oh dear; oh dear (open post)

[warmheartedly]

JUNE 4; PLAYGROUND

There's a playground. Well, there a lot of playgrounds across the city. What makes this one right next to Coffers' Shop a bit more special than the other out there is this: Accidents.

It's not unheard of playgrounds to have the occasional accidents. It's who is the heart of the possible problem for this one.

Parents love it for the fact it's so safe for their kids there. They can drop their rowdiest youngsters at that spot and never worry about a scratch or bruise by the time they come back to pick them up.

Other adults though? The ones who shouldn't be lingering around or have too much interest in watching the kids? If you're not a babysitter for any of the children, there's a strong chance something may happen to you. Especially if you have an unfortunate reputation among the regulars there. At least the occasional sharp trip or tumble to the ground won't harm you that badly. A scuff or bruise but nothing too serious.

JUNE 5; GRAVEYARD (MORNING)

This part of the cemetery doesn't get a lot of attention. Compared to the ornate statues of angels weeping or grand mausoleums, the humble headstones and markers pale in comparison to them and often get little attention.

The row of tombstones here all belong to a small family, the (supposed) only surviving member studying not having quite enough time to pay her respects to the family she barely remembers. As a result it gets no notice, not attention besides the groundskeeper who keeps weeds off all the grounds.

Yet, in the early hours, some passerby may notice a trail of petals from a patch of wildflowers, outside of the cemetery, leading to the tombstones. This happens now and then. Not enough times to be reported on but enough times that the groundskeeper, if asked, will mention he's no longer surprised by the presence of tidy bushels of flowers on the graves. Someone is only paying their respects for them. There's no harm in that.

Plus he has no interest in going near it during these times. Not when it's so eerily cold that it makes his teeth chatter and his body shake if he's only a few feet from it. The coldness, in his opinion if ever asked, is the worst when near the one that happens to be marked FRANCISCO SEVILLE.

JUNE 5; COFFERS' SHOP (AFTERNOON)

... Is the shop chillier than usual? It seems to be with how when someone enters and they immediately shiver, rubbing their arms to ward off the chills.

The air-conditioning is strong but never this strong.

Those who go here regularly, from customers who come by everyday to and employees themselves, are having a hard time focusing on their works as they shiver and struggle to get the usually reliable free wi-fi to work on them or to get the coffee machine to cooperate for this one cup.

If asked if this happens a lot, some will say yes and some will be unsure but there's a general agreement in the air that this is not normal. The source of the coldness is hard to explain. The coldest spot changes from near the counter to the furthest corner or right outside the door.

Almost like it was... moving on its own.

[ OOC: Or make your own scenario in your comment! Prose and brackets welcomed! ]</td></tr></tbody></table>

Comments

[warmheartedly]

"Excuse you! I'm from the Philippines originally. Born and raised there. The average height just happens to be around 4 or so for the average woman." Thanks to a lot of unhappy factors but she rather not get into that. What is important is that she's tall. Ish. If she thinks positively enough. "You would be considered quite tall yourself where I'm from."

No, really. It's not a lie

[eyeforaneye]

"That'd be a change." No kidding. Even if his height isn't that unimpressive he's still been led to believe it is while living in Europe.

"If you're from the Philippines then how is it that you came to live here?" And die here, though he doesn't feel the need to really say that.

[warmheartedly]

Its unsaid and she doesn't mind. If he doesn't ask, she won't tell because goodness. That'll be kind of depressing to speak about.

"Hmm? I moved here when I was quite young. Around eighteen? Just me and my husband back then." She gestures to the headstone that had the phrase FRANCISCO SEVILLE, GOOD HUSBAND engraved across the somewhat dirty stone. "We left it because we needed a new start. I think that's where I used up my second chance and lost my shot at a second growth spurt."

[eyeforaneye]

"You were already married at the age of eighteen or you simply traveled with him when you were that age? Either way it still seems young. To resettle your entire life in a place like this one..."

Even just the weather would be hard to get used to, let alone everything else.

[warmheartedly]

She looks surprised at his assumption that she married that young. "Oh no! I wasn't eighteen when I got married to Francisco. I just traveled with him. We were twenty when we officially tied the knot. Wanted to settle down here, you know?"

Falling a bit quiet, her smile turns a bit more melancholic and she doesn't continue right away. She. She needs a moment before she goes on. "It was hard at first but all I wanted was a second chance, a fresh start. Francisco and I basically needed a do over, no matter how extreme the changes had to be. Everyone deserves a chance to be happy and if the chance presents itself... Shouldn't they go for it?"

[eyeforaneye]

"... I don't know." His reply is just as genuine, just as labored, and just as delayed, clearly having given the subject serious thought before.

"Is it better to make a life out of what you have or to reach for something better? If people become accustomed to a higher or different standard of living then that's what they'll be struggling to meet from then on. It incurs a greater risk, a greater chance of failing and becoming disappointed.

I suppose it's all about how strong someone is and how prepared they are for potential disappointment." What a depressing way to view it.

[warmheartedly]

It certainly is depressing. Evident by how she tilts her head and she seems to be at a lost of words. Because depressing as it maybe... it's also true, valid. She can't exactly say 'no, that's wrong' can she?

"Strong... A lot of people are strong, I believe," she finally says, her words a touch hesitant but only a bit, a sliver. "In their own ways.

Like... Francisco, my husband. I like think Francisco was strong enough for us both when it was just the two of us. Then for everyone when we had our sons." She doesn't mention him and Magra since even by then she could tell he was tired. "He had been too strong at times but it inspired people like my sons and my little granddaughter. Who knows? There are people out there who are strong enough and there are people who can look up to them."

Want to follow their footsteps or emulate their path.