him for all of his intricacies, and that they already got along swimmingly. Despite it all, naturally, Len was incredibly anxious for their date. What if things didn't go well? What if it went so badly that the pair couldn't continue to even be friends? All of the terrible possibilities were flooding his mind as he tried to get himself ready for the date, up until he had quite a different thought: what if everything went great?

It was with a jaunty skip in his step that he made his way to their agreed upon location. With all of his might, he focused on his excitement more than his nerves, trying to think of all of the beautiful possibilities more than what could potentially go wrong. The thoughts helped the walk to go faster, and before he could properly register it, there he was, stepping into the coffee shop, and immediately spotting Jibril.

The enthusiasm that he was greeted with warmed his heart. He couldn't stop himself from laughing happily, feeling special, feeling wanted. "Hey," he greeted them, almost too pleased for words, waving as he made his way over and sat down. "Something for me?" The surprise was evident in his tone of voice, along with the taken aback smile that he wore. "I didn't expect that at all, thank you." Len felt a little bad for not having anything for Jibril in return, but he was more focused on how lucky he was, and how sweet Jibril was for bringing a gift.

The sight of the Kermit keychain just about knocked the breath out of his lungs. It wasn't only because he had objectively wanted the keychain, as Jibril had said, but it was the meaning behind the gift that truly had Len feeling emotional. Jibril knew him. They listened, they cared, they accepted him. Len had never properly felt such respect or care before. "Jibril," he began, his voice soft, his touch even softer as his fingers brushed theirs while taking the keychain. "I can't believe you went back for it, for me." It felt incredibly foolish, but Len swore he could have cried over the small act if he allowed himself to. He decided that tears probably weren't the best for a first date, however. "Thank you so much." His eyes darted up to Jibril's, where they stayed fixed, affectionately. "Thank you," he said again.

"that's wild" they voiced out loud, a small chuckle escaping their lips. "you just... fix it like that? like it's nothing? that's fucking wild. you've always known how to do that?" the dj questioned in complete awe. "dude i have shirts i had to turn into crop tops because the holes were to big to not be noticed. i've never met someone who just can take out a needle and fix it. you're wild, shirtless guy."

If Len had have ever heard anyone call him prepared, he wouldn't have been able to stop himself from laughing. It wasn't entirely wrong, but it certainly wasn't the terminology that he had ever used to describe himself in the past. Paranoid was one he had heard and used more, or else excessive. Perhaps he would have actually liked to be called prepared once or twice. Regardless, his mind was far away from the other - and even further away from their thoughts - until he caught sight of them and heard their words.

"Not always," he began, not realising until after he had spoken that that was obvious. It's not like they would have expected him to have come out of the womb sewing... "I was pretty young when I first started, though, yeah." He chuckled a little bashfully. Coming from a family with plenty of multi-medium artists, he had been lucky to have access to the materials and lessons needed to learn as soon as he had shown interest. "I can't say I've ever been called wild for sewing in public before," again, he laughed, "I like it though, so thanks." He made another stitch, before looking back to them. "If you're ever interested in some tips, or like, if you ever have anything that you really need fixing, I'd be more than happy to help."

he breaks eye contact first, looking down at the floor as if it might somehow help cool his burning face. "s-sorry..." a nervous laugh escapes him. "i just didn't expect you to say yes."

"i've been wanting to tell you for days." another nervous laugh slips out. "something about how you light up when you talk about jim henson, the way you smile...i like it a lot. every time i saw you, i told myself i'd do it, but then i'd chicken out. looking back, i probably should've just told you."

they meet len's gaze again, rocking back on their heels as a sweet, almost dopey grin settles on their face. "i'm free on friday at 11, meet me at salt & sip? coffee's on me. i already decided that before i knew what your answer was."

It all happened so fast - not too fast, but still, it felt so strange for Len to simply be propositioned with the exact thing that he wanted so badly, so directly. His heart was pounding in his chest, his cheeks were bright and hot, and his smile was so wide that he thought he might risk splitting in two. "Don't apologise for anything," he shook his head, laughing softly. "I totally understand." While Len was on the other end of the exchange, he truly did believe that he understood Jibril; he couldn't believe that the Jibril felt what Len understood that he did, but regardless, Len understood.

"I would have said yes the day that we met, Jibril," he admitted, more nervous laughter leaving his smiling lips. "But I wouldn't change a single thing about how this has gone. I've really enjoyed it, just being friends with you." With Len's crush having developed so quickly - because how could he get close to Jibril without developing such a crush? - he really would have accepted an invitation out on a date so soon, but in hindsight, it had been so incredible simply getting to know the other as friends. Len had learnt that you couldn't live life filled with regret, and while he couldn't always listen to his own advice, he didn't want to regret not rushing into things with Jibril. Besides, they still needed to see how things would go on and after the date.

"I would love that," Len nodded, agreeing to their date plans with the widest smile on his face. He couldn't remember the last time that he felt so happy, so excited, so filled with vigour. He couldn't remember if he had ever felt like that, actually. "Thank you." Unsure as to what to say next, excited and bashful, still slightly in shock, Len stayed standing there, laughing softly, blushing more.

open to: anyone! @mirabellastarts location: seabrook point's nightlife area ... at night!

not due to clock into work for the night — god help mirabella that taylor is out and about anyway, traipsing down the street like a man starved for small talk. he’s good at it; he drops into groups’ conversations like he’s known them all their lives, throws arms over shoulders and suggests places to eat like a concierge’s evil twin. all his aimless wandering through mirabella’s nightlife streets find him in front of dorothy’s. it’s his night off, but the music and noise inside makes him linger anyway … long enough for him to notice somebody else idling out here too. so taylor sidles over to them, nudges them in the side like they’re familiar enough to do so. “there’s a pianist who works here usually who suuuucks,” he offers like a secret, “but i heard he’s not on shift tonight. soooo it’s safe to go in, if that’s what you’ve been out here wondering about.” 

Collin should've already been home by this time of night, but his bartender called out and there was no one else to replace him. So, he was behind the bar until closing. On the Rocks was relatively empty this close to last call, but there were a few stragglers enjoying their meal or nursing a beer while they watched the game. Collin was leaning against the bar, his gaze on one of the televisions when someone took up one of the stools at the bar. "Hey," He said, turning his attention towards them. "How's it going? What can I get you?"

Len wasn't the biggest night owl, but he certainly wasn't afraid to be out late, especially not when his job required it more often than not. Some nights he went straight from the Church to his cozy bed, but other nights, he tried to make the most of them and get out and about. After all, Len was still relatively new to the town, so he was still trying to learn all of its ins and outs, and he was still trying to meet more people and make more friends.

Before he made his way home after a small show at the Church, Len made his way to the bar. What better place was there to make new friends? He walked in a little shyly, but he was excited for what could potentially come his way. "Evening," he greeted the person behind the bar, smile widening slightly. "Ooh," he hadn't thought that far, hadn't thought of a drink to order. "What do you recommend?"

where: folklore books

jibril had invited len out to a local bookstore, but to be honest, he couldn’t be less focused on the store’s items. he found himself stealing glances at len every couple seconds, heart hammering in his chest and fidgeting with his fingers.

“um…can we go somewhere a little more quiet for a second?”

when they’re in a quieter corner, jibril takes a deep breath, trying to steady himself.

“len…i want you to know that i really like you, like more than just a friend.” one of his hands reaches up to toy with his hair, nervously twirling it around a finger, his cheeks getting pinker by the second. “you don’t have to like me back and i still wanna be friends if you don’t…but would you want to get coffee with me some time?”

Len had tried his hardest to not think too much about the fact that his life had become immeasurably better since he moved to Mirabella Island a mere month earlier. There was an incredible fear beneath the surface; it felt as though everything had finally fallen into place, and the last time that he could recall experiencing such peace, it had been horrifically ripped from him. He was so afraid to lose the happiness that he was experiencing, but even despite such fears, he couldn't stop himself from feeling that happiness whole-heartedly.

It was moments like these that Len felt that happiness especially hard. He felt normal there, standing next to Jibril, browsing the shelves. He didn't feel like the lonely kid that he once was, nor did he feel like the broken man who had just lost everything he loved, and gained everything that he hated. The smile was wide on his face, and not once did it budge, not unless to grow wider.

At the sound of Jibril's voice, Len's heart skipped a beat. That wasn't entirely uncommon for Len when in the other's presence, but there was something... more there. Something in Jibril's tone, something in the suggestion of finding a quiet corner together. Another common occurrence was Len getting his hopes up, having too grand of an imagination, seeing things that weren't really there. Trying to act casual, he nodded his head. "Of course, yeah."

He had no idea what was coming. While his imagination quickly took him to some beautiful place, once in their quiet corner, Len found himself simply hoping that Jibril wasn't about to say something bad. What if he was moving away, or something? What if this was goodbye? Len couldn't imagine the island without the other.

Quickly, those worries were sent far, far away. "You- me?" Len didn't know what to say, his cheeks flushing with a crimson blush. How could he not like Jibril in return? They were gorgeous, and in ways far more than only looks. Realising quickly that the other was still waiting on a proper response, Len quickly nodded. "Sorry, yes, yeah, I would-" he paused to laugh- no, giggle. "I would love to get coffee with you. As more than just a friend." He couldn't believe that he found himself in a situation where he was saying those words, but they came out strongly, confidently.

farmers market

khadija found that early morning farmers market runs always made her feel more human. she spent so much time at the tide building, or at her desk, and so getting out and breathing fresh salty-sea water air made her remember how alive she was. there a lot of things about mirabella that khadija could complain about, living here all of her life, she has a grievance or two, but weekend farmers markets were such a sweet spot. she's got a tote bag that is far too big for her thrown over her shoulder, and there's already far too many punnets of blueberries in it, her favorite of all the berries. she's standing in front of a selection of breads, mouth already watering, when she let's out a theatatrical huff of breath "okay, i can't decide, garlic and rosemary or sun-dried tomato and mozzrella? this is life or death, as you can see."

If Len believed in God, he would have been thanking them over and over. First, he would thank them for the ease in which his large crochet tote bag allowed him to carry all of his purchases, and next, he would be thanking them for the fact that his bank account allowed him to safely purchase all that he had so far. He understood that he was lucky in that department, and he understood it more than ever when it came time to enjoy all that he had bought. It wasn't yet time to head home and make a meal out of the fresh produce - the thing he was looking forward to the most - but he was still more than enjoying his browsing of the stalls he hadn't quite cleaned out yet.

His laughter was so loud at the other's question only because he had been having the same internal debate in his own mind only a minute earlier. "Oh, no literally, I totally get it. I was immediately like: the sun-dried tomato and mozzarella, obviously, because it's more gourmet or whatever, you know? But then I started thinking of the versatility of the garlic and rosemary, as well as the iconic pairing that those two are, and I started thinking that I shouldn't underestimate it. But I'm definitely not missing out on the sun-dried tomato and mozzarella loaf." As if comedically timed, the vendor handed Len the two bagged loaves that he had purchased. "Thank you so much," he told them, before turning back to Khadija and explaining, "so I got both."