Beauty is a Knife

Bryne. Tuck a Knife with my heart up my sleeve. [RP Blog]

[chefbryne]

avamhollis·:

     “Noted.” Sexy Cinderellas – she’d have to check them out later. Showing no desire to conceal it, Ava looked Aoife up and down, brows furrowed and lips parted thoughtfully. “Are you some sort of ghost?” The reference flew right over her head; either way, she’d congratulate the other on looking absolutely stunning. 

     “Ah. A woman with taste!” She would save the other the disgust of hearing how many people had confused her costume for something completely different. Granted, it wasn’t as bad as the previous year where the beret had thrown most people off, but it wasn’t a lot better either. “He’s ‘round here somwhere,” a hand waved vaguely in the air to motion to the entire rest of the party. “I meant – do you dance with me?” Question sealed with a sip of her drink through her short straw.

Aoife had known when she had been painting her face in the bathroom that it would have been a miracle for her to get recognized.  Her costume was a character from an obscure book, for a crowd who was most likely to be intoxicated. But with her sword and sunglasses, Aoife felt hot for once. It made her stand a little taller to notice the other checking her out. “Book Character. Sexy Goth Knight”  Aoife gave in lieu of a long explanation. She knew it wasn’t what the other person was wanting.

When faced with a choice, Aoife paused slightly. Taking a moment to think as she chugged the rest of her beer. Setting it on a nearby flat surface that Aoife was sure she’d have to clean later. Letting her eyes very noticeably roll over Ava. The words Puck had said about loosening up echoing in in the back of her head. “I think for someone with such a good movie, I can dance. “  Aoife answered with a slight smirk.

[avamhollis]

     where: halloween bash      with: @chefbryne​

     “Woman of the hour!” They hadn’t formally met but any friends of Puck was a friend of Ava – whether they liked it or not – and this girl knew how to throw a party. “I think I saw three Ariels and two Belles,” she looked back, eyes narrowed as if that would help her spot the repeated costumes she’d seen over half an hour before. Either way, it was an odd selection of princesses, but it was definitely better than the previous year. Then, back to the hostess: “You dance?”

[chefbryne]

Aoife had attempted to let go of most of her stress for once in her life. When she had agreed to host the party with Puck she hadn’t truly believed it would have gotten this big. After the first hour Aoife decided to let go of the control she been trying to maintain. While she had expected a lot of people the mass of bodies pressing together went far beyond even her wildest dreams. At this point the best Aoife could hope for was the cops not to get called. So Aoife had picked up a bottle and had begun drinking. “I’ve seen three sexy Cinderellas, and one minnie mouse who seemed quite lost.” Aoife chimed in, she vaguely remembered this person hanging around Puck a few times. Thus Ava must have been worth her attention. “I do my best to, Im not sure if my flailing of limbs counts as dancing. Do you?”  Aoife took a second to take in the other person. “Veronica Sawyer, amazing movie. Do you have a JD around?”

[kindremorse-deactivated20230901]

For: Aoife || @chefbryne Location: Danse Macabre - Halloween Event 

—-

His birthday was tomorrow - nothing would change. Though, he’d probably get a good dinner out of it. 

Just the same as tonight being Halloween. The food was good, drinks plenty – and he had a sword. 

Like the year prior, he stood off to the side, not inviting conversation nor refusing it when someone came near. He drank punch, looked at the decor and noted how many were provided by him. It was a pity he hadn’t been allowed to take a piece of the cartel leader. He would have liked to have that in the center of the decorations. 

His attention left the decor when a young woman walked by him. Jack had chosen his costume with a purpose - he wanted the sword. So, it was with the scabbard, sword still away, that he pointed at her. “I thought you were out of the game,” he greeted her, “or was asking for my help getting you settled in NYC just a way for you to take a break?” 

[chefbryne]

Aoife knew her skin should be crawling as she slowly, methodically moved through the halls of the exhibit. She had seen trophies like this before, hell she had taken trophies like this once upon a time. It all felt familiar, a dull numbness that settled over her like a weighted blanket.  Aoife knew about the underbelly of the city, she worked in a club with an ilegal fight pit for gods sake.  She had been living side by side with the world she had tried to forsake when moving to New York, and that left her with a lot of complicated emotions. She had hoped a walk through a museum of the type of person she had been would remind her of just who she was trying to become.

A familiar face had stopped her slow wandering through the exhibit. Aoife nearly burst out laughing when he pointed a sword at her, granted she couldn’t say much when her own sword was still on her back. Aoife gently pushed the scabbard towards the floor. “I am still retired” She said quickly to Jack. He had been a friend of her fathers, and ever sense she had moved to New York Jack himself was almost father like. He was a mentor, someone Aoife didn’t have to pretend around. Aoife took a couple steps closer, pulling herself out of the way of people still making their way though. “Its been hard the last couple weeks and I needed a reminder” Aoife tried to explain. A Killer is what she had been most of her life. Trying to stay on the straight on the Narrow was much hard than she had been expecting.

[chefbryne]

Aoife as Gideon Nav From the Locked Tomb Book Series

[frgdvoids]

to: open to anyone! location: barbarella bar

at this point, isabella figured, it couldn’t make things any worse. she ordered another shot of tequila, then grabbed the salt shaker and what was left of a lime. the bartender didn’t even get the chance to put the shot glass down before she was scooping it in her hand, downing it and following it up with the salt and lime. The shot glass made a small clinking noise as she set it back down, enjoying the warm feeling the liquid was giving her as it made its way down to her stomach.

the moment of happiness was interrupted by a drunk male who had decided to make himself comfortable next to her, causing her to roll her eyes and scoot away as much as she could. apart of her wanted to leave the guy there but another part of her wouldn’t let her because she didn’t want to give the male the impression she was scared of him. the truth was, she was prepared to take him on if that’s what she had to do. it was just not the way she wanted to end her night, so after about thirty minutes of having told the guy plenty of excuses, she turned  to the person who had just made their way up to the bar.

“hey, will you do me a favor?” she quickly whispered, leaning in a bit, “ive been trying to tell this creep over here to bug off for about thirty minutes now. do you mind pretending like you know me for five minutes? i’d be happy to buy you a shot to sweeten the deal, and i’ll add a drink if you can get this guy to leave quicker than five minutes.” 

[chefbryne]

Aoife was sure this is what death felt like, it had been an insane shift. Drunk asshole after drunk Asshole who thought if they sent a perfectly good meal back enough times they would get it for free. Aoife was bubbling to the brim with rage and a deep discontentment with her life. She knew her cooking was top notch but it didn’t stop the string of rejection. the thoughts of what the fuck was she doing in new york were creeping into the edges of her mind. The Irish women just wanted a stiff drink, and to find someone to pick a fight with. When she walked in the bar she was zeroed in to an open seat. Aoife could practically taste the old fashioned on her lips. She honestly didn’t notice the people next to her until someone spoke up to her.

Aoife knew this woman looked familiar, it took a second for Aoife to connect the dots. This was one of the women from work. While Aoife didn’t make her way out of the kitchen of the Gentille Fille very often on one of her breaks Puck had dragged her to the front of house to watch some talented dancers. Isabella, that was the womens name, and been one of them.  Luckily Isabella gave Aoife the perfect excuse to unleash her emotions in a very productive manner. Aoife gave Isabella a small reassuring smile and the smallest nod before shifting closer to the women. Aoife stretched her arm over Isabella's shoulders and gave a harsh glare at the main. Aoife channeled her years of being a killer for hire into that stare. “Thanks for keeping my friend company, but I'm here now so it'll be best if you left ” Venom filled her voice. It might have been a little overkill but the man quickly scuttled away. 

As soon as the man had removed himself from the bar Aoife retracted her arm and gave Isabella a light smile moving back into the center of her chair. “Sorry about that, I figured it was the best way to get rid of him” Her voice was much softer when speaking to Isabella. The initial unleash of her anger on the man had calmed the storm inside of her to calm. She didn’t want to scare the poor women who had been dealing with a man's harassment all night. “I’ll take an old fashioned if you were serious”

[chefbryne]

jonah-jones·:

“Aoife?” Well he almost hadn’t recognized her outside of their usual environment which was Central Park. He’d never met her outside of the Park’s borders and certainly not outside of her work out clothes. The same could be said for him. She’d never seen him wearing anything but his range of med school worn out tee shirts and shorts combo. He dressed differently at work, and although he didn’t carry his lab coat out with him, he still very much wore the rest of his work clothes, including that lingering smell that came with being around chemicals and dead bodies all day long.

“There wasn’t much to hear,” he smiled, taking a moment to look at her. “Sorry, I’m just realizing you don’t always wear trainers and leggings.” It almost felt like running into your 1st grade teacher outside of school and realizing they didn’t live in the school or, worse even, that they were married with kids.

Aoife knew the smell of death both fresh and old, an unfortunate side effect of her previous occupation. This time it was buried under the chemicals that come from the aftermath of dealing with a dead body, and Aoife could tell it was clinging to the edges of Jonah. To be honest it unnerved her slightly. Jonah had been filed under safety in her brain. The friendly Jogger she would pass on her runs. Sometimes they would stop and make small talk. It made her feel safer in the city that she could be seen as a normal person. A fixture in the hustle and bustle. Reconciling that sweaty man with the put together one in front of her caused a bit more cognitive dissonance than she was prepared to deal with for the evening

Aoife forced a slight chuckle out shaking her head. “Sorry, even having been in America a couple years it still amazes me how big and small it can be at the same time” Aoife said trying to cover her own shock and the moment it took her to respond. She was also dressed from coming off a shift, her chef's apron hanging with her bag off the back of her chair. “ It’s almost like we’re real human beings,” She joked. “Are you here by yourself?”

[chefbryne]

m-naftali·:

“Ayy, you’re a belle among belles,” she complimented as she set down the menu and picked up her tea to take a sip. It wasn’t lost on her that she had chosen a table with a beautiful woman sitting alone. She was always going to take her shot and flirt a little, what was the harm? Sure, she may get rejected, but in the grand scheme of things – it wasn’t like she was going to be stateside forever. Her CO may say that she had to play nice and work at setting up a new program in the hospital, but she would eventually be pulled back into the muck of military medicine. 

And Michal wasn’t going to let a challenge go unanswered. “If we’re talking like that - then how about my place on Thursday after dinner?” she asked before she laughed and shook her head. “Except, I don’t have a place. I’m in a hostel until I set myself up somewhere. The government doesn’t really care where I land as long as I’m not drunk or stoned within a month of my next deployment – so government assistance to find a place to live isn’t really a thing they were game to do.” 

An item on the menu caught her attention, some sandwich that had what looked bacon and sausage on something that could be a roll or – “is this sandwich on a glazed donut?” she asked, turning the menu around as her attention shifted somewhere else. “Right here,” she pointed to the item. “Three eggs, cheese, sausage and bacon on a homemade glazed donut. Holy hot damn, glad I’m fighting for the right for diabetes and heart disease.” 

---

A flush spread across Aoifes cheek, the tinge of pink brought out by the compliments Michal offered. She had been the one to start the flirting, but she honestly hadn’t expected to get this far. It was like, what had Puck called it, the online meme with the children's cartoon character. Aoife tilted her head to the side and offered a small sly smile, drawing upon old skills she had once possessed that were now covered in cobwebs. “Luckily, I live by myself in a nice apartment which sounds like it might be a bit better to get to know each other in.If that's what you want to do”  The start of a confident flirtation tailed off slightly at the end as Aoife started to second guess herself. “I also have a dog” Aoife offered at the end of her statement.

Her eyebrows furrowed as she gave further thought to the woman's statement about housing. “Wait, the American government sent you here yet they don't provide good shelter?” her Irish lilt highlighting the fact that she did not consider it her government.  Granted Aoife never really cared about governments, but the idea that they would demand so much but wouldn’t ever provide something like an apartment rubbed her the wrong way. “Granted I guess that amount of freedom can be nice” Aoife tried to tamper her negative emotions. It wouldn’t do any good to start the whole Europe vs American debate with this pretty women. 

Aoife couldn’t help the fact that her nose wrinkled as her table-mate read from the menu. Subconsciously she started leaning forward to take a glance at the item in question herself. “I think technically it's both which makes it an abomination especially at that price point” Aoife tried to joke, trying to hide the fact her stomach rolled slightly at the idea of the combination of those flavors. Food was the highlight of her days Aoife believed she had earned her right to be picky with it.“Speaking of my apartment, I happen to moonlight as a chef occasionally. Let me cook you dinner. I promise it'll be better than anything you've probably had at that Hostel.”  Aoife said settling back in her chair. “Or at least better than a donuts sandwich”

[jonah-nowak-deactivated20230322]

“People always say it’s a human bone,” the medical examiner shook his head. “Of course, I’m not saying you shouldn’t go check but it’s probably a dog or even a prank,” in Houston, he could have predicted it were a horse or a coyote. “Alright, now go humor someone else with your humerus,” with a barely there smile, the man hung up and picked up his glass. Why was he even answering the phone after he’d finally left the office ? Catching someone glancing his way, he frowned. People were so easily keen to eavesdrop, weren’t they? “Hello?”

[chefbryne]

Aoife sometimes had a hard time processing how small the city really was. For a city of millions, it seemed like she often ran into the same people. She had just wanted a nice drink on her day off when she recognized someone who seemed familiar. She ended up staring at him out the corner of her eye, honestly, the conversion about bones barely registered. It wasn’t until he turned to address her that she recognized him. “Jonah! I’m sorry, I was trying to figure out why you looked familiar. I didn't recognize it was you without your running gear.” Aoife said sheepishly, turning in her chair to face him. “ I didn’t hear much honestly”

[pxlrot-deactivated20241106]

OPEN STARTER LOCATION: Outside the Spotlight Bar tw smoking

It had been a rough night to say the least. Tips were shit, the customers were rowdy, and Karina had a splitting migraine. She just wanted to get home, get showered, and down a redbull and an Advil so she could finish her research for tomorrow's episode.

As she inhaled the fruit taste of her Elf bar, she felt the rain begin to sprinkle.

“Fuck,” She breathed, “Just my luck.”

As she watched the rain begin to pour, she realized someone was holding their umbrella over her head.

[chefbryne]

kknights·:

Karina smiled at the woman as she inhaled the toxic, fruity fumes of her bar.

The woman’s voice was Irish, Karina could tell that much. She couldn’t identify where though–something she internally told herself to research later. The blonde didn’t like not knowing things.

“Thanks,” She says, “I wasn’t expecting the rain.”

It was honest, as honest as she got with strangers.

“Long way from home huh?”

---

Aoife smiled back at the woman and shifted her stance slightly to one that would be more comfortable to stand in for a long period of time. Now that she started to provide the service, she felt odd about walking away before this women was ready. The Irish women chuckled slightly, peering out from under the umbrella up into the sky, watching the droplets fall before they splatter on the sidewalk. “Kind of” She answered the woman's question before shaking her head slightly. “Sorry, I’m still in work mode” Aoife took a long drag of her cigarette, exhaling the smoke away from the other women. 

“I’ve been living in the city for two or so years now. So it’s supposed to be my home now. I haven’t been back to Ireland since I left” Aoife explained her previous answer. In the Kitchen, she typically tried to keep things more strictly business, but she wasn’t in the kitchen. This is how adults made friends and she needed to at least try.

“I’m Aoife.”

[pxlrot-deactivated20241106]

OPEN STARTER LOCATION: Outside the Spotlight Bar tw smoking

It had been a rough night to say the least. Tips were shit, the customers were rowdy, and Karina had a splitting migraine. She just wanted to get home, get showered, and down a redbull and an Advil so she could finish her research for tomorrow's episode.

As she inhaled the fruit taste of her Elf bar, she felt the rain begin to sprinkle.

“Fuck,” She breathed, “Just my luck.”

As she watched the rain begin to pour, she realized someone was holding their umbrella over her head.

[chefbryne]

The rain reminded Aoife of home, it was a large factor in her decision to walk home instead of taking a cab. The Irish women knew what clouds looked like they were about to break open. It was like a cool comforting blanket, and the sound would put her brain to rest after a rather hectic shift.  Aoife had one hand wrapped around her after-work cigarette and the other prepping her umbrella for the inevitable downpour.

Maybe it was because of the weather that Aoife was in a charitable mood. The spotlight bar was on her walk home, and she knew the look of an exhausted service worker. She herself was one of them. Aoife decided she could take a moment out of her walk home to hold the umbrella over the women’s head.  “Would be a shame to soaked tonight. ” Aoife said softly in way of explanation.  “Smoke break?” Aoife asked, gesturing with her own smoke towards the elf bar.

[m-naftali]

Location: Any Café Time: 3pm For: Aoife || @chefbryne​

—-

The hostel had shit coffee. Worse, it made a shit chai – and Michal needed chai tea to start her day. Another one to top off her afternoon and a third in the evening. Fuck, the army had better chai and their idea of “chai” was black pepper in hot water. 

Bleary-eyed, Michal sat down in the chair at a table that she realized two minutes later that was already occupied by someone else. 

She could pretend like it had been on purpose but she figured that the dark circles under her eye and the jig of her knee while she waited for her tea would give her away. She had a board meeting that night with the hospital she had been contracted to (courtesy of good ole’ uncle sam) and while she wasn’t nervous, she also wasn’t thrilled.

She hoped her mood wasn’t contagious. 

“Sorry,” she managed to say that finally. “Rude as hell to just sit down in an empty seat at a taken table.” She gave her best smile, the kind that either got her out of trouble or right back into the shit. “If you don’t mind me sitting here, I can set this menu….” she picked up the cafe menu and opened it, setting it between the two of them, “like this and then I can…” she lowered her head, pushed back the chair and set her head in her arms. “Dunno how I’ll drink my tea, but I’ll make it work,” she joked. 

[chefbryne]

Aoife felt the exhaustion from the last couple of days deep in her bones. Aoife was aware of the underbelly, she would have been a fool to have not noticed something going on, but she did everything in her power to avoid it. Yet even when she felt like she was making progress, that life landed again right at the local park sparking buried memories; leaving her exhausted at night. Aoife compensated for her restlessness at night by picking up more shifts at work. If she kept busy then the thought couldn’t catch her.  However, the late nights were catching up to her, and her caffeine at home wasn’t quite cutting it anymore so a trip to the local cafe was in order before her next shift.  When Aoife finally got her coffee and her table, she promptly zoned out taking the time to rest her brain, letting the ambient noise lure her into a sense of security. 

Aoife was immediately snapped back into her body by the presence of another person. The main outward reaction to this surprise was her leg jerking up and nearly hitting the table. Aoife was internally very pleased that she managed to avoid spilling any coffee on her chef uniform. She cleared her throat, trying to offer a smile to the stranger. Aoife could practically hear her wife at the back of her head, gently nudging Aoife to make friends. “You’re more than welcome to sit. ” There was a small slightly forced smile. 

A small laugh did leave Aoife's lips at the women's antics with the menu, relaxing a bit more as she realized that the women really had no ill intent in sitting down.  “Since it's hard to drink Tea with a straw, I suppose you could put the menu down and enjoy your tea. I hope you don’t mind me being rubbish at small talk” Aoife tried joking. Using the excuse of taking a drink of her coffee to build some space for her to think. “I’m Aoife, I don't bite much, not unless I'm asked”

[chefbryne]

bartenderpuck·:

Puck felt the tension slowly start to melt out of Aoife’s shoulders and internally gave themself a high five. The chef always seemed tense whenever she bumped into her, or purposefully sought her out in the kitchen at work. “I feel like I should be offended by your surprise” she joked, mock offended. She wasn’t sure why Aoife was always so tense, assumed it was something to do with her life before in Ireland. They didn’t push the issue, but always made an effort to try and make the Irish chef smile or laugh while she made puppy eyes and tried to get some food. “I am, it’s not my favorite show. I’m a bit more of a fan of whimsy and highjinks than greedy murderous men. But the actors are great so I’m not complaining”

Aoife could see Puck mentally congratulating themselves and rolled her eyes slightly. “You are drunk and it takes more than a little dedication to have it memorized. “ Aoife tried to backtrack. She didn’t mean to offend Puck. Puck was one of the few close friend Aoife managed to make as a civilian, and didn’t mean to insult that. The line between light tease and something more mean spirited was so thin and Aoife was worried she had crossed it be accident. Aoife started to braid the end of her hair  mindlessly, as she talked. “I know what you mind. My dad showed me Shakespeare first, and he stuck mostly towards the comedy side of things. These types… just arn’t as comforting” Aoife finished. She meant to say felt to familiar, but that was a hard statement to reason through for someone who knew nothing of her previous life. “You here with some friends or…?” Aoife trailed off.

[chefbryne]

bartenderpuck·:

Puck had the decency to attempt to look apologetic, though the result was more that of a kicked puppy. Reluctantly she removed her arm from around Aoifie as they realized they had actually succeeded in startling the chef. Something she hadn’t realized was possible. She hung her head in mock shame at the mention of Luanne, scuffing their shoe in the dirt. “I guess I just didn’t realize you could be scared, you’re always so steady in the kitchen.”

Taking a step back they swept into an over dramatic bow before putting on their most theatrical British accent and reciting with a cocky grin. “If we shadows have offended, Think but this, and all is mended: That you have but slumbered here While these visions did appear. And this weak and idle theme, No more yielding but a dream, Gentles, do not reprehend.” They gave pause for a moment before sweeping back in and wrapping their arm back around Aoife’s waist this time. “It’s practically a legal obligation for me to attend a show. Besides, like you said my mama raised me right, and she made sure if I had a name like Puck I was going to be able to recite the lines.”

Laughter peeled from Aoifes lips at the elaborate display from the bartender. Aoife wasn’t an outspoken person herself. She liked to stick to the shadows, having someone so close who glowed like the sun was different. “I have to say I’m impressed. “ Aoife remarked. Forcing her body to relax under Pucks touch. Even after years of leaving the ‘Business’ it was strange to have people just causally touch her. The familiar smell of old spice and beer flowing off Puck however soon washing over Aoife and made her honestly relax.  “You were raised right, can’t fault your mother for that.” Aoife mused. “So how are you enjoying the show?” Small talk. Aoife Wasn’t good at it. Normally with Puck she had a little bit off a buffer with the food and the kitchen. Now there was no buffer, no spoon to shove into Pucks face to say taste this. It was just the two of them. Fuck.

[chefbryne]

twistedxlights·:

❛ WE’LL SURVIVE. ❜ She punctuated her words with a good-natured pat on the dog’s back. ❛ You would have a great alibi. No one suspects that daughter on the other side of the world. ❜ The topic was one Danny rather considered, instances of her considering the opinions of others being few and far in between. If she did, there was a strong chance her career wouldn’t be what it was. ❛ I think it depends. Trying to be the greatest of all time? Overrated. To be great at what you do? That’s different. ❜ She pushed a hand through her hair, shoulder lifting in a noncommittal shrug. ❛ At the end of the day, it’s all relative, right? Not worth falling over yourself trying to line up with what someone else thinks. ❜ Maybe that’s why she could count her friends on one hand.

Relief flowed through Aoifes body at the knowledge that both the other party and the dog were okay. A laugh even managed to work its way through her lips as she thought about her parents. Aoife knew that even if she tried, chances were both her mom and dad would kick her ass.  “I’d need that element of surprise, my parents are both tough old bastards,” Aoife said while pushing her hair behind her ear.  “I’ll give you that. Person growth is something worth striving for.” Aoife looked over her shoulder back towards the stage. “I just found in my personal experience, its worth more to be able to look at the ones you love in the eye than to be great. But like you said its all relative to what people value” Aoife said with a shrug. She had been great but that had cost her the most precious thing in her life. “I’ve been talking your ear off, I apologize. “

[chefbryne]

MALCOLM

MALCOLM: What does honor mean to you?

To Aoife, Honor is standing by what you’ve done. To take ownership of your mistakes as well as your triumphs. When you betray yourself is when you lose all sense of Honor in her eyes.  She never grew up in a world of “Right” and “Wrong”. It was about making the best life for yourself and those precious to you no matter the cost. So the only way to have Honor in that world was to stand by what you’ve done. Actions speak louder than any words.

[chefbryne]

DESDEMONA

DESDEMONA: Do you believe that the truth will set you free?

Aoife once had an answer for this. She thought lies were the only thing protecting the ones she loved from the dark truth of her life. Now she isn’t so sure. The idea if Aoife had told her wife the truth she’d still be alive haunts her nightmares. The idea of truth is something she struggles with.What is her truth? Is it the Killer or the Person her wife saw in her. Aoife doesn’t feel like she can allow herself to believe this because of what it would mean for her life built on hiding the truth.

[chefbryne]

s-moradi·:

“Aoife…” she repeated, the name had a beauty to it that Samira liked. She would have to work hard not to be taken by a pretty face, hard to do when Samira felt starved for the gentle touch of another. The warm smile the other gave her was better than any bouquet or gift. All she wanted was kindness. “Maeve…” she repeated, as she tended to do when there was a name she wanted to remember. 

Her smile faded before she forced herself to catch it by the corners and extend upwards again. It wasn’t a genuine smile any longer, but one she put on to help her get through a difficult conversation. She’d be able to find her smile again when she no longer was lying. “I couldn’t get a dog. I travel too much with my husband - he’s a filmmaker, and we’re always going wherever the wind blows us. Though…” Samira hated to lie, and she wasn’t very good at it. “We’re mostly settled in NY now as professors… so I’m not sure how good that excuse is now,” she said. She peeled apart her sandwich to remove the cucumbers. She’d just eat the bread - a little carb-rebellion. “The last pet I had was a little lovebird. I was young and stupid and didn’t know that you should get them in pairs, it had been a wedding gift. I was devastated when she died – I don’t know if I could open my heart to that heartbreak again… you know?” So, instead she pivoted. 

“I could always stop by when Maeve is out - or if you ever need a back-up dog walker.” As though volunteering herself to a near-stranger was the day-to-day way of things. “And your contribution is better than warm cucumber sandwiches.” 

Aoife liked the way Samira said her name, a smile came unburdened to her face. It reminded her of a simpler time in her life when she was happy, without all the burdens of mistakes weighing down every shadowed corner in her mind. However it was those shadows that allowed Aoife to see when the cheerful demeanor of the women in front of her faltered. Aoife instantly was aware of the subject matter. A husband. Aoife tilted her head as she pondered Samiras words. She remembered being married as the greatest joy of her life, it was such a shame when that wasn’t the case for everyone. Aoife tucked the piece of information away in the back of her mind. The park and shakespeare was a time and place for happiness. Aoife felt the need to repay the women for the brief reminder of a more joyful time in her life. “You are more than welcome to visit me and Maeve anytime then. “ Aoife made the offer, deciding not to push the subject. 

Aoife reached out and gently touch Samira shoulder, offering a gentle comforting hand. “You didn’t know any-better. And if it was a gift its not your fault. Sometimes accidents happen” she expressed softly. Aoife gave the women's shoulder a gentle squeeze. Before clearing her throat and letting her hand fall away. “If you think those cookies are good  you should come over for dinner some time. I’m much better with cooking than I am baking. I always find it hard to cook for  for just myself anyways, so really you would be doing me a favor honestly.” Aoife extended an offer with a smile. Extending the offer to just Samira. The unspoken offer of a sanctuary if she so wanted to take Aoife up on it.