ASTRID BAUDELAIRE

Former Figure Skater Olympic Gold 2022 25

[astridskating]

ASTRID BAUDELAIRE has been spotted in town. They have been living here for 2 WEEKS in MAPLE ROW.They are DRIVEN and BITTER, as far as newcomers should be concerned when approaching them at N/A where they work as a FORMER OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATER. 

hospital tw, mental health tw

Born in Lenox, MA, Astrid Elizabeth Guild (as she was then called) was an unremarkable child, which was probably the worst outcome in her parents eyes, because that wasn’t something that they’d pictured for their daughter. So she was enrolled in a plethora of clubs and classes from an impossibly young age until she showed promise in one - skating. All it took was her teacher to utter the word ‘potential’ and she was yanked from everything else so her focus could be funnelled into a singular vision. Ironically, it was something that the girl loved from the moment she stepped onto the ice. Call it fate, or maybe divine intervention, a higher power, but for some reason she showed skill in what became a genuine passion which meant no resentment built up for her parents pushing her so hard. For other things? Sure. She wished her dad was more present but which kid didn’t? She wished her mom had softer edges like some of the others she saw at the school gates who would hug their children when they came out of school instead of barking at them that they were already late for rehearsal, but in her mind those things were all minor. Worries that immediately fell to silence when she got onto the ice. 

With discipline hammered into her from a young age it became second nature, if people thought her mom or coach were hard on her they should take a trip inside Astrid’s own brain, because that’s where the real taskmaster resided. By 10 she was winning regional competitions, by 13 she was getting gold at nationals, and she was eighteen when she was first selected to represent the United States at the Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea. Finally getting to show her talent and skill on the world stage she made it very clear from the moment she stepped into the Olympic Village what she was there for, and it earns her the nickname ‘iced out’, which she relished. Who cares if people thought she had iced everyone else out, if it brought her gold then every single second of isolation would be worth it. Until she only won Bronze. The humiliation like nothing she could have ever imagined, where most people would be elated, Astrid just wanted to get the hell out of there. A failure to her team, her country, and herself. 

Relationships had been few and far between for the woman as she grew up, well actually they had been none existent. A kiss here, a lay there, but she’d never actually dated anyone, partly because she didn’t consider herself to have time and partly because no one had been able to crack her hard exterior. Until she met Theodore and her world span on it’s head, a firefighter who had saved her precious dog (more like her baby) and her when an electrical fire had broken out at the rink during a practice. The two fell hard and fast, and a year after their first date to the day they got married and she was Astrid Baudelaire. No one had seen this coming, least of all the figure skater but he seemed to be able to put up with her moods, her sharp tongue, and her one track mind towards finally going back to the Olympics to win gold. And she did. That same year under the name Astrid Baudelaire she set the record straight to win Olympic gold and for a while everything was blissful. The honeymoon phase? Maybe. Or maybe just the calm before the storm. 

If you thought Astrid was hard before you had another think coming, she got a hell of a lot worse. She decided she wanted to train at an elite, specialized ice rink in Michagin and assuming Theo wouldn’t want to move she did what she did best and lashed out. Goading him, breaking him down, until she eventually forced a break up before moving. Only for the two to get back together when he followed her willingly. To say their relationship was toxic at this point was an understatement. 

She was 24 when tragedy struck, at a ‘warm up’ competition for the next olympics she was doing a particularly tricky move, aka the highest scoring olympic move you could do - the Quadruple Axel, and fell. And in that split second while her husband watched on without being able to help, her skating career was over. She suffered a comminuted intra-articular fracture of the knee resulting in arthroplasty and extensive rehab but resulted in loss of range of motion, pain with loading, and mechanical instability that prevents elite level jumps and landings. Hitting her head so hard she was put in a medically induced coma for a week to help reduce swelling, and when she woke up to the news she was inconsolable. During unbelievable rages and rampages she cursed everyone around her, not least of all Theo who she told to leave and never come back. 

She’s been a bitter husk of herself ever since. All sense of purpose gone. All the joy drained from her face and eyes. Astrid hates those around her who have the ability to chase their passions for no reason other than she cannot do it for her own anymore. The girl is broken, and she has no idea how to fix herself anymore. Lost and wandering, she’s come to Ennora to complete her divorce from Theo - at least that’s what she claimed, but really she’s not sure where she belongs anymore, let alone who she is without her skating identity. 

[astridskating]

For: @hllboymglds (Hiro) Where: Maisie's House

Hiro had offered to come over to Astrid’s instead of her coming over to the house he was staying in while recuperating, but she wouldn’t hear of it. First of all she hated the idea of being seen as an invalid, secondly she really should leave the house since she hadn’t since finding out her news - instead choosing to hide away from the world in bed, and finally because he needed to stay put more than she did. He was recovering from something actually traumatic, she was just being pathetic. As she popped in yet another piece of gum to use the mint to stamp on her nausea the girl lifted a hand to knock on the door, not recognising the woman who answered it, causing her to frown slightly before being told she was this ‘Maisie’ Hiro had mentioned he was staying with. She’d lead her to the living room before disappearing again to attend to what sounded like a baby crying, which just made Astrid’s stomach sour all over again. 

Clearing her throat she knocked before entering. “Hey, it’s Astrid.” Announcing herself as if he hadn’t been excepting her in the first place, popping her head around the side of the door before entering fully. “How are you feeling?” She’d been extremely relieved to get the text that he was being allowed out of hospital and back to Ennora again. Meaning he was well and truly out of the woods when it came to his injuries. “The walking wounded has returned. Bet you’re glad to be away from that awful hospital room.” Her face twisted into a look of distain, she’d always hated hospital will a passion but since her accident they had become a sauce of actual anxiety.  

[astridskating]

For: @icanbuymyownflowers Where: Hospital in NYC

Astrid really wasn’t feeling well. They’d driven all the way from Ennora to New York in order to check in on Hiro but the more they drove the more she was self convincing that her seeing a doctor too probably wasn’t the worst idea in the world. The medication she’d taken for motion sickness had helped slightly but she’d still had to get Theo to pull over once on the side of the highway, as much as she’d attempted to keep control over the contents of her stomach which was only a slice of toast from about three hours ago and water. Tipping her head back against the headrest as they pulled into the parking lot she let out a huff of breath, just glad they weren’t going to be moving too much again for a while. Her window was still rolled down to get some fresh air which was helping a lot. “Sorry…” She said again as she took a deep breath, apologising for nothing in particular really she just felt like it was something she needed to do. 

Turning to look at Theo she gave him a small smile, knowing she’d caused a lot of the issues between them especially recently by pulling away after that article came out but truth be told she was scared. Terrified really. If they got back together or at least acted on the feelings they had which made it look like it was headed in that direction - what if she messed up all over again? Lost herself like she had in the aftermath of the accident. Theo more than anyone in the world deserved to be with someone who would give him everything, not just anguish and heartbreak like she did. Plus his family hated her which she could understand, but he no doubt found very taxing - as anyone would. “Thanks for bringing me down here, I don’t think I could have driven myself.” A rare moment of honesty from the former olympian. 

[icanbuymyownflowers]

He didn’t like that word. Divorce. It shouldn’t be a word that was ever pronounced by his wife. Just thinking about never seeing her again made his heart ache. "Well, I’m glad you’re here. Brings back good memories," he said with an almost shy smile. They didn’t have too many bad memories back in Ennora. Only the memories of their first breakup... But they got back together. Why couldn’t it happen again? Theo had hope.

"Uh…" he felt like it was a trap. Like he wasn’t supposed to share anything that made him happy as a result from them being separated. He did like being close to his family, but it didn’t mean he wasn’t enjoying their life together back in New York. He’d do anything to go back to it if he could. "I’ve been spending more time with my brothers. And dad. It’s nice." While he still believed in his father's sobriety at least. And while his brothers still kept hidden everything difficult they carried with them.

[astridskating]

Her eyebrows lifted just a fraction of a millimetre at the way he smiled at the memories they had in the town, because if it wasn’t just like Theo to remember the good over the bad. He was no doubt ignoring when she’d tried to leave him behind to move to Michigan, the time he’d simply refused to let her, but that was exactly like him too. Tenacious as fuck but in the softest way it was one of the reasons she first fell in love with him so the dark haired woman couldn’t find it in herself to begrudge him it. Hell … she still loved it about him even among all the other swirling turmoil going on inside her regarding the current standing of their relationship. But then he became strange - like he didn’t want to answer her question honestly which made Astrid frown. 

"It wasn't a trick question, Theo. I'm not devoid of the ability to understand the concept of love for ones family, just because i don't have any myself." She snapped with a serious bite behind her tone, taking another drink from her coffee as she gripped the mug tightly in her small hand. Nails tapping against it as she returned it back to the table once more. “I’m glad…I’m glad you’re all bonding and spending time together. You’ve been missing that no doubt.” Her mind drifted for a moment wondering what it would be like to actively want to go back to see your family but it was so foreign to her she let the thought go as easily as it arrived. “You’re living nearby?” 

[astridskating]

Who: @icanbuymyownflowers (Theo) Where: The Mark Hotel Suite

The Met Gala had been fun, if you could call pontificating with a load of tech bros and being on parade the whole time that, but in truth Astrid had really enjoyed the exhibition. That was the one plus of the event - you got to see something extraordinary before the general public so getting the ability to wander around at your leisure with a glass of champagne in your had was a serious plus. Shame she had to do it with nothing more than a load of oversized gems stuck to her tits. 

Making a weekend of it hadn’t been what the woman thought she’d been doing when the invitation came through from the fashion house because at that point she’d at an abysmally low point. Not long after her accident it had been her therapist who’d talked her into accepting as an incentive to work harder in PT in order to walk the red carpet uninhibited which was what she’d done, in six inch heels no less. But having Theo back at The Mark hotel waiting for her in the suite? No, that certainly hadn’t been on the woman’s bingo card. It gave her a sense of calm in the storm of getting ready, of being accosted by the flashes of cameras, the inane conversations with Kardashians and musicians, it was all a bit easier knowing she got to go back to Theo who was ... home. 

As much as she’d been pushing that fact away or ignoring the butterflies getting to spent time with him caused in the pit of her stomach it was getting increasingly harder. Even now as the night drew to a close she was only half paying attention to saying goodbyes to people since the other part of her brain was already in the car heading back to the hotel. Which was probably why before long she was being helped into the blacked out Sudan by one of the many people working that evening and heading through the New York streets back to The Mark Hotel. 

More photographers still outside as people came in and out from their evening, some going to afterparties, but that wouldn’t be for Astrid this time around. Instead she headed straight to the eighth floor, the familiar sound of the key card clicking to open the door as she headed into the room, leaning against the doorframe with a smile and sigh of relief when she saw Theo waiting there. “You missed nothing, especially not the food so I hope you’re up for ordering a stupidly huge amount of room service in a minute.”

[astridskating]

Do you regret anything?

"It's too early in the morning for questions like this. Yes, I regret a lot of things but none that i'm going to share at random. So mind your business. Like stepping onto the ice that day, how i've treated Theo, ever filing for divorce, the rift between me and my parents...."

[astridskating]

Are you scared of spiders?

"I mean, i'm not a fan of them but i wouldn't say i'm scared of them, no. I would probably be more unnerved by them if i lived somewhere like Australia where they can more often do some real damage."

[smalltownrp]

Meme weekend 💜 Reply posting is paused until Monday

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Enjoy the weekend!

[astridskating]

@astridskating @kitty-hexrst @lennon-mxles @maisiebrooksbakes

[cashmoneyshorty]

i watch euphoria every month

[icanbuymyownflowers]

''Oh,'' he felt like he couldn't say anything more. They were separated and they were getting divorced. She had needs. He was still glad to know she hadn't crossed that line yet. It gave him time to try everything to win her back. Hoping it wasn't too late...

''The ice cream date was only with one person,'' he specified even if it didn't matter. He thought about it for a second, wondering if he had wanted to sleep with those he went out with. Maybe. In the moment. There was a reason why he didn't. ''If I really wanted to, I would've,'' he simply said. The truth was that he kept thinking about her the entire time, comparing them to her.

@astridskating

[astridskating]

“Did you enjoy the ice cream date? I mean would you want to do it again with that person…” Astrid asked, her back still straight as an arrow as she looked across the table at her husband, using every power she possessed not to chew her bottom lip. Swallowing as she waited for him to answer the question because the answer would be illuminating to say the least, if he said he wanted to sleep with the people then, well it spoke volumes. “But you didn’t, so you didn’t.” Was all she murmured in return, feeling chest unclench which just made her mad. They were getting a divorce, this wasn’t how things were meant to go. 

“I bet your family are glad you’re home, they won’t be pleased I’m here when they find out though.” She pursed her lips, not really caring but knowing full well they all hated her. 

[goldenchildminmin]

Truth be told, Minho had changed over the years but not in a way a person would be expected to; a person not involved with the industry at least. Signs of age were there, but not in terms of facial lines, thinning hair count, posture or skin quality. It was a change that accommodated age and made it timeless, reversing the clock even as it ticked. No, Minho had not been allowed to age gracefully or much at all, and how much of it was genetics and how much was money and intervention was a very blurred, unspoken of mystery. Minho was a time machine that made no sense - their appearance accepted the time that passed but hid any traces it should’ve left behind. 

The moment the hug was perceived as genuine - and Minho had a radar for that, always so socially and emotionally attuned to their surroundings and the people in them - they returned it with more honesty and less of a practiced ease, warming the hug to something more human. That was all it took to personify them, just a little hint of familiarity and affection. Perhaps the hug would’ve lasted longer than it did but they did not know Astrid that well, so a polite hug duration was maintained. “Oh, pfff, nonsense! Compared to you?” They wave off the courteously returned compliment, chuckling under their breath as Astrid denied any later dates as if Minho’s joke was an actual serious assumption. Although undoubtedly, joke or no joke, Astrid did deserve all the dates she could get!

“Right?! Me not having a proper profile picture and, like, zero details in it too!” Minho laughed, a clear laugh, one that cheered up the room with its unassuming yet still noticeable chime. “Oh my goodness, I remember that!! I was very ready to find lemon infused ice cubes right then and there but my manager advised against it! Aaah~ my poor, fragile vocal cords likely would not withstand it. It always gets in the way of my fun.” They continue to laugh throughout the conversation, genuinely amused as they take their seat, gracefully crossing their legs under the table. “Truly a million years ago. A whole age. An era has passed!” They exclaim, tossing an arm out with a flourish. “It is! No one knows I come here! Ennora is my little secret.” They lean in slightly, throwing a little wink Astrid’s way. “But what about you? How come you’re here? I do know you are American but I vaguely recall a different city called out when you went on ice.”

[astridskating]

She felt the moment Minho relaxed into the hug and it gave her the reassurance to give him a soft squeeze before letting go, not needing too much physical contact herself either, a much more reserved woman than the wide eyed focused young girl who’d met the man years ago. Sitting down back where she had been before rising for the greeting, she crossed he legs gracefully under the table, giving him a smile that was reserved but genuine. Their PR training not exactly the same so where he knew how to be smooth and polite, she was a little more stilted in her conversing, especially since … well everything. The accident had changed Astrid significantly because she lost such a huge part of her identity she was still rediscovering who she was without that identifier, and it was terrifying. 

“Well exactly, I was skeptical to say the least. Plus it’s been so long,  but I’m glad you didn’t turn out to be some weirdo who was just poaching for an interview or something. Truly.” The sound of his laugh made her break out into a small, small laugh of her own though it was a little breathy with disbelief that he sounded exactly like he had all those ears ago. Unchanged, frozen, it was remarkable really. “I don’t think I was really thinking about your vocal cords at the time, because citrus would have caused havoc on them. I swear it wasn’t some kind intentional sabotage!” Hand to her chest as she leant forwards a little bit towards him, warming to their conversation as the two started to catch up. “It sure has, an era…it feels like a lifetime ago.” A pained expression flittered across her face so briefly it would be entirely undetectable but it had been there, because that was the ‘before’ and she was now very much in the ‘after’. She hated it here. 

“In Ennora? Oh yes, well I’m not from here originally but my husband is. Theo. We moved to Michagin when I was training because of the superior facilities there - it was just the best career move but ever since uh…” She broke off, wrinkling her nose with a brief shake of her head. “Since the accident it’s no longer necessary that I be there. Or near a rink at all actually, and he works as a firefighter here so…his whole family is from Ennora.” She didn’t mention the divorce in progress just yet, wondering if she should present her marriage as solid to him so she at least had one thing she appeared to not be failing at. Unlike everything else in her life which was falling apart brick by brick. “What about you, why are you here? No offence but it seems a little big fish, small pond for you.” 

[auraliswhispers]

closed starter @astridskating

Lately Ezra started spending more time at the library, whenever he didn't find himself glued to his desk. He mainly went there to deepen his knowledge about work but also because the library’s silence echoed in his mind, bringing him a quiet sense of peace. Besides maintaining his interest in work, the man also developed an interest in psychology books. He found it fascinating how the human brain worked and what it was capable of—something he had never really thought about before. Sauntering around the organized and spacious place, Ezra picked up a few books. He wasn’t planning on staying long today, so he gathered a couple of books to take home with him. Lost in his thoughts, he hardly noticed the world around him. As he turned the corner, he bumped into someone. “Oh—” he said, pulled back to the present. “I’m sorry. Are you alright?” he asked, genuine concern in his voice as he bent down to pick up the books he had dropped.

[astridskating]

Astrid liked the library, it was quite (no duh) but somewhere that no many people in Ennora seemed to come that often. While the weather wasn’t the best she preferred it to sitting in loud coffee shops or even worse just staying in the hotel staring at the blank walls. Reading wasn’t something she had a particular interest in but it had grown a little with all the time she spent here, and the woman was currently wandering down the fiction section to see if anything caught her interest. Preferably without a bright pink cover or the words ‘holiday’, ‘engagement’, ‘vibes’, or ‘romance’ in the title but it seemed they were rather popular these days. Crouching down when she saw something on a lower shelf that looked interesting she had it in one hand as she stood slowly when someone bumped into her, causing her to almost fall off balance onto her ass. 

Luckily Astrid managed to just save herself, holding onto the edge of the shelf to catch herself. “Yes, yes I’m alright. Just a little off balance.” And flustered but she quickly smoothed out her skirt and stood back up again with the book firmly in her hand. “Do you often walk around libraries with your eyes closed?” 

[littlesugarnspice]

Where: Ennora Sports Centre Ice Rink With: @astridskating Outfit: click

Aurora pushed off again, building speed across the rink, the sound of her blades carving clean, sharp lines behind her. She set up without thinking, letting muscle memory take over where her mind had been failing her all morning... and then a jump. The jump came harder than usual. She over-rotated slightly, not enough for anyone watching to notice, but she felt it. A split-second where her axis tilted just a fraction off, where the landing jarred a little too sharply up through her leg and into her spine. Her blade bit into the ice, catching, correcting, but it took longer than it should have.

Aurora stilled for a second. Her head dipped, eyes unfocused as that familiar pressure settled behind her left ear, dull at first, then sharper, like something tightening slowly. The rink did not spin, not really, but it shifted just enough to make her aware of it, of her body, of the fact that something was… off.

She clenched her teeth, ignoring it, as usual. It was nothing. She needed to keep going - another pass, another attempt. This time it turned out cleaner, then once more and then once more until she finally got it right. Only then did she let herself slow.

She was breathing hard as she finally skated towards the outer wall of the rink, ready to be done for today. She had no coach to explain or correct, and she was probably even a worse judge than her. She leaned onto it, stretching her leg and arm into a ballet form... and then saw a woman standing off to the side.

"…You've been there long?" she called out, voice steady as her brows drew together, thinking she might be going crazy for seeing one of her past idols sitting there, watching.

[astridskating]

The air was crisp in it’s coldness, god it was amazing. Astrid closed her eyes as she stepped through the doorway to just take a moment to enjoy the sensation, it had been a while since she’d been in an ice rink and the nostalgia hit her like a tonne of bricks. Even as she stood there from a distance she could hear the way the blades of whoever skittered across the ice scraped rhythmically, able to pinpoint the moment contact was lost before a jump and then regained on the landing. Like a sixth sense she’d honed over the first twenty five years of her life. It ran deeper in her than her blood at this point, she could even tell you the three possible moves the skater had done based on the time in the air. How their landing was slightly too jarring, the blunt sound of the reconnection with the ice. It almost made her tear up. Almost. 

Instead she carried on walking towards the edge of the rink, resting her arms along the barrier as she watched the woman practice, giving her kudos for a moments her form was on point but not missing the seconds when it wasn’t. She was sure they hadn’t either. There was an expression rippling across her features that showed as much, she knew it from having the same one on her own a million times over, often coupled by a coach yelling at her but this girl seemed to be here alone. 

Astrid stayed there and just watched, drinking it all in as her legs twitched with the want to get out there herself but that wall she’d slammed up less than a year ago stopped her so instead she just lived vicariously though the other. Head tilting, arms ever so often moving a fraction to mirror their movements, but not enough to notice unless you were watching. 

And then just before Astrid left she heard her speak to her, giving her a tight smile. “Long enough to know you have the skills to have landed that Lutz without your weight being that far back on your heel, but you already know that. You threw your arms too far behind you, your balance was off before you even hit the ice again. If you'd kept your fingers tighter together it would have made all the difference.” Astrid shrugged, her voice flat, devoid of emotion. 

[tortledimlr1-blog]

Dorcas had gotten to Koolsville early -- as she often did -- but today was a special day. Today she'd be tattooing Astrid, and Dorcas knew it had to be perfect. She wasn't super worried, not really, she knew her own skill, but she still felt the familiar anxiety that surrounded doing a truly important piece. The same anxiety she was sure her own artist had felt when they did her Medusa piece.

She looked up when the door opened, her own lips turning up into an easy grin when Astrid walked into the room. "Hey, you," She said, reaching out to wrap an arm around Astrid's waist instinctively. She gladly returned the cheek kisses, her hand coming to rest on Astrid's hip. "Well, we have to make sure the needles are clean, we don't want anyone getting infections."

She pulled her phone out and held it up to Astrid, showing the screenshotted design she'd sent her. "This one, right? Is there some sort of significance to it? It doesn't have to be important of course, but I figure you wouldn't get a tattoo just because."

[astridskating]

Astrid leant into the embrace slightly with a calming sigh, it was comforting to be around people she trusted and Dorcuas was one of those. They were few and far between that was for sure but the statuesque blonde that stood beside her was obviously held dear to Astrid because of how much she was trusting her with the task of tattooing her. 

Smiling in a way that softened her hard features she raised an eyebrow, nodding her head. “We sure as hell don’t, I don’t want to have to sue you.” A joking tone laced through her words as she glanced over the various needles trying not to give them too much thought. She wasn’t squeamish but they still weren’t really her favourite thing in the world. 

“That one, yes.” Nodding as she saw the familiar pattern on the screen, head tilting slightly to one side as she weighed up the choice of wether or not to explain honestly why she wanted that specific tattoo before finally plumping for a middle ground. “It’s an illustration of the pattern my ice skates made during the movie that pushed me over the edge in the points and won me gold in Beijing.” Her voice quieter than it had been before, speaking almost with a reverence. 

[icanbuymyownflowers]

It bothered him how good she was at controlling her emotions. Lately, she was convinced she couldn't feel them at all, but he knew it wasn't true. She always had a good poker face. It was useful when she pulled a prank on him or when she didn't want to admit his jokes were funny whenever he decided to rage bait her. Nowadays, she used it to make it clear she didn't want anything to do with him. Still, it gave him butterflies. She looked so hot. He wanted to invite her over, right now, but he knew it would be an horrible idea.

''The hotel is not so bad,'' he said instead. Her smirk made him weak. He wanted to kiss those lips so badly.

''How have you been since... the last time we saw each other?'' they spent weeks if not months away from each other. They had enough time to grow apart and do their own thing. He knew what his own thing had been, but he wondered what she had done during that time. He hoped she missed him as much as he missed her.

[astridskating]

Astrid felt too many emotions, if she had her way she wouldn’t feel a single one but as she looked over into Theo’s eyes she almost flinched at the softness there. The fact that even after everything she’d done to him, to them, he could still feel even the smallest hint of compassion towards her showed how he was a bigger person than her. But then she remembered how he still had everything, his job, his dream, his family, while she was left scooping up the pieces of her public humiliation on the world stage and the softness in her heart hardened once more. 

“No, it’s fine. I wouldn’t pick it if there was any other option but sadly commuting down from New York for every divorce meeting isn’t feasible.” Long lashes fluttering as she flicked her gaze down to her coffee for a split second, then back up to him. 

“Fine.” A lie, she had not been even close to fine but what was she meant to say? Spill her heart out to her soon to be ex husband? She hadn’t even engaged properly with her therapist she was hardly about to get emotional in the middle of a coffee shop. “You must be enjoying being back at home, near your family.” The family that hated her guts, that much she knew. 

[astridskating]

Who: @tortledimlr1-blog Where: Koolsville Outfit

Astrid had been thinking about getting a tattoo for a while but it was very important to her that someone she trusted was the one holding the needle, because she refused to be one of those idiots who had something they regretted permanently inked on their body. Or worse, was then forced to spend ten times the amount of the original tattoo cost to get it lasered off. Pushing her Dior sunglasses on her head (well they completed the entire black outfit perfectly) she pushed into Koolsville and immediately felt like she was ironically not cool enough to be here in any way shape or form. Two years younger than her friend but she might as well be twenty years older with the way she felt right now. 

Still when she saw the blonde across the room she broke into a more relaxed smile followed by a speeding up of the clicking of her heels against the floor as she closed the gap. Kiss to each cheek and then a squeeze of a hug to greet Dorcus. “I don’t think I’ve ever actually been in here, it smells like disinfectant. Like a hospital.” She wrinkled her nose with more than a little judgment in her tone but in reality it was born of just not knowing how to behave in here, it was out of her comfort zone on a whole other level. “Did you get my text with the design in it?” 

[goldenchildminmin]

Location: The Bean Closed: for @astridskating

Just as arranged, Minho was at the Bean with barely a minute or two of tardiness and that was only because they had an argument with their manager, who insisted on Minho being dropped off everywhere in a car, no matter how close or far away their destination was. It wasn’t too much of a bother and it was usually only insisted on in between their frequent travels in and out of the country, in case someone tracked their location and finally discovered Ennora as their second home. The idol was used to always being in someone’s company, never alone and constantly with an escort but at least in Ennora they wanted to take an opportunity to just be ordinary. However, they were bad at not mixing work and pleasure with their everyday life and ever since their childhood, Minho had trouble drawing a line between what would be considered ordinary and what was privileged, unless it was explicitly pointed out and explained to them.

At least they’d managed to win the battle of banning anyone from actually attending their meeting with Astrid, even on the sidelines to observe from afar. So it would be just the two of them enjoying their brunch, like a pair of regular old acquaintances. Minho was grateful for her being careful about their reputation as a pop star and couldn’t resist giving a proper, warmer hug, wrapping their long arms around her petite frame in a smooth, practiced way one who socialized a lot in the entertainment industry would be proficient at.

“I am so glad to be back. Ennora is my haven, I love it! And you are here too, oh my god, you look stunning! You must have a real date later, this can’t be just for me.” They give her a little knowing wink and a smirk that was conspiratorially naughty. “I really couldn't believe when I found you online, it was so random.” Their perfectly plucked eyebrows rose as they move to draw the chair out for Astrid to sit down, ever a proper gentleman. Literal years of formal etiquette and table manners at his parents’ home had made them a perfect example of proper, and they always chose to be proper. With Astrid, they don't even bother to cover up for anything, she'd already heard them speak fluent English on a number of occasions before. "Gosh, how long has it been... 2018-19? Time! It's flying! Like a bird!"

[astridskating]

Outfit

Astrid hadn’t seen Minho for years, it truly felt like they where a ghost from her past life because so much had changed since the two of them met. She’d be remiss if she didn’t admit that part of her was terrified this was going to spark some kind of relapse in the progress she’d made since her injury because it was such a clear reminder of a life she was forced to leave behind. A career she’d worked so hard for that ended up slipping through her fingers like it was nothing more than water she didn’t have a hope of grabbing onto no matter what she tried. 

Still she carefully put her outfit together so not a strand of hair, nail, or scrap of clothing was out of place. Apparently the local newspaper had a habit of taking photos of people without their consent because she’d ended up on the front fucking page of it so if she was going to get stuck with he same fate today she wanted to look every inch a put together olympic medalist. Gold medalist to be specific. Sliding her sunglasses a little further up her nose the woman did everything in her power to ignore the way her stomach was bubbling with anxiety and anticipation all at the same time and pushed into the cafe. Having arrived first just a couple of minutes early she sat sat one of the tables with her lips pressed hard together, only brightening a little when the familiar (if aged) face came into her line of vision. 

Warm hugs weren’t something she was always the biggest fan of but for Minho she would make an exception, hugging him back just as tightly with a genuine smile on her features. His might be manufactured but hers wasn’t, it weirdly felt genuinely nice to see him all of a sudden. “Thank you, thank you so do you. What? Oh god no. I don’t have a date later I just…” She gestured to herself with a shrug, suddenly bashful which was so unlike her, she always commanded the room when needs be. “So random, I must be honest I thought you were being a catfish or something at first, I’m sure you have so many people pretending to be you all the time, but then you just knew such specific things I knew there was no way. Like how when we first met I tried to convince you of the benefits of sucking on lemon infused ice cubes for superior hydration - I stand by that by the way.” She laughed softly. Thinking for a second before she nodded, confirming his timeline. “Eighteen, which feels like a million years ago at this point. So did you say you find Ennora to be your haven?” Unseen skepticism filling her eyes even behind her sunglasses.