[hvneybees]

━━     ˊ     *        #HVNEYBEES   :  a dependent multi-muse blog  written  for  BEARCREEKFM , as  adored  by  ELLE   (   25+   ,   est    ,   she   /   her   )

GABRIEL KUMARA. thirty4. personal trainer @ the local gym, resides in evergreen.

THEODORA SHI. forty2. neonatologist @ bear creek hospital, resides in maple trace.

CHLOE MONTGOMERY. thirty. owner + tarot card reader @ enchanted emporium, resides in saddle grove.

[porchl1ghts]

the corner of camila's mouth twists. yes, she is aware of the woes of the rojas-shi household, being such close acquaintanced with both parts of the couple, but she never stops believing that by some stroke of luck, there will be some reconciliation in their lives. "i don't know, you could tell me about the parents at the nicu and it would be gossip worth it." even if it can be a grim subject, but it's theodora's work and it's something to break the endless monologue camila often gets lost in – not that she minds it exactly, as it seems she always has more words to add. "it's the heat, it makes people stupid. it's so hot they want to cool off in any way – and since i've banned several people for trying to use the hose at the fire house, they decide to go to the creek or the lake instead and you know, horrible things happen." it's a good thing that it's a generally small city that allows them to travel around and get to the call place on time, else it would be even worse – camila is proud to say that their call response time is impeccable, and they rarely lose any people nowadays, thankfully.

"that's true! i did forget you are a volunteer myself. see, you have something fun to do now to tell people about – when will you be coming over? i will make sure the guys prep a horse for you, unless you'd rather just tag along with the ponies for the child rides? by the way, has sof done one of those yet? if she's going to live in bear creek, she needs to learn how to ride." it's funny, considering camila is not super fond of horses herself, but she's always advocated for her children, their friends and their friends' children to hop on a horse, just to break the monotony, maybe. she laughs at the way theodora puts it, waving a hand in dismissal. "i'm just a good storyteller. don't ever know how to shut up, so it comes in handy. but it's all same old, same old, i swear!"

[hvneybees]

she gives camila a look over the rim of her latte. "you really want to hear about my work? 'cause i can promise you it's not that entertaining." as much as she loves her job, the gossip isn't superficial like most that run in the town they live in. she could tell camila about the first-time parents who panic over every little sound their baby makes. the ones who arrive with a list of questions long enough to rival a medical textbook. she could talk about the tiny victories that make the difficult days worthwhile, too. "you're right about the heat. people start making decisions they wouldn't normally make when they're desperate to cool off. i don't think i'll ever understand how people can underestimate water. it only takes a few seconds for everything to go wrong." the invitation to bring sofía to the ranch is a welcome one, and she's sure the little girl would be ecstatic over the idea. it'll be a refreshing change of setting from the usual places she frequents. "she hasn't. i've been meaning to bring her, but working ridiculous hours has been getting in the way of that." theodora gives a self-deprecating little smile, though the truth is that she'd been trying to find more reasons for sofía to have experiences that belonged to childhood over the complicated circumstances that had brought her into their home. "i think she'd love it, though. and i'll stay with her for the first part with the ponies, just to make sure she gets a hang of things." a laugh leaves her, a knowing look in her eyes, and it's one of the reasons she likes camila's company so much. she's more of an introvert herself, so being around extroverts helps keep her out of her restless mind. "you're a fantastic storyteller. i'd much rather listen to you talk than spend another hour thinking about my own life."

[hvneybees]

OPEN : to anyone ( 0/4 )

LOCATION : enchanted emporium

although chloe had learned that most people who wandered into the enchanted emporium claimed they were only looking, she never took their answer at face value - curiosity had a way of bringing people through the door long before they knew what they were searching for. she was behind the counter sorting through a new shipment of incense and candles when the little bell above the entrance chimed, drawing her attention toward the newcomer. setting aside the box in her hands, she offers them an easy smile, dark irises meeting theirs before shifting toward the shelves filled with crystals, herbs, books, alongside other curiosities she's accumulated over the years. "welcome," she greets. "can i help you find something?" there's no judgment in the question; half the fun of the shop is letting people discover something unexpected. her gaze finds its way to the tarot table positioned in the corner, where a deck rests atop the velvet cloth. "or, if you're feeling brave, i could interest you in a tarot reading. love, work, general life crisis..." a faint smile pulls at her lips as she gestures toward the cards. "the usual suspects. no pressure, though. sometimes the universe has better timing than we do."

[sftsunsets]

scar stood up straight and wiped at the front of her apron despite the stains that had set in many years ago. she tucked the phone in her back pocket and offered theo an amused smile. "it's a force of habit. i'm sure half the town can recite the weekly specials in their sleep from how often i repeat them." there were some new faces in town every now and again so she just started to tell anyone who walked in. at least then they wouldn't wonder and risk not asking— or saving a penny. "that's a great choice. coming right up." she walked in and smiled over her shoulder at theo while she prepared it from the counter. "i can toss a mean grilled cheese on the cast iron, if you want. i'm all for having the pie as a whole meal but in case you want something that'll keep you running for a little longer." despite owning the diner for a few years now and working here most of her life, she still wasn't the best with actually cooking. her timing was always off and she could never figure out the perfect heat for food. it always ended up too hot, burnt, or ice cold. "how have things been going for you? anything new that I haven't heard of through the old birds who come in for their sunday brunch? you should hear the gossip."

[hvneybees]

she follows her inside, the warmth of the diner immediately more inviting than the thought of returning to the hospital. she settles into one of the stools at the counter, setting her purse beside her and allowing herself to sink into the momentary reprieve. "a grilled cheese sounds amazing, now that you've suggested it. though i'm wondering if i'm putting my life in your hands by letting you near a cast iron skillet." the teasing comes naturally, softened by the smile she shoots scarlett. there's a comfort about this place and the familiarity of people who have known her for years, even if she doesn't always realize how much she needs it until she's sitting here. "those old birds may look innocent, but they're constantly getting the freshest gossip." a small laugh escapes her before she reaches for the coffee once it's placed in front of her, wrapping both hands around the mug. "nothing particularly exciting, i'm afraid. the hospital has been keeping me busy, as usual. nicolas and i are..." she trails off, gaze dropping to the coffee before she offers a small shrug, keeping her expression neutral, even if she's sure her emotions are more of an open book than she'd like. "figuring things out, i suppose. but otherwise, it's the same old thing. work, home, sleep when i can." she takes a small sip, allowing the caffeine to travel through her veins, waking her up a bit more, and it's just what she needs. the question about gossip earns a faintly amused shake of her head, though she's more curious than she lets on. bear creek is small enough that news travels faster than anyone can reasonably account for, and she has learned over the years that the sunday brunch crowd could probably run the whole town if given the opportunity. "but now you've mentioned it, so you can't exactly leave me hanging. what have i supposedly been missing?" she asks, resting her elbows upon the counter, brows raising.

[hvneybees]

( samantha logan, female, she/her, thirty ) ⸻ look who goes there! is that chloe montgomery? i’ve seen them often around saddle grove, which may be because they are the owner + tarot card reader @ enchanted emporium. they’ve been in town for eight years and i’ve known them to be charismatic but also elusive. for some reason, saw you in a dream by the japanese house reminds me of them, as well as a little witchcraft in the every day, black coffee, jars of strange little treasures, & candlelit evenings.

#basics

full name　chloe persephone montgomery.　nicknames　chlo.　age　thirty.　birthdate　october 31, 1996.　gender & pronouns　cis woman, she/her.　hometown　asheville, north carolina.　current residence　saddle grove, bear creek, colorado.　occupation　owner of enchanted emporium, tarot card reader.　education　studied fashion design before leaving school to pursue her own creative interests.　languages　english, conversational french.

#physical

faceclaim　samantha logan.　height　5'6.　build　slender.　eye color　dark brown.　hair color　dark brown.　distinguishing feature　expressive eyes and a beauty mark beneath her left eye.　styling　vintage dresses, oversized cardigans, lace-trimmed camisoles, handmade skirts, worn boots, layered jewelry.　tattoos　a crescent moon behind her ear and a tiny moth on her wrist.　piercings　multiple ear piercings.　dominant hand　right.　scent　le labo santal 33.

#personal

family　parents (estranged), older brother (julian).　pets　a black cat named salem.　relationship status　single.　orientation　bisexual.　habits　pulling tarot cards when she can't make a decision, collecting unusual trinkets from antique stores, humming while she sews, leaving half-finished projects around the house.　hobbies　tarot, sewing, embroidery, thrifting, collecting vintage books, candle making, hiking, visiting antique markets.　fears　being truly known, losing her independence, becoming ordinary, disappointing people who trust her, having to choose between freedom and belonging.

#character

positive　charismatic, intuitive, creative, perceptive, resourceful, compassionate.　negative　elusive, secretive, stubborn, evasive, restless, emotionally guarded.　mbti　enfp, the campaigner.　alignment　chaotic good.　zodiac　scorpio sun, pisces rising, aquarius moon.　temperament　sanguine-melancholic.　inspirations　sabrina spellman (chilling adventures of sabrina), phoebe halliwell (charmed), stevie nicks, joan from mad men.

#misc

likes　rainy afternoons, old bookstores, candlelight, thrift stores, handwritten letters, thunderstorms, moonlit walks.　dislikes　being told what she should believe, small talk, overly polished spaces, people who mistake skepticism for intelligence, rigid routines.　favorite drinks　chai lattes, red wine, lavender lemonade.　favorite foods　spicy noodles, mushroom risotto, blackberry scones, homemade soup.　favorite colors　plum, forest green, black, dusty rose.　favorite season　autumn.

#about

hailing from asheville, north carolina, she was raised in a family that valued practicality above nearly everything else. her parents had little patience for her fascination with tarot cards, astrology, folklore, or the strange little rituals she picked up from books and older women in town. to them, it was a phase she'd eventually outgrow. to chloe, it was the first thing she'd ever found that made the world feel a little more interesting. she was always the creative one, filling notebooks with sketches, altering thrifted clothes, and turning scraps of fabric into something entirely new.

she attended college for a little while to study fashion design, but the structure of formal education never suited her. she found herself more interested in the things happening outside the classroom than the assignments inside it, eventually leaving school without much of a plan beyond knowing she didn't want someone else deciding what her life was supposed to look like. in the next few years, she moved between cities, working odd jobs in vintage shops and coffee shops while teaching herself to sew properly. she also became increasingly interested in tarot, initially reading for friends before realizing she had a natural ability to make people feel comfortable enough to tell her things they'd never admit elsewhere.

bear creek was never supposed to be permanent. eight years ago, chloe arrived with two suitcases and enough money to get her through a few months. she was drawn to the town because of the strange sense of community she found there, where people were willing to embrace eccentricity without making a spectacle of it. she rented a tiny apartment in saddle grove and started taking whatever work she could find, eventually becoming a familiar face around town.

enchanted emporium began as a small idea scribbled into one of her notebooks. she'd always dreamed of having a space that felt hers - a place where people could browse crystals, incense, candles, herbs, handmade goods, and tarot decks and not feel judged for what brought them through the door. the modest shop eventually became one of bear creek's more recognizable small businesses. chloe runs it according to her own rules, selling a mixture of curated metaphysical goods and things she's made herself, from embroidered bags to hand-poured candles and one-of-a-kind handmade clothing pieces hanging near the back of the shop.

her tarot readings are perhaps what she's best known for. chloe doesn't claim to have all the answers, and she's careful about presenting tarot as guidance over it being a certain truth. she has an uncanny ability to notice things people aren't saying, though, and she's developed a reputation for her readings. some people swear she's psychic. others believe she's simply an exceptionally perceptive woman with a talent for reading people. chloe has never been particularly interested in correcting either assumption.

despite being warm and magnetic with customers, chloe keeps the more intimate parts of herself guarded. she can talk for a whole afternoon to a stranger about their love life and then deflect a minor question about her own with a smile and a change of subject. she's had relationships over the years, some serious and some fleeting, but she has never been very good at allowing someone close enough to see everything behind the charm. the moment something begins to feel too permanent, she has a habit of finding an exit.

outside the shop, chloe is happiest when she's making something. her apartment is perpetually littered with fabric scraps, thread, beads, sewing patterns, and the like. she rarely buys clothes when she can make something herself, and her wardrobe is a constantly changing collection of pieces she's altered, embroidered, dyed, or stitched from scratch.

after eight years in bear creek, chloe has become more rooted in the community than she'd ever expected. she knows which customers come in for the same incense every week, which neighbors need a cup of herbal tea and a listening ear, and which local events are worth dressing up for. she'd still insist she could leave tomorrow if she wanted to. maybe that's true. but for someone who once measured her life in how quickly she could move on, the fact that she has stayed this long might be the closest thing she has to an admission that somewhere along the way, bear creek became home.

[movie-gifs]

13 Going On 30 (2004) dir. Gary Winick

[hvneybees]

@alpenglcws

[sftsunsets]

outside of dolly's diner

time of day: anytime since it's open 24/7

Stalking someone on social media was the result (and reward?) for finishing a rush and settling in for a few hours without any, or barely any, customers. Paired with the fact that she'd broken off her engagement within the last few months and decided to torture herself further with checking on every ex she'd had only to see how much better they were doing.

The sound of footsteps sent her flying a few feet in the air, or so it felt, phone slamming down on her thigh as if the person she'd been looking at was directly in front of her. It could have been. Most of them were in town.

"Shi—shoot. It's open. I mean, you know that it's open. I'm just out here catching some fresh air and taking a break." She rose from the folding chair placed on the side of the diner.

"There's a new pot of coffee on and the apple pie just came out of the oven. The kitchen is on lunch so if it's something simple, I can make it for you or else you've got me to keep you company until they come back in fifteen."

[hvneybees]

theodora had known scarlett long enough to recognize the panic that came with being caught doing something she most likely didn't want anyone else seeing, and the way her phone disappeared behind her leg only confirms her suspicions. her gaze flicks toward it for a brief moment before returning to scarlett's face, an amused smile playing on her lips. "you know, scar, i've been coming to dolly's long enough to know that you don't have to give me a sales pitch every time i walk through the door." it's been a long morning at the hospital, leaving her craving something warm, and the thought of sitting at the diner for a little while feels far more appealing than heading straight back to work. "i'll take the coffee... and maybe a slice of that apple pie if you're offering. i skipped lunch, so this sort of counts as a balanced meal." she reaches for the door, holding it open for scarlett rather than making her continue standing beside the folding chair. "come on," she says, nodding toward the entrance. "you can keep me company."

[porchl1ghts]

camila: It was not all me, I'm afraid, but I'm glad you like it! I did think of you some while I was making it. More like I miss you a bit and we need to go out again. camila: Also it may have been because I tried to make another vase and it ended up wonky. Like the tower of Pisa wonky, I mean. camila: That about sums it up. I took some extra shifts, so I've been a little busy and nothing much eventful happened. How about you? Any fun news on Theodora World?

[hvneybees]

theodora: i'll never say no to hanging out with you. bring the wife, too - i miss you both. theodora: hey, there's beauty in the tower of pisa, so i bet it turned out nicer than you think. send me a pic and i'll be the judge. theodora: working full-time and taking on more shifts... i'm amazed by your work ethic. i could happily take a month off, the overnight shifts at the clinic have been draining the life outta me. nothing much here either other than that i've been at the pottery studio most days.

[porchl1ghts]

there's no way that the velvet brew wouldn't be her favorite café in town when it is owned by no one less than her dear cordelia, whom always strives to make her coffee just right. it is because of that that this tradition has been happening ever since the café's opening, though camila won't discredit the joy that brings her to see theodora, regardless of the woman's own mood. today, camila can already tell that there is something – she can guess what it is, after decades of friendship with both wife and husband of the rojas household, but she also knows it's best not to bring it up. the last thing she wants is to bring things down so early, when they'd barely had a sip of their drink. "okay, elusive. not a good look on you, but you know i don't mind chatting it up." she does take a sip of her café con leche just before starting, though.

"it was a long week, i will tell you, theo. there were so many calls about rescuing animals from ditches, and almost drownings, and i saw this girl who got a pretty bad sunburn – the poor white girl, she looked like a cooked shrimp! i don't know why these people don't know about sunscreen, like, do you really want to look like bad milk when you're older? thank god i was at least conscientious about that." she gives her own cheek a little pat, as if to show that her skin is holding up okay – sure, she has never been the most through in skin care, but sunscreen is the bare minimum (and now, of course, thanks to rosalita, she has several steps she does before bedtime). "vivi and i had a wonderful breakfast a couple of days ago, and we enacted our own romcom by riding out the trails with the horses. they still freak me out a little but if the wife wants, you gotta do it – and it was a great break from all the work at the station. not that i'm going on a lot of calls, you know, captaincy and all, but still." other than spending time with her daughters, there was little else better than to spend that time with her wife instead; it's obvious on the way she perks up, her eyes shine and her mouth remains upwards in a smile. unfortunately, that means camila is too caught up in her own daydreaming to notice that this may be a tough topic for theodora.

[hvneybees]

camila's presence has a way of soothing the tension in theodora's chest without her having to try. it helps just to have her friend talk her ear off and take her mind off the things that had been worrying her over the course of the week. the long sip she takes of the warm latte held between her hands is comforting, too. "not that elusive... i mean, you know better than most what's been going on," she points out with a frank tone. she's never held anything back with camila ( and it's hard to when the woman knows her so well ). a chuckle spills out from her parted lips, head shaking side-to-side at the anecdote the other shares, features knitting into a slight frown when she pictures the sunburn victim, redder than a lobster, all because she decided not to apply protection. "you'd think this wouldn't happen much in a town like bear creek, and yet here we are. almost drownings? that sounds terrifying. this is why i advocate for every parent to make sure their babies take isr lessons." given theodora's own trauma after witnessing her sister come close to drowning when they were mere children, she could never take that risk - not that it would ever be a problem since she was incapable of having kids of her own. she quickly pushes the thought away, not wanting to put a damper on their coffee date. "that sounds very idyllic and the perfect date. that reminds me, i need to get out to the ranch more often. i can't call myself a proper volunteer when i've been slacking on my duties." it's comparatively nice to hear about a marriage that's going swimmingly when her own is wading in murky waters. there used to be a time when she would talk about nicolas in the same way, all lovey-dovey with the same faraway look in her eyes that camila had now. a small smile creases upon her features as she takes in the dreamy expression that's etched upon the other's face. "thank you for giving me the recap. as always, there's never a dull moment in your life."

[porchl1ghts]

@hvneybees

camila: Did you like the pork I sent with Nicolas? It was better fresh but I couldn't send him home empty handed.

[hvneybees]

theodora: your food always hits the spot, so thank you for spoiling me and my taste buds 'cause the standards keep getting higher every time you send more dishes over. theodora: anyway, how's your week been going?

[alpenglcws]

they're a bit older these days, the crinkles around theodora's eyes more pronounced than when they were younger. but the smile is the same one he'd fallen in love with - and he cherishes those small reminders that he had made her laugh enough to leave behind little marks, even if it might not be enough to save them. "maybe, but it'd at least leave you without having to brave the cafeteria." the progression into cooking had been a slow one, prompted more so by camila than anyone else, and he's grateful to have had someone to guide him along the way. teaching him both simple recipes and those that took more effort, enough to leave him feeling capable, even when on a time-crunch as he so often was. "in that case, maybe we could start taking our lunches together again? when they line up, that is." it's a hesitant offer, even though it wasn't often that their schedules were the same - he's been trying to extend forth those small moments that they'd lost, ways to bridge the gap that so often feels like it's separating them further with each day. maybe it's a fruitless effort, and there are times when he thinks the best thing for them both would be to let go. but it already aches to feel like they're so removed from each other that their home is barely shared. more akin to roommates than lovers, barely reaching for each other now - the only thread that seems to be connecting them sofía and the shared knowledge that they didn't want to disrupt her life further. he wonders if intimacy will ever feel like it's not tied to trying for the baby that won't come, or if it's fair to ask theodora to stay when he can feel how unhappy this life has made her. "no plans, is there anything i can do to help prep? i know pottery's more your forte, but if you give me a list i can shop as well." his gaze softens at the way theodora calls to sofía and the enthusiastic response that follows. he'd been so worried when they'd first taken her in that they couldn't do enough to make up for the people she'd lost, that between their failing marriage, some of that would rub off on her and leave her without the childhood she deserved. but he needn't have worried, not about that at the very least, the glimpses of motherhood that he'd seen even back when they were merely surrounded by friend's babies, or had held sofía as only their niece and not their responsibility blooming. it aches too, knowing that despite all their attempts, it's the one thing he's not been able to give theodora. for all the time he can take off work, for all the ways he can try and be a better husband, he can't erase that desire they'd both held of a child of their own and the weight of not seeing it come to fruition. "will you be as kind to me? or will i be left fending for myself?"

[hvneybees]

the suggestion comes as a surprise, though there isn't anything unreasonable about it - in fact, it's quite ordinary. lunches together, stolen half-hours in the middle of a workday, sitting across from each other with whatever they had managed to pack before rushing out the door. once, those little moments had been theirs without either of them needing to think about it; a shared coffee before rounds, a quick kiss in the hospital hallway, dinner eaten at an ungodly hour because neither had managed to leave on time. somewhere along the way, those small rituals had disappeared, replaced by separate schedules and less communication along with the expectation that there would always be another day to try again. her gaze settles on nicolas, noting the hesitancy behind the offer, and there's a twist of something akin to guilt in her chest. "maybe. though i find it hard to believe our schedules will line up in a way where that'll be possible." she wants to tell him that she misses it, misses them, but the confession is stifled in her lungs, too vulnerable to let loose. she turns to look toward sofía, watching the little girl arrange her dolls before her gaze flickers back to nicolas. there was a time when the idea of building something with him would've filled her with an uncomplicated sort of happiness. they had spent years imagining it in little pieces - the house they would make into a home, the room they could eventually turn into a nursery, names they debated over dinner and wrote into notebooks as though putting them on paper might make them real. she remembers how certain she'd been that motherhood was simply another chapter waiting for her, something she'd eventually arrive at if they were patient enough. even after the first failed round of ivf, she was sure they had more chances. after the second, she stopped allowing herself to imagine beyond the next appointment. she remembers sitting beside nicolas afterward, both of them exhausted and devastated, his hand wrapped around hers while she stared at the ceiling and wondered how many more times she could survive being hopeful. "it's a bit of a boring task, but if you want to help shop, you can," she replies. "i'll send you the list later this week." his teasing earns a genuine laugh from her, gaze softening as she finds herself letting her guard down without fully realizing it. "i'll be kind," she promises, reaching over to smooth a stray piece of sofía's hair when the little girl comes barreling back toward them. "but if you make something wonky, i can't say i won't make a critique." the words are light and playful, but the familiarity of them hurts. this is what she's afraid of losing: the ease between them, the parts of their life that still feel instinctively right even when everything else has become so difficult. nicolas has been beside her for so much of her life; through residency and long nights at the hospital, through every disappointment and every reason to celebrate. she can't begin to picture a life where she'd wake up one morning and have none of that anymore. and yet, when she looks at him now, she can't ignore the growing certainty that loving someone isn't always enough to make staying together work. "you'll have to listen to your teacher, though," she warns with a note of humor in her voice. "i'm not responsible for what happens if you ignore my instructions."

[smallvillecentral]

LANA LANG — SMALLVILLE // S05 E02: "Mortal"

[cantilevxr]

what had, for some forsaken reason, seemed like a good idea at first, was now seeping through her fingers at a very alarming rate.

lying was not actually the intention; she fully meant to vague the whole thing when he'd asked her about her personal life and she came up horribly short. where gabriel's life was full of love that, despite fizzling out, seemed actually genuine, hers was a string of relationships she tried to tolerate until finally she could do it no longer. it felt embarrassing to admit she'd given up and been alone for a year. hence... the jacob.

"hey you," she greets now, having fully fucking clowned herself into this evening at dolly's, and returning the hug with an ease that never stopped feeling familiar despite all miles and years. a very telling glance catches gabriel's eyes as he all but outright says jacob's existence did not ever warrant a mention, and her desire to avoid looking at gabriel's actual, real girlfriend is.. a strong one, but ji-ah plasters on the most bland and polite of smiles as she forces herself to do it. it just hardly feels like the right choice for gabriel.. but then, of course, surely he knows better.

"and you must be emily." ji-ah's smile gains half a watt as she attempts to be normal and slides into the booth after jacob, looking her up and down briefly in what she hopes is a friendly manner. "this is lovely. you are not at all what i had imagined."

looking at the gorgeous woman now, ji-ah feels less guilty about how she chose to play this. did she pick up the most jacked guy at the airport the second she set foot in the states? yeah. maybe she did. whether he'd be half-decent at holding a conversation is another matter. she opens the menu between herself and jacob. a perfectly girlfriend-like thing to do, right? the image of idyllic domesticity, surely, for all the five minutes they've spent together. "well, what are we all drinking? oh," studious eyes scan the menu until she lands on the line that makes her forget she's supposed to be paying attention to jacob, looking up in surprised, exasperated wonder. "they actually do have your favourite. did you bribe them into serving it permanently?"

[hvneybees]

now that they're all here, gabriel's struck with the sudden, intense urge to call it a night. it had been a hassle getting this plan together in the first place, but the thought of sitting through an hour or two of small talk with ji-ah's hunky, ripped boyfriend and his own pretend girlfriend whose name he already forgot ( it started with the letter e, right? was it emma? ), seemed exhausting in the worst way. better to fake a stomach ache - yet another lie - and excuse himself out of this shit show. but looking at ji-ah and her sweet heart-shaped face along with those big brown eyes has him deciding that if it means so much to her that he meet this guy, he'll get through this. for her. his cheeks are already starting to ache with the effort of keeping his smile intact, trying to keep the vibe as friendly as can be. when ji-ah says emily's name, he feels a wave of relief to be reminded of gym girl's name - he was this close to calling her emma, which would've totally given away the fact that he barely knew her. he just hopes ji-ah never asks him what her surname is because god knows he hasn't the faintest clue. the snub goes over his head, though he catches a look of displeasure fall upon emily's face and wonders what ji-ah said for her to feel offended. all he's wondering is what kind of person she'd imagined he would couple up with. that she was even thinking about such things is a surprise to him as well. "well, i didn't picture you ending up with..." he gives jacob a once-over and comments, "mike tyson." the arms on this man are something else, to put it lightly. he would hate to compete in a wet t-shirt contest with him, despite the fact that gabriel's a personal trainer. he isn't a bodybuilder, so it's not like he has muscles bulging from every inch of his frame like ji-ah's boyfriend. a smirk forms on the curves of his lips as he nods at her perceptive remark, "i sure did. it's easy when you make friends with the people who work here. besides, don't you like shirley temples? they're making a comeback, you know." tilting his head to the side, he ponders for a moment and continues, "i'm thinking of ordering a dirty shirley. have 'em toss some vodka in there. this is a special occasion, after all. it's not everyday i get to meet your boyfriend." the term is said in a pointed tone, gaze flickering to jacob for a half-second before he looks back at ji-ah. funnily enough, he nearly forgot that this was a double date and his supposed girlfriend was sitting right next to him. it's only when she opens her mouth and replies, "do you think they serve shots?" her valley girl accent comes through blatantly and gabriel internally groans, especially since the diner definitely does not serve shots. besides, this isn't the time to get blackout drunk. "i don't think so, em," he muses casually, abbreviating her name in an attempt to play it off like they've been dating for a while.

[filmgifs]

PEOPLE WE MEET ON VACATION 2026 — dir. Brett Haley

[hvneybees]

@cantilevxr

[hvneybees]

CLOSED : ft. ji-ah sol ( @cantilevxr ) LOCATION : dolly's

it had been gabriel's suggestion that they go to the diner, a less formal spot that felt comfortable and familiar to him ( since he liked coming here at least once a week on cheat days ). even if he had to scrounge up a date on short notice, after lying to ji-ah through his teeth that he was also seeing someone... even though he definitely wasn't. so, he asked the brunette who frequently came to the gym he worked at if she happened to be free tonight. all he can do now is hope that it doesn't seem like they're on a first date, even though that's exactly what this is. he had texted her back and forth for a little while, asking questions that he'd be able to answer if the subject came up, so he feels slightly prepared to face ji-ah and her boyfriend. hopefully, he can pull this off and put on the performance of a lifetime. emily, emily, emily, he repeats to himself in his head, getting the name of the gym girl to stick since he kept forgetting it. that's what happens when you go out with someone you barely know, especially when they have a generic name. walking into the diner, he slides into a booth and shoots a grin at one of the servers he sees pretty often as a regular here. moments later, emily strolls in and he waves her over, gesturing to the empty seat beside her and nodding hello. it's just now that he realizes how formal they are with each other ( and it'd be weird to get all touchy-feely with someone on a first date ), but it's too late to back out of this now. perusing the menu, it's another few minutes before he sees ji-ah come in with said boyfriend she had mentioned she was seeing last they spoke, and he tips his head in their direction to let her know he's here. "hey, you," he greets, offering her a hug, then turning and forcing a smile on his face as he meets the other male's gaze. "nice to meet you, i'm gabriel. i'd say ji-ah's told me all about you, but that'd be a lie since she hasn't." his tone is teasing, though it's also the truth since he doesn't know much about him.

[jana-ljes]

Restrictions of unemployment had reared their nasty heads in the wake of Jana returning from ten months in Montenegro, which included, but was not limited to, copious amounts of time spent in third spaces such as public libraries, parks and cafes, if only keep from going mad in her own house. Excuses that these hours were "job searching" (to her mother) in reality meant exploring and thinking about what would really make her "happy" in life. Was it going back to school in a total career pivot after almost twenty years in the same field? Such thoughts lingered in Jana's mind as she floated around Slow Rise, her plat du jour, making her way through the thick crowd that milled around in an easy morning rush. Attempting to think of another five-letter word in a silent goal to figure out the word of the day before she got to the head of the line, Jana was pulled out of her senses and greeted by an inquiry. "Scone?" That was a five-letter word, "no, the "e" isn't where it should be," the blonde said, more to herself than reacting to the other. "Oh, um, no, sorry, not a scone gal ─ you'll have to ask someone else, unless you plan on getting a tea to dip it in; otherwise, I think they are always dry." Upon a proper glance, Jana noticed how this man resembled someone displaced from one of those perfume adverts where the model is romping around on the beach, which prompted her to keep rambling. "Uh, if you want something blueberry, I like the blueberry jam-filled doughnut — it reminds me of the Croatian doughnuts called krofna my siblings and I would get."

[hvneybees]

he can't help but grin as her thoughts seem to arrive a beat ahead of the conversation itself, the comment about the five-letter word surprising him before the rest of her answer falls into place. he recognizes the look all too well - the faraway expression of someone who'd been wrapped up in their own head before the outside world interrupted. he redirects his attention back to the pastry case, though he's hardly looking at it anymore. it's funny how often travel finds its way into the smallest conversations. ask someone about a pastry, and next thing, you're hearing about a childhood from halfway across the world. maybe that's why he's always liked asking strangers questions. you rarely get the answer you expect, but it's almost always better. "now you've gone and complicated things," he teases. "i was prepared to make this a showdown between the cinnamon roll and the scone, and you've introduced a dark horse." his eyes settle on the blueberry jam-filled doughnut she'd pointed out, and it's safe to say it does look pretty delectable from where he's standing. "i've never had a krofna, but if this reminds you of home, that's a solid endorsement." he'd never been to croatia, didn't even realize there was such thing as a croatian donut, but he's game to try one. "hopefully i don't end up liking it too much, or i'll be adding another daily habit to the list." which he absolutely doesn't need, considering his profession as a personal trainer.

[betweenthevillages]

If he ever made coffee and ate at home, it would be nothing short than a miracle for James at this point. Always out early in the mornings, going for a walk, working his way back up to running, and of course, stopping at whatever coffee shop or bakery he happened upon. And today was no different. With a day off from work, he wandered around a bit before his stomach gave a small grumble, leading him right to Slow Rise. With his own cup of coffee already in hand, he turned towards the other, a small tilt of his head in thought. "I mean, they're pretty good." He paused, at least he was pretty sure they were good. Sure that he had tried them at some point in the last few months . "But personally, the most life changing thing for me here is the muffins." Grinning as he shrugged his shoulders some, knowing for a fact that he ordered one almost every time he came here. "Now those might be life changing, more so than the scones."

[hvneybees]

he surveys the pastry case with renewed scrutiny, like james just introduced a new variable into an already difficult equation. gaze moving from the neatly stacked blueberry scones to the basket of muffins, his brows stitch together before a light chuckle slips out past his lips. "see, this is exactly the problem," he says, pointing accusingly through the glass. "i came in here with two options and now i've ended up with three." he drums his fingers against the side of his coffee cup, letting out a thoughtful hum. "i'm a creature of habit when it comes to bakeries. once i find something i like, i just keep ordering it until someone intervenes." a grin spreads across his face as he looks back at james. "you sound pretty confident about these muffins, though." pausing a moment longer, he finally says, "alright, muffin it is. if this changes my life, i'll owe you one. if it doesn't... i'll still eat the whole thing, so i guess nobody really loses."