You May Say I'm a Dreamer

Hi there! I'm Gracie. Artist in my own mind and lover of baked goods. Don't let me get in my zone because I'll bake you muffins and scones and Dio knows what else. If you want to know more, don't be afraid to ask me.

[gracie-mancini]

amirdawar :

And if you think it, it must be true.

I’d recommend you take a trip to Cávado. Clearly, you have a skewed understanding of the word ‘uncivilized.’

I spent a few years in Boston. Did some business in Launceston. It’d be strange if I didn’t know you. Given who your father is, Ms. Mancini, if I was planning on lumping you all into the same category, don’t you think I’d have been a little less pleasant to you?

Civility doesn’t come with money or status. 

Perhaps I just know my city differently. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy you’re at least pleasant to me, but I feel like you just said you treated me as such because I’m a Mancini. How is that fair?

[gracie-mancini]

@Laurent [Private]

[gracie-mancini]

laurent-stpierre :

gracie-mancini:

Gracie immediately flinched when she took in Laurent. That didn’t stop her from immediately moving toward the Frenchman when he winced from turning to quickly. She almost scolded herself for reacting in such a way.

Instead, she scolded herself for not having thought to stand more in the direction he was facing before she spoke. But that required a great deal of courage that she didn’t have at the moment. One cautious foot in front of the other she was finally further into the room and hopefully more visible in his current position.

When he spoke, she looked away. The raven-haired Italian had no clue as to what to say to that. Of course he wasn’t expecting to see her. A month removed and she was still so embarrassed by what happened. Embarrassed but she still felt justified.

“I wasn’t expecting to be here either,” she said softly, squeezing her gift tighter in her vice grip.

Why the fuck was she here?

After a brief breather in which he attempted to regain his composure–lost not only as a result of the pain, but the presence of the young woman in general–Laurent took to his cufflinks in defiance. Any excuse not to have to look at her seemed like a good one. 

A part of him knew, even after all that had been said during their last exchange, that they’d speak again. They always did.

If it hadn’t been for the gift he’d noticed her clinging onto for dear life, he might have assumed she was here to scold him about the beating he’d dealt her new loverboy. It would be a lie to say he hadn’t gone there with the intention of hurting him, but Nate’s provocation had made the already easy task that much more so. Laurent didn’t regret it for a second. He also knew Gracie knew better than to expect any remorse from a man who rarely had any to offer.

“Were you there when it happened?” Laurent turned his head just enough to see her expression, this time.

Gracie might have seen her fair share of terrible things back home, but it didn’t detract from the fact she was (and had always been) a gentle soul. Enough of her friends had been hurt in the mess. Laurent could only hope she hadn’t witnessed any of it firsthand.

That night was still fresh. Her dress still hung in the closet in the hotel room and heels still scuffed in a forgotten corner. Yes, Gracie went that night, Nate stubbornly in tow, but when Laurent asked, she couldn’t immediately answer.

“Thankfully I was busy working from my hotel room,” she lied, giving a soft smile.

Neither of them benefited from the truth. What good did it do Laurent to hear Gracie say yes? Yes, she heard the gunshots. Yes, she watched the chaos unfold. Yes, she hadn’t slept peacefully since. What good did it do the eldest Mancini daughter?

Clearing her throat and tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, she took a seat in one of the generic, plastic chairs in the corner. Cold and hard, she noted. The seat wasn’t too far from Laurent but it also wasn’t all that close. A comfortable distance.

“Seems you weren’t so lucky.”

[gracie-mancini]

jacobdavenport :

“Sometimes. I don’t own it or anything. Hotels, casinos, aren’t my calling but I’ll stay at them when needed. It’s not as glamorous as Home Alone 2 and Elouise at the Plaza. It’s only fun when your a kid. Not great if you want to be alone. I spend a lot of time between the Strip and Zarana Hills.”

“Oh that kind of...sucks. I should’ve moved into one after I watched Eloise then. I missed my chance. Okay, so I know the Strip, but where and what is Zarana Hills? It sounds really glamorous.”

[gracie-mancini]

alessandrafognini :

Not as much as I do. Being around you is good for the soul, Gracie. Real people are very hard to find in current days. I’m surrounded by people and yet sometimes I feel the loneliest person.   I know a place that happens to be mine where you can cook all you want free from judgment.

You’re so very sweet! I think you’re in need of some good home cooking and soul-lifting dessert. I don’t want to put you out or anything, so if you’ll have me, I’ve got many ideas for food and to keep you company.

[gracie-mancini]

Why don’t hotels have an oven and cooking space designated for guests? I have a serious need to stress bake and the hotel is saying my request is “weird” and borderline “insanity.”

[hannah-wyatt-deactivated2018100]

“Some suites in some hotels have them, some don’t, it has to do with what the energy or vibe is the owners are going for. If they are going to be frequented by high rollers, bachelor, bachelorettes, honeymoons, a space for a kitchen is better utilized to be jacuzzi in the bathroom. Buisness hotels, conferences, Ted Talks, people’s who job it is to pick and go from place to place. Those hotel suite will have kitchens, cause they have to function as apartments. That was a very long unnecessary answer that doesn’t help you at all.” 

[gracie-mancini]

No, no don’t be sorry. That was really interesting and it’s something to keep in mind for when I decide to plan my next vacation. You know an awful lot about hotels. Do you live in one? I always wanted to live in one since I was really little. 

[gracie-mancini]

Why don’t hotels have an oven and cooking space designated for guests? I have a serious need to stress bake and the hotel is saying my request is “weird” and borderline “insanity.”

[laraxrutherford-deactivated2023]

If you’re staying at one of our hotels, we can provide you with access to a part of our kitchens. It’s an uncommon request, as most guests like to be spoiled by our chefs, but it’s something we can do. I can’t speak for other hotels.

[gracie-mancini]

I had no idea about that. See, these are the things that travel guides can’t teach you.

[amirdawar]

gracie-mancini:

Animals of Launceston?

Indeed. The city seems to have expelled them all and sent them here

Except for you, of course, Ms. Mancini.

[gracie-mancini]

I think it’s the height of rudeness to lump an entire group of people together because of the actions of others. It would be like saying everyone in Porto is civilized because I’ve met a group of people who were when clearly you’re making a different case.

How do you know my name?

[alessandrafognini]

gracie-mancini:

Why don’t hotels have an oven and cooking space designated for guests? I have a serious need to stress bake and the hotel is saying my request is “weird” and borderline “insanity.”

Wow, scusa…how can that be considered borderline insanity? You weren’t asking for strippers or anything of that kind…because if you were they would probably arrange it and send a bottle of champagne along.

[gracie-mancini]

That’s exactly my point. Like, can’t an obsessive cooker just do her thing without being judged? That’s not asking too much really. Alessandra, have I mentioned how much I missed you?

[gracie-mancini]

maya-alliot :

Good thing I’m the new owner of a house that if I’m not mistaken comes with an oven.

Oh man, this house already sounds Gracie-approved. Can guests use this oven?

[amirdawar]

The animals of Launceston bring with them a barbarity for which they are notorious, and people are surprised? Don’t expect people here to be as forgiving of your bloodshed as the cretins back home.

[gracie-mancini]

Animals of Launceston?

[gracie-mancini]

Why don’t hotels have an oven and cooking space designated for guests? I have a serious need to stress bake and the hotel is saying my request is “weird” and borderline “insanity.”

[gracie-mancini]

@Laurent [Private]

[gracie-mancini]

Gracie immediately flinched when she took in Laurent. That didn’t stop her from immediately moving toward the Frenchman when he winced from turning to quickly. She almost scolded herself for reacting in such a way.

Instead, she scolded herself for not having thought to stand more in the direction he was facing before she spoke. But that required a great deal of courage that she didn’t have at the moment. One cautious foot in front of the other she was finally further into the room and hopefully more visible in his current position.

When he spoke, she looked away. The raven-haired Italian had no clue as to what to say to that. Of course he wasn’t expecting to see her. A month removed and she was still so embarrassed by what happened. Embarrassed but she still felt justified.

“I wasn’t expecting to be here either,” she said softly, squeezing her gift tighter in her vice grip.

[gracie-mancini]

@Laurent [Private]

How much longer could she hold this off? It was a question Gracie continuously asked herself and with each time came up with no answer. She assumed she could hold off seeing Laurent for an eternity, but deep down she knew that was wrong. No matter how bad of terms they ended on in their previous conversation, this situation was different. Laurent was in the hospital, suffering gunshot wounds from the grand opening at Versailles. At the very least Gracie owed him a visit. At least in her eyes.

And with all the courage the Italian woman could muster, she extended her arm to open the door. Dark brown eyes peered cautiously into the room before she revealed herself fully, stepping around the door and silently closing it. Softly clearing her scratchy and dry throat, her eyes avoided the only other figure in the room. Grasping a wrapped gift in her hands, she sighed. “Long time no see huh?”

@laurent-stpierre

[veronika-auditore]

@Gracie

[gracie-mancini]

veronika-auditore :

While there were lots of people that Ronnie missed back home in Launceston, Gracie was most certainly one of the few she’d missed most of all. After Marcello had died, Gracie had never given up on trying to break through the brick wall the Ronnie had built up. And while it had taken awhile, Gracie had been one of the first people Ronnie had called when she was finally ready to talk. To finally have her in Porto was one of the best things that had happened to Ronnie since she’d moved. “I don’t even care that TMI ruined the surprise,” Ronnie said with a smile as she pulled back from the hug. “I’m just so happy that you’re here.” Stepping aside so Gracie could actually enter the house, Ronnie waved her in. “C’mon, I need to give you a tour of Casa de Ronnie.”

Gracie wasted no time walking into the beautiful home, her excitement not subsiding in the slightest. If she was being honest with herself, Veronika was the main reason Gracie suggested this destination for her vacation. It had been far too long since she saw Vero with her own two eyes and she was interested in seeing how she was doing. She wanted to know how she was faring after all that transpired only a short time ago. At least that’s what it felt like to Gracie. Scrunching her nose, she looked at Vero, “I’m just going to state right now before I see the rest of the house: This is amazing.” Setting down her bag, concealing a gift, she turned away from Vero for juts a moment as she decided on when it was best to hand it over. Perhaps after the tour, she thought. “Which room is first?”

[gracie-mancini]

[gracie-mancini]

valeria-vasquez :

Oh, I get it now. You’re not solely dumb or naive, you’re just a tourist. Which, I guess sort of evens everything out. I suppose that answers my question.

Regardless, no need to be so harsh. Or crass.

[gracie-mancini]

valeria-vasquez :

I’m trying to determine if you’re just incredibly naive or just dumb. I’m leaning more towards the latter…

Wow, I was just making conversation. Clearly you aren’t walking on sunshine, which is a shame considering how much you guys get out this way. Would you like to try out one of the maracas I found? I hear it can help one mellow out.