war paint

catalina 'lina' mcallister. twenty five. social worker.

[catalinamcall]

winnie.

“Hi there. I’m Winnie I’m going to be your waitress this evening. Our soup of the day is cream of broccoli and in cause you couldn’t smell it on me, the special is Salisbury steak. What can I get for you? Please don’t say Salisbury steak.”

“Hi Winnie,” Lina smiled brightly. “I’m trying —emphasis on trying— to go vegan so I won’t ask you for the steak, don’t worry. Can you maybe bring me the butternut squash with quinoa, spinach and walnuts? That sounds amazing! Also a diet Coke and your number.” Both her dad and her step father chuckled before going ahead and ordering themselves, while she had her eyes glued on the waitress.

[catalinamcall]

ava.

“Oh, that wouldn’t be fair to the rest of the world. You know I can’t share you,” Ava’s smile grew into a grin as she threw her arm around Lina and pulled her into a half-hug. “Hey I’ll take the wisdom and the wit, though. The rest… let’s just say Janelle is very lucky,” she said jokingly.

Catalina wrapped her arm around Ava’s waist and allowed the other to pull her close, full on embracing the caress. “Well, that’s like... half the package? Still good, though! Anyways, I’ve been thinking about getting you a present for V-Day as always, but this time I want my gift to be alive. How does a pet sound for this year, huh?” 

[catalinamcall]

leo.

“Kill me now, then. I am so not here for that bullshit.” Leo let out somewhat of a moan. “I’d rather have the zombies than hysterical anyones”

“Why don’t you tell me why on earth you’re a paramedic, then? Don’t you always have to deal with people in their worst state?”

[catalinamcall]

taemin.

Tae looked her over, eyes squinted. “His name is Jaxon and he’s a bit older. He’s a tattoo artist and a rapper.” He shrugged. “Haven’t seen him in about a year but doesn’t change the fact that if you ever run into him that he’s still mine and off limits. Don’t care if he has a new man or woman. Mine.”

Lina blinked in confusion, cocking her head to the side as he spoke. “You’re telling me you haven’t had any contact with this Jaxon guy for over a year yet you’re still into him? Woah Tae, that’s a lot. Fuck this dude, maybe I should get you someone to hook up with... Would you like that?”

[catalinamcall]

helene.

Len bit her lip to restrain herself from asking her, whether or not it had been her cousin to bring her- he’d be one to do so, but instead she just tilted her head with a small smile. “Well, the only place more fake than these are high school reunions.”, she laughed. “but it’s really enjoyable, once you’re over that”

“Oh yes, the old ‘let’s pretend I do have my shit together, not like any of you, losers’. Gotta love that.” She laughed while shaking her head slightly. “Anyways, why do people love this so much, huh? Besides the expensive champagne, ‘cause believe me, I get that... And hey, for the record, I’m asking you because you seem like the most down to earth person around here. I tried to talk to that girl,” she pointed out at a very beautiful brunette in a long and expensive looking navy blue dress, “but she wouldn’t have any of it and I’m not used to being rejected like that if I’m honest.”

[catalinamcall]

taemin.

Taemin looked at her and scoffed. “He’s mine.” He locked his phone and put it back in his pocket. “He’s absolutely off limits.” He rolled his eyes. “Besides, he’s not in Portland. So, go and find your own man.” 

“Easy there, tiger,” Catalina chuckled. “It was a joke! Still, you didn’t tell me about him so come on, spill it. I wanna know all about it.”

[catalinamcall]

quinn.

“Speaking of hot people who play instruments have you heard of Lindsey Stirling? Maybe I should not tell you about her right now though. We can save her for later as the risk of making things worse,” Quinn answered as she considered what she was saying. “Oh fine but this means you have to sit still and let me draw you along the way. My inner artist never stays hidden during a good hike.”

“Yes! Jesus, she’s fucking perfect.” Lina said, exhaling heavily. “I haven’t listened to her in a while, though. What is she up to nowadays? Please, like I would say no to that. If I could, I would have people draw me naked and send my nudes out like that, ancient style.”

[catalinamcall]

taemin.

“I have a lot of pictures.” He scrolled through until he found a picture of him with pink hair. “There’s this color. And here’s me with blue hair.” He scrolled to the next. And he scrolled again to a picture that he kept very dear. It was of him and Jaxon. God, they looked so happy. “My hair is black there.” He finally added, his eyes only focused on Jax.

Catalina got more and more interested as Taemin showed each photo, and she couldn’t help but notice he was the happiest with pitch black hair. “Nice,” she hummed at the last picture. “Who’s that? You should’ve said you had a friend for me... Oh Tae, really, you shouldn’t have bothered!”

[catalinamcall]

noelle.

“How can you go from wanting to go on a hike to offering brownies? — actually don’t answer that. Brownies, yes, any day please.”

“I just knew you’d say yes to brownies.” Lina winked at the other playfully. “Are you in the mood for baking or should we go buy some?”

[catalinamcall]

lennie.

“well, i’m talking from first hand experience here. i have to stick up for my kind,” lennie jokes. tucking a strand of hair behind her ear, her lips curve into a coy smile.  “i can definitely recommend a few things. we could go now if you’re free.”

Lina hummed as though she was meditating her answer. Not like she actually needed to do so, she’d go to the ends of the earth for a pretty girl. “Sure,” she said after a couple of seconds, swinging her gym bag over her shoulder. As obsessed with physical activity as she was, Lina knew the gym could wait for a few more hours. “I reckon we could start off with a swift introduction while we’re at it, huh? I’m Catalina but pretty much everybody calls me Lina. And you are?”

[catalinamcall]

ava.

Ava rolled her eyes at Lina’s comment, letting out a short laugh. “Yeah, well, I try not to talk to Janelle about you too much, either,” she teased. “I guess I do see your point, though. About branching out. You’re right - always good to try something new. I’d be so bored without you, Lina.” 

“Damn, that was a bit too much, wasn’t it? I’m so sorry. And hey, who the fuck knows,” she teased, swaying her hips and hitting Ava’s lightly. “Let’s just hope you don’t have to find out any time soon. You can enjoy me for the time being, though — my wisdom, my wit, my body... all yours, babe. If you’re willing to share with Janelle, that is.”

[catalinamcall]

taemin.

One of Taemin’s favorite things was being told how pretty he was. So, he decided that it was okay to keep Catalina around. Obviously, the girl was smart. “Thanks and no. I’ve had just about every color of the rainbow.”

Lina’s mouth hung open for a brief moment while he spoke. “Oh God, that sounds so fucking amazing. Do you have pictures?” Different hair colors had always fascinated her, and people who were bold enough to dye it without a second thought were high up her list of favorite humans. They would probably never get the first place (that was for Anne Hathaway and her only) but they were still well above other people. 

[catalinamcall]

noelle.

“You had me at coffee and lost me at hiking.” She shook her head biting down on her lip contemplating the hiking part still.

“Okay, we can forget about the hike. How do coffee and brownies sound?”

[catalinamcall]

lennie.

“oh okay, wow, that is a fucking relief. listen, take away someone’s tea and they aren’t so peaceful anymore. coffee lovers need that boost of energy but tea lovers? we need to chill out. have you gone there before?”

“You know, I’d never thought about it that way... You might or might have not redeemed tea lovers for me.” Catalina chuckled. “I haven’t, I’m a coffee kid myself but I wouldn’t be opposed to go and try something of your world for once. I'd need your advice so I don’t end up buying something weird, though. What do you say? You can even pick what we’re eating.” 

[catalinamcall]

taemin.

Taemin burst out in a loud laugh. “Honey, no. I’m nowhere near a natural blonde. My hair is as dark as it comes. But I usually dye it a platinum, sort of greyish, blonde. That’s what I meant by my normal blonde.” He explained. “I do look good with light brown. Then again, I always look good.”

“Oh, got it. That’s true, though. You have a pretty face so I imagine you must rock every color... Have you always stayed within the lines of blonde-brown-red?”

[catalinamcall]

ben.

“Then, prepare for mediocrity and maybe alcohol to lessen that fact”, he laughed, taking in the nightly atmosphere, that he’d missed over work-stuff. “Lets do this!”

“Mediocrity? You’re setting the bar way too low my friend, that’s boring!” She reached out and punched his arm slowly. “Alright, go on. Tell me a joke... And I’m not fond of kids so you’re not allowed to tell me any of your students’.”

[catalinamcall]

leo.

“It depends, considering my birthday was two months ago.”, he replied, continuing to spin around on the nurse’ chair behind the front desk. “But it would bring in some kind of change at least”

"A very merry unbirthday to you,” she sang, chuckling afterwards. “Yeah, enjoy it while it lasts. Generally, after a few hours of calm, I’ve heard you’re expected to get a massive influx of people so...”