viewjaded

[viewjaded]

"oh, just black tea. nothin' special." leona responds quickly, and then thinks better of it. stella seems nice, and there's no harm in getting to know someone, least of all another woman. make friends. "i, uh, loaded it up with a bunch 'a sugar though. probably isn't the best for me, but it makes my heart happy, you know?"

cont'd from here ( @viewjaded )

"Oh thanks" she smiled as she went to put the folder into her bag, making more room on the table. "Stella" she gave her name in return "It's okay, I haven't seen it this busy in a little while. It's probably nice for business. What kind of tea did you get?" she asked, gesturing to the cup in hand. The scent of tea had hit her when Leona had sat down, but she hadn't picked out anything specific.

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + stella. #⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + thread.

[viewjaded]

"i'm not too crafty, but i can try." leona admits, thinking back to her many failed diy projects -- of course, recalling that makes her recall the responses she got to those failures, and she quickly tries to avert her thoughts. "whatever you need. what's your idea?"

Hayden quickly observed enough of the other’s general state. Normally she would brush off those words and try to focus on the other person, but something told her that Leona might benefit from a project to act as a distraction. “Thank you, I appreciate the thought. I guess I could try to even make it nicer than it was, is there any chance you have a crafty side and want to join me for a little DIY project?” she wondered.

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + hayden. #⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + thread.

[viewjaded]

"always an americano. that's my preferred love language." nashra responds with a smile, taking a sip of her own drink with a satisfied sigh. "or, you know, you could walk and talk with me? if you're not busy, i mean. it'd be nice to try and get my mind off of... well, all this."

(continued from here with @viewjaded)

Yuri took the americano gratefully. "I'm normally a latte girl, but I'll take anything at this point. Thank you. I'll owe you one later, okay? Whatever you'd like. You're a lifesaver, honestly."

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + yuri.

[viewjaded]

She'd stepped away to get some air, to get away from the rubble and the chaos and the hurt -- which is unfair, of course, because all she'd done is run away, left with only a few scratches and bruises compared to the hurt that others had suffered -- but it's all too much for her, really, and she accepts being selfish and unfair. Leona doesn't expect to run into anyone else, clearly, and she jumps when the other speaks to her. Heart racing, hand over her heart, Leona's eyes trail from Hayden to the small bundle of wildflowers, to the area around them, before finally trailing back to Hayden.

"I'm so sorry." Leona says, her heart going from racing to aching. She'd always wanted to a child, though the want for a child turned into the fear of having a child with her husband. She tries not to linger on that, though. "I know we can't replace what was here, but... but maybe we can build her something new."

location: near the edge of some forest by the outskirts of town

status: open

Hayden was kneeling on the ground, holding a small bundle of wildflowers she had picked on her way here and laying them on the ground with a sad sigh. She wiped away some stray tears and stood, turning around to see someone nearby and she jumped a bit. “Oh, sorry. I was just out here to check on something,” she looked down sadly at the ground. “I had a little memorial here for my daughter, I guess the earthquakes got to it, it’s not much of anything anymore.”

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + hayden.

[viewjaded]

She's close to just apologizing and walking away -- the business of the shop set her on edge, and she doesn't want to be in the other's way -- and then she notices the folder and something about it calms Leona's nerves. She gives a small smile, nodding some before they slide into the chair opposite of Stella. "Thanks," She says, setting her cup of tea down only to allow her bag to slide off of her shoulders, where she then places it firmly onto her lap before returning to holding her cup with both hands. "I like your folder." She says, the smile returning. "Oh. I'm Leona. Sorry. It's, uh, busy today."

where: The Daily Grind

who: Stella and open

"Oh sorry, were you wanting to sit here?" Stella asked, looking up at the person who was standing behind the chair opposite hers. There didn't seem to be any other empty chairs in the space. She moved to gather up some of the reference images from the side of the table closest to them, and stuffed them into the Lisa Frank unicorn folder, making room for the other to set the items in hand down.

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + stella.

[viewjaded]

They'd found themselves at the crack in the ground once again, somehow oddly fascinated with it. Or perhaps they were simply worried, and thought keeping an eye on it might answer their questions. Regardless, they regard Eldon and think about his question, one arm folded with the other holding onto a piece of rubble they'd been idly running their thumb over. "Does the universe continue to exist when we aren't around to see it?" Nashra muses, gaze falling to the rubble in their hand before they let it fall into the crack below.

where: outside near the giant fucking opening in the ground

who: Eldon and open

"You think it's actually bottomless or just so far down no one would hear when someone reaches it? " Eldon asked as he stood near the giant crack in the ground, staring down into it before taking a hit off the joint in his hand, and then moving it away from his lips to exhale out a breath of smoke. "If a body hits the ground and no one's around to hear does it still make a sound?"

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + eldon.

[viewjaded]

They'd spent the entire night in the salon trying to fix things up and return them to order, the only thing still keeping them sane. They'd barely been hurt themselves, maybe sporting a bruise or two on her legs that she'd not even processed, but had escaped the ordeal relatively unscathed physically. However, the toll from trying to rebuild and return to a sense of normalcy was starting to take its toll, therefore the two coffees in either hand -- both iced americano's -- were a necessity.

That is, until they witness Yuri's ordeal. It'd be all too easy to walk way, maybe pretend she didn't see anything and truthfully, she almost did. Until her stupid conscience kicked in and with a sigh, Nashra backtracked and approached Yuri. "Well, good thing it was only a coffee that dropped down there," Nashra comments, and after a pause they offer their other coffee to the other. "Here. It's just an iced americano but if it's your speed, have at it. I probably don't need the extra caffeine anyway."

where: main street who: open

Yuri was doing her best to be so careful, making her way across the makeshift bridge that lay across the crack in the center of the street. Her foot caught on a loose stone and she stumbled, thankfully making it to the other side safely, but her latte tumbled from her hand, splashing onto the ground and rolling over the crack and down into the void.

"Well . . . shit," she said with a sigh. She'd been looking forward to that coffee.

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + yuri.

[viewjaded]

"don't mention it. i get the need to make your space a little oasis -- especially with the way things are around here. i'm nashra." they nod towards the box in her hands. "you want me to take that off your hands? or at the very least i can carry some things. i'm stronger than i look, promise." of course, this willingness to help isn't purely out of some need to be a hero. looking good in people's eyes would ultimately benefit her.

"awww isn't that sweet of you" she smiled warmly at them from the side of the box she was carrying. everyone here was annoyingly nice to one another and overly eager to help whenever they thought they were needed. she'd been in town a month and had already reached her limit of sweet talking small townsfolk, but alas she was stuck here and allies were better than enemies. "it's only a few things for my place to make it feel more cozy"

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + maeve.

[viewjaded]

nashra takes a step back immediately upon noticing the hostility, specifically upon noticing the flinch. fear? it wouldn't be surprising, nor would it be unwarranted. they were a stranger, after all. "didn't mean to presume you couldn't handle it yourself. although..." they reach into their own bag, producing a folded up tote bag. "i do have this in case you need something to carry those in."

Will flinched away on instinct, as someone appeared suddenly in his space. He'd been carrying some apples back from the grocery for Mila, and the bag broke, scattering the fruit on the ground. Cursing, he bent to pick them up, and now there was a person attempting to help him.

"Fuck off, I got it," he said sharply, not even looking up to see who it was.

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + will.

[viewjaded]

she notes the pause and perceives it as hesitation, already mentally preparing to mutter a quick apology and and step aside when quinn speaks up. "thanks." leona says, sliding into the seat across from her, a cup of hot tea in her hands, sugar crystalizing on the rim. "uh... i'm leona, by the way."

People were avoiding Quinn, most likely for good reason. She wasn't bothered by it. It was easier to observe them when they weren't too close. When the young woman hesitated near her table, Quinn lifted her gaze to observe her for a moment before nodding and gesturing to the seat across from her.

"Make yourself comfortable."

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + quinn.

[viewjaded]

"i get that." nashra agrees, setting their cup down onto the table in favor of idly and slowly stirring the straw in the cup. "sorry to hear you're having a rough time, though. in any case, you're in the perfect place to not have to worry about anything, at least for a little while."

"Anytime," Jessie chuckled, the thanks really being enough to lift her spirits right now. She hesitated a bit when Nashra asked about her reasoning though, wondering if she should keep things lighthearted. "Oh, you know, when you're having a rough time sometimes it's just nice to have a few people thank you for something," she shrugged. "I also don't get out much, working two jobs doesn't leave a lot of time to go on shopping sprees."

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + jessie.

[viewjaded]

"don't mention it." nashra responds with a soft smile. they spot the flush that overtakes jerico's cheeks and they don't want him to feel embarrassed. she's not a six foot amazon but also not short by any means, and it's quite an easy feat to take their hands and open up the dumpster. "if it makes you feel any better, i absolutely refuse to do the trash by myself. i've ripped open one too many trash bags to let that happen again."

Jerico did not have a lot of upper body strength. In fact, Jerico didnt' really have a lot of strength full stop. Usually, that didn't really matter, but every now and then, it made life difficult. "Oh - thanks," an embarrassed flush took over his face, clearly struggling with trying to figure out how to open the dumpster and also throw the trash inside at the same time. "I keep saying this is a two person job but there's only like three of us working at once, so."

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + jericho.

[viewjaded]

yes i’m a gatekeeper and a hater. i’m also God’s favorite princess and the most interesting girl in the world

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + aesthetics. #⸻ ✧ queue.

[viewjaded]

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + visuals. #⸻ ✧ queue.

[viewjaded]

there's something oddly comforting about knowing that someone else could be going through what she was going through, as horrible as it was to say. of course leona knew that the entire town had to be on edge, but she didn't often see others showing it. leona manages a small smile -- genuinely this time -- and slides into the seat beside him. "not a lick, if i'm bein' honest." she admits with a shrug. "but, uh, sure you ain't no stranger to that yourself. sure would be a lot easier if things were reversed, huh? i can't imagine all the thing i'd be gettin' done at night if i could." she jokes. well, half-jokes.

Finch hadn't been sleeping well lately. Anxiety had been keeping him up, and often it felt like night stretched on far longer than the day did. Part of him really wished he could just be nocturnal; if the anxiety kept him up at night, he may as well just sleep during the day - but real life responsibilities kept him busy while the sun was up.

Jumping slightly as Leona approached him, Finch could hear his heart beating in his ears. "Oh - not at all." He gave her an almost apologetic look as he scoot over a little. "You look like you didn't sleep last night either."

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + finch.

[viewjaded]

they watch as the suitcases drop to the ground, the audible thunk causing even them to jolt back in response. "i just got off of work, actually. i don't just head out of my home looking for ways to be a good person. i mean, god, that'd just be weird." typically she wouldn't be out this late, but certain mishaps at the salon led to them having to stay a little later than they would have liked to clean up some messes that she didn't feel the rest of the staff should have to deal with. that and, truthfully, they knew the job would be done if they got to do it. "very unfortunate that you dropped your, uh, delicate things though. as someone who clearly knows how dire of a situation it would be to be out so late, i can't imagine that you would want to turn away any help -- especially considering that those things look heavy."

"Christ almighty-" Mercy's clearly not expecting anyone to speak to him, the man jolting in vague alarm and dropping the two suitcases he's lugging with an oddly... wet? 'thunk' on the sidewalk. "Okay, clearly, moving things at near dark, is not nearly late enough." He observes, running a hand through dark hair to smooth it back into place- planting a foot on one of the cases as Nashra reaches for it. "Did I say I needed help?" He questions, pushing it away from her reach with no small sense of effort- whatever's in the cases is heavy, that much is clear. "I don't exactly seek any sort of assistance from veritable strangers on the street with things that are delicate, mind you. I know what I'm doing out, this close to dusk. Why are you trying to good-Samaritan two hours before the dead descend upon us?"

#⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙉𝘼𝙎𝙃𝙍𝘼 + mercy.

[viewjaded]

she smiles in response -- perhaps a little tight as she's still on edge -- and slides into the booth opposite of cyan. her fingers grip the mug containing her steaming hot cup of tea, granulated sugar still littering one side of the rim and when she lifts it to her lips to take a sip, the taste reminds her of home. leona breathes out, nodding some. "yeah, that's me. i'm uh, real surprised you know that, actually." she admits, ducking her head to cast a glance at her tea if only to give herself something to look at. she peeks back at cyan after a moment. "uh, just 'cause i mostly keep to myself. it's nice to meet'cha, anyways." she nods towards his notebook. "you a singer or somethin'?"

He's waiting for the rest of his merry 'band of misfits', really, with his hand around a cup of warm coffee and eyes trained on a notebook scrawled with music notations and scattered lyrics- he was the composition guy, the rest of them, G, Val, Wren? They were the ideas crew. His only idea had been 'if we can find a fifth I can fill drums'- and that had set them on a quest to hunt down any musically talented 20-somethings they could sniff out in town. He'd not heard any radio chatter about them harassing people yet at least, so he was satisfied to mind the booth on his own. At least, until someone else spoke nearby. "Hm?" Lost in thought, at least for a moment, he almost misses the question- but it quickly settles in. "Oh, yeah, sure. I don't think my friends are gonna be back for a while." He takes a drink of his coffee, giving Leona a quiet once over. "Leona, right?" With Russell teaching him how to track animals- he'd resumed his town surveillance- which meant knowing a lot of things about a lot of people that maybe he shouldn't- He figured a name, at the least, was simple enough to pick up otherwise. "Cyan. Don't think we've met before."

#⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + thread. #⸻ ✧ 𝙇𝙀𝙊𝙉𝘼 + cyan.