cardinalmal

[cardinalmal]

Despite the hour, after the day she'd had Mal simply couldn't stop herself from wanting- no, needing- an afternoon pick-me-up. Having awakened at 3:30 that morning for seemingly no reason (to the layperson, at least) she simply hadn't been able to get back to sleep. As usual when in that particular situation, Mal had gotten herself up and ready, gone for an early morning workout, then got ready again to go into the salon early.

And, that was where she'd been since 6:30 that morning- scrubbing, mopping, organizing, shelving, and cleaning like there was no tomorrow. While she hadn't been tired at 3:30 that morning, 11:30 proved to be a lot different, and what little energy she'd had stored from her 3 hours of sleep had been quickly depleated.

Stepping into the Ceramic Cup, the smell of fresh brewed coffee and freshly baked items overcame her, somehow serving to wake her up and lull her senses even more simultaneously. Stepping to the counter, Mal tried to ignore the nagging feeling of near-depression assaulting her senses. She'd grounded herself before leaving the shop just as she always did, but this particular energy was persistent and not something she could easily ignore. By the time she'd purchased her coffee, Mal was more than aware that this was something she would need to address should she wish to have any semblance of peace during her visit.

It took no time at all for the witch to locate the source of the energy- a woman seated alone at a table with a bowl and a baby. Without hesitation Mal made her way over and placed her coffee on the other side of the table, taking the empty seat across from the other without asking if the seat was taken. Without further adieu, Mal began speaking as if they'd known each other for years. "I'm Mallory- you can call me Mal- and I'm here to listen if you need someone to talk to. Now," she continued, holding up her hand- palm out- to stop the other from speaking just yet. "No need in attempting to convince me you're fine, or that I've lost the plot in coming to sit with you. We both know that isn't the truth. So, let's save each other the heartache, shall we, and get to the part where you tell me what's wrong?"

Open starter for @cardinalstart

Location: The Ceramic Cup

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ The Ceramic Cup smelled like warm bread and freshly brewed coffee, the kind of scent that usually settled deep in Penelope's chest, grounding her - comforting her. Today, though, even the cafe's rustic charm, the soft chatter of customers, the clinking of ceramic mugs, the hum of an old record player in the corner, felt distant, like she was peering through dirty glass.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Her spoon hovered over the bowl of tomato bisque in front of her, but she wasn't really looking at it. Her gaze was fixed on her calendar. First day of Spring. The thought alone made her stomach twist. Luigi should have called by now. She told herself she wouldn't count the days, but of course she had; it was impossible not to when the thing she'd once been terrified of losing was just out of reach, held in the silence of unanswered calls.

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Gia cooed beside her, and Penelope reached over, pulling her daughter into her lap. She smiled - she really was her entire world. Penelope swallowed hard. God, she was pathetic, nearly crying into a bowl of soup in a cafe like some tragic movie character. She shifted Gia to free her hand and swiped at her own eyes, setting her jaw. No, she wouldn't do this. Not here. She took a deep breath, brushing Gia's little cheek. Maybe she'd call him. Maybe she'd -

‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ NO. No. You are not doing that. He left you. Just wait for him to call for Gia. She exhaled again, shaking her head. A distraction was what she needed, something, anything, to pull her out of this spiral before she did something desperate. Her eyes flickered up, scanning the room, searching for something - or someone - to focus on before the lump in her throat became impossible to swallow. In her lap, Gia looked at her mom, smiling, oblivious to the battle waging in Penelope's mind.

[cardinalmal]

Generally speaking, Mallory was a hard person to surprise. Given her 'position', which really was nothing more than how most people viewed her, she'd seen and heard just about everything there was to hear. It was no secret that people tended to talk to their stylists more than they might any other professional, and Mallory's motherly and inviting nature only made the fact that much more true.

Despite her tendency to remain even-tempered, there was no denying the rush of energy she felt the moment the other stepped through her door. Naturally, being a witch made Mal just a bit more sensitive to energies than the average individual, and it was a skill she'd latched onto as a child, putting effort into developing. The majority of the time Mal based her thoughts and relationships with others on the energy she felt, and read, from them. And, once she became familiar with someone's energy, it was a feeling she never forgot.

Mal's smile widened as her eyes made their way over the other, taking her in as she willed her brain to catch up with the situation and to allow her to say something. "Addie!" Moving to lean the broom she'd been holding against a nearby wall, Mallory closed the distance between them to pull Adelaide into her arms. "My Gods child, how long has it been? Wait, don't answer that- I don't want the reminder of how old I'm getting." Laughing, she stepped back to look her over once more. "Of course, for you I've got all the time in the world." Guiding Addie over to a nearby chair, Mal continued without missing a beat. "How long have you been back in town? How long are you planning to stay?"

Addie hovered just inside the door, the familiar scent of shampoo and hair spray stirring something deep within her chest. Serene Scissors had always been a safe space—one of the only places in town where she hadn’t felt like just another Sawyer kid. Mallory had never looked at her like she was trying to measure the brunette against her siblings. No, Mal had just let her talk, let her breathe, let her exist. With Mal, she was just Addie—or Adelaide. She ran a hand through her hair, wincing as her fingers tangled on the split ends she’d been ignoring for way too long.

Stepping over the threshold, a bittersweet smile found its way to her lips. “H-Hey, Mal.” The grin came easy; but there was something a little sheepish underneath it, like a kid coming home after staying outside past curfew. “Long time, eh?” The last time she’d been to the salon, she was a senior in high school, letting Mal twist her hair into something elegant before her final dance recital—back when the biggest thing on her mind was getting out of Cardinal Hill. Now, her hair told its own story—overgrown and neglected, frayed at the ends, and a little wild from all the days spent escaping a past she couldn’t quite outrun.

Her eyes flicked over the salon, noting how little had changed, how steady it all felt. How steady Mal felt, standing there like she always had. Addie tugged at a rough-edged strand of hair and forced a small laugh. “Turns out, I couldn’t find anyone outside of the Hill I trusted with these precious locks.” She shrugged like it was nothing; but there was an edge of truth there, one she didn’t plan on unpacking... At least not yet. "Got time for a walk-in?"

[cardinalmal]

Smiling gratefully, Mal nodded as she worked with the other to collect the fallen groceries, her hands and eyes darting this way and that. Glancing up, she realized she was just in time to see the tomato she'd purchased meet its squelchy end beneath the shoe of her savior. Without missing a beat Mallory began to laugh. At first, it began as a slight chuckle, though within moments it had turned to a full-blown fit that left her bracing her crouching form against the sidewalk, to stop herself from toppling over in the process. "Please, don't worry about it!" She said finally, gasping for air around her own words. "Honestly, it probably met a better end than it would have with me!" When the other offered to get her another bag she nodded gratefully, bringing the items she'd salvaged into a pile at her feet. "Thank you so much, sug. That would be fantastic." Pausing, she added with a smile, "Am I crazy, or is your name Devin?"

Devin was walking in for his weekly grocery shop and was the soul bystander to the woman's misfortune. "Oh, of course," Devin said but in his haste he would up stepping on a tomato that had also tumbled out of the bag that he hadn't seen. The squelch beneath his converse made him instantly feel guilty as he bent down to pick up the fallen orange. "I'm sorry, I think I was less help," he said as he picked up his foot revealing the smashed fruit. He offered her the orange. "Here," he began. "Let me run back into the store and get you a new bag," he offered not yet making any sudden action to move just yet in case she needed more help getting her bearings together before he went on to further help her. Now he felt indebted to her to a degree having destroyed some of her food. Had he not smashed it into pulp on the sidewalk she could've picked it up and washed it off and used it just fine.

[cardinalmal]

location: serene scissors for: closed for @shadowedxcat

Glancing up at the clock mounted on the wall, Mallory rolled her eyes exasperatedly before turning back to the spray bottle and cloth she'd sat down only a moment ago. Barely 10 AM, and already we've had two cancellations she thought to herself. The flow of business wasn't something Mal had ever really worried about, especially not in her hometown of Cardinal Hill. But, recently, it had seemed as though things had been off; not just in the salon, but in the town itself. Ignoring the feeling creeping its way up her spine, Mal continued her cleaning of the salon, one eye on the door at all times for any potential passing clients or walk-in possibilities.

Just as she began to consider taking a seat and pulling out her current read the bell above the door chimed, signaling someone's presence. Turning, Mal flashed her famous 'welcome' smile and stepped towards the front, not yet having caught sight of whomever had made their way in. "Good morning, sug! Welcome! What can I do ya for today?"

[cardinalmal]

location: hometown grocers for: closed for @wcirdo

"Thank you sug, have a great day!" Mallory commented to the cashier behind the counter, giving a final nod before adding, "And don't forget to give the salon a call this week- if I let you walk around too much longer with those roots of yours showing, I'll lose business!" Chuckling, she shook her head and began making her way out of the store. Just as she stepped out over the threshold, Mal felt a bit of give at the bottom of the paper grocery bag she was carrying. While she did her best to act quickly, she barely had the time to utter the word "shit" under her breath before the bottom of the back burst, sending her freshly bought bread and produce scattering along the sidewalk. "Oh for fuck's sake!" Mal exclaimed, pressing the heel of a hand to her forehead. Just as she bent to begin collecting her items, the appearance of a nearby figure drew her attention. "You know, I would make some comment about me and my clumsiness, but this time....I think I'll blame the bag." She said with a laugh and a shrug. "You wouldn't mind helping a girl out, would you?" She asked, gesturing to the orange that had rolled its way halfway down the walk.

[cardinalmal]

Mallory Wright Intro

Full Name: mallory cheyann wright Age: 50 Birthdate: february 5, 1941 Occupation: owner @ serene scissors Sexual Orientation: bisexual Romantic Orientation: biromantic Hometown: cardinal hill, wa Time in Cardinal Hill: lifelong Religion: spiritual Zodiac Sign: aquarius Relationship Status: single, divorced Hobbies: glamorizing, reading, watching reality tv, working in her garden Positive Traits (+): motherly, friendly, loyal, warm Negative Traits (-): blunt, sarcastic, temperamental, guarded Witch/Human: witch

Mallory Wright Bio (tw: abuse, domestic violence)

Mallory was born in Cardinal Hill, WA to parents Jeremiah and Hannah Wright. The Wrights were (and are) well-known throughout Cardinal Hill and, in some instances, across town lines as well. Jeremiah made a name for himself as an honest and charitable farmer, while his wife Hannah won the hearts of the town as a schoolteacher. It seemed that everyone loved the Wrights, and they loved everyone equally.

Growing up in such an environment, Mallory adopted many of the traits of her parents, and displayed a wise aura far beyond her years from childhood on. Her mother Hannah, a witch, taught her the ways of magic and charity, while her father taught her the importance of being good to your neighbor, and being an honest and charitable citizen. 

While Mal has always possessed an intelligence beyond her years, academics didn’t necessarily come easily to her. While she loved and loves to read, she never cared much for the structure of schooling, schedules, and grades. So, she did passably in school though no more. And, when the time came for Mallory to attend college, she chose a profession that spoke to her heart- cosmetology. Once she graduated, she worked her way through the ranks at the local beauty shop until finally, when she was 35, she was offered the opportunity to take over and buy the shop, which she gladly jumped at. 

At the age of 36 Mallory met the man whom she was to marry- a traveler stopping through town on his way to a larger destination, that wound up making Cardinal Hill his home. The pair appeared greatly connected and completely in love, though surfaces rarely tell the entire story. Behind closed doors the marriage turned sour quickly, and was filled with abuse- first verbal and emotional, then escalating to physical. For a while, Mal did her best to make things word, but her spitfire personality and untamable ways eventually got the better of her, and she saved herself from the situation. Her ex disappeared, and hasn’t been seen for 12 years. After 10 years Mal was able to file paperwork that allowed her to be divorced no contest. 

Mallory is well loved and known, and is often seen as a mother figure in town. She has provided food, shelter, safety, money, jobs, and even assisted in the education of many in town. She is known as a fierce and loyal protector by most. Her doors, both of her business and her home, are always open to anyone in need. While she will always have an open heart and a warm meal, she will also always have quite the mouth, and she always tells it like it is.