+ Chalk it to me! - Mingle Log +

[vitaelamorte]

Who: EVERYONE!
Where: Anywhere outside on Real Side, but mostly in the gardens!
When: 3/14-3/20
Rating: PG, warn if going higher than PG-13
Summary: Alice has invited everyone, Reals and Mirrors alike, to come color outside in the nice spring weather with magic chalk. Surely nothing could go wrong with that plan, right?
The Story:

Outside, the weather is absolutely beautiful. It's not too hot, but not too cold either, and no one would have ever realized there was snow on the ground yesterday if they hadn't been here to see it. The grass is green and everything is dry - no sign of melted snow anywhere at all. Flowers have begun to bloom and it truly looks as though it's been spring for some time already. The season has changed abruptly and now Wonderland's decided it's time for it to be nice out.

There are many paths through the gardens, the vendors, and the hedge maze that can be drawn on, but as Alice demonstrated in her post, there's no need at all to stick to pavement only. Even the air can be decorated with living drawings!

This is a log for people who want to come color outside or people who want to check out what others are doing out here. It isn't strictly to interact with Alice, but she'll be around and will have a top level.

Comments

[teamfun]

[Louis nods quickly.]

Yeah! He's got important gem-saving-the-world stuff to do. You know how it is, busy busy. A Steven's work is never done.

[He'll turn to the door with a dramatic sweep. WORD TO SAVE YOU KNOW.]

C'mon, Steve-O, we can't just eat delicious doughnuts all day long.

[jamminshield]

Right! Gotta go bye Chalk Sadie!!

[Then shoves the doughnut in his mouth and forces himself to chew it as he runs outside. He proceeds to cough up chalk.]

...D-definitely a unique flavor!

[teamfun]

[Louis makes a comical 'belgh' sound, trying to wipe chalk dust off his tongue.]

It's still not the worst thing I've ever eaten, but it's for sure in the top five. But at least she tried.

[jamminshield]

She did! Sadie's a good person. She always tries her best, it's great! [He looks around.]

Hmmm, where should we go next? ...Something tells me we should skip the other food places, as much as I miss Fish Stew Pizza and the fry place.. hey, wanna meet my dad?

[teamfun]

Okay, I'm pretty sure 'fish, stew and pizza' don't belong together in the same sentence.

[After the chalk doughnuts, he's passing HARD on that, he'll aim for family instead. Probably safer. ]

Sure! I'd love to meet your dad.

[jamminshield]

Those words go together a lot better than you might think! [He says with a waggle of his finger.]

Great! Then here we go! [Steven runs ahead as he makes his way towards the local car wash!]

[teamfun]

I remain utterly unconvinced until the time comes where you can convince me.

[God, he hopes he isn't opening himself to eating fish stew pizza any time soon. Ew. He follows Steven to the car wash, smiling a little. ]

So. You close to your dad?

[jamminshield]

Of course! We made a song about it and everything! [He nods cheerily as he makes his way forward.]

We hang out a lot! When I'm not busy with missions or stuff. We jam out together, and he gives lots of great advice!

[As they near the car wash, there's one distinctive van parked outside. And one Guitar Dad is perched upon it, strumming at his chalky guitar.]

[teamfun]

Well, that's serious stuff, when you make a song about it.

[He's not kidding, song writing is serious buisness, wow.]

He sounds like a pretty cool dad. You're lucky.

[He might be a touch jealous- but it's not like he didn't create the rift between himself and his own father all on his own. No one to blame but himself, on that one. He raises a hand in greeting- wow, Steven has a musical dad. He's maybe more than a touch jealous.]

Uh, hi, Steven's Dad?

[jamminshield]

Thanks, Louis. He's the best! Oh yeah, and his name's Greg!

[He floats up and hugs the chalk Greg, who stops his guitar strumming to hug Steven, while babbling happily.]

Hi Chalk Dad!! This is a cool new friend of mine. His name's Louis!!

[teamfun]

Greg. Great name, solid name.

[He smiles, as Greg hugs Steven. It's nice, and jealousy aside, he's genuinely happy Steven's got a good home life. He's a great guy, he deserves it. ]

Nice to meet you! That's me, a cool friend.

[jamminshield]

It is, isn't it?

[Steven gets a bit tear-eyed while seeing his father and stays by his side after the hug is complete. Greg proceeds to wave to Louis happily and then starts playing a variety of random sounds on his guitar.]

N-not exactly his best work, but Chalk Dad is trying his best!

[teamfun]

Are you kidding? He's awesome.

[And Louis wholeheartedly means that. What he would have given to have his dad even vaguely understand how important music was. And here's Greg, chilling out and playing a guitar. He's a Great Dad.]

[jamminshield]

Of course! That's my dad for you. [he smiles proudly. And he gestures towards the car wash nearby.]

And that's his car wash!

[teamfun]

[Louis nods, impressed.]

That's pretty cool. So he owns his own car wash? That sounds like a sweet ass way to live our your days.

[Someone else might wonder how anyone managed to live with income from a car wash, but Louis only had the most basic grasp of the Value of Money before the world ended and he sure as hell didn't have it after. ]

[jamminshield]

Yep! He enjoys it. He keeps on doing work there even after he got a lot of money! Washing cars and playing songs, that's... just what he loves to do, I guess.

[He smiles as he lays on his back atop the van, just staring blankly up towards the sky, and trying to pretend it's the same as actually being back home.]

[teamfun]

[You can be rich or you can be happy- you can't be both. Well, Dad, looks like one Greg Universe exists to prove you dead fucking wrong on that one. Louis feels a weird kind of vindication- that his father's words had been proven wrong- even when he knows it wasn't exactly the lesson that was being taught to him in the first place. He casts a thoughtful look in Greg's direction. ]

...I'm glad he gets to enjoy himself. That's important. Doing what you love. Regardless of how much money you have or don't have. Just being...you. He's sure got it right.

[jamminshield]

[Somehow he manages. Steven smiles and nods along with Louis's words.]

Yeah! That's right, Louis. My dad's all about being himself. That's why he was happy long before he got that big check. And why he still likes living in his van, even if he could buy his own castle if he wants!

[teamfun]

Well, money isn't everything. It sometimes feels like it is, but when you get down to it, it's just...stuff. Nothing compared to the actual important things like friends and family.

[A lesson he learned himself way too late. He realises he's getting close to being dragged into a dark hole by his own memories, and quickly diverts with a smile. ]

So. What else does Beach City have to offer?