Sugar, Spice and Mostly Nice

[mayarparker]

Maya Parker has been spotted in town. They have been living here for two weeks (previously 8 years) in The Old Mill District. They are clever and stubborn, as far as newcomers should be concerned when approaching them at Saint's Cellar where they work as a bartender. 

tw: murder, tw: abuse mention

It was a beautiful start to life. Maya Rose Parker was born to Nathaniel and Rosemary Parker on April 7th 2003 in the quaint town of Ennora. She spent the first 8 years of her life being deeply loved and well taken care of. With her father, she baked and played in forests while her mother filled her life with books and wonder. Maya was by all accounts a happy and thriving child.

But like so many beautiful things, it was fleeting. Maya's beautiful life ended in one terrible night. A neighbor, in a fit of jealous rage over imagined love for Rosemary, murdered her parents. He would've murdered Maya too, but her father had locked her in an upstairs closet to keep her safe. The eight year old waited silently and in the dark, not knowing what had happened until she was rescued by first responders including an EMT named Spencer Baer.

From there she entered the foster care system, leaving Ennora and the only life she'd ever known behind. It was not an easy road, even with Spencer doing his best to check in on her and take care of her. Maya quickly learned to survive and to protect those she could with whatever might be at her disposal. She bounced around various foster or group homes, never staying anywhere for very long. At eighteen, she left the system and moved away from New York state with no plans to ever return. Maya began yet again in Boston, working what jobs she could find and using anything to distract herself from the pain of her past and wishes for a life that might've been.

Slowly, things started to look up. Maya got a steady job, made a few friends and even thought she found someone who might actually love her. At first, she tried to push Nico away, having already decided at 22 what her life would look like. But with seemingly patient effort, he managed to break down her walls. Once inside them though, he started to tear down the person on the other side. it took Maya a long time to see the relationship for what is was: toxic and abusive. But she didn't know how to leave. After all, what if this was the kind of love she deserved?

Her rescue came in the form of a late night phone call. A nurse from Saint Marie Hospital in the one place Maya swore she would never return to called to tell her that Spencer Baer was sick and worse without any visitors or help. Maya was on the next bus out of Boston. It was an easy decision, despite her anxieties about returning to the place she had lost her parents and her chance at an easy life. She found an apartment in the Old Mill District, a job at the Saint's Celler and set to the quiet work of taking care of someone who had spent so many years trying to take care of her.

[mayarparker]

@hllboymglds (for Lake) Location: Just Dough It Time: 10:30

As Maya walked towards the bakery from the bus stop, she kept her hands in the pockets of her trust leather jacket. It was the only way she'd found to stop them from shaking. Her blonde hair swung behind her in his perfect ponytail. Her make up too was perfect. From the outside, it looked like there was nothing wrong with her. Really, she kept telling herself, there shouldn't be anything wrong with her. Lake already knew. He had helped her already and for free no less. While he technically wasn't her lawyer, she was pretty sure that there was some expectation of confidentiality.

But her body didn't seem to recognize any of it. Instead, her heart pounded in her chest. Her hand wouldn't stop shaking. As she walked, her gaze never rested in one place, rather bouncing around and constantly looking for any sign of danger. Outside of Just Dough It, she paused and took a deep breath. She owed Lake. If they actually did the math, it was at least a couple of hundred dollars. At least she assumed it would, most of what she knew about lawyers was that they were expensive. Certainly, the peace of mind that the restraining order had brought her was priceless.

She walked in. Lake was easy to spot. With a smile, she asked, "So black, green or herbal?"

[hllboymglds]

“Rainbow with honey walnut,” River nods promptly, “Got it!” They don’t realize how their voice has pitched up but readily and eagerly spring into action. “How’s your day been so far, Maya? Good, I hope. It’s been pretty lively over here,” a chuckle leaves their throat a little too quick and their words form even quicker, “well, it was lively. It’s not so much now,” gesturing vaguely to the almost empty store now. “It was earlier though. You just missed the rush. Lucky you! Or unlucky you. I guess. Depends on which one you were hoping for,” another quick chuckle. They lather the cream cheese onto the rainbow bagel, a nice thick smear. Always gotta have a good thick smear.

“Do you want to eat this here,” there’s a cozy looking eating area near the back of the shop set within bay windows that overlook the street, a tactical placement to entice costumers in from the street, “or I can wrap it if you want it to go.”

[mayarparker]

She watched as River set to preparing her order. She shrugged at the question, but didn't get a chance to answer before they continued. She didn't mind that too much though. After all, she didn't want to know more about herself. "Lucky me I think," she replied, "Not having to wait in line and all."

When they asked if she wanted to eat here to take the bagel to go, she offered a smile. Maya glanced over at the eating area near the windows. "I'll eat here," she replied. She took out her wallet in preparation to pay. Stepping up to the counter, she asked, "How long have you been open?"

[littlesugarnspice]

"Just find out something he wants done around, get someone to do it, and he'll let you do whatever you want. Most of these old fucks are like that," he observed, while he walked after her to the kitchen, his feet slightly dragging as his eyes explored the place. It was better than his, of course, it would be. There was just so much comfort he could add to a place that had been used as an office once. He'd thought about buying an apartement, but what for? He'd barely paid off the warehouse a year ago, finally.

Heading towards the couch, which was just a few steps away from the table, he sat down with a sigh at the comfort of a thing that had been used by a few too many people and had gotten to that point of usage where it could easily mold into your shape but also stayed in other shapes and so it wasn't the best, but it was also pretty nice. One of those things. "Just local runs today... Moved furniture for most of the morning, so my back is gonna be killing me tomorrow. What are you up to today?" he asked, arms behind his neck, his long limbs stretching like a cat's.

[mayarparker]

"See that would require money or being handy," she replied, "And really I'm more handsy, you know?" Maya tried to keep her spine from going stiff. There was the echo of Nico, of course. But the rest of it was more important she was realizing. She had lived in so many places that were not home. that were not hers. This place was hers. Mostly. It was therefore more than most places she had lived a reflection of herself. As a reflection of herself, it meant that if people found her apartment lacking in some way they would find her lacking as well.

Half for something to do, Maya poured them both a beer. She glanced over as Cal settled onto her couch with ease. "I find an Epsom salt bath helps with the muscle ache," she replied although he hadn't asked for advice. She shrugged as she walked over to hand Cal his beer. "Nothing much," she said because it was true rather than to avoid answering, "I've got the day off. Might dress up slutty and go out later." She sank into the chair semi-opposite Cal with her beer in hand.

[littlesugarnspice]

Calder shrugged at her refusal, figuring if she wanted to snack, he'd just find a different place to stop. With the speed the truck could go, it would be around a four-hour drive, so she'd probably want to pee anyway. Women always seemed to need to stop like once an hour for that...

He nodded at her answer, thinking it over, deciding that if they were gonna drive, they might as well be talking. He was used to silence on the road, maybe a podcast blabbering in the background. But he wasn't opposed to chatting with someone if he picked them up for a drop-off. It was rare, but it was nice "So you own the place or were you renting it with someone?" he asked, enough of a casual question that he didn't consider it much as he put a blinker on to make a right and head toward the ringroad around the town and towards the main road through the woods and down to the interstate.

[mayarparker]

Maya was quite content with silence. Often, she found it easier than talking. This was especially true when her mind was twisted and tangled with anxiety the way it was currently. Still, she didn't want to be rude when Cal asked a question. She also knew that the more you refused to answer, the more people pried. "I was renting," she replied, "With an ex." She had considered that Nico might've moved since she left. However, he had also posted a photo last weekend in the apartment. Considering she hadn't gotten an angry call from her landlord, Maya worried too that he had already moved someone else in.

"Do you often travel for work?" she asked both to be polite and because she would rather not talk about herself. She definitely didn't want to talk about Nico. She could be polite though. She could be normal and personable like it was just picking up a few things from an old apartment. Maybe she should've taken the bus.

[icanbuymyownflowers]

The answer was enough to reassure him. He had been thinking in worst case scenarios until he learned Spencer was simply sleeping. He still wished he could see him for his own peace of mind, but he wasn’t going to disturb him if he was tired. "Oh. When did he start the chemo?" He knew practically nothing about his illness. He felt frustrated, like someone should’ve called him, but who?

''Could I ask for your number? In case something happens. There's nobody else who could let me know...'' She seemed secretive enough, didn't want to tell him her name or how she knew Spencer, but... He hoped she would at least say yes to this.

[mayarparker]

Maya was tempted not to answer. She knew that she was being likely unnecessarily cagey. No one would describe her as warm and cuddly in any period of her life, but these days she had her guard up more than usual. Certainly, that was true of details about herself. She felt protective of Spencer too. He hadn't wanted to tell anyone any of it, so she felt like it wasn't her place to tell anyone. Of course, Maya also knew the pain of finding out the truth after the fact.

"Couple of months ago," she replied simply, hoping Spencer would forgive her for it.

Then came her instinct for keeping her business her business. Or being secretive maybe depending on who was describing it. "How about you give me your number," she offered instead, "And then I can let you know if something happens."

[lennon-mxles]

Okay maybe Lennon had come on a little heavy handed, but with recent events she felt the need to remind those around her that this wasn’t some kind of game to her, and she would do whatever needed to be done to protect what she’d built. A roll of her eyes at the mention of the wannabe mafia though it was a bold statement from such a tiny woman, she waved her hand dismissively before it morphed into something more beckoning. “Alright alright, noted. How about we start again, hmm?” Offering her hand as the blonde turned to leave, taking hold of her shoulder firmly but gently enough that it wouldn’t be taken as forceful or threatening. 

“I’m Lennon, this is my…” she gestured around vaguely to the rave that was currently in full swing around her, eyes flicking to where Lux was behind the DJ decks with a small smile, before turning back to Maya. “I need a fresh drink anyway, so indulge me and come get one yourself. Surely a free drink is with sticking around a little longer for, no?” 

[mayarparker]

Everything in Maya went stiff, ready to fight when the woman laid a hand on her shoulder. She forced herself to take a deep breath before she did anything. Only then did she turn and in a deadly calm voice, she said, "Don't touch me." Some part of her, of course, understood that most people would consider it an overreaction. Maybe in another life it would've been an overreaction. But Maya was who she was and her life was the one she had lived.

She listened as Lennon spoke, but her mind was already made up. "Look, I'm sure you're real nice most nights and I'm sure it would be the best free drink I've ever had," she said, "But I'm not having fun and I'm going to leave now." And with that, Maya did.

[hllboymglds]

"Nice to meet ya, Maya By-The-Way. I'm Mars By-The-Way," while he utilizes one of those feeble wooden stirrer sticks to swirl the creamer into his freshly brewed coffee. The stick gets tossed into the bin and he clenches his fist in silent victory as it makes it inside. His coffee tastes exactly as one would think a mediocre Keurig brewed coffee would taste like with three creamers dumped into it, somewhat watered down and a touch artificially sweet. He hums into it, disapproving, but alas, he made it so he'll drink it.

As he walks over to the seats aligning the wall beside her, he opts for one across from her rather than right beside her. Something about the narrow walkway between them and able to maintain weak eye contact being easier now because direct eye contact is always a difficult thing to maintain for Mars. He can't help but be drawn to the little things and usually that means he's not always looking at someone's eyes when they're talking but at their foot when it taps, or their hands where they rest.

Right now, he looks in the direction of her, but not entirely looking at her. "So why're you in here and not," he rolls a finger as if that would fill in the blanks. "Get chased outta the room, 'er what?"

[mayarparker]

Without her intending to start, Maya had torn the edges of the paper cup in her hands. It was now a series of thin strips, still attached to the bottom circle of the cup. Or former cup perhaps. The man, Mars she knew now, took a seat across from where she lent against the wall. Her gaze followed him briefly, but doesn't stay there. Instead, it continued to bounce around the room, taking in as many details as possible.

Maya glanced at him again though when he asked her a question. She picked up easily on the blank in the sentence. Shaking her head, she replied, "Not allowed in in the first place." She wasn't actually sure if Spencer wanted her here. Some days, it definitely felt like he didn't. Considering he had never abandoned her though, Maya had no intention to abandoning him. "Technically, I'm not family so," she added as if it explained the whole complicated situation.

[hllboymglds]

Hiro doesn't need to be asked twice. Alcohol burns quietly through his veins and loosens up the joints in his body as he reaches for her, slinging a casual arm round her shoulders like it's the most natural thing in the world for him to do and there isn't a second thought in his mind that it might not be. He pulls her along with him through the dense crowd of people, all different bodies moving to the beat of the music as it pulses in the air. The pair of them can slip into this wave, this collective beast of bodies as if they belong there easily. This is what Hiro likes about a crowd. It's easy to disappear, easy to look like you belong there if you pretend that you do and no one bats an eye if you suddenly appear because all the bodies are moving around each other anyway. It's a living thing, this crowd of dancers. He lets the music carry him, his hand sliding to her waist in a gesture that feels more intimate that he means it to.

[mayarparker]

The noise, an almost radio static, that was always in her head continued to quiet, blanketed as it was by the shots they'd just taken. This time when Hiro draped an arm around her shoulders she didn't stiffen. In fact, she didn't think about it at all. Maya let herself be disappeared into the crowd. It was especially nice to disappear now when she had felt like everyone was starting at her since returning to Ennora.

They started to dance. Maya closed her eyes, letting the beat wash over her. Hiro's hand found its way to her waist. She let an arm drape over his shoulder, mostly so they wouldn't lose each other in the press of bodies. It had been so long since she had felt like she could slip away like this. The alcohol made its way through her body, softening her harsh edges. It was easy and simple to move her body to the beat in a way her life had not been for months.

[mayarparker]

08: Played any sports? 22: Do you want to have kids? How many? 55: Are you mean? 57: Do you believe in true love? 70: Is there anyone you would die for?

Played any sports?

Yeah I played a few sports as a kids. Mostly it was things foster families signed me up for. I can't say I was good at anything. Did a lot of running as a kid though

Do you want to have kids? How many?

I don't particularly want kids. When I was younger, I wanted to adopt other foster kids, make sure none of them went through what I did. But I couldn't be a foster parent.

Are you mean?

Yes. Not on purpose usually.

Do you believe in true love?

As in a perfect person who was made for you to love? Absolutely not. But I do believe people can truly love each other. But its a verb for a reason.

Is there anyone you would die for?

Yeah, plenty of people really

[monstersunderurbed]

Ivy + Maya moodplease please and also thank you

[mayarparker]

(╹◡╹)凸  maya & Cal

[lennon-mxles]

“It’s not an assumption, it’s just a well known fact. Sure are there variables that could make you unable to leave if you in a long term relationship or living in your parents house? Sure I guess so but they are far less common. Plus neither of them are the case for you. Not here in Ennora at least, since you arrived.” Lennon gave her a smooth smile, because while she had no intention of being threatening in any way at all she wasn’t shy in letting patrons of her events know she was well aware of everything that went on. The only way to run a tight ship was to hold all the cards and she wasn’t the kind of person who made a habit of being caught with her pants down. That last comment was based off an inkling she had by the way Maya had reacted to her words, but nothing more, not that the blonde needed to know that. “Oh come on, don’t be like that. What are you drinking? Let’s get you a refill.” 

[mayarparker]

Maya laughed again, incredulous. She understood the need to know your clientele, especially when it was all a little less than legal. But if this woman. who's name she still didn't know, knew enough to act like a movie mob boss then she knew that Maya wasn't about to go to the police. Plus, Maya hoped that her own general vibe shouted doesn't go to the cops.

She shook her head at the offer, "No thanks." Having already decided that there had to be better places to get drunk and dance, she went so far as to hold out her now empty glass for the woman to take. "I think I'll find somewhere not run by the wannabe mafia." It was probably a very stupid thing to say. After all, for all she knew the place could be run by the actual mafia. But she was already a bit drunk and the veiled discussion about her past had put her in a fighting mood. She turned to leave.

[wolfontheloose]

“It’s da best solution.” He decisively cleared up any doubts she might have then tilted his head a little, like a dog considering a complex command only to shrug, leaving it be. He himself was used to cold. As a matter of fact he preferred it. It was heat that he had trouble with. But then again, he was all muscle on top of muscle, which was something Maya did not have. He always felt like people with less padding under the skin should constantly feel cold. It was probably not how that worked though, it was just a random unfounded assumption on his part, he was aware.

“Dat’s fine.” Just because he would have a plan for a plan with a backup plan that did not mean everyone else should too. “Anyway, ya less pissy ‘bout him tellin’ me bout you now?” Again, like a finger into the eyeball. But that was how Ryden could sometimes be described - painfully annoying, like a finger into the eyeball. Maybe some time to cool off and process everything helped. Or the beer, which he planned her to have on the house.

[mayarparker]

Maya wasn't sure she agreed. Then again, she hadn't thought about riddles in years. Unwilling to put too much thought into it now, she let the subject drop.

Her brow furrowed slightly when he told her it was fine for her to not have a plan. She could, with ease, read something passive aggressive into it. But Ryden didn't seem passive aggressive. He didn't even seem that aggressive either, although she was sure with the right motivation he could be. She had learned a long time ago how to size up the danger another person posed to her. With him, she thought as long as she didn't fuck with him, he wouldn't fuck with her.

His next question only served to prove her right that Ryden was aggressive aggressive rather than passive aggressive. She sighed. "Pissy is not the word I would use," Maya replied although she could understand why someone might use it. "But I get it more, I guess. It didn't just happen to me. And certainly none of us thought I would ever come back here." She didn't think that she would have to explain why that was. Instead of saying anything more, she took a sip of her beer.

[hllboymglds]

The Bagel Shop isn't only their home but also their baby. It's a relatively average name for an otherwise unaverage place, at least they hope it's unaverage. It's not like a typical bagel shop style bodega that can be found on every other corner down the block in the big city. Their bagel shop is more on the eclectic side. Creativity shaped into the dough quite literally. They have a bagel that's meant to look like a cow, with a white base and black spots. They have rainbow bagels. Blueberry cream cheese. Honey walnut cream cheese. Bagels that look like clouds or a landscape. Bagels that are twisted with pastel colors and tastes sweet. They love eating with their eyes first and that means cute things that taste delicious. Naturally, they have the classics as well and if you're looking for something greasy and cheesy that will get the gut rumbly, they have that too, but it's these little interesting options that they really enjoy working on the most.

The bell chimes cheerily above the door when she enters and River responds automatically to it with a bright smile, "Welcome!"

It's a second later when they realize who it is that has walked into their humble little bagel shop. "Oh!" They aren't sure whether they should clam up and cover their mouth to prevent any mishaps from occurring just like during their first encounter or if they should pretend it didn't happen at all. Then again, ignoring it might be worse.

"Hi," meek smile like an apology, "Maya," using her name this time. "Welcome in!" Nervous laughter bubbles in their throat and they wring their hands within the apron tied around their waist. "Uhm... what can I get for you?"

[mayarparker]

Maya saw the moment River registered who had just walked in the door. It was easy to see, really. Her expression didn't change though; her pleasant smile remained in place. After all, she didn't want to fight. It wasn't the worst reaction either. Clearly, they still felt guilty about the previous interaction. That might mean they had learned something from it.

She walked further into the room, gaze shifting to the rows of bagels on display. Her mind never stopped cataloguing details though. It rarely did. As far as River's question, Maya couldn't quite answer honestly. People generally didn't reveal the ways in which they were most likely to hurt others in plain English. At least a bagel wasn't a bad secondary objective. "I'll have one of these rainbow bagels with the," she glanced at the list of cream cheese options, "With the honey walnut cream cheese." Finally, her sharp green eyes returned to River themselves, "Please."

[hllboymglds]

Hiro merely nods back at her, it'd been mostly a joke anyway so he lets it drop with half a smirk. The more important thing now being the shots. He tosses it back easily, inhaling sharply mostly for effect but it goes down smooth like butter. Fuck, was that something from the top shelf? Another round gets deposited in front of them and he does the same, waiting until their glasses click together before knocking it back. It goes down just as smooth and he can feel it in his throat now, pulsing somewhere just beside his temples. "Fuck-- one more?"

[mayarparker]

The second shot went down even easier than the first. Maya could feel the alcohol starting to swim in her head. It felt good, quieted her mind. "Yeah," she said, nodding. They ordered another round. After clinking glasses again, she threw it back. The world had started to soften. The beat of the music seemed to match her heart. "C'mon let's dance," she said, an easy and carefree smile gracing her features.

[mayarparker]

Do you hate anyone at the moment?

Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

Who/what was your last dream about?

Do you hate anyone at the moment?

Yes.

Who/what was your last dream about?

It was a nightmare.

Have you ever broken someone’s heart?

Yeah, Nico told me that I broke his heart. I'm not always convinced that's true. Maybe it is. But I know I broke people's hearts when I was growing up. Not romantically. But you can see it in people's eyes, you know teachers, Spencer, social workers etc. when they thought you were better, when they realize how broken you actually are. Maybe broken heart is a bit much for most of them. Spencer though, I know I've broken Spencer's heart.

That's what Ryden doesn't understand about it. It would break his heart to know that it happened again and by my own choice. I can't do that to him again.