football was the only thing on right now and logan was bored so she struck up a conversation with the person next to her. she looked at the person next to them in shock. "what do you mean you hate baseball? it's arguably one of the best sports out there. and how can you beat 162 games a year. you're not getting that out of any other sport." logan was a lifelong season ticket holder for the yankees and that would never change.
Vesper shifted in her seat, her sharp gaze falling on Logan, who seemed utterly scandalized. The sports bar wasn’t exactly her idea of a peaceful evening, but it provided a certain anonymity she appreciated. She had been halfway through her whiskey on the rocks when Logan’s impassioned exclamation drew her in. “I wouldn’t say I hate baseball… it’s just never held my interest,” Vesper remarked smoothly, her voice carrying the faintest edge of amusement. “162 games might be impressive to some, but to me, that’s 161 too many.” She leaned back slightly, her posture composed but attentive, her dark eyes glinting in the low light. “But I’ll bite; why should someone who doesn’t care about sports give baseball a chance?” Her tone was direct but not unkind, the hint of a challenge in her words as she motioned to the bartender for another drink.
The night was young, the drinks were flowing and Rosamund was in dire need of a distraction. After a rather explosive argument with her husband, the dark-haired woman was desperate for a drink, deciding to stop by her favourite bar to drown her sorrows in fine liquor — in hopes that it’d ease her stresses and help her forget about her less than perfect marriage.
Bringing her martini to her lips, she savoured the sip, her deep brown eyes glancing around her vicinity before landing on the person next to her. “What are you having? I’ll get the next round if you can keep me company. I need a distraction from thinking about my marriage.”
Vesper glanced up from her drink, her piercing blue eyes steady as they met Rosamund’s. She recognized the woman immediately; Rosamund wasn’t the kind of figure you forget... powerful, poised, and always commanding attention wherever she went. They had never been properly introduced, but in Manhattan’s social circles, you always knew who the major players were.
“Negroni,” Vesper said, lifting her glass with a small, deliberate motion. Her voice carried its usual smooth calm, though her lips curled into the faintest semblance of a smirk. “But I’ll take you up on the company more than the drink.” Her gaze flicked toward Rosamund’s martini as she set her glass down. “I have to admit, I didn’t peg you for someone who needs distractions. You’re usually the one setting the tone of the room. Rough day?”
where: A coffee shop over on Broadway near Columbia
It had been a while since Matt lived in New York, and nowhere near the city when he did but he felt right at home immediately once he was there. The only downside was that he didn't have many friends yet or a lot of things to do. Being a writer means not having a nine to five which can be great at times but also a bit monotonous. That's why, when he was contacted to teach a class at Columbia, he jumped right into it gladly, giving his life a bit of a routine and something to focus on.
For the last few weeks before class he's been trying all the coffee shops around the building to find the one, wondering if this might be finally it as he sat there and sipped on his flat white and scribbled down on his notebook. "You can join me if you'd like." He pointed at the empty seat across from him, seeing as the place had gotten a little crowded since he arrived.
Karmen had been in the neighborhood for a quick meeting with her publicist and decided to grab a coffee before heading back downtown. She liked this area; Broadway near Columbia had a creative buzz to it, a blend of students, academics, and city dwellers. As she stepped into the coffee shop, the warmth of roasted beans and the hum of quiet conversations immediately made her feel at ease. Scanning the room for an open spot after ordering her drink, her eyes landed on a man gesturing toward the seat across from him. She recognized him vaguely; Matt, wasn’t it? A writer, if memory served her right. They’d probably crossed paths at industry events or been at the same charity gala once or twice.
Karmen smiled warmly, holding her latte in one hand and balancing her purse on the other arm. “Thanks. It’s getting pretty packed in here,” she said, sliding into the chair. “Matt, right? I think we’ve met before... I’m Karmen,” she added, offering her hand in a gesture that was poised but not overly formal. She set her drink down and tilted her head slightly, her curiosity piqued as her gaze dropped briefly to the notebook he was writing in. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything important. Are you working on your next masterpiece?” The question carried a touch of genuine interest, leaning into her admiration for creative minds.
───her green eyes studied Karmen, nervousness and anxiety entwined and she could feel the effect on her as a lump rose to her throat; she had momentarily forgotten how to breathe, too. Mirroring Karmen’s smile, her expression faltered when she said she didn’t want to cause her to be late for her work and she mentally scolded herself for having brought it up in the first place. she opened her mouth to speak, but she couldn’t figure out what she wanted to say —did she want the other not to go or would she rather they get the time apart to figure out what had happened between them and where did they want to go from here?
a barely audible sigh escaped her, eyes lowering to the ground when Karmen said she should be leaving, and despite everything inside her screaming to not let her go, she couldn’t gather up the courage to say it out loud. what if Karmen had come to tell her it was a mistake and she loved her only as a friend, wouldn’t see her as anything else? she dreaded the thought; didn’t want to lose Karmen from her life altogether. and she wasn’t ready for this heartbreak, either, she had only found someone she would want to be with, proudly, and she was too much of a coward to admit it out loud. “yeah…” she mumbled, her hand itching to reach out and just stop her, but she hesitated. she was about to turn around and lock her door, disheartened even more than she was before, when Karmen’s lips pressed against hers. it was unexpected, but welcomed —her hands grasped Karmen’s waist, an almost desperate touch, pulling her closer to her as her lips pressed against hers with urgency.
Karmen didn’t expect Blossom to respond with such urgency, the kiss deepening as Blossom’s hands found her waist, pulling her closer. It caught her off guard, but in the best way. For a moment, all her doubts and fears quieted, replaced by the warmth of Blossom’s touch and the clarity of what she’d felt for so long but hadn’t dared to say. When they finally broke apart, Karmen stayed close, her forehead resting gently against Blossom’s.
Her voice, soft but tinged with nervous honesty, filled the space between them. “So… I guess we should talk about what this means?” she said, letting out a breathy laugh that didn’t quite hide the vulnerability in her tone. “I don’t want to make things complicated between us, Blos. But I also don’t want to pretend I don’t feel… this.” She pulled back slightly to look at Blossom, her brown eyes searching green ones for any sign of hesitation. “If you need time, I can give you that,” Karmen added quickly, her hands lingering lightly on Blossom’s arms. “But I don’t want to keep running away from how I feel. And I hope you don’t either.”
Matt really enjoyed Halloween and dressing up but for the last few years since he was in a relationship, he was tied to his partner's schedule as they performed at a Rocky Horror showing. It was sweet and Matt had seen it many times and tonight wasn't the exception, he was just making a pit stop before he was picking them up.
"Oh, absolutely yes. Cheers to stronger drinks." Matt clinked his drink to hers and took a quick sip of his wine. "Is it your birthday?" He asked the sad cat lady (not as in she had cats but because of the ears, obviously) "Happy birthday! You're here on your own?" Matt looked around them as it seemed so. "I mean, I'm alone too but for one it's not my birthday and two, I'm picking up my partner from a Rocky Horror show nearby in a bit. I'm surprising them as Brad." He waved at his simple costume, he knew he just looked like a dork.
Vesper tilted her head slightly at the mention of her birthday, her eyes softening a touch, though her lips still quirked in a playful smile. "Thanks. And yeah, it's my birthday," she said, her tone light but edged with something deeper. "First one I've spent alone in... a long time." She raised her glass again in a more deliberate toast, this time meeting his gaze. "But hey, here's to surviving another year, right?" She glanced down at his costume with a wry smile. "Brad, huh? Well, I can’t say I blame you. I’ve heard he's the best part of the show." She gave him a teasing look. "Though, not sure if you're pulling off the chiseled part of the character."
"Always optional in my case," was Dominic's swift response, a laugh slipping from his lips. He really wasn't all that into Halloween, only took part these days for Elliot's sake, the thirteen-year-old very big on decorating the house. If he had it his way, he'd be going very much down the British attitude to it and not bothering at all. Still, here he was, dragged to a bar in All Hallows Eve by an overenthusiastic friend who had already bailed; he was much too old for this crap now. "Weirdly I enjoy being alone a little too much..." he added, but quickly shook his head. "Please don't take that the wrong way."
Vesper chuckled softly at his response, her eyes glinting with a touch of understanding. "I get that," she said, swirling her drink again, this time with a little more focus. "Sometimes the quiet's more comforting than the noise." She paused for a moment, setting the glass down with a sigh. "I won’t take it the wrong way, though. I think I’m starting to appreciate the whole… alone thing myself." A small, wistful smile curved her lips as she glanced at the crowd below. "Just comes with getting older, I suppose. You get better at the solitude, whether you want to or not."
───dressing up for Halloween had never been something he was fairly keen on, but he often ended up being talked into it by friends, or his sister. this year it was his fellow teammates who talked him into dressing up and going out; they went as men in black and had annoyed their coach by escorting him around for the majority of the evening. when things quietened down, seeing as it was football season and they weren’t really supposed to drink and indulge, he had decided to sit at the bar as to not be influenced by the younger and wildest ones —he didn’t need another lecture from the coach in the morning practice.
for the most part, he was nursing the drink; knowing it wouldn’t really hurt, but also that he shouldn’t really have it, debating that it was perhaps time to head home, when the woman sitting beside him spoke, gathering his attention. she raised her glass in a half-hearted toast and Hunter smiled a little at the words as he clinked his glass to hers; had a sip as it was polite to do after a toast. the sentiment of what they were drinking to was not lost on him —somehow, he felt it resonated to him, too, the more the time passed. but he couldn’t help the feeling there was more there in the way she said it. “is it me or is this purposefully depressing and weirdly optimistic at the same time?” he asked in a good-natured, humorous tone.
Vesper raised a brow, the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips as she swirled her drink. “Isn’t that the sweet spot? Depressing but weirdly optimistic; it’s practically the tagline for getting older.” She took a sip, setting her glass down with a soft clink before turning to face him fully. “But hey, maybe I’m just killing time until the wisdom part kicks in. They say that comes with age, right?” She studied him for a moment, her gaze sharp but not unkind. “Let me guess, you’re not exactly thrilled to be here either? You don’t strike me as the life-of-the-party type. The costume’s too understated,” she teased, gesturing vaguely at his Men in Black attire. “Although, I’ll give you points for commitment; there’s something about an intergalactic secret agent nursing a drink in a Manhattan rooftop bar that feels... poetic.” She tilted her head, her cat ears slipping slightly before she adjusted them. “So... what brings you here, mystery man? Besides the ‘Men in Black’ ensemble, I mean?”
where: a craft store? any store that has stickers tbh
status: open @nycshqstarts
"Hey, can I get your opinion on these?" Sera asked, holding up four separate packs of stickers. One was puffy dinosaurs, in various colours, one was sparkly stickers that look like fish, the third was your generic multicoloured smiley faces, and the last pack was characters from Bluey. "Which two would you want if you were a kid?" she asked. Looking at them all again for a second, she continued. "Or do I say screw it and just.. buy all of them?"
Vesper looked up from the sketchbook she was absentmindedly flipping through, her gaze landing on the stickers with a curious glint. “Tough choice,” she mused, stepping closer to get a better look. Her fingers lightly tapped the edge of the dinosaur pack. “These are timeless; you really can’t go wrong with puffy dinosaurs. But the sparkly fish? They’ve got a kind of... under-the-sea glam going for them.” Her eyes flicked back to Sera, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “If it were me, I’d say screw it and get them all. Art supplies and stickers are like snacks; you can never have too many. But if you're shopping for a kid... Bluey might win you bonus points. Those characters have a fanbase that rivals most pop stars.” She crossed her arms, tilting her head slightly as she studied Sera for a moment. “You must have a good reason for this sticker dilemma. Teacher? Cool aunt?"
Aidan had to scoff a little, shaking his head at her words and playfully rolling her eyes. "Are you trying to offend me here?" he queried lightly, only joking around. "What is that supposed to mean, exactly? Why do I need it in particular?" He did laugh a moment later, though, knowing it was pretty obvious to most who knew him that he hadn't had the greatest of times growing up —- a bit of positivity wouldn't really go amiss. "Let's live in hope, huh..." His attention shifted slightly to what was happening in front of them, then back to Bella, who was beginning to get restless. "I think this one wants me to get a move on anyway."
Vesper leaned back in her chair, a sly smile curving her lips as she watched Aidan’s reaction. “Offend you? Never,” she teased, her tone laced with mock innocence. “But, come on, Aidan, don’t tell me you’re not at least curious to see if the universe has anything nice to say for once. Worst case, you get a good laugh. Best case? Maybe you walk out of here with something to hope for that doesn’t involve Bella stealing the show.” Her gaze drifted briefly to the restless pup, and her expression softened. “Besides, if I thought you couldn’t handle a little cosmic intervention, I wouldn’t have dragged you out here in the first place.” She leaned forward slightly, propping her chin in her hand as she studied him. “But if Bella’s ready to move on to bigger adventures, I won’t keep you hostage. Just promise me you’ll humor me until the last sip of tea... and who knows? Maybe the cards are feeling generous today?”
A little known fact about Anora was that when it came to ice skating, she was unstoppable on the rink. She’d never done it professionally, it was merely a hobby that began when she was young — it all started with her mom, an Olympic gold medal winning ice skater who represented Romania in the early seventies, ultimately passing on her talent to her children. As much as Ani took a liking to it, competitive sports weren’t quite her thing. Filmmaking, on the other hand… that was her true calling.
Gliding along the icy rink as if she was made for it, the blonde skated towards a familiar figure, their outfit standing out amongst the crowd — very much Studio 54, Saturday Night Fever chic.
“As if I’d ever leave you alone!” She replied as she approached Karmen, reaching out to grab her hands before pulling her in for a hug. “The rest of these people seriously need to step up their game in the outfits department.” While Anora’s outfit wasn’t exactly giving disco goddess, she adorned the very same bedazzled blue skating dress her mother performed in at the Olympics — looking very much the part upon the ice. “You look fabulous, by the way. Not that I’m surprised, though.”
Karmen’s face lit up as Anora approached, effortlessly gliding across the ice like she owned it. “Oh, stop, Anora— you just casually show up looking like a vision straight out of a Hollywood biopic,” she teased, her gaze sweeping over the dazzling blue skating dress. “Is this vintage Olympic glam I’m seeing? Because, wow, suddenly my sequins feel very underwhelming.” Grinning, she returned the hug with a laugh, the rink lights bouncing off her glittery sleeves. “And don’t even get me started on the outfits here,” Karmen quipped, lowering her voice mock-seriously. “This crowd clearly doesn’t know how to commit to a theme. Like, where’s the drama? Where’s the pizzazz? We’re the only ones doing it justice, Ani.” She laced her fingers through Anora’s briefly before tugging her toward the center of the rink. “Now, teach me your ways, please. Because I’m over here feeling proud just for not wiping out yet.” Karmen winked, the playful challenge in her voice matched only by the spark in her eyes. “Promise you won’t show me up too much, though, okay? I still have a reputation to uphold.”
Elle knew how late she was running and wouldn't blame Karmen in the slightest if she was starting to get annoyed with her. But she'd got caught up at the zoo, been unable to leave due to a sick animal and obviously she wouldn't have wanted to either. In the end, she'd waited around until someone turned up that she could trust completely with things for the night, something she wouldn't usually do for quite that long but needs must.
Once she'd reached the skating rink, changed her shoes and pulled her hair up into a high pony, she headed off in search of her friend. It didn't take long, as usual Karmen was in the middle of the rink, lapping up all of the attention ( something that was very much deserved in that moment ). "About to start?" she questioned with a laugh, stepping out onto the rink. "It looks to me like you already were!"
“Oh, please,” Karmen said, skating alongside Elle with an exaggerated flip of her hair. “This is just the warm-up act; we are the main event!” She squeezed Elle’s arm and leaned into her friend. “I may not be spinning or skating backward yet, but I’ve totally mastered not falling on my face. Progress, right?” she grinned, the glitter on her cheeks catching the light as she gave Elle a playful nudge. “Anyway, I knew you’d show up eventually. How was work?”
" you drive a hard bargain... " she began, thinking about it for a moment as she pursed her lips together. " alright, fine. one game and pizza. " aurora smiled small, starting for the door as she took in a breath. this would be fun, hopefully. " is there a prize for an all gutter ball game ? because i think that's where i'm headed, honestly. " the blonde chuckled, already starting to brush off the negative feelings. they were going to have fun and she'd forget about everything for a while.
“Oh, there’s absolutely a prize for that!” Karmen said, her eyes lighting up with mock seriousness. “It’s the honorary Golden Gutter Award, and it comes with eternal bragging rights and maybe even some cotton candy. But I have a feeling you’re underestimating yourself, Ror.” She held the door open, her grin softening into something more encouraging. “You know, bowling isn’t really about how good you are; it’s about showing up, having fun, and maybe turning your day around a little. I’ll make a deal with you; if you manage even one pin, I’ll cheer so loud you’ll think we’re at your show already.”
"I think we all do at some point of another," Lyla replied, giving a smile that was filled with sympathy. "Hopefully I'm not so dull though that you've got to go into la-la land," she joked softly. At the mention of her boyfriend, she looked at her with a look of surprise. "Oh. Well, it's nothing all that special, really," she admitted. "We met in a bar, and our eyes met and it felt right. He slid down to the chair next to mine, and we just began to talk to one another. He's awfully handsome. He's older than me, but I don't mind that gap. I've always believed I need someone a bit older anyway. People've said I've got an old soul," she said. "Anyhow, we truly hit it off. After a few drinks, we exchanged phone numbers, and decided to meet up again, and we did. We had dinner, spoke about our lives, and when he dropped me at my flat on the way home, he gave me a kiss. I knew in that moment that this would be something special."
Vesper’s eyes softened, a gentle, almost wistful smile crossing her face as Lyla described their story. “An old soul, hm?” she mused, her tone as smooth as silk. “Yes, I can see that.” Vesper let her gaze linger just a little too long, her expression unreadable. She took a sip of her tea, savoring the silence, letting Lyla’s words hang in the air. “So, love at first sight... or something close to it?” She tilted her head, eyebrows slightly raised, as though piecing together an elaborate puzzle. “Meeting at a bar, locking eyes… it’s like something out of a movie,” she said, chuckling softly. Her expression was warm but with the faintest edge of something else; something that might easily go unnoticed. She set her cup down delicately, her voice dropping to a softer tone. “It sounds like he swept you off your feet,” she continued, her gaze holding steady. “And sometimes, that kind of whirlwind can be the best thing, can’t it?” She tilted her head, watching closely. “But I wonder… has he told you much about his past?” Vesper’s question lingered, her tone casual but with just enough weight to hint at something deeper, as if she were simply curious… but perhaps about more than Lyla might realize.
───her head was aching ever since she opened her eyes; and it wasn’t because she had been drinking, but from the mounting anxiety building up inside of her. the fear of consequences, and more like the sheer fear of losing Karmen over acting on her feelings for her. it was making her agitated, on top of everything else, when she thought how she had promised herself that she wouldn’t do exactly what she went ahead and done. Honey sighed quietly, rubbing her eyes and when she realized she was still at Karmen’s place, she panicked. glancing beside her, warm brown eyes met with the sight of Karmen sleeping peacefully next to her, her heart began to race. she caught herself staring for a second too long, wishing things would be easier and she didn’t feel this way, but as they were now she wasn’t ready to face a fallout with Karmen. she tore her gaze, quietly but hurriedly got up, grabbed her bag and left. she felt terrible, but the only way she could deal with the mess she created now was by running. maybe she would call Neva later and have a word with her, or drop by if her friend was feeling up to it.
getting home was a task; she was nearly crying on her way over, chose to walk because she didn’t want to wait for an Uber —and damn she was glad this was New York and people didn’t pay too much attention to others. she immediately got into the shower and by the time she got out her phone was already blowing up with texts regarding a meeting she was running late to. she sighed, responded she would be late, and rushed to get ready; it was so uncharacteristic of her to be late for something work related. she wasn’t in the mood to doll up, but she also couldn’t show up like she just got out of bed, so she put on some light make-up, slipped in a pink dress and let her hair down, putting some pins on just to make it more fashionable.
pulling the door open she was shocked at the sight of Karmen standing there, but it gradually faded, replaced by a weak smile; what if she had come to tell her how horrible a friend she had been? or that she loved her as a friend and they could never been anything more? “hey,” she smiled, though it felt a little forced. “no, I…am running late for work…” she said, breathing out quietly. she took in another breath to collect herself. “do you want to come in?”
Seeing Blossom’s weak smile when she opened the door sent a wave of nerves through Karmen. It was a feeling she wasn’t used to; almost like she didn’t recognize herself. The "supermodel" Karmen never got nervous, but this version, the "maybe I’m in love" Karmen? She felt her confidence slipping, her heart racing with each passing second. All the resolve she had felt on the way over faded the moment she was actually standing outside Blossom’s door. Karmen managed to keep her cool though, hiding her uncertainty behind a practiced smile. When Blossom mentioned being late for work, Karmen glanced down, her face just barely betraying her disappointment. “No, no,” she waved her hands, forcing a smile. “I don’t want you running even later.”
A hundred thoughts raced through her mind. Maybe it was better not to know? Did she really want to risk feeling like this again? After Kayla died, she hadn’t thought it was possible to feel this way about anyone. And if Blossom didn’t feel the same… maybe she wasn’t ready for the answer anyway? “I, uh, I should go,” Karmen said, nodding toward the exit. “We’ll catch up later.” But just as she turned to leave, something tugged at her, stopping her in her tracks. Without thinking, she spun around, closed the space between them, and kissed Blossom softly but with a depth that spoke to everything she hadn’t been able to say.
“When we are motivated by goals
that have deep meaning, by dreams
that need completion, by pure love that
needs expressing, then we truly live life.”
— Greg Anderson
ORIGINS & FAMILY:
Full Name: Karmen Marie Elsher
Nickname(s)/Alias(es): Karm, K, Karma, Mari (by parents only), Mars (by brother only), Star (by her ex who passed)
Date of Birth: October 10th, 1997
Age: 27
Gender + Pronouns: Cis-Female, She/They
Place of birth: Manhattan, NY
Parents: Mia & Elijah
Siblings: 1; Unnamed Older Brother (WC)
Relationship with family: Close and supportive; They’ve been her backbone throughout her career, celebrating her successes and helping her through tough times. They understand her struggles and provide a safe space for her to be vulnerable
Pets: None
PHYSICAL:
Height: 5′ 10″ (178 cm)
Build: Lean and athletic
Ethnicity: Mixed; Black (Nigerian) & White (German-Scottish) American
Distinguishing Facial Features: Her strong, defined jawline, her innately thick, well-shaped eyebrows, her prominent, high cheekbones, her large, almond-shaped eyes and naturally full lips
Hair Color: Brown
Usual Hair Style: Loose, beachy waves or a sleek high ponytail, showcasing her natural beauty while maintaining a polished look
Eye Color: Deep Brown
Complexion: Clear and smooth with a warm, medium to deep skin tone
Disabilities: a tad Anxiety, occasional fatigue and/or muscle weakness
What do they consider their best feature?: Beyond her eyes, Karmen considers her legs her best feature, as they have always been a focal point in her modeling career
Worst they’ve ever been injured?: The worst injury Karmen sustained was a minor fracture in her toe during a fashion show when she misstepped on the runway. She managed to finish the show but had to seek medical attention afterward
APPEARANCE:
Favorite outfit: A tailored black blazer over a fitted white tee, paired with high-waisted jeans and chic ankle boots
Glasses? Contacts?: Karmen wears contact lenses but occasionally opts for stylish glasses when she’s relaxing at home
Personal Hygiene: Meticulous, pristine, radiant
Tattoos? Piercings?: None
What does their voice sound like?: Her voice is melodic and warm, adding to her approachable charm
Accent?: A slight New York accent
Unique mannerisms/physical habits: She tends to play with her hair when nervous and has a habit of tapping her fingers rhythmically when deep in thought
Left handed or right?: Right
Do they work out/exercise?: She maintains her physique through a mix of dance classes, yoga, and Pilates, finding joy in movement rather than strict workouts
BELIEFS & INTELLECT:
Known Languages: English, some Spanish, conversational Italian
Zodiac: Libra
Gifts/talents: Dance, Public Speaking
Religious stance: Spiritual, believing in the power of energy and the universe
Political Stance: Progressive
Pet peeves: Superficiality and insincerity; especially in the fashion industry
Optimist or pessimist: Leans toward optimism, focusing on personal growth and the positive impact she can have on others
Extrovert or introvert: Extrovert
INTIMACY & RELATIONSHIPS:
Relationship status: Complicated with her good friend and crush, Blossom
Sexual orientation: Pansexual
Ideal mate/qualities they look for in a mate: Looks for someone who is compassionate, confident, and supportive of her dreams; Someone who values authenticity and creativity
Ever been in love?: Yes
What’s their love language?: Words of Affirmation and Quality Time
Most important person(s) in their life?: Her brother, parents, and close friends; Her late lover, Kayla, still holds a significant place in her heart
VOCATION:
Level of education: High School Diploma
Profession: Supermodel
Past occupations: None
Passions: Fashion, Dance, Advocating for Those Who Can't, Community Service, Mental & Physical Health
Which is more important – money or doing something they love?: Doing something she loves
SECRETS:
Phobias: A fear of losing people she loves
Life goals: To use her platform to raise awareness about mental health and eating disorders, as well as to create a fashion line that promotes body positivity
Greatest fears: Losing trust in herself and in others, Falling back into unhealthy patterns
Most embarrassing thing ever to happen to them: Once during a live interview, Karmen tripped on her dress while trying to show off a new collection. She recovered gracefully, making a joke about the fashion faux pas, but it still stings when she thinks about it
Something they’ve never told anyone: Karmen has kept a journal of her feelings and struggles since starting in the modeling industry but has never shared it with anyone, not even her brother
PREFERENCES:
Hobbies: Dancing, Sketching fashion designs, Volunteering for women’s rights organizations, Hosting small gatherings with friends
Favorite color: Lavender
Favorite smell: Freshly cut flowers
Favorite food: Mediterranean Tapas
Favorite book: The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
Favorite movie: Breakfast at Tiffany’s
Favorite song: Skinny Love by Bon Iver
Coffee or tea?: Tea
Favorite type of weather: Soft, Overcast Skies with Gentle Rain
Most used word or phrase?: “Let's make it happen!”
EXTRAS:
MBTI: ENFP (The Campaigner) - Karmen’s warmth, enthusiasm, and creativity point to an extroverted nature. She connects easily with people, which aligns with the “E” trait. The intuitive aspect reflects her artistic inclinations and her ability to see the bigger picture in her life and career. Her feeling nature shows her empathy, especially concerning her advocacy for women’s rights. Lastly, her perceiving trait indicates her adaptability and spontaneity, traits that are beneficial in the fast-paced modeling world
Alignment: Chaotic Good - Karmen seeks to make a positive impact in the world, particularly around mental health and women's rights, while valuing her independence and freedom to express herself
Enneagram: Type 3 (The Achiever) - This type aligns well with Karmen's ambition and success in modeling. However, her journey through grief and mental health awareness also highlights her desire for authenticity beyond external validation
Celtic Tree: Birch - Birch symbolizes new beginnings and resilience, resonating with Karmen’s journey of healing and her advocacy work
Temperament: Sanguine - Karmen’s outgoing nature, humor, and approachability reflect the sanguine temperament, often seeking social interactions and enjoyment in life
Hogwarts House: Gryffindor - Her bravery in addressing personal struggles and advocating for others fits well with Gryffindor traits
Element: Air - This represents her creativity, intellect, and the social aspects of her personality. Air is often associated with communication and social connections, which are central to Karmen’s life
Halloween Party at Roller Dreams | Open | @nycshqstarts
Considering this was only Karmen's third time on the rink, she had finally gotten this skating thing down. Gone were the days of inching along the edge, clinging to the rail or desperately holding her friends' hands. Now, she was totally in her element; dressed to impress as an '80s Glam Roller Disco Queen. She’d nailed the theme with a vibrant neon pink bodysuit decked out in sequins and orange accents along the cuffs and neckline. The detachable, sheer orange sleeves were dotted with tiny glitter stars, making her shimmer under the rink lights as she rolled along. Her look wouldn’t be complete without accessories, of course; a chunky orange belt with silver chains draping off one side, fingerless pink gloves, oversized hoop earrings, and layered choker necklaces. Glittery face stickers added to the vibe, and her makeup pulled it all together with neon pink and orange eyeshadow in a fierce cat-eye flick, glitter on her cheekbones, bold orange lipstick, and rhinestones near her temples. Her hair was styled in voluminous curls with neon pink and orange extensions flowing through it. But the best part? Her custom-made pink and orange skates with glitter wheels, which she’d designed just for tonight. Hearing her name, Karmen looked back, giggling as she spotted her friend skating over. “Finally! I was starting to think I’d be dazzling this whole crowd alone!” she laughed, reaching out and grabbing their hand. “I was about to start doing a one-woman show,” she added with a wink, grinning as they locked arms and rolled forward, practically lighting up the rink together.
"I've never been a big one for rules..." Aidan knew how ridiculous that sounded considering what he did for a living —- because generally, he had to follow a very strict way of thinking. A slight huff followed, though, and he laughed as he added, "But you probably make a good point." He nodded in understanding to what she had to say, the beginnings of a smile curving onto his lips. "Most disasters in here, sure..." There was plenty that could happen outside of the building and he was fairly certain it was only a matter of time before another one followed him over here and across the pond. "You've convinced me, though, just about. What's the worst that can happen, right?"
Vesper couldn't help but smirk at his reply, her gaze twinkling with amusement as she considered Aidan's words. “You probably make a good point too,” she quipped, echoing his phrasing as she arched a brow. With a wink, she raised her teacup, taking a small, thoughtful sip as if savoring the last bit of his resistance melting away. "But good, I'm glad you're convinced because if anyone needs a crystal or a potion of luck or whatever it is they’ve got here, it’s probably you." Her eyes drifted playfully to the mysterious crystal bag on the table. “If I had to drag you out to something like this, at least you’re warming up to the hocus-pocus,” she continued, “and, hey, who knows? Maybe the cards will actually predict something halfway decent? Besides, if disaster’s actually lurking out there, I think we’ll both be glad we’ve got a little extra cosmic insurance on our side.”
