elliott-gilbert

[elliott-gilbert]

That's worse than legwarmers and neon scrunchies being 'vintage' in thrift stores, I'm personally offended. They're not even the same genre, that's like imagining someday when Doja Cat is sharing air time with Queen, it makes my head hurt. But you have earned the right to be absolutely insufferable for at least TWO weeks, as far as I'm concerned.

Right?! I should’ve demanded an extra $50 just for emotional damage. I mean, I get that time marches on or whatever, but classic rock?! I lived through that song being rebellious and angsty and new. Now it’s playing in grocery stores next to Elton John like we’re all just supposed to accept that. Also, thank you for acknowledging the one-note triumph. I will be insufferable about it for at least a week.

[elliott-gilbert]

What in the world for? You've got a gift for lyricism, and I'm willing to bet your friends and peers are more than happy to support that in one of their own. Good ear -- it was one of mine I started scribbling on last fall, and the first time I've played it in public, actually. And thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it!

Wow, thanks, man. I'm still surprised that people like it. By the way, were my ears deceiving me, or was the song you did an original as well? Or maybe it was a song I just never heard before. Anyway, I really enjoyed listening to your song.

[elliott-gilbert]

No kidding, that was an original? I'm impressed, both with the song and with your willingness to share it with us -- good for you, man!

I'm like nervously excited for today, or rather tonight. You want to know why? Yes? Awesome, I'll tell you in a sec. No? Too bad, I'm gonna tell you anyway 😁😜... I'll be doing a Sam Evans original tonight at Coda's Open Mic. I've never written a song before, but inspiration just hit me with this one, so I wrote it down. After tonight, I'm totally going to stick to my day job and sell comics and work on the next graphic novel again, but this was kind of fun, so I had to share it.

[elliott-gilbert]

Blasphemy. To the stocks with them. I hope having you school them and earn that $100 fair and square (and one note is no mean feat!) at least stung a bit, for that little moment of sacrilege.

The things that happen to me in Philly, I swear. I was walking down South Street while shopping. Some teenager (okay he could have been early 20s but still) stopped me, asked me if I was okay being recorded (to which I reluctantly said sure), and then told me they'd give me $100 if I could name the song they'd chosen from just one note. I am now $100 richer and apparently "Smells Like Teen Spirit" is fucking 'classic rock' now. I'm just gonna go cry in the corner now.

[elliott-gilbert]

Add on the ongoing renovations and it's almost impossible, yeah. That should be wrapping up in the next couple of weeks though, so I won't have any more excuses, ha. And there's never a time limit on moral support take-out, just throwing that out there.

Hey, in your case, it's pretty reasonable though. It can't be easy to find time to fully settle down when you're frequently moving back and forth between NYC and here for your music, right? Thankfully, I think we're past the point where I'd need moral support take-out, but I can't lie, now I'm almost wishing we weren't so I could take you up on that.

[elliott-gilbert]

TELL me about it, I feel your pain. I bought my place months ago and still haven't entirely settled into it, but that's mostly my own fault for being so sidetracked with other things. Here's hoping I can finally focus on wrapping everything up now that I'm sticking close to town for a bit though. And if you need moral support take-out delivered to your door in solidarity, I'm totally good for it.

I have recently been reminded of what a pain moving into a new space is. Especially when you're going from an apartment to a studio. I'm excited, don't get me wrong, and I know it's not like hating to move isn't a universal thing among everyone, but I've lived in the same space for so long, I quite literally completely forgot how painful the whole process is. Luckily, I'd say we're over halfway done now, but I will still take any and all good luck for the bit we have left, thank you very much.

[elliott-gilbert]

"Blending in isn't something I have a whole lot of practice at, but it's been growing on me, I have to admit," Elliott laughed. "So far no major home disasters, at least not that I know of. I've had a bit of a major renovation going on outside of the main house, but a friend of mine has been keeping a bit of an eye on things and everything was blessedly still upright and in one piece when I got back into town late last night."

Zac returned the handshake with a nod. “Zac. Nice to meet you. Well, welcome back.” He shifted his weight slightly, glancing toward the stage again. “Founders Day’s not a bad time to resurface. Plenty going on, easy to blend in.” There was a small pause. “House still standing after all that time away?” he asked, the faintest trace of a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth at the question.

[elliott-gilbert]

Elliott: Less Met Gala Zendaya, more Effie Trinket, I can do that.

Elliott: NEVER too much, this is me you're talking to, 😘 You just tell me when and where and I will prep the glitter and sequins.

Stacey: Teheheheh I'm glad Stacey: You know what. Screw everyone else. Lets go all out. Like not met gala all out but... could be in the capital of the hunger games all out Stacey: Or is that TOO much?

[elliott-gilbert]

Elliott: Stacey my darling, 'extravagant' and 'dress up' are the magic words as far as I'm concerned. ✨

Elliott: The only question is: how much is TOO much? 🤔 Because I can absolutely go all out if given no limitations...

Stacey: YESSS Stacey: I'll plan an extravagant night for us we'll dress up and EVERYTHING Stacey: Maybe not super fancy, but dress up for suuure

[elliott-gilbert]

"New Yorknanigans. Yeah -- that pretty much sums it up," Elliott said with a faint snort of amusement. "This right here? This is the most I've gotten out and around other people in weeks, at least outside of the studio. And not a single person here cares about my brand or play counts or metrics, I feel like I can finally breathe again." He grinned at his own nickname -- leave it to Matt to find a way to call him 'Starchild' without actually calling them 'Starchild' -- and pivoted at the waist to look around at the rest of the festivities. "Aside from soaking in whatever local talent I can as long as I can? Undecided. I should probably see what I need for the house, but I'm not in any rush to fill up those four walls right this second. What do you recommend, then?"

"Hey now, I wasn't sure! Figured you would've gotten wrapped up in some sort of New Yorknanigans or something. Glad you managed to make it out. I'm not tied up with working too much this year. Did my stint with the truck tours and burgers. Now I get to roam around, see the sights, smell the smells, and listen to the tunes." He did a little fun shimmy to the song. Matt laughed at the nickname. "This hips don't lie," he winked. "What are you in the mood for SC? Food? Games? Something decorative for the farmhouse? There's a little of everything here."

[elliott-gilbert]

Elliott grinned back and gave the other man a cheeky little wink. "Of all the things I could be putting into my body, I feel like this is the least of my healthcare team's concerns, they'd probably be thrilled," he said dryly. He laughed and held out one hand in greeting. "You're not that bad, I promise -- I've been pretty much a ghost in town the last couple of months, I basically bought a house and then immediately fucked off back to New York for work stuff. I should be around a bit more reliably now, though -- I'm Elliott."

One of the local musicians had set up near The Time Capsule, and while it wasn’t exactly Ryan’s usual genre, he appreciated seeing people doing something they clearly loved. The vibe was solid, and honestly? It was nice to just stand there and soak it all in for a bit. He’d been lingering nearby, half-watching the set while people wandered between booths, when he caught a guy talking to himself, clearly enjoying the music way more than the average passerby. Ryan couldn’t help the short laugh that slipped out. “Injecting it straight into your veins, huh?” he echoed, raising a brow with a dry smile. “Bold move. Hope your insurance covers whatever that is.” He tilted his head, giving the guy a quick once-over—maybe familiar, maybe just one of those faces you see around town without ever actually meeting. “You in town for the weekend, or am I just really bad at knowing my neighbors?”

[elliott-gilbert]

Elliott tilted his head to one side, his expression alight with amusement as he took in Matt's antics. If nothing else, the man was unapologetically himself at all times, and that was something he could appreciate. "I got in late last night -- what, did you think I was going to miss my first real Founders Day? I've been hearing all about this since I made the move, but I missed it by a couple of months last year." He returned the hip check with one of his own, grinning back. "You gonna give me a list of which booths to check out first, Shakira?"

Matt bopped and grooved to the tunes, uncaring what people's thoughts are about his dancing to, well, whatever the hell this is. It's got a good beat and that's all that matters to him. As he cha-chaed to the tent, his green eyes landed on Elliott. "Well, well, well," he grinned from ear to ear. "Are you a sight for sore eyes. Didn't think you'd make it out this weekend. I know your schedule's been packed as of late." He did a playful hip bump and perused some records in front of him, neatly tucked inside a milk crate. "Did you just get in?" Matt asked, unable to keep the smile off his face. It's always a grand time whenever Elliott's around.

[elliott-gilbert]

The significance of being back in town after almost two months commuting to New York for work on Founders Day weekend of all days wasn't lost on Elliott -- removing himself from the trappings of his career had given him a renewed focus and clear head, as evidenced by the songs he'd been so busy recording for the past few weeks, but he'd missed immersing himself in the place that had made it possible. Despite how proud he was of the work he'd been producing lately, it was a relief to be back home for good, days and weeks finally stretching out before him without the rigid recording studio schedule. He'd still have to work through clean up and post-production, but the bulk of the recording was finally done, and his home studio would be ready by the time the marketing machine kicked in. For now, Elliott found himself loitering by the music tent, one foot tapping along with this year's batch of local musicians.

"SO fucking glad I didn't have to miss this," he mused aloud, grinning to himself. "Just let me inject this directly into my veins, this is the good shit," Elliott laughed quietly.

[elliott-gilbert]

elliott: You don’t even have to twist my arm all that hard, 😉 elliott: I’ll be back in time for the long weekend and hopefully staying put for a bit, you just say the word and we’ll make it happen!

text message || stacey x elliott

stacey: you. me. karaoke soon? stacey: i mean mainly i just wanna see you sing but i think it would be fun!!!

[elliott-gilbert]

...I've been back and forth so much these last couple of months that I legitimately forgot I'd installed the thing. Now I HAVE to go back and check the video, 😂

I propose every other Saturday, starting next week? I should be clear of the constant commuting by Memorial Day, and the studio reno should be done before July 4th, but my weekends are still entirely my own, and now all yours, whenever you want them, sunshine, 😉

Absolutely! If folks are looking for the ordinary, they've got Amazon for that! But I thrive on adding a special twist to my gift deliveries! Did your Ring camera catch it?

Let me know when, gorgeous! A spa day that includes brunch? Pretty please! It would be a crime if we don't make that happen!

[elliott-gilbert]

Any other delivery method is boring, obviously.

We're going to have to get a regularly scheduled Elliott-and-Felicity spa treatment on the books, I think -- if only to make sure I can put it on my calendar and beat back anyone who tries to double-book me without my consent.

Too bad you didn't put money down, because you're absolutely right, gorgeous! It totally wore bunny ears. How else does one deliver baskets?

This weekend works for me! I'm crossing my fingers and toes that yours is free, too! We are so overdue on some Elliott and Felicity time.