#pinehaven.event003

Ollie stood in front of the bake sale table with a small compostable plate in hand, already balancing three different desserts on it. “This is research,” he mumbled to himself, though no one had asked. “Extremely scientific, high-level, professional taste-testing research.” He took a bite of the brownie and froze. “Oh my god.” He turned to the closest person browsing beside him — whether he knew them or not didn’t seem to matter. “Try this. No seriously, you’re legally obligated to get one and try this. I think I just met my soulmate but like… in brownie form.”

Before they could answer, Ollie reached for another sample, this time a mini pumpkin roll dusted with powdered sugar. He attempted to bite it gracefully, and failed. Powdered sugar exploded across the front of his shirt like he’d been caught in a baking avalanche. He blinked. “…Okay,” he said, brushing at himself with zero success. “I swear I’m usually cooler than this.” He wasn’t. “But if this is how I go,” he added wistfully, gesturing to the spread of desserts, “Worth it.” He offered a soft, warm smile. “Which one are you trying? I need a second opinion before I spend my entire paycheck here.”

location: autumnfest bake sale

It was the kind of crisp fall night that made Ollie’s heart feel too big for his chest. Lanterns swung above the festival grounds, casting warm, golden light across the haybales and the booths lined with goods and goodies to sell. Somewhere in the distance, the soft rumble of the hayride tractor drifted over the noise of the crowd. Ollie spotted who he'd been dying to see all evening, and slipped up behind Diego, immediately engulfing him in a hug. “There you are,” Ollie said, his grin instant and effortless. “I was starting to think you might have gotten lost in another maze.”

Slowly letting Diego go, he held out a cup of hot chocolate, steam wafting between them in the cool air. “For the cutest guy in existence. Because I’m an excellent boyfriend and also easily bribed with seasonal beverages.” Ollie rocked back on his heels, eyes sparkling with mischief. “Sooo, what kind of trouble do you feel like tonight?” he asked, tone playful. “There's always the hayride. Cozy blankets, picturesque scenery, lots of opportunities for our hands to ‘accidentally’ touch and for me to pretend I’m cold so you’ll cuddle me.”

He paused for dramatic effect…

“Orrrr, the ferris wheel.” He bit back a grin. “Which has… heights. Amazing views. Heights. Romantic lighting. Heights. And did I mention the heights?” His hand brushed Diego’s, tentative but warm as he remembered his fear of them, and a promise to always hold his hand. “I promise I won’t drag you onto anything that makes you uncomfortable,” Ollie said softer now, sincerity grounding the joking. “I honestly could care less about riding it. But if you did want to conquer that fear, know that I would absolutely hold your hand. Hardcore. Like… superhero grip. But I truthfully just want to make good memories with you. Anywhere we go, I’m happy. As long as I’m with you. But also, we most definitely have to hit up the photo booth and get photo proof of our second date.”

who: anyone @pinehavenstarters where: Autumn Fest - Bake Sale .ᐟ.ᐟ

miscalculations had been made. it wasn't the first time, he knows it won't be the last. nirav's brows are furrowed, eyes locked on the impossible problem in front of him. "in my defence, if i had remembered i get a seasonal sweet tooth. i would've planned this better." there was not enough bags and containers in the world to make carrying all these goodies efficient. he is pretty sure he is doomed to drop stuff on the ground. like some sad movie scene where he slips, there's rain and everything. it'd appear out of nowhere just to add to the scene of his future inevitable failure. "i suddenly get why people without kids still get strollers sometimes just for moments like this."

who: @felix-navarro where: autumnfest — near arts & crafts table. when: 3:30pm.

At this point of the year, 3:30pm hit cold, dark, and fast. But string lights and city lanterns diffused a warm glow across the venue, and Irene had a hot pumpkin milk tea in her hands. She'd only stopped momentarily to peek over at the arts and crafts table, which was heavily populated by all sorts of people and materials. Not planning to participate, just... taking a look. In seconds, however, her spectator reverie was broken as something was thrust into her hand. Her expression warred between bemusement and slight indignation at the breach in boundaries. The next few seconds happened in a quick blur: a woman standing up with her young child in hand, ruddy cheeks patchy with red as she asked Irene if she wanted to keep whatever her child made, then taking off without waiting for an answer while wishing Irene happy holidays. Irene's mouth was left open agape a second after the woman left, unable to get a word in edgewise, now holding up the craft bracelet in question, which was... not her style. Another few seconds, and then she finally pivoted in position. But before she could think to simply toss the bracelet back onto the table, she caught the eye of Felix—a publisher who partially owned the local statewide publishing scene... a nice guy, also but someone that knew about her writing endeavors, even if cryptically, and probably knew that she wanted to be cryptic about it, too, at this point. A petty kind of vulnerability... which is why it was easy to shake off right now, in the midst of her amusement compounded by some frosty adrenaline. She raised her hand in part-greeting, part-showcase, the faux pearl pendant on the bracelet gleaming with each turn.

winnie  did  not  have   an  artistic  bone  in  her  body,  but  that  didn’t  mean  she  didn’t  like  to  try.  head  down  in  concentration,  brows  furrowed  and  her  tongue  slightly  sticking  out  – winnie  was  locked  in  on  trying  to  create  the  perfect  christmas  wreath  for  her  door.  despite  it  being  autumnfest,  winnie  had  a  habit  of  preparing  for  the  next  holiday  while  celebrating  the  current  festivities  –  a  planner,  she  liked  to  call  herself.  what  she  didn’t  account  for  was  the  super  glue  leaking  all  over  her  hands,  getting  tacky  and  soon  enough  she  was  sat  there  with  bits  of  paper  and  wreath-like  items  stuck  to  her  hands.  “oh  – oh  no…  this  wasn’t  supposed  to  happen,”  winnie  looked  around  helplessly. “um.  i  don’t  – help me, please… i’ve  been  defeated  by  superglue.”  

she’s  trying  to  enjoy  the  day  despite  her  mind  being  somewhere  else.  the  last  autumnfest  winnie  had  attended  was  with  her  dad,  and  it  was  hard  to  forget  the  missing  figure  next  to  her  this  year  though  she  was  determined  to  wrangle  some  fun  out  of  her  second  favourite  festival.  spotting  her  favorite  brunette head  in  the  crowd,  winnie  grinned  and  beelined  towards  the  figure,  weaving  her  arm  through  vivi’s  and  tackling  her  with  a  side  hug.  “vivi;  the  absolute  light  of  my  life,  please  tell  me  i  can  kidnap  you  away  for  a  glorious  hayride – despite  what  anyone  says,  it  can  be  fun,”  she  puts  her  lips  out  into  a  pout,  batting  her  eyelashes. “all  the  hot  ciders  you  want;  on  me.  gotta  treat  my  boo  right.” 

Ollie scanned the festival grounds until he spotted a familiar figure standing off to the side, looking like he’d been dragged here at gunpoint. He beelined toward Ale, weaving through a group of kids in leaf crowns. “There you are, Mr. Sunshine,” ollie announced, stopping in front of him with a cup of hot cider and the kind of grin that could melt a glacier. “I knew if I followed the trail of sighing and disapproval, I’d eventually find you.” Without waiting, he thrust the cider into Alejandro’s hand. “Here. Drink this. It has cinnamon and joy.”

Before Alejandro could refuse, Ollie hooked his thumb toward one of the booths — specifically, a basin filled with freezing water and floating apples. “Okay. I’m issuing an official challenge. Bobbing for apples. You. Me.” He pointed between their chests like this was a duel at dawn. “Winner gets bragging rights and loser buys the other something from the bake sale.” Ollie leaned in, eyes narrowing like he was staring down a stubborn toddler. “Or are you afraid your tough image will crumble when I destroy you?” Ollie bounced on his heels, barely contained energy radiating off him.