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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 13, 2014 12:16:17 GMT -8
Town Square Park
A nice grassy area in the middle of town with benches, picnic tables, and sidewalks. The large park is also used for town events such as Miner's Day.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 13, 2014 12:31:07 GMT -8
(temp-play by Hollywood Heidi)
Astrid and the other sisters hurried to set up before Mother Superior arrived. It was the Mother Superior's birthday and they were surprising her with an outdoor picnic.
Astrid was perched on a ladder, using the top as a mini workstation to perfect the stars she'd made with the help of an origami book. She'd spent the last month working on them in her free time and thought they'd look charming strung up outside with the sun helping to lend a magical sparkle. The sun helped point out areas that needed a touch-up of glitter. She carefully sprinkled some onto the fresh glue and gave a nod of approval as she looked up to the branches above her, picturing where it would look best.
Looking back down, she carefully stepped up a couple more rungs and reached up. The branch she'd picked was still a little out of reach. Looking down again, she frowned. The next rung was the second from the top with a warning label. DANGER. DO NOT STAND ON THIS RUNG. YOU COULD LOSE YOUR BALANCE.
Astrid looked at the other branches but her eyes fell back to the one she'd first chosen. It would look perfect there, aligned with the others she'd already hung up and the branch stood out further from the others right into a ray of light that fell just perfectly across the area it would hang.
She hoped Mother Superior would love them and she so desperately wanted to make amends for all the damage her clumsiness caused. Mother Superior seemed to be at her wits end lately when it came to her. Astrid's clumsiness was the bane of her sisters' existences. No matter how hard she tried, she always messed up and when she tried to fix it, she seemed to only make it worse. Mother Superior had suggested on numerous occasions that the best way she could help was to please let them handle it.
Despite it all, Astrid persisted in showing that she could do something right and right now, that meant getting this star in that perfect spot. Astrid carefully placed a foot on the second to last rung, giving the ladder a little wiggle. It seemed sturdy enough. She carefully pushed herself up and tied the string to the branch. She gave the star a little twirl and smiled as it sparkled.
"Perfect," she said with a clap of her hands. The movement caused the ladder to wobble and she quickly hunched down, glitter sprinkling over the side as she knocked it over in her haste to steady herself.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 16, 2014 12:10:28 GMT -8
After a dry morning visit at Granny's, Leroy had gone home, hit the hay for a little while. It always was a restless sleep, especially when he got home from the night shift. Every day seemed to be the same. Working, sleeping, drinking. It was like he was missing something in his life. There always has been this dream. The dream to explore the world, to sail away and leaving everything here behind. But probably just a dream, wasn't it? He shouldn't kid himself. He was just the town drunk.
With the usual grumpy look on his face Leroy walked around, not really heading for somewhere special. His eyes were focused on the ground, as suddenly a rumbling noise came up. Before he could have searched for the trigger, a sprinkling of glitter fell from above, landing right on his cap. With a grumpy expression his head raised up to have a look at the person, who dared to do this. As his eyes met a beautiful young woman, clinging on a ladder, his face suddenly changed. For the first time since ages there was a smile showing on it.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 18, 2014 22:18:45 GMT -8
(temp-play by Hollywood Heidi)
As she righted the container, her eyes caught the glinting of glitter as what a majority of it had landed on. She looked down to see that it was a person who had apparently been walking by right when she'd nearly lost her balance. It seemed her clumsiness always involved at least one other person so she was not overly surprised.
"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said, returning his smile with a sheepish grin. "It said not too... but I just couldn't reach..." She began climbing down to properly apologize.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 19, 2014 12:45:53 GMT -8
"Oh, I'm so sorry,""It said not too... but I just couldn't reach..."
Leroy looked at the woman above, like being under a spell. The unaccustomed smile didn't disappear. He had no idea what the woman was talking about, but despite seemed to hang on her's every word. "It's fine, sister... nothing happened at all.", he responded with a shrug of his shoulders, while the woman was climbing down the ladder.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 19, 2014 14:34:48 GMT -8
(temp-play by Hollywood Heidi)
"I really am so sorry," she said as she reached the ground and stood in front of him. She gently and unabashedly started to sweep the glitter off his hat and his face as she explained. "I was trying to get that star in the right place and it was just slightly out of reach." She finished by sweeping the glitter out of his beard and then off his jacket before taking a step back and with a smile, added, "Oh, and you can just call me Astrid."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 19, 2014 15:03:56 GMT -8
"I really am so sorry,", the lovely woman in front of him appologized a second time.
Leroy was used to be a nasty contemporary, when he was drawn into someone's scattiness. But for any reason he couldn't stop smiling even now. She suddenly was starting to sweep the glitter off his face, out of his beard, while she continued speaking to him.
"I was trying to get that star in the right place and it was just slightly out of reach."
Again Leroy had no idea what she was talking about. But instead he thought about a strange upcoming feeling, her face and her voice unleashed. A feeling of familiarity. Though that was impossibly. He never could have forgotten that beautiful face, that lovely voice.
"Oh, and you can just call me Astrid.", she added, after taking a step back.
"Actually... I call everyone sister.", he replied with a clumsy-looking smile. "So... äh.. what again are you doing here, sis... Astrid?"
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 19, 2014 15:56:08 GMT -8
(temp-play by Hollywood Heidi)
"It's Mother Superior's birthday and we're throwing her a surprise picnic. I made these stars," she gestured to the box of glittery origami stars on the picnic table beside them, "to string up. I think she'll like them," she said hopefully. Astrid frowned down at her watch. "Oh, but I'm running out of time." She'd wasted so much time making sure the few she'd already strung up were in the perfect place and now here she was, not even halfway done.
"You'll have to forgive me," she gestured to the box before moving toward it, "I need to get these strung up." Astrid stepped over to the box and began unraveling some thread. "Oh, I'm never going to finish this on time," she said with a sigh. Would she ever be able to do anything without messing up?
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 19, 2014 16:32:06 GMT -8
Leroy felt relieved, that she didn't take it as, he wasn't listening before. Even if he couldn't deny that he has been distracted by thoughts about her face and her voice. Leroy followed her gesture towards a box with some glittery stuff inside. Holy Crap! She really did all these just for a birthday party?! Leroy's thoughts were easy to read on his face for sure. But that's the way he was.
"Oh, but I'm running out of time.", she suddenly said, having a look down at her watch. "You'll have to forgive me,""I need to get these strung up.", Astrid continued talking, while she was beginning to unravel some thread. "Oh, I'm never going to finish this on time,"
"Hey, wait, wait...", Leroy fell into her soliloquy and touched her hand, prevented it from shredding the glittery stars in her hecticness. "You gotta tell me the right position, so that I can hang them up for you, ok?" Leroy didn't wait for her answer and instead reached into the box, took out a handful of her selfmade stars and already grabbed at the ladder beside them.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 19, 2014 19:36:24 GMT -8
(temp-play by Hollywood Heidi)
"Really?" she asked in gleeful surprise. "Over here." She dragged the ladder a few feet over and took the stars from his hands so that he could climb. Realizing she may have jumped at an offer made out of courtesy, she backtracked. She placed a hand on his arm to stop him from climbing. "Wait. Are you sure I'm not taking you away from something else? I appreciate the offer but if you have something you need to do or someplace you need to be, I won't hold you to it Mr.-" she paused, looking sheepish as she realized she forgot to ask his name after she'd given hers, "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Apr 20, 2014 0:37:29 GMT -8
Leroy just wanted to climb up the ladder and to take the stars back out of her hands, as she suddenly placed her hand on his arm to stop him.
"Wait. Are you sure I'm not taking you away from something else? I appreciate the offer but if you have something you need to do or someplace you need to be, I won't hold you to it Mr.-", she let follow her words a little pause, when she realized he hadn't told his name yet. "I'm sorry, I didn't get your name."
"It's Leroy.", he answered, pointing at himself. For a moment there was shown a relieved expression on his face. Did that mean, she never heard of the town drunk? Or just meant, she didn't had a face to it... "No no, sister, it's a pleasure for me to help.", he added, regarding the fear of taking him away from something else. A pleasure to help? Man, when did he ever sayed something like that?! Before she could have give him any backtalk, he again turned to the ladder and climbed it up higher. "So, where shall I place this one?", he asked, while he was holding one of the glittery stars up to the branches above, having a short look back over his shoulder.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Apr 26, 2014 9:25:42 GMT -8
(temp-play by Hollywood Heidi)
"Just right there," she said, pointing to the branch nearest him. She held up another of the stringed stars for him to take when he was done with that one. As soon as he looked back again, she beamed a smile of thanks. "Thank you so much, Leroy. It's very kind of you to take the time to help out a stranger."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on May 13, 2014 2:08:30 GMT -8
"Thank you so much, Leroy. It's very kind of you to take the time to help out a stranger.", he heard her saying with a smile.
Leroy replied her smile, though his maybe looked a little ungainly. If he would be able to see himself now, he had to shake his head about it for sure. After a little while all of the glittery stars were hung up and Leroy climbed down. But well, if that woman wouldn't be so lovely and cute, he hadn't do this. He hadn't clamber about on the ladder just to choose a special position for every fucking star. But she was. So it truly was a pleasure to help. "Well... ähm.. seems we finished up with that.", he said, looking at her with a chary smile. He don't wanted to just leave and never see her again. But ask her about her phone number? Phew, this really was not his strength and he never has been in such a situation.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on May 18, 2014 15:20:34 GMT -8
(temp-played by Hollywood Heidi)
Astrid clasped her hands together and held them up to her heart as she watched the stars dance and sparkle in the breeze. "Oh, they're perfect! Mother Superior will love them." She turned to Leroy and once again gave a smile full of appreciation as she reached out to give his hands a squeeze to emphasize her words. "I couldn't have done it without you, Leroy."
She released his hands and noticing a commotion, turned in look in the direction of everyone's attention. Mother Superior had just arrived. "She's here." Astrid felt a moment's hesitation as she looked at her stars again, worry furrowing her brow as she scrutinized her crafting. A moment ago, she thought them wonderful and now faced with her desperation to please Mother Superior to make up for all her faults, no matter how big or small the opportunity, she was doubting herself.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 4, 2014 11:27:07 GMT -8
His heart made a little jump, as Astrid grabbed his hands.
"I couldn't have done it without you, Leroy."
"That was no big deal, really.", he responded with a clumsy-looking smile. For a moment their eyes just met each other. The silence let him think about asking her phone number again. Then suddenly he noticed a commotion behind them and Astrid released his hands, turning around. The moment was gone.
"She's here.", she said, now focused on the direction of everyone's attention.
Mother Superior. Just now Leroy had to remember himself that the woman in front of him was a nun. He really was going to ask a nun's phone number...?! Holy crap! But she was so... Leroy watched her from the side. Her attention left to the glittery stars and Mother Superior. Now he felt a little superfluous. Maybe it was better to leave, wasn't it? "Well... ähm... just... lemme know if they shall be taken down, ok?", he said to her, already half turning around to left the place.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jun 28, 2014 23:43:52 GMT -8
(temp-played by Hollywood Heidi)
As he turned to leave, she felt a sadness tugging at her. "Would you like to join us?" she blurted out. She smiled sheepishly and attempted to smooth her outburst. "You did help with decorations, after all. And there are others of the town folk joining us," she added in reassurance with a motion toward some of the guests who were not from the convent.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 29, 2014 11:31:29 GMT -8
"Would you like to join us?"
Suddenly Leroy was all smiles, something he never felt on his face before. But luckily his face still was turned around. If anyone else was watching them, this would certainly look kinda peculiar. He quickly put on a more serious look and turned around to Astrid. Before he was able to react on her recent question, she added:
"You did help with decorations, after all. And there are others of the town folk joining us,"
Leroy had a short look around, not really watching out for any others, before he blurted out: "I WOULD LIKE TO!" a little too enthusiastic and above all too loud. Embarrassed he looked around and then back to Astrid. With a sheepish smile and a shrug of his shoulders he hoped to remedy the situation.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Aug 24, 2014 0:58:06 GMT -8
(temp-played by Hollywood Heidi)
She blinked rapidly, stunned by the loud reply. His sheepish smile and shrug had her bursting into laughter. It wasn't a derisive laugh at his expensive but a laugh of pure joy as she saw herself in that reaction. "I apologize," she said through the last of the giggles. Noticing the quiet, she glanced around at the disapproving faces and cleared her throat, now also looking sheepish. She continued quietly as people turned back to their previous conversations. "I'm sorry," she apologized again. "It's just that... I'm always unintentionally embarrassing myself. It's wonderful knowing I'm not the only one. We're two peas in a pod, you and I."
She motioned toward a couple of empty spots at one of the tables and they headed that direction. "Could you just imagine the two of us heading out into the world together?" she said, grinning at the over-exaggerated images of a string of follies in their wake.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Aug 24, 2014 3:24:40 GMT -8
Leroy couldn't help join in her hearty laugh, even if his was more like a clumsy chuckle. His cheeks were getting a little red and he felt a bit uncomfortable about Astrid had to apologize for his blurting out like a person trying to drown the sound of some construction works.
"I'm sorry,""It's just that... I'm always unintentionally embarrassing myself. It's wonderful knowing I'm not the only one. We're two peas in a pod, you and I."
Again a big smile lightened Leroy's face. Normally he didn't brought himself in such situations, but she seemed to cause that with him. An unfamiliar but terrifying pleasant feeling.
"Could you just imagine the two of us heading out into the world together?", she asked with a grin, heading together with him towards a couple of empty spots at one of the tables.
"I could! Would you? I would like to!", Leroy again blurted out without thinking twice, this time at least not that loud. But loud enough that the people around were able to hear him. And then, all of a sudden, he felt pretty stupid. Of course this was just a joke of her, wasn't it? How couldn't it? A little emberassed he looked down to his feed. "Ahmm... that was just... ah..."
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Sept 6, 2014 19:37:17 GMT -8
(temp-played by Hollywood Heidi)
Astrid's smile faded as her expression became unreadable. She had just blurted that out, as she tended to do with farfetched, fanciful imaginings that popped into her head. But the easy and carefree way he embraced the idea made it sound attainable. And surly, she thought as she studied him, he'd meant he'd like to go out into the world in general, not necessarily with her. Though for some reason, it felt oddly familiar. Like an old, forgotten dream from long ago. He began to stammer, drawing her out of her thoughts and she looked down at her plate, embarrassed for causing him discomfort with her staring.
"Ahmm... that was just... ah..."
She looked back at him and smiled again, trying to ease his discomfort. "Alas, I made a life choice," she said good-naturedly. This my world," she motioning to the other sisters and what they all stood for. What they'd all dedicated their lives to. "But if you do, promise me you'll send postcards and letters of your adventures so I can imagine I was right there with you."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Sept 23, 2014 18:21:00 GMT -8
Leroy was looking back at Astrid, when she raised her voice again. He was thankfully to see a smile instead of anger or any other aversion in her face. Despite, he shouldn't have said something like that. Of course she wouldn't leave everything behind to heading out into the world. Especially not with someone like him. A thoughtfully expression appeared on his face, when he asked himself an inner question. Was he really minded to do something like that? "But if you do, promise me you'll send postcards and letters of your adventures so I can imagine I was right there with you."
He was. A little smile escaped his face. Though their relation would never be more like a dream, this woman seemed to change something in him. To revive a side of him, he even didnt know it would exist. "Im really glad we've met.", he replied with a friendly smile. A friendly smile! Jeez, this really was a creepy other side of him... Maybe it was the right choice not to amplify to the idea of the two of them heading out into the world. Man, when did he become so dreamy? Actually this wasn't exactly his second name.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Oct 18, 2014 23:01:23 GMT -8
(temp-played by Hollywood Heidi)
Astrid smiled. "Me too," she said, placing her hand over his on the table with a gentle squeeze to emphasize her words. A throat clearing had her snatching her hand back as she looked at the disapproving glare aimed at where her hand had been. Astrid smiled brightly at her. "Happy Birthday, Mother Superior. I hope you like the paper stars I made."
"Yes, they're lovely, Sister." She'd stressed the last word and looked pointedly at the man next to her. "And who is your friend?"
"Oh, this is Leroy. I couldn't have finished the decorating in time without him. He was a big help."
"Mm hm. I'm sure he was," she said dryly and obviously unimpressed. Astrid, distracted in her good mood, didn't pick up on it, nor did she see the second pointed look Mother Superior shot toward Leroy.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Oct 23, 2014 7:33:51 GMT -8
A warm feeling spread through his veins, as her hand gently touched his.
"Happy Birthday, Mother Superior. I hope you like the paper stars I made.", she suddenly broke their little moment, drawing attention to a grumpy looking woman.
Leroy’s cheeks went red. This seemed to be her boss… well, if it’s called boss in the nun corporation.
"Yes, they're lovely, Sister.""And who is your friend?"
The repudiation in her last words wasn’t fail to hear. He generally didn’t feel comfortable with nuns all around… Uh well, except of Astrid… but this didn’t make it a better situation.
"Oh, this is Leroy. I couldn't have finished the decorating in time without him. He was a big help."
Leroy gave her an uneasy looking smile from the side. He wasn’t sure, if that really was what the nun boss wanted to hear…
"Mm hm. I'm sure he was,", a dryly and beyond all measure unimpressed reply sounded in front of him.
“Uh well, and now decorating time’s over, Huh?”, Leroy interposed, somehow unpleasant feeling. “Should go back to… work.”, he added, already hurrying to stand up. Work? Dammit! Why he said work? If they ever meet again and Astrid ask about his nightshift job, she’ll maybe remember that… But well, probably they won’t meet again anyway. Why would a nun like to meet again with a boozy guy like him?
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Dec 27, 2014 18:54:02 GMT -8
(temp-played by Hollywood Heidi)
Suddenly he was standing and saying his goodbyes. "Oh, must you?" she said, a slight frown touching her lips as she look up at him.
"Sister Astrid," Mother Superior said pointedly, stressing Astrid's title. "Mr. Leroy said he has to go to work. Surely you're not asking him to go against what is expected of his path?" Again, she gave Leroy a pointed look.
Astrid's attention was quickly drawn back to Mother Superior, her eyes wide at the reprimand before realization and guilt had her quickly lowering them to her plate. Her shoulders hunched and her eyes didn't leave her plate as she spoke. "No, Mother Superior. I apologize for my rudeness. Thank you for your help, Mr. Leroy. Have a blessed evening."
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Dec 27, 2014 19:20:26 GMT -8
When Leroy heard the Mother Superior's words, his muscles seemed to freeze all of a sudden. He already was turned around, so Astrid luckily wasn't able to see the expression on his face.
"No, Mother Superior. I apologize for my rudeness. Thank you for your help, Mr. Leroy. Have a blessed evening."
"You as well. Goodbye.", Leroy hastily answered, feeling the nun's disapproval on his back. With these last words he left the park, sad and relieved at the same time. Sad about probably not seeing Astrid ever again and relieved about survived the Mother Superior's presence.
**Leroy leaves the park**
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Mar 28, 2015 14:40:20 GMT -8
The clock, which has been stuck at 8:15 for as long as anyone can remember, began to move once again promptly at 8:15 p.m.
Several hours pass. It is now the morning after the clock has started.
A few may have noticed the clock moving last night and those close enough may have realized when it chimed the 9 p.m. hour. Others may have learned by word of mouth or not until they next arrived in town.
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jun 11, 2016 3:28:14 GMT -8
**Leroy enters from his appartment**
Since Leroy had left the hospital, his head was filled with questions and thoughts, which preyed upon his mind. Two women didn't get out of it. First was the strange one in the psych ward this morning. She even didn't know who she was, nor why she was there. Well, maybe not that unsual considering to the fact that she was in the psych ward. But then, the feeling that there had to be more behind that story, didn't let up on him. Leroy has only talked to her behind closed doors, but he just felt, that this woman really needed help. Not that help someone needs in a psych ward. Real help. His help. Oh man... when did he start to become the Samaritan?
And then there was that second woman in his head, which didn't gave him sleep after work either. Astrid. An infatuated smile appeared on his lips. Actually she was the reason, why he was here again. Waiting in the park. Waiting for her? Leroy's face expression suddenly hardened. Waiting for a nun. Leroy, you fool!
Again grumpy looking Leroy let his eyes wander around the glittery stars above, hanging in the trees. It has been only hours ago he had helped her hang them up there.
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Post by Storyteller on Jan 1, 2017 1:09:01 GMT -8
*Lily and Errol enter from Dr. Hopper's office*
Lily could not believe all the things they'd seen in only the short distance between Dr. Hopper's office and the park! The good doctor had unfortunately been called away on business and after several apologies on his behalf, reassurances from Lily that she would be alright to continue and a few smart aleck comments from Errol about taking her to some place called The Rabbit Hole, Archie had finally been convinced to leave Lily in Errol's- he'd hoped- capable hands. Errol, for his part, gave Lily the 'grand tour' as he'd put it. She thrilled in seeing all the places that he'd told her about- Granny's Diner, the bakery, the ice cream parlor, the animal shelter...they took special care to cross the street when they reached Mr. Gold's Pawnshop though.
There was some excitement around what Errol had said was the toy shop. The place now looked like a burned out shell after what one of the one lookers had told them was a fire that had happened only about an hour or two before. The amount of people milling around and the sadness of the story was a bit much for Lily and they moved on quickly.
She felt much calmer when they arrived at the park. It was a peaceful place and the tall trees did a lot to soothe her soul. Lily looked up, excitedly grabbing Errol's arm, "Errol! Look at the stars hanging from the trees! Aren't they beautiful?"
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Post by DarkSideCookie on Jan 28, 2017 7:45:40 GMT -8
"Errol! Look at the stars hanging from the trees! Aren't they beautiful?"
A young woman's voice let him turn around. Obvoiusly a young couple decided for a walk through the park in the early hours. Leroy looked down at the watch around his arm. Well, it was not that early anymore. Geez, how much time did he spend with doing nothing? He even didn't sleep after work today. But then, he wasn't sleepy at all, probably due to the events of the night. Leroy had another look at the couple and decided not wanting to disturb them. Three people were one too many. Leroy threw one last look at the stars above, before he turned to leave the place.
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Post by Hollywood Heidi on Jan 28, 2017 12:41:19 GMT -8
(temp-played by Hollywood Heidi)
Astrid had found herself veering from her usual path on her morning walk. Something had drawn her back to the place she's been the day before. Just as a young couple had arrived, Astrid quietly approached and came to a stop several feet behind Leroy under the trees with the stars.
"Errol! Look at the stars hanging from the trees! Aren't they beautiful?"
"Thank you, I made them myself," Astrid said with a kind, sincere smile that matched her sweet and gentle demeanor. She moved to stand beside Leroy and in front of the young couple. "We celebrated Mother Superior's birthday here yesterday. Leroy graciously helped me hang them from the trees," she said, bestowing a smile on Leroy as she gestured to him before turning her attention back to the young couple. "I'm Sister Astrid," she said, holding out her hand, "though Astrid would do just fine."
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