#taod:starter

[lilacsolano]

OPEN STARTER. LOCATION: streets of LA TIME: around 8 pm

A light overcoat hid the gold sequin evening gown Lila had chosen for the fancy gala one of her mother’s socialite friends was throwing. Lillian’s mother, Caroline was feeling a bit under the weather-- was what every other guest heard when asking about her. The truth was, Caroline was having one of the worst days since Luis’ death, she could barely get out of the bed so Lila had to step in for her. And she did so, brilliantly. The youngest Solano had chosen a perfect outfit to compliment her figure and a matching set from Tiffany’s to match it. She was life of the party as always-- as it was expected of her, sweeping each and every one of those snooty faces off their feet. None of them, however, gave her anything in return or sparked her interest-- not a single intellectual conversation was initiated, not a single attractive person was there-- so the blonde decided to ditch the dinner-- just because she could, even before foie gras was served. Not ten minutes later, on one of the most buzzing avenues in the city, she spotted an intriguing face and a smirk instantly found its way to her red-painted lips. “Join me for dinner,” she called out, her tone as light as it was made it clear she wasn’t exactly asking. “My treat.”

[eileendwyer]

Eileen was at The Docks, bare feet buried in the sand as she sat away from the crowd. She nursed a beer as she watched the moon dance in the reflection of waves. How did her friends convince her to go clubbing in the first place? Distraction was promised, but she knew promises were always broken. Eileen was indulging in self-pity, missing Aaron and stressed without a job to focus her energy on. Each audition felt worse than the last, leaving Eileen more hopeless than before.

Wallowing in romanticized self-indulgence, she could still feel a presence over her shoulder. “Sit down if you want,” she said without looking. “Can’t promise I’ll be decent company.” 

[aaronsolano]

Aaron had spent the last few days in New York – a spur of the moment getaway disguised as work. Being in LA felt like a chore nowadays, so any excuse to leave the city was a valid one. Most bars were slow, which was appropriate for a Monday night, but certainly not appropriate for Aaron Solano’s mood. There was not enough weed in the world to alleviate a mild annoyance that now felt semi-permanent to him. 

He walked out of Il Salone to get some fresh air and, more importantly, smoke a cigarette. His left eye was slightly bruised, thanks to an underground fight in Brooklyn (he’d won). He heard footsteps approach, and while Aaron didn’t particularly feel like talking, he still opened his mouth.

“Cigarette?” He offered. 

[juliannaross]

Julianna Ross had always had sort of a one-track mind. Everything she did was about her family, and everything she did was to benefit her family. Since the death of her father, discovering what had happened to him had been the only thing she cared about. She’d even put her wedding planning on hold because she knew she wouldn’t be able to give it and Zelda the consideration it deserved while trying to find her father’s murderer.

After hours of working, she hadn’t really gotten anywhere. She was sitting in the office at Hopper’s because she’d promised Zelda she would come by and see her. But, of course, the bar was a madhouse today, so they’d barely even had a chance to talk. It was just as well because Julianna had called a meeting today. Her head was buried in her hands when she heard the door open, and she spoke without even looking up. “Please tell me you have some new information?” she asked warily. She needed a breakthrough desperately. 

[elsiehartford]

Elsie had always hated coffee runs. She’d done them for years — waiting in lines, parroting Caroline Solano’s intricate orders and balancing the cups as she rushed back into the office. Even after she’d slithered her way into the woman’s closest circle, the lunch breaks turning into gossip sessions and her list of responsibilities growing, the coffee runs remained a constant. No matter how below her she felt it was, after spending hours on painting the Solano family in silvers and golds for the press. 

Not anymore, though. Ever since Luis Solano died and his wife turned into a ghost haunting the Solano estate’s halls, the only coffee she grabbed was her own. Something that felt both exhilarating and right. But habits were hard to break, muscle memory kicking in the moment her mind was distracted by a text in her phone, her hand closing down on both of the cups she’d caught placed on the counter from her peripheral vision. Only when spoken to, did she raise her gaze, brow arched in a perfect half-circle: “Yes?” 

[adriansolano]

Adrian sat in a secluded booth near the stage of Il Salone. The neon lights illumined the otherwise dim room, allowing patrons to escape in their own world of sin and debauchery. Adrian was killing time, unwilling to go to his large, near empty estate. After Lissa left and the death of his father, even with his mother roaming the halls, Adrian’s house was not a home. So, he sat, watching the dancers, nursing an expensive glass of rye.

“I’m off the clock,” he said, raising his glass to the person who approached. “Feel free to join.” His tone was flat, emotionless and cool. Adrian failed to hide his apathy. He didn’t see a point in pretending anymore.

[phoebemarques]

Matteo was with the sitter, a trusted Navarro associate who would keep the little babe safe for the evening. Since the birth of her son, nights out were few and far between. Being a mother was her full time job that she adored; though, even the best of mothers needed a night away.

Her mind, however, would always focus on her son.

“I can’t believe Matty’s walking now,” she cooed. “So determined and strong, just like his father.” The baby was on his feet, running wild through the hallways of their home and trying to climb out of his crib and over furniture. Admiring photos on her phone, even at the bar she missed her little boy. Her heart ached so she took a shot. Something strong and definitely over-priced.

“God, I need a distraction,” Phoebe whined, knowing not much would be able to mitigate her maternal desire to smother her child. 

[valcntinas]

OPEN STARTER Location: Hopper’s Bar & Grill

There really was no reason she should’ve been hanging out in Ross territory. Even if the truth wasn’t out yet, it was only a matter of time. It wasn’t as if there were many people in this line of business that sat on valuable information for very long, let alone how long she waited. But despite there being a part of her that feared greatly what just sitting at the bar could do, Valentina’s curiosity got the best of her. She desperately needed to know what happened. A part of it was about vengeance, closure, but artly, Valentina wanted to find a way to stop feeling so damn guilty. But even she knew she stuck out like a sore thumb in the restaurant, not that that fact alone made her want to run for the hills. It didn’t matter if the person next to her had been staring or not, their presence alone was felt, even if she couldn’t directly see who it was. Speaking up, her voice was light and airy, even if the feelings inside her head weren’t the same, “Bartender, how about a drink for my friend here? Whiskey neat?” As the bartender nodded, she finally shifted her her body and looked at the person now in front of her, giving them a smile as warm as she could possibly muster. “Please, sit.”