all the stars aligned

dahlia reed

[cantfightmoonlight]

"Touché, but hear me out. It first starts with the jacket and, the next thing you know, I'm getting squeezed into a pair of skinny jeans. I know how shoppers like you operate, Reed," He teased, playfully narrowing his eyes over at her despite not actually holding up much of a fight. "Oh good a Spring Jacket. Exactly what I needed. And what is the difference between a Spring Jacket and all of the other jackets in my closet out of curiosity?" He asked with a quirk of a brow. His smirk only growing as he gave in. Turning around to allow her to help him into it as he slide one arm into the Jacket and then the next. "Okay, okay. But, only because I'm a sucker for a puppy dog pout. That and the pockets are a plus. So, how do I look? Spring ready or what?"

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia's eyes narrowed before she finally couldn't resist rolling her eyes. Granted, he did have a point; once she started, she had a hard time not putting together a whole ensemble, but who in their right mind could resist such temptations once the ball got rolling? "Like you could be so lucky to have me curate an entire outfit for you," she deadpanned with a small smirk. "A spring jacket is lighter and usually waterproof and perfect for the unpredictable weather that spring brings, not that you were seriously asking," she informed him while helping him into the jacket. She adjusted the collar slightly, before stepping back to get a good look. "It looks perfect," she decided. "Just like I said it would." A smirk played on her face, clearly pleased with herself.

[cantfightmoonlight]

"Well, here," Bri said as she plucked the crown off her head and bestowed it onto the top of Dahlia's. "There. It looks stunning on you," She promised her, as she held out her hand as if to as Dahlia if the blonde could give her the crown she was working on, figuring she could undo the knots and fix it up and that way they both could gift each other a flower crown, at least technically speaking, even if the perfectionist in Bri had plans to completely change the one Dahlia had been working on to fit her own tastes. "Now, as I work on this one, fill me in. What's been going on with you? And oh! Have you gone on your basket date yet? Who did you end up with again?"

@dahliaxreed

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia frowned only slightly as Brielle put the crown on her; it was hardly a fair trade, especially if she was going to be stuck fixing the one that she had struggled over. "Aw, but you worked so hard on this, it should be yours!" Dahlia protested, touching the crown gingerly. "D'you really wanna give this up for the monstrosity I made?" Dahlia shook her head at her question. "It was Nesrim's basket," she reminded her. "So, no Lunar Cove Prince Charming date for me," she joked, though the results could have been far worse, and she knew that all too well -- nor was she actually expecting anything romantic out of the whole thing. "At least Poppy and Arlow didn't pay hundreds of thousands for it." She still hadn't gotten over the money that was forked over for...gel pens, among other things.

[moonglowmagic]

Where: After The Dance A Thon (Anywhere tbh)

Who: @dahliaxreed

“That was a shit show.” Poppy said as she took the empty seat next to Dahlia. “Remind me next year to just skip this whole ordeal.” Kicking off her shoes as she got comfortable, in the past twenty-four hours there had been a hunter released from the council’s possession, an attempted hunter attack, a ghost inhabiting an angry pixie’s body, and a death of one of her siblings friends. “Can you wake me up when we make it past all the holiday’s?” She asked as she leaned her head on her sisters shoulder. “I’m not sure me or this town can handle anymore chaos.” She admitted, she was tired of everything constantly going to shit in their lives. “Are you at least doing okay? I need one sibling not having the worst day of their lives.”

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia nodded along in agreement, leaning back. "I think we should just...ban holidays around here forever," she mused. She of all people had been anxious enough about events after what happened to her on Valentine's Day, and while she was glad to not have been so directly involved this time, it still made her anxious. "I'm fine," she assured her, sighing. "Think we'll ever see peace and quiet around here ever again?" It was a rhetorical question, technically, but Dahlia was actually curious if they were doomed to a life of chaos from here on out.

[cantfightmoonlight]

@dahliaxreed

"Whoa, no, no, no. I'm more than happy right here on the dad couch. No need to pick out anything for me," Caleb's eyes widened as he watched Dahlia heading his way with a jacket in hand that seemed just about his size. This was hardly his first time at a sidewalk sale, having been often dragged to them as the designated 'bag holder' for his sisters growing up, but he couldn't say he had ever had someone try to Pretty Woman him before.

[dahliaxreed]

@cantfightmoonlight

Dahlia rolled her eyes before holding the jacket toward him. "Oh c'mon," she whined. "Jackets are literally the easiest thing in the world to try on, and it's the perfect Spring jacket." Then, as if this was the best way to sell any piece of clothing, she added, "And look at the extra hidden pockets on the inside!" Just to demonstrate, she flung the jacket open to reveal one of the said hidden pockets and unzipped it, shoving her hand in to show how deep it really went. "Just try it on?" she begged.

[cantfightmoonlight]

@dahliaxreed

"I'm going to preface this by saying that I know absolutely nothing about super sales whatsoever, so I'm going for you and am more than happy to hold stuff, but I'm not going to have to try anything on will I?" She hesitantly asked, typically ordering majority of her clothes online or from a hole in the wall thrift store and only when she was desperately in need of an addition to her very minimalistic closet. "Or have to try to fight anyone for a jacket?"

[dahliaxreed]

@cantfightmoonlight

Dahlia gave Jasmine a sideways glance as it to say, Seriously? She understood that not everyone could match her...intensity for such activities, but she wasn't quite sure Jasmine was expecting to happen today. "Of course I don't expect you to fight anyone," she assured her. "Unless it's a very particular moto leather jacket in a deep plum and it happens to come in my size. Then I expect a full on brawl," she teased before shaking her head. "Promise I won't make you try anything on either. I'm just happy anyone actually wanted to come with me, especially one who is also so willing to hold things for me."

[cantfightmoonlight]

@dahliaxreed

"What do you think? A+ flower crown or what?" Bells asked as she placed the crown she had been tediously perfecting for the past hour or so onto the top of her head to gage the opinion of the other girl. She had come to the flower crown making event at Just in Bloom mainly for the chance to sip some champagne and eat some of Rose Tinted's macaroons she couldn't seem to get enough of, especially since the little pastries helped curve the newly turned vampire's cravings. But, now that she was here, she'd be lying if she said she wasn't have fun crafting away.

[dahliaxreed]

@cantfightmoonlight

While Dahlia wasn't exactly the craftiest type unless it involved finding a way to repair a hole in her favorite jeans, she had always wanted a flower crown to call her own; what better chance to make one than right now, with champagne and sweet treats feeling like a bonus? As it turned out, Dahlia didn't quite have the magic touch for this sort of thing, and hers was more of a knotted mess than a crown. She looked up at Bells crown and nodded in agreement. "It's perfection. I wish mine looked even half as good," she said, fighting the urge to sigh and throw hers in the trash.

[moonglowmagic]

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

“If it was I still have it won.” Poppy joked back. Knowing that she’d always hold that title since she left and had disgraced them throughout her childhood. “Sorry. Not trying to compete with you. Just— well you know how Alyssa was.” Their mother constantly pitted the two against one another, treating it as some fucked up competition for who could be her perfect daughter. Despite Poppy’s rebellion there was a part of her that had wanted Alyssa’s love and attention in the same way Dahlia had received it. “God she would have died if you were lesbian and she couldn’t set you up with whatever friends son she was about that week.” Poppy was thankful that she never had the same pressure when it came to their mother fixing them up. Maybe that was the positive of being exiled by Alyssa. “So have any of these guys even been cute? I have to know.” She asked with a laugh. “Plus at least since you joined the disappointment crew she probably won’t be offering your hand in marriage all over town.” Poppy teased. “See their is a bonus to being the family disappointment.” 

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia nodded in agreement; unfortunately, she did know their mother all too well, even if she was newer to the other side of her that wasn't filled to the brim with approval. For some reason, her sister's statement made her laugh out loud -- something that proved to slightly hurt her sore body, but was well worth the small aches and pains. "Oh god, she would have been livid for sure," Dahlia agreed. "If only. Would've saved me some awkward one-off dates." She rolled her eyes and vaguely acted as though the question offended her. "You think I'd agree to go out with someone ugly? Most of them were incredibly good looking...until they opened their mouths." She always preferred the ones she found herself, and those were the relationships that lasted, even if the last one didn't quite live up to her expectations. "Unless, of course, an arranged marriage is the only way I don't end up dying alone." It was a joke. Mostly, at least, though part of her was never not worried about being alone forever; why else would she date as much as she did? Involuntarily, she began to yawn, and it felt like she might never stop. "Sorry," she said, even though she had wanted to keep talking to her sister, she had to admit she could feel herself getting more and more tired. "Guess I really am wiped of energy, huh?"

[cantfightmoonlight]

"Yeah, pretty much," Jas gave Dahlia a small nod in confirmation. "Not really my thing, but it seems to work for her? And I'm not sure? Potentially yeah? She seemed to get pretty freaked out when I, uh, yeah, exactly that. Pointed out the obvious? You know, I like you. I don't know if I said that yet and not cause we just so happen to share DNA, but because, I don't know. I feel like I'd want to be friends with you regardless, if that makes sense?"

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia wanted to roll her eyes at her older sister's present antics -- not even the part where she was moving in with someone so quickly, but the one where she seemed to want to so quickly fall into self-sabotage. Much like Jas, it wasn't Dahlia's style either, but if it worked for Poppy, who was she to stop her? Dahlia smiled; her entire life mission was to be liked, and hearing it out loud was always more than welcome, though she felt a little guilty if only for the distance she'd put between her and her half-sister because of her mother's influence. "I'm sorry," she said. "For, y'know, not being the most warm and welcoming always." She was going to add more, but a nurse burst through the door, harping on the end of visitor hours and the fact that she needed to check on her vitals. Dahlia sighed and turned to Jas to say, "We'll catch up more later, yeah? Gotta learn some more of your secrets."

[moonglowmagic]

─── · 。ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Poppy had to admit being close to Dahlia once more was a relief for her, she was glad that she wasn’t resented for being supreme anymore. If anything it actually freed her to be the supreme she always wanted verses trying to live up to one that Dahlia would be or even be proud of. “Always.” She teased. “Why do you say that?” Poppy questioned softly. “Hey don’t say that. I’m still her biggest disappointment of all.” She teased. “I mean hey nothing can top me despite how much you and baby brother try.”

[dahliaxreed]

"Is being Mom's biggest disappoint the newest competition?" she joked, but despite her sister's reassurance that no one could top her, Dahlia could still feel that their mother would never look at her the same way again. "Though, on the bright side, she doesn't seem to care as much about trying to set me up with whatever she deems the most eligible bachelor in Lunar Cove for the week, so." Dahlia shrugged, then rolled her eyes at the thought that she used to care about that sort of thing -- her mother's blatant approval of the men she loved, when all that should have mattered to the woman was that she loved them at all.

[cantfightmoonlight]

"I'd rather not? But, fine," Jas shook her head the tiniest bit back and forth. A smile finding its way across her lips despite herself. She typically wasn't one to gossip nor was she the type to ever talk about herself, but she'd be lying if it didn't feel nice to be able to chat like this with the other girl. Maybe they weren't exactly a real family yet, but maybe they could be friends at least? "What do you want to know? I'll tell you anything," She promised her. "Just as long as it stays between us, Fort Knox, and okay, okay. So, I may have stumbled upon Devrim's stuff strewn all around Poppy's apartment and when I asked her about it, it appears that Dev has been essentially living there for weeks now? They're kinda hooking up," She explained with a small shrug. "Though I also may have accidentally ruined it? She may have freaked out when I pointed out that the two of them have kinda uhauled together?"

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia listened intently, curious to get a glimpse into her big sister's life. To be fair, she had intentionally distanced herself from her for too long, and it was her fault that she didn't already know all of this already; some sister she'd been. "Whoa, so you mean to tell me she was just...living with someone else that quickly?" The idea of rushing into something like that was unfathomable to Dahlia, who preferred more calculated, careful decisions. "What do you mean?" she asked. "Do you think she's gonna break up with her now because you, what, pointed out the obvious?"

[moonglowmagic]

 Poppy let the news of what she’d informed Dahlia sink in, she crossed one leg over the other; simply just keeping herself moving since she was still full of energy. Holding onto Dahlia’s hand tightly she gave a soft nod at Dahlia’s words. “Thank you for saying that.” Leaning over and she placed a kiss on top of Dahlia’s head. That had been the reassurance that she’d wanted all along. “Move over.” Tapping her sisters legs lightly. “Let me get in there and get some cuddles. You deserve them after what you went through.” Giving a soft laugh. “Let’s maybe let your face heal a bit before we put anything on it. We’ll get you some vampire blood.” She promised. “If you’re okay with that? I know there’s a risk, but I promise I’ll protect you and keep you a witch. I mean who else would mom compare me too? She already hates both me and Jasmine.” 

[dahliaxreed]

This was nice, finally allowing her sister back in after so long of being on the defensive and resenting her for things that were out of their control. Dahlia couldn't even remember the last time anyone gave her affection like this, and it was enough to make her feel better already. She let out a breathy laugh as she shuffled over to give her big sister some room on her bed. "So bossy," she joked. Dahlia rolled her eyes and sighed. "I doubt Mom cares that much about what happens to me anymore," she told her. "I think I'm a giant disappoint for her now." Poppy, of all people, could understand what it was like to not have their mother's stamp of approval, but Dahlia didn't like being on the other side of it; it felt lousy.

[cantfightmoonlight]

"And good. Well, as you're Fort Knox and all," Jas teased, a smirk of her own finding its way to her lips as she leaned a bit forwards. "Okay, well, to start, I may or may not have a thing for the Alpha and he may or may not be planning on taking me out on a date soon? But, seriously if you tell Poppy about my love life, I will kill you," She warned, before she pressed her lips together as she tried to think of some other juicy tidbits of gossip she knew that were not related to kidnappings or torturings of any kind. "Though I do know some stuff about Poppy's love life that I could fill you in on or who I know frequent the Country Club to have vamps feed off of them for the high or it. That sort of thing?"

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia found herself grinning ear-to-ear with this newfound information. Being a sucker for love herself, she always enjoyed stories and gossip involving someone else's love life. "Ooooh," she said in a mock-teasing tone. "Tell me more," she insisted. "I swear Poppy will never get a word outta me." Dahlia's eyebrow shot up, curious and intrigued. "I will take whatever you're willing to give me for intel," she said, "but start with Poppy. What's going on there?" Considering the rift that had previously formed between the two, courtesy of their mother's desire for sibling rivalry, Dahlia had been out of the loop of her older sister's life.

[mateoangelortegarivera]

“Yeah. Yeah.” Mateo swirled his straw through his tea, grin as wide as ever. “I haven’t had a good sundae in forever, dude. But it always cheers me right up. And you look like you could use some cheering up, you know?” He could have mentioned what he’d witnessed go down on Valentine’s Day, but he figured she had enough reminders of that already. What was it going to help her to say ‘hey, I saw you get kidnapped, and isn’t that a bummer?’ But ice-cream? Ice-cream could help. “I see your point,” he said, nodding seriously now. “Stranger Danger, right? My moms taught me that.” That he didn’t know her name didn’t matter much to him–he met strangers all the time. It wasn’t just his personality, but his job. At conventions, meet and greets could last up to eight hours of an endless stream of strangers hugging him and telling him about their lives, about how much they loved his videos, or a tattoo based on something he didn’t even remember saying. No one in this town seemed to know who he was in the slightest, however, which was a fun new feeling. “I don’t think there’s anything I can do to earn your trust, you know? You gotta be careful. I get it.” He took a sip of his tea as he thought over the conundrum. “Oh! I could go get the ice-creams and bring 'em back here. Then you don’t need to go anywhere. And I’ll just drop it off and leave you to it. What do you think?”

[dahliaxreed]

"I do?" Dahlia asked self-consciously, tugging at the edge of her cardigan. If a complete stranger could sense that she wasn't feeling completely herself, imagine what people at work would think when she walked in? She wasn't looking for pity or sympathy, just some semblance of normalcy. Dahlia looked at him, still confused. "You'd...you'd do that?" she asked, baffled, but then she was shaking her head. "No, I couldn't ask you to do that. That would be..." Rude? Strange? Somehow more lonely and pathetic to be eating a sundae alone in a tea shop?

[mateoangelortegarivera]

“No, no, it’s super useful. You seen Ant Man? Ants can lift like a hundred ants.” Truthfully, ants could lift twenty times their body weight, but he was close–sort of. “If you could talk to all the ants in the world, they could rush in like your army, dude. Carry you like a wave.” He made a wave movement with his hand as he took his drink and then sat at a nearby table, scooting his chair just close enough to keep chatting with her while she waited for her own, but far enough not to get in her personal bubble. He tried very hard to respect people’s bubbles. “Yo, okay.” He clapped his hands together excitedly. “Let’s get you a sundae! Then you can break the glass around the sundae if you need to.” He stood up again. “You want to go right now? You know any good places around here?”

[dahliaxreed]

For a moment, Dahlia wondered what it be like to have a mind that worked like this stranger's did. It seemed he could spin anything to be something amazing or good, and that was something she could only ever do for a bad PR situation at work, not so much in her day-to-day life -- which was not to say she hadn't tried. "Can't argue with that logic, I guess," she said, giving up on the argument knowing there was no chance of truly winning it. Dahlia's drink appeared, and she took a sip instantly, already feeling even just slightly better than she had a moment ago; maybe that was all she was really needing after --

"You want to get sundaes? With me? Right now?" she questioned, still processing his words while furrowing her brow. "You don't even know my name, or if I can see through walls or talk to dolphins or whatever." And more importantly, she didn't know a thing about him either, and she was feeling more cautious than ever since Valentine's Day.

[havanaroseliuu]

click the source link to find 118 gifs of MADELYN CLINE in OUTER BANKS SEASON 3: EPISODE 1 & 2 please reblog if using!

[cantfightmoonlight]

"Okay, well, I promise neither Poppy or I would have let that happen and that... makes me far more concerned about what you've been through than it probably should," She admitted, giving Dahlia a small smile of her own despite knowing that, she, herself, had gone through, maybe not worse, but situations just as bad as this before. "But, how about instead of talking about what happened, we talked about something? What kinda things are you into? Do you like gossip? I know Poppy does and I typically will never give in or tell her anything, but I don't know. I could tell you, just as long as we keep it just between the two of us? Don't want to completely drive your sister crazy," She attempted to tease.

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia felt a wave of relief when Jasmine offered a subject change -- because she really didn't want to hash out everything that happened anymore; she wanted to at least try to move past it, even if she wasn't entirely sure how or where to start. She perked up at the promise of gossip, one eyebrow quirking upward in curiosity. "I'm listening," she said, smirking. "And I swear I'm Fort Knox for secrets. No one's getting anything out of me." It was something she prided herself on, keeping her promises.

[moonglowmagic]

Poppy sat at the edge of Dahlia’s bed and started to pick at the polish on her nails causing it to chip. Looking up at her sister with a sad expression. “There was twelve of you. And no. Everyone is okay, or well okay as can be.” She explained softly.  Looking at her sister when she said her name. She reached out putting her hand in Dahlia’s. “No? Yes? Maybe?” She stammered. “I know how much you wanted to be supreme and well… I still took it.” She explained, looking up for a moment to force any tears back. “Owe me? You owe me nothing Dahlia. I was coming for you no matter what. I would come save any of you, because I love you and your my family.” Squeezing her hand softly. “Even if Alyssa says I’m not your sister, I am.” She explained softy. “It didn’t, but we can work on it.” She told her with a laugh. “I have a couple potions and face masks at home that will snap that glow right back into your skin.” 

[dahliaxreed]

Dahlia looked at Poppy with wide eyes and a frown that only deepened. Twelve? Part of her had hoped that, somehow, it was just her that had been snatched away from the event, however naive that might have been. She sighed in relief when her sister assured her that everyone was at least okay. Dahlia squeezed her sister's hand, shaking her head. "Poppy, c'mon, you didn't steal anything from me," she said, and even just saying it out loud made her feel like she was finally letting go of the thing her mother had drilled into her head for years -- that Supreme had belonged to her, been her destiny, her life's purpose. "You got it, fair and square." As much as it had hurt her, it was the truth. Dahlia smiled in an attempt to make herself not cry. "I love you too," she said, squeezing her hand back. "A face mask sounds amazing," she sighed.