#gifting to: chetan gupta

[mcndyhcrtmcn]

@owenryder @kennedyxwarren @chetang @mxharleyhua @cvssidyainswvrth @jcksonfields @elliot-newman @xcorikhang @treywright @emelineviolette

Merry Christmas!!

Enjoy a pack of flavorful coffee (and tea) a tumbler and some stickers! The best part is it helps save the manatees! Tossed in some coloring pages as well and a pack of colored pencils. Enjoy!!

xo Mandy

[merrock]

event: Creek Fest

location: Hideaway Market

date & time: September 21-28; 10AM - 10PM

ooc duration: same times!

It's that time of year again -- Creek Fest! The tents and booths are all set up, the tractors full of hay and ready to cart you around, and we here in Merrock and at Hideaway Market are ready to welcome in fall the best way that we know how! Big to note: both the Merrock Community College and Merrock School District have decided to close on Thursday (September 26th) and Friday (September 27th) to give families more time to enjoy the event.

All of Hideaway Market is open for the week, with many of the shops and businesses offering specials and sales if you stop in. Some even have refreshments or gifts for the kids! All around the market place, you will find food and drink tents and booths and tents full of local goodies brought out by our own Merrockites. Plenty to eat and drink, and lots of shopping to be done!

For the kids, we recommend checking out the corn pit, participating in the scavenger hunt, getting their faces painted (adults are welcome, too!), jumping in on a game of corn hole, or taking a walk over to The Meadows, where a number of 'sports stations' have been set up for kids and adults alike who want to play.

For the adults (or kids looking to do something more mature), we have plenty of things for you to get involved in. You can paint or carve your own pumpkins, stuff your own scarecrows, make wreaths and flower arrangements, decorate fall themed t-shirts or paint your own ceramics! Lavender Lane has also opened their seasonal operation, where they will be selling mums, pumpkins and various other fall flowers and plants.

The tractor will be available to take people to Harmony Ranch where you can jump into the corn maze or sunflower maze, buy your dairy products and fresh produce, or visit the petting zoo and pony rides! You can also take a tractor to Sunrise Orchard to pick all of the apples that your heart can ever want.

And of course, the name sake of Creek Fest -- Black Creek's walking trails have been freshened up and marked, so you can take a hike with your honey to see the falls, or maybe get your photos taken by one of our local photographers at one of the more scenic spots. We are also selling t-shirts, mugs, bags and more 'souvenir style' gifts at the Historical Society booth, with proceeds going towards the conservation and upkeep of our beautiful creek. If you need help while wandering the grounds, stop by the Community Center tent.

UNDER THE CUT you will find all of the local Merrockites participating in Creek Fest, whether they are selling goods, or showing off a talent, as well as a list of performances through the week. Enjoy! xx

BOOTHS / BUSINESSES / DISPLAYS:

Art Sale (Ryder Anderson)

Bardales Inc.

BeadsByJay

Creekside Carpentry & Construction

Harmony Healers

Ojīchan no sushi reshipi

Taste

Newman Family Farm

Universal Rocks

Cyanotopes (Greyson McVey)

Bonne Merde

PERFORMANCES:

Saturday, September 21: country bluegrass band.

Sunday, September 22: Stelly Carter.

Monday, September 23: Chetan Gupta.

Tuesday, September 24: Jamie & Sylvia.

Wednesday, September 25: Unknown Destination.

Thursday, September 26: Cordelia Browning.

Friday, September 27: Monique O'Connor.

Saturday, September 28: local cover band.

ADMIN NOTE: if you would like your business to be represented, or your character to be involved, all that you have to do is post something to show what they're offering. This does not need to be a big, elaborate post! It can be something as simple as an eye-catching photo of a leaf with a description of what you're doing. I will reblog your post + add it to the list here. I have also left open two spots on the performances that can be filled if you are interested, but you must send an ask to claim them. Again, however you represent your performance is up to you! Thanks, guys! xx

[mcndyhcrtmcn]

Merry Christmas!

xo Mandy

@owenryder, @libbystcwart, @chetang, @xsylcuenco, @rafaelcb

Ryder

To a dear artist that I hope knows they bring color into my life! I've got an apron for you, and what is art without some color... right? But you know me, color is pretty much my life.

Libby

To the girl who I can count on to make me laugh and to cuddle some cute animals with! Here are some cute earrings, and a robe (because cats)! And it's reversible too! So that's like two outfits in one!

Che

To the second-best corgi parent out there (I'm kidding, you share first place with me). As well as these cool book socks, because... they're very fitting. And they're mismatched!

Sylvia

To the girl who makes my hair bright pink and doesn't even give me side-eye. A wine making kit, because why not? And I found this cute yoga mat bag and it reminded me of you.

Raf

First, a pop finger thingy, for when you just need to keep busy while waiting for something and don't want to look at your phone. And then there's this mug that just made me laugh. I also owe you a new book. Maybe an umbrella.

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Dev Patel

full name: Chetan Gupta

nickname(s) / goes by: Che

pronouns & gender: GNC cis man he/him

sexuality: bisexual

birth date: June 12, 1990

birth place: Merrock, Maine

arrival to merrock: local

housing: suburbs

occupation: loan officer, performer

work place: Merrock National Bank

family: step-sibling, Estelle Carter, father, mother

relationship status: single

PERSONALITY

Che is enthusiastic and not afraid to be a little bit weird. As an only child, he grew up indulged and also free to be himself, and was encouraged to be both very confident and very humble. He’s the sort of person who can sometimes end up putting his foot in his mouth, but he’s also deliberately cheeky and silly at times. Che holds his principles close to him and is the sort who open shares his opinions and beliefs and acts on them. A bit of a geek, he’s always happy to talk about any of his passions, from music to movies to games he plays to books he’s reading.

WRITTEN BY: Lindsey (they/she), est.

BACKGROUND/BIO

Chetan grew up as a firm believer in a lot of things- the ability to work hard to make your dreams come true, the kindness of people, the power of true love. Like many children, as he grew up he learned that some of these things are a lot more complicated than they seem. In his early years, he was a bit spoiled as the only child of his parents, who are first generation Indian-Americans. They always had high hopes for the success of their son, who was something of a “gifted” kid and a sense of belief in the American dream, which had worked out for them very well. For the most part, he was a happy kid who spent his time doodling or writing or doing whatever he wanted.

When he was a young teenager, his world was shaken up by his parents’ divorce, which seemed sudden to him. To this day, he’s not sure of the full extent of his father’s possible emotional infidelity, but to the mind of a teenage boy, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. He soon began to resent the woman and her child, his future stepsister Stelly, for ruining his perfect family. Despite the fact that his mother also remarried within a few years, giving him another stepfamily, he showed a huge preference for his mother throughout his teenage years. Chetan was never the sort to actually cut out his father or even consider it, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t due his share of teenage angst.

Nonetheless, he channeled this emotion into a love for writing and music. With the money from his part time job, he bought a second hand guitar and taught himself to play so he could write the music to accompany his lyrics or poetry. He’d practice performing and even play for friends, and when he wasn’t working on that, he was scribbling away at a few ideas for novels. His parents agreed to let him study writing at university as long as he chose something more practical to go with it, so he chose business.

After spending his undergraduate years in New York, getting practice for writing, life, and a strong disdain for people who lacked kindness, he returned to Merrock after his graduation. It’s not that he gave up on writing, but he understood that the dream alone could not pay the bills, unless he wanted to teach. Instead, he took a job at a local bank and worked his way up to the role of loan officer. Did the proximity to American capitalism slowly suck away his soul? Sure. But it was a living and allowed him free time to write. Plus, being able to fully repair the relationship with his father certainly made his life a bit better.

He found his real joy in being able to perform for others. Merrock is a small town, but it’s not without its arts and culture. Chetan can be found at almost any open mic night performing a few original songs or poems as well as covers and he loves to talk to others about writing and his other passions whenever he can. It’s when he does these things that he’s most happy. Plus, there’s no satisfaction like the collective groan when you start to play “Wonderwall.”

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Danielle Campbell

full name: Ione Elise Lovett

nickname(s): I

pronouns & gender: she/her, cis woman

sexuality: bisexual

birth date: August 2nd, 1995

birth place: Santa Barbara, CA

time in town: 4 months

housing: The Coast & Pier

occupation: writer/poet/unemployed

family: Troy Lovett (65), Tracy (Sanders) Lovett (63), Ryder Lovett (32), Stella Lovett (32), Zion Lovett (8)- deceased, Chetan Gupta (32)- step-brother

personality: Ione’s a hopeless romantic, she’s obsessive should she feel some sort of connection and will feel immensely if she feels betrayed or let down in any sort of way. Ione’s mostly optimistic and will tend to give the benefit of the doubt. She’s caring, and witty and creative, she tends to try and take from life what she can.

BACKGROUND / BIO

Family/early life: When Ione was born her father, Troy, was a confidently successful horror novelist, he had his niche and had a following. Her mother, Tracy, a flight attendant when the two met, her (at the time) unique outlook on the fitness industry was able to step foot in the right places at the right time. Capitalizing on the yoga craze early on, opened one studio in Santa Barbara that monopolized into the greater California areas and soon came the the household name maker, the VHS tapes from the 80′s into the 90′s. Tracy since has opened sought after wellness retreats and her stores remained opened and thriving. Troy and Tracy had their twins and settled in Santa Barbara full time, then Ione came along, soon after Zion. Idyllic life as it seemed, when a vacation on the coast of France where it became national news. The youngest Zion was abducted, went missing, maybe ran away while under supposed watch of his older siblings. Nothing has ever been solidified, and to this day remains an open case. The incident effected the family greatly, Troy released a fictional take on the incident that reflected his clear inner most theories and grievances- that remains his most controversial and best selling book to date. From then on the relationships the siblings had with their father remained quietly strained.

Troy and Tracy divorced not long after the books release, no real struggle or settlement. It was agreed upon both parties the kids would stay at the ranch in Santa Barbara with their mother full time, Troy would move across country and settle in the New England area, years later meeting a woman he’d eventually marry.

Ione took most from her father was the gift of writing, after high school graduation she enrolled at NYU, following her older sister (Stella) whom she’s extremely close to to New York and found herself dropping out after a couple semesters. She found odd jobs for a couple years and considers New York her second home.

She’s had her poetry published when she was 24, her dad and his connections surely an influence into that progression and where she’s confident in her abilities she’s guilty and unsure when it comes to using her last name and connections.

Since her time on and off in New York and Santa Barbara where she usually helps on the ranch and takes up the shift behind the counter at one of her mom’s studios. She’s always worked odd jobs, is a big traveler, and more recently has spent a year as an Au Pair in Italy. Falling in and out of love along the way, Ione’s never one to keep anyone at a distance, fully embracing what love has to offer.

After a stint again in New York and a bartending gig, her fathers wife, her step- mother (Chetan’s mom) brought the opportunity of house-sitting in Merrock. A beach front house impossible to turn down. She’s since been in Merrock for four months, still minimal contact with her father, writing, getting to know her step family better maybe, and seeing what the town brings.

[merrock]

CHARACTER INFORMATION

face claim: Dev Patel

full name: Chetan Gupta

nickname(s): Che

pronouns & gender: he/him, cis man

sexuality: questioning

birth date: June 12, 1990

birth place: Merrock, Maine

time in town: 9 years (left for undergrad)

housing: suburbs

occupation: loan officer

family: step sister Stelly

personality: Chetan’s personality can be compared to that of an overeager puppy at times. He loves to talk and share ideas and he has a lot of passions, whether it be art or music or even his favorite TV shows or films. He’s got a strong sense of personal justice and prioritizes social justice and radical kindness towards others in his life. He tries really hard to not come across as a “typical” indie kid and is self deprecating without being down on himself- but that doesn’t stop him from occasionally playing “Wonderwall” just to hear the audience reaction.

BACKGROUND / BIO

Chetan grew up as a firm believer in a lot of things- the ability to work hard to make your dreams come true, the kindness of people, the power of true love. Like many children, as he grew up he learned that some of these things are a lot more complicated than they seem. In his early years, he was a bit spoiled as the only child of his parents, who are first generation Indian-Americans. They always had high hopes for the success of their son, who was something of a “gifted” kid and a sense of belief in the American dream, which had worked out for them very well. For the most part, he was a happy kid who spent his time doodling or writing or doing whatever he wanted.

When he was a young teenager, his world was shaken up by his parents’ divorce, which seemed sudden to him. To this day, he’s not sure of the full extent of his father’s infidelity, but to the mind of a teenage boy, it wouldn’t have mattered anyway. He soon began to resent the woman and her child, his future stepsister Stelly, for ruining his perfect family. Despite the fact that his mother also remarried within a few years, giving him another stepfamily, he showed a huge preference for his mother throughout his teenage years. Chetan was never the sort to actually cut out his father or even consider it, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t due his share of teenage angst.

Nonetheless, he channeled this emotion into a love for writing and music. With the money from his part time job, he bought a second hand guitar and taught himself so he could write the music to accompany his lyrics or poetry. He’d practice performing and even play for friends, and when he wasn’t working on that, he was scribbling away at a few ideas for novels. His parents agreed to let him study writing at university as long as he chose something more practical to go with it, so he chose business.

After spending his undergraduate years in New York, getting practice for writing, life, and a strong disdain for people who lacked kindness, he returned to Merrock after his graduation. It’s not that he gave up on writing, but he understood that the dream alone could not pay the bills, unless he wanted to teach. Instead, he took a job at a local bank and worked his way up to the role of loan officer. Did the proximity to American capitalism slowly suck away his soul? Sure. But it was a living.

He found his real joy in being able to perform for others. Merrock is a small town, but it’s not without its arts and culture. Chetan can be found at almost any open mic night performing a few original songs or poems and he loves to talk to others about writing and his other passions whenever he can. It’s when he does these things that he’s most happy.