ph_logs | [Open] All the Leaves are Brown

Who: Sally Boyle and you!
What: Arrival, opening up shop, a few odds and ends.
When: From now until it is no longer useful!
Where: Jack's Marina and around town.
Warning(s): Illicit substances, references to the death of a child, possibly more. Will update as needed!

-I've Been for a Walk-

To Yorick's credit, he did his best to lead Sally through the motions of getting settled in Pumpkin Hollow. He was kind and patient and a silly old thing. And yes, the town is cursed, room at the inn, work options, food vouchers, blah blah, that's all well and good but the whole time Sally had only one thing on her mind.

Where is Gwen?

The very minute that Yorick and Mayor Poe turn her loose again, she forgoes the tavern entirely and makes a beeline straight for the beach. Huddled in the sand, she sits and watches the docks with her rail-thin legs hugged tightly to her chest, hoping to see the ferryman return with her infant daughter.

Part of her hopes he doesn't. Because that would mean...

But if she isn't here, then what happened to her? If Sally didn't survive the crash, where does that leave Gwen? At least if she was here, they wouldn't have to be apart. Sally could find a way back... for both of them. Or maybe make a new life for the pair of them here. But what if little Gwen didn't get that chance?

It will be a while before the ferryman returns, but he will bring Guinevere Boyle with him. However, Sally doesn't know that. So she will wait here on the beach even as night falls.

-He Knows I'm Gonna Stay-

It takes a few days, but once Gwen arrives and Sally signs up for work as a physician, the pair are finally settled in. (Sally makes it clear to Mayor Poe that her expertise is in pharmaceuticals and she is, first and foremost, a chemist, but that she's got a lot of experience with first aid as well.) It's a small place, but it's theirs. A small drugstore and simple clinic with a small apartment on the upper floor. It has a study, but Sally converts it to a nursery.

Thus, the Blackberry Apothecary is born.

Basic clinic services and injury treatment is available here, along with all manner of helpful medicines made from local herbs.

And maybe some more interesting things if you ask the right questions. She does, after all, remember the recipe for Joy.

-California Dreamin'-

With Gwen strapped to her chest and a bag slung over her back, Sally ventures out into the woodlands to collect necessary herbs and flowers for her apothecary before the chill kills them off. Sage and rosemary, ginseng and yarrow, foxglove and poppy. If anyone approaches her while she's out foraging, she'll spit out a customary Wellington Wells greeting like a reflex.

"Lovely day for it!"

-Wildcard-
Always open to ideas!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"Yes, I imagine that would be very distressing. Much as it saddens me to think what it must mean for you both in your own world, a child really shouldn't be without her mother." He has some long-buried feelings about orphaned children, having been one himself.

"Yes, thank you. This is my fifth month, I believe. The beginning was a little tricky for me, but I've started my own business now, as well, and it's been a success so far. I am still seeking to acquire a business card, but I am this town's premier whore. I work out of my own small home."

Sally is about to make some comment or other about not exactly being the best mother but thank you for the vote of confidence or something, when Erik blurts out, casual as you like, that he's a whore. Sally's eyebrows shoot up as far as they'll go, and she gives him a pronounced once-over to see what he's working with.

...Not bad.

"That's legal here, is it?" Don't be a slut, Sally, you just got here. This is a fresh start, don't waste it by hopping on every available dick the minute you get a chance. Don't be a slut. Do not.

"...What are your office hours?"

Mission failed.

He's already smirking as she gives him the elevator look. Hook line and... sinker. Now he's got her.

"It is. I have my permit signed by Miss Leeds, herself. And my office hours are really quite open. I am available at any time and in any place, within reason."

"Well, aren't you the entrepreneurial spirit!" Sally lets out a nervous laugh. "I'd need, ah, a babysitter... But I have some options. I'll keep you posted, shall I?"

"I always have been. It's done a lot of good for this town already." Erik is an integral part of this economy now.

"Of course. Please do. I will eagerly await to hear from you."

"Ahaha, I definitely shall." God, with all the stress she's been under, Sally could use a good railing. Maybe she'll see if Eddie would like a playdate with Gwen... "So, you're basically a veteran here. Anything I should know about getting along around here?"

"I suppose I have been here long enough." Relatively. Time is measured differently for a being as old as he is.

"When they advise you not to venture out in the dark, you should heed them. There are terrible beasts that lurk on the edges of this town. I would not want to see you or your darling child hurt by one. And, if may be so bold, I would recommend attending one of Degas's gatherings at his church. Regardless of if you are the religious type, he is a friendly face in this town. I ask as much for his sake as yours. I think it would do him some good to meet your daughter." That old soul looks so weary, at times, it makes Erik feel young.

"Ahaha, well. I'm not much for churches, but it is rather refreshing to meet people who react positively to the baby. Gwen and I didn't come from... the best place to raise children." She clears her throat awkwardly. "But thank you for the advice. If I can find a sitter, maybe I'll be by later?"

"I'm not either, but I find his voice pleasant and the atmosphere meditative." It's also nice not to have a pastor immediately trying to call him a devil or being of sin or other such nonsense.

"I'm sorry to hear you came from such a disparaging environment. I can only hope this one will be kinder." He's never had a child of his own loins but he does have a soft spot for them, in general. (And not for eating!)

"I wish you the best of luck in finding a sitter. I'll be waiting."

[Open] All the Leaves are Brown

no subject

NSFW talk

Re: NSFW talk

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject