owenrockholt

[owenrockholt]

then you wondered where it went to as i reached for you but all i felt was shame.

[owenrockholt]

ALP D,

“The accent wasn’t lost on me, I just try and make a habit of not assuming,” he admitted. “Ireland…you’re a hellava long way from there. Never been there, but always wanted to visit. Do you ever yearn to go back?” He asked, wondering if he’d actually been living in Heartsdale in all the time that passed since his arrival. The way the other man referred to his father was not an unfamiliar sentiment. On that strength alone, Alp felt a certain kinship with the other male. His own father had abandoned them once they reached the states, although his mother had remarried quickly and moved on with her life. Thanks to the kindness of Nadia and her family, they managed but his thoughts of his own sperm donor were still tender to the touch.

“I certainly hope it ends up that way…a good love story I mean,” he replied with a contemplative sigh. “I made a really stupid mistake,” he started, pausing for a beat. “I hate hearing myself say this out loud but I actually date her sister years ago, didn’t tell her right away and she found out on her own. Things didn’t end well, as you can imagine,” he explained. “She left me, I followed her here and now…I’m just working on fixing what I broke.” He let out a sigh, feeling as if a weight had been lifted from his chest. He really hadn’t had an opportunity to talk about what had happened with someone who didn’t have any stakes in the matter. “I told you, long and sordid….”

.

     “Well that’s very good of you. You’re better than most people.” Including himself. Though, Owen would argue that he had an appreciation for things that stood out and differentiated. “Yeah, that’s kind of the point,” he agreed with a bob of his head at the mention of being a long way from home. “But it’s always in here, you know?” Pairing together, his index and middle finer tapped against his chest lightly just over his heart. “What I’ve learned in this wild and crazy life is that you can never run from who you were.” It went without saying that Owen was a bit of an open book. Technically he was something of a public figure and celebrity, not wildly popular, which he preferred, but pieces of his story were out there anyway. Judgement no longer bothered him. “I’ve played some gigs there but other than that, no, there’s too many memories  you know?” For whatever reason when he spoke of his home lands his brogue came on a little thicker. 

     “No offense,” Owen began after listening to Alp’s love woes, “but you’re in the shit man. That’s quite a damn mess.” It brought Owen to laugh some. Not at his new acquaintance’s predicament, at the fact of how twisted up it all was. “That’s going to be a tough one to fix, I don’t envy the position you’re in but I think it says a lot that you’re here. If the sisters are close then you might have to eat shit for a while.” Then a thought occurred to him. “Wait, the girl, your ex is from here? Who is she?” It wasn’t to be nosy. There was a chance he could give some assistance since he’d been living in this little Southern Living type of town since he was fourteen. “You didn’t really break anything though. Just weird how the odds lined up for you that you had a relationship with two sisters.” It started to dawn on Owen then. Sisters. Sisters returning recently. This man could only be talking about one family. “Okay, hold on, we’re not talking about the Adem’s, are we?” 

[owenrockholt]

SELIN T,

The brunette winked at him when he offered his gratitude for her compliment. She was sure he heard it all the time. Placing her hands on her hips, the brunette dipped her head and nodded. It had been a gift one year. “I did once. I tried to go more but work never coincided.” Most of her listen happened on a thread mill or during her break at the hospital. “But I’d make an effort to take some time off if I could get a ticket and maybe a VIP one to meet the artist.” She teased further, hoping he didn’t feel pressured because it wasn’t her intent to just have him give her one. 

Her arms wrapped around him, already feeling her body ache from the shift she’d just left. It had been longer than normal — or so it felt — due to the lack of rush in the emergency room. Even though she’d sat more than normal, she felt worse than when she used to run around everywhere. “Well I appreciate that but I’m sure my nursing bag is at least twenty pounds.” It held a big flask bottle and her laptop. Pulling her hair back to ensure it didn’t get blown in his face as they walked, she peered over him. “That’s kind of you and probably the best thank you I’ve gotten in a long time. I’ll take piggyback rides whenever you feel thankful.” There was a coffee shop across the street but she didn’t want to force him to wait for her order. “Hmmm. I was going to get a coffee but I can do that after.”

.

     That wink put a broad smile on Owen’s face, though her admittance was cause for his lips to twist a little. “Tickets and a VIP pass to meet the artist. Hmm.” There was a twinkle in his eyes, enjoying her tease and how easy and natural it felt to be in her company. She had to have been a wonderful nurse with her ability to disarm someone. “You’ve got some big demands but I think I might be able to swing that for you.” Hell, he’d give her a private one-on-one show if she wanted. Though, seeing a live concert performance was quite a bit different and an experience that shouldn’t be passed up. “There’s a couple of gigs coming up — what’s your availability? Unless you’d be interested in something more intimate...”

     As he lumbered along with her on his pack, nursing bag and all, Owen liked the weight of her and her presence. It was a sensory thing. Plus, it was just a bit fun to act something like a kid again and give a pretty girl a ride. “Geez what have you got in that thing?” Owen teased. “You carry around bricks for fun or something?” Either he was stronger than he was aware of or she might have been exaggerating a little. With her against him, every little movement she made could be felt and for a moment he was wondering what she was doing until he felt her hair sweep off the back of his neck. “I’ll have to give you my number then so you can let me know when you’re in need. My hours are pretty open if I’m not touring or doing promotional stuff.” Which, he was pretty at avoiding the latter. “But coffee, huh? Alright.” Making a turn, Owen crossed the street and headed to the coffee shop. “Let me guess, you’re a vanilla latte girl... or, wait... a white chocolate mocha drinker?”

[owenrockholt]

DEFNE S,

The ease of all of this worried her. Already she felt her slipping back into old habits. If the past were a learning lesson she’d know, after the ease came nothing but chaos. She debated the pros and cons of all of this in her head over and over again before coming here this morning. Effy decided this was the best way to see him again, instead of bumping into him randomly in their small little town. Control lacked in her life, so she clung to the small things she did have some say over. The way she melted at the sight of his blue eyes was not one of those things. The thing that hurt the most during her decision to finally move to New York to follow her dreams wasn’t that she was losing him as a boyfriend, but that in that she was losing her best friend. Before the long nights intertwined with each other, before the endless stream of tears, before it got more complicated than it already was, he was her friend.

Effy found his eyes at his question, nodding, ready to follow his lead. Dark hues traced back over to the woman who he previously spoke to, smiling politely despite the pair of daggers being shot her way. “I, I still have the little portable one we found at that garage sale.” The brunette couldn’t remember the last time she listened to it. She knew it was packed away in one of her boxes sitting in her big new rental home. Effy couldn’t stand the idea of getting rid of it. “To be honest I don’t know if it still works.” Her chin tucked bashfully as her admission seemed to give away more than she desired.

“You.. you seem good, Rocky.” Her voice quite, only for him to hear. She noticed the lack of dark circles under his eyes. She noticed a difference in his general demeanor. Over the years, she became in tune with his tells and signs of behavior that would ultimately end in an argument or her feelings being hurt. Effy learned how to pick her battles with him. Though even now, she reminded herself not to get her hopes up. “Steady..” She added.

.

     It weighed on him. The past. How out of control he let himself get time and time again, and how he drug Effy along with him through all the ups and downs. Truthfully, Owen wasn’t sure he would’ve survived that dark path without her. She was always the light at the end of the tunnel. With clarity now came the harshness of wading through the wake of his wreckage. Owen had many demons to face down, to let rage until they burned out — until he hit that rock bottom and he no longer had anyone there to pull him out. Unfortunately the past drug and alcohol abuse made his memory spotty. Well, that was a gentle way of putting it. There were big gaping holes in the past. One thing he’d always known for certain though was how much better Defne deserved.

     Pleasantly surprised, his brow lifted and a small smile barely curved his lips. “That old cheap thing?” In a way he wasn’t surprised. Even though it barely worked back when they’d snagged it at that garage sale, there was a strong sentimental value attached to it. He would’ve kept it. What he would’ve understood and maybe expected was that Effy had smashed it to pieces with a baseball bat. While his memory may not have a complete recollection, the scenes of the past that he did have painted quite the picture. “Bring it by sometime and I’ll take a look at it. I can fix it up if it’s not working.” And get her a new one if it isn’t salvageable. Maybe she didn’t listen to records anymore, Owen could always hope or coax her back into it. Again, he wondered if she’d heard his music.

     “Oh, uh, yeah,” his head bobbed gently, “thanks.” She looked like a dream come true. It didn’t feel right to say it out loud though. Various messages had been put in his songs, the majority that were about her and them and their sordid past. “I’ve been clean and sober for over a year now,” Owen admitted rather proudly. As much as that loss still haunted him, he didn’t want to end up like his mother. “That might have something to do with it.” A simper appeared and his ocean gaze moved over her face. “You look great, Effy. Really.” Without hesitation or warning Owen wrapped an arm around her waisted and pulled her in for an embrace. It was good to see her. Smell her. When he pulled back he swallowed thickly. “So, are you back for good or is this a visit?”

[owenrockholt]

ALP D,

“You absolutely made your case,” he said, his glance leveled at the waitress as she made her way to the kitchen. He really felt the matter had probably gotten unnecessarily out of hand. His emotions were likely tied to the shit show his life had become in recent weeks and not so much to the woman’s innocent ignorance.

“You as well,” Alp said as he reached for the man’s hand, matching the gesture with a firm grip. “So, are you from here or did you come from elsewhere?” If the latter, Alp was curious about what made the man stay. Although, he wasn’t adverse to the pleasantries a small town like Heartsdale had to offer, in general. As someone with a passive interest in American History, he had always been intrigued by the dichotomy between the so called charm of the south and violent,  uncivilized truths of its’ past. Not that he was judging, he was from a country who’s past was the quintessence of brutality. 

“Yea, I guess you could say I’m out of my element.” Alp had to laugh at the man’s quip. “That, my friend, is a long story. But generally, I followed my heart here, as sappy as that might sound. Also have a few business interests here.”

.

     “I think this might be the first time my accent didn’t give me away immediately.” A chuckle bubbled up Owen’s throat, taking a moment to sip the fresh coffee he’d been given. Although he hadn’t set foot on his homeland since he was forced out at age fourteen, it seemed that despite it’s fading the brogue would never leave him completely. “I’m from Ireland originally,” he answered, “moved here when I was barely a teenager. My, uhh, sperm donor took a job here wanting to leave as many memories as he could behind of my mother after she passed.” The musician’s shoulders shrugged, it was a bit of information to give but Owen had never been shy of sharing his life. His heart and soul was in the music he played for whomever listened. 

     “Following your heart has to be the best and only reason to do anything, really.” Now, more curious about the man he’d just met, Owen found himself inquisitive. Though, not about the business ventures that he had tacked on. “I’ve got time for a long story though, if you want to share or...” The pause wasn’t for effect, Owen had just realized that his chase of love to this town meant it might have been someone that resided in Heartsdale or was from this small town. “I might know them and can give a hand in some way. I’m a sucker for a good romance story.” Owen winked, hoping to encourage Alp.

[owenrockholt]

SELIN T,

It still felt like a bit of a breach of privacy but she was relieved that he hadn’t held her curiosity against her. “They’re beautiful.” She added on, not wanting to fully admit just how far she’d read along. A little insight into his mind and the process of stringing together thoughts to make something far better than she ever could. “I have all your songs on my Spotify.” It just came out and despite knowing she should have been embarrassed, she decided that she couldn’t be the only fan he had. 

He turned his back and for a second, she remained slightly confused. She couldn’t remember the last time someone had offered a piggy back ride. “I can’t remember when the last time I had someone give me one of these.” She laughed and jumped on, wrapping her limbs around him. “It’s not that far. I’ll save your poor back.” She teased, pointing out her finger towards a nearby parking lot.

.

     “Thank you,” Owen replied, dipping his head slightly, always humbled by compliments to his art. Well, his music was his heart and soul. Being a singer-songwriter he was more the type of musician that used his music as a journal, it was a place and an outlet to express what he often had trouble putting into conversation. “Have you been to a show?” At her confession his brow lifted in interest. Appreciative of every listen, Owen was a performer and his music, in his belief, was meant to be heard live and intimately. It was why he still did random street performances often. “If not I’ll either have to get you in or give you one.”

     Spontaneity and living by the moment had always been his way of life, whether he wanted it or not. So it may have been funny and awkward to offer a piggyback ride, but Owen simply saw it as fun. “Ah, you’re fine, my old man back can handle you for at least a few blocks. You’re light as a feather.” He’d hooked his arms under her knees to hold onto her when she jumped on and chuckled as he headed in the direction she pointed. “This is the least I could for someone that does all the hard work you do daily. If you need to make any stops along the way let me know.”

[owenrockholt]

💬 OWEN → MATT.

MATT: i didn't think anyone really raised you. but kudos to your mother for a job well done

MATT: always for you, my man

MATT: i'm pretty sure your pops isn't hanging around the rattlesnake lol i doubt his company would be all that welcome there. so, my educated guess is the nickleback

MATT: swing by when you've got the time then!

OWEN: you're right, been wild since before my teens. my mother would appreciate that though.

OWEN: apparently you still don't know my father all that well and his love for making people uncomfortable...

OWEN: alright, probably tomorrow then.

[owenrockholt]

MARGARET H,

“idle small town gossip?” she replied with an awkward smile, her cheeks surely still a hint of red from the embarrassment of even having to ask him to sit down with her. a part of her knew that she could have walked out, she had even thought about it, but the eyes of the older women sitting near her drilled into her back keeping her glued to the spot that she was in and grabbing the first person that had even come close to her table. “thankfully,” she laughed a bit, “i don’t need you to fight anyone off. well, unless the guy actually decides to show up uh-” she paused, checking the watching that circled her wrist, “forty-five minutes late.” this caused her cheeks to burn once more, the embarrassment of being stood up for the first time in her life flushing her skin, “but for now, just taking his place is good enough for me.”

the whole event was making her feel unlike herself, very unconfident, so it was nice to move on from the focus of her embarrassment to the menu in front of her, “i usually stop in for a quick bite to eat or a client meeting, but everything is good. if i’m being completely honest, i’m just a fan of the staff and the environment. i’d probably go for the first thing that catches your eye. or if you’re feeling adventurous, just close your eyes and pick something.””

.

     “I wouldn’t worry about that,” said the Irishman, accent still fake despite the fact that Owen hadn’t set foot on the Emerald Isle since being forced to leave at age fourteen. “People talk about me or have said things for as long as I can remember. Just gotta keep in mind that it’s none of your business, you know?” With his shoulders shrugging, he took a casual glance around and couldn’t spot anyone that seemed to be judging Maggie. “Aren’t there worst things to be judged for than eating alone anyway?” Amusement colored his expression and he flashed a charmed smile at the blonde across the table. Really, he was just doing his best to make light of the embarrassment he could sense she felt. At her request, his head nodded. “It’s his loss and I’m happy to let the guy know should he actually be brave enough to show his face this late.” With another smile, Owen tacked on, “my gain.”

     Just close your eyes and pick something. “Well that sounds like some fun. And you just gave me an idea, you game for a little fun?” The blonde had a boldness about her so he was sure that Maggie would be all for it. “Why don’t we order for each other? And if you hate what I get for you then I’ll pay for dinner. Sound like a small adventure?” Before she thought she was getting off too easy, Owen tossed in one more piece of information. “Drinks too.”

[owenrockholt]

DEFNE S,

Her eyes fluttered shut briefly as his lips pressed into her cheek. Effy ignored the urge to let it all fade away, every memory, every heart break. This is what he always did to her, made her want to give him another chance, without even doing anything. Her polite smile turned more real, though her eyes held all of the worry. Maybe it hurt a little bit that he decided to become the man she always knew he could be after she’d gone.

“Well, its new, but for the foreseeable future.” Since running away to New York, she’d been back for holidays and big event’s of her sisters. All those times before she was careful as to not run into him, merely because it felt easier. Now she was home for good, or at least a while. Hopes to avoid him felt useless with a town as small as Heartsdale. She didn’t want to mention her mother or why she was here. It felt complicated.  “Should I have called first before just popping in?” Her eyes shifted to the ground as her nerves crawled up her throat. She wondered if she even still had his number saved.

“I just.. I’ve heard about this.” Her hand gestured around the shop. Effy avoided his music, which was hard considering his success. She knew it would crumble her all over again to listen to any of it. “I wanted to come see it.” Effy spoke truthfully. “It’s.. it’s all very you.” She explained.

.

     For the foreseeable future. Owen chewed on that for a few moments while not letting himself get too carried away with her close proximity. In many ways Effy had just been another drug to him, one that he battled with and chased time and time again. There was a tingling in his fingertips at her presence, and Owen couldn’t decide if that were a good or bad thing. Years ago he had determined he needed to let her go once and for all, even if the majority of his songs were about her now, Defne had deserved to be set free of him. Of course, it was hell seeing how well your ex was doing without you. Especially since Owen knew that she still took up far too much space within his ribcage. 

     “Nah, love, you’re always welcome around,” came his genuine reply. Still, his Irish accent was present, albeit much lighter with the wear of southern years on him. “Just surprised me is all.” Mostly because Owen hadn’t thought she’d willingly seek him out after all this time and with their tumultuous relationship years in the past now. With that though, blue eyes scanned discreetly for a ring — a sign of a husband or one to come soon. He had so many questions reaching the tip of his tongue, ready to launch her way, only for them to die on his tongue. The last thing he wanted was to bombard or overwhelm her.

     “I’d hope so.” Panning the space as Effy gestured, Owen found himself hoping that she’d like the store. This place was where the world offered him the most peace. “Do you wanna take a look around?” Again, more questions rushed to his lips and Owen had to swallow them down once more. He wondered if she’d heard any of his own music and if she had what did she think of it. Did she know that she lived in the lyrics? “Wait, do you have a record player?”

[owenrockholt]

CHRIS EVANS AS MIKE WEISS PUNCTURE (2011) DIR. ADAM KASSEN, MARK KASSEN

[owenrockholt]

MARGARET H,

@heartsdalestarters​

location: juniper cafe who: open! (assume connections or hmu to plot!)

maggie wasn’t often someone that went on dates. throughout college it had been fun, but as an adult she had found it tiresome to try to force connections when they weren’t there. but lately she had been quite lonely. sure, there was hudson, but that was different and unlikely to go anywhere else. so, giving a man the benefit of the doubt, she found herself sitting in the juniper cafe that afternoon waiting on someone that had yet to show. at first she thought he was just running later, but now it was clear that she was being stood up. 

it was beginning to irritate her, finding herself red and embarrassed, she waved down the person nearest to her table, “hey, hey,” she said a little louder than a whisper. she hoped that she could use someone to save her from having to walk out of here feeling more embarrassed than she already was. “sit with me.” she almost grabbed them by the arm, “you would really be saving me right now.”

.

     “What am I saving you from?” Owen inquired as he took a seat at Maggie’s table. Blue eyes traveled around, looking for someone or something obvious — thinking this was either to escape someone’s attention or company. He loved spontaneous moments, and though he had a reputation as a loner, Owen was among those that would consider dining with company better than doing so alone. Juniper wasn’t one of his regular pit stops for grub, the idea for something different and fresh had struck him though and it might have had to do with the fact that he was passing the establishment when that internal debate had taken place. “I’m not exactly in shape to fight any unwanted suitors off, but for you, I’ll give it a shot if I have to.”

     A humble smile curved the Irishman’s lips and Owen’s fingers swiftly stole the menu that was unattended before Maggie. “What’s good here? I can’t remember the last time I had a bite here.” It had likely been years. Owen was a creature of habit, and bad ones at that. “My usual dining spots are Sully’s and Bubba’s.” Not that either were bad fare. This just seemed a little more crafted fare.

[owenrockholt]

DEFNE S,

who : @owenrockholt​

where: Record Revival

Some would call it morbid curiosity driving the brunette to the little shop at the corner of town. She knew better than to seek him out. She knew better than to put herself in a place where it was almost guaranteed to run into him. Still Effy convinced herself that there was no possible way he’d be there. Owners of stores weren’t always at the location. It was a Sunday morning. he probably was busy. She roamed the aisles, flipping through the cases of records. For a minute or two she was completely wrapped up in pride. This was Owen’s. This place where people seemed so content. This was his. Effy heard his voice before anything else. It stopped her in her tracks unsure of what to do. Her palms began to sweat as her doe eyes peaked over her shoulder to see him talking to a woman by the counter. Owen Rockholt. How did she end up back her after eveything? Back in Heartsdale. Her eyes caught his. She lifted a hand to wave, pressing her lips into a polite smile.

.

     The record store was more than an escape for Owen, it was an oasis, a sanctuary. Music was his cure for everything and nothing felt quite as nurturing than being among the legendary lyrics and chords. Maybe that had so much to do with Fay, the mother he’d lost way too early in life — she had been the one to introduce him to the sounds that would move him the rest of his life. He’d sit there and watch her dance or sing along to a tune after she crossed the room and dropped the needle onto a spinning disc. In youth, music was his memory of her and while that hadn’t quite changed, in adulthood it had also become something else. Therapeutic. 

     Owen could spend hours upon hours discussing his passion with anyone that cared to engage him, often times trapping customers when they’d just approached with a simple question of locating something specific. Today, the moment his blue gaze had caught the vision of his ex-girlfriend and woman he’d made a mess of, Owen was engaged in one of those conversations. Only this time it was a fan of his own music and she had seemed happy to carry on with him as long as his loose lips spilled. He hadn’t known Effy had returned to town, and the sight of her had caught him off-guard. Warmly, the Irishman parted from his conversation and made his way over to the woman he owed so much to.

     “It’s good to see you, hello,” Owen greeted, hand going to her hip as he leaned in and pressed a chaste kiss to the apple of her cheek. When he pulled back, letting his hand drop to his side, he felt achy. Their relationship had been so rocky and it had been so long since he’d been in communication with her. He’d missed her fiercely, wrote about her constantly, yet had found it impossible to reach out. Not for the fact that he had nothing to say, but because there was so much to say Owen hadn’t known where to start. “I didn’t know you were in town.”

[owenrockholt]

SELIN T,

Selin couldn’t say she hadn’t read the beautiful lines scribbled across the paper she’d managed to snag before they were blown by the wind. Her footsteps had faltered a little which was why she had taken a bit more time to catch up with him. Well, the fact that his steps were twice as large as her own and that she’d pulled a twelve hour shift hadn’t helped much either. 

“No need to thank me. I’m sure you would have done the same for me.” Or anyone. He looked like a genuinely kind man and from his lyrics, she assumed the same. 

“I… Well, I got a little distracted reading but the book fell open and I didn’t mean to pry on anything too intimate.” Her cheeks were bright red now once she realized that she’d thrown her foot directly in her mouth by openly admitting to going through his book. “It’s beautiful, by the way. But I also can’t feel my feet since I just finished a long shift so it wasn’t so much that you dropped it a ways back but that I’m… slow.”

.

     A soft smile washed over Owen’s face as his blue eyes took in the sight of her skin roseying in accompaniment of her confession. “Thank you,” he replied somewhat quietly, dipping his head in humility. “It’s really just a bunch of drabble that I need to get out of my head or my mind won’t allow me to sleep sometimes.” Music, poetry, his memories all filtered through his head. It was either a compulsion or artistry, perhaps both. Though, it could’ve been his inability to let the pain go. “It’s intimate but considering I release plenty of that to the masses... or whomever wants to listen, it’s not a bad thing. Don’t worry.”

     After taking a moment, looking both ways along the path of the sidewalk, Owen made a decision and turned his back to her. “Hop on, let’s give those exhausted, numb feet a break.” He held his hands out, ready to give the woman a piggyback ride as he was never the type to really know a stranger nor would he say no to an adventure. “Just let me know where you need to head. Don’t wanna take you even further from your destination.”

[owenrockholt]

ALP D,

Realizing the extent he was holding up the line Alp was starting to still feel a bit self conscious about his rant. Yes, he was right in principle but did he really need to have a melt down each and every time he was tested? Probably, yes, but he did let the shade of the pointing thing slide altogether. Literally anyone could have an off day, including him, evidently.

He turned to face the other male. “I appreciate it man, truly…I’m not gonna be upset if you want to grab some coffee though. I feel like that’s the least I could do,” he countered as he moved to the side, creating enough space for the guy to step up if he wanted. Alp was surprised when the woman’s expression softened at the strangers invitation and she ended up pouring them each a cup of coffee on the house before walking off with his plate.

“That turnaround was astounding… you gotta teach me your ways man. That was so smooth,” he joked a bit as he reached for one of the cups of fuel and took a sip of what he would define as the essence of mediocre coffee. “I was literally just thinking the same thing. Probably should just stick with the coffee next time,” he said, tired of the sound of his own voice, this town and annoyed in general. “Anyway, enough ranting already. Name’s Alp,” he said and tipped his cup toward the fellow. 

.

     “A little bit of charm goes a long way, I guess,” Owen dismissed, humbly. It likely had to do with his minor celebrity status and the fact that he was well known around Heartsdale for his music. Graciously, the Irishman accepted the offered coffee and took a glance in the direction the male’s plate had been taken. He watched for a moment as the waitress seemed to be having a chat with the cook and then directed his attention back as the other was introducing himself. “Alp, nice to meet you,” he said, offering his free hand, “I’m Owen.” Once that was out of the way, he sipped the coffee and help their spot at the front of the line. This man shouldn’t have to step aside until he was taken care of the way he should have been from the start. Given he’d been born and partially raised on the Emerald Isle, Owen had spent so many years in the South that he had become accustomed to it’s legendary hospitality. So, he was surprised by this entire situation.

     “What brings you here, Alp?” With Heartsdale being small, him being a business owner, and his usual movement around town it was safe for him to assume who was local and who was new. “Not to make you feel even more like a fish out of water but...” A small chuckle bubbled up. “You’re a fish out of water.”

[owenrockholt]

💬 OWEN → MATT.

MATT: nope, the space is yours. appreciate you being so formal lol

MATT: he rarely comes by the tavern anymore so i think you're safe here from that

MATT: are you saying you want to go hang at the lake?

OWEN: i was raised with manners. what can i say?

OWEN: thanks, btw. appreciate the space.

OWEN: really? must mean the rattlesnake or nickleback has become is favorite watering hole. i'll have to find out which.

OWEN: always.

[owenrockholt]

📱 TEXT ; — Owen

ALARA: I have a weird question to ask...

ALARA: Is Matt with you?

OWEN: I'm not opposed to weird questions but I've gotta ask... why this one?

OWEN: He's here at the patch. We've hung out here and there but he's not next to me right now.

[owenrockholt]

CYNTHIA L,

“Pretty sure I heard it’s a year’s supply of pickles—” Thia commented, eyes on the row of untouched pumpkins as she nonchalantly adjusted the gilded crown of snakes atop her head. “Or was it a twenty-pound block of cheese?” If Owen knew her half as well as she thought he did, which was likely, he’d quickly realize the answer was neither.

The transparent absurdity of her guesses didn’t keep Thia from forging on, though. Costume righted, she turned to him and flashed a cheeky grin. “I don’t know why you’d want to subject yourself to disappointment, anyway. We both know I’m going to win.” Not because she had any particular skill with a carving knife, but because she’d already downed three cups of spiked cider and still needed a distraction to forget Alex was there. 

Hands firmly braced at her hips, she gave Owen the good ol’ once over from head to toe. “I might be convinced to let you join my team, though.”

.

     The familiar sound of a tease and a particular brand of sarcasm put a small smile on the musician’s lips. “Well, either way that could save me about twenty to twenty-five dollars a year.” Shoulders rose and fell nonchalantly, as though this were a good deal to befall him should he somehow win without possessing any real talent at carving. “Seems worth it, don’t you think, Medusa?” Owen’s lips twitched a little higher at the corner of his mouth. “Being friends with Lucía is having a bad influence on you,” he jested, and also made sure he didn’t look directly at Cynthia.

     “Do you mind if I put some sunglasses on you?” The Irishman joked once more. “As a man, I’m worried about you looking at me.” Ocean eyes panned their surroundings, looking for Thia’s people — Lucía, Alex... Not that they weren’t friends or that he’d want to rid himself of her company, it was more that he was surprised at the offer of teaming up. The way Owen figured it, Thia wouldn’t be a lonely one. Not like he was.

     “Your team —” A light scoff sounded in the back of his throat and soon he chuckled. “Are you a whittler in your spare time? A secret talent you’re about to unleash on us? Has your bestie been teaching you things?”