[center][h1]Tuesday, November 25th, 10:00[/h1] [h2]South Side: The Tuesday Morning Market[/h2][/center] [hr][hr] [center][h1]Sunrise Art Collective[/h1] [h3][color=00b4d6]Nico Ribeiro[/color], [color=eb7997]Dominika Zielinski[/color] & [color=61ab89]Ash Price[/color][/h3] [img]https://i.imgur.com/TpN79UO.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Sb1fIzj.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/N3CBSUM.png[/img] [/center] [right]Interactions: Open [code]Tuesday Morning Market, Underwood Street. Cloverfield Lower District.[/code][/right][hr] Tuesday morning, there was a surprising busyness to Underwood Street and its surrounding alleyways. Located on the outskirts of the Circle District, the road was normally devoid of life: boarded up businesses and rundown apartments with little else to it. But right now it was bustling with people and makeshift stalls lining the walls. It was a market that happened the last Tuesday of every month, facilitated by the ‘generous’ businessman Gideon Cross. Of course, everyone knew it was run by the Hollow… but nobody cared. There was very little good in the South Side, and having a few gang members roaming to stop fights was a small price to pay for a place to sell and barter. There was a wide variety of sellers in the market. From sections that looked like a craft’s fair, to a small amount more like a farmer’s market, and a sizeable number of stalls selling junk like it was a yard sale. It was a place for people to maybe make a bit of cash- or trade things they didn’t need for things they did. The Sunrise Art Collective had just finished setting up their small stall. A scratched, but stable, wooden table was covered in a variety of artistic goods. Art prints in a variety of styles and unique, small painted canvas made up about half, with photographs dotted between them. Then were the more crafty goods: little hand sewn animals, knitted hats, gloves and scarfs, hand embroidered patches and a variety of jewellery. Most of this was made of twisted simple metal or had little, hand carved wooden charms. There were a few wooden figures too. [color=eb7997]”There, perfect!”[/color] Dominika, a short girl with a vintage camera hung around her neck, finished placing the last piece they’d brought with them at the back of the table. It was the largest painting- and the most expensive. There was a chance it could be sold to the more well off South Sider… But it was mostly there to draw the eye. They’d purposefully selected smaller, cheaper craft items to sell. The large, impressive paintings many of their members made would be kept for selling to the rich… But art should be accessible, and they made sure there were options for everyone. After all, none of them were well off either. [color=61ab89]”It was already perfect, then you started fussing,”[/color] Ash rolled their eyes from where they stood behind the stall. Their green dreadlocks were pulled back into a low ponytail and they looked tired… Like always. Nico watched from the back as the two bickered back and forth with a slight smile. The short, scrawny man sat on a wooden stool absentmindedly whittling away at a small piece of wood. His light brown skin looked pallid in the morning light, brown eyes watching his friends with warm amusement that outshone the dark bags underneath them. He was dressed for the weather and more, bundled up with a thick blue plaid jacket, navy beanie and dark scarf. [color=61ab89]”So, where’s your fiance? I’m surprised he ain’t hanging round you like an oversized guard dog.”[/color] Ash’s attention turned to him after finishing berating Domi. Nico laughed, shoulder rising into a shrug. [color=00b4d6]”He’s in one of those moods… y’know the ones. So he’s painting. I left him to it.”[/color] [color=eb7997]”[i]I’m[/i] surprised you’re awake, with how late we were up last night,”[/color] Domi pointed out. [color=00b4d6]”I’m not [i]that[/i] frail. It’s not been so bad recently… I’ve got a good few hours in me today, don’t worry.”[/color] Nico shrugged one shoulder. [color=00b4d6]”You think Julian would let me out the house if I was gonna collapse?”[/color] [color=eb7997]”[i]Third[/i] surprise. Not only did he let you leave without him, he let you out of bed at all!”[/color] Domi laughed. [color=eb7997]”Seriously, isn’t he normally all insistent about you resting after anything strenuous?”[/color] Nico smiled at Domi slyly. As if he didn’t know all of his fiance’s little quirks, and how to act to get what he wanted. Today it had been as simple as waiting for inspiration to strike Julian, and sneaking out of their shared home when he was distracted. If he acted cute later then there’d be very little consequences to it… Of course, he wasn’t going to share that. It was better they assume he’d been ‘allowed’ out. [color=00b4d6]”It’s not like I’m doing anything tiring. I’m chronically ill, not dying,”[/color] Nico flashed a wry smile. The most threatening thing to him here was getting a bit too excited over haggling prices. [color=00b4d6]”It’s not like anyone will try anything here, with the ‘security’ they’ve got.”[/color] [color=eb7997]”True, they got some real tough looking guys- and gals,”[/color] Domi grinned, a twinkle in her eyes. [color=61ab89]”Do [i]not[/i] go after some gang members!”[/color] Ash intoned, fixing Domi with a dead eyed stare that only made her grin widen. [color=00b4d6]”I say go for it. You never know where you’re gonna find love.”[/color] Nico laughed, a gentle smile further softening his face as he thought about his love. It was a shame that Julian wasn’t here right now… But if he was, Nico would be much more stifled. Perhaps he’d noticed Nico’s absence and appear later. [color=61ab89]”Gross, miss me with that sappy bullshit.”[/color] [color=eb7997]”Hit me with it!”[/color] Domi laughed, moving round the front of their table with a bag of stuff they hadn’t put on display. [color=eb7997]”I’ma go see if I can pick up some sexy ‘security’- I mean, barter this stuff for other useful things. You two watch the stall and don’t do anything I wouldn’t. Oh, first- Smile!”[/color] Domi pulled up her polaroid camera, not giving them much time to pose. Ash didn’t even bother, completely deadpan. Nico grinned, holding up his work in progress figure. With a click, the photo was taken, polaroid coming out with a whir. Domi snatched it and started waving the black square in the air. [color=eb7997]”Oh this is gonna look so good, I just know it. I’ll give it to Julian later… Stay safe!”[/color] And she was off. Nico shook his head as her back disappeared into the increasing crowd. Stay safe… like there was going to be any danger. It was a [i]market[/i]. A strange one in a rundown part of the city, but a market nonetheless. A vein throbbed at his neck, a creeping sense of unease running under his skin. But it was just paranoia. Tiredness, maybe. He only had a few more good hours, it seemed… But that wasn’t important for now. He turned to Ash with a bright smile. [color=00b4d6]”Let’s get to work, then.”[/color] [hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/zngMbhb.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qlZlDys.png[/img] [/center] [right]Interactions: Open [code]Tuesday Morning Market, Underwood Street, South Side[/code][/right][hr] Vin hated market days. Sure, they were only once a month… But wasn’t once a month too often? Why were they [i]always[/i] put in charge of the security? Sure, they were one of the least imposing looking Hollow members… But so what?! Just being a Hollow member made people wary! They weren’t a social person and this job came with a shit ton of people tryna talk to them. Like as soon as money was involved they didn’t have any fear of death anymore. Multiple people behind stalls covered in useless shit had already shouted out to them. Like they actually had money to fucking spare… Especially after yesterday. Dealing with Paloma, then moving a bunch of their shit to Loni’s work… Because she was attacked by one of those freaks. Much as Vin wasn’t a fan of her [i]boss[/i], they put Loni and Luciana’s safety above everything else. It was just safer for her to stay somewhere with loads of people. They could suffer living in the North Side some of the time for that. But it had been fucking draining to deal with. So they’d gotten off the street entirely, slipping down a quieter alleyway to climb up onto a roof. It gave them a good view of the whole area without risking people actually talking to them. It was way more fucking peaceful up here. Maybe they could just relax and- [i]Beep, beep, beep.[/i] Fuck! [color=51684c]”The fuck do you want, Riley,”[/color] Vin snapped to the Hollow member on the other end of the line. Someone much lower down the pecking order than they were. He’d defected from another gang in the city that had subsequently been wiped out… “Uh- we’ve gotta situation, boss!” [color=51684c]”I ain’t the boss. There’s only one boss.”[/color] “Sorry, Vin! But I got two people here causin' trouble- and one’s demandin’ to see the boss. Course, I ain’t gonna call [i]the[/i] boss, but-” [color=51684c]”You want me to come down and scare ‘em off.”[/color] “Somethin’ like that. They really wanna fight, man, Damian’s barely keepin’ em off each other.” [color=51684c]”Fine. I’ll be there in’a bit.”[/color] “Don’t you need to know-” [color=51684c]”No. I can smell you.”[/color] Vin hung up callously, shoving their phone back in their coat pocket. Of fucking course they couldn’t handle something so petty themselves! It was probably just two people fighting over some fucking bartering going wrong. Just let them fight! But fuck, Gideon would be disappointed if this was all ruined. With a groan, Vin stood up and jumped off the building. They landed in the alley with a thud, the few people huddled on it not even batting an eye. This better be the only shit they had to deal with today. Looking like someone who’s day had been absolutely ruined- which it had been- Vin stormed off into the crowd, towards where they knew there was a ‘commotion.’ [hr][hr][center][h1]Tuesday 11:00[/h1] [h2]North Side: Thanksgiving Music ‘Festival’[/h2][/center] [hr][hr] [center][img]https://i.imgur.com/tR921tl.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/pmkMn37.png[/img] [h1]Laurel & Mari Woods[/h1] [img]https://i.imgur.com/zA3BKC9.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/RE1roKJ.png[/img] [/center] [right]Interactions: Open [code]Thanksgiving Music ‘Festival’, Metroparks on High. Cloverfield Upper District.[/code][/right][hr] Bryn couldn’t believe she was coming into the city for the second day in a row. Not only that, the fucking [i]North Side[/i] of the city. She’d much rather be at home right now… preferably in her bed to catch up on all the sleep she hadn’t gotten. But no, because her middle sister, Laurel, had invited the hellion of the family to some kind of music event that was happening. Part of it was organised by Laurel herself, some society she was part of in University. That meant [i]Bryn[/i] had to drive Mari in, and there was honestly no way she’d let her go off on her own. She didn’t trust her… So here she was. Walking through Metroparks on High trying her best not to look too grumpy. Because she [i]did[/i] want to support Laurel… she just couldn’t stand all the fucking rich city folk. At least she didn’t have to risk their lives on that fucking boat thanks to a work pass from Momo. “Lighten up a lil, sis. Laur’s gonna think you’re upset at her! Smile or somethin’, for fuck’s sake.” [color=b23b07]"Laurel ain’t an idiot, she knows when I’m actually pissed off,"[/color] Bryn looked down at her youngest sister with narrowed eyes. [color=b23b07]"Unlike’a certain someone."[/color] “I know! I just don’t give a fuck!” Mari retorted, sticking her tongue out. Before Bryn could clap her round the head, she spun around and ran down the path towards where the sound of vague classical music was coming from. Or at least there were violins and a piano in there… Bryn didn’t know shit about music. She rolled her eyes, hands unclenching as she followed her younger sister. She’d dressed nicer than normal for this trip to the North Side. Her normal grubby dungaree or cargo pants and tank top combo had been swapped for dark jeans with a dark green wool sweater tucked into them. The sweater had been her Mom’s… It gave an uncomfortable feeling, but they were too poor not to keep and reuse her clothes. It was useful for times like this when Bryn wanted to look a bit less out of place. She’d even worn a small amount of makeup, though it wasn’t enough to cover the dark bags under her eyes from a night spent patrolling Raven’s Rest. Following Mari, they reached their destination within Metroparks on High. The Thanksgiving Music Festival- if it could be called that- was spread out across the end of the park adjacent to Crystalline Mall, the largest shopping centre in the city. The mall’s glass walls could be seen in the distance, many signs pointing visitors on towards it for the Thanksgiving Shopping Festival. That one seemed even more insane than this Music Festival - it could only be to make money. Signs declared that rare items could be won, and that luxury shops were having ‘never seen before discounts’. It really was an enticement only for the rich. Even this bit wasn’t much better. There were a shit ton of small, overpriced stalls claiming to sell authentic food of the highest quality with poor Lower District workers behind them that’d barely see a dime. Even fucking merch stalls for the festival itself and the recognisable bands they’d probably enticed with fat stacks of cash. Not that they’d be seeing any of that, since the morning was filled with mostly university bands according to Laurel. They were even selling fucking instruments. [i]Instruments[/i]! Who went to listen to live music then bought a fucking instrument?! She was surprised they hadn’t gated off the area and charged people to get in. The Music Festival itself seemed to have two ‘stages’- one to the East and one to the West. Mari had dragged them to the Western one, which seemed to be primarily for groups from the city’s university for now. While the crowd wasn’t large, it was bigger than Bryn had expected. Young, rich people with nothing better to do on a Tuesday morning. The stall already selling alcohol probably helped. There was a large sign next to the stage saying who was playing. Mari paused, grabbing Bryn’s arm and pointing. “Holy shit, they got the Numbats to play?! [i]Here[/i]. Fuckkk… They ain’t even charging people? The fuck is up with rich people!” Even Bryn had heard of the Numbats. British Rock band… More her kinda shit than the super heavy Metal that Mari listened to, or the boring country music Robin was into. But time to listen to anything wasn’t really something Bryn had and while she was the head of the family, she always let her younger siblings choose shit like that for communal listening. “I gotta stay for that. I can just sleep at Laurel’s tonight… Fuck!” [color=b23b07]"And force me into the city again tomorrow? Hell no. You got patrol duty later anyway"[/color] Mari scowled, turning to look after her older sister. She was swinging between begging and arguing. If they fought enough Bryn might just leave them here. “You came.” Laurel appeared from a nearby ‘staff only’ tent they’d ended up near, a soft smile blooming across her lips. Clearly Mari had known where to direct them to… She held herself with a quiet confidence so different from when she’d left home, showing off her much taller height now that she was no longer trying to curl into herself. Her head tilted slightly as she looked between her oldest and youngest sisters, quickly sensing the brewing tensions. She moved in between them, giving both a quick hug. “I wasn’t sure if you could. Thanks for makin’ the effort, Bryn.” Laurel spoke with a quiet, soft voice, and a purposefully smoother accent. She had to going to University in the city like this… [color=b23b07]"Eh, it’s nothin’. Anythin’ to get rid’a this one."[/color] “Hey!” Mari put her hands on her hips, but didn’t argue back like she’d been gearing up to. Not with Laurel now there. They hadn’t seen each other in a while. There was a moment of silence as Bryn considered what to say. Her and Laurel kept in touch regularly, since Bryn helped with funding and always wanted to make sure her siblings were all safe… Even when she clashed with them. They’d called just the night before to talk about the Doppelganger situation. Words weren’t really Bryn’s strong point after all. “Can I borrow Mari for a bit? There’s some people I want her to meet?” Laurel asked Bryn after the silence linger, as if she needed permission. They were both adults… As much as one was an adult Bryn didn’t trust to look after herself. [color=b23b07]"’Course. I’ll just wait round here,"[/color] Bryn shrugged. [color=b23b07]"Before you go… You’re comin’ for Thanksgiving, ain’t ya? When? You gotta organise with Robin if it’s the day, cause I gotta talk to Elay."[/color] “Elay’s coming?” [color=b23b07]"Seems so."[/color] “Oh.” Laurel looked surprised, before smiling. Of the four, she’d always been the one who’d been able to get on with their Foster brother the most. Probably because she was the quietest and didn’t end up clashing with his brash personality. “That’s nice. It’ll be a full reunion, then.” [color=b23b07]"Ay, full’a fights, I’m sure… Go do what you gotta do. I ain’t goin’ anywhere."[/color] Laurel laughed slightly, putting her arm around Mari’s shoulder and tugged her away towards the tent. Bryn tilted her head back, looking around. She didn’t really want to be here… But she was Mari’s ride home, so what was she supposed to do? At least with this music festival shit they weren’t likely to throw her outta the park for daring to linger while being poor. Probably. Without much else to do, Bryn moved to the outskirts of the festival area, finding a tree to lean against. With a harsh frown, she was the picture of unapproachableness. She pulled a small, battered sketch book from her bag after some thought. Might as well do something with this time... Soon, keen eyes scanned the crowd as she sketched- both giving her references and keeping an eye on her surroundings. Just in case.