Charlotte pics related to A Punishment Well Earned under the cut. (Plus a bonus cake pic 😋 )
It’s not a proper road trip without baked goods. I yelped my butt off and found a great bakery. Had to get three slices because who the fuck knows when/if I’ll be back. Carrot cake, coconut cream, and chocolate mouse. All were fantastic.
After cake I drove around for a little while. I stopped by the cafe that occupies the space that I set Aaliyah's cafe. It didn't exist when this fic is set, so I took the concept, changed it to suit my needs, and gave it a fake name. But they do have Turkish coffee. I wanted to get one, but I didn't have time 'cause campus awaited. I also didn't take a pic 'cause I was driving. But if you're curious, Google Vavela Cafe.
I made it to campus without issue. I've stared at the damn map for so long that I didn't need my phone. I knew where everything was. The first stop was the fountain. I like fountains. idk why. It’s not the sound ‘cause I’m misophonic. Running water irks me. But they’re cool and the one on campus looked cool and so of course this is what I find 😭
I've blacked out the guy who was tinkering with it. Could he have not waited a hour? 😢
The fountain was the only disappointment of the day. UNC-Charlotte’s campus is stunning. It’s honestly one of the prettiest campuses I’ve seen in my life. I say this as someone who has spent time on a fuck ton of college campuses throughout my years between attending school, visiting friends/family, watching sports, playing sports, summer camps, and work things. Slight caveat: I only went inside one building. That building was very nice. I can’t imagine the other ones look like ass inside while being pretty on the outside, but maybe they do 🤷🏼♀️
After the fountain, I hiked down to the pond where Cruz and Aaliyah have their big chat. This pond fucking killed me while working on the fic. I couldn’t find a single damn image of it. And yes, I could easily make up the details and I did, but I like to base my work off reality and there was always a chance that the pond had been drained or evaporated away or that the supposed fitness trail that cuts past it wasn’t there anymore. It was driving me so crazy that I almost packed up and made this trip a few months ago. I’m glad I waited until now because the places I saw yesterday are critical for ‘A Page Slowly Turned’ whereas I didn’t do too damned bad on my description of this pond. There are strange objects floating on top and it is kinda scummy.
One thing I fucked up is the tree line. As I drafted, I imagined that the trees were thin enough for C&A to be visible to anyone walking where I’m standing, but reality kinda makes the situation better. I’m dying at the thought of them hiding away in that nasty mess of shrubs and trees and squirrels nests. What if there was a skunk or raccoon that attacked them? 🤣
That's kinda where I had them. The hospital parking lot is behind there. The shrub on the right side is blocking a view of the field. If you keep going that way you get to the big road that will take you to A's apartment and what she claimed was a nicer pond. Spoiler alert. Not so much. I will be back with spoilerish pics for that next fic soonish.
