Valentine's Day (02/14, 8:30 pm)

It's Valentine's Day! Sure, we didn't celebrate Halloween or Thanksgiving or Christmas, but who cares about any of those? It's. Valentine's. Day.

So, in recognition of Valentine's Day, you can use this thread to independently write about what your character is going to do with his afternoon/night. You can choose to have your character go on a date with a special someone, or you can choose to have your character be a lonely loner off in lonelyville. Totally up to you. If you are gonna fly solo with this one, you can still post here with whatever else it is your character will do this night.

If you do decide to go on a date, however, I will write for the other person. Or, if you prefer, you can let me know the gist of what you want to have happen during the interaction, and I can let you take over and write for both your character and the NPC date. Your call.

Cameron, here are your date options:

• Ellie Swan (libarary assistant)
  
• Max West (singer/guitarist)
  
• Francine Blanc (FBI agent)
  
• A new character you can create
  

Cliff, here are your date options:

• Becca Hall (Porker's coworker)
  
• Kathy Poole (librarian)
  
• Joann Eberstark (Samson's sister)
  
• A new character you can create
  

Jackson, here are your date options:

• Lesley Kozlov (Julee's Bar employee)
  
• Kioko Suoh (Porker's hostess)
  
• Danielle Douglass (drummer)
  
• A new character you can create
  

Becca, Kioko, and Joann will be appearing in other threads this month, so if you want to wait to see what they are like before starting your date, you may choose to do so. Again, your character can also do something else this night that is not a date.

Your first post will begin in media res, mid-date (or whatever it is your character is doing). Just set the sage, explain what's going on, and make sure it's clear who you are with. If you do not want me to control the other person, message me on FB. Otherwise, I'll assume I'm controlling NPCs in your storyline.

If you have any questions about all this, just message me on FB. I know this is something a little different, but it should be interesting. These dates do have consequences, you know...

Unlock new events at 5 posts, 12 posts, and 20 posts.

Jackson waited nervously at Porkers. Dressed in a red button-down shirt, blue jeans, and his black work boots, he appeared to be very underdressed compared to almost everyone else who was dining in Porkers. Sitting in a secluded corner of the restaurant, he nervously toyed with a card and envelope. He had found the card inside the envelope taped to his door of his apartment when he went into the hall to fetch his mail.

Jackson yanked the card out of its envelope for the 20th time since sitting down and read what was slovenly written inside the Valentines day card, Come to Porkers at 8:30 pm tonight. Don't be late. Leave your gun at home. The card and envelope smelled of his wife's favorite perfume, as well as lipstick kiss of his wife's lips appeared at the bottom right of the card.

A middle aged man in a charcoal gray winter coat walks into Porkers and continues toward Jackson's table. He is unresponsive when employees try to speak with him, but he is otherwise not unusual in appearance or behavior. He takes a seat across from Jackson. He is wearing leather gloves and has graying black hair.

"When I leave, your cousin comes in. You are surprised to see her. She was passing through, remembered that you lived here, and came to visit. You accompany her tonight, because you know that this town is dangerous. She will be dropped back at her hotel by 11:00 pm. Friends are watching you and are protecting you and her. you will not see them, but they will see you. After you drop her off at the hotel, you will meet someone at your front door. You will receive an offer. I am going to leave now. Say hello to your cousin for me."

The middle aged man gets up and walks the other way. Kioko attempts to say hi to him, but he passes like a silent monolith. He exits Porker's.

"Right. My 'cousin.' Bastard." Jackson cursed as he watched the man exit Porkers.

Within 30 seconds, Elise Lee entered Porker's. Despite the circumstances, she was still a site to behold. Her long, brunette hair hung in loose curls past her shoulders. She wore a simple black dress with matching black 5 inch heels. A simple diamond pendant hung from a necklace. Elise kept her left hand wrapped around her necklace, while her right arm was folded up against her chest in a futile attempt to ward off the February chill until she entered Porker's. Jackson could not hide his joy at seeing his wife for the first time in over a year. He stood immediately and nearly ran to her, wrapping her up in a tight hug. Elise just uttered a soft gasp, before crying softly into his chest. She was overjoyed at seeing her husband again. Her soft brown eyes looked up into Jackson's blue eyes. She softly whimpered, "Jackson. Thank God... there aren't any words-"
"Then don't speak, love. Come and sit with me," Jackson softly, walking with Elise to their booth. Once she sat down, he took her jacket and set it aside.
"I can't believe they let me go long enough to see you," Elise uttered softly, her hands clasping tightly with his.
Jackson squeezed his hands in return and replied, "All I know is that I'm blessed to know you are alive. Have they treated you well?"
"Just fine... I've tried to escape, but... obviously to no avail."
"Its not your fault, Elise."
"I know, I know... I just... I just want to be home."
"And you will be. Soon. I promise."
Elise looked up at Jackson with hopeful eyes, but still forced a smile. "Always the savior and hero, Jack." Jackson forced a smile as well and simply replied, "Maybe... but I sure don't feel like it now." His smile faded.

Elise shifted slightly as she sat, staring blankly at the menu in front of her. Jackson poured her a glass of water, and set it in front of her. She looked up at him and smiled gently. There was something in her eyes that Jackson saw, a flicker of hopelessness and foreboding. He softly kissed her forehead, and squeezed her hands tight, in the hopes to reassure her. But they both knew how hopeless their situation currently was. Jackson knew idle chat would not help, but it was better than just silence. But before Jackson could speak, Elise turned and looked up to him through her brown eyes, before wrapping her arms tightly around Jackson, as she pressed herself against his chest. The love they felt and shared with each other had not faded, and this realization came to the relief of both Jackson and Elise. "I don't care if I eat tonight or not... just a few hours with you today makes it all worth it."

Elise's gaze went out the window, when the figure in the charcoal gray coat stood and stared at Elise through the window. Elise sat up in fear immediately and looked straight ahead, as she gently cursed under her breath. Jackson's head turned immediately to the window, but the figure was gone. Jackson looked to Elise, and gently kissed her cheek. Elise looked up at Jackson and said "I can't get too personal with you... he said I can't." Jackson sighed, but still kept Elise close and replied, "Yeah... he mentioned to me that we're to be cousins, and we havent seen each other in a long while and you were just passing through. This is all a bunch of malarkey." Elise sat up a bit, and gave a nod of agreement, before picking up her glass, and sipped from it, before setting the glass back down.

Cliff had the evening off on Valentine's Day. Still, he went there to visit with Becca Hall that evening. Cliff usually stayed at home on his day's off, But with all the loss and fear in town, he needed company. Becca was good when it came to conversation with him. His motives were not so much sexual as his need for counsel. Becca was off at 9, and he had called in to set up some time for coffee and talk.

Cameron walked to the library on the day of love and lovers. He walked up to the door and noticed a giant pink sign with red letters and a cupid on it. It read: "Attention: The Stakeford Library will be closing at 4 pm so the staff and library patrons can enjoy time with their loved ones." Cameron kicked the door lightly and was walking back to his car looking dejected. He heard the door open and keys jingled. Cameron turned around quickly and was surprised to see Ellie leaving the library."Hey Ellie!" Cameron said, obviously excited and surprised to see her. Ellie jumped and dropped the keys that were in her hand from locking the library door. "Sorry I scared you! I didnt know anyone would be here. Dont take this the wrong way Ellie but, you're a pretty girl what's got you at the library when it's closed?" Ellie picks up her keys slowly and blushes. "I was just sorting some books, we got some new books in so I was organizing them. I have nowhere to be tonight and so I figured I'd just work on this." Well, I could give you some plans for tonight. Do you want to go on a walk with me" Cameron smiles wide assuming she is going to say yes.Ellie smiles wide, "I kinda thought you might be here to see me. You have had "The Short History of Stakeford" for several months now and you still continue to come in. Kinda obvious what your motives were." Cameron laughs. "Let's go for a walk." Cameron and Ellie walk slowly along in the crisp winter air. They make a lot of small talk and there's a lot of laughing to be had.The walk ends at 11 pm when it becomes too dark to continue. Ellie says, "Cameron, this was a blast. Thanks for making this lonely heart less lonely." She kisses Cameron lightly on the cheek and walks away being swallowed up by the stars.

"Listen, Jack..." Elise said, pausing as she carefully pondered her next set of words to say, "I'm not... entirely sure if I will be getting out of this... alive. I know I laid out everything, told you the truth about my families secrets, my secrets. But I haven't told you one." Her voice turned to a whisper, almost a whimper.
Jack looked to her, raising a brow as his eyes had shown concern. "What is it? You know you can tell me anything."
Elise turned her head, averting her eyes from him. "I know... I know something. It is very pertinent to this town. I know I wasn't brought here by accident. I know there is a very real possibility that it will be me found at the well."
Jackson's eyes went wide, and he was at a loss for words. Elise looked back to him, and held her small hands around his. "I think I know who the killer is. But if I reveal it..."

Elise didn't need to say anything more. Jackson, still lost for words simply embraced her tight for several long moments. When he finally found the words to say, he cleared his throat, before gently pressing the palms of his hands against her warm cheeks and gazed deeply into her eyes. "The American FBI is looking hard and long into this case, into your kidnapping, all of that. Don't give up hope, Elise... There's still a chance. Don't tell me who this killer is."
"Jack, it's tearing you up inside. You need to know. You hate mysteries. I know you, baby."
"I know... I know. But... you know I can't lose you."
"Shhh... don't talk like that. You'll never lose me."
"Elise, I know you, and you were meant to follow your dreams. To be the world's best marine biologist. You had so many ideas, adventures to go on, distant lands and deep oceans to explore."
"Maybe some people aren't meant to act on their dreams, Jack. Maybe my time has come... I've accepted it."
"I've never known you to have such a defeatist tone, Elise."
"Extreme circumstances have brought this about, Jack. Things will never be as they were before."
"No... no they won't. Which is why we must move on together. You and me. Alive, and back home in New Zealand."
Elise exhaled sharply, closing her eyes, "I can't go back home."
"Why not?"
"If the FBI haven't told you yet... you'll find out soon enough."
"Then we find a new home."
"You've always been selfless, babe. Always. Others before yourself. That's what attracted me to you. You're my hero, Jack. Always the cocky SAS squid who was all bark and no bite I met at Reilly's that fateful night in June. But I think you know that just being former SAS won't get me from out of my situation, and it won't allow you to put down this serial killer in the traditional manner you'd expect."
"What are you saying?"

Elise stood up, and moved from the booth. A single tear formed in the corner of her eye, as she turned to look up at Jackson as he stood. "Trust Hollis Brown."

Fighting back more tears, she turned on her heels and quickly walked out of the restaurant. Jackson gave chase, sprinting out the door, and looked down towards the direction Elise had run. But she was gone.

Becca Hall stood outside the door to Porkers with Cliff. Snow is gently falling. There is a thin trace of it on the sidewalk. She looks toward the road and watches as the cars pass by. The light ahead turns amber, then red. She watches as the cars slow down and stop. Danielle Douglass and Max West cross the road, and when they walk in front of the headlights of the cars, Becca can see them holding hands and talking to each other. Their lips move, but she can't hear the words.

"I wish I could go back," Becca says. Her voice is soft. She swallows. The light turns green. She looks toward Cliff. "But I guess, doesn't everyone?"

Her eyes drift toward Cliff's left hand. She holds the stare for a few seconds and then reaches her right hand over and grasps his hand. She gives it a gentle squeeze. She looks up at Cliff's face. "You're tense, Cliff," she says. "Everything in this town is eating you up a lot more than anyone realizes, isn't it?"

She looks back at Porkers. The restaurant has quieted down a lot. "I'm sorry," she says. She looks back at Cliff, and she makes a small, sad smile. She gives his hand another gentle squeeze.

VALENTINE'S DAY IS NOW CLOSED