brystol-u

[brystol-u]

Brystol looked down at her current sparring partner, raising an eyebrow. "Are you telling me you're not? Cause you certainly had me fooled." It was likely he was distracted about something. Something that wasn't a person coming through the door because that would be easy enough to block out if you were used to boxing. Or any form of fighting.

She could have gone easy on him since she'd noticed this before he was laying on the ground. Could have even caught him before he fell. But she didn't. Partially because he should know better. Also because she didn't particularly feel like it.

Maximus swerved another jab, holding his fists up in their gloves to block whatever came next. He huffed, feeling wildly out of shape as he danced on his toes.

The loud screech of the door captured his attention for a moment, his eyes flicking away, and then he was falling, landing flat on his back on the rubber mat of the practice ring.

Max surveyed the ceiling, trying to pull air back into his lungs, a chuckle building in his throat. With a shuddering gasp, he looked to his sparring partner.

"Well, I certainly look like a rookie, huh?" He wheezed.

@evermorehqsstart

[brystol-u]

Brystol shrugged at the compliment, if it could really even be considered that. There was a reason why most of her hobbies and forms of entertainment involved video games and not books or tv. “Well if you’re trying to write a romance book then I’m probably the last person you want to get any advice from.” She told him. "Need some advice on some fight scenes though? I'm your gal." Not that she did too much fighting anymore but she still remembered vividly what it was like. Being a superhero. She instantly regretted saying anything as now she felt the familiar dull ache in her chest.

"You avoid it?" Ki repeated in disbelief before breaking down into a laugh. "You avoid romance all together? I'm actually impressed you manage it." And he meant that. Romance was everywhere you looked, being able to avoid it was a feat. "So you're into the enemies to lovers but reverse kind of scenario - interesting. Not sure if I can write a book with that and still have it qualify as romance but there's a first time for everything."

[brystol-u]

Brystol had beaten the high score on the machine just a few moments ago and was now on her way to doubling it. She usually stuck to either the shooting games or the racing games at the arcade as those were the most fun for her. Holding the high score on most of those machines already. But right now she was playing Pac Man, and she was sure one of the five other people who actually visited to arcade were going to be pissed at her for setting the high score so high. It was only after she had beaten the game that she was realized someone was standing behind her. "What are you doing?"

open starter : @evermorehqsstart 📍 anywhere

Evermore homed a lot of interesting people. 'Interesting' being a term that casted a very wide net here. Tambry knew she fell into a certain corner of that net with her phone and her vlog, but that didn't bother her one bit. She was just as shameless as always, and that included her farming the occasional stray resident for content. The black and pink haired girl was going on about her day when somebody was doing something that caught her eye. Observing quietly for a moment, she soon lifted her phone slightly, making sure the person was centered in the frame as she recorded.

[brystol-u]

Brystol shook her head. "Just romance in general. I hate how it's added into almost every single genre and movie that comes out anymore." She scrunched her nose. "Usually older slasher films can b pretty safe, movies where the couple breaks up is fine to watch too!" She told them, trying to give them some more options to work with.

"You don't like romance?" They questioned. "Or just romantic movies? Some of them are pretty cheesy. I guess people just like to dream." Which seemed understandable to Casper, someone who was sure they'd never have the chance to be in a relationship or fall in love.

[brystol-u]

Brystol paused, just an inch away from biting into her food. Slowly putting it down and not bothering to hide the annoyance on her face. Sure! Go ahead and talk to her! It's not like she sat by herself to be alone or anything! "What?" The question definitely took her off guard. Who asks that of a total stranger? Apparently this guy. "No. I avoid it at all costs if I can. The only acceptable form is if the couple comes to despise each other later on. But they can't get with anyone else and suddenly be happy."

location: jukebox diner @evermorehqsstart

Strictly speaking, Kit knew he shouldn't spend as much time away from the security of his castle as he did, the whole prince thing considered, but he couldn't help himself. It felt so stuffy behind those doors and the world, at least their small version of it, was out there for him to explore. Which was why he constantly found himself at the diner whenever he was looking for new ideas. "Can I ask you something?" He questioned, turning to the person closest with a warm smile. "Are you a romance person? When it comes to books or movies, I mean."

[brystol-u]

Hearing Wendy backtrack for a moment made Brystol's eye twitch. "That's not how it was. Not for me." She said quietly. She hadn't really spoken of the experience to anyone, not even her sisters. She'd told them a bit but it was hard for her to open up. Hell it was hard for her normally to open up but this experience felt impossible. "I'm fine- you and everyone need to stop being so sensitive around me."

Wendy only nodded, unsure her thanks was genuine, but did it really matter?

"Just hanging out, kind of bored. I'm not sure I really feel like playing anyway. I just get sick of... sitting at home." Was that insensitive to say to someone who didn't have that option for awhile? Shit. "Not that there's anything wrong with that."

[brystol-u]

Brystol thought for a moment, "Something with action- but no romance. It always feels so pandering and demeaning." She sneered. Everything had a love story these days. Was that what they thought all women wanted to watch? It felt insulting. There definitely needed to be more options.

They were floating behind the counter, their feet just above the floor, close enough anyone who glanced would assume they were standing. It was tiring, to weigh themself down constantly — in a metaphorical sense, that was, Casper didn't particularly get tired — and sometimes it was nice to stop pretending for a moment.

"Well..." It was a hard question to answer. Casper didn't think all of the selection was shit, but what they thought was entertaining may not be the same thing someone else was into. They had been employed here long enough to know how incredibly diverse the human taste could be. "What kind of movies do you like?"

[brystol-u]

Brystol huffed, sitting back and officially quitting the game she was playing. She was never any good at them when she was so angry, almost immediately dying every single time and just getting angrier. She had considered incinerating the whole thing but then she wouldn't be allowed back.

"Whatever.... thanks." She somewhat mumbled. "What are you doing here? I don't recommend this game, it's probably broken."

"Well... yeah," Wendy agreed, the town had its cons. Overall she was pretty content with being here, though, away from future worries, responsibilities. They supposed if they weren't so afraid of making (or not making) a life for themself, they probably wouldn't be too happy about it either.

Lingering a moment later, still, she smiled at her. "Well, I'm glad you're alright, for what it's worth."

[brystol-u]

Brystol ignored her at first, feeling even less chatty than usual. She hadn't wanted to talk to anyone since she got back, not even her sisters. She'd been gone for two months and was unable to talk to anyone that entre time but still didn't want to talk. Mostly because she had so many emotions still running through her and wasn't sure which one would show. She hoped it would be rage, at least she was familiar with that one.

When it became evident Wendy wasn't going to leave her alone she sighed loudly. "Yup. Still stuck in this shitty town with everyone else."

LOCATION: the arcade FOR: @brystol-u

"Whoa, hey." Pausing by one of the occupied machines, Wendy offered the other a smile. She and Brystol may not be the closest friends, Brystol may not even really like them, but they had been worried. While she was sure both she and Dipper could hold their own if it came to it, she was still relieved they were in the town's borders again... though she had to wonder if those that had gotten out felt the same way. "Glad to see you're in one piece."

[brystol-u]

Who are you hoping never comes back? Personally I’m hoping Brystol stays missing, she’s always so pissed off about nothing

literally the entire list, i could give a fuck less. not even half a fuck. or an eight of a fuck.

also who tf is brystol ?? that name sounds like an illness. " sorry, i can't make it to the function , i got bad case of brystol. "

[brystol-u]

Before she could do anything, Haku had gone ahead and seemingly paid the man for the damages. Usually she would do so but she figured it was best she star out of it considering he still looked angry and she truly had no idea how much it would cost to fix.

"Let's go." She agreed, speedily running off with them. As soon as they were a safe distance away she dropped their hand. Never the biggest fan of physical contact.

"Thanks I guess. I would have done the same but you beat me to it. Want me to pay you back?"

Haku watched with interest as Brystol absolutely demolished the game, figuratively and literally.

A chuckle passed their lips at her expression, before their eyes flicked to the attendant and saw the embers of anger there.

"Well, Miss Utonium, consider me impressed and a little frightened."

They slapped down a couple large bills on the counter and grabbed Brystol's hand.

"Let's make a graceful exit, shall we?" They muttered to her.

[brystol-u]

Bristol liked to work on one game at a time at the arcade. Focusing on one and getting the highest score one possibly could before moving onto the next. This was only her third attempt at the current game she was on, at least for the time. She's sure that she's played it before but that was a long time ago. It surprised her to hear a voice behind her. "I'm sorry?" She turned around quickly to look at him. Her defensiveness dropped slightly when she realized he'd said it in awe rather than actually calling her insane. "Oh- thanks. It's not too hard."

andy was watching someone crush his level in a specific arcade machine, one that he'd put countless hours into getting. it was exciting to watch it especially when they actually passed it, excitement lightning his eyes. finally he had a new goal to accomplish and that alone was something to look forward to. "you're insane," he whispered. he'd never seen her around before which was probably due to the fact that this wasn't his usual time. @brystol-u

[brystol-u]

Who: Casper Kowalski @fricndlyghost Where: Video Store

Brystol was bored. Which wasn't surprising being stuck in one town. So she headed to the Video Store, hoping to at least find something new to watch. Usually she would cure her boredom at the arcade, but even the games there were boring her. Work was a no go as she was stuck on a problem that just kept breaking every time she thought she fixed it. Which has left her more aggravated then usual.

"Hey, do you have anything here that isn't completely shit?"

[brystol-u]

Brystol picked up the paddle, spinning it in her hand to show off a little. "Utonium." She said rather short, no longer paying much attention to them as the game was about to start and she needed to focus. "Brystol Utonium. Thanks for the free game." She shot him a quick smile before the attendant started the game.

In almost record time the game was over, mostly because Brystol missed a light rather quickly and got frustrated. Once frustrated, she forgot that she had to watch her strength. Hitting the next light, but breaking it and the paddle in the process.

"...It broke." She said rather dumbfoundedly, looking up at the attendant who was obviously angry.

Haku paid the attendant of the stand and motioned to the girl to grab the paddle.

"I think I have the handle of the thing but I'd prefer to see just once more, if you don't mind," they explained, trying a smile that bordered charming and strange.

"I appreciate you agreeing, Miss...?"

Haku trailed off, raising their eyebrows and tilting their head in invitation.

[brystol-u]

Normally Brystol would just ignore someone in this sort of situation, but she did enjoy hitting things. "You don't want to play yourself?" She asked, raising an eyebrow. The game wasn't particularly difficult, or maybe she just thought so because games were her specialty. To her most video games were way more challenging than this. But maybe he wasn't very strong, or just never played before.

@evermorehqsstart

A festival wasn't Haku's usual haunt but something about the sunlight and the crowd was drawing them out. Wearing a thick pair of shades, they wove through the crowd, people watching and picking at a basket of fries.

They paused in front of a booth where the customer was trying to wack as many of the lights that appeared. They watched with some interest.

Turning to a random passer-by, Haku said,

"If I pay for the next round would you play this game so I can watch?"

[brystol-u]

Brystol looked around, popping a piece of gum in her mouth. She wondered if maybe he was talking to himself. Except it definitely seemed like the comment was directed at her. "Okay?" She didn't particularly care about baby swans. Her sisters probably would, especially Brooklyn. She loved animals, especially baby animals. "Why should I care?"

Zane Olson open for all @evermorehqsstart // evermore park

Zane stood on the banks of the little lake, a bag of shredded lettuce and garden peas in one hand, as he tossed handfuls into the water with the other. He smiled faintly as he watched the swans and ducks snack on a watery salad, heaving a small sigh. "Did you know baby swans are called cygnets or flappers?" he asked feeling lonely in the presence of the water birds in their flocks. "I only found that out today"

[brystol-u]

Brystol crossed her arms. "That's it?" She raised an eyebrow. "After bumping into me and then being incredibly rude, I think I deserve a little more than just that. Especially since I had to point it out in the first place."

"Oh, right, shit." Had he really not apologized? That was probably ruder than calling her a stranger, then commenting on what her name rhymed with rather than asking how she had been. He was really fumbling here. "I'm sorry for bumping into you."