[Black.Wings]

Username: Black.Wings
Buttermilk Name: Thistle
Prompt Day: 1 Introduce yourself to Adrienne. This could include interests, hobbies, hopes, passions, what gives your Buttermilk life? Or, what fears does your Buttermilk live with? What holds them back? Whatever you feel like sharing!

“Oh, h-hi are you.. are you talking to me?” Thistle shuffled in his hooves in the dirt. He obviously seemed uncomfortable to be here. “My mom made me come.. Her and my sister were SOOO excited for the festival. I didn’t wanna come, I’d rather be home drinking tea and reading.” His face changed from shy and anxious, to angry in just a moments time. He quickly realized the shift in his tone. He seemed to almost shrink in embarrassment as his face changed back to what one would consider normal. “What book am I reading? I’m so glad you asked!” He immediately cheered up, he didn’t even seem like the same bull. “So have you ever heard of-“ He began explaining the sci-fy book he was reading with great enthusiasm and excitement. After some time he wrapped up talking about that specific book but offered to tell you all about the dozen of other interesting books he’d read. After noticing the detached glaze he decided he’d said enough. “Is there anywhere I can get some tea around here?” He smiled and headed off towards the Cafe. Something tells you he’ll be back.
193 words

[case]

Username: case
Buttermilk Name: carousel
Prompt Day: 1
Prompt Response: Carousel stumbled, literally, in the pumpkin patch, almost crashing into Adrienne. “Um, I t-totally did not almost fall.” She briefly turned her head to face what had tripped her — a pumpkin. Her teeth started to grind — an anxious habit she picked up when she could not fall back asleep due to night terrors. “That pumpkin jumped out at me! I did not have any time to avoid it.” Carousel made a mental note to check on the physical status of the fruit when her conversation was over. She listened as Adrienne continued to list off questions. “Jeez, you seem so confident. Are you just naturally like that? I do not really feel comfortable talking about myself. My parents call me cautious, but that is just a nice way to say that I am anxious. My siblings call me Chicken Little because I think, err… I mean thought, that the sky was going to fall.” Carousel reached for her inhaler and took a long puff. “I just try to plan for every possible future event, y’know? Like, if you are totally weirded out by me, I am ready to put the deposit down on a cottage in Ireland. But if you want to be my friend, I already know the colors of your friendship bracelet.” She paused for a moment before quickly taking a few steps back. “W-wait, why do you want to know so much about me? Are you, like, a spy sent from the government? Are you trying to figure out my social security number? U-uh, what is that over there?!” Carousel pointed at nothing in particular, desperate to distract Adrienne. She began to quickly press down on the top of the inhaler, loudly puffing multiple times.

[Clawdina]

Username: Clawdina
Buttermilk Name: Arietta
Prompt Day: 1
Prompt Response:
Arietta saunters up to the stand, looking reluctant to ask for anything. “Uhh.. Hey. I’m uh.. here for pumpkins, but I guess you know that. I’m supposed to talk about myself, right?” She pauses, shuffling her hoof in the dirt before plopping on the ground. “I guess I should introduce myself. I'm Arietta, and please don't mention anything about my height, yes I know I'm short."
Arietta's face begins to shift, almost turning angry at her own comment before she huffs and calms down, "I suppose my favorite thing would be gardening. I have a variety of roses I've been growing for a couple years now, and honestly I didn't think they'd be so fulfilling. Although I understand the idea of having pets, I don't really find anything truly satisfying about them, but plants? I get plants.
"You know, I really wish others would take a minute to see the beauty in plants once in a while. They might just understand all the love and care put into the flower vases that 'mysteriously' appear around the barn." Arietta, who was making eye contact, suddenly looks anywhere else but Adrienne. "I guess that makes those who know and understand all the care put into plants so much more worth it. Even the little flowers are seen and appreciated. After all, those are the most special."
Arietta looks unsure of what exactly to do next after saying a little more than intended, before remembering why she came here in the first place, "Oh right, pumpkins. Yeah, pumpkins are pretty cool plants, and I haven't had the chance to grow any yet, so what better place to get quality seeds than a pumpkin patch? Anyways, if you can show me your favorite pumpkin vines, I'd love to find some goodies!" {297 words}

[strawberrymwilk]

Username: strawberrymwilk
Buttermilk Name: teddy
Prompt Day: 1
Prompt Response:
"oh.. hello" teddy smiled nervously around her, feeling like she was put on the spot. "i'm teddy, its nice to meet you adrienne" a real smile took over her face for a second before shaking her head as if to wake herself up. her tail flicked back and forth nervously before continuing on, "please don't mistake my tiredness for boredom, I have narcolepsy so I am just about always tired." the cows voice rose excitedly, "but I have gotten much better about being able to stay awake!"

falling back down to her usual level of energy teddy rocked back and forth on her hooves. leaving her barn was not the easiest thing to do, it was easier to just stay back and avoid the hassle, even as her condition began to grow more manageable. however upon hearing the excitement in her wifes voice as she spoke of the festival, teddy knew she had to try and put her anxieties aside if it meant she could see harlows joyful face as they wandered around together.
[174]

[♔Voltaire♔]

Username: ♔Voltaire♔
Buttermilk Name: Yiruma
Prompt Day: 1
Prompt Response:

His fingers curl tightly into the fabric of his black jacket, pulling the article of clothing tighter around himself in a feeble effort to stave off the autumn chill that has begun to seep into his bones. He can faintly see his breath in the chilly air before him, vague wisps of steam billowing from past his lips with each gentle puff of air he exhales. If the chill and the sweet smell of leaf decay aren't proof enough of autumn's arrival, Yiruma doesn't know what is. He shivers slightly, his feet carefully stepping over fallen twigs and crunching through pillows of oranges and yellow tree foliage as he weaves through the crowds of people participating in this year's Autumn Festival. Normally he wouldn't think twice about staying home and hiding away from the cooling temperatures, but he's found himself rather restless as of late; restless, stagnant, and troubled. He knows the heavy and fuzzy feeling in his brain all too well, and he knows the only way to at least prevent it from furthering is to step outside and find the inspiration he so desperately craves on his own.

And that is where he finds himself now, arms wrapped tightly around himself and jacket collar snug beneath his chin, wading through jubilant festival-goers in an attempt to find a spark of something, anything, to help him cure the onset of writer's block he potently dreads. Events such as this one provide him with ample writing material, so he tries his hardest to take the chill and masses of people in stride, despite his looming anxiety of being seen. Of being found out. But surely, he's covered his tracks enough that he is merely another stranger to those around him... right?

He finds himself stopping at a pumpkin patch, where many festival participants gather around as they await the patch's owner to hand them their pumpkin. Curious, he thinks to himself, usually it is the guest who picks the pumpkin out, but the patch runner herself is doing it? He cannot help but meander closer, eyes scanning the crowd before him before his eyes meet those of the owner of the pumpkin patch. She greets him cheerfully and runs over the rules of her patch to him and those close by, before quickly getting to work. He's startled when she asks him to introduce himself and share some fun facts about his life; his cheeks heat up slightly and he chokes out a blatant lie.


"Accountant. I-I'm an accountant," he stammers out, teeth immediately finding the inside of his cheek and tearing nervously into the flesh there. His heart beats wildly in his chest, throat drying with nerves. "I do accounting, in the village where I live." It's a simple answer, but it's the one he always gives when asked about his profession- no one ever questions you further when you work as an accountant, after all. If he were to truly share that he was an author, he'd be bombarded with questions, ones that could make or break the fragile anonymity he has so carefully cultivated around his work and personal life. That, would be a horror unfathomable. (529)

[honeybunchesofoats]

Username: honeybunchesofoats
Buttermilk Name: Kyoko
Prompt Day: 1
Prompt Response:

"Hello.", Kyoko spoke softly. He nodded politely and he stared not at Adrienne, but at his fingers laced together in his own lap. It wasn't often he was away from either his home with his fathers or from his work at the castle. Truthfully, he spoke to the same people every day and hadn't met someone new in what felt like years. Luckily, Adrienne seemed patient enough.

"My name is Kyoko. I come from a very important family where each member holds a very important job. Mostly, they keep a lot of people safe by any means necessary even if those means are-", he paused, struggling over his choice of words.

"-less than savory?". The end of his sentence was lilted, like he wasn't sure if that was even correct. Either way, he nodded; satisfied enough for now. He shifted, uncrossing his legs and recrossing them the opposite way.

"I work for the Queen and her family in their castle. I got hired by mistake I suppose. I was ten, I wasn't looking for a job but her children are insufferable." A smile smile graced his features. It lit up his gorgeous face. He looked doll like with perfect pale skin; long, dark eyelashes; and dusty pink lips. "I'm a painter, traditional Japanese was my style of choice for a while but the princess asked for a portrait and now I've been painting for the royal family for 10 years."

He pulls a travel sized sketchbook out of his yukata and sits next to Adrienne, flipping through the pages. His cheeks are flushed but he continues to show off his recent pieces, all of the same young man. Striking features adorned the sheets. Ghostly white hair framing dark tan skin. Striking blue irises with pitch black sclera. The majority of the sketches painted his muse as stoic, annoyed even. But every few pages, the glint in his eyes was different or a hint of a smile graced the corners of his mouth. Adoration seeped through the artwork. Kyoko closed the book and shoved it back into his clothes, clearing his throat.

"So...yes that's a bit about me and what I'm passionate about. Hope that clears things up for you." (368)

[Winter Shores]

Username: Winter Shores
Buttermilk Name: Spook
Prompt Day: 1
Prompt Response:
Spook walked through the fall festival rather disinterested at heart, nothing seemed to call out to her or intrigue her. She noticed a slight commotion and as she approached she saw people lining up for the pumpkin patch. ‘Rather interesting’ she thought to herself. She wasnt one to go out of her way to be aparg of groups but perhaps just this once..afterall she did love pumpkins in any shape and form. As the line moved another buttermilk stopped her. Spook was rather reluctant to stop and sighed almost instinctively.

“What?” She snapped
“My names Adrienne! Before you can enter you have to tell me about yourself. Interests, hopes, hobbies, passions, fears, anything really!”

Spook looked Adrienne over in a rather distasteful way, “fine, I suppose..I’m Spook,” she held her hand out for Adrienne to shake but only grasped her finger tips, “I dont like people that much, you are all rather odd.” Spook looked around a bit glumly. “I really like pumpkins..” she whispered rather quietly as her cheeks flushed, “and I would like to stay at this, your, pumpkin patch…I tried to grow a pumpkin one time and it didn’t work out..I dont know what I did wrong…I-i just wanted a little orange friend,” Spook pouted rather dramatically. She started to naw at her bottom lip as the conversation between them continued, “people are scary,” she mumbled.

(232)

[bluex]

username: bluex
buttermilk name: bliss
prompt day: 1
prompt response:

"Hi! Hello! Is this seat taken?? Hope not!" The bubbly young woman drops on to the ground with a great thump. Without listening to Adrienne, she grabs a random pumpkin and smacks it gently. She started looking around for something to lob off the top of her squash. As her eyes darted around the group, she realised self introductions were in order. Without waiting for a gap in the conversation, she started to talk loudly all about her (clearly) very great self.

"I'm Bliss. You've never met me, but I'll make sure you remember me. I'm big on lychee martinis and caramel popcorn, I love long walks on the beach and looking for eye candy on the shore, and I'm simply obsessed with platform heels. Because aren't they like, the most incredible things ever?" She looks around, not bothered about whether or not her intervention was welcomed.

"I'm a retail assistant, but I love to sing! I'm in love with how being on stage makes me feel. The jitters are so electrifying, the spotlight is like a shot of adrenaline!!" She starts to gaze off into the distance, her eyes glazing over as if she were somewhere else. Goosebumps start to crawl over her skin as her mind sends her back onto the stage. After what seems like an eternity, she snaps back to reality and looks down at the pumpkin.

"One day, I'll be on the biggest stages with the biggest crowds. There'll be posters of me all over every city and there'll be places where everyone will know my name!!" She looks over at Adrienne and gives her a showstopping smile.
"Sorry, what was your name? I love your hair by the way! Sooo cute."

[287]

[literal.swag.]

Username: literal.swag.
Buttermilk Name: bluebell
Prompt Day: 1
Prompt Response:

hours had passed of pale-colored cow wandering the pumpkin patch, thoughts of what she could use the pumpkins for intermingled with her awe of certain ones rotated through her head. her stroll had been spent in quiet, comfortable solitude. that was, until, she spotted a dark silhouette in the distance, and her interest was piqued. trotting up to the fellow bovine, she dips her head with a polite smile, “well! ‘ello there, i’m bluebell! it’s a mighty pleasure to meet you.” a multicolored pumpkin tugged at her attention. “man these pumpkins are gorgeous! i don’t know how you got ‘em all so healthy and vibrant. i love gardening, the practiced delicacy it takes to care for the fragile things and the pride you feel when they show their colors to you. oh i get so proud to see bushels of those finicky fellas thrivin’!” bluebell settles, continuing to ramble as she examines more of the pumpkins within their vicinity. “i also really like to explore, don’t matter if i’m by my lonesome or not. it’s so nice to be able to connect to nature and really take in what she has to offer. if you look close enough and if you spend enough time in her grasp, she’ll teach ya a thing or two, best if you listen. well. i feel as though i’ve been rambling for quite some time now, what made you get into pumpkin keepin’?” [238 words]

[Cactologist]

Thank you to all who participated in Day One. Everyone got four Cranberries for their efforts. Adrienne loved getting to know everyone and feels like she just gained so many new friends. Here's what she had to say:

To DarkestWerewolf:

It's so nice to meet you Nyx! I can't say I appreciate sunrises quite as much as you, but you almost make me want to wake up early! Also, I will absolutely have to visit your cat cafe, thank you for the invite! I can't say I've ever met a sphynx, but they sound wonderful. I think Big Blue is the pumpkin for you! He's fascinating, but not in your face, very chill! I hope you like him!

To sprig:

A fellow fall fanatic! It's so good to meet a kindred spirit! I completely hear you, too, though. I love the autumn season, but not the spookiness! And I have all the time in the world, please, don't feel like you need to be quiet around me! Speaking of, I have just the pumpkin for you. Jack-Jack is fiery but so very fall, too! I hope you like him!

To Joke's On You:

Don't feel pressured to share more than you like, I simply want to make you feel comfortable while you're here! These pumpkins you carved are amazing! I'm sure mine won't measure up, but it's the thought that counts, right? Say, have you ever carved a blue pumpkin? I think Blue Gene is just the one for you! She's shy in appearance, but possess an artistic beauty if I may say so! I hope you like her!

To certified:

It's so nice to meet you Buttercup! Pumpkin spice, chai, a nice rain? It sounds to me like you truly appreciate the spirit of fall. You know, I do have a pumpkin who reminds me of the same cool rain and crisp breeze. Yes, I think Bruce is the pumpkin for you! I hope you like him!

To Knickknacks:

Oops, I didn’t mean to startle you! It’s nice to meet you Fennel! And don’t worry, I have a great appreciation for others who know the beauty in details, too! I picked out a favorite pumpkin of mine for you, I call him Lack O’Jantern. He’s as perfect as they come, and I should be able to make a lovely jack o’lantern out of him for you, if you’ll let me!

To paopu:

Caspian, you’re a hoot! I can see your passion for your dream, and I just know with your enthusiasm and determination, you’ll surely get your ship soon! Your adventurousness makes me think that I might just have a perfect pumpkin for you. I call him George Ezra, something about his tropical palette, and living in the yellow and green… I hope you like him!

To Black.Wings:

Well I, for one, am so happy you’re here! I hope you’re enjoying yourself, too! I’ve never read a sci-fy book before, but from the passion in how you described it, I’m thinking I need to take you up on one of those recommendations! When you get back from the Cafe, I’ll have a pumpkin waiting for you. I think you just might appreciate Lean Green Fighting Pumpkeen’s peculiarity. He almost strikes me as a science fiction character himself!

To case:

Carousel, I think we’re going to be great friends! I could use some of your future-thinking, as more often than not, I can’t get out of the present moment! I can think of a pumpkin friend you might just get along with, too. Chumpkin here has no doubt had an eventful past, but with you looking out for him and loving him, I’m sure he’ll straighten out, er, at least metaphorically…

To Clawdina:

Arietta, you’re a heifer after my own heart! I want to know everything about your gardening adventures, because I just know every garden has it’s stories! I love how much you love on your plants! You know, I think I have just the pumpkin for you. Squash Gordon is a bit peculiar, but has your confident streak. A fine pedigree, too, if you’re serious about wanting seeds! I hope you love him!

To strawberrymwilk:

Wow, Teddy, I would love to hear more about your story! You seem to have come so far with your narcolepsy, but I’m sure it wasn’t easy! I can see that strength in you. Your wife is fortunate to have you. You know who else is lucky to have you? Little Red. She needs a mama to love on her, and I think you’re just the cow for her!

To ♔Voltaire♔:

Accounting! You must have quite the mind to keep your sanity while working with numbers all day! I do believe the pumpkin for you is one I’ve just been calling Cracked Egg. This little guy seems to have had some growing pains, but something tells me you have the heart and eye to see the beauty inside him. If I know anything from my years as a professional pumpkin matchmaker, it’s that there’s always more to someone than what meets the eye…

To honeybunchesofoats:

Nice to meet you Kyoko! It sounds like you have quite the story, and my, do you have a sense of humor! And a painter, you say? These drawings are stunning, thank you so much for sharing them with me! You know, I think I have just the pumpkin for you. Baby Boo may seem like a blank canvas to some, but you seem to have the eye for innate beauty. I hope you like it!

To Winter Shores:

Thank you for opening up to me, Spook! People can definitely be strange, and pumpkins even stranger! Fortunately, I have just the reliable friend for you. Ole Faithful here is the classic pumpkin, and perhaps the little orange friend you were looking for! I hope you like it!

To bluex:

Bliss, you’re unforgettable for sure, and I’m so here for it! With your passion, I have no doubt you will achieve your dreams. You know, I may not have platform heels or martinis to offer, but I think I have just the pumpkin for you. Pinkalicious here is pretty bold herself, and I think you’re just the mom for her!

To literal.swag:

Nice to meet you, Bluebell! I’m so glad you’re enjoying the patch, and thank you! I find that with a little love, anything can grow big and beautiful! Like you, I feel so at home in nature, even if I’m alone. I think those are my main reasons for getting into pumpkin keeping, too, now that you ask it! I also simply love the joy on others' faces when they get a pumpkin to call their own. If it can spark joy and bring some color into others’ lives, then I’m all for it! Speaking of joy and color, I think I have just the multi-colored beauty for you. Sunny here has been waiting for the cow to come along, and I think you’re the one for her!
Oh, I also forgot to mention, I found this dried pumpkin blossom lying in the path when I was coming to greet you. It’s kind of beautiful how her beauty has been preserved. Would you like it?