#srphqstart

Syd wasn’t working today, so he’d decided to get himself cheap food at Tavern where he normally worked, knowing he’d get a discount. Most of his coworkers were rolling their eyes that he was there on his day off, but who cared? Food was cheap and he wasn’t exactly made of money. Plus there was always a fun cast of characters who came to the bar. It was a bit... straight and sports-bar-y, but Syd always ended up finding a good conversation, if he waited long enough. However, no sooner had he walked in and ordered a beer and some fries when he saw an unsavory face. Someone he’d hoped to never see again. He shifted in his seat, shuffling himself in his tight jeans and his old worn jacket away from the creepy man who he definitely didn’t want to talk to (who thankfully hadn’t seen him yet), ending up sitting himself next to someone else farther down on the counter. Just as his fries came out. “Hello, darling. I hope you’re having a wonderful night. Listen, I have... this plate of fries. The whole plate. And I am prepared to share them with you... iiiif you don’t mind me squatting here for a second while I wait for this creepo from an old job to get the fuck outta here. What do you say?” He pushed the fries closer, enticingly, raising eyebrows and taking a quick sip of his beer.

@srphq-starters​

“Don’t look at me like that!” Kacie huffed and averted her eyes momentarily as the pair walked along the boardwalk. “I could totally break the rules, I just choose not to. There’s plenty of shit in life that is messed up so I simply decide not to be someone who intentionally does things wrong.” Not that she was perfect by any means or had never done anything wild but Kacie Kingsley had a family name to think about now that she was back home in Salem these last five years and the reckless streak she’d grown in New York had to stay there. “I could do something bad...what you think I can’t? Fine. What do you wanna do then?”

If there was one word to describe Ben O’Dell it was messy, and tonight was no exception. Alcohol had taken over the man’s system and he could hardly stand on two feet. He left the party without telling anyone. Hot, tired, and nauseous Ben found himself outside sitting in some grass that had already formed a layer of dew. His fingers brushed through the blades of grass leaving them wet. He was in his own little world before he heard someone approaching. “Hi.” Ben nearly yelled, he had a huge grin on his face as he waved, it was almost childlike. “Come sit with me.” He was totally unaware if the other person outside was approaching him, or something else, he didn’t really care he just wanted someone to talk to. 

They had decided to spend the afternoon in the fresh air, making sandcastles on the Salem Willows beach. The bench was merely a few steps from where their half constructed sandcastle was, and they’d retired there for a break. With her arms wrapped around Chloe, they giggled together as they looked out at the view ahead of them, both currently content people watching. “Am I your favourite, Mom?” Chloe asked, glancing up at Olivia. “Sure are. Am I yours?” she asked, and Chloe shook her head. “No, Uncle Levi is.” she replied with the brutal honesty only a five year old could get away with as she pulled away from Olivia, who chuckled, and returned to her work. “I’d actually hate her if she wasn’t exactly like me.” she joked out loud to the person that had been next to them, shaking her head at the whole scenario. 

Unceremoniously, Aless found himself waiting around at the restaurants bar. The date he’d been on had fallen through to his relief. The person he’d been with made him feel like he was actively talking to a wall that had paint drying on it. With both participants agreeing that the vibe just wasn’t there, they parted ways with her leaving the premises and him finding a reason to have scotch on a Wednesday evening. The occupants surrounding the bar seemed to be waiting for their tables or were leisurely enjoying a happy hour glass or two. It was slow moving, but he hadn’t had anywhere else to be for the time being. Once he finally wedged himself in front of the bartender he ordered his drink before feeling someone bumping into him. Turning his head, he looked over at the line that had grew, noting the person hadn’t had a drink as of yet, “And I’ll cover whatever they want to,” He said to the bartender but he murmured to the person beside him, “Better take your shot now or you’ll be in this line forever.” 

So maybe Asa hadn’t left the house in a while. Maybe it had been nearly a week, give or take. But he’d been extremely focused on a project, finishing the last few illustrations for the next chapter book in a series he’d been working on with an author since the start. And he was proud- it was done. And he’d been paid, and he was outside. Things were very good. 

But at the same time, the mind fog was... tough. Asa found himself trying to focus. How did he have conversations again? How did he talk to people, normally? He felt like he’d emerged from a cave, walking around in a fugue state. Coffee would help... right? He spotted Witches Brew and started heading in that direction, already trying to figure out what he wanted. He saw someone stepping out to sit on the nice little patio. The Irishman asked shyly, “Sorry, um, what did you get, exactly? ‘s been a while since I came in there an’ I get overwhelmed with the options. Anything you’d uh, recommend?” 

@srphq-starters​

Cassie had the day off of work and Pax was giving her those eyes. The big fluffy guy wanted to go out. She sighed and shook her head. Telling him to be on his best behavior when they got to Notch. ​Cassie made her way to the back and tied Pax up to the table and he plopped down on her feet. The guy was always running her life. He was lucky he’s so cute. Ordering herself a beer she waited for it to arrive. Checking her phone flipping through Tinder when someone sat down across from her. Looking up she raised an eyebrow. “Hello...” 

location: Starla, Salem University Campus, etc

Fall wasn't exactly Breanne's favorite season here. Fall meant it got unbearably cold. Summer was leaving. She wasn't a child of the cold she was a child of heat. Even worse was that people had the audacity to speak highly of corn mazes! She'd heard someone on campus thrilled about the fact and it just made her skin crawl. "I don't get it! What is so good about corn mazes? You're trapped in acres of corn! With other people, equally as lost as you! And you're just supposed to wander around with nobody knowing which way is out and hope for the best? That's a nightmare! Steven King knew what he was doing when he wrote that book, setting it in cornfield... cause corn mazes are terrifying."