reddvandaal

[reddvandaal]

      where: holy spirits - valentine’s masquerade.       who: @derekxaranda​

      ------“ THIS ALL FEELS a bit phantom of the opera to me, you know? ” it was a nice sight, at the very least: beautiful dresses, well-tailored suits, intricate masks ... the color variety was pleasing and if redd searched it he could find little patterns in the way people meshed together for the event. it was a nice distraction from how nervous he was, though he kept his mind off of that thought as best he could. “ of course, says the guy whose wearing a half-mask like the titular character. if i had a singing voice half as good as that guy, though ... i think i’d be somewhere else in life. ” redd chuckled, finally turning his attention to his company. derek was pleasant - someone who kept him company late at night with radio call-ins ( something redd was forever appreciative of ). and in this moment he was more than thankful for his presence. “ are you hoping to see anyone here ... you know, masks non-withstanding? ”

[reddvandaal]

      where: holy spirits - valentine’s masquerade.       who: @draslihanxfahri-bailey​

      ------THIS WAS CERTAINLY going to be the last time he let celia talk him into something so grandiose. the speed-dating had been fun, at least ... he’d met a few new people, had some good conversation - not too taxing on the social battery all-in-all. this, for some reason, was a thousand times worse. PERHAPS IT WAS THE CRUSHING REALITY, something heavy weighing down on his shoulders ... if his wife were alive, this was something they’d do together. and masks or no, it wasn’t terribly difficult to pick out the people he already knew. it was a stern reminder that, on a hallmark holiday redd was never too fond of, he was very much alone. for the most part he swallowed the thought down bitterly, and then let some alcohol chase it to push the stone down his throat ( or so he hoped ).

      and thankfully he recognized asli. falling in beside her was natural, he offered her a glass of champagne plucked from a passing tray and smiled,��“ i hope you’re having a nice evening. you look lovely. ”

[reddvandaal]

draslihanxfahri-bailey​:

“Damn, so a new baby grand piano isn’t allowed then?” Her smile grew before she laughed. The brunette was shaking her head before clarifying, “I won’t do that, I promise. If anything, maybe some records and a record player as the most expensive things.” Asli knew that Celia wouldn’t go too crazy, even if given the opportunity for a limitless shopping spree. The girl was given a lot of freedom, but she was also incredibly responsible for her age. The woman found herself wondering if Alex could potentially be the same way as a teenager. That was something she wanted desperately for her own daughter: that she’ll get to be a regular teenager. Aslihan never got to have that. She spent her teen years in college, getting many different degrees and being at the top of her class every single year. She didn’t know what it was like to go to a high school, go to prom, go on dates, all that sort of stuff. While Alex was proving to be following her mother’s academic footsteps and surpassing her schooling, she hoped that the girl would still get to experience growing up as any other child. “Still gnawing away at that bone?” Shaking her head, she smiled fondly. “I will never accept your repayment money, Van Daal. Seriously though, don’t fret. You got a great kid on your hands; We won’t go too crazy.”

The joking manner from moments before seemed like an eternity, the subject matter now more painful. While Redd hasn’t been through the exact same thing at her, he has gone through grief. He has lost someone he never should have, so he understood. Asli wish that he didn’t. It wasn’t fair to either of them, but it was comforting, in a way, to have him understand and her in return. Asli reached to caress her locket softly as she listened. “Theo’s nursery,” she spoke softly. “I’m… I’m not sure what to do with it. I thought of creating a baby box, having it styled in the same theme as her nursery and including the things that we feel as the biggest connection to her. But… But the rest of her things… I don’t know what to do with them. I don’t know if I can bear to keep them, especially since I don’t know when or if we could have another baby again. But the thought of giving everything away… I can’t do that either. And I don’t know what Ray thinks about it either.” She knows that the nursery brings the same pain to him as it does for her. Especially over the past few weeks. She wanted to surprise him with the baby box but with everything else, it terrified her to think of having that conversation. It needed to happen eventually, of course. But she didn’t want to risk hurting him either.

She straightened slightly at his offered. “Really? That would be amazing, thank you. I promise I’ll repay you however possible.” Maybe it wasn’t too drastic. At least, she hoped it wasn’t. Even though her and Ray had nearly traded Odyssey in for a new car, she was happy to get to keep the ol’ girl. She didn’t dare to think of ever having to part from her. Nodding, she still felt unsure. “I just want to make sure that you’re all okay. Especially with it now being over twelve hours since you last slept. Everything going well at the station? I’ve been able to listen to your show a little bit recently, at least the first two hours or so, while I’ve been getting things ready to go back to work.”

-

      ------“ I’M GOING TO say no to that, if only because we have an full-sized grand in the music room. or office. whatever you want to call that room. ” though the real danger of bringing an instrument into the house was redd using it. his love of music was matched only by his stubborn determination. the limits of his processors were met with a passion for music and the art in general that redd pushed incessantly. his successes in his field were a testament to that undying will - and he was more than pleased that he’d passed it onto celia. his own childhood was marred with those challenges, though redd had been ever-optimistic and met each of them head-on with a smile. he still did. it was what pushed him to keep going despite the heavy weight of his grief; the first of it when he’d immediately lost his wife, and now when it crept up on him like an unwanted but old friend. but he pushed those thoughts away as he tended to the kettle, which began to gently whistle for attention ( though it was the steam coming from the spout redd espied before it began to sing ).

      “ you have to talk to him. it’s not going to be easy. it’s going to be like pulling that wound open and pouring salt and vinegar into it ... but you have to do it. because the worst thing would be to move ahead without his input, to interrupt his grieving process through lack of communication. but it’s not something you rush, and if you’re not ready to talk to him, if he’s not ready to hear it, you just find other ways to heal yourself until then. ” he couldn’t imagine losing a child. he wasn’t someone who thought about the worst case scenario, but he ws ever-aware that the world was cruel, that celia could be ripped away from him in the blink of an eye. so he cherished her. just as he was sure asli cherished theo, with whatever time she had - even if it was barely any time at all. “ grief, healing ... it’s not linear. it could be ten years from now, twenty ... and you’ll still collapse under the ache of it. but don’t punish yourself for that healing, either. same with ray. i know you don’t need to be told it but ... just keep the communication open. ” losing a child so often tore couples apart. he understood why. he just hoped the best for his friend.

      he poured the hot water into the tea cups, over the sachets hand-filled by he and celia a week or so earlier, and set it on the table for asli. “ let it steep. ” as if she needed to be told. and redd shook his head, shirking the idea off of paying him back. “ consider it a fair trade for whatever you spend on celia. i don’t mind it. ” the motions were familiar: getting the sugar bowl and a fresh spoon to parcel some off, getting the cream. it was evident that he was a big tea-drinker, but he set these things in a mutual area, easy for asli to reach should she desire to modify her drink in any way. “ i’ll be alright, thank you. i do this more often than i’d like to admit, especially when i have a few days off. it’s nice to regulate and pretend to be a normal human, sometimes. ” and he nodded again, as if punctuating the coming statement, “ it’s good. i like how quiet it is. kind of brainless, sometimes, but it’s something to do, you know? ”

[reddvandaal]

maddiehawthxrne​:

WHO: @reddvandaal​ WHERE: Hot Cocoa Stop, Claret Park

“Well, well, well. Fancy seeing you here, neighbor.” There was a wide grin on Maddie’s features as she sauntered in to the hot cocoa shop, stopping next to Redd in the short line. She’d been in a much better mood since getting the cast off of her foot, and even though the boot continued to limit what she could do she’d finally gotten rid of the crutches and her inability to fully submerge her body in any body of water- whether it be a shower or a hot tub. She faced a lot of physical therapy ahead of her and the doctors stressed to her that if she pushed it too hard she’d end up right back in a cast for another six weeks, so she knew she’d need to be careful with her newfound freedom. However, the short walk to the hot cocoa shop was a little longer than her doctor had advised, but still. She’d rest up later. “Here to warm the chill in your bones?” She teased, nudging him gently. “Or are you a secret chocolate lover like the rest of us?”

-

      ------IT WAS THE little things throughout the day that redd did to keep him going - both in the universal, existential sense and in the you’ve been awake since 8pm the night before sense. this was the latter, though redd would never complain for hot cocoa. “ hey, look at you, moving up in the world. ” he shifted slightly, allowing for the patron behind him in line to step ahead so he could continue conversation with the familiar face without speaking over a stranger. “ oh, my love of all things sweet is not-so-secret. i think it’s always been the way to my heart. ” the joke was light, but redd’s sweet tooth was vicious and had been since he was a child. bless his heart, celia inherited his love of sweets, too. between the two of them, the van daal family could run every bakery and candy shop in providence peak out of stock in a day, easy.

      “ i’m also a little ready for the weather to shift to something warmer, though. tired of layering up on jackets and sweaters when i leave the house. ” perhaps escaping to a chillier town wasn’t the best of interests, even. but providence peak was quiet and pleasant, and in the warmer months it wasn’t so bad. “ you look good, it’s nice to see you out and about without your under-arm friends. ”

[reddvandaal]

verdadurmaz​:

location: downtown area

character: @reddvandaal​

With everything running smoothly at the bakery, Ver opted to take a few hours off to spend time with Zeppelin. She’d promised her fur son a trip to the dog park and the pet store before going home. After running off a fraction of his energy, they’d made their way to the pet store for the treats she’d promised and the new toy too. She’d been too busy trying to plug the meter when he’d tugged towards the pet store, the leash slipping from her grip. “Zeppelin,” she called out, but dog was too focused. Instead of going to the door, he went to the first person the street and stopped right by the man as if he were Zeppelin’s owner instead. “I am so sorry,” she called out, only stopping once she was able to retrieve the leash. To her surprise, he’d sat nicely and stared up at the man with a single bark. “He thinks you have treats. Honestly, he thinks everyone has treats. It’s his toxic trait, but he’s friendly. I promise.” 

-

      ------WHILE CELIA WAS the light of his life ( and that much was so painfully obvious it might make someone without children sick to see it ) there was something to be said about wilhelm. only seven, certainly not the taste of everyone, but something that tickled redd the moment he’d laid eyes on the sphinx cat - wilhelm bonded with the van daal family immediately, speficially redd himself, and the rest was history. he liked to climb under redd’s house sweaters for the warmth, popping his head through the neck hole - or be carted around the house on redd’s shoulders. he was chatty, too ... and spoiled - just like celia was. his business in the pet store had not been brief; redd had no less than ten items in recyclable bags by the time he made it out the door. AND REALLY HE WAS JUST AN ANIMAL LOVER, IN GENERAL. though larger dogs made him a touch nervous initially - he would never deny a welcoming pet to any animal that wanted it. so when this furry friend plopped themselves before him as if they knew him, redd shifted a hand free and held it palm out for the dog to sniff. “ hey, buddy. ” 

      attention shifted briefly to the owner ---the turkish bakery, he remembered, and redd shook his head. “ it’s fine. i do have treats, technically ... but they’re cat treats. i’m not so sure he’d be interested. ”

[reddvandaal]

emelinecormier·:

She grinned at the word barter and followed his lead in unwrapping her utensils, as excited to see where this went as much as she was excited to try the entree she had selected. If she only had twenty minutes, she was definitely going to make it count and at least try to have a good time and get her ticket’s worth. “Isn’t that what this whole thing is supposed to be about?” Emmy started, a raised eyebrow in his direction. “Sharing secrets so you can get to know the person you’re eating with better?” She offered him a soft smile and took a bite of her own entree before adding, “But, if you want to play the bartering game, I have enough drama and secrets to bleed you dry, so take your pick. Any question, any topic. In exchange for your full name, of course.”

-

      ------“ OH, MISCHIEF. IF we’re doing the actual secrets bartering game, i’d like some mischief. ” as well put-together as redd always appeared he had a streak of mischief to him that was renown. at least his daughter could attest to how puckish he could be, or his parents, or even his late wife. he chuckled softly, swallowed a bit of his meal and sipped down the wine he’d been poured to pair with it - just a bit. “ tell me about the most deviously mischievous thing you’ve ever done, and i will tell you my full name. ”

[reddvandaal]

bashqureshi​:

location: local bar, open mic night

status: closed ( @reddvandaal​​ )

Open mic night was, in Bash’s opinion, the best night of the week. The atmosphere made him nostalgic, reminding him of the shows he’d sneak out to see when he was a teenager… albeit held in a bar a little less grimy than those he’d frequented and filled with fewer wannabe skaters and emos. Just recently he’d gotten back into performing himself. While Bodhi had lived at home it’d been Bash’s one night a week to himself, but he’d kept out of the spotlight, a little nervous about how rusty his on-stage skills might’ve become. It turned out he shouldn’t have worried so much. Getting up on stage, even just with an old guitar for an open mic night, reminded him exactly why he’d loved it so much as a kid.

He’d finished his set for the night, bouncing down from the stage with a smile and heading straight for the bar to grab a glass of water and settle in to watch the next act, when he spotted a guy sitting by himself in the corner. It was a pretty packed night with most of the tables filled, so Bash put on his best friendly face and wandered on over. 

“Hey,” he greeted the stranger, gesturing to the empty chair next to him. “Mind if I sit?”

-

      ------THERE WAS SOMETHING therapeutic about coming out to hole-in-the-wall bars and listening to the people there. it wasn’t always open-mic night ( but those were redd’s favorite ): sometimes it was karaoke, sometimes it was poetry, sometimes it was just listening in on snippets of conversation. it was something he’d done moons ago with his wife, tucked away into their own private corner. they’d make up stories about the people they watched and whisper back and forth to one another ( or sign, with their hands weaving elaborate made-up tales while they merely smirked between them ). his time out at the glass onion had been the boldest attempt at celia’s machinations to get her father back out into the world. it worked, for better or worse.

      at least 13 years ( more, really ) since he’d last done this in earnest. but now he took up space in the packed little bar, a bubbly-gold drink in his hand, and listened. watched, too - habits had him making up stories for each denizen he mused at for a moment, though he would be loathe to admit how remiss he was to be doing it alone. he’d been more than happy to distract himself with the live music - when the act ended redd was almost quick to retreat back into his mental game before the voice tugged him back from his reverie.

      the bar was packed. and even if it wasn’t, redd was sociable enough. he gestured for the empty seat and nodded, “ by all means. nice set - i was sorry it was time for you to come be a person instead of our live music machine. ”

[reddvandaal]

emelinecormier·:

“With how many demons I’ve faced tonight, you should just call me a Charmed sister,” Emmy joked, recalling the show about three sister-witches who faced demons each episode, not even sure if the man across from her would get the reference she was making. Not like it would matter in about twenty minutes, when she was left to face the very last demon that the world decided to throw at her that night. When her grasped her hand, she smiled politely, not recognizing the touch of the man, but knowing she had met the face at least once before. “Oh?” Emmy raised an eyebrow in interest as a waitress set their main course down. “Now I’m interested as to what that full name is. It can’t be worse than mine.” 

-

      ------HE ONLY VAGUELY understood the reference. while trashy tv was his weak spot ( and sweets ) he was never one for the more mystical series like charmed or xena: warrior princess. no, his foil was reality tv ( though he was more than aware of how unrealistic they all were ) and laughing at the false misery of the contestants. it was where he really recognized the woman across from him - but he figured it was better to keep that observation to himself. if HE were in a position to be recognized for his work ( and he was, in the right circles, by name ) he wouldn’t want random strangers pointing their finger and leading with a DON’T I KNOW YOU FROM ... ---so he let his teeth sink into his lower lip to bite back the knowing grin. if 19 minutes was all he had left to converse with her, he refused to let it be awkward.

      his hand retreated back, fetching utensils to try their assigned meals, though he swallowed a mouthful of drink first. “ oh, no no. i’m not going to spill one of my absolute darkest secrets right off the bat. you have to barter for that one. ” redd teased, chuckling as he cut a portion of his entrée into something more biteable. “ definitely worse than the full version of emmy, though. i love my parents dearly, they’ve always done right by me, but i think they wanted to be a little too artistic when they named me. even they call me redd. ”

[reddvandaal]

mollyfielding​:

Molly liked people, but she liked them in small groups, she also liked having people around her that she knew. This was a whole lot of newness, a new place and a lot of new people, plus it was her first time ever doing speed dating. Molly had done her fair share of first dates, even joined Tinder for a short while, but she tended to organise events which gave her something to do, mini golf or paint balling, something with a purpose, something to keep the evening movie. 

This was just meal after meal, and though the meals were delicious it was rather monotonous, and Molly was quite exhausted of having to explain that she was a deaf, English, vet. Molly knew that her and Redd had two different approaches to their hearing loss, it was all linked to their personalities and how they’d been raised. Molly enjoyed being Deaf, it felt more natural to her to hear very little, whereas for Redd, hearing was his go to, he needed it a lot more than she did, it was part of his everyday. The relief continued as he signed back, no longer needed to focus on lips or have the exhausting noise, “so many similar conversations,” she complained, “I’m sick of explaining how I grew up in England but then moved here,” she admitted. 

-

      ------PERHAPS IF HE had not fallen so in love with music at such an early age he wouldn’t have his approach to his hearing loss. for a short time, well-before redd could properly remember, he simply did not know the sounds of the world. his parents had made the decision in his infancy for his implants, and redd had filled in the rest of the blanks there. of course he wasn’t unfamiliar with the challenges and limitations, but rather than back down from them he met them full force and with a grin plastered to his face. the problem came with the approach of people who were not hard of hearing. the processers were, often, lost in the way he parted or styled his hair ( both a choice for that very reason and simply because he enjoyed having longer hair ). how people interacted with him when they knew or noticed varied, but for the most part the guests of this evening treated him no differently than anyone else ... as it should be.

      still, it was pleasant to sink into verbally wordless conversation, where only the fluid motion of hands could decipher speech. he enjoyed molly’s company, for what he knew of her since she’d arrived. he enjoyed her own outlook on their shared life experience, and he enjoyed her presence - especially in moments like these, it was comforting. “ i understand. at least you have a recognizable accent! a few people have guessed swiss? or swedish for me? which is always comical but not very correct. ” and he nodded in understanding of the repetition, chuckling softly, “ i do feel like i’ve had the same conversation a couple ten times, though. maybe some fresh air? would you like to join me? ”

[reddvandaal]

emelinecormier​:

location: the glass onion, downtown. entree. status: closed for @reddvandaal​

The face that sat down in front of her for the entree was recognizable, but it was that sort of recognizable where you know you’ve seen the person before, but had no clue exactly where you saw them. Maybe it was someone you past on the street or had a one night stand with after a few tequila shots at the bar… honestly, Emmy’s life had become such a mess, she wasn’t sure she’d remember half of the faces she had taken home that month. Yet, something told her that the man that sat in front of her wasn’t someone that she’d shared her bed with recently. “Damn, it’s nice to finally get someone who I don’t have history with,” She chuckled, a slightly tipsy curve of her lips gracing her expression as she held out her hand. “Emmy.” Remembering that her nametag said Emeline, she pinched it and laughed softly. “They said full names only, but no one ever calls me that. Save for the select few who think it’s cute, but honestly it’s just a bitch for everyone to say and spell. Emmy’s just easier.”

-

      ------THIS WAS EASILY the most socializing that redd had done in a long time ... and that was saying something, considering he worked in radio. ( granted, it was usually the middle of the night, but he still had the occasional night own calling in to request, comment on something, or just chat ). twenty minutes hardly seemed like enough time to get to know someone, but at the very least he’d met some interesting people. not for the first time in the evening did he come face-to-face with someone who was familiar, even if it was just through auxiliary means. her initial comment had him chuckling, “ yeah? you wind up facing a lot of demons tonight? ” he didn’t have many of his own, the few connections that might haunt him were far away. ( and perhaps that was why celia pushed him into this tonight ). redd reached forward and clasped her proffered hand, offering a pleasant shake, “ redd. i refused to write my full name down because i don’t need people pretending to be my mother. it’s nice to formally meet you. ”

[reddvandaal]

mollyfielding​:

Who: @reddvandaal​ Where: Valentine’s Event - At the Bar

Molly was relieved to spot a familiar face, she was exhausted from all the socialising, and all the listening. It felt respectful to wear her processor, to enter the hearing world to make it easier for the people sat across from her. As she spotted Redd though she reached up onto her head, slipping off her processor, she pulled out her case from her bag and put it on, before moving onto the other side. The relief was shown across her face, the busy noise of the restaurant faded into a soft buzz. Molly often suffered hearing fatigue and it had only got worse since she’d grown older and chose to wear her processors less often. 

She smiled at him, “fancy seeing you here,” she grinned, signing and speaking at the same time. She knew that Redd was likely wearing his processors, but she enjoyed signing and unless she was with her close friends and family she didn’t get much of a chance to do it. “Are you feeling as awkward as I am?” she questioned, hoping that he was feeling similar to how she was.

-

      ------HE DIDN’T NEED any more of a reason to feel a social overload than this. nights were often spent in the isolation of 96.8′s sound booth where the only people whose voices he heard in earnest were himself and his engineer. to be thrust into a world of conversation like this was certainly overwhelming ... and redd was thankful he had enough wherewithal to cover just how nervous he genuinely was. small conversation here and there with people he’d mostly met only in passing over his two years began wracking up where he’d felt the fatigue even before the speed-dating portion of this event. as to why he even let celia talk him into it ...

      relief came in the form of a face more than just i’ve seen them around. the bright and beaming smile accompanied by the open conversation was welcome - while redd wouldn’t turn his own processors of he was more than happy to take a break from relying almost solely on them ( and his keen skill to read lips ) to respond. immediately he pulled his hand from his pocket and signed back, his own mouth moving along with the intended words. “ i’m absolutely feeling awkward. i’m already tired, too. like i’ve had a thousand meaningless conversations about the same topic. i guess you haven’t been spared that? ”

[reddvandaal]

      location: the glass onion.       who: @jiya-padyar​

      ------CELIA HAD TWISTED his arm into going out for the evening. there were times he was frustrated that she listened the night show, where he’d certainly advertised for this very event to the eclectic crowd of listeners who operated much better in the late hours into too-early mornings. he felt sheepish the entire time that he slipped into the suit ( even with his daughter encouraging behind him as he styled his hair ) until now - well after he’d come to the event itself. fortunately he’d seen some faces he recognized. pleasant conversation swept through the room before he’d been whisked away for the speed-dating appetizers. the thought made his stomach lurch.

      so when he sat down at the appropriately numbered table when instructed it was obvious he was a little NERVOUS. he was mid-sip of his water when the seat opposite him filled and after swallowing he offered a pleasant smile. “ hello, ” and cleared his throat. “ welcome to table number one. it’s a pleasure. ”

[reddvandaal]

draslihanxfahri-bailey​:

“Perfect. I’ll make sure she has an incredible day. Which… might mean not having a spending limit. So please don’t kill me if she ends up having a bunch of stuff by the time we’re back. Oops?” She laughed softly as she joked. Well… semi-joked. While she would try to have a limit as much as possible, Aslihan knew herself. She knew that all Celia has to do was give her a certain look and she would be ready to get the thirteen year old anything she wants. Which did not give her any confidence for future shopping trips with Alex when she’s a teenager. Oh god… That was quite a thought, damn.

His words caused a breathless laugh to leave her lips and she glanced away for a moment. He was right and she knows that. But that didn’t make it any less harder. Which… he also knows. “I haven’t stepped foot in the nursery since Ray… well, you know…” She has long since forgiven the man for destroying Theo’s room. It had been his emotions bursting out of him uncontrollably that led to it and she couldn’t blame him for that. If anything, she blamed herself. He hadn’t felt like he could express his own grief and wanted to focus on being there for Aslihan. Which… god, she hated that. They’ve been better about it since that day, of course. But she hasn’t stopped being guilty since. And while she knows she needs to go into the nursery to clean it up and grab some things for Theo’s baby box, she couldn’t. Not yet. “Sometimes I’m tempted to just buy the tools, watch as many videos as possible, and do it all myself. However, I don’t want to do something and ruin it, so a mechanic might be the safest bet.” Fortunately, she wasn’t lacking on money. Yet she wouldn’t brag about that.

Nodding, she became concern as he mentioned being tired. “Do you need to go get some sleep? How long have you been up so far today?” Of course, Redd has a system. She knows that. However, Asli still found herself becoming worried. She didn’t want him to stop himself from getting much needed rest.

-

      ------“ SHE’S A SENSIBLE girl but ... nothing too extra please. ” he lifted a hand at comment, a broad and thoughtless gesture to encompass anything that might fit into an even broader statement. he trusted asli with celia - he trusted celia to be who she was ( honestly, he was lucky she was such a good kid ) but it wouldn’t sound very parent of him if he didn’t tack on some warning in there somewhere. surely a child psychologist would be on the sidelines somewhere ready to chirp about how redd gave celia too much freedom and independence for her age. whatever. “ and for the sake of my conscience, don’t spend too much on her. you know i’ll have to pay you back. ” there was no malice in that sentiment ... just a pleasant smile that informed her he would find a way.

      and silence took him for a moment as he listened, turned his body to the counter where he opened an overhead cabinet and began rifling through the little box where he kept his pre-filled tea bags. he and celia had spent an evening spooning dry tea leaves into the little mesh bags and tying them off one evening, jesting about how it looked more like they were portioning things off for illicit activities. now he pulled the box down and gently plucked two of the bags out - lighter fruit teas - before he moved to fill the kettle on the stove with water. “ there’s no rush to face that part of it, either. i only took my wedding and engagement rings off a couple of years ago. ” around the time he’d moved to providence peak. and while he could talk about his late wife, sometimes it still stung. “ everyone’s phases of grief look different. if you can’t step in there yet ... there’s no rush. and pushing yourself for it will only pick at that sore. ”

      once the kettle was on the burner and powered he turned to face asli again, pressed the small of his back into the counter again, and crossed his arms over his chest again. “ i can always try and help out. i know a little about cars. enough to change the oil and diagnose some of the more common problems. if it’s something major though ... i can always help research a good mechanic. ” and once more he gestured, waving his hand as if pushing her suggestion aside, “ i can sleep later. i’m trying to stay up to go to bed at a human time tonight. so if anything, you’re rescuing me from an accidental nap. ” a pause as he considered it, “ since about eight last night? ”

[reddvandaal]

marley---callahan​:

She was good with faces. Surprising, for a woman who traveled as much as Marley had, and had a knack for meeting plenty of people wherever she went. She chalked it up to stewardessing, having to remember not only the names of all the guests that would come aboard the boat she was employed on at the time, but their meal preferences and activity choices and the way they liked their clothes organized. It was tedious work (and it wasn’t the work itself she cared about), but in comparison, it made waitressing all too easy–especially in a place like Providence Peak, where most of the customers she saw were considered regular.

She knew that Mr. Johnson liked his burger practically burnt to a crisp, and to split the chocolate milkshake that Darlene ordered for her two kids into separate glasses, but not to let them see her do it or else they would throw a fit about not each getting their own. It’d been only about two months since her arrival in Providence Peak, but she had the flow of it down like clockwork. A sort of mundaneness that used to make her skin crawl, but now was something she could appreciate, so long as she could take herself out of it when the time came.

Speaking of the time: her eyes darted up towards the clock on the wall, which hadn’t moved more than two minutes since the last time she’d checked it…two minutes ago. Marley blew out a bored sigh, knowing the hours between now and the end of her shift would only drag if The Burger Joint remained as dead as it was. Returning her gaze back to her ketchup bottles, Marley started back up the process of refilling them, unsure of how long it was until the ringing of the bell above the door had her head jerking up, and the sight of the man walking in brought a grin to her lips.

“Now, aren’t you just a sight for sore eyes?” 

@reddvandaal​

-

      ------THERE WAS A delicate balance between when redd could work, sleep, otherwise spend the rest of his life being responsible. his daughter kept him on his toes with a lot of it - and while she was showing she was an independent and trustworthy young woman redd would still be a guiding rock for her. besides ---she didn’t have her license yet, and redd would be damned if he made her hike it to school from claret park. or now, with her after-school activities where he knew she wouldn’t return from anything until closer to seven at night - where he felt that familiar hunger paw into his belly. he was a man with a good temper but even he was subject to becoming HANGRY. it was best to head that off.

      there were few places that would actually cook a burger the way he liked it: red, basically mooing, oozing the enzymes that cooked off when the beef even got anywhere near medium done-ness. the burger joint was good for that - they listened when he told them he wanted it black and blue ( no really, just sear it for sixty seconds on each side and he was happy ). in turn the waitresses always got a hefty tip from him, and everyone left with a smile on their face. he really fantasized about that burger as he pulled into the lot and shut off his truck. his mouth was practically watering by the time he pushed into the front door.

      “ well, if it isn’t my favorite waitress. ” and really, she was. marley was attentive, kind, and always seemed as if she were enjoying what she was there to do. and honestly, redd knew that last part could be utter bullshit - nobody really enjoyed being demeaned by the asshole customer, did they? but it was her dedication to acting like she was consistently nonplussed by whatever negativity might slam into her that shift. professionalism. redd appreciated that.

      “ how’s the shift been treating you? ”

[reddvandaal]

zarakumar​:

Zara smirked slightly at Redd’s joking request. “Cute. Never heard that one before.” Every so often, someone in the crowd would feel the urge to shout out Freebird when the violinist performed. It used to irritate Zara to no end. She was a little more forgiving of it now. “I think you’re right.” The musician rose up from the bench, placing her case on the spot where she was sitting. “I haven’t had someone request Chopin in a while,” She added, pushing open the lid on her case. Zara grabbed her violin and bow, taking a steps away from Redd. She placed the instrument into position, expelling a slow breath before touching her bow to the strings, filling the quiet park with the sound of her violin..

-

      ------“ BUT HAVE YOU ever actually indulged them? ” his daughter was guilty of chiming in the request when redd was playing in tandem with her. perhaps not the entire chunk of the song and all of it’s multi-minute glory, but he’d had enough of a chuckle to play out the meme request once or twice. but he allowed the silence of the moment to take hold once zara actually stood and removed her violin from the case, and redd merely folded his hands in his lap so he could pay attention and listen.

      chopin was a guilty pleasure of his. this particular song was his favorite - one that he could thoroughly relate to the morose sentimentality of the first movement. his attention shifted from one of zara’s hands to the other; the slow sway of the bow as it moved across the violin strings or the compression of her digits against the neck of the instrument, or the way her arm shook to peel out the vibrato before she shifted and continued on with the song. occasionally he’d note her stance, or her expression - each could be just as telling with the fulfillment of music and how dedicated the artist was to their craft. by the time she reached the end of his requested peace he offered an earnest yet soft clap ... his smile was bright.

       “ perfect. it’s my favorite of his pieces and you’re wonderful. thank you. ”

[reddvandaal]

zarakumar​:

Zara didn’t have the intention to sit and join Redd. She figured he wanted this time to be alone. That, and she had never been great at small talk. It wasn’t until he scooted slightly to the side that the musician decided to take the empty spot beside him. She didn’t want to seem like a jerk by rejecting the offer to join him. “Thanks,” she nodded. “I’m good. Just, you know, working and playing the violin.” Zara could hear how dull she sounded. It was unfortunately true, though. Her life was in a bit of a rut at the moment and she didn’t really know how to pull herself out if it. “I was going to play this morning.” Zara tapped on her violin case. “Any requests?”

-

      ------“ TWO VIRTUES IN life: money and music. ” just like how the only things in life that were assured were death and taxes ... or at least that’s what redd heard. when she gestured to her case he let his eyes wander down to it - and the most impish of grins stole his features. it would be a losing battle to deny the joke as it came to his lips, so he got it out of the way before he could choke on the words with laughter. “ freebird. ” and immediately he lifted his hands as if in surrender - a gesture to how much of a jest it was, and shook his head. “ nocturne op 9 number 2? i think ... that’s more reasonable. ”

[reddvandaal]

emelinecormier​:

location: cheers!, university heights. status: closed for @reddvandaal​

Emmy liked to joke about the fact that the entire reason she had picked her apartment when moving to Providence Peak years ago was it’s proximity to the liquor store just down the block, in perfect walking distance, but in reality, it just so happened to be one of the many perks of her apartment and a big reason why she hadn’t yet made the move to be closer to her restaurant downtown. With her phone pressed against her ear, she wandered into the shop, the faint chiming of bells alerting the cashier that there was a customer in the store rang behind her as she walked down the aisles on a mission to find something she could destress with as soon as she pressed the end call button on her phone. The supplier on the other line kept telling her this product was out of stock and that product would be delayed and she could already feel her blood pressure rise as she stopped mid-search. “Okay, Jerry, stop telling me what you don’t have and start telling me what you do or I’m taking my business elsewhere.” It only took a second for him to resume telling her what they couldn’t provide for her to end the call, huffing as she turned around quickly, bumping into whoever had been searching the shelves behind her, sending her phone skidding across the aisle. “Shit.” Emmy threw her hand up, as though her phone would just magically return to it, before glancing at the man she had bumped into. “I’m so sorry, apparently this day just keeps getting better.” Her laugh was as dry as her humor as she moved to picked up her phone, sliding it into her pocket before turning back to him. “I’m just glad it was a cracked screen protector and not a broken bottle of hundred dollar wine. Are you okay though?”

-

      ------THERE WASN’T MUCH stress in his current field, if he was being honest. aside from his boss being uppity every so often, redd had too affable of a demeanor to really become ruffled at the slightest of inconveniences ... but it did happen. the right aligning of stars, or the wrong news one-after-another had his stress levels ever so slightly encroaching a threshold he wasn’t quite comfortable with. HE HAD A NIGHT OFF. he had a night off and celia was staying at a friend’s for the weekend which meant he could indulge himself in the slightest and wind down with a little liquid assistance. so here he was, browsing the shelves for a bottle of cognac he knew would be a little more expensive than most.

      and it was in his arms when he felt the bump ---the sound of a phone skidding, and his reaction time was just enough for him to catch the bottle of cognac before it became an expensive mess. THAT CERTAINLY HAD HIS ADRENALINE GOING. with his lower lip sucked between his teeth, with his expression appearing something puckish, he turned to the second half of the offending party of the potential mess and chuckled softly. “ i’m fine, i’m fine. are you? is your phone? ”