doing something important

the present is an E M P T Y space between the good and the bad a moment leading NOWHERE too pointless to be sad but T I M E enough to lay to waste every C E R T A I N T Y I had

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ LAUREN BOOTE:

Lauren had heard about a collection at the V&A Museum that was exhibiting some of the most famous designers the world had to offer, and she was determined not to be the only one in her circle of friends who missed it. She’d taken advantage of the Dior exhibition when that had been on, so she knew that she could expect some great things from this one too. Lost in somewhat of a daydream, the blonde bumped the shoulder of the individual who seemed to be cursing at her phone. “Jesus, I’m so sorry!” Lauren said as she spun on the spot, not wanting to be yet another rude Londoner who barged past people without so much as an ‘excuse me’. “Are you lost? Can I help at all?” She wasn’t great with directions, but she was convinced she could at least send them in the right direction.

At the slight bump, Aida was brought out of her head as she turned towards the person. Waving off their apology with a shake of her head, she apologised, “No no, I should have been paying more attention to the street rather than my phone - especially in the middle of London,” She explained as she gave a sheepish nod at the question, “Ever so slightly. If you have more sense of direction than this thing, I would be so grateful,” She muttered, holding her phone, which was still on navigation, up as evidence.

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ HANS WESTERGAARD:

“Yes, good guess.” Hans offered, nodding as he took a cautious sip of his drink. Just as he ordered. Perfect. Check another thing off his list. “Yes, I have a whole list of things to do today. All of which would be much less enjoyable than they already are without this, so thanks for the catch.” He raised his cup in a cheers to her as he looked at his watch. He really had to get going. “Do you know where the nearest tube station is? I really should get going…”

“I am fully aware of how much a cup of coffee can ease the day-” Aida gave an understanding nod, finding herself fiddling with the coffee sleeve , “- and I couldn’t imagine having a iced coffee so it’s really for the best of us both,” She uttered with a short laugh as she looked over at him, “Oh yes of course! I’m headed that way myself, I’ll take you there,” She motioned in the general direction of the station as she fixed her bag on her shoulder, “Are you new to the city?” 

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ ALIZ CLEVES:

            “ PREACH IT, SISTER. “, aliz replied with a confident nod and a smile. though the girl would be lying if she claimed to have never visited starbucks – but it was a mistake of the past and she had vowed to not make it again. “ what museum are you looking for ? “, the woman wondered, placing her hands on her hips. maybe she could help her friend out, help her navigate.

Aida gave a soft laugh at her friend’s response, thinking about her own visits when she was in a rush and simply had no other choice. “Could you? You’d be making this day a whole lot more productive,” She queried with a grateful smile as she answered her friend, “ I’m looking for the Tate Britain, everyone says it shouldn’t be too hard to find and yet here I am struggling.” 

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ HEATHER MCNAMARA:

“well, i’d like to think i’m pretty good at directions, so, if ya tell me where you’re heading, i can probably point you in the right direction!” heather chirped, cheeks going pink. “or, at least, i can get you to stop walking in circles..”

“You’re probably far better than me and that’s to be appreciated,” She uttered with a smile and a grateful look as she spoke, “If you know your way - or vague directions - to the Tate Britain, I would be ever so thankful.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ VERONICA SAWYER:

“hey! you need any help?” she couldn’t help herself from SPEAKING UP after hearing the girl (PRETTY loudly) complain. the sentence implied that it was to do with DIRECTIONS, which… was something she could do, so why not, right? she approached her with a friendly smile, shrugging. “i mean… i haven’t been here for THAT long, but i’ve done enough walking to know my way around. i’ll be your ‘google maps’ replacement.”

It would have been a lie on Aida’s part to have said she didn’t jump slightly as she was approached. Once she was able to process the words she was more than thankful that someone was willing to help, “You probably now you’re way around much more than me, clearly the actual google maps is being useless,” She said with a quick roll of her eyes as she locked her phone, “If you don’t mind helping, I could use any of it that you’re offering.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ HEATHER MCNAMARA:

“well, it is a chain,” heather joked lightly, looking around at their surroundings as if observing the street signs would help her gauge where the lost woman was trying to go. “but, if you’re not trying to find the cafe, it’s probably not the best thing to keep seeing, huh? unless you are trying to find it, which like!! congrats! you found it!”

Aida found herself chuckling slightly at the words sent her way, they weren’t and there were probably a few of them dotted around the city, “Unfortunately as much as I’m sure they’re really good - I’m not quite looking for a cafe,” She answered politely, sending a slight smile over, “I’m looking for something with a little more history.” 

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ GRETCHEN WEINERS:

Gretchen wouldn’t exactly call herself a tourist, but she wasn’t sure if she could be considered a local yet. She had moved to London for University, but sometimes she still stuck out like a sore thumb fashion and personality wise. When she passed a girl who seemed to be lost, she was happy to stop and help her if need be. “Are you alright?” Gretchen flashed a smile as she looked up from her phone. “I usually get a lot of work done in this cafe, so I know the area pretty well if you need some directions?”

As her eyes left her phone, Aida returned the smile she was given, silently thanking all that was good in the world that for once someone in London was willing to be helpful. “Yes, I’m alright just a little - lost?” She uttered, with a sheepish look on her face as she motioned to her phone, “Seems I’m being sent around in circles, that or I keep missing my turn.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ ALIZ CLEVES:

          “ OUCH – YOU KNOW, that place is actually pretty great. love the coffee – definitely tops starbucks. “, aliz spoke with a grin on her features and her hands placed on her hips as she ran into her friend. she didn’t know aida came around this part of town, she had never seen her there. “ a little more enthusiasm would not be misplaced. “, she teased as she stepped towards her friends, hand touching her upper arm to make sure she had her attention. “ what are you doing here, love ? “, aliz wondered, offering her a genuine smile.

Her head spun as a hand landed on her, mouth poised to make a quick remark but her words died on her lips as er friend came into view. Aida couldn’t hold back the smile on her face or the relieved sigh that left her mouth. “Anything is better than that overpriced, pop craze of a coffee chain,” She answered with a light laugh before rolling her eyes, all in good fun, “But I will try - just for you.” Turning to face her properly, she gave a shrug as she held up her phone slightly, “I’m looking for the museum but google maps is having a hard time locating it.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ HANS WESTERGAARD:

Knowing he had a million things to check on today, Hans was anxious to get going but someone was quick to stop him almost immediately. He couldn’t help the annoyed look that sat on his face as he looked up at the woman who claimed to hold his drink in her hand. Taking a second to check his cup, Hans found that it indeed said “Aida” instead of “Hans.” In his rush he must have dropped the wrong one. “Oh, yes….sorry.” He sighed, handing over the cup to Aida before taking his actual one from her hands. “I’m in a bit of a rush today and wasn’t paying attention. You’re Aida, right? I would hate for this to go on longer than it has to…”

When she had her own drink in her hands, she gave a quick wave of dismissal at his apology, it happened and she’d be lying if she said she had never accidentally picked up the wrong drink when she was distracted. “I am Aida indeed, I take it you must be Hans then?” She affirmed with a soft smile opting to ignore the look of annoyance on his face. Aida knew the feeling well and sympathised with him so she offered him a much more genuine smile before speaking, “You must have been, clearly too much in a rush if you can’t stop to check if you have the right order of overpriced coffee.”  

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ OPEN STARTER | @musicalstarters

Even though Aida had lived in London for years, she had never truly gotten the full experience of living in the big city. So knowing that she had the day off she decided to utilise it by heading to one of the infamous museums. It was just her luck though that she didn’t really know her way around, she would happily blame the town cars and taxis that were her usual way around the city - she’d never really taken the time to get to know anywhere that wasn’t her usual route. It was how she found herself aggressively whispering to herself as she tried to compare the streets around her to those on her google maps. All of which was promptly cut off with a huff as she whined, a little louder than she really had anticipated, “But I’ve already seen this cafe I’m sure.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ CLOSED STARTER | @pcper-fcntcsy (for whomever)

She had been barely listening to her dad on the phone since she entered the bookstore, managing to order her coffee without alerting him of her disinterest in the conversation. Aida was scanning the shelves, looking for something to read while she relaxed, “Yes Baba, I’ll get home at some point before the end - I know there’s a pick up of work in Winter, that’s why I’ll see you before summer ends.” She was a little too concentrated in her search for a book that she didn’t realise that her foot was about to hit a low step, knocking her off balance.

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ KAREN SMITH:

“ I     D O N T      G E T      I T . ” karen huffed with her brows arched together, index fingers coming up to massage her temples, “ every single time i introduce myself, people keep asking if they can speak to M Y   M A N A G E R . but , i’m not even at work when it happens…so, i don’t have a manager.” the blonde explained, before she let out a dramatic gasp, “ - - ohmygod…was i supposed to actually C A L L my manager ?” / @musicalstarters·

It took Aida a moment to process the woman’s words, turning to face her and a frown settling onto her brow as she watched her exasperation. Her eyes widened in slight shock at the gasp before laughing lightly, “Um, are you sure people aren’t just confusing you for an employee?” She questions softly with a gentle smile, “They might just have gotten a little confused.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ HANS WESTERGAARD:

@musicalstarters·

Summer used to be his favorite season of them all. Not being bogged down by unnecessary school work, being able to read and do whatever he wanted. Not summer just disappointed Hans Westergaard. Instead of having all the free time he used to have as a kid, summer just served as a cruel reminder that others were free while he still had work to do. But Hans didn’t have the time to linger on that depressing thought anymore. It was his turn to order. “Yes, I want a grande iced coffee with two shots of espresso. Skim milk and a pump of vanilla.” He rattled off, not looking up from his phone until he realized he was being rude. He offered the worker behind the counter a haphazard smile as he added. “Please.” There. He couldn’t afford to forget his manners now could he? Of course, he should have extended that same attention to detail to his actual drink, which left forgotten at the pick up counter as he grabbed the wrong order and started to walk out of the coffee shop.

Her eyes were perusing the display cases despite already having made her order, it was still nice to plan her order for the next time she had time to actually sit and take a moment to enjoy herself. Watching as her order was called, she took a moment to order herself she walked over to the collection point scarcely avoiding another patron on his way out. Lifting the cup, she thanked the barista before noticing the presence of ice in her cup before her eyes landed on the man she’d just walked past before the dots connected. “Excuse, sorry Mr Iced Double Shot?” Aida called, her eyes having quickly scanned the cup as she moved quickly towards, hoping to catch up with him, “You have the wrong grande.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ MARGARITA SCHUYLER:

even with all the time she spent volunteering there, peggy never got tired of the library. there was something so.. calming about wandering through the stacks, discovering new book she might not have heard of otherwise, and the library drew in some of the most absolutely fascinating people, and peggy loved nothing more than people watching. as she wandered absently through the typically-empty ‘test review’ aisle of the library, eavesdropping on the people in the aisle behind her, she nearly crashed into another patron. “oh geez, i’m so sorry!!”  [ @musicalstarters​ ] 

Aida normally spent her spare time somewhere where she could get her hands on books. It was something that a friend had reminded her to do. Especially when she needed to de-stress. Her head was floating in dreamland as she scanned the shelves waiting for something to pique her interest. She didn’t mean, however, to be so lost in daydreams that she bumped into someone, “Oh no, it’s alright,” She uttered at the apology, “It’s as much my fault as it is yours. My head was clearly off in the clouds.”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ CLOSED STARTER | @defyingrcvity  (for whomever)

Aida was sure she had thrown her card in when she swapped from her usual bag and into the one she was currently using. It wasn’t like her to be so disorganised and yet here she was at the front of a queue emptying her bag out. onto the counter to find the plastic car. Her fingers rummaged through the bag, finally hitting something resembling the card as she lifted her head, audibly offering the worker an apology before turning to go and do the same to the other patrons.

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ ARIEL NYSTROM:

               ariel approved with a nod of her head.    ❛     i guess i’ve been distracted for no reason today,    ❜     she admitted.    ❛     oh, tell me about it. at least i didn’t hit my head on a glass door or something like that. well, not today.      ❜

Aida offered an understanding smile, turning back to pay for her drink and laughing softly at the comment, “You always think you’ve got all the glass doors figures out until you have a headache,”

[aida-amcnasrc]

❧ KAYDEN MACAVITY:

“Wouldn’t say anything. Other people’s opinion of me isn’t any of my business” and he had stopped caring when his parents had kicked him onto the streets. The only person you had anything to prove anything to was yourself. He was managing that just fine. Was he perfect? Far from it, but he had done what he had to do, he couldn’t change that now. “People want to fight, then they’re going to fight. Not a lot can do about that, I just try and avoid it” not often all that well, but the attempt at least was made. “That sort of thing leads to people getting hurt. Ignorance is bliss, but it is also incredibly dangerous, why is anything just a bit of happiness? He didn’t really see the point. “You always this curious, or am I just lucky?”

“Surely it is? Someone like you seems to live and count on reputation, surely people’s opinion means something? Anything?” She spoke with genuine curiosity. Aida knew that she had spent a lot of time trying, and evidently failing, to be the woman her father expected her to be. The kind who fit perfectly into his world and the life he had created for them. In her world, reputations can make or break you. “At least you don’t go around aiming to settle your problems with your fists,” It seemed to her the more he said, the less assured she was that she was getting some sort of picture of him and it made her uneasy, “People are going to get hurt either way. If you can pretend that everything is alright just for a moment to help, why not?” It was a viable tactic, one she would most likely defend because it worked. At his query, she offered a small smile and a shrug, “Maybe you’re just intriguing?”