[nagisakirschtein]

[paz-fitz]

[paz-fitz]

elcnaflcres‌:

 It was, perhaps a little defeatist to the observant, but Elena had long since succumbed to the truth that far too much was unbidden to the eye and taking things at face value, far often than not, didn’t work. But, she was neither one to push her own opinion down anyones throat, at least not tonight. “Could be worse,” The shift of such permeate conversation brushed off with a menial shrug of her shoulder, “Your tab, huh? I’ve got the next one then.” Far be it from her to be left in someone else’s debt, even something so small. “Is that a trick question? Wanna’ catch me out on claiming how unfortunate it is to know you well enough to know you’d choke before handing out life advice?” A brow lifted and added depth to the pointed, and altogether blended mix of taunting humor she clung to. “Am I really that predictable?” Glass lifted to her lips as she watched him eye her with whatever ounce of curiosity he held, “Unpopular opinion? Oprah is totally overrated.”

“Could it really? You seem so damn sure,” he retorted, a slight tone of jest edging his tone. “How does one gain such confidence at such a young and tender age?” He nodded in acknowledgment of her offer to buy the next round. “If you insist.” Paz swirled the remnants of his drink around the edge of the tumbler, plucking out a toothpick speared olive and popping it into his mouth. “Are you that predictable? Hm, maybe yet to be determined but aside from that, it seems like that opinion isn’t so unpopular these days, especially amongst men my shade.” A specific category of men his shade, but still. Paz shrugged. It was a bad reference to begin with on his part. Paz took a swallow of the drink, wincing at the burn going down his throat. “Is that what you really talk about though? I’ve got this feeling you’ve got something less mundane on the top of your tongue,” he joked again.

[dear1ybeloved]

Where: Dirty Dan’s Food Truck

When: Evening; 9:00pm

Who: @wilmingtonstarters​ / open starter.

The last twenty-four hours had been like a cyclone — between work, the insomnia that seemed to creep it’s way into her routine for the last week and her inability to rightfully function because of the combination of the two, she knew that she needed a proper nightcap. Something that would definitely get her fucked up enough to catch some Z’s. Usually she’d settle for a dive bar or a little old fashioned bed tussle but, for tonight, she could do without the company. Or, at least, that had been the initial plan. Hands buried firmly in her coat pocket as she waited on line, Monica couldn’t recall how she ended up in conversation for the life of her. But two things were seemingly apparent: 1.) she was stoned out of her mind and 2.) she needed to get some food into her system as soon as possible. “ — my bad, I don’t mean to sound like an asshole, but I didn’t register anything you just said,” The soft laugh she let out was half out of embarrassment, the other half reckless abandon. The outside air was somewhat frigid but incredibly relaxing, the light wind causing the tips of her hair to stroke alongside her jawline. “Screw it. I’m not going to lie, I’m high as fuck. Tried this new smoke called Green Reaper and I severely underestimated it.” This was why she always hated edibles; it hit her whenever she least expected it and made her word vomit. Grinning roguishly, she leaned forward ever so slightly to lightly whisper: “It’s actually infused in this delicious triple chocolate cake a friend made for me. Wanna try some later?”

[paz-fitz]

Unimpressed with the available options at the food truck, Paz was busy on his phone looking for a nearby food joint where he could pick up some decent takeout on the way home. He was finding that in his mature years his palette was becoming more refined and burgers and hot dogs just didn’t cut it anymore. He was about to head over to Port City Chip House when the brunette caught his attention. “Don’t hurt your brain trying to figure it out, I didn’t say anything.” His head tilted a bit as his gaze set on the brunette. Paz had no idea what to do with that big of information but was amused none the less. At least she knew how to have fun. Might have been a bit too blunt considering they didn’t know each other from a hole in a wall. She seemed harmless though and truth be told he hadn’t been above a toke or few in his younger years. “I doubt some infused chocolate cake is gonna do anything for me at this stage in my life but thanks all the same.”

[queenkean]

@wilmingtonstarters​

“Yes, Mum – yes, I’m – ” Cal looked around and grimaced at the person standing behind him in line at Dirty Dan’s Food Truck. “Sorry,” he whispered, gesturing for them to go around. “My mother. Sorry, go on ahead.” Putting the phone back to his ear, he said, “Yes, Mum, I’m all unpacked – yes – well, I – yeah, there was no problem getting back to class – the professors were all very – yeah, work is fine…Mum, listen, I’m in line at the food truck, I’ve got to – yes, I love you, too.” He smiled apologetically at the other person. “Sorry about that, mate. Here, let me grab lunch, my treat.”

[paz-fitz]

While waiting his turn in line he had been sorting through a few weeks worth of unanswered messages he likely wouldn’t return. Paz deleted the messages dated weeks prior, leaving the most recent making a mental note to listen to those later. Letting his gaze pan from the menu to the other male, he shot the blonde a look of confusion. The semi private conversation wasn’t something that warranted an explanation as far as he was concerned. “Not sure if that was meant for me but I’m not bothered, no big deal man,” he shrugged. “Just moving to town I take it? How are you finding Wilmington so far?” He asked, piecing together parts of the conversation he had heard.

[paz-fitz]

paulaaldcna‌:

  Even with how the situation had gone, Paula appreciated the way this male with the dented head handled the aftermath. Not only was he polite and mannered, he also seemed to be doing his best to soothe and placate the result of post thrown drink. “Thank you,” came her mumble as she continued straightening her clothing once he’d removed the olive from her hair. “You don’t have to keep apologizing.” Her earthy irises lifted to meet his and Paula offered a weak smile. “I understand looking for an out, or a little help when in the middle of something intense.” Then, she actually breathed somewhat of a chuckle. Palms opened up, gesturing to where they were right then and how he really only seemed to speak up just before she had once they’d found each other. “I can’t really blame you for that course of action, now can I?” Honestly, no one could’ve really guessed just what the young female would do. Like Paula had hoped, she was sure this man had as well that involving another party would’ve diffused the situation a little further. As most people didn’t enjoy making asses of themselves publicly. “Well, whomever she was to you, she was a very passionate and fiery woman.” Finally, Paula cracked a smile. The jesting was slight but it was surely there. With his offer and better attempt at righting the situation for her, she began to feel a little guilty. Unsure why, she didn’t speak up right away — it wasn’t as though she considered that she might’ve overreacted. Though maybe, Paula wasn’t seeing the need to keep things intense and unfriendly once the dust had settled. “Maybe that could work.” If her words sounded unsure and hesitant then he was hearing her right. Likely not for the reason he might’ve assumed.

“Do you think that maybe you could just give me a ride home?” This had to be similar to taking an Uber, right? The driver would be a stranger either way, so what was the harm in asking? At least this way she wouldn’t have to pay for a ride. Not that she was hard up on money, he simply owed her. “I live in Forest Hills,” she informed, and silently wished he wouldn’t state how out of his way the drive was. “This way you keep your clothing and I can get out of here.” Paula was trying to detour her thoughts from focusing on the fact he told her she should get out of her top and the thought of changing in his backseat became unappealing. Funnily enough, it wasn’t due to him but the male she had been attempting to get away from. She hadn’t spotted him in the vicinity, yet at this point she wasn’t putting anything past him.

"Welcome,” he returned, feeling lucky he hadn’t drawn back a nub after all the drama. He chuckled, waggling a pointer finger at her. “You’re being diplomatic. That wasn’t just intense, that whole scene was a hot ass mess. I don’t know whose idea it was to break up in public but that was the worst advice,” he said, though it technically wasn’t a breakup. “Believe it or not, I’ve never done anything like this before. I don’t make of habit of arguing in public I mean. I imagine if my mama were here she woulda jumped in and helped ole girl kick my ass.” For whatever reason, he felt compelled to explain himself. He was quite obviously embarrassed but this was something his mother would have absolutely abhorred, he knew for a fact. “Yea, yea...she was and ironically that aspect of her personality probably was probably what attracted me in the first place. I mean, I could have never known things would escalate to this degree. That’s what I get for tryna date someone half my age, but...uh, never mind,” he chuckled shaking his head. He wasn’t sure what had come over him, talking to this woman as if they knew one another from a hole in the wall.

A bit of surprised and delayed reaction when she asked for a ride, albeit the most logical solution. “Yea, yea..absolutely, I can do that,” he replied, simultaneously reaching in his pocket for his keys and valet stub. “Forest Hills...I’m familiar. Nice area.” Paz was careful not to make any uninformed assumptions but he thought it intriguing that the young had acquired the social status required to afford the likes of Forest Hills. “So, after you? I imagine you must be feeling pretty uncomfortable just standing here,” he said, gesturing toward the door politely with a raised hand. Like he had mentioned, though parked in a valet spot, his truck was close by so once they arrived at the valet stand he exchanged his ticket for his keys and they led the way to his range rover. Opening the door for her he smiled and gestured for her to take a seat, “Please, make yourself comfortable. Adjust the seats however you want.” Waiting for her to enter, he closed the door, rounded the front of the vehicle then climbed in on the drivers' side. “Okay, we’re off....would you like me to take any particular route, ma’am,” he joked, putting on his best Uber driver voice.

[paz-fitz]

milademir‌:

                “Perpetually?” Her look across the kitchen island at Paz was skeptical at best. “Go out and celebrate being the only single one of all your friends? Yeah, that sounds like an absolute blast.” Mila was grinning then, her teasing tone indicative of her mood — suddenly she wasn’t quite so somber. Although, that was bound to change as soon as she was off on her own again. Being in a relationship, affectionate and adoring was something she missed quite a lot. Not so much her ex anymore, though nearly two years later he still played somewhat of a factor. In reality Mila knew she needed to get under somebody else to start getting over him completely. Not that she hadn’t had some hook ups, she’d just been too irregular for it to have the desired effect. She took the beer with a smile and a murmured ‘thanks’, it was more than acceptable and she conveyed that much by taking a drink from the bottle. “Nope. I’m not sure I have the ability to break anyone’s heart. I kind of need someone for me to even be able to attempt it.” If she didn’t want to seem like a petulant child, Mila would’ve huffed and rolled her eyes. “So before you really give me a hard time — what are you doing on Friday? Rounding up some girls for a private party?” As Paz gave her a hard time, she glanced down at the box of cards and bag of candy in her hands, then set them on the counter with a small thud. “Hey, it’s cute.” Mila laughed some. “Don’t be such a hater, my god. But no, I just bought these and I’ll hand ‘em out the day before. I think. And now, you’re not getting one.”

“More like go out and celebrate your freedom. Go out and eat something decadent, buy yourself something pretty. Treat yourself. But I mean if you feel like you’re gonna miss out on something I’ll take you out.” Paz just acted like it was any other day whether seeing someone or not so buying into the hype of the fake holiday was a bit far fetched for him plus he wondered how many people would be going nuts over Valentines Day if they actually considered how the day originated. “I’m like what, twice your age? People might assume I’m your sugar daddy and we’ll get some funny looks but I’m down.” He raised his glass in acknowledgment of his own good-natured offer. “Well, when you put it that way...so are you actively looking for that someone to date or is he supposed to find you by osmosis?” He teased, pausing mid-sentence to jab a finger toward her. “I’m hungry as hell. Want something to eat? I could break out the Foreman grill, whip us up some burgers?” He chuckled at her dig. “No, hell no to all that drama. I’ve got no plans whatsoever, just gonna be me and a bottle of Jameson.” With a roll of his eyes, “please, have you met me?  What’s mine is mine regardless. I ain’t worried bout your little Indian giver threats.”

[paz-fitz]

  “Ah you know, the typical moved here to be closer and then he broke it off and left me and a kid he had from before behind. Just the typical run of the mill break-up,” she said, laughing slightly at herself before grabbing her own roll from the basket. The truth was, she was so lost in her own relationship that she had lost touch with so many people or even what was going on in their lives. But to know she hadn’t really checked out completely with Paz made her feel a bit better. “So what you’re saying is that we’re an exciting bunch? Not much happening in either of our lives? We should probably do something to change that, be adventurous. Maybe I’ll take up tattooing or something.”

“Wait so, he left his kid too, classy guy that he is? So what you’re telling me is you dodged a bullet then. Imagine the shit show your life would be had you gotten knocked up or something.” Paz shook his head at the mere notion of a grown man being that irresponsible. Clearly being the by-product of a similar situation, the whole thing didn’t resonate well with him. “So wait, is the kid with you then? How’s that working out?” He paused for her response and for the waitress who had come and went with their main course. “Really? Tattooing is what comes to mind? I’d probably go for surfing or something like that.”

[paz-fitz]

Ask me anything

Ask me anything

[milademirarchive]

WHO: Open. WHERE: Anywhere. TAGGING: @wilmingtonstarters​

               The reminder of Valentine’s Day right around the corner was everywhere. It didn’t matter where Mila went, there were hearts and cupids taking aim, decorations in shop windows and store aisles, pinks and reds and whites colored the surroundings reminding her. She wasn’t bothered that she was single or without a date, the little holiday had never been one that she put a lot into. Mila was the type that believed a person should put effort into their relationship throughout the year — not just because the pressure of Valentine’s Day bore down. Still, there she stood with a box of cards and some candy to gift to her friends because she thought it was a cute thing to do. “It kind of sucks that Valentine’s Day lands on a Friday, right?” Mila smiled a little. “I think pretty much all my friends are in relationships so I’m sure they’re all going to be busy.” Which was going to be odd for her, as she was used to being able to get at least one of her buddies to hang out. Though now, it was likely they all had romantic plans. “I guess it’ll be a Friday night in. Are you doing anything or are you in the same boat?”

[paz-fitz]

“I mean....I’m perpetually in the same boat. I don’t see it as a bad thing though. If anything, it’s more of a reason to go out and celebrate,” he shrugged, handed Mila a beer. “I’ve got pretty much every other option you can think of in case you wanted something else,” he informed taking the seat across from here at the kitchen island. “So anyway, what’s got you in such a funk about Valentine's Day? Did you recently break someone’s heart or something?” Considering the martyrdom history of the so-called holiday and the fact it was annoyingly over-commercialized he wasn’t a fan of the bullshit the day represented. Looking at the gifts and such she possessed in her hands, he lifted an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’re out here delivering valentines like its Christmas or sumptin’, a whole week in advance to boot,” he teased.

[paz-fitz]

paulaaldcna‌:

  “Maybe you should stop doing that,” Paula somewhat mumbled with her chin tucked as she peered down at her splattered shirt. By the time her gaze lifted to meet that of the male’s once more a sigh was breathed out of her nose and she was half shrugging with a single shoulder. She’d had her fair share of men being shitty to her, the military would do that to any woman, though Paula more so considered how society continued to let men carry on this way. While she didn’t know what the problem was, it seemed like something of a break up and him possibly having cheated on her, Paula was more inclined to side with her gender. Solidarity, or something like that. She was a little pissed she was wearing the spray of a drink regardless of whatever the drama was. “Are you shitting me?” A groan scratched up her throat and rasped out with a huff. “Where?” Her hand dove into her tresses seeking out the foreign object while practically glaring at the male before her. “It is underachieving, maybe you should do better. I’m all good on a drink.” Until then she had failed to notice the onlookers, some were stick ear hustling even though the Desperate Housewives of Wilmington scene had been over for minutes now. Truthfully, Paula wasn’t expecting much in this situation, however, she certainly wanted the eyes off of her. “I need to get out of here,” came her declaration. She couldn’t spare the look over her shoulder and was relieved to find that whom she’d been eager to get away from was long gone in all the screaming and drink throwing. All that was missing was a tossed table. “I think it’d be weird for me to have you buy me a new shirt, it’s not even that special anyway. Just — I didn’t need this today, thanks.”

A hand ghosting over freshly acquired concussion, “You know what ma’am, I’m not really in the position to disagree right now,” he returned. a defeated chuckle resounding on his lips. The situation was anything but funny and that was exactly the sentiment relayed in his tone.  In this case, Paz had made every effort to keep things casual between himself and the young lady in question, making his intentions known upfront. But it seemed like the more he emphasized the friend's only aspect of their arrangement-- he had actually called it that multiple times, an arrangement, because as open-ended as the word relationship could be, it still seemed to rub women the unintended way when he used it--  the clingier she became. “Oh, right here,” he said, extending his hand with extreme care and caution as he extracted the offending pimento fragments from the woman’s locks. “Again, I’m sorry about...all this. You didn’t deserve to put into the middle of my drama and that’s on me. My exit strategy skills could definitely use some work it seems.” He hadn’t intended on saying that last part out loud, but here they were. “Affirmative, let me try that again. I’ve got a fresh pack of T-shirts out in my SUV. If you want, it would take me exactly two minutes to run out there and grab one for ya. I could meet you at the ladies' room,” he offered, amber speckled gaze appraising how bad the situation and he couldn’t help but wince again. 

“Understood,” he agreed as his gaze shifted to take in a tableful of judgemental stares.  “perhaps a better idea would be to stand outside of my truck while you change? You should probably get out of that top. I mean, pneumonia weather and all. I promise that despite appearances I’m perfectly sane....and safe.” Now Paz could take one look at this woman and tell that offer wasn’t likely wasn’t go over well. That is she seemed like the type who was hit on all the time and his offer sounded exactly like that-- one big come on, despite his good intentions, but...whatever.  He felt he owed the situation his best shot regardless of how he sounded.

[paz-fitz]

alison-harper‌:

  “Ah well, were you here for the terrible break-up that left me a mess throughout the holidays?” The truth of the situation was that just when she started to actually get over and start to move on, she found out she was pregnant so whatever steps she made to better herself were thrown right out the window. “But the writing has been going. Locked myself in as I do and tried to finish as much as I could before it felt like my eyes were bleeding.” She was just so mentally exhausted after everything and it was hurting her work and everything else in her life. “What about you? Any life-changing thing happen to you since I saw you last?”

Distracted by a basket of hot bread, he plucked out a roll and broke off a piece and dipped it into some olive oil. “Ah no? I’m not sure I even knew you were seeing someone seriously. What happened there?”  He asked pushing the basket before her. Paz had been on a contracted job with the agency and apparently had been out of the loop a lot longer than he had realized. Feeling a bit disconnected, his gaze met with that of the brunette. “Nah, not really...just out here on my hustle and grind like always, you didn’t miss anything” he shrugged. As far as anyone outside of his tight-knit circle knew, Paz worked as a private energy consultant; strategically boring enough that most by-passed the usual small talk.

[nightmuse-deactivated20160903]

[paz-fitz]

paulaaldcna‌:

  What in the hell was happening? It was unbelievable how Paula got wrapped up into things, and she stood there mouth agape as an angry woman approached her and the male whose side she was then tucked into. She blinked, not once, but twice or perhaps even three times as she was accused of being the other woman. It was all so distracting that she’d lost sight of her own predicament and was fully wrapped up into the one she was roped into. Figured — in need of escape and a buffer, Paula ended up as just that. The only major problem up until she was splattered with the spray of a drink was how much of a scene this was all causing, which no doubt had the attention of the male she was wanting to get away from. “Well —” Paula’s gaze turned down to her blouse where her fingers were doing their best to brush away as much of the droplets as possible. “I don’t really think it matters now. What the hell was that? I didn’t think people tossed drinks like that anymore.” It felt like such a soap opera scene. Further pulling herself away a couple of steps, Paula reached for some napkins off a nearby table. “Clean yourself up,” she offered with a simper on her lips as she pressed the napkins to the male’s chest. “And you have some explaining to do.” A brow quirked, challenging him to try and withhold information at this point. Her shirt had become collateral damage so she certainly felt she was owed whatever story belonged to the dramatics. “What in the world did you do to her to piss her off so bad?”

“Um, that was um --” He stammered over his words, stuck someplace between trying to apologize for the awkward moment and expressing gratitude at the same time. “You know what that was completely inappropriate on my part and the worst part is, it seems  like I missed an opportunity to help ya out.” Based solely on appearances, she seemed nice enough and he wondered what it was she was trying to get out of before he came along with his own clown show. He accepted the napkins she had handed him gleefully and patted himself, catching the occasional glance of onlookers. No telling how many times the scene had been uploaded to an internet black hole where he surely would be mocked. “It was nothing, nothing really. I make women mad like it's my part-time job basically.” He had no real defense, other than his poor judgment. Looking up, he caught a glimpse of a foreign object stuck in her hair. She had rightfully moved away so he was cautious about going near her person again. Instead, he just gestured, waggling a finger in the air. “You’ve got...an olive or something stuck in your hair, jeez. I’m sorry, bout this,” he finally managed to say out loud, a wince permanently etched on his face it seemed. “Are you sure I can’t do anything for you? I would offer to buy you a drink, but after being responsible for you wearing that Martini, that just feels like underachieving...”

[paz-fitz]

alison-harper‌:

  She was suddenly second-guessing everything about this because being pregnant in a seafood restaurant without saying she was pregnant was going to be difficult. At least she knew she could eat crab and be okay. “Fine, what if I pick something like a crab cake? That’s at least seafood like and is definitely on this menu.” The problem is she wasn’t sure what she could eat without feeling sick instantly after. “Drinking though is a no for me. Sadly a boring lunch companion in that regard.”

“A crab cake. Just a crab cake? Surely you mean as an appetizer,” he teased. He looked over at Allie thinking that stitch in the crease of her forehead looked painful. He figured something outside of a finicky appetite must be happening with her, based her demeanor. There was that, and then who in the hell ordered just one crab cake. Leveling an impatient gaze at the brunette, he took a few sips of beer deciding if he would give her the riot act about what was happening with her or if he’d play along and see how long it would take for her to spill it on her own. “So what all have I missed since we last met up? How’s the writing going?”

[paz-fitz]

elcnaflcres‌:

 “I can get on board with that,” as if it wasn’t enough to force her hand in ordering another round. Listening to Paz with some amount of incredulous respect evident on features that currently felt the warming sensation that usually curled it’s way from the tips of her toes along her spine until the very tip of her nose turned red. “I don’t think there’s anything apparent about it, but,…-God yes. Self-respect, we have a winner. When are you gonna’ write the world one of those, self-help, help self, books? I’m talking two hundred and forty pages worth of one-page quotes here.”

“Nothing’s apparent. That’s how you feel huh? Interesting.” Ordinarily, Paz wasn’t the type who sprang into conclusions but in this case, the girl had a blank stare and was practically drooling. Seemed obvious enough to him. He finished off his drink and motioned for another when she ordered her own. “Add hers to my tab, please,” he told the bartender before swinging his gaze back to rest on the features of the brunette. Paz gave off half a suppressed laugh at the notion of him writing a self-help book. “Have you met me? I ain’t the one to give life advice. Better call Iyanla or Oprah or somebody. Anybody,” he chuckled. He studied Elena’s features trying to decide whether this girl had terrible discernment or was just being hella sarcastic. He felt like he knew, but biting off what she said, not everything is apparent.

[angelwallace]

AFTERNOON, somewhere downtown.

“Shit, wait —” Paula found herself calling out in an odd whisper yell to the passerby. It was tale as old as time; woman avoiding an awkward run-in with a past bad date by grabbing the nearest person to make her unavailable. Except her savior was making a bit of a getaway with her unable to speak too loudly, out of fear she’d draw the attention of the male she desperately wanted to avoid. “Wait, wait, wait… please, please,” came her near chant as she finally caught up with her impromptu champion. “This is so annoying, I know, and I’ll owe you big time for the save, but —” What? ‘I’m desperate and you’re the unlucky that was in the wrong place at the wrong time?’. Paula’s lips curved into a charming smile, prepared to flirt if she had to, or call upon her inner southern sweetheart of youth. “I’m trying to avoid someone. Help.” Her tone on the emphasized word was voiced in a playful plea. “Please? Like I said, I’ll owe you.”

@wilmingtonstarters​

[paz-fitz]

“Huh? Say what now?”  Paz answered the woman distractedly as he ran a hand over the sore spot where a tumbler of bourbon had just down bounced off his head courtesy of the student law clerk he’d just pissed off. She’d been a little more clingy and possessive than he anticipated and he had just broken things off with her, and well, giving her the news in a public setting hadn’t gone that smoothly. “Um, yea I guess I could-- ” “Are you kidding me Davis? Is that her? Is that who you’re leaving me for?” the woman yelled across the restaurant just as he was about to answer strange request of the woman before him. Paz took a deep breath through his nose. “Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry...Just go along here please and I swear I’ll make it up to ya,” he could barely  get out before Tatiana, or Tosha...whatever her name was moved into his space. Putting his arm around the stranger, dragging her up against his side. “Listen, I told you, we’re done alright. I’m sorry if if I mislead--” he started, but before he could get his words out the crazy broad had thrown yet another beverage in his face, partially splashing onto the clothing of the woman at his side. “Ohhh, my jesus,” he stammered as Tammy ran off. A mortified grimace spread across his face as he turned to look at... “You were saying?”