Realistic or Modern Astoria - A Slice of Life RP

[NanLia]

Nathalie

Nathalie smiled as she stepped out of the back door of her shop into the sunny but cool winter’s air. It was the first day of December and already snow had settled on the ground to stay for the winter to come. This was a sight she had not seen in years, crisp white crystal flakes adoring bared tree branches and pine needles alike. The usual grey cobblestones of the town's sidewalks glistened in the sunny rays. There wouldn’t be many days like this left - Astoria was notorious for long and heavy snow storms that trapped people into their cozy homes for days at a time.

She inhaled deeply, the cold air threatening to freeze her nostrils and she swiftly buried her face into her scarf. Today wasn’t an ordinary day in Astoria, oh no! Today was the first day of the winter festival. The first of five where the whole town gathered to celebrate the coming winter holidays. Nat could recall attending as a child, filled with excitement and wonder at all the little booths. As a teenager the festival had grown and changed with the town’s diversity. Once it was only about Christmas but now, now the township celebrated everyone’s preferences. She could clearly remember the first year they included Hanukkah; she’d been enthralled to learn so much of her newest schoolmates' own religious celebrations.

It had been a culture shock, after moving out of Astoria, to learn that most small towns weren’t so inclusive. Not even after living in L.A. for so many years had she found just a tight knit, opening minded community.

Day one of the festival wasn’t just the best of days to attend - it was mandatory. The local bylaws had included that no business could be run outside of the festival's limits, no offices open, no schools were in attendance. It was expected that everyone would participate and if you didn’t? Well you best have a damn good excuse, otherwise the town would ask you for weeks to come why you hadn’t been there.

She’d set up her book and coffee stand the night before - there was next to no crime in the town and no need to worry that anyone would make off with her inventory. In fact, if anything was amiss, she knew very well it would show up again a few days or weeks later, with an apology and the reasoning for what had happened.

Nathalie hurried down the sidewalk, making for the festival, ready to get her little shop open and ready for customers with her staff who were likely already waiting for her.

Town Center • Bookstore / Cafe Owner • Curious • interactions - open

 

[jonah_darden]

A few weeks ago, Jay had noticed this particular week was off from school. Being too far from Christmas, she'd asked her new students what exactly this holiday was. She certainly wasn't expecting a five day long whole-town celebration. Never one to shy away from a social outing, she'd promised the middle schoolers she worked with that she'd make an appearance. She got dressed in a typical sweater and jeans combo, and opened the door to find...

Snow! Oh, that delightful pleasure of being surrounded by cold, beautiful snow. Admittedly, there wasn't much of it to be found, but it was definitely more than she was used to having. She felt the crunch of the snow under her shoes and wondered what it would feel like in her hands. Lacking proper winter gear, as she hadn't prepared for the winter quite yet, she opted instead to scoop some of the snow into her hands and build a snowball. A wide smile on her face, Jay reared back to throw the ball against the door of her house, until she realized she'd yet to close it.

She promptly did so and, after chunking the snowball at a nearby tree, started making her way to the town center.

 

[Safton]

Owen "Coop" Cooper

The sound of the alarm clock's insistent trilling had Owen’s eyes snapping open, chasing away the remnants of whatever dream had been pervading his subconscious. He blinked the sleep from his eyes before sitting up to give the blaring device on his nightstand a solid tap in order to silence it. Two yellow orbs peered at him through the darkness from the foot of the bed, curiosity and vague excitement evident in those canine eyes.

“Yeah, bud. It’s time to go to work,” Coop drawled. He heard the dog’s tail thump excitedly against the carpet as he stood to head to the bathroom to get ready for his shift. Before long he was showered and suited up in his uniform, vest, and duty belt with Bear fed and ready to go. Owen crept down the hall as stealthily as he could in his hard-soled black hiking boots, quietly placing his ear to the door of his mother’s bedroom. Sure enough, he could hear the sound of soft snoring on the other side. He had little doubt that he would see the woman at the festival later today despite the doctor’s orders to get as much rest as possible while she recovered.

Cooper headed outside where it was still dark, Bear in tow, toward his Department-issued Chevy Tahoe parked outside -- its elevated ground clearance and the fluorescent lettering proclaiming “CAUTION POLICE DOG STAY BACK” on the back doors being the only thing that distinguished it from APD’s other vehicles of its kind. Owen opened up the back door, standing aside. “Up you go,” he said. Bear didn’t need to be told twice, leaping into the compartment inside the SUV with gusto before turning around to watch his partner expectantly.

For decades Astoria had relied solely on the K-9 unit of the County Sheriff’s Office whenever the need arose. Which -- given the sleepy little town’s historically low crime rate -- admittedly wasn’t all that often. However, the Department had received a large grant and donation from a private donor a little over a year ago. There was considerable internal strife about how the money should be used: training, equipment, community outreach, all of the above -- when finally the original donor suggested that it be used to establish a K-9 unit (albeit one consisting of only one paired dog and officer). The APD honored the man’s wishes and Bear was the result: a young, healthy, male Dutch Shepherd imported directly from the finest European breeders. With Coop’s background as military working dog handler in the Ranger Regiment and having recently finished his time as a “probie”, he was a shoo-in for the newly-created role.

Coop unclipped the canine’s lead from the harness, giving the dog a scritch behind the ears before shutting the door and climbing into the driver’s seat of the vehicle. It wasn’t a long way to the station, where he had to sit through a lengthy briefing about the importance of the town’s Winter Festival and the role the Department was expected to play in ensuring it ran smoothly. It was customary for the Department to sometimes set up a booth of its own in addition to its normal duties of traffic control and responding to calls for service.

The briefing room was nowhere near as full as it normally was; many officers had taken days off for the first days of the Festival. Those that remained would either be running the booth or handling patrol duties during the fair. Cooper had eagerly volunteered to work all five days of the Festival… he was hardly in a position where he could pass up a paycheck.

After leaving the station, Owen drove straight to the town square, where he managed to find parking on a side street before stepping out into the snow -- the soft powder giving way under his boots -- and moved to let Bear out, clipping the lead back onto his harness as he did so. Coop set off toward the sidewalk where he began to see other festival goers gathering early amidst the storefronts. He headed down the concrete walkway, absentmindedly tugging the edge of his watch cap down over either ear, Bear’s nails clacking against the hard surface. A figure caught Cooper’s eye and his attention, coming toward him from the opposite direction -- just a few feet away as he turned a corner.

Only one word escaped breathy murmur from his lips: "Nat."

Town Center | Police Officer | Surprised | Interactions: Nathalie ( NanLia )

TEMPLATE © BOKEH​

 

[holyman1998]

Dr. Cleves | Introduction

As the sun shined into his apartment, the caucasian man awoke from his slumber; kissing his wife on the cheek and getting dressed. After putting on his favorite tan sweater and black pants, Frank waltzed into the kitchen, opening the bread box and taking out two slices. He then closed the bread box and placed the two slices in the toaster, pulling down the plunger and making coffee while he waited. As the coffee machine roared, the toast plunged up from the toaster, prompting frank to take out a paper plate from the cabinet and place the hot meal on them. He then gathered some jam and a knife, clinically spreading them on the bread and eating it calmly while his coffee finished brewing. As he finished his breakfast and poured the coffee into a thermos to drink to bring to work, his wife handed him the newspaper and his portable lunch. "Thank you, dear." Frank smiled back to his wife of several years. He finished the toast and washed it down with the warm coffee. He put the newspaper in his bag as he scurried off to work, giving his wife a good kiss goodbye.

Later that morning, he arrived at the clinic and set down his things, changing into his scrubs and putting on his lab coat. As he stepped forth into the hallway, Frank inquired his nurse. "So, who do we got today?" He asked, leaning outside the treatment room. As he listened carefully, Frank pondered the festival. So many activities, so many injuries, so many people who could fall ill. The least he could do there was to make sure everybody was safe...and maybe have some fun.

Town Health Center | Internal Medicine Doctor | Interactions: Laika ( Nona )

 

[Keggee311]

James Whipmore -Intro

James had woken up at 6, long before gos normal alarm of 7 o'clock. Why did he set an alarm when always woke up before it sounded? Perhaps he wanted some sort of normalcy that eluded him. Whatever the reason being he groaned as his joints popped as he rose from his bed, the cold rushing to kiss his skin now that his blankets no longer kept him warm. Breathing in as he let his eye adjust to his surroundings before he moved towards the bathroom.

As he emerged he dressed in his usual attire of holey jeans and greased stained shirts. All of which was pulled from the hamper, living out if it in essence since there hadn't been a need to dress so formally. Sliding his Carhart jacket on as he had slipped it on going out to his truck. Having to deviate from his norm since he forgot to get coffee the previous day. He'd get it from town before the festivities started. Stewing on his thoughts while the old 95 dodge was heating up before he threw it in gear. His thoughts weren't anything in particular but rather a mess of them shuffling out of his mind as soon as they had entered.

As usual, the ride into town had been dull, the only thing of note was the deer. Noticing that they were getting larger, triggering a reminder to clean his rifle out for next season. As he unlocked the shops he also turned on the kerosene heaters. Get some hot air moving at least for anyone needing a break from the cold or someone needed any repairs. As the shop warmed up he took a stroll down the block to find himself some coffee.

Locking about the vendors that had been setup and those in the process of setting up. He hadn't been of sound mind last year to attend with his fathers death. While he looked onward his eyes never did longer in one place for long as he was on a mission for that hot black liquid. Waiting behind a crowd of people as they also had the same idea. Though he would wait until everyone else would get there drinks, preferring to stay out of the clutter.

Interactions - Open / Location - town center

 

[starkravingsane]

willa

moreau

irritated

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• outfit
• location

  town square
• tags

  @Keggee311 James
  

https:///www.willa-moreau.com/introductory-post

Willa always slept with the windows open, no matter the season, and this morning the sounds of people talking and general merriment came through with the cold wind and a few snowflakes and woke her up. She grabbed her eyes and groaned, then looked at her watch. Too early. And without a coffee pot in her apartment yet, she just rolled over and tried to go back to sleep.

Ten minutes of rumination later, Willa was out of bed and closing the window. She could see a lot of people gathered outside and wondered what was going on, but didn't care enough to look closer--all she cared about right now was coffee. She threw on what she found closest to her: black jeans, a grey sweater, her plain black leather jacket, and black combat boots. As she hurried down the stairs that led to the front door of her second-floor apartment, Willa remembered the cold wind and grabbed a grey scarf that was hanging from the radiator, then rushed out the door and to her left.

Willa pushed past people headed in the opposite direction, in a rush to get her morning fix. But when she reached the coffee shop, the door wouldn't open. The girl stared, mouth agape, for a moment, then gave four more hardy thrusts at the door before kicking it in frustration.

"Uh..." said a very well-bundled man who was walking down the same sidewalk. "All the shops are closed, Miss," he said, looking at her quizzically as she let go of the door. "You do know it's the town festival..."

Willa wiped the puzzled look off her face. "Oh, yeah, that..." She bit her lower lip and started to walk past the man, the faint memory of another coffee shop buzzing in her mind.

"You should be heading there too, young lady," he said. She stopped and looked at him again. "It is mandatory, after all." He shook his head at her and continued walking toward the town center.

Willa groaned again. "Well there better be some fucking coffee," she said to herself, and began to follow the nosy man.

As she got closer to the festival with its bright lights and its various stands, Willa noticed a mechanic shop. She made a mental note to go to it whenever everything opened up again. She needed a car, preferably something used, something that would blend in well in her new surroundings. She could afford to buy a new car, but nobody needed to know that.

Willa saw a man walk out of the mechanic shop and head toward the festival without noticing her. So she followed him, and as luck would have it he led her straight to what must have been the only coffee in town being sold at a little stand.

As she stood to wait in line behind the man, he turned to look at her. "Hi there, I'm Willa," she said, reaching out her hand to shake. "Are you the mechanic?"

coded by reveriee.

 

[MissPlastique]

Kasey Dayne

Location: “The Hearth”, Town Center



Kasey smiled looking up at the sign over the new Bakery/Café. Months of planning and work finally paid off. She could not help but feel pride, after feeling so lost and unsure after her divorce she was not sure if she would survive on her own for her sons sake but looking up at the sign with the open sign she could feel that it was possible.

Shaking her head to herself, she headed inside to start serving some customers that had started coming in at a steady pace. Despite her family all moving away from Astoria, she felt a certain calm being back. The one thing in her life that made her unsure was James. She did not know if he still lived in town or if he was away with the army.

She smiled at customers, serving them and even catching up with some elderly residents who recognized her from when she lived here. Soon enough Jake was pushed out of her mind as she re-stocked baked goods and filled coffee orders. Taking the time, she was a bit worried about how Noah was doing in school. It was a big adjustment to move to the town and get integrated in school. Luckily enough Noah was the type of social child who could get along with anybody. Still as her Mum would tell her, a mother will always worry about her child.

With that in mind, she wrote a quick note in her phone to call her parents and siblings once the café was closed. Her mum had more or less demanded a call once the first day was done to hear how it all went. That naturally snowballed to her dad and siblings wanting a run down as well. Based on how things were going so far, she was excited to tell them how it went.

So caught up in her thoughts she did not hear the next few customers come in, her employee helping out.

Interactions: Open

 

[NanLia]

Nathalie

Nathalie buried her nose into the thick woolen scarf wrapped around her neck and shoved her hands deep into her coat pockets. Predictably she'd neglected to bring gloves or a hat; something she'd always been neglectful of these things, as a child and as a teenager while living in Astoria and it was clear it hadn't changed as an adult. She'd regret it later when her hands ached from the constant cold.

Of course she popped out of her warm neck cozy to smile and wave at a neighbor calling out to her. The past couple of weeks had been a culture shock for her - she'd forgotten what it was like to live in a small town again, everyone knew everything about everyone else's business. Twice she'd been surprised by a highschool friend's parents dropping by her shop or her apartment, in the same building, to drop off groceries. Did she need the food? Nope, but they wanted to check in and needed an excuse.

Clearly the two sets of parents had discussed wanting to know more about what was going to happen with the shop and both sets of parents hadn't had any luck speaking with her grandmother. They didn't get much more from her as she hadn't made any decisions yet. Her grandmother wanted her to sell it, as did her mother; it would profit her in the end and help her financially with school and living in LA but the thought of parting with the family business made her heart ache.

She could try and hire a manager, someone to take care of the place while she returned to her life, but that brought on its own complications. She'd have a business to run, so to speak, she'd have to change her taxes and would likely lose out on her scholarships and tax breaks for being a student.

Then there was the trouble about the new Cafe that had opened. For the first time in the history of Astoria (okay, maybe she was exaggerating) a business had competition! That had been a hot topic around the grocery store and market, not to mention she'd been asked by countless customers how she felt about the new Cafe and if she was going to write a letter to the mayor about it. Naturally it left her feeling uneasy - the bookstore wasn't a million dollar business and the coffee and tea they served helped keep the doors open. It was too early to be pessimistic about it but she didn't doubt she would be seeing a loss on her side.

Nathalie knew she couldn't compete with a place that was fully dedicated to serving food and beverage.

It was this deep thought that had Nat fully enthralled as she arrived at the square, it wasn't until she heard her name, or so she thought, spoken nearby. She frowned critically around herself before she settled her gaze on an officer approaching with a dog. At first she wasn't certain but as their gaze met she knew for sure. "Coop?"

Town Center • Bookstore / Cafe Owner • Curious • interactions - Safton

 

[Safton]

Owen "Coop" Cooper

Owen could feel his chest seeming to constrict in on itself, his heart rising toward his throat as he locked eyes with the woman in front of him. Just as many people in this town called him "Coop" as Owen -- a tradition that had started back when he was still a kid -- and he didn't mind it in the least. But it had been years since he had heard either name uttered by Nat... and hearing it now along with seeing her here here and now had sent him into a spiral, memories and long-forgotten emotions boiling to the surface.

Owen snapped out of it when his partner panted lightly at his side, Bear readjusting his stance and looking up at him curiously before glancing curiously at Nathalie with a curious gaze -- head slightly cocked and ears perked. Coop immediately focused, turning to the canine. "Zit," he commanded quietly in Dutch. The dog responded without hesitation, sitting down. Owen cleared his throat, offering Nat a small smile. "I heard you were back in town. Sorry, I've been meaning to drop by the shop sometime and say hi, but things have been busy lately." He became all too aware of Bear's patient eyes on him and gestured at the canine. "This is my partner, Bear, by the way. He's pleased to make your acquaintance." Bear panted lightly, but remained seated. "How are things?"

Town Center | Police Officer | Anxious | Interactions: Nathalie ( NanLia )

TEMPLATE © BOKEH​

 

[NanLia]

Nathalie

Nathalie glanced between Owen and the dog at his side. She'd known she would eventually run into people she knew from her childhood and highschool, Owen among them. She'd dreaded the idea not because they'd parted ways badly but because they hadn't. They'd been a 'thing' all those years ago and had done the long distance thing until they couldn't any longer. Owen was busy with his life and she'd been busy with hers that they'd just fallen apart.

It had been painful then, as much as it was now, seeing him in person again. There had been plenty of times where Nat had looked back on their decision to end things with more than a little regret. Naturally these times of reflection often coincide with some turmouslous occasion in her life in L.A. Could they have made a go of it? What would that life look like now? Married with kids? Stuck in the same town they'd grown up in?

They'd both had aspirations for more, more than just being here but to be something more.She winced hearing that he'd meant to drop in and say hi; she knew the sentiment had been kind but she was also thankful he hadn't - she was just starting to get a handle on everything there was to owning the bookshop (cafe, stationary and mail office) and adding in a random visit from an ex she still thought about would not have helped her emotional balance.

Nat smiled and shook her head as a response for the apology but gladly shifted her gaze and thoughts to the canine obediently sitting at Owen's side. "He's adorable." She crooned but didn't move forward - she knew very well that working dogs were not meant to be petted while they were working. "Things are good, thanks. The shop is doing well, despite the new competition." She rolled her eyes and laughed through the small white lie. "Nanna is happy in retirement, mom's still busy working in L.A. What about you? How are things here?"

Town Center • Bookstore / Cafe Owner • Anxious / Flustered • interactions - Safton

 

[Safton]

Owen "Coop" Cooper

Owen glanced down to see Bear's ears perk up out of the corner of his eye as Nathalie spoke about him in her singsong tone, the dog cocking his head again as if in recognition of the compliment. Any other time the adorable display might have earned the dog a scritch behind the ears, but right now Nat had Coop's full attention. The remark about competition had him pursing his lips as he nodded idly. The new cafe had generated quite a bit of buzz around town. It was sleek and modern and -- Coop had to admit from having indulged after having patronized the establishment lately -- they knew how to do breakfast and coffee. He had gotten his coffee from Nat's grandparents' shop for the longest time, it was a tradition for him. Her Nana always tried giving him something "on the house" (because of his badge, his former relationship with Nat, or his longtime customer loyalty he wasn't quite sure...) and he always politely turned her down.

But after Nat returned to town and took over the store, Owen's visits had halted. He told himself that he had become distracted, busy -- that the tradition had become inconvenient, at least until the new cafe came along. But deep down he knew the truth... he wondered if Nat did, too.

Owen snapped out of his reverie as his old friend turned the question around on him, smiling. "I can't complain. Mom's in remission and getting stronger every day. Things around town are quiet, but I manage to stay busy." He chuckled. "I've been back a few years now and sometimes I wake up and I feel like home. Back when were in school, you know? It's like I never left in the first place. Other days..." his voice drifted off and he shook his head, rubbing at the back of his neck. "Anyway."

Town Center | Police Officer | Pensive | Interactions: Nathalie ( NanLia )

TEMPLATE © BOKEH​