Untitled

[s1nclairs]

( cis woman, she/her ) look who goes there! It’s rosalie sinclair. wait, you don’t know who she is? the thirty five year old translator and interpreter (freelance/fixed contract) at various locations has been in town for, like, her entire life (on and off). i believe they live in davenport, but i usually see them around muse’s favorite location. they can be a bit pessimistic, but i think being compassionate kinda balances them out, you know? - loved by kate

triggers: abandonment, mental illness, pregnancy, drug mention

rosalie antonia sinclair was always set for greatness, at least that's what her parents had built her up to be in the hope of continuing the sinclair legacy with pride. even in her earlier years, she displayed high levels of intelligence by being an excellent reader by the age of five, leaps and bounds in front of everyone else in her class. however, it was the social queues she didn't quite understand. there was little thought for other's in the class, frequently shouting out the answer because she just wanted to show them that she knew it already.

there was a pressure to perform and execute everything to the best of her ability - some of that pressure came from her parents but most of it was self-inflicted. she liked being the best at something and hated when someone was better; it rarely happened but when it did, she’d get rather upset (birthday party games were off the table).

ros carried that type a personality into high school with her. a top student, musician and athlete, it seemed that she had everything going for her. little miss know it all- that’s what she’d been named (and a lot worse). however, she just learnt to shut it out, she’d always keep going. how she pushed herself was a concern to her head of year, mostly because she cried all afternoon when she got a 'b’… it would be the first of many incidents and her teachers did suggest that she speak to someone in relation to this but her parents were so quick to shut it down and say that she was fine.

she had originally wanted to do medicine but always found language and literature much more interesting than biology (she still enjoyed sciences but she couldn't see herself studying them. ros actually went to cambridge to study modern languages with comparative literature for a bit of a break from 'sinclair' life - she got away for a few years and whilst she still felt the pressure to perform, the physical distance made it less so.

rosalie did get a bit of a reputation as a 'party girl' - if there was a party going on, she'd know about it, be there and would stay right until the end. that's all so did - go out and study. looking back, she's surprised how she didn't fail. of course, she studied hard, had a natural flair for languages but she felt run down most days (now, she certainly does not enjoy a party).

she cut it out after a really bad trip where she ended up in the emergency room in her final year - she was never doing that again as it terrified her so much. it was also really hard feeling that so far away from family in a different country and so she became less reckless overnight. it hadn't completely put her off as she did stay to complete her masters but then, it was back to maple brook and new york.

with her priorities in check, ros focused on her career. she picked up a lot of work (perhaps too much) as she felt like she needed to perform extremely well at her craft, make more money than the average, in order to complete with her older brother - but how could she ever compete with a doctor? she loved him but at the same time, there was a rooted jealousy. it was most likely down to her wanting attention, for others in the family to acknowledge that she could be successful but in reality, she felt sub par when comparing herself to kit. there was a disconnect between her and her siblings and she didn't know why - kit was protective over rebekah, more than rosalie had been and perhaps if she had given her more attention, more support then things might have turned out differently.

that same disconnect was the one that drove her to fly out for various jobs in different places - she was hardly missed but at least she would have some interesting stories to tell her parents the next time she saw them. she met her now ex husband in france. no, it wasn't love at first sight - she couldn't stand him actually but as the week progressed, she had softened towards him. if you told her that first day she'd be getting married to him and having a child, ros would have burst out laughing.

her parents did give her a generous amount of money to help her buy her beautiful home in davenport and it did sting a little that she did accept it, knowing she wouldn't have got there entirely by herself but what was family for? she couldn't understand why bekah didn't want to take advantage of being a sinclair or why she insisted on making things harder for herself. she has been a little harsh to the youngest, rebekah with her life choices (but ros can be extremely judgemental). she would give her a stern word but at the end of the day, ros loves her family and she'd do nothing to change it.

it seemed she had it all. now a home owner, married, with her own translating and interpreting business after gaining various experience and her hourly rate is something only the wealthy can afford. what she hadn't counted on was having children. her husband wanted them but it wasn't a matter of persuasion. when she found out she was pregnant, she didn't really know how to feel. she'd never been drawn to children - she would spend time with her niece but when it came to children outside of her family, she would actively avoid them. ros wasn't really maternal, she was nervous about it but ultimately, they were completing their family - clara. ros instantly fell in love with her. born on christmas eve named after clara in the nutcracker (that was her favourite thing in the winter ballet season) - it all seemed perfect.

unfortunately, the perfect of it all didn't last long. she'd reference it now as him having a midlife crisis but just two weeks after, her husband left and seemingly ended up back in france with no explanation. she'd lied about it for weeks on end, saying that he was just on a business trip (she was still hopeful he'd do some serious self reflection and come back). he never came back and it was humiliating. she didn't know how to take care of a baby yet alone by herself and she never thought this would happen to her. rosalie sinclair was someone that had her life together, picture perfect - she was quite unforgiving but would forgive him if he just came back.

it took her ending up in an emergency room again, breaking down, to break the charade and actually get help. she was struggling to take care of clara, no sleep, still translating documents - she had too much going on and for the first time in her life, she was completely overwhelmed.

after the ordeal, ros is now back on her feet but she's even less trusting than she was before this happened (she's a very closed book apart from when she has an opinion she feels she just must share with everyone). i'd like to explore how her priorities are changing and if she can open up to new people as opposed to just making a sarcastic comment here and there. she is working less because she has her daughter, clara, who she loves immensely but she's not over the humiliation of just being left like that - she's very hurt. rosalie sinclair had it all and she should have known better than to think something like that would never happen to her.

[clemcntia]

“Technically,   you’re   the   one   invading   their   space.”   Taylor   replied   with   a   shrug.   They   usually   stopped   by   the   cafe   in   the   mornings,   to   fill   their   reusable   tumbler   before   heading   out   to   Columbia   university,   but   that   Saturday   they   figured   they   could   stop   by   Nine   Lives   to   simply   check   in   on   the   cats.   Taylor   had   been   toying   with   the   idea   of   adding   to   the   family–and   by   family,   they   meant   themself,   Lily   and   their   labrador   retriever,   but   they   hadn’t   decided   yet,   so,   for   the   time   being   they’d   just   stop   by   for   some   kitty   smooches   and   regular   coffee.    “   Honestly,   though,   I   don’t   think   this   place   is   the   best   place   to   do   some   work   exactly   because   of   that.   ”    They   certainly   wouldn’t   make   that   mistake,   but   if   people   wanted   to,   at   least   they   should’ve   known   it   was   a   possibility   to   happen.   “   It’s   a   lesson   learned.   ”

[s1nclairs]

"well that's me fucking told, isn't it?" rosalie's eyes lift from her laptop screen to look at the other. of course, the other is correct but her own defensiveness was also a natural reaction when she was in this state of mind. rosalie sinclair begged for the pressure but if it wasn't on her terms, she'd panic. still, after her snappy response rosalie sighed and leaned back in her chair before giving her eyes a couple of moments to look and the floor and surroundings before looking at them. "sorry-" the apology finally came. "it's not the most conducive but these-" she raised her eyebrows at them. "- they know how to put the pressure on and focus you after you give them a stroke or twenty." ros looked down and the black cat was still sat looking at her. "this one... seems to want my attention a lot and i would look into taking them home with me but- i have a lot on, you see." cats chose people and it was obvious this one had chosen rosalie. "do black cats still get a bad rep?"

[porphyros]

                              "well, what is his is yours." that was the power of a good attorney — after shackling up with her shitty ex husband and giving him a child, it was the least that rosalie received 90% of what he had that was worth something, and if that came in wine, all the better. "don't worry, we have a lot. my mother in law doesn't know how to cook for one person." she barely refrains from rolling her eyes, but most of it must be due to the ever present shock of seeing rosalie act like a mother, even muttering words so that the baby wouldn't hear (which is crazy in itself because does it understand?). evelyn chances another glance at the girl, raising her eyebrows. "whatever you say." rosalie should know better than her about childcare and what not, all things considered. "does she not sleep alone?" the idea of someone else clinging to you and crying on your bed seems like a nightmare to evelyn, but she's trying to appear just curious instead of disapproving (it's not like rosalie can send the kid away now that she's birthed it). 

"oh, it's been a lot. you know, today is brazilian day — which is basically their independence day, some kind of 4th of july, and my mother in law decided to come to town and have a whole party about it. so after a few days of handling my own family on labor day, i need to handle his — his little sister is still living with us, by the way — so it's like, that is not why i've decided to marry you, someone who is from out of town. keep your baggage out of my life, you know?" she finally breathes out, and immediately reaches for the glass of wine poured to take a sip and help her calm down. "you're lucky to be rid of your useless husband and his family."

[s1nclairs]

rosalie's highly strung nature only worked against her at this stage of her life. it had previously kept her focused - the middle child - always out to prove she was 'better' than the others and even still, she was falling short of something. it was a regretful feeling niggling away at her but she felt stuck with a life she didn't even want and the guilt of even thinking that was running her down. "ev-" it was meant to be a partnership - that she could understand but she'd never banked on all the responsibility being on her ever. "well, yes - she does have a bedroom-" perhaps rosalie's own anxieties were now being projected onto the child because she was worried something would happen. "-but she likes to be with me. no need for a five a.m. alarm with her. and sugar at this time is a no-go but perhaps in the morning..." ros raised her eyebrows and shrugged as she took another gulp.

pursing her lips together, ros nodded when evelyn described her day but in reality, she thought it was rather endearing and even more so that evelyn had brought her some leftovers. she can understand her cousin's issue with the whole day - it sounded overwhelming to say the least - but at least it was based on family and principles, something that rosalie felt like she'd missed out on and then her husband, or now ex was mentioned. "lucky? you think i'm-" her heart was racing but evelyn was like her and did not do well with emotion. shaking her head, rosalie knew she had to abandon that trail of thought but there was an upset that flicked across her face and the little girl had taken notice of it. "do you want a top up?"

[divineinfamy]

Rafael had never really considered himself a cat person, but recently, he'd found himself frequenting the cat cafe more consistently. There was something inherently joyful about being covered by little balls of fluffs. Even the older ones had their charm. He'd resisted adopting one during the adoption drive, but now he was having non-buyer's remorse (the opposite of buyer's regret, in his mind.) One hand stroking the senior black cat who'd staked a claim to him weeks ago, Raf chuckled. "I don't come here to work," he replied easily. He'd promised himself that if this gruff old man was still a resident of the cafe by month's end, he'd adopt him. It was beginning to look more and more like Raf would soon have a new roommate. "I'd rather they climb all over me for the hour that I'm here. Kinda helps that I don't have the sort of job that needs me 24/7 though."

[s1nclairs]

if she really thought about it, rosalie hadn't come here to work but to feel less alone. now she wasn't travelling with work, it seemed to be mostly confined to her office in her big house that she didn't really have any use for currently. it was how she'd grown up - she'd been handed too much and anything less would feel like a downgrade or a step in the wrong direction - it was her own snobbish mannerisms getting in the way of her happiness, well part of it anyway. running her fingers down the black cat's fur, she nodded. "neither do i, i suppose. i'd love one but i'm not sure how gentle my daughter would be with one." the brunette chuckled before shutting her screen. "neither do i but it does give me something to focus on." ros had to work, she couldn't manage not and it would be her worst nightmare just to be a mother and nothing more. "documents don't translate themselves. well, they do a-la google translate and soon the dreaded..." ai, but she'd most likely be retired by them. "it's something to do. what is it that you do, again?"

[porphyros]

                                she's barely walked inside when the sight of her cousin and her toddler welcomed her in, with the adult already asking for a bottle. sparing a look to the little girl on the carpet, evelyn decides to indulge rosalie — if it was her with a kid, evelyn isn't sure she wouldn't have opened the bottle already. plus, selfishly, she knows she needs some drinks as well, having endured the day with her mother in law dictating and complaining and trying to pick her apart. "what are we drinking?" she shoots back, at last. "i brought you some things." the blonde lifts the two tupperwares — grilling sundays always meant that a lot of food was done, especially on the brazilian national holiday. "there's some barbecue with rice and farofa, and my mother in law made pudim de doce de leite. and there's brigadeiros, too." the girl gets another look as evelyn walks past her, not bothering to trying to greet the little being. "is she eating sugar yet?" from her small circle of friends with children, she knew some mothers tried to keep processed food from their kids' diet, but she hasn't tried to understand rosalie as a mother yet — to even make peace with her cousin as a mother was a bit ridiculous, even as the kid was over a year old already.

[s1nclairs]

"some of his wine - it is vintage though so would be a shame to waste it." it was a little irresponsible of rosalie to want to jump straight in, especially when she was still supervising clara but at least she wasn't alone. granted, she was never alone with the girl joined to her hip, literally and figuratively, but it was now a different sense of loneliness that evelyn eased so well (though she'd vowed herself never to get mopey in her presence and tell her). her feelings really didn't need to be aired so ros would revert back to repressing them down and refuse to acknowledge them. "oh-" her face softened as pure gratitude was shown in her eyes. "that's so kind of you, thank you." when had she last eaten a proper meal? rosalie couldn't recount that but it must have been at the garrison away from her home. "oh, god no!" with the widening of her eyes, her head quickly shook. "it will be her-" bedtime - she mouthed to avoid clara hearing. "-soon and i would quite like to sleep tonight." bringing her glass with her, rosalie travelled to the sofa. "please, sit. tell me about your evening or just anything you've been getting up to and i will live vicariously through you, please."

[blcssomfully]

ever since valentina started frequenting the cat cafe, a tabby has pretty much taken residence on her lap whenever she's around--which was the current case as said tabby was curled in her lap now, purring contentedly as she swiped through tabs on her ipad, trying to create the perfect vision board for her client. the brunette was lost in her work until the soft voice beside her broke through, reminding her of the dangerous trio of casts, electronics and coffee. the comment evoked a quiet chuckle from her lips as she lifted her gaze from the screen in front of her. " thankfully, i haven't had any incident like that. yet, " she told them, giving the tabby an absent scratch behind the ears. " did you manage to save your keyboard at least? or was it a lost cause? " / @s1nclairs

[s1nclairs]

"that one likes you." rosalie's voice was soft as the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "i didn't believe that cats actually chose people before coming here but they definitely do..." she slowly put her hand down to massage the top of the black cats head and make sure she didn't trigger a fight response in the little but mighty ball of fluff. "this one just won't leave me be but i don't mind the company. if i didn't like it i would just leave, right?" ros' eyebrows raised as her shoulders shrugged. "he also loves the warmth of my keyboard. managed to save it so it lives to fight another day, though the 'c' key is still quite sticky." shaking her head, she finally looked up at the other. "so, do you come here often? no feline friends back home?"

[whiskeyneats]

"oh, i like to cook. though usually my fiancée and i cook together." ema shrugs, reaching up to tuck some hair behind her ear. honestly, any time with their partner was time well spent, no matter what the activity. "that's true, if you buy groceries. but there's plenty of other things to buy as well. i just picked up some lotion and it smells heavenly." they point out. "what else is on your list? maybe i can point you in the right direction."

[s1nclairs]

rosalie's eyebrows raised with interest. "oh, you do? any tips at all -" she widened her eyes. "to enjoy it?" she supposed that the company had a lot to do with it but unfortunately, at this stage in her life, that wasn't an open. her husband had done the cooking - that had been his forte - but with his departure, ros had to regroup and it didn't feel like such a priority. "i could splash on some soaps, also need a new mirror but would prefer something a little... original. i prefer curating, not buying the standard for next day delivery. last week, i realised i had no candles so i figured i'd look out for those - have you seen a stall around for the hand-crafted ones?" local was always the best way in rosalie's eyes; it was a perk of being in a town as opposed to a big city where businesses struggled against the big chains that only continued to pop up.

[upendedmadness]

aurelia listened, her brown hues on rosalie as she took everything in. she wasn't used to cats, mainly, because pets hadn't been a thing in her house growing up, but she knew that she had to grow used to them sometime, and what better time to get used to them then now? she listened and observed before grinning. "i think cats have better boundaries than some people honestly." she said with a slight laugh, her hues on the other as she shrugged her shoulders absentmindedly.

[s1nclairs]

a quick sigh left the woman's chest before she nodded. "well, you have a valid point at times but they do it on their own terms. don't get me wrong, i somewhat envy them." they only presented themselves when they wanted attention, spent the majority of their life sleeping and could also look after themselves. "perhaps i'll get one eventually if my daughter starts asking for a pet in a couple of years because there is no way in hell that i'm getting a dog." she was barely coping currently so adding a puppy into the mix would definitely push her over the edge. "i like cars, i do." her eyebrows raised, feeling that she'd been rather negative about them in front of the other in front of them.

[tapestr1es]

“Are you sure? I really don't mind!” Sami offered one last time, but the other woman's mind seemed set, so she let it be. At the sight of the toddler clinging to her mother (she presumed), Sami couldn't help but coo. “Oh, you are so lucky your mama brought you out today.” She smiled at the young girl before returning her attention to the woman holding her. “And you are so brave to be risking a carnival with child in tow.” A laugh escaped her, for some reason it was so easy to connect with other parents than it was with anyone else – ever – in her life. “My little one is much too tiny – and too fussy – to have made this trip. He wouldn't have even remembered this day.” She shook her head, a frown gracing her lips. It was an odd thing, to be so attached to a small, defenseless person she had only had for not even four months. 

The line shifted, and she moved forward, doing her best to seem still open to conversation. She wanted to pick this woman's brain, learn how to be a better mother, hear her particular do's and don't's so Sami could formulate her own path of raising Ajay based on the collection of information she received from the different parents she talked to – but that was crazy. Still, making a friend in this woman wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, would it? “Have you ever been to a carnival? It's actually my first time.” An awkward laugh escaped her, because she could never get quite comfortable in her skin. First the books, now the admission. She turned to the other woman and squinted. “Is that weird? It feels a little weird.” 

[s1nclairs]

"it's fine, truly." the sinclair family had more money than they knew what to do with - that was always rosalie's take on the situation - so she had no problem spending it. of course, she wanted to make her own in the world and she had... what was so wrong about taking advantage of the name? it would pay them both into this idea of hell, used for good and that was a win in her eyes. "she is, isn't she?" there was a slight bitterness in the brunette's voice. rosalie loved her daughter, there was no dispute on that but she'd never expected to be a single parent and it didn't feel like it was getting any easier. the child grabbed her mothers necklace. "no, clara. we don't do that..." she whispered as she feelt it tug around her neck and she opened up clara's palm with the tip of her fingers.

"oh-" rosalie's eyebrows raised. "you have a little one?" it was a question that left her showing no joy nor disgust - it was simply a question to ask about the other's predicament, not that she was entitled to that knowledge. "ive not been to many. it wasn't the done thing when i was younger and in all honesty-" she lowered my voice. "it's not my style." the pessimism exuded from her but she was too tired to cover it up. "i find them a little overstimulating but i think she needs the extra stimulation in order to have a good sleep tonight." would this work? she honestly didn't know butt it was worth a try. "sorry, i didn't catch your name. i'm rosalie, ros."

[s1nclairs]

location: nine lives cat café

open: no current cap!

lone working wasn't really helping rosalie. before clara came along it wasn't so bad as she'd travel; now, most of her services could be covered by video conference and that isolated her further. whilst clara was with her parents in the city, she had decided to take her laptop out and go to the cat café - no, the cats were not going to help her concentration but she did enjoy seeing them. sitting at a table with her laptop and a coffee, she ran her hand firmly down the back of a black cat, one that would be particularly drawn to her each week, before turning back to look at her screen. "you've got to be careful with electronics around them. i once got my drink served in a tall glass and with one swoop of a tail, the contents was all over my diary and keyboard." rosalie hadn't looked up at the other but continued to muse out loud as she moved unnecessary emails from her inbox. "i know they rule us but boundaries are important."

[clemcntia]

closed   starter    —    imani   owens     ↻       rosalie sinclair       ·     ludlow   plaza ›         (      @s1nclairs     )

Imani   had   always   hated   getting   gifs   for   people   she   didn’t   know,   but,   the   brunette   had   been   invited   to   the   birthday   party   of   the   wife   (or   was   it   girlfriend?)   of   one   of   the   name   partners   of   her   law   firm,   and,   since   it   was   a new   girlfriend,   Imani   hadn’t   had   the   time   to   properly   get   to   know   her.   As   the   lawyer   looked   around   at   the   jewelry   shop   in   Ludlow   Plaza,   she   let   out   a   sigh.   Lucky   for   her,   she   wasn’t   alone,   so   she   could   ask   for   an   opinion.   “   Hey,   do   you   mind   giving   me   an   input   on   something?   ”   She   then   motioned   to   some   of   the   pins   on   display.    “   If   you   were   to   gift   a   twenty-something   year   old,   which   one   would   you   give?   ”

[s1nclairs]

clara was at the age where she'd pull on her mother's jewellery, wanting to wear it herself and getting quite upset when the answer was 'no'. rosalie had figured if she got clara her own, she'd be less inclined to fuss. granted, she probably shouldn't have been spending this kind of money to appease her two year olds excellent taste, purely on principle but she did have the means to do it and clara wasn't at an age where she'd grasped the concept of wealth. raising her eyebrows at the person who had asked her for some input, her brow quickly furrowed as she hummed to herself. "hmm..." narrowing her eyes slightly, she pointed to the one on the left. "this one. it's classic and modern, love the little blue stone and i think it's classic enough to carry them onto their later years, if they're that way inclined."

[whiskeyneats]

open starter !! (1/5) location: aurora's fair

the farmer's market was dangerous. not in a bad way, but in the sense that ema always seemed to leave with a bunch of things that they hadn't intended on buying. even with a list, they still seem to leave with at least a couple of extras in their bag. approaching a stall, ema takes their time perusing the items that were for sale at that particular booth. "seeing anything exciting?" she asks to announce her presence, not wanting to startle the other. "i feel like i always buy more than what i need whenever i come here."

[s1nclairs]

rosalie was the type that didn't really bother to browse - go and get out as quickly as possible. however, she was taking full advantage of the fact her parents had clara for a few days and so she could take the pressure off herself to get it done in record time. still, the woman gripped her handwritten list on a post-it note (some things never changed, even if technology was an option) and worked her way through it. "exciting?" she frowned as she looked up at the other - did people get excited about these types of things? holding out her half-finished list in the other's direction, she shrugged. "do you think i'm missing something? i always feel like i don't buy enough. or do i really need another candle or another book to go with ones i've not even read yet..." time seemed to be working against her these days and she never had enough of it. "but then again, i also can't really cook." he had been the one to take that role.

[s1nclairs]

"right- so are we drinking tonight?" straight to it - rosalie hadn't even stopped to ask before she pulling it out of her wine fridge and pouring herself a glass. if she was going to be entirely honest with herself, she'd definitely not got over the majority of things and it was making things harder but at least now she felt a little more functional. evelyn was one of the very few she actually trusted - they wouldn't talk about soppy shit but if something important was on ros' mind, she'd tell evelyn - a free judgement zone. clara was on the carpet with some stuffed toys seemingly preoccupied by rearranging them into a scene so ros saw this as her break. she loved her daughter, she did but there was something in her that was trying to justify her feelings of wanting to give other things attention when she would have never done it alone to begin with. "sorry-" rosalie let out a sigh. "how was the night?" @porphyros / evelyn.

[hxlfyourhexrt-deactivated202512]

who: freddie & anyone where: the book voyage (today it is in springdale)

work had never been such a dream for freddie. he had loved the library. he'd loved getting to know the people of the town ... but owning his own place? being his own boss? it was all he could have ever hoped for. so he had no problems in spending most of his time there. maybe he spent too much time there. did it take up too much of his time? probably.

freddie was busy working, doing some admin, when he heard the familiar noise of patrons in the store. he looked up, trying to ascertain who it was that had come in, "can i help with anything?" freddie questioned before he took in who was in front of him. "we got some new stuff in recently. some new releases, a few new versions of some classics... hopefully something to take your fancy."

[s1nclairs]

rosalie loved to read, it was the reason why she'd opted for comparative literature along with her languages to begin with, so she wouldn't lose it. now she was more limited with her time, she couldn't remember the last book she'd read and that needed to change. the first step was already complete - good reads profile created - and now she found herself, accompanied by her young daughter that was hanging off her hip distracted by the many colourful spines around them, looking for one to read. the versions she'd grown up with still remained with her parents - the collector editions that she was allowed to read but only under supervision to make sure damage was minimal. the woman widened her eyes. "new versions of classics, you say?" that certainly perked her interest and perhaps she could get a few copies of her favourites with a new cover (though she would still hunt the vintage versions on ebay when she had more time). "wouldn't mind something new either - perhaps a mystery or fantasy... though i am more inclined to a classic."

[tapestr1es]

where: annual fair & carnival when: september 24th, midday who: samira & open (cap 1/3)

Maple Brook was always full of surprises and adventures, always keeping Sami's eyes and ears peeled for the next thing to captivate her. Today, it was the annual fair. She'd always pushed it off as a next year thing, too wrapped up in building a stable life to find time to relax and try new things. But, this was the year, she had told herself. Sami Rao would have and master a funnel cake for better or for worse. Standing in line for admissions, she raked a hand through her hair, pin straight but messy and a little out of place, and she was sure she had seen a split end or two this morning. Sami was still mulling over if she would cut her hair in a bob like she new a lot of young mother's did, but genuinely, she liked her length, and it made her feel a little more like herself to keep it.

"Can you believe admission is only a dollar?" She asked to the person next to her, her excitement brimming just under a carefully crafted facade of neutrality. "Well, with a book, of course." Nothing in life was free, she understood that. Her bag held about five books, because she had been certain for some reason that whichever one she handed off would somehow get rejected when she'd packed her purse. Now it felt juvenile and a little embarrassing to be lugging around it's heavy weight. "Did you bring a book for entry? I've got an extra if you need one." She scratched the back of her head and furrowed her brows, laughing slightly, "Several, actually. I love variety." She loved variety? Sami wanted to bang her head up against a wall, but unfortunately, they were outside in the fresh air.

[s1nclairs]

rosalie hated events like these - she hadn't even liked them as a child, not that she'd been to many growing up in the city and boarding schools but there was absolutely nothing that appealed to herself personally. however, things were now different; she had a daughter, she was young but old enough to at least engage with the atmosphere and it would at least serve her as entertainment for an hour or two (anything more than that was when rosalie would proclaim it torture). standing in line with clara perched on her hip and seemingly charming people around them, ros shifted on her feet. it wasn't like these sorts of events made her anxious but it was just... a bit much for her.

raising her eyebrows as she looked towards the other, her eyes widened. shit- she knew she'd forgotten something. "oh - that honestly slipped my mind." gone were the times when she could read a book interrupted but perhaps it would be something she'd pick up again to de-stress. "oh-" she shook her head. "that's kind of you but very unnecessary. i have no problem paying the forgotten book tax. it probably wouldn't have survived the journey with this one." her head tilted towards the toddler as she widened her eyes. "it's great that they have that, though."

[pozimek]