The Park, Possibly Before Or After Her Visit To The Perk, We'll Figure It Out In Post, Saturday

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden was sitting near a tree, close to the playground, because it was a great place for a single parent to come with their precocious child and mourn their dead spouse. Or maybe it would be a new guardian totally unequipped to raise a child (probably because they were from the Big City where children weren't allowed), hapless and confused about their new role in life.

Either way, the child would be a great ally in finding them somebody to love, because children's only pastime was also finding true love for the adults in their lives. You know. Preciously. And somehow untraumatized by the loss of whatever parental figure had died, save for maybe a single scene where they could use their tears to manipulate events towards romance.

Arden, being an orphaned Cupid also, could totally relate to you, hypothetical precocious child.

But until they showed up (or some other romantic trope who needed to brood about this symbol of childhood innocence), she was just going to sit under this tree and think deep thoughts about love. And about how this role would totally springboard her to stardom.

Comments

[wildgalegirl]

And just down the way, a few trees off was the town troubadour, quietly strumming a soft love song, beautiful and touching, as background music for the musing hopeful Cupid.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

It was appreciated it really was.

"Oh, hi Charlie!" Arden said, because she was a Cupid in disguise. "Fancy meeting you here! Are you here to contemplate this symbol of childhood innocence?"

Charlie didn't seem the brooding type, but maybe she had a Dark Secret.

[wildgalegirl]

"I'm the town troubadour," Charlie said, as if it should be obvious. "Just here commenting on life and, you know, seeing the miss for the scene."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden nodded. Of course a town as small and picturesque as this one would have a town troubadour. That just made sense, especially with the vaguely European vibe they town had going on, though it was, of course, firmly set in America to make sense for all the European royals in disguise to flock here.

"Do you or your music have any insights to offer me, a totally normal girl who isn't a mythical being with Love Power^TM which are vague and unspecified and might technically violate consent, but so long as I do it in a cute way that leads to a happily ever after, it's fine?"

She stopped to pant. That had been a long sentence. Someone needed to talk to the script writer.

Wait, did they even have one of those?

[wildgalegirl]

Charlie had just continued to play softly as Arden mini-monologued. "Insights," she said thoughtfully as she shifted to an acoustic version of "What's Love Got to Do With It" (because they got the rights to it). "I say, I'm in favor of love. Love for all."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Oh it's so good to hear you say that!" Arden gushed. "So many people on this island don't believe in love, and every time they say that, I get a little weaker."

As had been neither referenced nor shown in any scene before this one.

[wildgalegirl]

Charlie quietly segued into "When a Man Loves a Woman." "Don't let them get you down. ALl troubadours know the importance of love."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Because your spirits are so free and whimsical?" Arden asked.

[wildgalegirl]

"That and because only love can fight the Man," Charlie agreed.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

Arden frowned. "Is there some kind of political subplot happening?" she asked, confused. "Or do you just mean a soulless corporation coming to turn our charming B&B into a parking lot or a chain store or something?"

[wildgalegirl]

"I think the heartless man who owns half the town is planning to raise the rents so high all the sweet mom and pop shops will be forced out," Charlie said. "If only he could find true love to soften his heart."

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Oh no!" Arden gasped in shock. "Why, I have to find him true love! Not only for my mysterious and secret reasons that have nothing to do with being a Cupid, honest, but also to save the town! This was the very town my parents lived in when they were alive and we were such a happy family before they died, leaving me an orphan!"

[wildgalegirl]

She began to pick out "Tears From Heaven" as Arden told her sad, sad story. "You must," Charlie said. "If you can't pull this off... it will be a sad day in this little town.

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"I just can't let everybody down!" Arden said. "Not when they're all depending on me!"

Let's ignore how she hadn't even known about this thirty seconds ago. She had her resolute and determined face on.

[wildgalegirl]

Charlie struck up a marching tune to inspire her. "You can do it!"

[afraid_of_marshmallows]

"Thank you, Charlie," Arden said fervently. "You truly are the town troubadour for a reason!"

She scrambled up, the timing of the scene now locked in. "I'm going to run to the Perk and see if there's anybody there," she declared. "Love needs me and I can't let it down!"

[wildgalegirl]

"Go, Arden!" Charlie called after her, strumming, "Eye of the Tiger" as she went.