─── open to anyone ! ( @capritownstarters )
─── location: casa azzurra.
he meandered through the small and very cluttered bookstore, shuffling through every single messy shelf, tucking novel after novel safely under his arm until he couldn't carry even one more. his gaze shifted to the person standing nearby. “eight books isn't too many, right ?" a small quirk of his lips. “in fact, some might say it's not enough !”
"i would say for the average reader it would be quite more than enough. not everyone has the ability to read rapidly as an accomplished reader as yourself. some might say that eight books would last them months at a time." she answered with a slight teasing tone. it only took mali a second to realize who's voice she was hearing and turned to look at them.
"though i take it you already have your eye on quite a few more. if you would like, i can offer to help carry some for you? I only have the one i need and i think i have the strength to carry at least six, maybe seven if i push myself just for you." she said with a slight smile.
“ so i have an idea, ” tonio began, slowing beside them as the street market carried on around them. “ you know how those book club people have that little table? leave a book, take a book, kind of thing. ” his gaze moved over the crates of tomatoes, lemons and greens, the thought clearly starting to amuse him. “ maybe we could do something like that around the neighborhood. could be nice, no? ”
"that does not sound like a bad idea." she answered with a smile. "i remember that was something we used to do back when I lived in California near the elementary school. It was done to help encourage the younger kids to read but then it grew into all kinds of book." mali said with a sort of fondness in her tone.
"do you have quite a collection of books that you no longer have space for or was it just a thought that crossed your mind?" she asked. she for sure had many books she no longer read and wondered if this would be what she could do with them.
“ i’m asking nicely, ” a steady, serious voice rings around the area, the brunette’s arms are folded on her chest as she’s staring into the open engine compartment. green hues are looking at an orange cat who is clearly not moving anywhere, even after she tried to coax him with gentle words and remains of pastry she had for breakfast. she even attempted a speech about workplace safety. nada. “ listen up big guy, ” he weights like four kilos, by the way. she’s crouching beside the yacht. the cat yawns and as ridiculous as it sounds, it feels like a slap on her face. “ i have three hours of work waiting for me under there, you need to work with me here, ” manicured fingers are pinching the bridge of her nose as she takes a deep breath and as her gaze moves up, now it’s focused on a figure in the corner, clearly witnessing the entire thing. “ don’t even say a word, ”
"i was not going to say anything. i just think that you are doing one hell of a better job than i could have. i would have simply given up and called it a day." mali admits. she had been busy taking a walk with her dog when she ended up watching the whole predicament the other was in. it felt as if she was a deer caught in headlights when she had been acknowledged.
"i have some treats but i do not know if they would have the same affect with a cat as they would with a dog." she gestures to her pet before taking out a small bag from her purse. "it does not hurt to try but if not, i think it will be a lost cause." she joked before handing them the bag.
( mint ranchrawee, cis woman, she/her, theambition + muse x ) 🐬 ⋆｡˚ what’s the word around mali kasem in capri these days ? don’t look at me like that, you know them — they go by mali, you know, the twenty-eight year old coastal regular. you can probably spot them at la dolce vela, having their gianduia gelato and taking a break from being a youtuber turned recently singer, where people describe them as vain and assertive, but others swear they’re out-going and comedic if you catch them at the right moment. they fit somewhere between a camera placed on top of notebooks filled with song lyrics, laughter in her eyes that turn icy at a moment's notice, hands grasping to seize this newfound opportunity, a heart guarded with too many stainless steel walls, though most people associate them with always taking karaoke too seriously.
𝐈. ⠀
basic information.
full name: mali kasem. nicknames: itsmalik (online alias). age: twenty-eight; march 12th. horoscope: pisces. gender + pronouns: cis female; she/her. orientation: pansexual. place of birth: los angeles, ca. current residence: capri, italy (2 years). occupation: youtuber turned recently singer. moral alignment: chaotic neutral. spoken languages: english & thai, learning italian. pets: collection of fishes & a Portuguese Water Dog named mickey.
familial information.
mother: achara kasem, deceased. father: arthit kasem, alive. other family members: couple of step mothers, collection of younger half-siblings.
physical characteristics.
eye color: brown. hair color: dark brown. tattoos: couple of flowers all around her rib cage, pair of angel wings on her inner left arm wrist in honor of her mother. scars: none. physical build: petite, 5'9". distinguishing marks: big doe eyes that shine brightly when gets overly excited, wide toothy smile.
𝐈𝐈.
tw death, drugs, alcoholism, grief
1. ) early childhood.
you are born and named after your mother's favorite flower. you also represent another thing to them and that is destiny and fate for you represented the future of the family. your parents loved you, there was never any mistake in that but things changed after your mother pass when you were six. then began the influx of women desperate to attach themselves to your father (in your eyes) for his wealth. for who would not want to marry a rich man who owns a invest firm and the only thing standing in thier way is a bratty child.
you try incredibly hard to be nice but you crave his attention or any attention at this point. maybe you should have realized that not having all the attention is a good thing. you are left to your own devices, being your own person, and its here where you discover a love for music, specifically the piano. oh how you loved playing & listening to music and dreams of being a performer began to grow. you start lessons and then competitions begin at the request of your teacher and you are happy.
You are your family's brilliant little flower, their shining, shimmering darling, who had to be prepared for all things to go at all costs. Maybe you were born broken - the girl meant for greatness already shoved into a box you hadn't made for yourself, slowly tearing at walls, wanting to be more. You always, always wanted more, knowing from before you were even an adult you could never be just an older sister, daughter, or wife to just anyone and be just that. It was in that realization that you discovered facets of yourself - you found who you were amid the chaos of living for what would be an eternity to some.
2. ) teenage years.
teenage you was a whirlwind. you played the part of the dutiful daughter who never caused any trouble. you got praises and compliments but not from those who you desperately wanted it from. you love fiercely everyone who deserved love back and sometimes it made you see an idiotic love sick child. you trained and prepared for your own life, knowing while you would be yourself, your younger siblings can enjoy their relaxed freedoms and privileges with their mothers who you always told to leave you alone. you were the one to watch and be in awe of when it came to your skill on the piano and your bubbly personality. A girl who wore her heart on her sleeve all you did was left it to chance - everything was meant to move things in the right direction.
at school you were popular and well liked by all, not caring for the rivalry because everyone was equal in your eyes (and maybe you saw them as beneath you but you never voiced it). you ran the volunteer club, championed almost. you said hello to everyone, from those who said it back to those who didn't but you could care less. you had your relationships that felt as if they were more in love with your money than you but it did not matter because you were using them to craft the perfect life online. all it took was one comment from a friend who said to showoff your talent and post a video online of a cover and the rest was history. you were only eighteen and did not know the life that was awaiting for you.
3. ) adulthood to present.
You loved your father more than anyone - you would dare say more than any of your other siblings despite not knowing of the future that was to come. you admit to him once during a game of chess under the stars, that it is exhausting trying to impress him. You admit all you desire was to be helpful, irreplaceable, and invaluable - to be appreciated and involved - and to be told you were those things to the people you admired most. He merely smiled and proceeded to play chess until the game ended. life was set for you and you couldn't wait to do what you want but then life played a mischievous trick on you when you were at college for music.
you were called back instantly, your father was sick and needed someone to run the household and you thought it would only be for a moment but it seemed plans were going to be change. you are now heir to everything and while it seems like it was finally your chance to shine with all the attention you wanted: you thought a most dangerous thought - why me, why now? Did you also not deserve to have some selfish hope just for a moment, even if you adored your siblings, that maybe, you could do whatever you wanted? It had been shocking, that you had such a passing thought, but this was never your plan, never a thought that crossed your mind but now it was going to happen whether you like or not. you love your family, right? sometimes you have to sacrifice things for your family.
Dreams of playing the piano around the world are put away in a beautiful decorated box to never be opened again. You would be the perfect heir, you would be the provider to carry on the family's legacy or so you think. you began posting videos once more, not just covers but lifestyle vlogs, etc. and your platform begins to grow. you do not wish to continue running a boring bank in your eyes.
you begin thinking things again. are your really going to stay lock in a pretty cage or leave the world in awe of who you really are? you decided to run away. you hired people to run things while your step mothers look at you with anger. Let them stare at you, they will never know all that you are but if you had been accepting of that role you would have had to hide a piece of yourself that lingers in the dark. Where is the woman who wanted to enjoy life - be free - to finally have the attention you wanted? would you ever let your true thoughts and feeling of the situation be known? yes because nothing no longer ties you to be the perfect daughter anymore.
cut to the present, after leaving it all behind in california, you began taking your little camera and you everywhere. you vlog your adventures visiting exotic places, going to performances, you give your opinions on albums and other things and you arrive to italy a little over two years ago. you have found your own little oasis that invites many from out the town to visit and enjoy their stay. you have your hands in everything to make sure it is perfect and a new home for you. you work with the locals to let others know about how great capri is. you find love, a love that would make you so happy at times you could burst but also makes you worry of bringing down the walls so you end things before it gets too serious before the cycle began again and you find yourself in their arms once more to feel something for at least a night. there was something about them that was addicting and you didnt want to ever let it go even if the little voice in the back head of your head tells you it is wrong.
sometimes you still play the piano but it is a rarity some see in person on your videos but you continue singing to the point it catches the attention of a talent agency that ends up signing you. you have become their new shiny toy and you are loving all the attention. i mean what could go wrong?
𝐈𝐈𝐈.
traits.
positive traits: out-going, comedic, resourceful, hard-working, creative, trustworthy. negative traits: vain, assertive, flirtatious, easily cries, perfectionist. likes: music (all genres), volunteering, playing the piano, dancing, drinking anything sweet or coffee, cookies, going to the beach, hanging out with friends, smell of the ocean. dislikes: broccoli, spicy food, people who do not like her videos, snakes.
personality.
mali is a sweet girl, maybe a little too sweet, but she is that girl that you want to bring home to your parents. she very much gives only child, nepo baby vibes. can be a little vain as she has grown accustomed to the finer things of life but not that often.
friendship wise, she is a friend to all. people have definitely taken advantage of her once before but be careful because she while she is really nice, she can be very mean when crossed. if things are ever quiet if hanging out, she will begin having a conversation with them or anyone else.
romantic relationships, loves the idea of love. she grew up wanting to find the one thanks to watching too many movies or reading to many books. may have been a little too hot-person craze for a bit and is not afraid to shoot her shot to ask for someone's number. does have the one person she keeps going back to but that doesn't mean she has dated or been with others between the moments she is single.
headcannons.
is your resident music girlie always going to concerts and if known nearby, she will fly to see her favorites. definitely has multiple curated playlist for different moods or for different people. prides herself with it.
sleep is her best friend and she will nap if it is possible during the day. while she had other dreams, she does love getting to meet other people.
is that girl that does love to go out and party, but just know if you say you want to go out again next night, she is ready to go.
mali is the biggest philanthropist / volunteer girlies. definitely ran the volunteer club when she was in highschool and has continued being part of outreach programs for the community.
connections.
ride or die ( open to many) ;; the bestie, the platonic soulmate, the one she would do anything for, maybe they have names for each other, etc. they are the best of friends and no one can tear them apart (maybe?).
exes, fwbs, casual hook ups ( open to a few) ;; honestly, i just like exes. maybe dont get along or are really good friends now with no tension at all. maybe still hook up, but anything really. also such a flirt that definitely has led to hooks up and few fwbs, not her fault she see's someone hot and has to shoot her shot.
together but not really but they are & its messy ( taken by NICOLAS SULLIVAN ) ;; they broke up months ago, yet they still keep finding their way back to one another. for hookups, moments of desperation late at night, but then she leaves again. his heart has been broken too many times, but he’s too in love to push her away any time she comes back. even though he knows she’s not going to stay.
she is that volunteer girlie ( open to a few ) ;; spends most of her free time volunteering in everything she can. beach clean up, can food drives, car washes, helping out at animal shelters, reading to kids at the local library, teaching piano at after school programs, etc. she does it all and maybe she gets a group going that always meet to volunteer for things
enemies / frenemies / rivals ( open to a few ) ;; maybe they think her good girl persona is just an act online or maybe her personality is too nice for them and its irritating. however these two became known to each other can be determined later, but either way, they dislike / hate / talk about them behind each others back.
honestly anything else you can think of, i’m down for!!
theartofmadeline
amandla
turnnoffyourmind
titsay
yousharknotpass
