ROLEPLAY HQ - saving-fate

Crunch. The autumn leaves crackled under Julie’s black leather boots. A cold breeze chilled her underneath the layers of her heavy button-down knit cardigan and tshirt. Her hair was unevenly pulled back with a brown claw clip, and reading glasses sat on the bridge of her nose. The sky was a foggy grey. Dew settled on the cold green grass that held a frost every morning as the weather was growing colder by the week. It was around 10 in the morning, right when Julie needed to show at the local art museum- this wasn’t her career. In fact, it was her part time volunteer position. The busier she was, the more content everything would be. Julie had a passion for the arts. Paintings, digital, animations, books and music. Whatever let her creative mind drift away and forget her troubles. She volunteered twice a week to give tours of the museum to tourists and even locals who weren’t familiar. She reached for the handle that was cold to the touch, and pulled open the heavy metal door. The frame was painted black and peeling around the edges from years of weather. The tile ahead on the floor was a sage green. It smelled of old paper and simmering coffee. It was refreshing. Julie stepped towards the office where she would then collect her clipboard and a printed sheet of the name of everyone who would attend her 10:30 tour of the building. She sat on a stool and waited their arrivals. @jakeybean

Erik Stullen had just placed down the bottle again. His fifth try at soberity after years and years of abuse. His mind kept telling him that he was not getting any younger, now his body was starting to agree with him. After years of abuse, he would find himself struck between a rock and hard place. Either die by the bottle, or put it down and finally start living. This particular morning was particularly interesting. Waking up with the desire to dive head first into a bottle, he found himself needing to clear his mind, get into a better space. He would take a short walk from his apartment in the middle of downtown, stopping only when he saw that the art museum seemed to be open. He could distract himself here... That is when he saw here. He was looking at a particular piece, one that was of a park setting with children playing and lovers canoodling, but as he observed her, he couldn't help but notice her similarities to the alcohol that shallowed his dreams every night—smooth, complex, and intoxicatingly irresistible. Just as the drink had once held him captive, he felt love at first sight when he looked at her. She stoold at a stool awaiting someone, but as he approached, he saw a sign, "Tours." "Uh, hi," he would say with a smile, "I am here for the tour..." A gentle lie, but what kind of amazing story doesn't start with that...?

11:21

@peachbunny_

Julie clicked her blue ink pen while waiting for someone to arrive. She hoped for at least five to six people per tour, but if there were more than that it made her much happier. She looked up from spacing off to see a tall man, with handsome features right in front of her. With a glance to her watch and then back at him she spoke- “You’re a little early, but feel free to wait with me.” Before much longer after few moments of silence, individuals and families began to trickle in through the front door. Julie had to mentally prepare herself for this. It was a bigger crowd than the usual quiet handful she was used to. The more she thought about it, the more she realized that this would be a great distraction. She put a smile on her face and greeted every single person respectfully. Julie took a deep breath and with the same clipboard in hand began to guide the group down the first hallway. Most of the pieces in this area were abstract with lots of outstanding colors. She lectured about different artists and some even came from around the world. @jakeybean

Erik would find himself sitting silently against the wall in the waiting area as they seem to wait for others to gather for the tour. As much as he wished it was a personalized tour, he knew that they would have large groups. He continued to try and build up the courage to speak with the very beautiful girl in front of him, but he could never find the words to do so. However, he would see that she caught him staring a couple of times and he would just turn and look at the floor. Once the groups began to settle in, he would smile as he waited for Julie, he learned from her name badge, to start the tour.

03:09

@peachbunny_

As the next hour passed, Julie found herself unable to focus. She tapped her pen anxiously against her thigh, trying to brief as much of her speeches as she possibly could. Her mind was anxiety ridden as she couldn’t pry her attention off of one man in the crowd. The first to arrive. He stood out to her. Upon arriving at the last exhibit the couple dozen people started to fall onto their own paths, or leave. Julie hoped that her distraction wasn’t noticeable, as it could get her reprimanded. She quickly scrambled a phone number on a business card and as the last family left, Julie awkwardly approached the stranger and passed it to him. “Just in case you ever decide to come back.” She smiled and hoped that he would realize it was to her personal cell. @jakeybean

Throughout the door, he could not take her eyes off of her, the way she walked, talked, explained the art so fluently, it ran through his body like a knife through butter. He almost melted for her. As the tour would come to an end, he seemed to be the only one who would remain at her attention, par a few others who seemed to grow tired. He smiled as he would examine another painting on the wall as she seemed to talk another group away. But, as she approached, he felt his heart skip as she handed him a card, the number scribbled down seemed to be different than the museums, he smiled, "Oh, I definitely will, Julie," he would say with a smile, "Erik, by the way, thank you for this wonderful tour... You seem so smart and knowledgable about all of this. I was wondering, could you tell me more about this piece?" The piece was titled, “In Bed the Kiss” by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec.

@peachbunny_ (Just realized I forgot to tag you...)

Julie smiled and nodded. Erik. She certainly wouldn’t be forgetting this name. Had she made a fool of herself by providing her number? There was a chance that the man would laugh it off and she would never hear from him again. Something about him brought her a calm, familiar feeling. “Thank you- I’m always delighted when I meet someone just as interested in these pieces.” She nervously glanced from the art hanging on the wall, back to him. This piece was beautiful. A singular small lamp shone its bright iridescent light upon it, which really brought out the texture of the paints. “This one.. well, it’s very lovely,” Julie began to ramble and was quick to think of the history. “The artist was French. His work was all done in a very similar style and color palette, and he wanted his creations to represent nightlife. His medium of choice was an oil paint.” By this time, the two were entirely alone. The museum staff was beginning to clean up the offices on the other side of the building. She had heard the door shut in the distance. @jakeybean

"Very interesting," Erik would say with a smile, hearing the same door shutting as well, "I don't know if that is them telling you that it is time to close up shop, but I would love to hear more about this piece or anything else you would love to discuss?" He gave a soft smile to her, something about the way that the light hit her in this museum, it was almost like she was one of the art pieces to be admired as well... "I hope it is not too forward," he said again, breaking another moment of silence, "But, would you like to perhaps get some coffee? I know a small place around the corner..."

22:50

@peachbunny_

Julie nodded. “I wish we had more time. I’d tell you anything you wanted to know.” A quick glance at the watch on her wrist told her that they were running late. It would be worth it, though. She paused. Coffee. Would this be a date? No, she didn’t think so—it would have been too soon. Frantic thoughts raced through her mind as she began to worry about her appearance. “Yeah, of course. We can go for a coffee.” It was hard to hide her flustered expression, and she scuffled off to the office door. “Meet me outside!” Julie called, gesturing to the wide glass exit door. Her leather-heeled boots clacked against the hard tiles, and she felt the skin of her shins become irritated. She slipped on the light gray sweater that was hung by a metal coat rack, and after she shut the lights off, Julie locked the entrance door behind her. The afternoon was cold. The air was still and the sun had not set yet. A single leaf drifted past and landed on the sidewalk below. And there was Erik. Julie found him to be very handsome and wondered what his intention was with someone as ordinary as herself. “Do you know a place?” @jakeybean