ravenous.

took off the angel's halo and put a crown on my heart.    ◤ && hwasa. ◥

[mthwasa-blog]

( * ooc note! )

from this wednesday (25th), i’ll be away for a week. before and after this week, i’ll have a lot of work to catch up on, along with a lotta organising -- so, i’ve decided to put in for a two week long hiatus, after while hopefully a number of my replies will be done. i’m sorry for persisting slowness!

[mthwasa-blog]

'i want the k'

6: Gentle Peck

“you have to do it!” 

“no i do not!” 

it’d be safe to say that hwasa has never liked her coworkers less. an innocent game of truth or dare quickly spun into goading hwasa to press her lips to those of the pretty girl out in the dining room, and while the woman seems fairly nice, hwasa isn’t really one for kissing strangers. 

looking around at the earnest eyes of her employees, a deep sigh pulls from hwasa’s mouth and her cheeks heat at just the thought of what she’d have to do... but she isn’t a coward.

“alright.”

steady strides lead her out to the dining room, lips pulled firm and red flush discarded. if she’s going to do it, she’s going to be confident about it. (disregarding her lack of experience or critique, as the only one she had ever been close enough to to kiss was a sweet girlfriend who wouldn’t ever say a possible mean word towards the blonde -- she’s confident.)

it doesn’t take long to reach the beauty and hwasa shoves down all of her second thoughts; ignoring them and leaning down to press her lips in a gentle peck to the stranger’s. with an apologetic smile, she pulls back, standing straight and fiddling with her fingers. “i... i’m sorry.”

[mxkyung]

honest critique is not something that was scarce in Kyung’s youth—he’s had many a teacher who weren’t exactly shy about giving him critique. their honesty was somewhat brutal, and while sometimes deserved (like that time he nearly blew his hand off with a spell that was way below his level of skill), also taught him that it was good to be gentle with his honesty.

“I agree with you” the faery says, leaning a little on the counter with a pleasant smile. “can’t learn without critique, right?” he files away her statement about always meaning what she says—it’s good to meet someone like that. while Kyung enjoys talking in circles, he can also appreciates a good measure of honesty and forwardness.

It takes him a few moments to get the reference; while consuming a lot of human media, he’s still not overly familiar. Tinkerbell does ring a bell though (get it?), but it still takes him a moment to recognise her as the blonde leaf-clad faery from the Disney franchise. he can’t help but let out a giggle—he’s never been called that before.

“it’s not Tinkerbell—it’s Kyung, nice to meet you.” he smiles brightly, eyes turning into happy crescents. “I’d be honoured.”

[mthwasa-blog]

with or without her offer accepted, hwasa is certain that her day has been brightened. her heart softens all too easily for those with sweet smiles and gentle tones, and the faery in her company definitely falls into that group; dulcet in his actions and soft in his words. while he had tried to warn her somewhat of his power, it only made her more comfortable, if anything, to know that she'd be working with another natural rather than a human who may... freak out.

as if like magnets, hwasa stands straighter as the other man leans on the counter. "that's right," she acquits, fingernails drumming over marble. "plus, my, ah... preferences make it a little harder to enjoy sweet things." she hopes that's enough of a hint; the boy seems to be smart enough. or... so she hopes.

while hwasa was never blessed with the opportunity to revel in some of disney's works, she's aware of tinkerbell and thinks of the golden fairy as quite a good comparison to her possible new tester. especially with that giggle-- oh, lord. she's going to become very fond very quickly. she's not sure if she's anticipating it or plain worried.

"kyung... erbell?" laughing embarrassedly at her attempt, hwasa brings her hand over her mouth and tilts her head down-- only for it to rise again at his words. "you will? oh, that's great! if you have the time now, you can come through so we can talk more...?"

[mxkyung]

starvation in its current form is unfamiliar to him– its intensity foreign. nonetheless he’s more grateful for the presence of familiar faces than the feast in front of him. he grins at hwasa before making a funny face, eyes drifting separate ways and cheeks puffing up. he hopes it’s enough– but by all logic, a task for food, and he just completed one. “enough?” he wonders. “if so, I’ve got a question for a task! how was your trip here?” hwasa is a friend, and to make her go through hurdles and hoops would be mean– so he gives her an easy task instead.

[mthwasa-blog]

hunger is much more familiar to a girl who had been frail and on the streets for years at a time, but no more accepted. being a baker has left her with access to delicious treats at any time, but now being unable to take even a small bite… is only another unfamiliarity that twists up her nerves and veins, sending her nose wrinkling in distaste and the wish to escape.

kyung is a very good distraction, though, lovely and willing as he is. it’s easy to forget her worries when she's caught up in laughter brought on by the boy’s antics, fighting to not double over and eyes wrinkling at the corners. "definitely enough! have a great meal, little one." glowing with the remnants of laughter, it's very easy to answer. "i think... all i can say is magical. and strange."

[mxjimin]

lost *

[mxjimin]

it would be a lie to say that he wasn’t unsettled a little– he was, really. but the forest around him, as confusing as it was, was familiar territory. it might not be his forest, but it was still his, singing to his nature as a werewolf. it was hard to stay nervous, because it all seemed too ethereal, unreal– straight down to the bizarre feeling prompting to find the pair to his number, for whatever reason.

but he didn’t expect to see hwasa.

her figure is far off, but jimin– although he’d only admit it with a red face and an insistence that it’s not what it sounds like, i swear! to someone who wouldn’t judge it– would recognize those curves anywhere, and there’s an overwhelming feeling of relief at seeing a familiar face. “hwasa-ssi?” he responds back, breaking out into a smile. she was only a three months older than him, so ‘noona’ wasn’t necessary, but he still felt too shy to address her as a friend. maybe it was because she was an alpha, despite the fact that he was supposed to be one, too– a natural respect for someone above him, if only in rank.

he tries not to laugh at the sheer impossibility of it all, finally coming face to face with her. “that’s me, although it’s not the name my parents chose for me,” he responds, bracing an arm against the closest tree, pacing his breathing until it was even. “i’m guessing that makes you– K03?” it still sounds weird to say out, and he exhales sharply. “that’s so– this is so. this is so– bizarre. sorry to rush into things, but you– do you know what’s going on?”

jimin wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t– he notes the crown on her head, reaching up to touch his own. “god, i don’t even know what to make of it. all i know that i was supposed to find you– i don’t know what’s supposed to happen after that, or anything. i know there’s other people here, i can hear them, but i don’t… i don’t know all the voices. they’re too far away to recognize.”

and then a shy smile. “but i mean– i’m glad i found you. anyone could have been my…” what’s the word– “match–” that’s good. “but it was you, and i know you. so that’s comforting.”

[mthwasa-blog]

the sight of a familiar face makes the whole situation just a little bit more bearable, as she notices right away, as if jimin is one wire linking her back to reality. the young pup is one she is fond of; while she teases, she is caring and perhaps the slightest sliver overbearing, but very endeared by the boy. she would not be so insistent if she wasn’t. she hopes, absent-mindedly and often outside the dream world they find themselves in, that he can make transparencies of the teases. 

his voice is further comfort, breaking the eerie silence of the mythical surroundings. it gives her another burst of strength in how it takes her back to a time of being respected– of being alpha; of being something to be intimidated by, rather than someone scared by plants and some fog. it’s refreshing. a knot in her heart pulls with desperation to be back at home in those times.

registering his words, her soft smile turns to a incredulous grin. “i’d hope not – it’s not very catchy.” crossing her arms lazily, hwasa uneasily shifts her weight to one foot, standing a short, comfortable distance from the young wolf. “yeah, i am. well– i’m guessing i am. i’m not sure what it all really means.” her own breath pulls in as they boy’s cuts through the air and she laughs at the fitting of puzzle pieces. “i have… no idea. i’m still not even sure it’s real. pinch me, maybe?”

hwasa’s hands mirror her partner’s, petals sliding through svelte fingers. they signal another life, right? there had to be a person to dress them up, surely. “i could feel that, too – that i needed someone, and know that it’s you. the voices, though…” she laughs curtly. “maybe i’m just trying to not register them.” she sniffs, head tilting up as she searches for her dignity and pride in the flora and fauna of the forest.

fondness resurfaces at the boy’s demeanour, drying tongue flicking out over her lips. oh, she’s thirsty -- how long will this dream last? “i’m the same. i wonder how many people are here…?” a hum thrums from her throat and she turns to look out to the expanse of the forest. “i wonder… why us?”

[mthminseok-blog]

busker. | open

[mthminseok-blog]

The more the woman seemed to appreciate his little performance, the more that he also got into the song and started dancing too. Sure, his dancing wasn’t that great, but people did say he had a bit of flair when he did, like he was stuck in the ‘80s (1980s to clarify, since many people were were probably centuries old). 80s Funk specifically.

Since she also joined and sung along as well, he took slow steps towards her to see if she also would be willing to dance with him. The chorus was easy enough anyway. Jongdae always wanted to see people happy, and if he was able to help them do so, then he would do it.

[mthwasa-blog]

oh, gosh -- with the little jive the man started to do, hwasa felt her worry and apprehension drain away, leaving only amusement and a trail of laughter between lyrics. something about it took her years back, and it was very honestly refreshing -- she was quite sure she’d remember the man later, in beween all the other memories of the strange day.

she froze up as soon as she realized his intentions of inviting her to dance. many embarrassing events were immediately linked to the action in her mind, but...

taking only a moment to consider, hwasa soon decided that it didn’t at all matter. she threw herself, silly and careless in the mystery of the area, into dance, her attempts at melody eventually drowned out by laughter.

[mthminseok-blog]

busker. | open

[mthminseok-blog]

Jongdae was happy that he had a taker to begin with, not expecting something so soon that he got a little nervous when the attention was on him. Sure he was hungry too, but the short recharge that they had beforehand was enough for him to go back to his happy demeanor. “A stupidly happy song?” He hummed while trying to think of one. There were many out there that sounded cheerful, but the lyrics told otherwise.

A song popped up in his head, one that was more recent and knew he would personally sing and dance to it when he heard it. He really wished he had the instrumentals to back him up, but the even rhythm of his clapping would suffice. As the beginning of the song progressed, he smiled and nodded at the woman in hopes that she knew what song it was as well.

[mthwasa-blog]

glad to see that she wouldn’t have to suffer through her hunger without distraction, hwasa focused her attention steadily on the musical stranger. she supposed that such easy, short favours were a way to ‘cheat the game,’ and, aside from coming up blank on anything she’d desire from a stranger, she didn’t want to have to make it any harder than necessary. 

“mm, stupidly happy,” she affirmed, brows raising in anticipation. vague as the suggestion may have been, it was what she needed; something to take her out of the situation, even just for a few minutes, and divert her attention from the ever-growing need for food.

the song was one that she recognised with a surprised, breezy laugh and an excited tapping of her feet. it took only a few moments for her to join in with the acoustics, then a few more for her voice to join the stranger’s, carefree in the peaceful juncture that music brought. 

[mthwasa-blog]

                ◤ && mxkyung. ◥

“alright -- so we just have to do a favour, right?” humming and grinning, hwasa turns to her taste tester-turned-friend. the food laid out is all too tempting, but her hunger for amusement is greater than for food. “i say... make a funny face!” there’s a slight doubt lingering that the request isn’t enough, wouldn’t be counted; but they didn’t add any restrictions, so even something small should be enough, right?

[mthminseok-blog]

busker. | open

“You you know what would really go with a feast?” The corners of Jongdae’s lips turned upward, revealing his Cheshire cat smile. “Music.” He figured he wouldn’t be asking for much, really. It was an easy task to fulfill.

“Can anyone makeshift a musical instrument? Or have any song requests?” 

[mthwasa-blog]

needing something -- anything -- to distract from the hunger gnawing at her mind, hwasa was very intrigued by the stranger’s offer, fingernails tapping at her lip. “i have a request,” she spoke up, head tilting from side to side as she checked for anyone that she might have cut off. oops. “mm. something stupidly happy, i suppose.”

[mthwasa-blog]

hwasa is accustomed to decision-making.

some choice are small: the colour of her walls, carpet or furniture; the next recipe she’ll try out; if she’ll get out of bed at the time she’s supposed to, or five minutes later.

some, more impactful: if she'll return to the family that had crumbled away her confidence, her security; if she’d take the risk of having her own business; if she’ll get out of bed at the time she’s supposed to or hours later, missing out on many business hours and a lot of profit. 

truthfully, she hasn’t ever had to make one about which path to take. she isn’t a wanderer, never having much reason to trail out of town, and whenever there is a fork in the road she’s fond of letting her feet lead her wherever. sure, it’s not the safest of options, but it’s new. interesting. hwasa really needs to broaden her horizons and mental map sometimes.

everything is different and unfamiliar in a fucking magical forest, though. through all the trees and shrubs, hwasa isn’t even sure how two paths could be visible -- but they are, and they’re definitely separated. both set her senses alight with precaution and worry, but in different ways: the first, more visibly vicious with foul-smelling, ebony puddles akin to oil lining the horizon, yet something much sweeter and fonder lying out of vision; and the second, blinding and radiant and ethereal, magic almost tangible in her vision and a tinge of nostalgia pulling at her thoughts. while the left is a visible threat, isn’t it always the innocent-looking ones that are the most dangerous?

after a long few moments of contemplation, hwasa decides that forests can’t really play tricks and the second is a more comforting option, as painful to the eye as it is.

the intensity only increases as she moves down the path. everything is so vibrant, flora shining with something akin to caramelisation; baked by the sun and light, yet still so richly viridescent. laughter flows around her, crashes around the coppery wood and rushes through emerald fronds, but she disregards it -- her previous hints of magic give her enough to suggest that the bursts of sound are only meaningless distortions, so she doesn’t give them any space of mind, simply going on, on, on...

oh, no.

mere metres away from her stands a dream of the girl who lingers in her memory. moon byulyi, while having re-presented herself to hyejin in reality, is still a figure whom she can’t ever bring herself to stop thinking of in the past. perhaps simply because it was happier. perhaps because she tried so hard to let go that it only stuck harder. perhaps because hyejin now knows that byulyi is not hers to claim, and will most likely never be.

hwasa rubs and averts her eyes. the mirage is nothing more than foolery. 

it’s easy to make it through the rest of the path when she’s very, very focused on not caring. it doesn’t take long to reach the end -- but hwasa is pretty sure she’s far from out.

[mthwasa-blog]

my one and only.

[notmcxbyulyi]

• • •

she didn’t dare to ask anymore questions along the way, her mind was literally filled with thoughts– mostly questions she wanted to ask. there were so many questions she wanted to ask that she felt rather overwhelmed. she didn’t know which one to ask first, or which one she shouldn’t ask. the journey was pretty quiet indeed, and being so lost with her own train of thoughts, byul didn’t even realized they were already close to the spot, they were already in the mountains. the weather was strangely colder than usual, and it suddenly hit her that they were on a high ground– that explains the cold atmosphere. they arrived on the said place not long after, and she finally let the other’s hand go, she went to the trunk of tree that was lying on the ground and she sat on top of it. “do you still remember we used to go here once a week to stargaze and to watch the city lights? i still come here sometime… whenever i feel like i need to think or something.”

[mthwasa-blog]

that grin is very, very familiar and there’s a warmth shooting up through hyejin, sending her own lips tipping. she drinks in every little action of byul’s without even thinking, sent back to the times when she’d sit and stare at the woman with adoration brimming in her eyes -- and rather than the pain she often feels, there’s a deep fuzz resting in her chest, indescribable but not unpleasant. the grip on her wrist is fine, bearable despite the crushing sudden reality of the situation once physical touch is added, but the hand holding is-- just over that edge, and there’s a sudden moment where she can’t breathe, air blocked by memories and cravings brought on by the simplest of gestures and she feels so fucking silly, but she can’t-- can’t help it. 

it turns out that she loses her mind until her hand is released and they’re outside, staggering back a step from mild surprise before twisting to look back into the crowded club and disguise her reaction as relief. another grin, albeit more forced, makes it to her lips at byul’s words and excited expression, brow raising and much more ready for when her hand is taken again, accepting it with only the slightest hitch of breath. the talk of where they’re headed to makes her falter for a second, though; what is byul planning with all of this? it may just be hopeful thinking, but she doubts that just a friend would hold her hand, take her somewhere significant, relight all of her previous affections -- it’s confusing. putting her confusion aside, hyejin can’t resist byul’s goofiness -- equal parts endearing and infectious -- and a laugh spills from her painted lips before she can even think to stifle it. “yeah, i remember.” a sweet album of memories. not minding the questions, hwasa hums before replying: “i’m doing well, relatively. i have a little bakery of my own... it’s fun.” she turns to return the question, but the compliment catches her off guard; her lips part and her cheeks redden, coughing quietly once she sees a much less drastic reaction on byul’s features. “why-- thank you! i could say the same to little miss byul, here. how have you been doing?”

the quietening of their journey is relaxing, and hwasa’s lips reach a gentle curve. she takes delight in the change of scenery -- ever since her bakery piqued in popularity, she stopped travelling so far from town, save for nights of full moons -- and the nature around them, blocking out any memories that could start to bring tears to her eyes. she shivers just slightly as the air grows colder, though she tries to not let byul notice, not wanting the girl to possibly feel guilty. and, despite all the years passed, she can’t not recognise their special place once they reach it, bittersweetness pulling at her features. she settles by byulyi when the other sits, hand strangely empty and uncomfortable without the female’s. she stuffs it in her pocket quickly, lips pursing. “yeah, i remember. it’s really silly and cheesy when you’re thinking back to it, right?” chuckling, hwasa tilts her head up to the sky. “i’ve been too busy to... but i’ve definitely missed it.” i’ve missed you.

[mxjimin]

lost *

• • •

so he, like all the others, starts his slow search, carefully starting his foray into the dense forest. “–three?” he asks softly, and he sighs, shaking his head. “this sounds ridiculous to say out loud… hello? is anyone out there with a tattoo that has ‘three’ on it? hello–”

[mthwasa-blog]

accustomed to waking up in the forest with few memories of the past night, hwasa isn’t shaken so much by the trees and unfamiliarity of her location. what does send a shiver down her spine, the crawling of hair-breadth legs, is the mist that surrounds embraces suffocates her, leaving her squinting as she sits up, trying to make sense of her surroundings.

once the tendrils of sleep pull away, a sharp throbbing on her right hand rises to her attention. a hiss leaves her lips as she inspects it, the mist so thick and disorienting that she has to lift her hand to properly make out the characters -- though what she sees doesn’t quite cure her confusion.

#K03.

#P03, her mind supplies; the missing puzzle piece. unsure of why she needs it but disgruntled by the craving, she rises to her feet to wander. without any sense of where to go and the mist concealing all but bark and leaf, she figures it’s the most she can do. assessment of the happenings lead her to a conclusion that someone else must be around. what else could the codes mean? she doubts they’re the tags of little wild rabbits -- though the thought drags out a laugh.

her legs are just on the brink of becoming exhausted when she picks up the sound of the softest voice. it’s too distant to make out words, but it’s there, filling her with relief as she sucks in a deep breath. she had been trying her best to retain calmness, a regular stoicism, but the thought of a companion, a way out, shakes her up -- gives the situation more reality, and she doesn’t appreciate that. despite the worry, the thought of company is enough to keep her motivated, and her feet take her towards the voice as it continues to sing sweet words of promised chatter, and if she had been less distracted by the thrumming through her being, she’d realise a sense of rightness.

the figure she sees is, at first, a mess of flowing clothes and ever-present mist. it bring her attention to her own attire, taking note of the ivory sheets that drape over her figure with a raised eyebrow, and only notices the quaint wreath on her head when it almost falls off. then, deciding she must seem strange to the poor other victim, she heads closer and closer, until the fog is only a sheer layer and she can recognise the features of the boy in front of her with a surprised, relieved chortle.

“jimin?” the name of a young pup whom she has been trying, half-persistantly and half-teasingly, to recruit to her pack is easily recalled, lips spread into a soft smile of re-acquaintance. “um... P03?”

[cittamemes]

In Depth Headcanon Prompts;

☠ : Are there any recent/daily thoughts they have about death or dying? ☯ : Do they believe for every darkness there is a lightness? If not, why? ♥ : Name one thing about the way their emotions work that they despise. ☆ : Would they ever wish upon a falling star? If so, what would they wish? ☁ : Describe how they would spend a stormy, overcast/rainy day. ☂ : Storms or clear skies? εжз : What about nature do they find calming? What about nature do they find disagreeable? ☎ : List three or more people they would call out for during an emergency. ☛ : What is their typical response to being given orders? ☢ : Describe a thought or dream that would cause them to have a mental meltdown. ✄ : Are there any reasons why they would ever think of self-harm? If so, what are they? ❤ : Describe a physical action that shows complete trust. ❥ : Describe a verbal way they would express complete trust. ✗ : Explain how they portray feelings of hostility or dislike. ⊗ : What is something that causes them to question themself? ☾ : On a sleepless night, what would they be found doing? ☤ : Is there anything about their health they are continuously on edge about? Something they disregard? ✓ : Name at least two people who can trust them with their life. ❣: Describe a way that will earn affection (whether platonic or romantic) from them. ✖ : Describe a way to make them uneasy or apprehensive. ♆ : Are they prone to violent outbursts or thoughts? ✏ : What are their creative outlets? ✉ : Do they tend to rely on words or actions more? ♡ : Is there a certain scent that brings about nostalgia? If so, describe a memory this scent brings back. ۞: Are there any inner demons they can never seem to get rid of? What are they?

[mthwasa-blog]

I want the K

11: Collarbone Kiss

getting back and comfortable with the girl who had shattered hwasa’s heart was easier said than done. she’d just start to think she was over it, lips easy to tip and laughs familiar to her tongue, but then– she’d just look, and she’d remember, and she’d be choking on the memories that flashed in front of her eyes, crawling up her throat and watering her eyes and leaving her unable to look at byulyi for a few, drawn out, worrying moments. it was quite a problem.

a few drinks of something alcoholic, however, removed that pain all too easily, replacing it with a straining desire to touch the wonderful girl. she had called her up, voice littered with giddy giggles and stupidity, and to her surprise, byul had delivered. 

at present, she’s draped over byul’s reclining form, feet travelling up her calves and butt perched in her lap. all too comfortable, she pushes away the other girl’s hands when they come too close to rejecting her, childish whines spilling from red painted lips that trail over porcelain skin and print tattoos over collarbones. hwasa’s voice, sweet as sin, sounds through the room. “did you miss this, byul?”

[mthwasa-blog]

                ◤ && mthseokjin. ◥

the stars on television screens always seemed as far away as the stars in the sky, and hwasa never held a single hope to reach either. they were perfect, bright and brilliant, while she remained dull and mediocre, not even close to their radiance -- which is why she found herself past surprise when one handsome, modest man snacking in her bakery turned out to be one of them.

a while passes and hyejin perceives herself as a mix of a friend and a comfort blanket for the model, who turned out to be more lovely than she ever would have guessed. this one particular day, lovely model seokjin is in need of reassurance that hyein is all too eager to give. she thrives off of being needed; off of being the person someone wants the most, someone necessary, someone who can help and take care of others. it’s a craving that she never finds quite satisfied, but looking after seokjin is both an honour and a necessity that she’s quite glad to be responsible for. seeing the boy’s face light up is often all she needs to restore her energy.

so -- the whispered, weak words of a familiar phone call are ringing in her ears, and she doesn’t waste a second before hanging up her apron and leaving her bakery in the hands of capable employees. seokjin needs her, and there’s no way she’s going to let him down.

within record time, she’s at his home. a key given to her for these situations is retrieved, and she’s racing to slide it into the lock and click the door open, racing to get to seokjin’s side before the poor boy can panic any more. genuine worry mars her face, but she waits for permission; never too hasty, never too much. “seokjin,” she whispers, full of affection, and waits for her necessity to be confirmed.

[mthwasa-blog]

( i’m so sorry to all the new people i haven’t been around to welcome! ; __ ;   for those both new and old, please feel free to add me on aim (hye.sa) to plot n stuff!

[mthwasa-blog]

                ◤ && mxyongsun. ◥

there’s a girl who has been catching hwasa’s eye recently. in a profession such as baking, it’s a necessity to remain focused and calm -- but anyone who caught sight of the female who tangled up all of the baker’s attention would immediately name it as reasonable. while hwasa’s heartstrings aren’t pulled all too much, she can’t deny the woman’s beauty, nor her inexplicable want to treat her whenever an order came through.

in the end, she does. with every little cupcake the woman asked for, hwasa gives an extra little cookie, or perhaps an unofficial tester -- just, you know, for science. it’s an easy way to get an opinion. (or so hwasa tells herself, ignoring how her real joy comes from seeing the girl’s face light up at the taste or her treats.)

eventually, hwasa comes to the conclusion that she’s acting a bit too much like a schoolgirl with a crush, and finds herself approaching the cute stranger. without an apron, she merges in with all others easily, and slides in opposite the girl much the same. nails tapping the tabletop, she puts on an easy smile, brows raised. “hey, there.”