🐺

[theaxharris]

The brunch was going to be winding down soon she was sure, she saw empty plates here and there, but she knew that some people liked to keep the party going all day whenever they did these brunches. Thea was happy as long as they knew that the people would be working around them to clean up and that the brunch menu would be over at two in the afternoon. "Yeah successful events make me very happy and it seems like this is another hit on our hands here." She shared with a grin, having heard the same sentiment time and time again. It was hard for Thea to enjoy everything fully since she knew she needed to keep her eyes out for anything that could possibly be going wrong. But Sophia was sweet for wanting her to enjoy everything. "Well as much as I can, yeah. So tell me about what your life has looked like lately!" She was a bit curious since it had been quite some time now since they'd gotten the chance to chat.

@sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

Sophia knew that she'd come to the right place when there were special times of years. It helped that she'd heard that something was going on and that it would be a big hit so it only encouraged her to decide on a night out rather than spend one inside. "There's no surprise there. You guys always seem to pull these things off and make it memorable each and every year." She looked down at her hand and smiled, keeping her reaction at bay for the time being in order to answer the question. "I'm kind of trying to get back out there. I'm not getting the best of luck and it's probably because I'm barely dipping a toe back into the dating world. Not that you can help given that you've got a huge rock on your finger! Congratulations!"

@theaxharris

[dilanxbarak-deactivated20240522]

When Sophia returned with popcorn and candy, Dilan greeted the woman with a smile as she kept Selvi in front of her. "Things are going really well," her cheeks flushed as Dilan bounced Selvi's hand with her own as she spoke, her daughter's eyes fixated on the screen before them. "We said I love you already," the redness of her cheeks deepened and she was grateful for the darkened sky around them. "I'd love to help," she had hated what happened to Sophia, "wow, look at you," the brunette gasped, "smoking, definitely use that one." @sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

The brunette sat down and then tried her best not to gawk at her friend when she mentioned that they'd already taken a big step. "Hold on. Have a lot of people met him?" Likely his sister and maybe some friends but she felt like he at least needed to be vetted before they dived straight into love. "How long have you guys been seeing each other again? It feels like everything is happening so quick." Though most of that was because she wasn't as around as she wanted to be. "You think this one is right? There isn't too much cleavage?"

@dilanxbarak

[isabelmulligan]

Xiu wasn't entirely sure why she was at the race in the first place, she certainly had no intention of going on the water, or at least she didn't until she was approached by a woman who seemed to need a partner. Xiu didn't exactly have a lot of friends, and her tension with her siblings seemed to be hiding around every corner, so perhaps some time on the water away from everything would be a good idea. "I'll be honest, I wasn't planning on it," she admitted, "I've never actually been on a kayak before."

@sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

Sophia looked over at the kayak and then wondered if she wanted to waste the energy trying to reassure someone that it wasn't as bad for the sake of maybe winning. It was likely she'd only get frustrated mid-race and then have to spend time reassuring the panicked woman on her first ride. With all of that playing through her mind, she decided that it was best to simply cut her losses. "It's not as bad." She said as she stepped away from the kayak, leaving the life jackets inside alongside the paddles. "A rice isn't the best way of learning how to do it, though. So good idea with sticking with land."

@xiuhuangg

[carlavillanueva]

"Nope, nope. We both know it's about winning," Carla pointed out with a shake of her head. There was no way either one of them was going to go into it and have a leisurely row on the lake. They were going in for the kill even if they absolutely sucked at it. "And then have to row the two of us by myself? Nah, I don't think so." She would definitely serve some looks but she definitely needed Sophia to get through the race, and hitting her with a paddle was not the best way to ensure that. "Fine, you had me at food and drink."

[sophramirxz]

"It's always about winning but I won't make a big scene if we don't." People didn't enter a race not wanting to win but she could at least control her emotions if they didn't happen to cross tht line first. Luckily, she was able to sweet talk her friend into a deal and a ride. "I still promise to be on my best behaviour. I'm starting therapy and controlling my emotions is one of the things I need to work on so this will be a perfect test."

@carlavillanueva

[sophramirxz]

who: @xiuhuangg

where: take it outdoors

Sophia didn't blame her friends for bailing on her when she suggested that they pair up with her to do the kayak race. They all knew how competitive she was and how she'd likely burn every ounce of energy she had to get them both at the finish line. As she stood beside the kayak she'd gotten from the race hosts, she looked around for a lone person who was maybe hoping to find someone else to participate with. "Are you thinking of doing the race?" She casually asked the nearest person, smiling softly at them. "It looks like fun, doesn't it? I need a partner if you're interested. They give life jackets so it's super safe."

[sophramirxz]

who: @dilanxbarak

where: Starview Drive-in

Sophia returned with a replenished basket of popcorn and a big assortment of candy that cost her more than anticipated but she decided that it was worth it given that she hadn't seen her friend in so long. She smiled at the little girl who was seated in front of her mother before Sophia settled beside Dilan. "You look like you've been doing well. How are things going with your new man?" The brunette whispered despite the fact that they were in the back so they weren't bothering anyone by speaking and the little girl was too transfixed in the big screen to be bothered. "I got some candy. I also need your help with my dating profile because I can't figure out which picture to use. What about this one?"

[theaxharris]

character: Sophia Ramirez @sophramirxz

location: Holy Spirits Brunch; Spring Extravaganza

The brunch was in full swing and just like every other time she held this event, she knew that everything would be fine as long as a majority of people had a good time. There had been her own shock earlier of finding out that Amelie's had a new head chef and that was Foster. But, Thea felt like that could be compartmentalized until later on. Mingling with everyone and giving out smiles and good greetings, she let out a small sigh. She didn't realize she'd let out until she smiled over at Sophia. "Hey girl, how's it going? I haven't seen you in awhile. You have a good time here so far?" She knew she'd now asked about a hundred people that question, but when it came to her friendlier patrons, she actually did care to hear what they were thinking about the event.

[sophramirxz]

Sophia was excited to go out and meet up with a few friends later on in the night. Her schedule was free and she decided that she would head out earlier to have a few drinks before they met up as most were in relationships and were spending the first half of the night with their significant others. As a newly single woman, Sophia decided being alone in a bar wasn't the worst place for her to be. It had been a while since she'd last been here and she instantly smiled when the owner approached her when their gaze met. "I know, I've been busy. You know how life goes but it seems like you've been doing well. Tonight is a great hit." She looked around at the sheer amount of people who were here. "I've been having a great time. What about you? Hopefully you're enjoying yourself even if you're on the clock."

@theaxharris

[carlavillanueva]

Characters: Carla Villanueva & Sophia Ramirez (@sophramirxz) Location: Take It Outdoors, Summit Lake Closed Starter

Carla wasn't exactly sure why she said yes to doing the kayak race with Sophia considering just how much she sucked at it. But then again, she hadn't seen her friend in a while and she didn't want to break her heart by saying no. All she could hope for was that Sophia wasn't here to win this thing - if so, she was definitely setting herself up for failure with Carla as her kayaking mate. "Are you sure you want to do this with me? You know how much I suck at this," she reminded her friend as they made their way slowly towards the lake where people were gathering slowly for the race.

[sophramirxz]

"It's not about winning. It's about having fun." Easier said than done with someone who was typically very competitive. It was likely that Sophia would go in the race with the intention not to care but that she'd end up trying to be the first to pass the line. "If I start to pressure you to win, then you hit me across the head with the paddle." Perhaps that was a little harsh of a reminder but a splash of water with the paddle would work just as well. "I promise to get you a drink and some food after to replenish you and get your energy back up."

@carlavillanueva

[saulweissberg-archive]

it was a known fact that saul weissberg didn't cook. even when he was married three separate times, he rarely used his kitchen, instead preferring to go out or order in for all his meals. it was easier in manhattan, where there were more restaurants than he could feasibly patronize before they inevitably closed. when his ex-wife convinced him to move to providence peak, she had promised there would be enough restaurants in the city that he wouldn't be able to run through them all in a week, that there were plenty of different cuisines to choose from. just like he had back home, he picked a few favorites, then rotated through the rest. the teacher's lounge had been his favorite when it came to breakfast, and most times, it was an uneventful experience. (operative word: most times.)

saul chuckled behind his coffee mug, raising a brow at her quip. he was glad his fellow customer shared his amusement—some people in providence peak could be so uptight. he had been told many times his new yorker attitude was too abrasive, but sometimes, he found a like-minded individual in the wild. “hmm, good point. i wouldn't want to miss the most interesting thing to happen today for some simple pancakes.” it was certainly going to be the only thing he talked about for the rest of the day, maybe for the whole week. if there was anything saul loved, it was to have a story to tell. “perhaps i'll go for some yogurt or toast. the least distracting meal i could get.” he stretched his neck out to see over at her table, “what about you? what'd you get?”

[sophramirxz]

Perhaps he wouldn't miss the whole ordeal because of his choice of meal but he would at least chance being disrupted in the middle of it. Maybe it was more Sophia protecting herself as well and risk the waitress obscuring her vision to whatever fight was brewing between the other staff. "You want to do something fast or something obnoxiously long that you'll receive it once everything has been said and done." Then again, he would be risking some of the staff walking out after the outbreak. It happened frequently and that would be more upsetting than ordering something minimal.

"I'm getting some yogurt and fruit. I'm going to starve but the most important thing is some coffee. Maybe I'll wait for her to come back and order some bacon. I think I need some protein to get through the day, at least." Bacon didn't take that long, nor did eggs, but the combination of all of that might take too much time. There was no saying when everything would implode but the tension continued to grow by the second. "What is your assumption of how this is going to end? Should we bet on it?" Perhaps she was testing her own karma by suggesting they bet money on who would be the first to bring the fight up or walk off, but Sophia wanted to make it interesting.

@saulweissberg

[dilanxbarak-deactivated20240522]

"Of course you can meet him," Dilan grinned at the thought of that. Her friendship with Sophia was important to her and she wanted Erol to know those people as well. "I'm happy, too," and she was. The smile pushing the corners of her lips upward was telling enough. "We can get together during in the coming weeks, yeah?" Dilan kept a smile as she reached out to grab Sophia's hand, "And I'm here for you, okay, always." @sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

"Good! Maybe we can go out for dinner or I can come over whenever he's around." She didn't want to put pressure on how she met him because she wanted it to be comfortable for dilan and the new person in her life. "Thank you. I'm just excited to be there supporting you for once while you're dating someone new. It's a nice shift and you deserve it. I've got to run, though. We'll text and maybe you can send me a picture of him or the both of you!"

@dilanxbarak

[jacobklee]

Jacob bobbed his head along to her story. Yes, break ups weren't easy, he would know that. His last two had been—really bad and fairly bad respectively, depending on who he was talking to, but yes, he'd had his fair share of breaks up along his forty years, so he got it. "I mean... do you really have that much time to spare due to a break up?" Maybe she was married or lived with her person, and that's why she feels like she has a lot of time in her hands. To Jacob, it didn't make that much sense. "Somehow, I doubt that." Sophia seemed interesting and not the kind of person to be moping around due to a bad break up like Jacob had once have, but of course, he could be wrong.

When the question was directed at him, he simply shrugged. "We had a little friends get together at the bar. Most went home and I was about to, too. Not exactly the most entertaining of stories, right?" The older man chuckled, Sophia's presence making the way to the Book Bar less silent than it was originally going to be. Once they arrived, Jacob stepped out of his car and opened the door for her, then walking her into the bar. "Your first round's on me. So long as you tell me more about what this new sociable and fun era entails." / @sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

The brunette grimaced at the question because she didn't know if she was describing their relationship in the best light. Certainly it hadn't left as big of a hole in her schedule as she was making it seem. "It's not like that," she started with a flush of her cheeks. "I mean that I took some time off to kind of process. If I'm honest, I probably didn't put enough time in my relationship." She was to blame for some of that but the person she was with had also decided to use all of his time and to put it into other people who was not her. Even going forward to kissing someone else during a night he should have been with her so she wouldn't allow herself to feel too guilty.

"Did you have a good time with them?" That was the main thing. "I don't want to keep you from going home and relaxing if that's what you wanted to do. Don't feel like you need to keep me busy." Especially not after she announced that she was out after a break up. She didn't need any pity. Perhaps he'd stick around for a drink and then he'd announce his departure so she didn't press too hard about him staying when they walked into the bar. "Sounds like a fair enough deal. Hopefully you don't hold the fact that I'll make it up on the spot against me."

@jacobklee

[rcmandaniels-archive]

Roman shrugged but didn’t go further in on the topic, simply indicating to agree to disagree on this one matter. At her negotiation, he offered her a wry smile. “Deal then. That said, this place isn’t looking too hopeful, so maybe a real coffee is on the horizon for you after all.” He stepped over, holding the door open for her, gesturing as if to say ‘after you’. One more drink wouldn’t hurt, even if it was some gross cocktail a bar like this should never attempt to make, after all.

☆ @sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

Sophia chewed the inside of her cheek as she walked around and nodded her head in agreement. "Lucky me." She chimed as she followed after him and stepped outside the door. "Thank you. Lucky for you, I know a secret place that has the best coffee and they'll provide a discount because I've been a very loyal customer." She turned towards him. "But I'm going to have to see if I feel like you deserve to experience it. I've yet to decide."

@rcmandaniels / the end.

[wesxkennedy]

"Nah, his uncle should be use to it by now. My brother knows that Ollie will not want to leave his side for awhile and would want to show his uncle all the books I have gotten him and also the stuff animals too," he replied with a chuckle shaking his head. Wesley was really lucky, he had family that loved Ollie so much and treated him like he was their own. "You are correct it really does. I am really lucky"

"I can understand that. At least it's better than dramatic has mine has been," he nodded his head as he sighed. "It's okay if you don't want to talk about it," @sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

"He's a reading, huh? That's always good. I find that kids are too much into video games and violent movies too early." Was there any proof that it was bad for them? She didn't know but that was just her opinion. "He sounds like he loves your brother a lot. It's great to have family involved and that they're close." As someone who didn't have siblings, she was almost envious of people who did.

"How has yours been dramatic?" She questioned out of curiosity. "You tell me what's going on with you and then I'll do the same." A compromise she could stick to.

@wesxkennedy

[dilanxbarak-deactivated20240522]

"It's seeming that way so far," she responded with beet red cheeks. "I mean, I had thought about it before but the last thing I had ever wanted to do was to ruin our friendship," and yet, it had only made them stronger. "We are taking it slow," she answered the other's question, "well sort of," she laughed softly, "it's slow and also fast paced but not at all in a bad way," Dilan couldn't count the number of times she already had wanted to tell Erol she loved him.

[sophramirxz]

"Slow is good." Maybe slow was the smartest thing to do. She'd had one relationship that went by fast and the other that was slow and she didn't know what was the right answer given how bad both had ended. One had returned to his ex and the other had kissed a stranger. "Do I get to meet him or is that going too fast in your books? I don't want to put any pressure so don't feel like you need to introduce him to me. I'm just happy for you."

@dilanxbarak

[saulweissberg-archive]

availability / open (@providencepeakstarters) setting / the teacher's lounge, midmorning

'if she steals my table one more time today, i'm going to slap the shit out of her!'

saul couldn't hide the expression of amusement, even with a coffee cup in front of his face. the servers were squabbling over him a few feet away, off in the kitchen where he couldn't see them but everyone could hear them. when he was sat, one poured his coffee and then a different server took his breakfast order. he meant to bring up the confusion, but the two started arguing before he could interject, much to saul's delight.

dinner and a show, he thought. or breakfast, rather.

with a smirk and wide eyes, saul looked over his shoulder, searching for someone to share in his amusement. he turned his head and locked eyes with another customer, brows raising. “i'd like to see that, actually.” the more entertainment, the better. “you think i'd get my pancakes before they start duking it out back there? or should i cut my losses and just drive to farm to fork now?”

[sophramirxz]

Sophia was someone who worked with the public and found herself both appalled and a little invested in what was going on between the employees. It wasn't surprising because the stress of waiting and the risk of losing tips put addition stress on the work environment, though Sophia was surprised that they were being vocal enough that some of the nearby tables were visibly whispering about it.

When she caught the eye of another customer, she couldn't help but let her amusement show with the rise of her lips. "I'd pay to see that." Which, she basically was, unintentionally. "I don't know that you'll be able to get your pancakes in time but I wouldn't leave at this point. You'll have to enjoy your show with a coffee. I'd maybe go with something simple and quick like eggs and beans if you want to eat."

@saulweissberg

[rcmandaniels-archive]

Had Roman tried to outgrow his own trauma? Or did he merely just let himself ruminate in it for too long? He didn’t know how to address his own conflicted feelings regarding such a nuanced situation, so he decided it was probably for the best to simply ignore it instead. “I think it’s a waste of time to be jealous.” Because he had to, or he’d never get anything done if he was too busy eclipsed in his own envy and hate. “Fine, I think those are simple enough requests. Those aren’t asking for too much. Unsure if they do coffee here though, unless an espresso martini is a good equivalent?” 

☆ @sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

She couldn't help but take into his account his perspective, though she believed it was a little more complicated than that. "I don't think people go into their situation wanting to be jealous or a jealous person." She'd had her own moments of being insecure and jealous and wasn't proud of it but they'd happened on their own. "I've been looking for a place to redeem the horrible espresso martini's I've had in the past so I'm not opposed to accept that as an alternative. You may have to bring me for a real coffee if i'm forced to have another horrible martini, though."

@rcmandaniels

[dilanxbarak-deactivated20240522]

"I did," Sophia's excitement as the other place her hands onto her arm only reddened her cheeks. "We kissed not long before that holiday party back in December," seemingly so far away and like yesterday at this point, "then we went to that together and he asked me out," it almost made her feel like a young teen in love, "we've been friends for a long while," arguably, as close as her and Sophia had been, "we'd both been harboring feelings for each other for much longer than either of us admitted to," she laughed with a wrinkle of her nose, "but it's going well, I mean, amazing, really," she was trying not to get ahead of herself. @sophramirxz

[sophramirxz]

Sophia couldn't help but smile when Dilan indicated that they kissed and then went out together. No one else deserved to be loved like Dilan did, and she already knew this guy was the luckiest to be loved by her. "Friends involving into a relationship is always the best way to go about it." It was usually how all her relationships went and they hadn't ended well but Sophia feared that maybe she was cursed. "Have you guys done other things than kissed or are you taking it slow?"

@dilanxbarak