#maplecstarters

[maplezoya]

for: open ( @maplecstarters) location: hackett family bookstore

Raising her sunglasses from her eyes, Zoya pushed back her hair with them as she slid them up to rest on the crown of her head. Blinking rapidly, she allowed her eyes to adjust to the dimly-lit interior of the bookstore. Once she had adjusted, she made her way confidently across the store, already knowing where she was heading. Stepping up to the featured tables labeled NEW RELEASE, her eyes scanned the titles excitedly; she nearly squealed when she caught sight of precisely what she'd been searching for.

"Yes! I'm so glad they have it!" Zoya proclaimed, perhaps a bit louder than she had originally intended. A slight blush crept up her neck as she glanced around, of course spotting another patron nearby. "I'm...So sorry. " She apologized through a chuckle. "I didn't mean to make a storewide announcement. I was just...Worried they wouldn't get the shipment on time. But they did, and it's here!" She added, holding the book out in front of her as she breathlessly continued taking in the details on the cover. "I think I'm in shock."

[meaningofheartford]

Location: Creek Comics Open to all @maplecstarters

Hendrix pushed open the heavy door of the comic store, a content smile on his face. The place was comforting to him, a mix of comics, merch, t-shirts, collectables and even some vinyl records. He found himself going toward the back corner, where the lesser-known records hid. His fingertips brushed the edge of an old Jimi Hendrix album, and he smirked at the irony of it. His name.

As he stood there, lost in thought, Hendrix became aware of someone moving beside him. Glancing up from the records, he flashed a friendly smile. "Hey," he said, his voice casual but warm. "You have good taste if you’re hanging out in this section," he joked lightly.

[ingridwells]

@maplecstarters Where: Medulla Coffee House

"There's a free seat here if you wish, I'm just on my own so as long as you don't mind company you're more than welcome to join." Ingrid knew how frustrating it was to need a seat and find none so she thought nothing of gesturing to the seat in front of her even if she was unsure that the person nearby would need it. "Always so busy in here isn't it?"

[adiellistech]

“Okay, okay. Be honest with me. Brutally honest. I’m going to an early Halloween party slash birthday party.” He paused, looking down at himself. “What do you think of my look?”

[eliasxsterling]

“You can call me miserable but haunted houses are not for me,” he half laughed, looking across at the crowds of people. “What about you? Is it your thing?”

[oflunas]

OPEN STARTER ; / @maplecstarters​

           A  GENTLE  SMILE  FORMS  on  isla's  face  as  she  pushes  through  the  flimsy  curtains,  eyes  lit  up  with  good  news.  "well,  it  looks  like  you  won't  need  stitches  after  all."  as  she  talks,  she  makes  her  way  to  the  sink  to  wash  her  hands  and  slip  on  a  pair  of  squeaky  blue  gloves.  "your  makeshift  bandages  are...  beautiful,  but  we  will  have  to  redo  them  and  then  we  can  get  you  your  paperwork  and  send  you  on  your  way,  how's  that  sound?"  although  a  question  leaves  her  mouth,  she  finds  herself  already  reaching  for  the  patient's  wounded  hand  to  pull  away  the  bandages.

[melinaxcampbell]

open starter

location: the rail trail

Melina hopped off her bike, hiding it in the bushes that crowded amongst the maple trees. She'd grown up here, & nobody had bothered to steal it then. Somehow, she doubted that things had changed all that much. Maybe it was a gamble, but she didn't mind. She wanted to walk along the railroad tracks, just as she had as a teenager when she wanted to escape prying eyes. Both before & after the camp incidence she was constantly striving to push from her mind. Clearing her throat, she pushed back a curl that had come loose from her french braids & began to walk along the tracks. Leaves crackled underneath her chunky black boots, & she tugged at the end of her left sleeve, contemplating things. She hadn't ever thought she'd end up back here. Figured she'd escaped the little town & the majority of her family, many of whom had seemed unwillingly to stay in touch. Which was fine with her. She hadn't made an effort, either. Not with them, nor her old friends. Melina had been happy to make her way in a big city, making it through law school on her own merit with partial scholarships & hard work. Things were fine. That is, until she'd gotten a very attractive job offer from Medulla back home. She was hesitant to take the job, but they'd offered her more money than she could've dreamed of. So, instead of fighting for people's rights against big companies, she'd sold out, promising herself it would only be until she could pay off the loans she'd taken out & made enough to save up to work for some kind of nonprofit. Still, she felt guilty, & it was hard not to feel the stares from people as she made her way through town. They haunted her, especially her mind; she was so preoccupied she didn't notice the person in front of her until it was too late & she had bumped into them. "Shoot; I'm so sorry, man."

[luismedilla]

@maplecstarters​

Ray was a little anxious as he walked towards the person. Not wanting to seem shifty, but he hadn’t been feeling well lately and it was hard to pin point what it was. He was running his mind ragged and had just needed out of the motel for a short while. He should have taken the time to enjoy the festival, since working through it had probably stressed him out more.

“Hey, I’m sorry to bother you. I just need someone to talk to right now. You have five minutes?” He asked.

[lipxholloway]

Harriet sat on the wall, letting out a laugh. “Okay, can I admit... I don’t even like rides. I am scared of heights and lack of gravity makes me feel sick,” she said, laughing once more. “The spinning. Don’t like spinning. But I am worse than my kid when it comes to winning those giant stuffed toys.”

[knockoutgao]

@maplecstarters​

"Come on. You can go one more time. Straighten that arm to focus on the bicep.  Just ten more reps.” He coached, but the person he was training was done. Ben straightened up and sighed, knowing he shouldn’t push them too hard.

“Alright. We’ll cut it early today. But next time we’re going a full two hours to make up for cutting it short today.” He ordered, packing up his towel and other workout bands. 

“Yo!” That’s my water bottle.” He told the nearby person, it was one of those metal reusable ones, that he’d personalized with stickers.

[birdiefields]

@maplecstarters​

"I’m dedicating this song to anyone who has been going through it lately. YOU” She pointed into the crowd. “Are a survivor.” Birdie said, giving a preamble to her karaoke song before joining in with the track and singing a sloppy version of Survivor by Destiny’s Child.

She was tipsy, or as she would put it, having fun and she bounded off of the stage back to the bar when the song finished. She asked the bartender for a French 75 . “Next song, we should totally do a duet!” She said, to the person next to her.

[gxboyd]

Greyson walked around the carnival, cotton candy in one hand and tickets in the other. There was a particular ride that caught his attention, although it looked quite small. “Hm,” Greyson stopped in his tracks, gazing at the entrance of the ride. “There’s a height maximum... Usually there’s height minimum for rides.” He paused, “Do you reckon I could sway the worker to let me in?” 

[meaningofheartford]

@maplecstarters Outside Maple Art Museum / around town centre Open to all

Gray let out a tired sigh, he could feel the slight chill of the approaching winter air against his skin. He’d just finished an evening class and was locking up the museum. He felt exhausted but it had been a good evening. Many of the adults really enjoyed the later classes.

He'd thought about stopping to get some food but remembered he had some leftover pasta in the fridge and he knew he could easily put some life back into it with some fresh herbs and cheese. Cooking was a comfort to him, even when he was tired.

He headed around the corner to his car, his boots echoing on the ground in the quiet. He looked around, hearing footsteps, offering a smile at the other person. “Hey, have you just finished work too? Just out and about? Busy day?” he asked, making conversation as he unlocked his car door.

[piprossi]

The atmosphere was comforting but the amount of people around made Piper nervous. She searched the space for something to focus on instead and abruptly stopped when she noticed the person in front of her. "Hi. I'm Piper." She offered a hand and pushed the hair from her face with the other. "I don't think I've seen you around before, are you from here? Or just passing by?"

@maplecstarters

[adiellistech]

Marcus gave a polite wave as he approached the other. “Hey, how did you enjoy the festival? I mean, if you did at all?” he laughed gently. “But humour me, how was my show? Did I do it justice? I’m all ears.” He smiled. “Shout you a coffee? I’m about to get one myself.”

[eliasxsterling]

Jonah leaned against the wall, trying to avoid as many people as possible after the town meeting. He caught someone’s eye and manage to give a small smile. “How do you feel about the camp?” he asked. “Or maybe you have no opinion at all? Coffee? I can buy you a coffee.”