#jasperstarters

where: anywhere that works for your muse (coffee shop/park/bar) @jasperstarters

he rolls his wrist, tilts it toward the light, squints, like the angle might change the verdict. the small stickman, frozen mid-wheelie on a tiny skateboard, offers him absolutely nothing in the way of reassurance. “okay,” he says slowly, more to himself than anyone else, then glances sideways at the person nearest to him. “be honest. like… aggressively honest.”

he lifts his arm between them, rotating it so they can see it properly, finger tracing just beneath the fresh ink without touching it. “is this,” a pause, “funny-bad, or just bad-bad?” he exhales a laugh through his nose, half-defensive, half-amused. it's ironic he even asks, because his arm (and other body parts) still carry a bunch of other 'funny in the moment' tattoo choices. will he ever learn? “because last night it felt like a fun idea to let a stranger stick-n-poke me. like a ‘this will absolutely still be funny when i’m eighty’ level decision.” he looks back at it again, eyebrows knitting together. “now i’m wondering if i just permanently committed to a stickman who thinks he’s tony hawk.” his gaze flicks back to them, hopeful and already bracing for judgment. “don’t sugarcoat it. i can take it. i think.”

Kaleb huffed dramatically, as his date was going on about something he didn't care about. Kaleb had been trying very hard to pay attention to the new story they were now sharing, but just couldn't. Every so often he'd let out a small laugh, or a nod to show that he was paying attention. Even though everything was going in one ear and out the other.

He grabbed the attention of the bartender and ordered another round of drinks for them. It was the least they could do, right? Kaleb didn't know. He hardly dated.

Eventually, he did have to excuse himself to the restroom. Not like he needed to go or anything. He just needed to get away from his date. Kaleb needed to think of an escape plan, which he feared he simply could not do on his own. In other words, his brain was so foggy from drinking to much.

Kaleb exited the restroom, and made sure he stood in a location his date wouldn't be able to see him. Kaleb then approached someone, "Can you help me." His voice was filled with desperation. "I'm on the worst date of my life and I need help with a distraction. Something, anything, get me the fuck out of here."

glancing down at the others hands as they withdrew from the clay piece in front of them, logan offered a gentle smile as she rose from her seat. "here, let me get you some water." it was another day at work, though thankfully more leisurely than usual. more quiet. logan adored being in the studio for that reason. it was calming, even among the occasional disorder of people that'd come in with their kids, or couples that requested multiple hand cast's for weddings or who knows what. she thrived in the environment. she returned next to them with a bowl of warm water and a clean towel, placing it beside them. "you'd be shocked at how many people don't realize how messy it can be."

          𝓦ARM  AND  SUNNY  DAYS  WERE  RARE        and  few  between.  Heat  beat  down  over  the  early  morning  grass,  reflecting  off  of  the  dew  that  still  covered  the  greenery  that  shined  so  brightly.  There  was  no  way  that  Gunwoo  wasn’t  going  to  take  complete  advantage  of  this.  With  Birdie  at  his  side  the  two  decided  to  walk  from  their  apartment  towards  Sunrise  Park,  the  doberman  in  a  tight  heel  at  his  side.  Getting  her  trained  after  the  adoption  had  fortunately  been  incredibly  easy,  the  pup  smarter  than  he  had  anticipated.  He  had  never  had  a  big  dog,  or  really  any  dog,  before  this  so  it  had  all  been  a  huge  learning  curve  for  him  quite  frankly.  So  much  research  had  been  involved  with,  not  only  the  breeds,  but  the  best  and  safest  training  methods  for  her.  Things  had  worked  out  luckily,  and  now  Birdie  was  the  picture  perfect  pup   ⸻   at  least  in  his  eyes.

          The  walk  had,  luckily,  felt  fairly  short  with  them  arriving  at  a  reasonable  hour  in  the  morning.  He  even  had  time  to  grab  a  quick  cup  of  coffee,  the  black  espresso  nestled  into  a  simple  to-go  white  cup  in  his  hand.  The  pair  of  them  bounce  up  towards  the  gazebo  to  relax  for  a  little  bit,  sighing  happily  as  he  sits  down  comfortably.  Carefully  Gunwoo  unlinks  the  leash  that  was  on  Birdie’s  harness,  watching  with  a  smile  as  she  shakes  herself  out  a  little  bit  before  eventually  jumping  up  onto  the  bench  beside  him.  She’s  immediately  up  in  his  business,  sniffling  along  the  rim  of  his  coffee  cup  before  giving  a  shameless  lick  to  his  cheek.  With  a  laugh  he  swats  her  away  a  little  bit,  ruffling  between  her  ears  before  just  leaning  back  and  relaxing.    “  Lay  down,  baby  Bird.  ”     Gunwoo  commands  gently,  watching  with  a  grin  as  she  eventually  settles  herself  into  a  sunny  spot,  paws  crossed  and  muzzle  resting  on  top  of  them.  Such  a  proper  lady.

          Just  like  that  the  two  of  them  fall  into  comfortable  quiet,  not  quite  silence  with  the  sounds  around  them  :  cars  off  on  a  distant  street,  laughter  he  can’t  quite  pick  up  the  location  of,  birds  and  nature  and  the  wind  in  the  air.  Soon  enough  he  hears  a  voice  beginning  to  get  closer,  one  eye  peeking  open  a  little  bit  just  to  see  who  it  was.  It  seems  that  Birdie  had  recognized  them  sooner  than  he  was  actually  able  to  do  so,  jumping  off  the  bench  of  the  gazebo  with  easy  grace  and  bounding  over  to  her  friend.  Her  paws  even  come  up  onto  the  person’s  legs,  making  Gunwoo  wince.    “  Birdie!  Don’t  jump  on  people,  that’s  rude.  ”     Abandoning  his  coffee  beside  himself,  Gunwoo  is  quick  to  push  himself  to  his  feet  and  stumble  after  her.  All  it  takes  is  a  quick  command  to  get  her  to  sit,  but  she’s  completely  locked  on  staring  at  her  friend.  He’s  quick  to  place  a  hand  on  the  top  of  the  pup’s  head,  rubbing  at  her  ears  as  he  sheepishly  grins  towards  the  other.    “  She  usually  doesn’t  jump,  I  guess  it’s  just  been  a  while  since  she’s  seen  you  but  I  am  so  sorry.  ”