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MIRIAM VEIDA NORES. thirty. hostess @ whispers. thief & gang member."i want some satisfaction, take me to the stars."

[infamy001]

[miriamnores]

HOLLIDAY CARLSON.

Holly never would’ve gone into the little store if Declan hadn’t asked; apparently, he was learning about plants at school, and like any seven-year old, he’d gotten terribly excited about the prospect of growing something on his own. Her green thumb is non-existent, but she supposes they could plant a few seeds as a little home project, and so they walk into the sweet little store, peppered with shades of green.

It isn’t long before someone crouches down next to him, holding two pots in her hand, and Holly is about to apologize, wondering if he’d said something rude or had accidentally pushed — but she hears the gentle melodic hum of the other’s voice thanking him for his decision, evidently about her plants.

It’s sweet. Unbelievably so, and not in a saccharine, baby-ish way that some adults liked to use when speaking to children, and she’s a bit taken aback by her little comment. Eyebrows knitted, she offers the other a genuine smile (too rare when it comes to strangers), ruffling Declan’s head before he pulls himself away a couple inches, perusing the box of seeds. “He’s one smart little firecracker,” she agrees, nodding her head. She’s short; shorter than Holly usually went for, but there is something written in her face that Holly is itching to read, right across those cheekbones, her piercing eyes…

And right then, the boy comes bolting back, holding up two little seed packets with a massive grin on his face. Your turn, miss! Purple or yellow? And Holly has to chuckle, just glad that he’d decided to address her as miss. She raises her eyebrows, clear blue hues taunting her with a grin. “You heard him,” she comments, “which one do you like better?”

Miriam watches as the boy scatters away to pursue something else that has caught his interest and she can’t help but chuckle at how excited he seems to be in such a  small greenhouse. ❝ He seems like it. ❞  Feeling the other woman’s intense hue on her, Miriam looks her way. ❝ I’m going to take a wild guess and say that the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree? ❞ she asks, arching a brow with a sharp grin. Then, subconsciously, Miriam begins to pull one side of her lip between pearly teeth. She can't help but notice the strong, confident aura hovering around the other woman. She was stunning that much was all too obvious for Miriam to come to terms with. But, the way the stranger begins to regard her causes Miriam's brows to furrow gently in question. What does she see? What is she trying to see? Miriam's own eyes don't move away as they silently gaze at one another with careful and curious eyes.

Then, with the excitment of a seven-year-old, the little boy comes back out of nowhere all while holding up two flowers for Miriam to turn her attention to. With a deep inhale and the surprised raise of dark brows, Miriam’s turns her attention to the little boy. It takes a moment to get Miriam’s thoughts back on track and clears her throat quietly. At the woman's taunt, she turns her attention back to the taller one of the two with a playful glare, knowing that their little stare down had been interrupted.

❝ Are you by chance a fan of the L.A Lakers, bud?  ❞ She asks the little boy with a grin. Declan nods his head and with that answer, Miriam throws her arms out as if the most obvious answer was right there in front of him. ❝ Why not both! ❞ She exclimas, happily mimicking his answer from earlier. Miriam liked to think that she has always been good with kids. She’s done enough babysitting back home, constantly taking care of the younger kids that lived on her block who’s parents had to work a double shift plus overtime just to put a meal or two on the table before the weeks end.

Before the boy could scurry off again, she tells him, ❝ As much as I love your manners, you can call me Miri. ❞ Looking at the woman, she says with complete seriousness, ❝ You still have to call me miss. ❞ At first, her eyes are amazingly neutral. But, it's a second later where Miriam is unable to hold her stoic features and shake her head teasingly, ❝ Kidding, I'm kidding. - I'm Miriam. It's nice to meet you both. ❞

[miriamnores]

TEO SANTIAGO.

Teo just wants to enjoy his night out without working, but that may be too much to ask. His eyes wander over the various girls in the club, taking in the sights and handing off random bills without much rhyme or reason behind them. It’s only when someone catches his eye near the front corner that he slips his money clip back into his pocket and shifts to stand. Part of him debates just getting another drink and pretending he doesn’t notice; not because he’s scared - please - but because he really doesn’t feel like dealing with it and don’t they have their own guards for that kind of stuff anyway?

But when the man moves closer and still nobody seems to be coming to her rescue, Teo sighs heavily and lifts his drink to chug the last few swallows of his drink before setting it on a nearby table. His steps are slow, calculated and honestly, he could probably have put the man in a chokehold from behind and just dragged him out but that’s when he spots a tattoo on the back of the man’s neck and his blood runs cold. He recognizes it because it matches one on his ribs, one he’s only left uncovered to remind him what he did. There’s a sneer on his face and his fingers twitch, desperate to find the piece shoved in his waistband but there’s too much of a crowd and he likes this club - he doesn’t feel like being banned. 

Teo reaches out to grab the man by the wrist, prying it off the girl’s arm and twisting it into an uncomfortable position - just a liiittle more and it’d be a lot worse. Funny how easy it could be to break bone when you knew how. Teo took a step closer to the man, his free hand gently pushing the girl away by the shoulder. He glanced over and nodded for her to leave them alone before turning his attention back to Alex. “The fuck do you think you’re doing here?” 

He all but snarls after the question, biting back worlds of anger at seeing someone from his old gang there and maybe he twists Alex’s wrist a bit harder in the direction of broken accidentally when he turns to slam the man against the wall. “I run Catalina. Who’s in charge now, little Ricky probably? He knows better. Might want to remind him of that - understood?” Teo arches a brow, letting go of Alex and he shifts as if to shove his hands in his pockets so that his shirt shifts enough to show off what he’s holding. “Go. Now. Or I promise I’ll tell him myself, and I don’t think you want that to happen.” Teo practically growls, turning back to find the girl from before and reaching out to brush a thumb over her arm where she’d been grabbed. “You okay?” He asks, voice almost soft now, already more relaxed than he had been seconds ago. 

Many things happened all at once that Miriam was desperatly trying to comprehend. As someone who prides herself on being calm, cool and collected in times of stress - this moment, well, was beginning to not be one of those times. The second Alex grabbed Miriam and backed her up into a corner for a second time, her temper flared. There were lines you didn’t cross, even as a gangster. Albeit, loosely structured, with transient membership and easily breached codes of loyalty, there were a few rules that you didn’t break, and one rule of Ricardo’s rules that she remembers clearly was that you never lay another hand on a member unless it was a life or death situation. Was this a life or death situation for Alex? It wasn't before, -- - it is now with Miriam patience quickly growing thin. Threatening someone or using force to get what you just be cause they liked to feeling of being the big dog was something that Miriam never tolerated.

Unfortunately, before she was able to remind Alex of this rule with spite in her voice and possibly followed by a forceful hit to his groin, someone was already slipping inbetween Alex and Miriam, handling the situation while they give her a look and she was silently being told to stay back. Um, what the fuck? -- - No! Who did this guy think he was? Miriam scoffed at the back of his head, too caught up in her disbelief by the stranger's actions that she wasn't paying attention to what was being said. This was her dilemma. Her problem that she was ready to handle. And - Oh, shit. The hostess jumps when Alex is thrown against the wall swiftly and from where she stands, Miriam catches a glimps of the piece strapped to the stranger's side. Okay. Apparently they know each other. ' go. now. or i promise i’ll tell him myself ... '

i’ll tell him myself, i’ll tell him myself, i’ll tell him myself ... This man also has no fear of Ricardo and in Miriam's eyes, that means this person was on a different level than Ricardo. ❝ I’m fine. ❞ She tells him quickly, ❝ Can you not touch me as if you know me? ❞ Miriam pulls her arm away from Teo's gentle grasp, ignoring the fact that she was beginning to bruise and how much the muscles are beginning to throb. That isn’t what’s bothering her right now, though. Squinting at the man, she asks in a breath, ❝ What did you mean when you said ‘ i run catalina ’ ? ❞ she licks her lips that had run dry with nerves. He had to be mistaken and/or delusional. Or maybe Ricardo was the delusional one? Why would he send her here if there was already another fucking drug lord here!?

If this man that Miriam has no idea about runs Catalina as he says he does, does that mean Ricardo sent her here to unknowingly undermine another gangster? Her eyes fall to the floor as she begins to place the horrible puzzle together. If Alex goes back to Ricardo saying that this man has already claimed Catalina, well, where the fuck does that leave Miriam? It means she useless ... Which means she’s expendable while knowing Ricardo’s plans ... Which also means ... ❝ - You’ve just killed me. ❞ A realization. An announcement. Looking up at Teo, Miriam is suddenly a dead woman walking. What about her mother? Slender fingers run through short locks and grip tightly as the roots. A sign that she was spiraling, which didn't happen very often. ❝ He knows where my mom lives. I'm useless to him now and he knows where my mom is ! ❞ Miriam is panting now. She's scared What is Alex telling Ricardo right now? To go after her mom? The panic grows stronger. The heaviness in her chest is making it difficult to get any proper air to her lungs. ❝ What did you do? ❞ The brunette stares at the stranger with wide, accusing eyes, ❝ ... What the fuck did you just do !? ❞

[inkskinned]

honestly once a pretty girl is looking at me all bets are off i’m going to do something dumb to impress her i just get gooey and i want to see her smile like if she’s like “bet u wouldn’t eat that bar of soap” i’m like … sorry belly but look at her she’s so happy 

[miriamnores]

GREYSON BECKER.

The harsh touch of Miriam’s finger on their chest stopped them right in their tracks. Greyson knew when and when not to push Miriam’s buttons and this seemed like one of the ‘not’ times. Her fierce tone was only a slight teaser of how she could turn from being calm as ever, to causing serious damage if she chose to and quite frankly, Greyson wanted no part in that right now. Not when he could barely maintain a standing position before she’d even touched him. He wanted to thank her, to say something, but his reactions just weren’t quick enough and the words failed to leave his mouth before Miriam began to deal with the situation. So, Greyson watched on as the woman spoke, memories washing over him as she did so. She’d always been good at this kind of stuff. The way she managed things always put her a cut above the rest, in Greyson’s mind. She had complete prowess, undoubtedly something her dad had instilled in her but also something she’d then moved on to develop even more deeply herself and with Greyson back when they’d worked together. A smug grin appeared over his flushed face as he listened to her powerful voice reach the men, the smug expression only becoming more sly and superior as they looked at her as if she’d just insulted their collective dick size. Appearing to not want a fuss, the men began to shuffle their disgruntled faces out of the booth, the atrocities that left their mouths as they passed all being familiar words to Greyson, words that had been used towards him and the girl in the past when they’d fucked others over. The last man, kindly, chose to spit at Greyson, his saliva landing perfectly on the lapel of his jacket. He wasn’t so smug now, that was for sure, but with what he’d taken, his mood wouldn’t be shifted by a little bit of bodily fluid. 

After the departure of the men, Greyson’s eyes drifted from the closing door to Miriam, a smile now settling on his face as if nothing had been his fault and even as if the last few minutes hadn’t even happened. When he was on drugs, especially the ones Hayden gave to him, everything was good and with Miriam here, things weren’t just good, they were perfect, just as they always had been. “Still saving my skin years down the line,” he slurred. Despite making them feel good, the drugs that Hayden had given to him had no doubt fucked with him harder than the other things he’d take recently, making his actions all heavy, his body too much for his legs to carry. Yes, they would take away any emotions that were anything less than positive, but they’d also take away any common sense and arguably any need for common sense, after all, in the world he was in, all was well. 

It took everything is Miriam’s soul to not throw a punch to the throat at any of these ass holes. Her hands become fists as the group begins to leave, but not without tossing a few hurtful words in Greyson’s way. Miriam moves to make sure Greyson is behind her at all times - not like they could walk anywhere by themselves at this time. Unfortunately, one of the men was able to crane around Miriam and take his aim, spitting at Greyson. Miriam audibly gasps out of the sheer disgust of the act, but also disbelief and a growing rage. For a beat, she stills, watching the men disappear into the crowd. It brought back a number of memories when she and Grey were growing up and they wouldn't have let that slid for a second. She knows she can't go after them... Not here, anyway. Breathe in, breathe out. You have them on camera. You can press charges, if you want. She has to tell herself to calm the crackling storm that is happen festering in the pit of her stomach.

‘ still saving my skin years down the line... ’

Slowly her eyes close. Fuck. For a split moment, Miriam forgot she still had Greyson to deal with. Turning on the mess behind her with a deeply tried glare, she grabs a fist full of their shirt and pulls them away from the crowd that was still not minding their own business. She can already hear the whispers speaking negatively about Greyson. She can tell by the shift in the crowds eyes and how they side step to breathe into another's ear. Her pace is fast as she weaves to the back of club with Greyson behind her. She doesn’t care if he's stumbling over his feet. Right now, her biggest concern was getting them away from the public eye. That’s why she brought him to the most private place she could think of in the moment: the employee room.

❝ Sit down. ❞

Releasing his shirt, she moves to take out two glasses from a cubboard and fills them with tap water. With both glasses in hand, she walks back over to Greyson who has funcionally placed himself in a seat and begins to hand him a glass. Though, it's not before she ends up splashing the water in Greyson's face with the simple flick of her wrist. The other glass is slammed down beside him. That's that one he can drink from. Without another sound, Miriam walks back over to the sink where she puts the empty glass and stays there for a moment. Knuckles straining over how much pressure is being gripped around the edge of the sink. Jesus Christ, this really sucked. And here she thought things were going to get easier with someone as close to her as Greyson was back in her life? Was she too optimistic for her own good or was she just stupid?

❝ What the fuck do you think you're doing? ❞ Piercing hues now look at the one in question with raised brows, waiting for their answer. ❝ What is this, huh? ❞ Miriam gestures to Greyson, mostly implying about the messed up stat that he's in. ❝ What ... ? ❞ Miriam wets her lips and she can't continue the question. Instead, the anger she had been feeling dissipate when it beings to sink in that Greyson is in much more trouble than she realized. She can't help it, but tears begin to shine and blur her vision. She won't let them spill. ❝ Why are you doing this to yourself, Grey? ❞

[miriamnores]

THURSDAY, MAY 7th, 2020. → at the Catalina Rehabilitation Centre. for: JACK ADLER.

Does doing good deeds making you a good person? Or is going through the acts, thinking these good deeds will make up for your mistakes narcissistic thinking? Fundamentally, when it comes down to it, how can a person be perceived good? By action or by character?

This is what Miriam has been thinking about for the last hour and twenty minutes as she tended to the garden at the front of the centre. The garden hadn’t been completely neglected, per se, but without the former caretaker who had left Catalina for a bigger landscaping job in Los Angeles, the one person who had loved to pot plants and save the flowers from weeds, trim hedges with perfection, the neglect has set in. At first Miriam would joke that it was more charming for the reduction in neatness, but truthfully this city girl, this condo dweller, was never raised to take care of so much as a cactus.. And even then it was a slippery slope.

Miriam really had no idea what she was doing when it comes to potting plants, much less gardening and using the right soil. So, for the last couple of weeks, the woman has been simply weeding, watering and raking what she could to make the front entrance the most presentable she could make it. Of course, with her hours at Whispers, it’s been a bit of a process. Thankfully, it’s only volunteer work, so there’s no real deadline to get this project finished.

Crouched in the garden, Miriam leans back with a sigh to examine her work. She wasn't really sure what she was looking at, but it looked decent enough. At least, she hopes so. Hearing the front doors of the center squeal open, Miriam looks over her shoulder to see a familiar figure that caused her to call out without thinking about it, ❝ Hey, Jack ! ❞ Miriam waves over with glove-covered hands, caked in mud. Getting up from her crouching position, she casually makes her way over the to man with a pleasant smile on bright features. Combat boots with scuff marks and over-alls with grassy knee stains is the best look Miriam would have hoped to be in, but it's also not the worst ❝ Hey, ❞ She greets again with a small laugh. Having to crane her neck to look at Jack, Miriam's nose and eye's scrunch from having the sun shine directly onto her face. ❝ How've you been? Watch'cha been up to, man? ❞

[xefao]

[earthckitt]

[miriamnores]

SUNDAY, MAY 3rd, 2020. → at GROW in lafayette square. for: HOLLIDAY CARLSON.

The greenhouse air was pungent with the fragrance of jasmine. Miriam stepped into the space, sliding a pair of knock-off channel glasses ontop of her head and crouched down to a bundle of flowers. She gazed across the wind-ruffed surface to the lily coming into bloom, their white or magenta petals catching the breeze. She inhaled slowly. Peace. Her little piece of heaven in the jungle that is Catalina. It was worth coming here multiple times a week, many times over. Which has been happening. Up until now, though, Miriam hasn't gone home with a plant. Mostly because whenever she stepped into her apartment, she was reminded that Ricardo was paying for the bills since she had next to money to spend or else she wouldn't be in the situation that she's in, in the first place.

Today was going to be different. Today, she was going to buy something that is her's and that she felt comfortable enough to put into the apartment she was temporarily staying in to make it somewhat feel like her place. Moving further into the garden space, Miriam picked up two different plants. A small spot of lavender in one hand and an incredibly tiny cactus planted into an even smaller vause, it seemed. Green hues flicker back and forth between the two plants. Miriam debates silently for a solid three and a half minutes on which one she should take home with her. An eerie feeling of being watched travels up her spine. Looking over, -- then down, Miriam's eyes connect with bright and incredibly youthful eyes and she relaxes with a kind smile on her lips before looking at the boy playfully, and he returns the look knowing he had been caught. Turning fully to the little boy, Miriam crouches down once more to get eye level with the kid before asking him seriously: ❝ What do you think, buddy? Little cactus or pretty flowers? ❞ She weighs either plant in her hand, moving them up and down.

‘ both! ’ Well. That didn't take long. Miriam nods slowly at the answer. In the end, she approved of this. ❝ You know what? You're so right. I'm totally gonna get both. Thanks, pal. ❞

Looking up while still sporting a wide, amused driven smile, Miriam sees a woman coming towards her and the little boy. Possible his mother, aunt or nanny? By the way the little boy reacted when she came around, it was clear the two were close. And oh, lord was she ever attractive. Imagine having that amount of power. Damn. Good for her. ❝ He’s got a good eye and gives great advice. ❞ She comments to the raven-haired woman about the boy while pushing her self back to her full, yet rather small stature. Ah, crap. This woman is a decent three and a half inches taller than her...

[miriamnores]

FRIDAY, MAY 1st, 2020. → at WHISPERS GENTLEMAN CLUB. for: TEO SANTIAGO.

❝ Honey, if there's one thing I've learned, the more a man is mean to you, just be mean to his wallet. Take out all of your anger on taking all of his money ! ❞ Miriam says to a crying girl who had ran to the back rooms after a rude costumer was making so many snide remarks about how he needed more bang for his buck ; he kept saying that. Then he eventually took out a few rolls of quarters and just threw them at her, and that was the breaking point. Fighting back tears, the girl, Ella, excused herself as politely as she was able to and left. From a business point of view, the girl should have kept going. But as a human, Miriam wasn't going to talk down to the poor girl and tell her what she should or shouldn't have done. Thankfully, Miriam's comment earned a smile and a small laugh. ❝ Atta girl, ❞ The hostess grabs a few tissues to pass along. ❝ Fix your make-up, get back out there, and make his wallet suffer. ❞ Giving a motherly kiss to one side of Ella's face, Miriam gets up from her spot to make her way back into the thick of the crowd. The deep rouge lights create an intimate atmosphere with the hint of danger. Her eyes scan the people who were enjoying the attention of Whisper's girls giving their laser focus on them. Her smile grew when she saw Ella coming out from the shadows and going back to worker harder than before ; with a fierceness where no words were going to be able to stop her.

Just as she was about to go back to her station at the front of the club, Miriam feels someone take her elbow and pull her back. For a moment, she thought it was another one of the club's girls needing her to take care of something, but feeling the callousness of one's fingers grip painfully into her soft skin, she knew better. Having been caught off gaurd, Miriam stumbled over her feet which allowed the person to force Miriam into pressing her back up against the wall to find stability before corning her, making their height against hers as a clear intimidation tact. ❝ Alex? ❞ Meadow green hues grow wide from surprise and alarm. ❝ What the hell are you doing here? ❞ She has to ask. Of course, she doesn't have Ricardo's trust. She never did and she never will, but he couldn't have gone as far as sending someone to check in, right? ‘ ricky wanted to see what you were up to since you hadn't made contact in sometime, baby ... making friends with your coworkers, it looks like. nice touch. ’ Alex gives a mocking sneer, clearly a quip to show he had been around, hiding, to listen in on her conversation with Ella and it takes ever inch of Miriam's restraint to not slap it off.

❝ Cool. I've gotten the validation I've always wanted and you've checked up on me like a low grade babysitting, you can leave now. I'll show you out. ❞ Tilting her head to one side, Miriam smiles at the gang memeber with a tightly sarcastic smile. She moves in an attempt to slip past Alex, though he's quick to wrap his harsh fingers around her upperarm tightly enough to make her wince and pushes her back into her spot, moving in closer. ‘ oh, you think we're done here?’ he chuckles with jeeringly with too much confidence to find attractive. miriam glares up at him. jaw set harshly. ‘ not by a long shot. ’

[travul]

[miriamnores]

GREYSON BECKER.

Location: Whispers Time: 11pm For: @miriamnores​

The plan? Psh. Greyson never planned. Or not entirely, anyway. Or anymore. In his former days back over the water, he’d planned things to perfection - especially with his partner in crime by his side. But nowadays? He was messy. Reckless. Stupid. Sure, he’d always been a little crazy and a little reckless but since the blackout, things had taken a turn. Reckless decisions seemed to come easily to him now, easier than they ever had and did he know why? Of course not. Greyson wasn’t the type to think, he was the type to jump without a care and before he knew it, decisions weren’t decisions because it wasn’t even as if he was making them - they just happened. He’d deal with the consequences later, whatever they may be. 

For example, falling out of the Whisper’s Club toilets was not a decision. It was a product of taking too many damn pills, not that Greyson was concerned. Sure, people were looking. They always looked. Partly because they’d made quite the crash as they’d hit the ground at full pelt, not that any pain could be felt under the influence but also because people had always stared at him. Through elementary school, through high school, he’d always been that kid who looked different, the kid who everyone knew had no serious home, no real home to go to and no real parents to help him with his homework and do all the other shit that parents helped you to do. No, the eyes wouldn’t stop him, they never had. Arms outstretched, Greyson pushed himself up, his body swaying as he tried to steady his feet, his eyes wide with anticipation as he scanned the room for his friends. Not being able to find them immediately was a slight inconvenience,  shown by Greyson’s face as his eyes turned to a squint and his unsteady body stumbled back to rest against a nearby wall as he continued his search. Noticing a group of guys looking nearby, Greyson turned his head towards them, his eyes now glaring as he watched their mouths slur words that he’d heard all of his life. Words that used to feel like daggers to his heart and his whole identity that were now just like sparks to a flame that got brighter and brighter the more times he heard them. Ready to share this with the men, Greyson’s finger pricked up, his standard retaliation speech already prepared. Without any consideration of consequence, Greyson began to stagger over to the group, smelling the toxic masculinity within feet of reaching them. 

‘ miri ! sweet, sweet miri, ’ one of the girls comes along, taking her elbow to get the hostess' attention. Miriam answers back with a hum of acknowledgment, light orbs scanning the ipad off reservations. Deep down, she's hoping that she could be left alone for tonight. To say the least, she was in a mood after receiving a value coded threat from Ricardo earlier today. It left her feeling uneasy and guarded from those around her. Unfortunatly, Miriam's staff member didn't understand her bad mood. That, or she completely ignored it. ‘ there’s some trouble at the back, near the washrooms, ’ Laura didn't even finish her sentence when Miriam lolls her head back and groans. One night. Can’t there be just one night where nothing goes wrong? With a pout and a whine, Miriam has a little temper tantrum by shaking out her wrists and stomping her feet. God damn, she did not want to deal with this right now. ❝... What am I walking into, Laura? ❞ The hostess sighs, light eyes moving to the crowd beginning to form near the back. She lifts her chin and rolls up on her tiptoes to see if she was able to get a better look, but it's useless. ‘ ugh... i’m not totally sure ? one drunk guy is trying to start a fight with another group, i think. ’ Pinching the bridge of her nose, Miriam nods her head slowly with her eyes closing. ❝ Alright. Ah, -- Get Katie over here to cover my post while I handle this. You can go back to your shift. Thanks, babe. ❞ With a quick, tight smile towards Laura, Miriam moves away from her spot. This doesn't stop her from slipping her phone from her back pocket and sending a quick imessage.

TEXT TO AHREN: big boss, hi, i think i deserve a raise. we’ll talk about it later. that’s all. :)

Maneuvering her way to the back of the club towards the washrooms, Miriam watches with alert eyes as she weaves through the crowd, carefully to see if anyone else was drawn to the attention of a potential fight breaking out. Miriam never wanted any trouble, but it seemed as if her whole life was a magnet for it. It was fucking tiring. Pushing past the small crowd that had began to accumulate, it takes only a split second for Miriam to figure out the familiar figure with their back turned towards her, Miriam furrows her brows with confusion.  Greyson ? -- - Greyson was the drunk engaging in a fight? A mix of emotions stirred within her. Fright. Sadness. Anger. Disappointment. Greyson has a reputation to uphold. He has a responsibility of an actor with a contract and a job to not do shit like this as if they were still seventeen.

Before Grey could take another step, she places herself in front of him, looking at him with acute hues. ❝ Don’t you fucking dare. ❞ Miriam pushes a finger into Greyson’s chest with the intensity of crashing thunder. Not only did Miriam want trouble on her watch for Ahren to hear about later, but ultimately, she didn’t want Greyson being in the middle of something that could have been easily avoided. It didn't help - or maybe it did - that she was incredibly protective over Greyson. Which, of course, causes her to turn around and face a group of men. They simply looked like problematic people. With their glazed eyes, their ugly sneers and sweat covered bodies. Ugh, how the hell did they get in here in the first place? Miriam knew that Greyson wasn't innocent in all of this, but she also knew that these guys he was facing most likely instigated him. Miriam continues to point her finger at them, her tone takes on a more stoic, business-like communication. ❝ You need to leave. I don’t care what you did or didn’t do. You can come back tomorrow night for all I care, but right now, you’re leaving my club or else I’ll call the cops. ❞ A bluff. Miriam would never call the cops to Ahren’s establishment unless it was dire situation. With thinning patience, Miriam waits to see what the group of men decide.

[stevienick]

Parasite (2019) dir. Bong Joon Ho US (2019) dir. Jordan Peele Knives Out (2019) dir. Rian Johnson Ready Or Not (2019) dir. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett Hustlers (2019) dir. Lorene Scafaria

[dekutree]

*mom voice* absolutely fucking not

[miriamnores]

ELIZABETH KENNEDY.

for → @miriamnores location: the starbucks in avalon time: saturday, 11am

The sun is out, the temperature is just perfect, and by all means, Lizzie should be happy — and yet, she is not. All of her relationships in the past week seemed to have crashed and burned, leaving a mound of burnt rubble surrounding her. In fact, she can barely keep it together as it is, and not even her usual Saturday morning yoga class had uplifted her mood.

She’s wandering aimlessly in Avalon, ratty canvas bag over her shoulder, mostly because the thought of returning home is even more anxiety-inducing than anything else. Her eyes peer into various store windows, yet even the thought of browsing and shopping isn’t enough to bring Lizzie joy — which pushes the pit in her stomach further, lodging it deep in her chest.

Lizzie’s not sure what possesses her to walk into the Starbucks, but she supposes her sweet tooth has called out to her. Their Java Chip Frappuccino, perhaps, with extra whipped cream; a guilty pleasure if there ever was one, that in her bullheaded upset, decided to indulge. Of course, it’s when she walks in that her bag decides to rip, belongings rolling around the sticky, tiled floor. “Crap,” she sighs, as if her day couldn’t get any worse. She bends down, grasping for the various knick-knacks and valuables, stuffing them into her pockets.

❝ No, Ricardo. No necesita enviar a nadie más. ❞ The murmur into the phone is quietly stern and worried. Ricardo wanted results and Miriam wasn't giving him that. Not as quickly as he would like, at least. Miriam was also purposefully holding back a lot of information, bidding her time into figuring what to do next. She didn't want Ricardo infiltrating Catalina. As much as she didn't like being on this Island, there are individuals who she cares about here that shouldn't be subjected to their town becoming riddled with crime, drugs and drug lords. ❝ Solo han pasado dos semanas, está bien. Estoy reuniendo tanta información como puedo sin que la gente se ponga nerviosa. ❞ In other words, she's getting to know people, reconnecting with past friendships and even growing with the ones she already has. This was a lot more difficult than Miriam had previously thought... If she even thought about it at all. - God, she just wishes there were a way out of this mess. A way to create a clean break...

Abruptly ending the call on her end, Miriam tosses the cellphone onto the table before her, Miriam leans forward to run slender fingers through a sleeked bob cut with haste. Sure, this little island was filled with oblivious, Hampton born trust fund babies, rich housewives, polo shirt wearing husbands and cheating spouses. That didn't mean the place deserved to be over run by crime, drugs and eventually low-income housing because no one wanted to live here. She already has one home like that, and Miram knows she wasn't going to be able to live with herself if she had any part in making the future of Catalina a rundown drug market... It's the sound of multiple items falling to the floor with loud clicks and snaps that cause the woman to look up, finding a young woman fishing around for the stuff that has rolled out of her possession. With a small smile, Miriam pushes herself out of her spot and makes her way over to the familiar young woman. Hiking up tight fitting pants in order to bend her legs and help clean up the mess.

❝ Looks like you could use a horseshoe right about now. ❞ As teasing as her tone might be, there's no doubt that Miriam does feel bad for Elizabeth. Considering how their first meeting went, the young woman really did seem have to terrible luck... Miriam can relate to that. ❝ C'mon. My table is just over here. You can join while you get yourself organized, yeah? ❞

[miriamnores]

what is the worst lie you've ever told?

HONESTY HOUR.

❝ That I’m fine, ❞ the brunette admits with the rolling of her eyes and a groan. ❝ Sometimes I just -- - I hate that I'm pretending that I’m not tired all the time. That I’m not depressed or scared about where my life is heading --- -  or not heading, which is all the more likely ! ... How am I suppose to feel young and free when I feel like every little aspect of my life is closing in around so god damn quickly ? ❞

There's a breather. A calm, slow, desperate inhale for air. ❝ ... What I'm trying to say is ... lying to yourself can be the worst lie you’ve ever told or make yourself believe. It can be detrimental, because... If you can’t be honest with yourself, how the hell are you gonna be able to be honest with other people? ❞

[miriamnores]

do you ever wish you didn't get involved with the wrong crowd of people?

HONESTY HOUR.

Instantly defensive, arms become firmly crossed against her chest. By definition, the wrong crowd meant a group of people who have a negative influence on someone's behaviour... No one had a negative influence on Miriam's behaviour, - She chose what she wanted to do. She chooses her path. -- Right? ❝ I didn’t get involved with the ‘ wrong crowd ’ ... ❞ 

Tongue grinds against clenched teeth. She feels her guard going up. She feels her intense, intense shielding over her people, her neighbourhood, her childhood coming to light. Something she was never able to stop before she was able to realize. ❝ -- - Unless, ❞  she wets her lips.     ❝ ... if you mean by ‘ wrong crowd ’ you mean the people who struggle day in and day out, living pay cheque to pay cheque just to make ends meet - just trying to survive ... then, no. I don’t regret getting involved with the ‘ wrong crowd ’ ; if it weren't for them, I wouldn't have continued for as long as I have. ❞