“I know what it sounds like but trust me on this one. There is a street cart in the alley that you need to see.” Having gotten out of class with time to spare before he had to be at work Antonio thought that some street food would really hit the spot. However what appeared to be a normal hot dog stand turned out to be something just… weird. A good weird mind you. One that prompted him to find the closest friendly face so he could show it to them. “This guy is handing out wet teddy bears.” He held up the one in his hand, grimacing a little when more water sloshed out of it.
Dahlia was almost immediately alrmed by that statement. What was this guy doing? She did have the skills to kick his butt. The minute Dahlia saw the teddy bear she was taken a back. “Why.....is the teddy bear wet?” She asked, her mouth agape. She looked around. “I’m not being punk’d am i?”
Selena hummed a soft tune observing one of the newly renovated saltwater exhibits. Before her arrival the aquarium had rescued a few American Sturgeon and were slowly moving them from quarantine to their new home. Her current task was to check in on them. Writing notes on the clipboard in her hands. Nothing was too out of the ordinary, though Miranda Bailey skipped the past two meals and Hawkeye refused to come near when anyone walked passed the exhibit. Not that there were a lot of people right now to begin with. It was just Selena and a stranger, who must’ve been silent as a mouse to come up unnoticed currently staring. She tapped the clipboard with her pen stopping her humming and turning her attention to them. “An officer during the Revolution once had his leg broken by a ten foot sturgeon that leapt into his boat.”
Watching animals wasn’t Kenji’s favorite pastime. In fact its only slighly higher than watching paint dry. Still, Kenji looked at the animal with a soft smile. He’ll admit it was a bit peaceful. Kenji snapped out of his reverie when he heard the fact. “How did the sturgeon break his foot? Was the sturgeon in a bad mood?”
zeke had been at the gym most of the day. he didn’t have anything except for classes and he was never in those either way. so, spending a day at the gym was good enough. he was admiring himself lifting in the mirror when caught the glimpse of someone behind him. zeke smirked to himself before turning to them, “you like what you see?” he asked, cocky as usual.
Dahlia went to the gym to keep in shape. She wanted to just grab the jump rope but she admittely got distracted by the other. She tried clearing her throat in response. Dahlia didnt want to look like an oddball in front of this guy. “What would you say if I said yes?” She asked almost cautiously.
willow was spending her day at the mall, she felt like it was time for a bit of a treat yo’self moment. she was carrying her bags when someone from the kiosk walked over. she looked up trying figure out if she was going to try and politely decline or not. last time she got caught up with one she spent almost two hundred dollars on a hair straightener. “oh– i guess.” she replied softly, “i mean it depends what you consider life’s greatest pleasure?”
There was a coy smile on his face. Finally a customer who would pay attention. “It’s simple really.” There was a small smile. “I specialize in the most niche- candy, sex toys, or even cute toys.” He smiled. “You can call it revolutionary because I’m never consistent.” Kenji tilted his head. “Do you want to take a look.”
he wouldn’t say everything, that felt a little presumptuous, but close enough. “ just a bunch of inventory, ” alex parroted back a him, unremorseful. if he was going to be a bad salesman that was on him. “ really selling me on it there man. ” if the guy was looking for a pity investment to unload a bunch of useless shit on he was barking up the wrong tree. the list did have his eyebrows shooting up though. “ wait, what the fuck does your kiosk specialize in, exactly ? because that seems … pretty niche ”
Kenji scoffed as this man figured out his master plan. Was he Kenji, finally getting stale. He was an entrepruer after all. “Well what am suppose to call it? Wholsesafe leftovers?” He raised an eyebrow. Kenji smirked. “I call enterprenual enguinity- one man’s unnneeded surplus is another man’s treasure.” He smirked. “Think of me as a pawner of mall kiosks.” He replied with a wink.
It was rare for Mei to cancel a class, to be away from the dojo more than a day. But she hadn’t been feeling her best and she is currently laying on the couch, pillow over her face to protect her eyes from the light. There was a migraine brewing, it has been for the last few days since she started planning out the latest belt exams. Add to that the fact that she had been keeping busy way before that, her divorce the driving force behind it all.
Releasing a short breath, Mei took the pillow off her face, opening her eyes slowly. She was greeted by the sight of her daughter, and she smiled even if it looked a bit more like a grimace. “You are here early.” Mei commented, sitting up. The brunette reached for a glass of water that had been sitting on the table for the last hour after taking medicine for the pain; that was doing nothing, she might add. “To what do I owe this pleasure?”
| closed starter for : @barrencups |
Dahlia was usually the type to keep things to herself. She didn’t think it would be productive to broadcast her feelings to say her customers anyway. But if there was one person she couldn’t hide her feelings from- it was her mother.
Dahlia gave her mother a half smile, looking equally in pain as well. “I couldn’t tell.” Dahlia tried to joke. She sat on the couch tilting her head back. “It was a rough shift.” She confessed to her mom.”
“Yeah, never said he was considerate.” Maria stated, her smile less of a friendly one more of an ‘obvious’ one. It only last a few seconds because once the girls face twisted she couldn’t help the few breathy laughs that came out. Nodding slowly she wondered if the girl already had a few drinks by the relaxed-vibes that came from her.
Although the reaction to alcohol come be a sign she obviously wasn’t successfully drinking that evening. “Yeah, you know though shake shack has way better food than this place. And way less annoying people.”
“Oh.” Dahlia replied in almost realization. She still made a face as she tried and failed to taked another sip. “I liked other drinks before.” She lamented. There was a drunken giggle.
Dahlia stood up. “There’s a shake shack.” She replied almost surprised. “You have to take me- I need a good burger too come to think of it.” She pouted at the other. “Pretty please?”
Now there was a reaction to reflect her own. She had noted that Americans were easily ruffled by the tiniest of things, and it was the reason why her face usually reflected disdain upon hearing their extravagant reactions to a simple thing. But this wasn’t anyone remotely close to American and when she didn’t get the usual bite and backlash, her stance relaxed just a tad at the other took back their phone and was actually polite about it. That spark a bit of joy in her otherwise monotone heart.
“That’s good to hear.” Mei replied back after her hands went slack on her side. “No problem.” She is tilting her head, examining the male’s features for a brief moment. “Mei Ling.” Note how she did not even use the family name. After the event of this week and a poorly written article about her and the family back home, Mei had opted to not present herself with her family name. Although she had been doing just that since her arrival to New York, but now? Now more so than ever.
Kenji did admittely become more mannered through his parents. Both of them believe in the believe in piety. Thats the only thing that he cared from his family.
There was a curt smile before bowing in greeting. “Kenj Tan.” He replied, not thinking his name had a big name to him. “Its a pleasure to meet you.” He smiled and looked at her. “Can I ask you a question?” He asked in a soft spoken tone.
❦ What do you wish for in a relationship?
❧ What does your perfect partner look like? Not physically, but their characteristics?
❥ What is an instant turn-off for you?
♡ What is an instant turn-on for you?
♥ How do you flirt? How often?
💓 Do you use silly pick-up lines to start a conversation with the other sex?
💘 Sex on the first date - yes or no? Why?
💗 One-night stands - yes or no? Why?
🍀 What does the perfect date look like for you?
🌹 Have you ever cheated on your partner? Have you ever been cheated on? What did you do? How did it end? What would you do if your partner cheated on you?
❀ Do you ever want to get married and have children?
ꕤ If you really love someone - would you ever lie to them about something? About what? Why?
💝 How many serious relationships have you been in so far?
✿ Have you ever done something in a relationship that you’re not proud of? What? Why? How did it end?
💔 Has anyone ever really broken your heart? Did you ever get over it?
➳ Was your first time special or not? Who was it with? Do you sometimes think about them?
💑 Who was your very first love? Did it end well?
💞 How long were your longest and shortest relationships?
💌 Have you ever written a love letter? To whom? What did you write?
💕 Did you ever have a relationship that your parents/friends didn’t approve of? Why didn’t they? And what did you do about it?
💟 How do you break up with someone? And when?
Omar shrugged as he handed a coffee over to the other dark haired man, figuring the excess of coffee was better than having none at all, “If I was gonna play Russian Roulette, I would’ve left my will to live at home,” Without even pausing to laugh at his own dark joke, Omar downed a large gulp of the first cup, in sync with Kenji’s own sip. It seemed Kenji got the long end of the stick though, as Omar’s own drink tasted like scalding hot dust being poured down his throat, “Uh, I’ll take hazelnut any day; don’t make me throw this hot coffee on you, son.”
Kenji snorted at that comment. “You act like your will is less than mine.” The next comment made him snort even harder. “Son?” He said expasperated. “Are you finally on your way to becoming old?” He teased. “I think you have a youthful glow when youre caffeinated.” He smirked. “Just take the other cup- you won’t be more wasteful then we are right now.”
The night was alive it seemed, more lively than lately at least. Maria couldn’t help the smile that was brought on as she passed different people; some engrossed with a lover, others loud with friends, even the souls deep in music probably imagining some far away world they were in rather than this one… All of it was a reminder why she was working so hard. Her feet finally came to a stop as she waited for the light to switch, the ave far too busy for her to cross without it. The traffic gave her a moment to search the corner for the next entertainment.
Instead she caught sit of one of the locals, eli, a bit of a drunk and tended to annoy anyone he didn’t know, like right now… The poor soul was ignoring them but she knew Eli well enough he wouldn’t stop without a reaction. “Eli, vamos esta bien esta noche. Por que no te vas a casa y te entretienes? Creo que la policia lo apreciaria esta noche.” Her smirk grew as she moved closer, giving a little wave towards him as he moved away. “He’s a nice guy just gets bored.” Maria finally offered a smile in the others direction.
The one night off, Dahlia wanted to let loose. Of course this meant running the risks of finding someone she personally finds strange. Not that ever stopped her before. But tonight this one guy was being particularly annoying.
Dahlia tilted her head at spanish-only understanding some bits and pieces. She finally looked up at her savior. “I guess but hes drunk and I just want to enjoy my drink.” She took a sip before making a face. “Nevermind thats a good plan either.” She sighed. “Can we just get some onion rings and call it a night?”
“Lost in New York? The streets are numbered.” There was a pause. Azim shoved more noodles into his mouth while listening to his mom explain that just because New York streets were numbered did not mean that she knew how to get to where they were supposed to meet. Despite the fact that he hardly paid attention to his surroundings Azim could proudly say that he never got lost. A tidbit he refrained from telling his mother lest she give him a tongue lashing but he did roll his eyes. “Well I’ll be here waiting for you to find your way. Try using your phone’s GPS, or call me again. Yeah love you too. Bye.” Hanging up the phone Azim chowed down on the rest of his food before speaking again. “Bet five dollars she’ll get lost again and call me.”
Dahlia was playing with her food looking at the other with cinfusion. Not that what Azim saying wasn’t true but it just felt weird to watch him talk about it. Dahlia took a hearty slurp before talking. “She might but can you blame her though?” Dahlia asked. “What if the roles were reversed?Wouldnt you call her?”
✶ 「 pat chanyit , 26 , cis female & she/her 」 welcome to the mortal realm, DAHLIA LEONG — though, the fates whisper that they could only be AGLEA reincarnated. it seems in this life they’re instead known for being a PASTRY CHEF FOR LAUREL LEAF. what a downgrade. nevertheless, mortality can be confusing, so it’s understandable they can be CREATIVE and OPTIMISTIC, but also STUBBORN and DISSOULUTE ; maybe that’s why they remind people of THE SIXTH SENSE by REOL ? but not all history is washed away by time — just as the poets say, they still remind others of GLITTER HEADBANDS SHINING IN A SUNLIGHT, A QUIET HUMMING ACROSS THE SIDEWALK, THE SUBTLE SCRATCHES AGAINST THE BLADE. hopefully this life treats them a little better. [ MIN, 25,EST, SHE/HER)
*MEI LEONGS DAUGHTER CONNECTION
Aglaea
Oh shes actually my favorite grace
In the past life she was the goddess of splendor, the youngest of the graces
Sometimes the part time messenger of Aphrodite
This part is probs headcanon was like ohhh that Heph guy was cute and actually loved him and got married with the cutest of kids
Basically what Im saying is see was a fabulous messenger and equally cool wife
Dahlia
Kinda hit lucky again with good standing parents
Her mother was Mei Leong and her father was Leonard Smart, it was basically no shit that she would be beauty and brains
She was always one to face things head on in his class. She wasn’t just a member of the home ec club, she was the president. With a sparkle in her eyes and thirst for the best cupcakes She was a force to be reckoned. That and her mother’s kung fu lessons come in handy
Dahlia grew into the glittery side of herself in high school after volunteering for a school play, she never new how much glitter and such fascinated her until that time.
Since then Dahlia would have had her belts bedazzled even her pepper spray.
When she got to college, she decided to go for the more fine arts side of things with cooking. Hence her getting even more stringed in with baking
Dahlia did date a bit but she often found that all guys she dated were very shallow and not for her.
But she is trying to get along on her own- even though she seems more like a mothers gal at heart
Personality:
Dahlia is a very compassionate and determined guy but really hates when things don’t go as planned
Dahlia would even be a bit confused initially coming to the terms of the divorce but shes trying to do better
Dahlia will probs end up buying all things glamorous citing it for “his cousins”
Dahlia doesn’t really believe in spirituality as a whole , she respects it if ahe hears about it
apparently the firm and near permanent look of irritability painted on his face was not enough to dissuade everyone from approaching. he would be impressed if he wasn’t so annoyed. stopping in his tracks, he rolled his eyes and shrugged. “ not particularly. i’m rich, successful, and having plenty of sex so. ” alex had no qualms about being frank — hey, the guy had asked. he’s not really sure which of life’s greatest pleasures or indulgences he had yet to try. “ the real question is what the fuck are you trying to sell me ? ”
**
Kenji resisted the urge to pout. So much for his assumption to persuade anyone. Still he tried to continue, he loved a challenge after all. “A man who has everything.” He replied almost coy. “Just a bunch of inventory.” He replied. “Some extra Valentines chocolates, Pop-marts dolls, and some vibrators.” He smirked. “But I already know you don’t need that now do you?” He added with a wink.
Twirling his fork into his flan, Kenji let out a sigh. Here he was thinking these orders would be selling like hotcakes. But here he was post Valentines day, with a bunch of stuff that wasn’t selling at all. Kenji stood up. He usually hated this method but boredom was killing. With a graceful hop off his long chair, He approached the stranger.
“Hello ther.” He asked, fork still in his mouth. “Are you tired feeling deprived of life’s greatest pleasures?”
The whole month of February was something Ashton just wished she could skip. She didn’t hate relationships or the holiday of Valentines; she hated the pressure of doing something on Valentines. She had some awful dates in the past just because she left pressured to make her date an amazing Valentine’s day. And all the decorations that cover every store front for the holiday made it even worse. This year she didn’t have anyone to treat, at least the pressure was off.
She was going to focus all on herself this year. She stood outside a small shop, peering into the window to see a cute dress. It took a lot for her to want to wear a dress, but this one was just screaming her name. “Oh my god. Like when am I ever gonna wear that?” She paused to realize she had spoken out loud. “It’s super cute right? Like a good Valentine’s Day gift, right? For myself.” She was so indecisive about buying it, she was consultings other people’s opinions.
The whole month of february to Kenji was just a lip service to Capitalism. Valentines, President Day, heck Groundhog day has so many sales. As a seller, of course this shit means more money. But as a self proclaimed former hedonist, it was like a ticking time bomb.
Kenji couldn’t help but snort at the comment. It sounded so naive yet sweet in a way. He tried his best to contain another snort before replying. “It’s a cute dress.” He relented. “But would you get for yourself if it wasn’t Valentines Day.” He tilted his head. “And will you wear it at least once or twice? Or will it just wrinkle in your closet?” He added on.
He might have been a bit harsh but she did ask for his opinion after all.
Omar looked down at the drink carrier in his hands, almost 100% certain that he’d only ordered two coffees for his afternoon out… So why was he holding four? At a second glance, it became obvious that the carton of drinks he’d picked up clearly did not have his name on them, and were instead order by some chick named “Olivia”. “Ah, shit,” Omar looked behind him - the coffee shop was like 3 blocks away by now, it wasn’t like he was gonna turn around and put them back, “Well, I guess one of these is for you?” He turned to his friend with a smirk, “I can’t promise it’s not poisoned.”
Kenji sighed at the relevation of four cups. He knew something was wrong immediately. Unless there was some extra guests. Still he wasn;t too pissed about it. Coffee is Coffee in his eyes. “Two cups of coffee its my lucky day.” Kenji joked picking up a cup. There was an eyebrow raise. “If we were going to play Russian Roulette you should have brought champagne.” He teased taking a sip of the coffee. There was a small face after the sip. “Who still drinks hazelnut coffee in 2021?”
