Yesterday Once More

Avery Bloom | 26 Middle Child Local TV Lover Duchess Jeweller's Employee Mostly Sane

[avery-bloom]

zoey deutch, bisexual, cisgender female + she/her ― hey look, it’s avery bloom ! they’re twenty-six years old, they’ve lived in shrike heights for all their life, and they’re currently working at duchess jewellers and shrike broadcasting station. i heard they’re pretty unpredictable, but i think they’re so driven at the same time. can they make it out alive? || ariluz, 28, they/them, est

hello friends!! okay this is my last character fr fr (lolol) as usual i’m going to spill out a lot of forming thoughts. avery is also pretty new to me though she draws some inspiration from a few old characters of mine. more about her below!!!

About Avery:

Born and raised in Shrike Heights to a fairly wealthy and well established family in Shrike Heights. 

The middle of three children. She has an older sister and a younger brother, both of whom she has a complicated relationship with for various reasons. Her father is an aspiring state senator while her mother is probably better at being a socialite and shopper than an actual mother. #mommyanddaddyissues. 

Avery has always tried to keep her relationship with her family balanced. Do what she needed, keep her parents happy, look after her siblings where she could and do the least possible to cause any tension. But because of it she’s created kind of her own entire life outside of them. Most of her real and true friends are far removed from this world and she keeps most of her hobbies pretty to herself. The Avery you see out with her friends is very different than the one you see when she’s in her family home or out in public with them. She’s been great at acting as if she’s the dutiful daughter her parents expect her to be. It’s easier not to muddy the waters. At least that’s what she tells herself. 

Avery really wants to be a writer. She dreams of seeing her books at bookstores one day and she wishes she could write more extensive articles about all that’s going on in town. For the longest time she wanted to study journalism but quite frankly she feared her father’s exploitation of this talent. Feeling like he would force her to write things that made their family look less implicit than they were in anything involving big money in Shrike, especially the mall. So she settled for TV. Local news to be exact. And in a role where she didn’t have to be in front of the camera but could still work on some really great stories. The privacy of the broadcast station also allows her a bit of protection from her father and his ideals. 

Starting out as an intern in college, Avery is very at home at the broadcasting station and is responsible for much of the prep that goes into presenting their morning and evening news. She dabbles in the sports but usually focuses on the every day stories and has of course been deeply involved in relaying the stories of the attacks in town. though she’s had tense conversations with her bosses about telling the truth that their police obviously aren’t letting them know. but that’s been an uphill battle over all. But she loves the reporters she works with, the personality of the anchors and even more, the deep connections she has to the local community. Even so, it’s still not her dream and she’s been dying to find a way to get her writing out there, even if it’s under another name for the time being.  

Pretty to herself about her sexuality but is overall pretty private about her love life. Meaning she doesn’t really have one but loves a long and stimulating conversation. She has a few close friends but because of her own whirlwind of a life has often struggled to let too many people get too close. She’s definitely had some serious relationships and I can see her having been in love at least once. But usually she gets scared about introducing anyone to her family since they’re pretty judgmental. And she tends to date people who her family probably wouldn’t approve of. 

Despite her complicated relationship with her older sister, she does love her a lot and through her has a niece who she absolutely adores. It’s been because of her niece that her relationship with her sister has improved. Her brother is kind of a little shit but she loves him anyway and is determined to not let him get brainwashed into being an asshole by their father. 

Honestly Avery is really lovely. Slightly closed off but really deeply cares about her hometown and trying to put an end to these attacks. She’s not necessarily interested in investigative reporting but she is interested in how many times Shrike government has mishandled the attacks. It’s something she constantly fights with her father about since he’s pretty good friends with the Mayor. 

She is definitely someone who loves a good chat, ask more questions than she shares about herself. Really rooted in the community, remembers folks names and loves to send a good care package or thank you card. She’s attentive that way. 

However, even with all the shit she talks, she does still accept the money her parents give her which is why she still arrives with a smile whenever they ask her too. This has been a big source of tension for her lately because she feels like she’s constantly betraying herself. 

She got a job at Duchess Jewellers, not because she needed it but because she wanted to have some kind of income that didn’t come from her parents. Her parents still don’t know about this gig because she doesn’t work full hours and hasn’t told them in the slightest. But if they do find out, she figured working with high end jewelry wasn’t the worst thing. And she loves to help people find the perfect piece for themselves or a loved one. Even more she loves the chance to be in the mall where stories are happening every day. 

Possible connections:

Childhood Friends/High School friends

Neighbors ( i think she lives downtown but im open to changing that depending, her parents probably pay for wherever she lives)

Fellow writers/someone interested in encouraging/reading her writing 

People who may have been on the news who she had to follow up with/fact check with

Ex-Partner (any gender!!) 

Current situationships (i imagine she has more than one thats her style) 

anything else you can think of! 

[claramonroe]

"nightmare or kick ass wet dream? because that sort of sounds like a turn on scenario." emmy said with a chuckle, wetting back slicked locks as she crossed her fingers and held them up in the air, "i promise this is not a ploy to make your reoccurring nightmare a reality. in fact, my cassette player is right there somewhere on the ground." they weirdly left that behind, "you can put it in your pocket for reassurance if it helps." at the question, the other sighed, "my cousin's new girlfriend. was trying to be nice with her but apparently she hates me because i slept with her ex-boyfriend. though the olive branch was extended but apparently not." they were immediately grateful when avery offered the towel, "fuck. thank you." emmy hummed, taking the towel from the other and wrapping it around their body immediately, "so you come and hang out over by the lake often?"

[avery-bloom]

"if it was a wet dream you would've been walking out of the water in slow motion dripping wet, obviously. otherwise, pure nightmare material. like the one where you're eternally stuck in high school or something." avery glanced at the cassette player and laughed. "what cassette do you have in there? maybe they were appalled by your music taste." both of avery's eyebrows raised as they filled her in on what had happened. "your cousins girlfriend? did you sleep with him before or after he was the ex boyfriend? sounds like your circle may need to wider but this is very high school behavior of her. it's like one the least embarrassing things to do. especially to someone who has quite the body to look at. not that i'm...looking," she added, cheeks flushed for a moment as she turned away to confirm that once emmy grabbed the towel. she had to laugh at the next words before shaking her head. "come here often? depends on the weather. i usually like to be by the water when i'm writing my weekly journal," she admitted before walking away to go back to her car for a moment. when she came back, she held up the shirt and shorts in her hand and baseball cap. "in case your head is cold, here, have at it," she added and handed them the clothes. "just how long were you hanging out there turning into a raisin before i got here?"

[claramonroe]

"hey!" emmy called out, finally grateful for another human being gracing the lake, after being stuck out here alone for the past thirty minutes and the sun was slowly starting to set, the brunette had started to get a little afraid. she was starting to wrinkle, body submerged under the water and veiling her body. "you wouldn't happen to have a spare set of clothes?" she swam so that she was closer to the other, "i just got mean girled. you know, the whole let's steal her clothes and run off sort of thing."

@shrikestart

[avery-bloom]

"are you sure this isn't a reverse mean girl? like as soon as i get close you're gonna pull me in and take my pants? i had a nightmare like that once. reoccurring when i was in high school." avery had come down to the lake for some quiet time to catch up on their reading and write out a few notes from the week. the more her work at the mall went on, the more her distance from their family grew and avery was trying to document every piece of her very drawn out journey towards freedom. "who the fuck stole your clothes? but yeah i have an extra towel and some shorts. maybe an extra shirt in my car, i can go check. here," avery said, pulling out the extra towel to hand to the other person. "i'll close my eyes or whatever."

[femestella]

[inthefear]

open starter for @shrikestart from honey wozniak. takes place in town square, early sunday morning. please use beta editor!

honey finally snaps out of her daze when she notices someone nearing the small market stall that she's hosting this sunday market, one of many occupied by commune members, amongst others. despite her mind previously being consumed by her concern over being so close to the bloody scene reported in the news recently, she shakes it off quickly and she readjusts a few of the jam jars in front of her while engaging with the other. "good morning!" she greets them. "enjoying the market so far? do you care to try any of our jams?" she asks them as she ensures all of the handmade labels are facing forward, presenting them with all of the different fruit options.

[avery-bloom]

"do i? can i try them all?" avery's eyes widened as she looked at the arrangement. she had a rule whenever she was at the sunday market to always treat herself to something new, especially when it came to food and trying new flavors. it was a good sunday ritual for her and a way for her to start to learn how to better enjoy her own company. it was a work in progress but with everything going on, nothing else seemed as much of a priority. she was tried of living in a state of self loathing. it was becoming far too boring. "also yes, god morning, sorry, should have said that one first. between your reassuring smile and the look of these jams i was very much mystified. do you have a favorite? i'd love to have something for toast but also for like cornbread. i've been working on my cornbread recipe which i definitely got from a cookbook but have told people i came up with," she admitted. "and that goes really well with a good jam, right? you made these yourself? i love the bottles."

[avery-bloom]

bitcme​:

“From parking lots, roads, driveways, gardens, fences, downtown, my garage a couple of times - they seem to get into a lot of trouble in a lot of different places.” Posey answers her with a grin. To say that Posey is experienced in the task of helping vulnerable animals, including rabbits such as the animal they’re helping today, is a complete understatement. “I would love an extra pair of hands on the job, if you’re sure you’ve got time, and sure you’re up for it- not that I’ll give you any difficult tasks. Some people just get jumpy and nervous around animals, especially animals who need help.” Posey explains, though they’re optimistic about their current company as she doesn’t seem to be anywhere near as anxious as the small bunny is. “God, Baby is so cute, honest.” They laugh at the suggestion of the established sounding rabbit called Darla. “I’m really feeling Baby, but I think we should feel the little thing out first, see if they make their personality known in a way that might influence our decision, you know?” Posey grins widely as they discuss. “I’m gonna have to hold onto this box pretty good, so if you could be my hands once we get up to LaPaws, that’d be brilliant.”

***

“Either that or they just tend to get in trouble anywhere they know you’re gonna be. That’s a pretty extensive list. And yes, I’ve got time plenty of it. They don’t need me back at work. Me and these hands are all yours, captain.” And whatever she was about to get into was going to be ten times more fun than anything she had to do at work. “Okay, okay, let’s ditch Darla and keep Baby as the first pick. Let it marinate, let the little one feel it out. I respect that.” Avery saluted them as they got to their feet. “You got it, I’ll be right on you. Well not on you but you know what I mean. This is kind of exciting,” she admitted with a laugh as they started on their way to LaPaws. “I’m Avery by the way, in case that becomes important. What’s your name, Animal Saint? We can stick with animal saint if you want, it suits you.”

[ofchrysoprase]

Cindy listened as Avery spoke. Part of her still wanted to disagree, but she knew she hadn't been there to see the men for herself and knew that meant she probably didn't know better than her friend. After all, she studied medicine and not psychology; she couldn't confirm or deny that the other woman was maybe just being biased because of her own experiences with relationships. And Cindy had never been in one to begin with. She felt lucky that her parents were close and never seemed to fight over something super serious. The only time where she had worried about their marriage was when Maxxie was in and out of hospitals - even at her young age, Cindy had been able to see how much stress it put on her parents. Perhaps that was when she had promised herself that she was going to grow up to find a cure.

"I can definitely see it be pressure from parents. Maybe even the girlfriends' parents, who want to see if he's really serious about the relationship. I think it's wrong to propose when you're not ready, though." Cindy frowned and briefly chewed on the end of her already rather chewed up pencil that she had been using to scribble notes in her textbook. "It's supposed to be romantic. Or at least that's what I want it to be like, once someone wants to, you know, propose to me." The thought was almost ridiculous, but she could at least dream about it. When the other agreed on the choice of food, she hastily got up and tossed her books and notes into her bag so she should take it with her. Most people would probably leave their things on the table, but her notes were far too precious to leave out like that.

"I don't think they're weird compliments," She replied, a blush rising to her cheeks at the initial question. "But I haven't had anyone buy me jewelry, no. I just kind of grew up being the little sister and I think that made guys feel weird about, you know, asking me out and stuff? But I've never had a boyfriend or a date or anything." She shrugged, though it wasn't something she could just shake off, as it consumed a lot of her thoughts. All the time. "I like earrings or maybe a necklace. Bracelets are pretty but not very practical when writing essays or doing chores, so I can never wear them too long."

[avery-bloom]

"I mean it should be romantic. I like to think it exists somewhere, you know? I mean it's what they write all the songs about so someone has to be out there actually being romantic and in love. I just think it's more rare than people think. For things to be genuine, you know? Plus I know that if someone is in love with you they would propose in the most romantic way. At least they should or they'll have to deal with me," she teased. Avery was a bit of a contradiction in that way though. For all the ways she didn't want shit for herself, especially the ways she viewed loved for herself; she believed in it for her friends. She wanted them to be happy, to have someone or multiple someone's if that was what they wanted. As long as the people they were in relationship with knew how lucky they were and treated them as such. Avery just didn't see it for herself, convinced she was hard wired to be on her own and as distant from romantic feelings as possible.

As they got in line, Avery thought over Cindy's words and her gears were already turning. "Earrings and necklaces are good picks. And I mean there are bracelets that are a big more snug or something fabric like that won't clink against stuff. Remind me of your favorite color again?" It was a no brainer that Avery would just have to be the first person to buy Cindy some jewelry so she could truly enjoy it and get what she deserved. And Avery sensed it would be easy to find something that would fit their friends style. As they stepped forward, Avery let Cindy order first before placing her own and then stepped to the side to wait. "Well I'm glad that even though I had to listen to miserable men I still get to have a hot lunch date with you. I think that makes this day a win."

[retrocuts]

Martin wasn't the talkative type, especially these days when his mind was so full of the events that took place in January. With that being said though he didn't really mind the company right now. At least it pulled him out of his own head for the duration of his break so he might not be too heavily focused on things he couldn't change by the time his shift started back up again. "Yeah, it wasn't really the plan, but it beats a lot of other places I could be stuck working around here." The plan being somewhat of a mix between what his parents wanted for him and what he thought he might want. If things were different in Shrikes they might be able to say that working at Solstice until they found out what they really wanted to do was a blessing in disguise. "At least it's something I have an interest in. I can't imagine working somewhere like Bloom Boutique or something."

He nodded, being similar in the way of using escapism to cope with life. Between comics, movies, and DnD when both him and his friends had time. "It's a cool hobby but kind of overwhelming when you first get into. Everyone working there is really into them and could also give some good recommendations if you ever wanted to give it a shot again." They commented with a small shrug. "But I get it not being for everyone and there are plenty of other things to aid escapism." They chuckled slightly.

"Yeah? I've never really given it that much thought before." He had his own personal style but it was a relatively low priority in his life, especially now. They took a sip from their coffee, now even more glad they took up the offer. "I take it that's the better part of your job, or at least what you enjoy more, helping people figure out stuff to go with their style rather than helping them out with engagement rings?"

[avery-bloom]

"I hear that, is it ever really the plan?" If the Blooms had it there way, Avery would have already been married to someone she hated and had three kids. They would have likely liked her to be a dedicated housewife, especially to someone with political aspirations and promise. The idea really made Avery want to gag but it was part of why the strain on her relationship with her family had continued to grow. "Yeah exactly. I'd be a terrible addition to like...late riser. I have zero balance. I'd definitely be the waitress who spills shit on people. But the older I get, the more I'm realizing that plans are super meant to be changed cause life is quite simply, fucking bananas and unpredictable."

"you know, i just might. maybe i'll come in and just ask everyone for their tap favorite and buy a copy of each to start. i'm a quick reader anyway. do you have a favorite? also that's not like to put you on the spot or something so if you don't want to share you don't have to. but that's why i read in general. to escape, give myself a little brain break. my bookshelf is becoming a bit overwhelmingly overflowed but what is that really, you know? i always have space for more."

"i guess so, yeah. i like interacting with people, hearing their stories, why they came in to get something or helping them figure out the right thing. absolutely. i mean let me be clear, selling jewelry is not my passion but it pays the bills, yanno?" Which Avery didn't really have to worry about considering her family's money but the entire reason she had gotten the job was to make a bit more money to save. so soon enough she wouldn't need them. soon enough she could be independent. which never actually seemed like a reality but that didn't keep her from hoping. and working towards it. "i do think jewelry is like...armor you know or just affirmations. things you do to add a little extra but also wear in confidence. i love people who go for bold choices too. like abstract or chunky pieces. we don't carry a lot but i see it at the farmers market sometimes and people come in with their own funky stuff. wow i guess until this conversation i didn't even think there were any redeeming qualities about my job so thank you for that."

[urdamage]

leaf smiled . " well , we can't have you drinking alone , can we ? " he hadn't wanted to accept the offer if avery felt like it was owed to him , but if the offer was made because she genuinely just wanted company to drink with , then leaf could definitely help her out . “ i have absolutely nothing else planned for the rest of the day , so i can certainly keep you company . ” leaf had always been an extremely social person , so if he hadn’t accepted avery’s invitation to have a drink with her , then he would have only gone on the search to find someone else to spend time with . “ i’ll have one of whatever you’re having , ” he accepted the offer with a smile . “ i drink just about anything . ” he chuckled . “ thank you , ” he of course added , not forgetting his manners . 

it was awfully interesting to hear about avery’s view on love . leaf’s life had always revolved around love , in all of the different shapes and sizes that it came in , so he silently felt like he was at least somewhat qualified to speak about love . at the very same time , however , he knew that everyone had their own version of love , so he would never force someone to believe in the same things that he did . “ love is complicated . i think it’s easy to get love wrong . ” they shrugged their shoulders . “ it made sense , don’t worry , ” they chuckled . “ i think platonic love is definitely one of the most important kinds of love there is , though one that is extremely underrated , without any sort of ceremony to celebrate it and make it official , which is a shame in my opinion . ” he wondered if avery would agree , given everything she said about her best friend . ” 

“ i think familial love is really special too , even though my family certainly isn’t perfect . and i count found family in this kind of love , too , not just the people you share blood and dna with . my siblings , both biologically related and not … i love them more than words can describe . but i’m a firm believer in romantic love , too . the way i was raised , monogamy isn’t widely practiced , but i fell in love with one of my friends when i was a teenager , and it really opened my eyes to romantic love . all i wanted was to be with him - just him . he’s getting married to someone else now , and i’m even more in love with my current boyfriend - without a doubt - but i’ll always credit this friend of mine for making me realise that real romantic love is what i believe in and what i want . i’m not sure that i care to get married , but i want to be with him forever . just him and i . ”

[avery-bloom]

"polite and not picky about your drink? hmm, did i make you up?" avery was only teasing but she appreciated leaf's easy nature as they spoke. it was exactly what they needed at the moment. it was comforting and avery ordered them both a moscow mule, avery's usual go to. "i hope you don't mind ginger, it's not everyone's favorite. but this is my go to, keeps me level plus as much as my younger brother loves to make fun of my taste, i just really love gin. but anyway, you're very welcome, cheers," she added as their mugs were set down and she raised hers for a toast.

"mm, you make a great point though. why dont we have any ceremonies to celebrate friendship? imagine if weddings were actually just about friends committing to stay in each other's lives forever? i think more people would get married actually. a lot more." the thought made her smile and it also made her laugh, the idea of proposing to juliet for a friend marriage one that pleased her immensely. "i like the way you think, my friend."

the more leaf spoke though, the more avery was both warmed by what he shared and a bit heartbroken by it. mostly because avery didn't really know what any of that was like. they wouldn't say that they had a chosen family mostly because their own family had done enough damage. they had really good friends, great friends even but the way that leaf spoke about his life, it seemed to barely scratch the surface of what could be. "you're an incredibly well adjusted person, has anyone every told you that? it's pretty inspiring. my family and i have a pretty shitty relationship and i still see them all of the time. i've had relationships, here and there but even then none of them...made me feel what i thought it would, you know? who knows, maybe some of us are just late bloomers or some of us are meant to live life without love. depressing, i know. but maybe it just comes more easily to others, you know? what i do know, however, is that your partner is very, very lucky. and sounds like someone who wouldn't ever get you a shitty duchess ring."

[withncmercy]

juliet raises her eyebrows at her friend's admission, and while she's curious to hear more, she can immediately come to the conclusion that this thought has come from a recent experience at duchess. "anti-marriage? oh please, do say more." juliet is always interested in what avery has to say, but her interest is particularly captured now as juliet has been thinking almost non-stop about marriage lately. between helping her little brother prepare for marriage and thinking more and more about her undying affection for hector, she hasn't been able to help herself.

"well firstly, i would just like to note that i would love to see those pretty women and nervous teens in there," both kinds of interactions made duchess sound worth it, even if there was an issue with the grumpy men coming in for loveless engagement rings at the same time. "but really? that's enough to turn your off of marriage completely?" she isn't judging her friend - she would never - she's only interested in hearing her out and talking it all through properly, particularly as she can't say that she herself is anti-marriage. "should i uninvite you from finn and donnie's wedding, then?" she asks with a smirk, not serious about it, only using her joke as a reminder of a marriage that juliet believes stems from real love.

"that's what friends are for." juliet doesn't mind avery venting, especially not when she's subjected avery to a lot more than only a quick complaints about experiences from work. "if you buy this round, i'll get the next." she doesn't think that avery owes her a drink after only that, but she's happy to make a compromise. "it sounds to me that you're just unfortunately working a job that presents you with the shitty guys who are only proposing or getting married for all of the wrong reasons. i definitely don't think you should base your whole opinion of marriage on what you see there. i mean, haven't you been planning your wedding since you were a little girl? or was that just me?" she laughs.

[avery-bloom]

"well then that just means you have to come visit me at work more. you can use my shitty employee discount if you want. and yeah i mean sort of. i feel like i've been shown much more evidence to be anti than for, you know? i mean you've met my parents..." she left it there and shrugged, juliet unfortunately knowing them too well. "uh no, you can't uninvite me from the wedding of the year. finn loves me too much and i'm pretty sure donnie and i are totally bros. we're basically in laws. plus i have to be there to keep you semi sane until you ditch me for your date." avery made a gagging motion before smirking. "i'm happy for finn and donnie, i believe in their marriage but i mean there's a reason they've put it off so long, you know? and yet they're still perfectly happy so maybe they're proof that no ones needs marriage, you know?"

"deal. i like the way you think." avery was grateful after all that on this day of all days it was juliet waiting for her at the bar, the comfort she felt around her best friend one that she never took for granted. it was a lifeline for her, really. "oh definitely just you," she teased, though that wasn't totally true. "the only part i've ever known about whatever wedding i have is that you'll be my maid of honor. beyond that, i mean what else matters?" she leaned into juliet for a moment before reaching for her drink as soon as it was placed in front of her. "speaking of, is your lover boy working tonight? i want to know so i can prepare myself for your dangerously long stares and order an extra shot," she added, looking around to make sure Hector wasn't behind the bar to hear them. "okay then, convince me, why is marriage worth it, my brilliant, beautiful, best friend? i'm all ears."

[fearsless]

timothy filled her apartment with the sound of his laughter - a sound that was more of a rarity than it should have been. “it’s not killing me, it’s not,” he began to reassure her through his chuckling. “would i say that you’re doing everything in the same way that i would? absolutely not, but honestly, i really appreciate the effort.” he tried to play off some of the genuineness in his words with another small chuckle. “i appreciate getting to sit down, not having to cook for once. and honestly, if you did fuck it up, i’d be totally impressed.” it was a simple dish in timothy’s opinion, one that would require skill to ruin in any way. not that he thought avery would necessarily ruin a harder dish, either; he thought she seemed a lot better at cooking than what she gave herself credit for, but maybe he was just looking at her through the rose colored lens that came with his crush. “thanks,” he took his glass of wine and held it up as avery made her toast. “amen to that.” he took a sip. “it’s not a bad question, but i don’t know if my answer is gonna be as interesting as you getting into the details of your day,” maybe that was the truth, or maybe timothy just liked listening to her talk. “what’d that boss of yours do this time? do i have to go teach that punk a lesson or something, huh?” he was only joking, while at the same time wanting to subtly imply that he would have her back, in all seriousness. 

[avery-bloom]

"nicely put. i basically have to try really really hard to fuck it up is what you're saying, right? it almost felt like a compliment. you can try again next time though," she teased, enjoying the ease she felt with him there. avery didn't really cook for people, at least she hadn't been that kind of person for most of her life. whenever her friends came over they almost always picked up food or someone brought the food to her. but she had suddenly wanted to make cooking a hobby, especially after talking to timothy and after getting caught up with a few cook books. so timothy was just lucky enough to be wrapped up in another phase of focus for her. "are you sure about that? i think your life is pretty interesting but sure, if you'd like to hear me complain..." she smiled at his question, feeling comforted by the fact that he would stick up for her like that. she would never ask him to but she found it sweet and she was almost tempted to. "as much as i would love to watch you make him shake in his boots as i'm sure you're capable of doing, i'm fine. i just...he's so..stifling, you know? never wants to move with new ideas, never wants to shake shit up. we're living in the middle of a literal crisis and he wants to act like we're in super normal times. it's just ridiculous. and he's never open to feedback. like ever."

[horrorbxby]

the  doctor  couldn’t  remember  a  time  in  her  life  in  which  she’d  actually  thought  marriage  was  romantic,  or  anything  desirable  at  all.  even  when  her  father  was  still  himself,  and  there  was  more  warmth  in  their  household.  part  of  her  thought  maybe  it  was  because  she  had  to  witness  her  mother  become  an  even  worse  person  as  her  father  faded  into  a  shadow  of  himself.  but  even  then,  she  didn’t  think  she  could  ever  really  understand  love,  or  why  people  did  what  they  did  for  each  other.  “ i  couldn’t  agree  more, ”  she  said.  most  people  within  the  mall  ended  up  starting  conversations  over  one  thing  or  another,  so  she  was  used  to  being  dragged  into  human  interaction  spontaneously.  “ i’ve  never  seen  a  truly  happily  married  couple.  i  think…  whatever  love  is,  it  sucks  the  life  out  of  people.  like  a  parasite.  it  makes  people  tired.  and  they  feel  obliged  to  stick  with  it  because  it’s  what  they’ve  known  for  so  long. ” oftentimes  she  wondered  if  love  even  existed  the  way  that  other  people  seemed  to  believe  it  did.  how  were  they  so  sure  that  it  wasn’t  just  a  conditioning  of  society?  loki  had  never  been  a  romantic,  she  had  never  been  a  dreamer.  she  might  have  been  built  different,  but  her  ego  wanted  nothing  more  than  to  believe  that  she  was  the  one  who  was  right,  over  everyone  else.  “ humans  are  weird.  that’s  why  i  studied  their  insides,  and  not  the  thoughts  in  their  brains.  i’ll  never  know  why  people  choose  to  get  married,  or  even  why  they  think  they’re  in  love  with  one  another  –  but  i  can  understand  why  someone’s  blood  pressure  is  low.  you  don’t  have  to  buy  me  anything,  i think i’m  okay. ”

[avery-bloom]

"the hot doctor doesn't believe in marriage," avery replied before she could stop herself and realize she was saying the thought out loud. it was really a thought for later to tell juliet about when they went through their days but instead avery had let it slip and she laughed it off for a moment, cheeks red until she settled. "parasite is a great comparison, really. maybe it's not so much love that does the sucking out of life as marriage itself, you know? this government sanctioned union that comes with all these pressures and expectations and rules. but it feels like a lot of people either see love and marriage as the same or a result of the other. like what if you love someone and never get married? is that any less legitimate? much to think about," she added and nodded along clearly processing the thoughts that were coming into her brain. it was nice to know someone agreed but it only made avery assume that maybe the good doctor was unlucky enough to have parents like avery did. soulless, oblivious shells of people who had no business having children or getting married in the first place.

"and the insides are not weird? or a different kind of weird? i mean science is straightforward but it's also complex. is it that organs can't talk to you or is that it's more straightforward internally?" avery was q question asker, clearly, feeling like she was always putting people on the spot but she was just curious. she wanted to know how people's brains worked. wanted to know why people thought and felt what they did down to the last detail. "i think people do it because of how people make them feel. i think people who are really in love actually feel cared for and seen by another person. but some people get married cause it feels like the only thing to do. i think people need it to define the relationship when all that should be needed is just being together, you know? i say this as someone who hasn't dated in ages but it doesn't make it less true. are you sure? i'd hate to drink my coffee alone and i'm asking you about people's insides. least i can do is get you a coffee or a tea if that's more your speed."

[inthefear]

"i could pick a problem in every day of the week," he tells her with a smile, to show her that he's not completely miserable, despite the picture that he's painting of himself being abysmal. it's just so easy to be cynical, though it's also likely that paulie only thinks that because he is a cynic. he likes to think that he's also a lot more than that, though. "oh yeah? broadcasting sounds pretty interesting." the most paulie really knows about it is broadcasting in the music sphere, though. he wants to ask her if she's written anything to do with the attacks, but he doesn't quite find the courage to. "i think that emotions can definitely be man made. kind of in the way that new music genres keep popping up. they're not really anything new, people are just confusing them with things that already exist. love is just a mixture of feelings we already feel, but people treat it like it's something different and that's where things get complicated." someone who has never been in love definitely shouldn't be preaching about it, but that doesn't stop paulie. "no," he admits, feeling sheepish now, though not because he's embarrassed to have never experienced the emotion that he's always actively avoided.. "i don't think i've ever been in love."

[avery-bloom]

"careful, i might ask you to do just that. i'll take notes even." and she was being honest about that, mostly just interested in how much he could come up with. she loved complaining and she felt like she could write a book about it. it'd probably be entertaining at the least. "it is pretty interesting. entertaining most of the time, stressful others but overall interesting for sure. that is it not lacking in." now the content of all the stories wasn't exactly always interesting but they did try. her smile turned up as she listened to him, finding what he was saying to be genuinely meaningful. "hold on," she held up a finger and took out a notebook from her purse so she could write it down, "they're not really anything new, people are just confusing them with things that already exist," she sounded out as she wrote it to make sure she got it right. "that's kind of brilliant. tragically brilliant but still brilliant. i never thought of it that way. love as a mix of things we already feel. i think there could be a strong argument against it but i like it. i'm very intrigued," she told him, clearly genuine in her response and not just messing with him. it was clear in how she made little notes around the words she wrote so she could refelect on them later.

avery's smile widened the more he spoke and she sat back just looking at him. "so you've never been in love but you also don't think it really exist? so maybe you have and you just haven't identified it as love? much to think about, my friend." her smile was permanent, her brain cells moving at a fast pace as she took a few more thoughts down. "here's my follow up question and this isn't an interview, swear but do you want to be in love? or..in partnership with someone?"

[visionsgirl-blog]

[inthefear]

"i'll complain about anything," he shrugs, and he really would, if only he conversed with more people. "the day of the week, the time of the day, the time of the year, the weather, what i'm doing, what's happening around me, what's happening where i'm not," it's all genuine things that paulie has at least thought complaints about, but still, he laughs as he lists what in can be perceived as just about everything. "are you a journalist?" he then asks curiously. he smiles at the comment about all of her high school boyfriends, but he doesn't laugh at her expense. "i don't know if love is real, or that it's ever been. i think love is some man made emotion that everyone tries to force because it's advertised as the most ideal feeling in the world. and that only sets everyone up for failure, you know?" he hadn't been planning on being so cynical today, but it appears life had other plans for him.

[avery-bloom]

she was smiling throughout his list, finding it pretty impressive. "i admire that so deeply. the day of the week? you know, now that you say that, i've never been particularly fond of tuesdays," she admitted. the question made her smile falter a bit but she still nodded. "sort of. aspiring mostly, i work in broadcasting now, more behind the scenes but i've written a few things for the local paper here and there." it was the most honest thing she could say but she was trying to be confident in her own talent. "hmm, do you really think an emotion can be man made though? now there's an idea. i agree though, advertising really took over the whole love idea but i think it exists in so many forms that aren't romantic, you know? like....i really love what i do. and i really love my best friend. romantic love? eh i think that one is for the birds. or for people who buy jewelry at duchess," she joked, making herself laugh with that one. "so, this is a cheesy question, but have you never been in love? the more i think about it, it hasn't happened very often for me."

[avery-bloom]

Location: Avery’s Apartment

Tagging: @fearsless​

“It’s killing you watching me do this, isn’t it? I bet you’re just dying to grab all the utensils from my hand.” Avery smirked as she glanced at him before moving about the kitchen again. “Too bad, sit your pretty self down and have a drink, I’ll be done in a little bit. It’s just pasta, I won’t fuck it up,” she promised him, though that wasn’t totally guaranteed. Still, Avery had been slowly and steadily getting better at cooking considering how many meals she had made for her as a kid. Now that she was on her own she was really trying to enjoy her meals. She paused in her work to open a bottle of wine. Pouring the both a glass, she set one down in front of Timothy before holding up her own. “Cheers, to you finally having a night where you’re not in that sweaty kitchen and to me not going off at my boss at the station today. This is my celebratory meal for not losing my shit. You wanna tell me about your day or is that a bad question to ask?”

[fairweathermyth]

#giving yourself a pep talk like