( Melissa Barrera / Female / She/Her / Bisexual ) well, well, wellβ¦ if it isnβt VALENTINA DELGADO, the 32 year old OWNER OF ON THE ROCKS, who is best known around town for SAVING THE FAMILY BAR AFTER HER FATHER'S DEATH & STUBBORNLY REFUSING TO BRING BACK KARAOKE NIGHT DESPITE COMPLAINTS FROM REGULARS. apparently theyβve been living in SOUTHPOINT for MOST OF THEIR LIFE, and according to word on the street they are NEUTRAL. iβve heard that they are quite CHARISMATIC & GUARDED, and if their life had a theme song it would be βDOG DAYS ARE OVERβ by florence & the machine. / jade, 33, she/her, est
Valentina Delgado essentially grew up at On the Rocks. If she wasnβt doing homework in a booth, she was helping behind the bar, carrying supplies, changing lightbulbs, or following her father around like a shadow. Gabriel Delgado wasnβt just her dad, he was her best friend. A complete daddyβs girl from the beginning, Valentina spent most of her life convinced that as long as he was around, everything would somehow work itself out. But despite growing up there, she never intended to run the bar. Her dream was always music. Throughout her late teens and twenties, she chased every opportunity she could find... performing at open mic nights, local venues, weddings, the carnival, and karaoke nights at On the Rocks. While she never achieved the success she dreamed of, she built a reputation around town for having a voice that could stop conversations mid sentence. Gabriel was always front row, always cheering louder than anyone else.
Then several years ago Valentina vanished. No goodbye, no explanation, just gone. She returned nearly two years later with more walls around her than answers. Nobody really knows where she went or what happened. Some assume a relationship gone wrong, others think family trouble or debt.. or something much darker. She's never corrected the rumours. Whatever happened during those missing years changed her, leaving behind scars she rarely lets anyone see, and a tendency to keep people at arm's length even when, deep down, she desperately wants connection.
Everything changed again when Gabriel died suddenly in a tragic accident a year ago. Overnight, she inherited the bar and a mountain of grief all at the same time, and she hasn't figured out how to carry any of it. She threw herself into keeping the bar alive, working long hours and refusing help from anyone. The business survived, but some parts of her never recovered. Most notably, she hasn't sung since he passed. Karaoke night disappeared from the schedule shortly after she took over ownership, much to the outrage of Southpoint's regulars. Whenever someone asks, Valentina lets out an exaggerated groan, rolls her eyes and kicks that dusty old jukebox so everyone will stop asking.
Beneath the confidence she exudes, the flirtation, and the easy charm otherwise, is someone carrying grief, guilt, and secrets she isn't ready to share. She's fiercely loyal to the people she loves, protective of her community, and willing to fight for anyone who earns a place in her life. The challenge is getting close enough to matter before she pushes you away.
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Charismatic
Flirtatious
Loyal
Protective
Independent
Quick-witted
Guarded
Stubborn
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live music, old records, whiskey tastings, playing pool, motorcycles, late night drives, fixing things around the bar.
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being pitied, talking about her missing years, dishonesty, empty promises, corporate types trying to buy her bar, anyone going into her father's office.
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She doesn't tell anyone the truth about why she disappeared for two years.
She still writes songs late at night but never lets anyone hear them.
She keeps recordings of her old performances hidden in her apartment.
She secretly worries she's letting her father down despite the bar's success.
he'd heard the complaints. everyone had. karaoke night was a staple, and while he was one of the many that wanted to see it back, he understood well why someone wouldn't agree. "you thought any more about bringing karaoke back?" he tossed a smile toward her, his brows raising teasingly as a festival attendee belted lyrics, not a single word matched to the rhythm of the song that blasted from the speakers. "really think it'd be a hit..." he added, every word dripping in amusement that couldn't be tamed.
The moment the word karaoke left his lips, Valentina shot him a look. Really? How many times did she have to say no before people got it through their thick skulls? Lucky for Maverick, it was Pride weekend. That alone had her in a better mood than usual. Seeing people celebrate who they were without apology, dressed in every colour imaginable, filled the town with an energy that somehow made even the longest shifts at the bar worth it.
"Lady Gaga could ask me herself, and the answer would still be no," she replied, narrowing her eyes at him."Besides..." Valentina tilted her head. "Why do you care?" Her gaze drifted over him deliberately, taking her time as she looked him up and down. "I never pegged you for the karaoke type." The corner of her mouth twitched into a smirk as she leaned back against the bar.
"Don't tell me you've got a secret dream of being a pop star, big guy."
Location: Sedona Public Library (but if you feel like it doesn't fit, it can be anywhere πΉ)
Starter for: everyone! @sedonastart
"Okay, question: what is the right age for a sleepover? Asking for a friend and for myself, 'cause we both have no idea and nobody seems to agree." Elliott groaned in frustration, closing the parenting book he'd been skimming. "I'm so desperate I'm not even self-conscious about asking for your opinion."
The voice caught Valentina off guard. She hadn't really intended on sticking around - dusty old books weren't exactly her thing. She'd only stopped in to use the bathroom.
At first, she assumed it was some jackass trying to make a pass at her. Then she noticed the book and let out a laugh. "That's quite the friend if you're already considering a sleepover," Valentina teased, putting extra emphasis on the word sleepover so he knew she was joking.
"Hey, now..." she continued, shaking her head. "Be careful who you let know you're desperate. There are some real weirdos around here." A grin tugged at her lips. "Sadly, I'm not the person to ask. I don't usually go to sleep until way past your bedtime, slugger." With that, she lightly punched his shoulder and flashed him a crooked smile.
