* 𝖍𝖔𝖑𝖞 / 𝐖𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑.

in the darkness i will meet my creators and they will all agree that i'm a suffocator. i'm sorry if i smothered you.

[ofelodies]

tanaka, christian.

Christian kept opening his mouth to interject, but Elodie was so swept away by her own senseless tirade that she wouldn’t even take a breath. So the longer she raved, the more time Christian had to boil, his fists and jaws clenching harder with each passing second. He didn’t usually take the long rant approach, but today? With Elodie? He dove right into the deep end.

“I can’t fucking believe you, you literally live in your own fucking fantasy world, don’t you? Just because I have a sense of humor doesn’t mean that I’m being a jerk to you, I was just trying to have a fucking conversation with you, and of course you can’t take a fucking joke one time, and you make it like I’m the fucking devil trying to kill you or something. Do you think I give one single fuck what you wear or what you look like? I have better things to do than sit around judging what you look like in a dress. I’m not making fun of you, it’s called having a good fucking time, and if you feel so fucking bad about being a stick in the mud, which I have never called you, maybe you should try to figure out why you think that. Maybe you’re just so insecure about how you can never relate to anyone because you’re too busy being judgy and acting like everyone is out to fucking kill you, when in reality they don’t give to shits. That’s right, Elodie, I don’t hate you, I literally just don’t give one single fuck about you or what you do, as long as you leave me the fuck alone and stop treating me like a piece of shit. And for the last fucking time, I didn’t push you into the fire!”

She can’t tell if it’s the ringing in her ears of the way her stomach churns with each word he speaks, but there is something about the INTENSITY of the situation — of the rage she feels at the lack of admittance of his own wrongdoing, of the guilt and shame she feels when she realises that HE’S right too — but Elodie can’t hold herself back. Tears blur her eyes, and yet, she still manages to take a step forward, inching closer to him to she can mutter, as viciously as she can: “ FUCK YOU, CHRISTIAN. ”

[ofelodies]

hernandez, callie.

—— ❝SUMMER, huh? nice.❞ there was no doubt about what girl’s favorite seasons were. unfortunately, she wouldn’t be able to choose just one. there were positives about every season that she enjoys and all she mainly thought about were holidays as well as fashion choices. ❝good question.❞ in which she didn’t even bother giving a real answer yet, but continued to move on through their walk. ❝by the way, i think your outfit looks pretty cute.❞ it might have been too simple for callie, but it was the choices were still decent in her eyes. ❝do you think we’ll stop by a mall sooner or later on this trip? i’d love for us to go shopping together.❞ and just like that, she forgot the question about seasons.

Elodie’s eyes flick down to her outfit, not because she didn’t know what she put on this morning — she did care about how she looked, to an extent — but because she wasn’t conscious that it was in any way something a person more fashion forward could approve of. Cream toned shorts, with little blue flowers and green toned vines embroidered on the front pockets, and a pale blue tee-shirt, scoop necked and in the same hue as the stitched on petals. “ Thanks, ” She smiles genuinely, and shoulders relax a little, even as the daunting suggestion of shopping is suggested. “ I mean, yeah! I’d love that ... you’re obviously a lot more ... well-versed in stuff like that than me. Clothes, makeup, hair. ” Elodie liked all of those things, it’s just that she didn’t necessarily consider herself good at them. 

[ofelodies]

tanaka, christian.

Elodie’s volume stunned Christian for a moment, sending him a step back, but, again, his quick temper easily propelled him into an unnecessary fight. “Why are you being so fucking dramatic? You always act like I’m the fucking bad guy when I don’t even do anything wrong,” he griped, his past misdemeanors just that to him – in the past. He barely even remembered last week’s incident with the…whatever, and he didn’t know why Elodie had to either.

The idea of getting over something, of forgetting, is so foreign to Elodie she almost can’t fathom it. She’s a worrier at heart, and she’s so used to dwelling on everything that it’s turned her into a grudge holder — it’s the same thing, really, just focused on the past instead of the future. “ I’m being dramatic? How about knocking me into a freaking fire when I wouldn’t play a stupid game, and then getting so mad at me for being upset that you tell everyone about a secret you knew would hurt me, ” voice cracks, and it’s as if all her frustration is boiling over. “ Or how you take every single opportunity to make fun of me, or act as if you’re so above me because I care about things and you don’t. ” She steps closer, voice still raising. “ Or trying to pull me out to a club not because you wanted to invite me to tag along in a group, but because you needed me, and made me put on a dress I looked ridiculous in, probably so you could talk about it behind my back with Amelie. ” That part was embellished, made up in her mind, but Elodie took it as fact. “ Or how you drag me into a stupid pharmacy when I’m already scared about whatever was going on in that stupid town, and when I save your freaking life, you threaten me after I try to help you AGAIN! ” Voice is shaking, and it’s evident there’s still a lot of anger in her as tears pool in her eyes. “ There is literally nothing I could ever do to make you not be a jerk to me! I’m nice or I’m stuck up and I’m Sister Elodie, patron saint of being a freaking STICK IN THE MUD, or I try to have fun and become some kind of burden to take care of because I’m not as experienced as everyone else ... I get it, okay, Christian? You hate me. So just let me be left alone. ”

[ofelodies]

hernandez, callie.

HER phone may be away, but her mind continued to be somewhere else. she glanced down at her outfit, contemplating if she wanted to change. however, she didn’t want to waste anytime because who knows how much longer they were going to stay at the grand canyon before moving onto the next stop. she heard elodie’s voice and sadly, her attention was going in and out. she listened at first and only stopped listening after ‘my back’. although, callie continued to nod as if she was fully listening. ❝riiight. and there’s also being able to wear tank tops and shorts, so i guess the weather isn’t that bad.❞ within seconds, she began to start walking before taking a glance at elodie. ❝speaking of weather and heat, what’s your favorite season?❞

Elodie acts as if she’s thinking, so that her answer isn’t so immediate. She doesn’t really care about tank tops and shorts, and she doesn’t like sweating and bug bites and long stretches of boring days — but she loves the crackling of bonfires, and the laps of waves against a beach, and how nights are still warm. “ Summer, ” She reveals finally, and the dreamy expression on her face is almost nostalgic, even though it’s the current season. “ It just ... feels like there’s so much possibility. No matter where you are. ” Grin dissipates a little, as she’s snapped back to reality and they begin their descent down the hiking path. “ What about you? ”

[condorsource]

[ofelodies]

hernandez, callie.

PURSING her lips, she glanced at elodie’s face for a moment before shrugging. ❝it’s just a suggestion, we don’t have to do it, if you don’t want to.❞ she soon opened up her camera to look at her face and hair, wanting to make sure she looked better than decent. she was still confident in her looks no matter what, but she also liked looking at herself. when hearing the agreement, she locked her phone and smiled. ❝great. this is going to be fun. the heat will probably be a pain in the ass though,❞ she replied with a smile and a roll of her eyes.

Elodie stands awkwardly as Callie checks herself in the makeshift mirror, and briefly, she finds herself longing for confidence. She didn’t think she was ugly, or stupid, or any of other multitudes of horrible things she could say about herself — but she didn’t exactly consider herself to be a multitude of positives either. Painfully average, she thinks, and she certainly carries herself that way. The other girl oozes confidence, and it’s evident from the smile she flashes Elodie as they move forward. But jealousy is gone as mind drifts elsewhere. “ I kind of like it, ” She muses, and while the temperature is certainly excessive, summer has always been her favorite. “ There’s something about the sun on my back that brings the heat outside to warmth inside. ” 

[ofelodies]

sullivan, milo.

Milo wasn’t sure what the time was but he was sure it was late because of the bright moon hanging overhead. The twinkling stars caught his eye as the man stared up into the sky for a few minutes, thoroughly lost in his own thoughts that swam and spun around his head. Maybe it was the crackling of the fire that snapped him out of his own brain, or maybe it was the itch he felt starting to bubble up inside. Whatever it was he was grateful. 

After downing the rest of his beer, he tossed the can swiftly into his backpack, where it would stay until they found the next recycling bin. “I’m not sure about any of you guys,” he started as he swung his backpack over his shoulder and stood up, “but I’m going on a late night adventure. Anyone tagging along?”

Adventure was hardly in Elodie’s vocabulary — she was much more of a sit around and do what you’re supposed to type of person. But pulled off the road, caught up in a dusty campsite with fire roaring ( who knew the DESERT could get cold? ) and a beer that tasted like the dirt beneath their feet. Though, at least she discovered that drinking wasn’t as bad as she thought, as long as she didn’t have an aquarium level surplus. She’s still clutching onto her own can, but head moves quickly to look at him, the words catching her attention, own backpack picked up off the ground. She right about it getting dirty, though she could clean it when she got home. “ I’ll come, ” She volunteers, and although she’s friendly enough with Milo, part of her does wonder if she’s exactly the type of party-pooper he’d reject from tagging along. 

[ofelodies]

tanaka, christian.

Christian paused for a moment, dumbfounded. But of course it didn’t take long for the usual Elodie-related annoyance to trickle into his senses. He marched back up to her, his steps heavier now, and demanded, “Well, if you heard me, why did you ignore me? It was a simple question.”

Frustration is rising in her quickly — though Elodie is usually docile, Christian still always manages to push her buttons in just the right fashion to make her angrier second by second. Of course, the panic of being stranded from the rest of the group already has her on high alert, and she still hasn’t forgiven him for the bonfire ( literal fire or exposé ) or the pharmacy. Even the brief moment of bonding in Chicago was buried so deep in her mind that she didn’t even have to choose to ignore it, just focus on the bad. “ Because! ” She exclaimed, with more force than intended. “ I don’t want to talk with you or walk with you or even look at you! ”

[ofelodies]

hernandez, callie.

AS soon as she agreed, callie was quick to look through google for trails, wishing she did this ahead of time. however, as she went on a website, she showed her screen toward the girl. ❝we can go through the bright angel trail? it’s supposed to be easy,❞ she mentioned, shrugging while eyes continued to stare at the phone before eventually looking at elodie for her reaction. already wearing good enough sneakers for a hike, the girl was just ready and ecstatic.

For a split second, Elodie is sure that Callie is making fun of her — Bright Angel too apt of a name towards Elodie’s interests to not be mocking, but when she sees it on the website as Callie turns her phone, demeanor softens. She’s not with Amelie or Christian, so maybe she doesn’t have to worry or be in constant fear of saying something dull or innocent enough to elicit a laugh. “ That sounds good. I don’t know how well I could handle anything ... challenging. ” A glance is tossed towards the rocky cliffs. 

[ofelodies]

arquette, amelie.

She’s leaning against the van, picking dirt from underneath her fingernails while the rest of the group mills around gathering supplies, stretching their legs, and/or sleeping. With her hair swept back in a ponytail, dressed in lulu leggings and a casually fitted tshirt, she’s perfected the image of effortless elegance, her image carefully constructed to look like it had been thrown together on a whim. Elodie’s presence is ignored for as long as possible ; Amelie has no interest in dragging herself through a conversation with her. But the question demands an answer, so she looks up dully, shooting a look at the gas station before fixing Elodie with a bored stare. “Fine. But you’re buying.” She pushes off of the van and begins walking towards the station. 

Elodie never feels more like a child than she does next to Amelie. Denim skirt ends neatly just past her mid thigh, not nearly short enough to be exciting, and her white blouse is barely unbuttoned enough to show the dainty cross necklace that dangles from her neck — and nothing underneath it, the epitome of modesty. It’s not so much that, as the two long black braids that trail down her back that make her feel like she’s going to church or the first day of kindergarten. So, she diverts her eyes nods dutifully — she’s got a wad of loose singles and fives collected from anyone with a hungry stomach, supplemented with her own money. Whatever preparation there was of beef jerky and Skittles, she assumed the trust to collect was based on the fact that she’d feel too guilty if she didn’t give it back. She cried once at age eight when she knocked into the collection plate at church with her elbow, and a quarter rolled so far back under the pews that she couldn’t grab it. “ I know, ” She echoes to Amelie, snapped back to the presence as gravel crunching under their feet switches to cracked linoleum and the twinkling of a bell ( coupled with, thank God, air-conditioning. ) “ What ... uh, what do you want? ” She was devoted to grabbing Swedish Fish for herself, and a promise to get Milo Ruffles potato chips, as well as a basket of gas station fries ( yuck ) and a visit to the shake machine ( better ) for Callie, though she made a specific point not to get either of Christian’s requests, despite her shared love of taquitos. 

[ofelodies]

hernandez, callie.

AFTER taking part in driving to route 66, the girl was proud of herself for playing life is a high way, especially to honor the cars movie. callie was glad to have taken a stop due to sitting for too long. no matter where they went, she felt restless after a while. when they stopped at the grand canyon though, she was glad to be there. the only thing bringing her down, but aside from that, she was excited.  ❝totally,❞ she replied, eyes gazing at the view. her hands moved on her own as she brought out her phone to take several pictures. have to always update social media after all. ❝would you want to go for a walk? my legs could use a good exercise.❞

Elodie nodded enthusiastically, though the walk from where there van had been parked to the canyon was certainly enough for her. “ We could get closer? Try and go down a little. ” She offers a gentle smile, and digs the toe of her sneaker into the reddish dirt, staining the white tip of her converse. She’d glad she decided against ballet flats. But, even in spite of her own ... lack of experience in hiking, she knew Callie would be up for something that could get better Instagram shots in. 

[ofelodies]

tanaka, christian.

Christian sighed when Elodie didn’t hear him. Now he had to put effort into interacting with her. This trip didn’t get any worse, huh? “Elodie!” he called after her, picking up his pace, so he could catch up. He kicked into a light jog until he met her side and matched her quick pace. “What’s the rush? I called your name, like, ten times.”

When he catches up with her, she wants to avoid breaking into a sprint — she is not running away from Christian. So, instead, she ups the ante on the immaturity and says bitterly: “ I heard you just fine. ” Before stopping in her tracks, turning on her heel, and heading back leisurely in the direction in which they came. If she got lost and never found the group again, she’d rather accept that fate than going on a human scavenger hunt with him. 

[ofelodies]

@callieftw / Elodie rubbed sleep out of her eyes on the trek over, dragging her feet along red-toned dirt and pondering if leaving the cool air of the van — it was hot, even in the early morning sun — was a good idea in the first place. But then: they got to their destination, and eyes were no longer diverted. She stared across the canyon, ignoring the twenty-five cent viewer goggles and distant guard rails ... just breathing in the beauty of the sight before them. Well, they certainly weren’t wrong about the grand part. “ It’s beautiful, ” She breathes, staring out at the orange hued cliffs for another long moment, before eyes turn to Callie for approval. “ Right? ”

[ofelodies]

@ameliearquette  /  Surprisingly, Amelie wasn’t her most hated person right now. Don’t get Elodie wrong — she didn’t like to use the word hate, and still had a strong distaste for the other ... but Christian had moved up in her ranking, and bumped Amelie out — sheer annoyance taking precedence over history. And so, when everyone else was sleeping inside the van, or fiddling with the gas pump, and her only two options in her peripheral were him and her ... she speaks stiffly, but trying to maintain an air of politeness. “ Do you want to come inside with me and get drinks and snacks for everyone? ” Her head moves back to make a motion towards the gas station’s shop. 

[ofelodies]

tanaka, christian.

( @ofelodies ) The air around Christian and Elodie was molasses. But what was new? He was thoroughly unsurprised when they somehow lost their friends on a quick trip through the Galena Historic District, and he just let out a soft sigh before asking, “Do you know where they all went?”

Truth be told: Elodie hadn’t been paying attention. She was still lost in thought, or rather, in her phone, trying to keep herself distracted. A night back in the van speeding down the road still had done very little to calm her nerves after Waverly. Or, her newly increased distaste for Christian. It had never diminished, but after how he’d acted so callously in the pharmacy, the hate for him had only added up more. She ignored him entirely even though he spoke directly to her, quickening her pace so she was just ahead of him instead of beside him. Ordinarily, she would have liked to stop and stare at the beautiful buildings .... but keeping her distance from him was more important. 

[ofelodies]

tanaka, christian.

Christian picked up the pace, planning to speed through the door before Elodie could notice, but he was too slow. His eyes darted to the shirt, then the floor, the the door, anywhere to avoid eye contact with her, but a flood of anger outran his embarrassment instead, and he reared his ugly head at Elodie with full-on eye contact. “Listen, if you tell anyone about this, you will regret it, Elodie.”

She’s prepared to turn and go check to see if there were pants after an affirmation from him, but Elodie is instead forced to take a wide eyed step back when aggression enters his tone. She’s offended, a little, and can’t help but let out a breathy scoff. “ What’s wrong with you? Is that supposed to be a THREAT? I’m not telling anyone anything. ” Brows furrow, and she’s almost embarrassed he even thought it, so there’s a bit of snarkiness that rises through shock, with memories of their bonfire fight coming to the surface. “ I’m actually not the type of person that likes to yell out embarrassing secrets, Christian. ”

[ofelodies]

tanaka, christian.

The idea that whatever it was could come back didn’t fully resonate with Christian until Elodie said they had to get out of here. It sent a chill down his spine as it struck him that he was just lying down in the spot where he’d been attacked just moments before, and he quickly snapped into a sitting position. “You’re righ–” he started, cutting off when he noticed…he’d…the…the stain on the front of his jeans. An uncharacteristic but deep nonetheless flush bloomed over Christian’s cheeks, and as he stood, he tried to angle himself from Elodie lest she see.

She hear his voice trail off after he sits up, and it takes Elodie a moment to look over at him, fearing the worst — the thing is back and he’d seen it AGAIN, but then she notices red cheeks and darkened spot on his pants, and well. “ Oh, uh — ” She scrambles to stand, diverting her eyes, even as he angles away. But, she’s already noticed, and it’s too late. “ I, um — I saw a rack of those ... novelty tee-shirts? In the back. Maybe they have, uh, ” She really doesn’t want to say pants.  “ If you ... want. ” In any other circumstance where they hadn’t been ATTACKED, Elodie would be rolling on the floor laughing, fully prepared to use this as leverage in the future. But now, in the moment, that felt a little cruel.