Morningstar Manor

In the morning, Lara sat at a table right next to the Mocha line, wearing the bracelet she'd received the day before as she scrolled through some songs on her iPod. She dug the gift a lot and was hoping maybe her santa would see her sitting out there wearing it so she could thank her or him personally. But the Manor had a lot of tenants, so she knew it was a long shot.

At about the same time, Bridget was also at a table. She had a few last-minute things to take care of at work before her vacation kicked in, but since there was no rush, she decided to stop for some coffee and a pastry. Her secret santa gift remained at home, set out on the bar that lead into the kitchen. For the time being the candles remained unlit. That was just life with toddlers.

Toddlers weren't a problem in the Kwon-Smith apartment, so Layla had put her gift around the tub in the bathroom, just waiting for a bath when it would be put to good use. She came down to the Mocha in the afternoon, since she was done for the semester and didn't have anything better to do than stand in line, waiting for some holiday-flavored coffee.

Lis showed up in the late afternoon, wearing the grin that had been on her face since she'd gotten her fabulous gift the day before. It was so incredibly perfect; her secret santa must have been a secret angel. And even though it wasn't anywhere near summer, she wore the warmest of those cleavage-framing tops with pride as she sipped her coffee on the cafe's couch. This was going to be a good Christmas.

( E-mail to Lis )

( E-mail to Lara )

Lara's hands and arms looked like they'd been stuck in a blender. She and Stone had tried to give Slate a bath the night before, and though the kitten was tiny, he sure made up for it with brute force. Lara had tried to cover up all the claw marks with band-aids, but there was only so much she could do and still be able to bend her fingers. She sat at a table near the register, delicately holding a danish as she tried not to pull apart any closed cuts on her knuckles.

--

Phin was upstairs with the kids and Bridget came down to get them both coffee. She'd had their upcoming couples therapy appointment on her her mind, but once she got into the Mocha line and saw the menu board she found herself wondering what the deal was with this Karma Chai stuff. She had been seeing it pop up on menus all around town lately.

--

Layla was in charge of an upcoming Hitchcock mini-film fest at the Square's old movie house/video rental store, the Ivy. Everything was moving along smoothly with the planning except for the poster. She had Photoshop open on her laptop and was trying to assemble something herself, but she was no design expert. It looked like crap. As she sipped her coffee, she wondered if she could rope some Fine Arts undergrads into doing it.

--

Lis sat on one of the Mocha's couches, restringing her bass. Why was she restringing her bass in the Mocha? Well, after picking up the strings after practice, she was too lazy to go upstairs and do it. Also, it was a good way to get attention and she loved that.

Re: Hallowe'en

Dear Mrs Rhodes-Hawthorne

As usual the Manor will be hosting a costume ball at Hallowe'en and we are trying to organise live entertainment. This year, rather than offering the gig to bands from outsiide the Manor, we have decided to ask some of the resident musicians if they would be prepared to play a short set.

We would not, of course, expect you to give up your time for no financial recompense.

Please let me know if Neptune Grand would be interested in playing.

Yours

Charlie Shaw.

Now that Lara (and Peter!) had agreed to let Gilly use Upstairs are one of the sets for her movie short - the main one at that! - Gilly had some other stuff to work out. One of the main things was finding a good band to play in said venue during said short. Naturally her first thought was of Lis. Gilly had been spending time at the Lake since her classes were over, instead of just around the City, both to spend time with Bailey and some of their other friends, and also to give J, Matt and Max some alone family time. Today, however, she had come home early in the morning. She set up in the Mocha for some breakfast and list making and when she figured it was late enough in the day, she sent Lis a text, around noon.

Get your ass up and come down to the Mocha. I shall caffeinate you...and then proposition you! What are you waiting for?

Stone made it to the hot tub slower than Lis because Slate wasn't finished eating. He brought some of Slate's toys with him as well as a towel and his iPod with its little speaker plugged into the top. He smiled as he approached with Slate in one arm, his towel, iPod and keys in the other and his bathing suit and flip flops on. "Hello Wife of mine." He smirked.

To: Mrs. Lis Rhodes-Hawthorne
From: Stonewall
Subject: My Dearest Wifey

Wifey, my dear, it has come to my attention that all of our visits as of late consist of you bringing Bacon to have a, what is it called...'play date' with young master Slate. While I approve of these bonding sessions between the children, I find shameful the lack of our formally frequent bubble bath chats. This matter, I'm afraid, must be remedied immediately.

~ Stonewall

Stone was frustrated. He was sitting on the bench of the piano in the ball room, sheet music sitting in front of him, his arm sling on the floor next to him, and his shoulder sore as hell. His stitches had been removed the day before but he still had to keep a piece of gauze taped over his shoulder blade since it was still scabbed and apparently not done healing itself up. Oh, and his assignment was to compose a piece between five and ten minutes long, to be performed in the Rutherford theater at the end of the semester at, that's right, a recital-type event. Talk about embarrassing. Not only that but Lis was hanging with him today so he was feeling particularly embarrassed and also was suffering from writer's block at the moment. He let out a groan and leaned over to drop his forehead on the keys, which let out a not so melodic set of notes. "...Why couldn't they let me write a regular song so I could have this done already..." He sighed.

Stone showed up at Lis' apartment before noon. Actually it was around ten in the morning. He knew that was way too early for Lis but whatever, there was present-giving to be done! In fact he had a bag in his hand as well as a box carefully tucked in his arms. It had some discreet air holes cut into the wrapping paper as well. He moved the box carefully to one arm and knocked on the door loudly for a few minutes before he moved to hold the box properly and waited with a big dorky grin on his face.

Lara really needed a break from all the hoopla going on inside. It was kind of impressive that she lasted this far through the night before she had to get out for some air. Unfortunately, the air was cold. The cardigan she had on over her dressed was a help, but not exactly ideal. Nevertheless, Lara was going to stay outside for at least a few minutes, free to be mopey in peace. It would make the air inside feel that much warmer (and therefore welcoming?) when she came back in. Besides, there was a lot of stuff to look at out in the fancypants courtyard she'd wandered onto. Statues and trimmed hedges and a tastefully lit fountain with benches around it. Lara headed in that direction, to get away from the noise she could hear coming from inside the building.

( Hahaha, Stone loves Lara [unfinished] )

[[[OOC: So due to crazy schedules, computer malfunctions, procrastination and sickness on myself and Kris' parts pretend this was received oh...before Thanksgiving so people would reasonably have time to prepare! ALSO! All Manorites will receive free transportation to and fro' the party via fancy limo rides!]]]

( You're Invited! )

Stone's E-mail:
To: Mrs. Allison Lianne Rhodes-Hawthorne
From: Mr. Stonewall Phillip Hawthorne
Subject: U + Me = Us?

My Dearest Wifey,
In honor of our upcoming nuptial renewal ceremony, I feel it only fair to provide our wedding party with an adequate dinner post-rehearsal at the estate. It's only proper to provide exceptional sustenance to our nearest and dearest to show our gratitude for voluntarily forefeiting their time for our benefit, don't you agree, Cupcake?

Speaking of festivities, any thoughts on what you'd like to do for your upcoming birthday?

See the things I remember? That's love, Kitten.

Your Husband Who Has No Vegas Regrets,
Stonewall

((OOC - Post contains sensitive plot stuff!))
( Stone drowns his sorrows, gets confronted by Lis who wants to help and is highly concerned and then has another run in with Lara's mom on his way back into the Manor )

Stone was in need of new clothes. He couldn't remember the last time he'd gotten any when it didn't involve going to a wedding. He had already at least secured himself some good old standby cargo pants that didn't look thoroughly worn in and some t-shirts and lounge-y crap. But he needed nice clothes too. And this is exactly why he pulled his cell phone out of his pocket in the afternoon on the way out of the store and toward his car in the alley. He clicked to dial Lis' number and put the phone to his ear, waiting for her to answer.

Adri was in the City for a very important reason. He band was opening for Capful of Danger at Norben's Ballroom. Adri could hardly pass up a trip to the City without a visit to the Manor to her (one and only) nephew! It was one thing to have a ton of (three) little munchkin nieces up in Canada that she only got to see so often. It was a whole other situation to have a nephew who was only a few hour drive away! Adri totally dug it!

She was, however, currently letting J feed, change and set Max down for a nap. She was sitting in the Mocha, taking a caffeine break and thinking about the setlist for tonight's opening when her peaceful little Mocha moment was interrupted by a familiar face.

Okay people, how many bands do you have, how many would you like to involve in STS, and do you have any preferences for sets? I will take all your answers into consideration for my planning.

L

Lara was on the dirty floor of the garage, trying to reach her keys, which had fallen under her car. But her arms were too short.

Lis was in the gardens, trying to get her chipmunk Winston to enjoy the sunshine from his cage. But Winston seemed to be in the mood for sleep.

Mark was in the game room, trying to kick some Elvira pinball ass. But he was sucking and rapidly running out of quarters.

Button was in the laundry room, trying to see if sealing her lingerie bags shut with duct tape would keep the dryer from losing her panties. But she didn't realize this was a horrible idea.

When Lara came home and hit the mailroom, she was a little confused to find a flat media envelope in there, addressed to 'Lara and Stone Follethorne.' That part wasn't so confusing when you added in the factor that the return address on said envelope was from J Madsen's apartment, but add in the fact that J had been dead for over a week, and it was all a bit odd. Lara stared at the envelope for a good couple of minutes, wondering just why the hell J would have sent them something when she only lived some floors above them. The package was post-dated to like the day before J died. What the fuck kind of coincidence was that? You mail a mysterious package and then the next day you get shot down in a convenience store?

( Alterna-J leaves Alterna-Follethornes a dvd slideshow...from beyond the grave! )

...until other stuff is sorted out!))

( Short version: Alterna!pregnantJ is killed. Family/Friends are reactionary and awkward )