who's afraid of little ol' me?

——the festival was exactly the distraction she needed to get out of her own head, party, and enjoy some time before she would soak into an endless circle of self-loathing for all her latest decisions taken. she likes to mess up, she thought, but that was long forgotten now as she held a cocktail in hand and swayed a little to the music, a little distracted until Alex spoke and she turned to look at him. “shhh,” she mocked scolded, wrapping an arm around his waist and looking up at him with her pretty brown eyes, giving him a look. “we are here for the fun and good vibes,” she said enthusiastically and then leaned a little closer to whisper a “grandpa,” teasingly. she took a sip of her drink and turned to him once again, once her brown eyes had savored the crowd of people than lounged around them. “besides, you are too freaking hot to make statements like that out in the open,” she half-teased him.

honey is a character, a certain joie de vivre that alex has always admired in their friendship. he's joking, about his age, though there is something to be said about the demographic in comparison, but a slender arm wraps around his waist anyway, big brown eyes looking up at him, scolding him. "I am always fun, and always a good vibe," he reassures, a playful roll of dark brown eyes at the grandpa comment, bringing his drink to his lips he preened ever so slightly, "god, you're so right, I am too hot to be complaining about my age," he agreed "this of course, is the highest of compliments from someone who looks as good as you do, obviously."

location: Fox & Haggar LGBTQ+ Shelter.

The shelter was coming along beautifully. Percy made sure he hired people from the community to work on the remodeling from the plumbing and building to the interior designing of the place. Knowing everyone and anyone in New York and having so many connections was as worth it as he always thought it was going to be. God, I love to be always right. It was something Percy usually found repeating to himself.

Percy had insisted his and Austin's offices were the first to be finished so he could start working and that's where he was when there came a knock at the door.

"Come in!" He screamed from his desk as he kept going through a mountain of papers, pastel lilac laptop set to the side, a perfect match to the pastel pink suit with a light blue tie he was wearing. Living his best Elle Woods aesthetic fantasy.

there is something to be said about growing up a queer kid in an unaccepting household, and alex is sure he could lament about it for days, if he really wanted to, but instead, like most things, he decides to put his money where his mouth is. The shelter is everything the city needs, and the minute he heard whispers about it's development, he threw his hat into the ring, offering free legal services, and very well knowing hefty donations to the space would be in his near future.

when he is called inside Percy's office, dressed in a jewel-toned green suit, he can already tell this place is going to do wonders for people in need. he is glad to be in some way apart of it. "Percy Haggar? Alex Marlowe, thank you so much for meeting with me," he introduces himself, holding out a hand for the other to shake.

the ability to let go is truly such a relief, this music festival, the adrenaline, the mixed drinks, and the bowl she smoked before she left all combined to make her looser, calmer, and more fun. she knew this wasn't her norm and that was okay, it was okay that this was for the weekend. "I know. I did not expect to enjoy myself this much, and I'm glad we're enjoying it together!" she exclaims, wrapping her friend in a quick hug before dragging her towards a photo booth, first and foremost, to commemorate this good feeling. "oh it's beautiful. well worth the money, but don't worry, all psychic readings on me."

alex knows that he is not the normal demographic for this festival, and yet he is determined still to make the best of it. he was wont to make jokes about being past his prime, but he knew better than that, mostly. he had seen a few of his favorite acts, but he had found that he was also enjoying the environment. people who were just as into the music, just as into the activities surrounding them. "yeah, I actually forgot my cane back home and it's really been hard on my hip replacement," a voice filled with playful sarcasm at the retort, eyebrows going up at the girl who caught his silly little comment, jokingly self-deprecating at most. "oh yeah I've already arranged a ride home with all of the other senior citizens, dinner at the home is at 4:30 and I cannot miss the jello," a laugh, and a wave of his hand. "well I'd fucking hope so, I don't get my hair dyed to get called an old man in public."

He turned, genuinely intrigued at the mention of a frog in any type of hat, cowboy or otherwise. "I think that depends entirely on what your brand is."

that was a good question, or well, it was a good statement that jaymes hadn't quite ever considered. her brand tended to be nepo baby, which was decidedly not cool at all. "honestly," she pauses to think for a moment, glancing at the other before looking at the tiny green frog with the pink hat tattooed permanently on her now. "I think my brand lies somewhere in the 'my dad is deeply disappointed in me but still gives me money, and I have impeccable fashion sense' category", and boy, wasn't that hefty.

"The latter." Sherri mused, eyeing the basic green leaf stem she'd chosen for her own sprout. She admittedly didn't know many of the lower artists on the rosters, and while she was game to become a fan from observing their shows, she also wanted to make sure she got her money's worth by checking out the amenities. The curiosity of this tent caught her interest more than anything else. "I think I'm a bit lost on what the hell this is even supposed to mean." She admitted, sliding the clip of her sprout into her hair before fully turning over to the other. "Like, tell me I don't look like an extra from the Lorax right now."

"I don't know the true origins," she begins, fiddling with the sprout she made, smiling softly "but I think it began with raves, don't quote me of course," a shrug of her shoulders, turning to look at the other "I learned about them in renaissance fairs, they've become popular there lately, I have a few," they range in different colors, styles, "I think they're fun, little accouterments, you know?" she raises her eyebrows at the Lorax statement, before nodding "perhaps you do, but what's wrong with that, you know? Sometimes looking like a Dr. Seuss character is adding a little whimsy into your life."

LOCATION: Balloon Darts with Grooves

As far as music went, Alex's music tastes tended to lean more toward rock n roll than anything, David Bowie his biggest influence in what he listened to, and what he learned to play on the piano. But he wasn't picky by far, and Aura was a good mix of some of his famous artists and some he had never known until this weekend. he's not sure he cares too much about winning a record from Grooves, but he does love a bit of competition. "I think if you're aim is good, you're halfway there," he shrugged "would you like to team up? I feel like one of us has to win, right?"

jaymes' smile is as genuine as gavin's reaction, tilting her head, she looks at the frog and nods "actually you're right, he is pretty cute, isn't he?" reputation be damned, it was a cute little guy on her arm, and truthfully, she thinks he adds something, it jazzes things up. "oh boots would be good, you're right, I love a cowboy boot," she agrees with a nod before tapping her chin. "Honestly, I think I'm going to name him Wirt Jr," she shrugs, "or George Washington. It's a tough decision."

he dreads to think about the days in the hopefully not-so-near future that he doesn't show up to things like this, opting to stay in, because he did love the pursuit of pleasures, all sorts, attending a music festival being one of them. even if this was his first one. but at the very least, Rhys was there, feeling very obviously the same as he was. reassuring. "oh well didn't you know? being a dad ages you at least five years, ten if they're really difficult," he laughed softly, patting the other one on the shoulder "in dad years, you're the same age as me."

there are few people that imaan would let see them like this, fairly (not really, but trying) in their element, enjoying music and good weather and allowing themself to dance without truly thinking about it. danny had become someone they easily fell into friendship with, a friendly neighborly smile turned into conversation turned into them dragging him along to a music festival. Imaan supposes it's the adrenaline rush of seeing their favorite musicians in one place, perhaps too much heat, and maybe the bowl they had smoked before coming, but they are filled with so much muchiness. "well isn't that kind of the fun of it, interesting or awful, probably both," they shrug, reaching out for his tugging it toward, and then into the open photo booth "I won't force you to do it of course, but I will need a companion, at least." they press a few buttons, and wait for the first flash of the camera, smile wide

Jaymes considers Karmens words, and it's true, she must agree, that it's definitely added a bit of quirkiness, though they think their personality tends to be too much sometimes. "no you're right, plus my dad might hate it and that makes it ten times more interesting," she explains then smirks, eyebrows raised "oh, damn, so you're definitely not down for the matching piercings either, huh?"

Activity: Puzzle Lawn Games (you pick the game)

Sebastian loved that they had big games at the festival and he could see himself spending a lot of time here. He was playing the game with the person next to him and after they went, he tapped his chin softly with his pointer finger as he thought about his next move. "Alright if you beat me I will buy you an ice cream cone or something, but what if I win?" He asked the other as he chuckled, glad to actually be having a good time right now.

Jaymes found some downtime between sets of the artists she was most excited to see for the day, and she had eaten her way through the biggest plate of carne asada fries, so truthfully the only thing she could do was nap, or play a game, and since she was putting off sleep until she could crawl into the comfort of her own fluffy comforter, she found herself at the puzzle's lawn, playing a round of bowling. the stakes had been raised though, and jaymie was only a bit competitive. "a rare chance, but I'm willing to take your bet, if you win I'll...." a beat, as she thought of something she was willing to give, "I'll let you choose what gets painted on my face for the rest of the day?"