march on, and fear not the thorns...

AMARI JELELA / LANFORD RESIDENT / NURSE / WRITER + LOWKEY SJW

[amarijelela]

@drewhiltunen

     Normally Amari had endless patience. Doing what she did, you needed a strong stomach and a polite smile, no matter what came your way. But today it was wearing thin. She’d been working for six days in a row--something that they wouldn’t have given a second thought a year ago, but recently they hadn’t worked more than four since arriving in Lanford.      It was fine, though. It was fine. Nothing a little coffee couldn’t fix, anyway. A stressful day at the hospital had to end with a wind-down at their favorite coffee shop. The line was long, but fast-moving. Nothing they hadn’t deal with before.      It wasn’t long before a screechy voice sounded off like an alarm right next to Amari’s ear. And worse--she felt a tugging at her braids. “See--this is what I want, right? Wouldn’t this look so good on me?”        Someone was. Lifting Amari’s braids. Like a prop. And holding them up to their own lily-white head. (Of course.)

[jiminfilter]

[amarijelela]

sierra-moore:

      Bright green eyes glazed over with tears looked up at Sierra in pain as she chewed on her toy, doing anything to ease the discomfort coming from swollen gums. A sleepless night for all involved and day of working at home, had dragged through to a point where Sierra had to get them out of the house. A stones throw from Adam’s place and a favourite of hers, The Garden Café was usually the perfect place to distract her with; outdoors with pretty lights and brightly colored plants weaving through trellis always had Mia fascinated, but today she cared for none of it. The grizzles coming from her filled the entire café, even as she handed her a spoonful of yoghurt and watched the little girl throw it behind her.  “Mia—” A quiet but violent splat followed and Mia fell silent, forcing Sierra to try and make it better. “I’m so sorry, she’s teething and grumpy and apparently…” The little girl looked up at her with a grin, “Doesn’t regret it.”

     Even with how popular this particular cafe was, Amari found it easy to unwind here. For whatever reason, having complete silence wasn’t the way to get them to relax. Amari needed the background noise--espresso machines whirring, people chatting and forks tapping against plates seemed to help drown out Amari’s endlessly rotating mind. They’d even began to zone out into a book--a book they were reading for fun! They couldn’t remember the last time that had happened. Soon after finishing the fifth chapter, a clatter and a blur of silver startled them. A spoon had whizzed by and Amari let out a small surprised yelp. It’d just missed them, but barely.       They laughed, already shaking their head. “No harm done.” By the time she looked up, Amari caught the infectious smile of the baby and let out another laugh. Soon after, Sierra’s face registered, having recognized her face after having bumped into her a couple of weeks back. “Sierra, right?”

[amarijelela]

connorowenandrews:

Connor frowned in confusion as he listened to the message on his phone, trying to figure out what was going on. He looked up after a moment and spotted someone nearby, “You ever have something so weird happen that you kind of have to stop for a second to figure out if you’ve slipped into an alternate universe or something?” he questioned, needing someone else to bounce the situation off of, “My dad just left a voicemail apologizing for my mom’s behavior the last few times I ran into her, and for not warning me when they moved here. He even said he missed me. I don’t know, I’m thinking alternate universe or … I’m hallucinating. Am I hallucinating?” he babbled. 

     Amari wasn’t unfamiliar with starting conversations with strangers. It was part and parcel with the job, and besides all that, striking up a little chat with a stranger was usually pretty entertaining if nothing else. So when they were stopped by the man, it didn’t take long for them to become engaged in the conversation. “I--I don’t think you’re hallucinating,” they responded, though auditory hallucinations weren’t impossible. “That sounds like something fathers do.” Even though Amari had deduced that this man wasn’t used to such behaviour. They let out a short chuckle at his expression. “Sounds like your family’s going through some pretty big changes, huh?”

[timbllr]

dead poets society (1989), via weheartit

[amarijelela]

     “I’m a sweaty mess, but apparently I can still get it, that’s all I’m saying.” Amari’s smile grew wide as they related the story to their friend--Running errands on one of their days off, someone took the time to stop Amari on the sidewalk just to say that they were beautiful. A short, polite conversation had ensued and Amari ended up getting the girl’s phone number. “I don’t know, do you think I should call her?”

[hugal]

[amarijelela]

lucasxcollins:

“This is my third coffee today and hopefully I can actually drink this one.” Lucas shook his head as he brought the cup to his lips taking a long enjoyable pull of the hot liquid. “The first one was lost due to a dog, the second I lost chasing someone. Fingers crossed that no cats get stuck in a tree.”

     “Damn, that sounds like some bad luck,” commented Amari. They were on their first cup of the day, a bit unusual for them, but it made them savour the drink that much more. Today was Amari’s day off and they were actually doing well with taking it easy. The last week had been more hectic than anticipated. “May I ask--who were you chasing?”

[amarijelela]

dakotakxng:

“Amari Jelela… I love it,” she said after she repeated their name. It wasn’t one she remembered hearing before, but somehow that just made her like it even more. Give her a penny for every Charlotte, Sarah, Tom, Harry and Dan she met on her way and she would’ve been a very, very rich woman long before she was even just a little bit rich. “Oh, don’t mention it — It’s my pleasure honestly.” After being cooped up in Utah with no one to talk to and nowhere to go for six months, meeting new people and connecting like this, it felt like self care to Dakota. Amari was definitely doing a lot more to brighten Dakota’s day than they seemed aware of.

     Though you wouldn’t know it by looking at them, Amari could feel their cheeks warm at the way Dakota said their full name. Her pronunciation was still notably good. “Cool,” she said behind a laugh and a nod. “Maybe I’ll see you there?”

[amarijelela]

anniejoncs:

Of course Annie was no where near as far as Amari, Annie wasn’t a big runner, only ever doing it occasionally so, she of course came last. And was all but gasping for breath as they arrived back at the building. Annie let out a breathy laugh and sat on the steps, stretching out again as she rolled her eyes at her friend. ‘’Do you have super speed? Jesus, how do you run like that?’’

     Amari let out a breathy laugh and shook her head. “Come on, I’m really not that fast. Maybe, maybe you’re just slow.” Still grinning, they leaned forward in an attempt to catch their breath. “Not to mention I’m more than ready for this dinner!”

[amarijelela]

adrianohara:

                 The gratitude he felt for healthcare professionals, and more specific than that, nurses, was something unable to be compacted into not one ocean, but two. Long-winded hours without so much as a break off the feet, and without the recognition to match, was what Adrian had to thank for so many things, and more specifically, people: Idris, Ophelia, Zoe, Alex, his mother. The list could go on, and went on, but the point stayed the same–– he owed them a lot, and then some. Amari was a specific example; Idris’ affection for them was thanks to their constant seep of sunlit humour when circumstances were so meek, and the nurse had been doted as one of the boy’s favourites, and, by proxy, that meant they were one of Adrian’s too. “… Nah, you’re right. The boy’s palate is too refined for the likes of phony fruit–” A shake of his head and a laugh accompanied his jest, thick fingers smoothing out George Washington’s face against his chest, “Chocolate it is. Can’t go wrong with the classics,” He started to feed the dollar bill into the machine, but his mind and attention were both still harnessed on Amari, and hazel eyes met brown the moment the bill was accepted, “How’s your day been so far? You saving the world?” He asked, a soft smile charming his lips’ corners, “–– I’d say hopefully exciting, but I’m not sure that ‘excitement’ is a really wanted thing to have around here or not. ”

     Amari nodded in agreement. If someone declines chocolate, there’s obviously something deeply wrong. Chocolate fixed just about everything. “Yeah, totally. Big proponent of chocolate, for sure.” Amari let out a short laugh as the machine whirred eating the dollar bill. As they glanced over at the banana Milk2Go, the taste of those heinous yellow marshmallow candies that claimed to taste like bananas flooded into their senses and they shook their head. Whoever thought to pair that with milk must have been quite disturbed.      “Ah, yeah. A bit too much excitement, but it’s been all right.” A sigh huffed past their lips and Amari smoothed a hand over their head of braids. “Not close to saving the world, but at least I kept you from buying the banana flavour. Sometimes that’s all a nurse can do.” Amari was glad to catch Adrian smile. It wasn’t the rarest of expressions to see on him, but it was welcome all the same. “What about you? I feel like I haven’t seen you in a while, but maybe I’ve just been running around a lot. How’s Idris today?”

[amarijelela]

gavinthcmas:

BOLD what applies to your muse.

PLACE IN SOCIETY

financial: wealthy  / moderate / poor  / in poverty.

medical: fit  / moderate / sickly / disabled / disadvantaged.

class or caste: upper / middle / working / slave  / unsure.

education: qualified / unqualified / studying.

criminal record: yes, for major crimes / yes, for minor crimes / no.

FAMILY

married - happily / married - unhappily / engaged or betrothed / partnered / single / divorced / separated.

has a child or children / has no children / wants children.  

close with [adoptive] sibling(s) / not close with sibling(s) / has no siblings / sibling(s) is deceased.

orphaned (growing up) / adopted (now) / disowned / raised by birth parent(s).

TRAITS + TENDENCIES

extroverted / introverted / in between.

disorganized / organized / in between.

close minded / open-minded  / in between.

calm / anxious / in between.

disagreeable / agreeable / in between.

cautious / reckless / in between.

patient / impatient / in between.

outspoken / reserved / in between.

leader / follower / in between.

empathetic / unemphatic / in between.

optimistic / pessimistic / in between.

traditional / modern / in between.

hard-working / lazy / in between.

cultured / un-cultured / in between

loyal / disloyal / in between.

faithful / unfaithful / unknown.

BELIEFS:

monotheist / polytheist / atheist / agnostic.

belief in ghosts or spirits: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care.

belief in an afterlife: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care.

belief in reincarnation: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care.

belief in aliens: yes / no / don’t know / don’t care.

religious: orthodox / liberal / in between / not religious.

philosophical: yes / no.

OPINIONS

pro-choice / anti-abortion /  doesn’t know or on the fence.

pro-marriage / anti-marriage / doesn’t know or on the fence.

pro-death penalty / anti-death penalty  / doesn’t know or on the fence.

pro-drug legislation / anti-drug legislation / doesn’t know or on the fence.

left wing / right wing / middle / doesn’t know or on the fence.

SEXUALITY + ROMANTIC INCLINATION

heterosexual / homosexual / bisexual / asexual / pansexual.

sex repulsed / sex neutral / sex favourable.

romance repulsed / romance neutral / romance favourable.

sexually: adventurous / experienced / naive / inexperienced / curious.

potential sexual partners: male / female / agender / other / none / all.

potential romantic partners: male / female / agender / other / none / all.

ABILITIES

combat skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none.

literacy skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

artistic skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none

technical skills: excellent / good / moderate / poor / none.

HABITS

drinking alcohol: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess. 

smoking: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess. 

other narcotics:  never / not anymore / sometimes / frequently / to excess.

medicinal drugs: never / sometimes  / frequently / to excess.

indulgent food: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess.

splurge spending: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess.

gambling: never / sometimes / frequently / to excess.

[amarijelela]

jasonluca:

He was overly used to people begging him to write again. They always assumed it was this big dream he couldn’t give up and that he just had to start again. Maybe that was true but their reaction soothed any anxiety he had. Not one to easily trust, he looked over their face and felt a pang of guilt. To think he was close with this person once before. He wasn’t so sure they could turn into some monster wanting to blackmail him overnight. “Yeah…” He sighed out of relief. “Yeah.” A pause, he shook his head at himself. His paranoia had gotten the best of him lately. “I’m sorry. I have a lot going on. Obviously…” Jason was surprised Amari didn’t up and leave the second he snapped but they were here now. “Kind of weird seeing you in the flesh. Do I look better than a college photo? I sure hope so.”

     “I get it,” Amari responded gently. Who didn’t have a lot going on? They could only imagine what it was like for a well-known lawyer. That couldn’t have been easy. Amari let out their own deep breath when Jason sighed, glad he seemed to be coming to his senses. She even laughed and nodded. “Yeah, but to be fair I don’t think the early 2000s treated many people too well.” 

[amarijelela]

graysonromero:

His reaction to Amari’s smile was quick, his own smile forming on his lips as he let them walk in first before walking in himself. He let the door shut behind him, walking up behind them with a quirked brow as the notion of hospital stories dawned upon him. He couldn’t help the chuckle that slipped from his lips, “Well, at least we have that in common to bond over. A battle of stories as to who gets the most annoying drunken idiots, even?” he posed the scenario, mostly joking as he glanced down at them. His eyes lingered on Amari for a little longer, a smile fading on his lips before his gaze too glanced down at the menu, even though he was as basic as anything and knew he’d order black coffee (like he always did). He waited for his turn, Amari ordering before he slipped up and placed his own order, a quick and easy transaction of paying before shoving his hands back inside his pockets, gaze cutting back to Amari with a smirk. “You and your sweet tooth,” he commented on the drink order with a smile that showed he was teasing (a rarity when it came to Grayson, for he was all harsh looks and an unimpressed nature a majority of the time), his hip bumping with theirs as they shuffled down the line.

     Amari’s expression brightened at Gray’s chuckle; an unconscious change, the way their eyes lit up just a bit and the pressure in their shoulder blades relaxed just a bit. Even though they’d left work for the day, Amari’s stresses seemed to follow behind them like a shadow so Gray’s company was very welcome. “I’d win that contest,” Amari declared, matter-of-fact. “You don’t want to know what kind of things people shove up their--” Amari stopped short, not out of politeness but of a muted kind of shock. Somehow the money had exchanged hands without their noticing and Grayson had paid for both drinks when she’d had that very intention.      “Ah--You sneak! I’ll get the next one, okay? Don’t make a liar out of me.” Amari bumped him back with a laugh of their own and licked their lips in anticipation of their sweet drink. She couldn’t help it, and she definitely couldn’t understand why someone would drink black coffee.

[ferrisbueller]

[amarijelela]

lovekali:

Looking at the picture, Kalia remembered that day perfectly. Amari was accepted into her dream university and she wanted to celebrate before telling their parents so all three of them went to the beach, just a small, low key, relaxation type thing. They ended up having a sand castle show off. It was one of the few moments she has of him that nobody can tale away.

As Amari went to grab her arm, Kalia pulled away. “I don’t need a nap”. She felt hurt and angry that Amari just wanted to brush it off. “Why is it that everyone just wants to brush him off when someone asks about him? Mostly if I even want to talk about it.”

Kalia went to move towards the window, the fact that her sister tried to hide that picture from her shirt her. “I was the one who told you what happened, I was the one who had to tell you even though I was on the verge of breaking down. You don’t think it hurts to talk about him? I thought being here I would be able to talk and work out everything but instead you’re treating him and me like everyone else does. ”

     In the face of a break down or blow-out, Amari was surprisingly good at keeping their calm. It was part and parcel of the job, really. But having their little sister raise her voice was much different than trying to calm down a patient. So much more personal. Amari opened their mouth to speak in protest--to claim that it wasn’t that she wanted to brush him off. But rather that it had been a long day. The last thing Amari wanted was to ruin the time they were having. But the truth was it was hard. Amari didn’t have anyone to talk to about her youngest brother, so she just didn’t. And she’d gotten used to that.      Amari stood silently for a moment to collect their thoughts as Kali went to the window. They let out a sigh, carefully choosing words. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to just--brush him off like that. And, yeah, I mean--we should be able to talk about him, I just--” Amari let out another sigh and began to rub their forehead with one hand as they felt their eyes begin to sting. This wasn’t like her, getting this emotional so quickly.      Clearing their throat, Amari moved to sit properly on the couch, hoping Kali would join them but didn’t ask her to explicitly. Better to do what she wanted. “I’m sorry. It’s just a lot for one day, you know? I didn’t know how to--I’m sorry.” 

[bombshellssonly]