[cis woman and she/her] Welcome to Aurora Bay, [MELODY LEE]! I couldn’t help but notice you look an awful lot like [JAMIE CHUNG]. You must be the [THIRTY-EIGHT] year old [OWNER OF TIMELESS POTTERY STUDIO]. Word is you’re [CREATIVE] but can also be a bit [IMPATIENT] and your favorite song is [HARD TO LOVE BY CALVIN HARRIS FT JESSIE REYEZ]. I also heard you’ll be staying in [SEABROOK QUARTER]. I’m sure you’ll love it!
BASIC INFO
full name: Melody Lee
pronouns & gender: she/her, cis woman
birthday & birthplace: June 16th, 1987 (38 years old), Los Angelos, CA
Residency in Aurora Bay: 6 Years
location: Seabrook Quarter
sexuality: bisexual
relationship status: single
occupation: Owner of Pottery Studio
face claim: Jamie Chung
Melody Lee, 38, is a passionate pottery studio owner who has cultivated both her craft and a thriving creative community in her local area. With an eye for intricate design and an innate understanding of the therapeutic power of clay, Melody has spent over a decade refining her skills in the art of pottery. Her studio, which she opened in her early 30s, serves as both a creative sanctuary for seasoned artists and an inviting space for beginners. With her encouraging teaching style and deep appreciation for craftsmanship, Melody has built a loyal following of students who come to her not only to learn but to experience the calm and focus that pottery provides.
Before venturing into the world of pottery, Melody worked in various creative fields, which helped shape her artistic sensibilities. However, it was the birth of her son, Chance, that inspired her to pursue her dream of owning a studio full-time. Now, at 38, she balances the responsibilities of running a successful business with raising her energetic and curious 7-year-old son.
Chance is Melody's pride and joy, and they share a special bond, often seen working together in the studio—Chance even has his own little corner where he enjoys making his own mini clay creations. Despite the demanding nature of owning a business, Melody is fiercely dedicated to being present for her son, ensuring he grows up surrounded by the nurturing atmosphere of creativity and community.
Outside of the studio, Melody enjoys nature walks with Chance, attending local art events, and staying connected with other artists. She dreams of expanding her pottery studio to offer even more diverse programs for people of all ages, helping others to experience the joy and fulfillment pottery has brought into her own life.
Through her work, Melody Lee embodies the values of patience, creativity, and resilience, proving that it's possible to pursue your passions while nurturing a loving family life.
" Oh, please, I knew what I was signing up for. This is your place, girl! Help them! They need it. " Bernie smiles, her tone encouraging. She's ignoring the wine because she knows she'll want some later with dinner, and the idea of nursing a headache before she's even cracked a bottle of fuck-off expensive wine from Neptune isn't very appealing. Unfortunately this means her choppy paint job is irking her rather than making her giggle. Bernie grimaces and turns her bowl upside down so she doesn't have to stare at the mess she's made.
" It looks fab in here, by the way. When did you have the time to decorate this place? You're like a superhero! "
"Oh please...that's why I hired help...so I can take a break from playing teacher--as much as I enjoy it. A good break is good enough." Melody waved her hand laughing as she settled beside Bernie and took a sip of her drink. "Trust me, having a son that has crazy energy is like extra energy pusher. Plus he's a great little helper when he wants to be or to be bribed. I also wanted to fit the whole Valentine's day theme so I may went a little wild on the hearts and colors but I think it turned out pretty good."
"Y'wound me, Mel." The mechanic places his hands to his heart, lazily mocking an expression of feigned pain. She's not wrong, per se, but there was no way he'd ever willingly admit it. "Not so much lately." Jude couldn't count how often he begrudgingly had to point his spanner to the 'No Electric Vehicles' sign outside of the garage whilst neck deep inside an engine. "If I see another Tesla break down around town I'll push it into the ocean myself."
"Can't tell if y'being polite 'cause y'feel y'have to, or that's some thinly veiled comment about me prob'bly not gettin' art." He probes back, with a grin half hanging off his lips.
"Oh c'mon...what has a Tesla ever done to you. Saving the green earth and all." She said sarcastically. She didn't care much for electric cars, she always had this fear of it dying in the middle of no where with her son and she would have to flag down some serial killer or walk miles until she got to a gas station. As if she would ever go on a long road trip anytime soon, in a Tesla of all things.
"If the shoe fits Jude, if the shoe fits." She said jokingly as she flashed him a grin. "But c'mon...it's not so bad, a little dirty but something tells me you're not afraid of a little...clay."
" What if you get home and you paint the walls but the window lets in just enough light to change the way the shade looks and you end up hating it? " Blaze matches the woman's pointed question with one of his own. " Always trust your gut, of course - you're the one who's going to live with it - but if you grab a range of shades of the color you ideally want and stick them up around the room, you can test out how the color will live in the space. "
"Ah I see...you do have a point there. It would definitely save me a trip to grab another few colors to figure out if I wanted those colors or not. What's the term...color theory or some bullshit like that." She said smiling. She was in the process of redoing her living room and wanted a more welcoming color instead of the dark green color that made it look so dark inside.
Jude was slightly different man that he was a few years ago. Still as grumpy, but a little less hedonist. A broken heart would do that to a man, but he didn't want to think about that right now. Maybe a year ago he'd be more inclined to get a rise out of Melody, his self awareness of his own behaviour falling to the wayside. He was questioning himself a lot lately.
"Oh, I'm sure you've imagined doin' it 'least once or twice." That's not to say his introspection was perfect by any means... "There she is." A half grin dangles from his lips, shaking a latent index finger up and down in Melody's direction. Leaning back again, Jude lifts his elbow to rest on the back of his chair. "Me? I've been a good boy, couldn't hurt a fly." He declares with a lazy shrug, in a vaguely facetious tone.
Jude didn't expect Melody to be so open with him. Maybe his naturally inkling towards keeping his cards to himself left him to assume others would often be the same. "Can't help 'ya with that one. It's all Greek t'me." When the Spring breakers brought their convertibles to his shop, Jude could barely understand half the shit they said to one another. "Me? I fix cars, eat, sleep, and fix some mo' cars." He was having some issues with his neighbours and the tree crossing onto his property, but he felt like an old man everytime he grumbled about those damn branches that fell when the wind came through. "Probably a little mundane for 'ya t'hear about."
"You being a good boy sounds fake." Melody said with a slight humor in her tone. She couldn't help but to notice how much different he seemed and she wondered if something has happened but she didn't want to pressure him into telling her what was wrong. "So nothing exciting? Well I guess fixing cars can be exciting if you're into that and all." Melody shrugged.
With her son growing more and more, it had her realize how much time goes by with a blink of an eye. "I would offer you to come by the studio sometime but I feel like that's not exactly your scene."
closed starter: @efficiiency
location: Timeless Pottery Studio
Melody was helping someone with fixing their mug before pulling herself away and allowing the help to well..help with them instead of herself since she decided to take today off from work. She just couldn't help herself from taking over, her son being at a friends house for play date gave her some time to catch up and gossip with the other. "Okay I promise that was the last time I helped someone for today, you have my full attention."
Zana laughs as Melody speaks, happy that Goose has now calmed down, food forgotten in exchange for affection, she figures at least he's being rewarded for being cal. That counts for something right? "He has so much puppy energy, he's been a great running buddy. His brother is much older so he isn't much for anything other than long walks along the beach." She sighs, not wanting to think of the aging process and what the could potentially bring in the future. It's a later problem.
"Y'know, he would love the competition. He tries to play all the time but it would be quite the show to see how far he would go or push it." She muses along, genuinely curious how far Goose could run for. "Do you run a lot?"
Melody chuckled, giving Goose another affectionate scratch. “Puppy energy is no joke. At least you’ve got a running buddy—built-in motivation.” She glanced up at Zana, nodding as she considered the question. “I run, yeah. Not like, marathon serious or anything, but enough to clear my head. But it's been kind of hard with a seven year old son, don't exactly want to leave him home alone just yet.”
🌹 (rose) - What does your oc find attractive in other people? Are these traits found in their friends and/or romantic partners? Are they found in themselves?
"I think I found attractive in someone is their smile. Then there is their personality, I have to get along with them to know that I can stand being around them a lot if it's a romantic interest. As friends, I value more on trust. So in a way I guess it comes back to myself in learning to love myself?"
"Why not, right? Like diving into a pool or...another euphemism that is probably not worn out." The response half dragged out as Tobias attempted to think of said euphemism, but found no results in that head of his. Oh well! "Like I said, respect for that. Not, like, in a hipster judgy way. Just think it's cool is all."
A nod towards her answer. "Nothing wrong with a little chaos at all. I'm a fan of that flavor of life. Chaos that is. Not grocery lists. Doesn't sound appealing despite grocery being in the name."
Eyebrows lifted as his hand paused in pulling his drink up to his lips. "I have? Excellent," Tobias took a proper sip before replying. "A little bit of both? First off though, an easy target sounds harsh. You seemed special. How's that? But I do tend to bother people. Especially strangers. It's a talent of mine." @melodyxleee
“I’ll take special over easy target, I suppose,” she mused, tapping her fingers lightly against her cup. “Though, I’m still debating if that’s just your way of making me feel better about being in your line of fire.”
She took a sip, eyes glinting with something playful. “And I don’t think ‘bothering people’ counts as a talent unless you’re exceptionally good at it. Like, world-class level.” She tilted her head slightly. “Should I be honored or concerned that I made the cut?”
He shouldn't be feeling this way. Jude technically did nothing wrong, the pair were a flame that went out before it even properly burned. But he'd done so much wrong in the eye's of the women he slept around with, it was almost like an instinct.
After a moment of silence shared between them, he knew it would be rude to back out no, to say no to her offer. Melody probably knew that too. "Uh, sure." He should of just gone back to Pit Stop, god knew any time he decided to participate more in society it ended up backfiring on him. His usual hermit lifestyle prevented encounters like this. "Well, I'm sure I've done somethin', somewhere along the line." He slides down into the seat, taking a sip of his own coffee before placing it back on the table. Fixing his gaze on the familiar woman, he finally tries to make pleasant conversation "How're you?"
The whole atmosphere was always there between the two, but they never really talked about it. Which made it all the more complicated but she tried to be the good person and try to play it off with a simple small chat. Melody watched him for a beat, the hesitation, the way he seemed like he’d rather be anywhere else. It would’ve been amusing if it didn’t carry that edge of something heavier, something that almost made her feel bad for him. Almost.
Instead, she just let out a small chuckle, shaking her head as she took a slow sip of her own drink. “Relax, Jude. I’m not here to interrogate you,” she mused, setting her cup down with a quiet clink. “Unless, of course, you have done something I should know about.” Her brow arched, teasing, but there was an undeniable sharpness beneath it—an invitation for honesty, if he was bold enough to take it.
She let the moment settle before finally answering his question. “I’m fine,” she said, tilting her head slightly. “Being a single mom and all, I mean god...I love my kid but sometimes I'm like what's going through your head. The other day he was asking some bizarre question then proceeded to say I was lame but in a weird slang?” Her gaze flickered over him, "How about you?"
Her eyes had scanned the bustling coffee shop a few times while waiting for her order. The usual routine was to sit inside and enjoy her oat milk latte while scrolling through her emails. It made the arrival into her office easier if she responded to all her urgent tasks beforehand. With her coffee in hand, she finally sees a free seat but the table is occupied. When the woman offers the seat, Aylin smiles slightly.
"Are you sure?" Aylin asks. "I don't want to intrude if you're busy." Pen in hand, she certainly looked it.
Melody glanced up from her notebook, pen still poised between her fingers as she took in the woman’s hesitant smile. With a small shrug, she leaned back slightly, nudging the chair out just enough with her foot.
“If I minded, I wouldn’t have offered,” she said, her tone easy, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. “Besides, I could use a break from staring at this.” She tapped the edge of her notebook before setting her pen down with a quiet click.
Jude, with large coffee in hand walks around the cafe failing to find an open seat before the scalding hot takeaway cup burnt a hole through his palm. Luckily, a soft voice calls out for him and offers a seat. "Thanks." When he finally gets view of the woman, suddenly the kind offer leaves him want to come up with an excuse to leave before an awkward situation arrises. Jude isn't sure Melody had even recognised him as of yet, so he immediately doesn't sit down, rather occupying his hands by taking a drink of his coffee. "Uh, hi Mel."
Melody blinked up at him, her fingers tightening slightly around her own cup as recognition clicked into place. “Jude.” His name rolled off her tongue, slow, almost testing, like she was making sure it still fit.
For a moment, she just studied him, expression unreadable. Then, with a small, knowing smile, she gestured to the open seat again. “You gonna stand there looking like you’d rather be anywhere else, or are you actually gonna sit?” Her tone was light, teasing—like they weren’t dancing around something heavier, something unspoken. She took a sip of her coffee, eyes never leaving his. “I won’t bite. Not unless you deserve it.”
Every time Emira stepped foot into Driftwood, a smile always came to her face as the incredible smells of the coffee and pastries pulled her in. Moments later, she had more pep in her step with her coffee in hand and took a sip as she looked around. Hearing a voice, she looked over to see Melody and smiled at her, almost immediately taking the seat she offered. "I don't think I could ever pass up the opprotunity of getting caught up with you, Melody," Emira said to her friend as she sat down. "How have you been lately?" @melodyxleee
Melody’s lips curled into an easy smile as she rested her elbow on the table, chin propped in her hand. “Oh, you know,” she drawled, amusement flickering in her gaze. “Teetering somewhere between creative genius and an existential crisis—so, the usual.”
She took a sip of her coffee, letting the warmth settle before tilting her head at Emira. “But enough about me,” she mused. “You’re the one with the impossibly busy schedule—so tell me, what’s been keeping you running around this time?”
“catching smoke,” he mused, accent smooth on hoarse syllables, scarred fingers furling loosely around the plain mug the barista had handed him—black coffee, uncomplicated, just bitter enough to take the edge off, “aye, know that feelin’ well ‘nough… s’like nailin’ jelly to a wall some days,”
a name gets called out from behind the counter, sharp against the din of the cafe. simon flinched—just barely—but his features remained steady, the only thing to quicken was the rhythm of his thumb against heated ceramic, “writing’s a bit funny like that, won’t come when y’call it, but right as rain it’ll show up when y’try to sleep later,” pauses, dark eyes roaming again before they return to meet her gaze, “reckon the tryin’ counts more than the catching, though,”
his mouth quirks up at one corner, the scar there pulling slightly, “‘less you have a deadline, that is,”
Melody huffed a quiet laugh, fingers curled loosely around her own mug, the steam curling up between them like something almost tangible. “Yeah, well, deadlines don’t exactly care about the philosophy of it,” she mused, tapping a nail against the ceramic. “Try telling an editor that the effort matters more than the outcome—see how far that gets you.”
Still, there was something in the way he said it, something that had her lips twitching despite herself. “But you’re not wrong,” she admitted, lifting the cup to take a slow sip. “It’s always when you’re about to drift off, or in the middle of something else, that the words decide to play nice. It’s like they want to be inconvenient.”
Her gaze flickered over him, catching the way his fingers moved, restless against the heat of his mug. “You a writer, then? Or just someone who knows what it’s like to chase something that doesn’t want to be caught?”
Stepping into the café, Reagan couldn't stop the yawn that left her lips. It had been another late night where she ended up working way too long on music so she was definitely feeling the affects. It felt nice here though and she didn't have to worry about too much noise. She gets herself a vanilla iced coffee, hoping that the caffeine will help wake her up from her zombie like state.
Looking over and hearing the voice, Reagan smiles a bit before sitting down. "I don't mind joining you. I'd probably end up accidentally falling asleep if I sat alone." She laughed before taking a sip of her coffee, letting herself relax in the chair more.
Melody couldn’t help but smile at Reagan's tired laugh, recognizing the all-too-familiar exhaustion in her voice. “I hear that. I’d say there’s a better chance of you passing out in here than actually finishing a cup of coffee," she teased lightly, taking a sip of her own drink as she leaned back in her chair, giving Reagan a knowing look. "Late night grind, huh? Happens to the best of us.”
She watched as Reagan settled into the chair, the exhaustion in her posture clear, but there was something about the way she laughed, even while dragging herself through the morning, that made Melody feel a little more at ease. "Sometimes, it’s easier to just be in good company than trying to fight your brain into focus," Melody added with a soft shrug. "And you definitely don’t have to worry about falling asleep on me— I’m pretty good at holding up my side of the conversation, even if it’s just with my own rambling."
Her lips curled into a small, teasing grin. "But hey, if you do end up falling asleep, at least I’ve got a perfect excuse to sneak in a few extra pastries. Can't let good coffee go to waste, right?"