sofia valdez

SOFIA VALDEZ. "i sleep where i want, when i want, with who i want." a life well lived witch. stripper. sister. some of you might know me by 'peia.'

[thesofiavaldez]

𝖘𝖔𝖋𝖎𝖆 𝖛𝖆𝖑𝖉𝖊𝖟 ♚ 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐜𝐡. 𝐬𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫. 𝐝𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐫.

pinned info to come...

[bodhimohan]

OPEN STARTER @fenrirswoodstarters location ; the duck fair

Bodhi wasn't one for fairs like this one, though he remembered the last big event he'd been at and the very nice lady and her son who he'd helped. This time around, he was on a mission. He had a face committed to memory and was hoping they'd make an appearance at the fair so he could tell a concerned mother that they were just avoiding her and hadn't gone to London.

He took a sip from his coffee and realised as it went down that they'd made a mistake on his order. He coughed and looked back at the cup. "Oef, that's... I've forgotten coffee with sugar really isn't my thing," he said with a slight laugh. "Are you interested? It would be a waste to throw it away."

[thesofiavaldez]

"Sure, free coffee," Sofia agreed, taking the drink from her friend. She preferred tea but who was she to say no to free? Besides she was still trying to adjust her sleep schedule back to being in the land of the living. Sofia had been working nights since she was nineteen years old, ten years being awake all night and crashed out most of the day was hard to shift back from.

After taking a small sip she held it against her waste. "So once we get your coffee fixed where are we headed?" she asked him. unaware of the specifics to his plan.

[museinitalics]

Micah had been joking at the start but as she continued to speak and her words felt more and more genuine, the playful lightness in his eyes and smile shifted as his head began to slowly tilt like a dog's would while it listened intently, focused wholly on her. "Oh," he said softly, fatigue from the long journey kept his smile gently spread across his features, a natural expression for him whenever he was around her to always be smiling so it was the neutral place his face chose to rest in while with her. "You're serious," he said, not asking, but realizing.

His palms came up to either side of her face, thumbs caressing affectionately atop the rise of her cheeks, calloused fingers threading through the hair behind her ears, "Are you sure? You know, I'd love to have you along for the ride," Micah said to her warmly, "but I don't want you to give up something you enjoy." She'd said she felt like it wasn't something she needed to do but he still needed to double check that she was wanting this for herself and not because of him or something he'd done to make her believe she couldn't have both.

[thesofiavaldez]

The fatigue certainly seemed more obvious as her partner took in what she was saying and the potential weight of it. Sofia realised she maybe should have given him some breathing room upon his arrival, but to her it didn't seem that big, not because it wasn't but because it felt right and since being with Micah most of her decisions had been about seeking what made her feel the most herself, a certain freedom she was finally having to do that. Her sister had helped relieve some of the obligation she felt to take care of her and so Sofia didn't feel as compelled to stay close, to work a job where she could be as there for her sister as possible.

His palms on her cheeks, thumbs softly caressing the height of them while fingers touched at her hair she nodded almost the moment he asked if she was sure, even if he kept talking. "I'm not giving up dance," she assured him. "Just done doing it the way I have been, where I've got to stay here while you and the band leave." Micah knew Sofia wasn't ashamed of it, and never would be, so 'the way I have been' was regarding being stuck, not regarding the environment. "Life is short, if I don't have to miss the good stuff, I don't want to. I'll work out what feels right in terms of making money," - because even if she didn't necessarily have to Sofia didn't think she could actively do nothing mentally - "but I don't want to miss our lives together. Soon enough touring is going to be a really big part of your time, when the album is done it'll be months on the road. I don't want to go backward with being happy, I want to keep...moving forward."

Sofia's own fingers kept playing with the fabric of his shirt between their hips, tugging at the hem as she spoke. "I'm going to be very greedy," she insisted. "I want you, I want dance, I want to see the world." Sofia truly believed she was not going to be less fulfilled leaving work, as it currently was.

[fragariacrystals]

beatrice edgar && open starter && fenrirrose

There was little that Beatrice set her mind to that she wasn't able to accomplish. Even when she felt over her head...once she tied her hair back and organized things by the minute, she could see a clear path ahead. One of the first things she did after moving to Fenrir was look into local plants in the area. There had been a line or two in some dusty old book, maybe the suggestion of a something rare hidden in the woods from a magazine published in the past five years. Even a professor mentioned an uncommon flower once or twice. She was determined to find if there was actually anything of note actually in the woods. Equipped with only the essentials, she entered the woods - was the plant calling out to her? Something in her gut nudged her in a specific direction. Beatrice wondered if the rare bloom released a pheromone for local pollinators since it blossomed so rarely. When she came across it, at first glance, she thought it glowed under the moonlight. ( Or was it just the light from her torch? ). The blossom seemed so delicate, all Beatrice wanted to do was reach out and touch -- She blinked, and the world around her became a blur. Her stomach sloshed, like she'd just drank a glass of sea water. Hadn't she just been in the woods? Could the flower's scent be this strong? Her feet seemed to guide her down the side of the road. The bookstore, under the lamplights, past the library...Had she seen the cafe? Where exactly was she going? Bea didn't know how long it had been until she finally came to. It didn't happen all at once, but each step brought back another whisp of clarity. Beatrice takes her first deep breath. She didn't know what, but something about the whole night felt off. Wrong. "Wh...where am I?" She asks. "What...what time is it?" Never the type to ask anyone for assistance, her voice quiets when she finally pleads, "Can you help me?"

@fenrirswoodstarters

[thesofiavaldez]

Sofia had experienced the things Fenrirswood could do to someone, the way things in the town could go wrong and manipulate ones thoughts. There had been weeks where whenever she left her home her mind would be taken from her by some faded memories of the past and guide her to the center of town. No matter what she did she would lose herself and end up in the same exact place each time.

The young witch looked at the confused girl who had approached her, glancing around the street. "Fenrirswood, honey," Sofia answered her cautiously, wanting to touch the other woman's shoulder for comfort but as she worried that she might be too scared she kept her hands in front of herself instead, where the woman could see them. "It's almost eleven," she continued. "Are you alright? I can help," she confirmed.

[museinitalics]

"Actually never," Micah repeated lightly, laughter in his words, not fully understanding the conviction behind her words and thinking it was only willful thinking and a dash of make believe, so he replied back in a light-hearted way, "I'll be happy to have you in a twin bed in a shitty motel or in an old bus or in an uncomfortable plane chair or the back of a cab." He adjusted his hold on her and supported her weight a bit more easily and comfortably now and took a step away from the door frame so he could close the door behind him with a backward swing of his shoe to the bottom of the door. He kicked the side of his bag where it had fallen and would deal with the arduous task of unpacking later.

"What about your work though?" Micah asked, still believing this was part of their make believe world which they'd often do in the past, curled up together in the warmth of their bedding, legs entwined, wishfully imagining a world where they could be together in the way they wanted. "They'll let you take that much time off? Or do they offer remote work?" He offered with another laugh, his nose pressing into the soft of her cheek as he kissed the corner of her mouth again. He wasn't sure where his feet would take them but it seemed like the couch was the closest location where they could settled against each other and so that's where he went, feeling with his feet around the bottom edge of the couch as he was not focused on using his eyes so he was a bit uncoordinated and started to fall with her onto the cushions, his hand left her back to land on the backrest of the couch so he didn't topple his full weight onto her.

[thesofiavaldez]

Sofia laughed as he adjusted her weight. "You're filthy, you'll have me all those places?" she teased as he moved them, trying to carry herself as much as possible so the weight was not as challenging to move, not so hard considering the core strength required for her work.

He had laughed, his nose in her cheek as he kissed the edge of her mouth, the pair falling back onto the couch, him leaning over her while she looked up at him. Though the movement itself was messy, the sort of awkward that meant you could have stubbed your toe at any second, once she was seated and her gaze was up at him she saw light reflecting around his hair, the stubble that had grown from being away and almost forgot he had asked her questions, ready to reunite with him after so many days apart. Only when she heard Nibbler's telltale 'meow' from the distance did she recall he had spoken.

"No, I'm thinking I might quit," Sofia responded, unaware that to her boyfriend they were playing some pretend game. His words were light but since they still engaged real life concerns about her choice she did not understand the potential game being played. "I could do online stuff, maybe, but I just want to be with you. I love dancing and I liked the money but the confidence and the community, I have it with you, it doesn't feel the same as it used to. I don't feel like I need it anymore to be me. I'd rather be where I feel the most me and that's with you."

[museinitalics]

There was no time to even put down his bag before slim strong arms embraced him and legs wrapped around his middle. He did stumble from the force of her leap, one hand automatically coming up to help support her weight while the other struggled to do the same but failed because his brain hadn't yet triggered him to actually release the bag he held, it wasn't so heavy enough that he couldn't lift his hand up to her back with the bag still there, but the action was certainly delayed and worked to tilt him off balance now with the weight of everything predominantly in front of him, threatening to pull them both forward had he had also lunged a leg in front and Sofia put a supporting hand on the doorway.

Finally, his brain recognized that putting the bag down would relinquish most of the discomfort of this and so he dropped it without care, there was nothing of value within it; the most valuable thing was in his arms and her name was, "Sofia, fuck I've missed you, gorgeous," he exhaled to her in between urgent kisses, eager to decorate the whole of her face with the pressure of his lips. His sparse facial hair a little more full as he hadn't bothered with trimming anything while he'd been away for the music festival, bringing a trimmer and other such items would only bulk up his luggage which he had been keen on keeping light and only to one bag for the bulk of their luggage would be for their gear which was ultimately more important in his eyes.

His hair was still at a mid-length, soft curls a little more haphazard after being on the plane and a taxi drive here and not having had a decent shower since the day before, but pulled back into a small pony at the back of his head in an attempt to keep it tidy and out of his face though a few strands did loosen themselves out around the crown of his head. He pressed another kiss more intentionally aimed for her lips rather than at any part of her face he could reach, and felt himself sigh against her body, relieved to finally be back home to someplace familiar and with her.

[thesofiavaldez]

Sure, he stumbled but she'd been ready for at least some of that, palm against the frame before his bag fell and his lips littered her face. There was always that release of tension in her muscles when he could show her so easily how much he cared for her, how she could show it back unbashed. Life felt hard sometimes but he did not, and giving into that the past few months since her arrival was like finding herself again.

"I missed you," she answered as his lips touched the height of her cheek, feeling the scratching of messy facial hair and closing her eyes with devilish thoughts when he moved to the edge of her lips and then her nose, still roaming as she smiled in his arms.

Lips finally settling more intently on her own Sofia kissed back with near as much wholeness as she had when he had come off his stage and seen her for the first time in the United Kingdom. Truly she had missed him, her lips pressed firmly to his, only parting slightly because she did not desire any distance between their touch. That intensity lingered, nails digging into him and thighs keeping herself up right in his arms.

Only when she needed breath did she draw back. "I'm never not going with you again," she informed him, pressing a kiss to the edge of his lips, nose buried in his cheek. "Like actually never, I couldn't sleep without you. I'd rather share a twin bed in a shitty motel or in an old bus." Even sleeping in his shirts and curling up with Nibbler it had felt too much like when she was back in the US, her heart so far from his.

[thesofiavaldez]

Homecoming || Micah&Sofia

Missing him felt like an understatement. Missing him could not even account for how hard it had been to be apart for more than a few hours for the first time since she arrived in the UK. When she had moved there she'd been afraid of coming off like the girl who abandoned her life for a guy, and had tried to recreate as much of it as she could in Fenrir's Wood since she arrived, however, the time without him, even with his calls, had made it quite clear that whatever life she had before crossing that ocean was long gone. The only thing she wanted in the world was to be with him.

The thought only actually made her sad because she had been so independent for so long, it felt like a betrayal to abandon that. Like she was less of a feminist if she gave that up, but it was not like her independence had ever come from a desire for it. It was a life thrust upon her and with the way each evening when the went to bed together Sofia's form curled into his, with each moment she loitered around her sister while she cooked, and spent hounding those in the town for friendship, with each dinner she brought to the studio for the band it was obvious Sofia had never been made for indepdence as much as she had been for community. It was why she liked the club so much, she got to dance which she enjoyed, and to be with other's who understood how hard life could be at times, but she didn't need that anymore. It wasn't like giving up a dream, or a passion, she could still dance, she could still dance like a hoe specifically even if she wanted to, there were options. All she really knew was that she didn't want anything to get in the way of her being with her family now that she was in a position where she could prioritise it over bills and expenses.

All in all she'd had a lot to think about while he was away, thoughts that only seemed to solidify as she hung a welcome home banner in the living room, Nibbler already trying to find a way to reach it, climbing up his cat tree and reaching across the wall - the shiney letters just out of reach. She'd bought food that was remaining warm in the oven, some candies, a blanket covered in cartoon Freddy Kruegers warming next to the heater, as well as having found an old VHS tape of a movie called Phenomena, rereleased in a censored and much shorter version Creepers in 2004 she had thought would amuse him. It wasn't a big welcome home event but it was something cozy and special for them.

The moment the door opened he was given almost no breathing room, the young witch jumping into his arms, legs wrapping around him an an arm out to hit the door frame and steady him were her leap to cause him to stumble. "Weclome home, handsome," she gleefully announced, ready to kiss him were he capable after her bounding onto him.

@micah-weber

[hayleeduboisx]

where,  — Trail of Sikkerhet closed  — @thesofiavaldez

It was empty for the most part — children and their mothers have long gone for an afternoon nap and runners found it too hot this time of day. She had planted a seed in this soil that was rich with magic, and had come over almost every day to watch it grow — bloom among the others, reach it's full potential so that she could harvest it later. It's petals could heal once nurtured with the kind of magic she posessed.

The spirits hummed gently around her, ethereal almost.

Knees firmy planted on the ground, she cradled the withered flower in delicate hands and spoke very softly. Slowly color flooded back into the fragile thing. "That's all better now, isn't it?" small digits caressed the petels that were still in the process of coming back to life.

[thesofiavaldez]

It was hard with Micah gone, Sofia felt just a little less safe without him. It wasn't like either of them were particularly strong and adept witches, in fact neither used their magic all that often, but his presence, her knowledge he wanted to keep her safe, felt like a kind of protection and though things in the town seemed to have settled since all that had gone down at the pool Sofia still didn't trust anything.

So she had decided to take a walk, to get out of the house and maybe she'd stop thinking about him. Her heels taking slow enough steps as she wandered the part that it was unlikely she would be heard with the same clicks they'd emanate if she was stomping through the place. Slow enough too that she could see a familiar face out in the grass, her eyes wandering over, ready to say hello once she was close enough that the girl could hear her.

Of course, the closer she got the stranger the girls actions seemed until Sofia watched her turn a wilted flower into a blooming on. It was then that her heels picked up their pace and the clicking became very clear. "Haylee! You can't do that," she insisted, wide eyed and worried.

[topherromijn]

Topher tried to push away the lingering sadness, and by imagining themself and Sofia eating pizza in Rome, they could. They'd never done the travelling around the world that they'd promised their ex-girlfriend. This would be a nice opportunity to maybe do a few of those things, if they had enough vacation days.

He grinned proudly. "Most of them yes," he said, straightening his back a little. "Not all of them, but usually I catch people off guard enough to get the upper hand." Not that he'd done any of that lately, but he'd kicked dudes who'd done stuff to girls in clubs before, and usually if he wasn't wining it, people would come to his aid.

"Sounds like a plan!" Topher said happily. "I can bring some Belgian beers and chocolate!" At the question of 'just French' they laughed. "Yes, just french," they admitted. "They do get some English is school, but it's very basic, so it depends if a student actually wants to learn that," they explained. "The Flemish are much better at learning French than the Walonians are at Dutch. But mostly of my classmates could speak basic English." For Topher to speak three languages, it didn't feel like a flex anymore. It just made sense. They were sad they'd never gotten to learn German, then they'd have all the Belgian languages.

[thesofiavaldez]

His proud smile made Sofia's mirror it, amused Topher was ready to fight, he would have been great to have by her side when she was back home and in the middle of some shitty bar, pissed off a bunch of idiots felt like saying something sexist towards her. "Same, people usually don't expect me to be so ferocious but...I've calmed down since I got here. Maybe it's good neither of us has to get into brawls anymore."

Half of what Topher was saying went over her head, and Sofia laughed as they casually explained it. "I don't know what the Flemish or the Walonians are, but I do know I got sent to a super rich school where more kids spoke French than Spanish which felt entirely useless is Southern California so I think it would be so sucky to live somewhere that you spoke a language no one else did. Feels...lonely."

"You'll start teaching me one, yeah? Then we'll always be able to talk," she insisted, still somewhat distracted by the sadness Topher had been feeling, an obligation within her to assure him that they would continue to be friends.

[bodhimohan]

Bodhi accepted the hug, more because he figured Sofia was in need of one, than that he was a man who would hug people himself. He wasn't a hugger, perhaps he could be, but growing up him and his sister had never been allowed to express any physical needs. If the situation called for it however, Bodhi did see the need of physical touch. But he was always aware of mutual consent regarding it.

He chuckled, though the comment of being 'crazy emotional' felt true. Not as terrible as he'd been during the Pink Moon, when he felt like he'd probably almost scared Evanora away with how emotional he'd been. "It had to come at some point," he joked in return. "I do feel like I'm fit for the role right now," he said. "As if I'm a school kid with a crush, and my crush finally noticed me." He opened the menu for the both of them. It was full with vegan options, which was easy for him, and he knew the coffee was delicious. "Food first though?" he asked.

[thesofiavaldez]

"I wish I could say I was sorry but I'm not at all," she joked of him saying he felt fit for the role of being the emotional one between them that day. Taking a seat across from him and scooting herself in. "Not that I want you sad or anything, I'm sure with what a reasonable guy you are it's totally resolve-able," not totally a word.

She listened as he opened a menu, Sofia leaning in as he seemed to have opened it for the pair of them. She had thought the person he liked knowingly liked him back but things were just slow so it was interesting to learn they were actually unaware of his interest until now. "Yes, food, you pick," she insisted, sure if she was left to decide she'd order half the menu.

"So...this person, they finally noticed you in what way? An officially romantic way?" Sofia asked, excitement evident in the height of her tone.

[pclymcrphcus]

Growing up in America was supposed to mean that Colson was born wielding a gun, emblazoned with free speech, and thrust into dreams of self-betterment. The ideal was to build something from nothing and never forget his roots. This notion, however, was a farce to anyone who really knew Cole growing up. While, yes, his second generation immigrant Korean parents pushed him hard to become something of a legacy, he was devoid of the patriotism most from the States loved to wave around with their star-spangled banners. Yet within the United States lay myriad cultures, pockets of subcultures, each vibrant and distinct. New York, a beast unto itself, was a city he’d learned to conquer.

California—the West Coast, in all its influencer glory—was not something Colson would ever claim as his home, his accent, or his place of belonging. So, when he’s mistaken for a Californian, offense is duly taken. "Different accents, different culture, different life altogether," he agrees with the stranger, a furrow deepening in his brow, only to take even more offense at their comment. The pairing of laughter suggests that the stranger finds some truth in their words. Yet Colson retorts, “You know, I guess you're right. Driving must be easy in California with your lack of seasons and anything else really. I imagine walking anywhere would result in puddles of melting sweat. Guess you can't rely on your feet as much as your carbon emissions.”

[thesofiavaldez]

Much like Colson, a lot of Sofia's own background was not solely originated in California, in the American way, though unlike the man of Korean origin she could most certainly shoot a gun even if she wasn't clamouring to do so. Sofia felt a strong defensiveness for the fact that a lot of California had not belonged to the America's, that it, and many other southern states had been used as bargaining chips with Mexico, to gain their armies they promised to return land, and then would take it back the moment they had all they wanted. In a way Sofia was proud to be someone of her descent, holding onto the heritage her father had ingrained in her and her sister, though...neither were there any longer, and Sofia did miss it.

"Right? Because eternal sunshine is the worst," she dramatised. It was in fun mostly. "I happened to walk a lot back home, hiking is practically a Californians go to outdoor activity. You don't even know walking until you hike Runyon Canyon drunk off your arse. New York is also like right behind us in emissions, so, calm down, handsome." The smile on her face hopefully showed it was mostly in jest, and hopefully showed she was not calling him handsome to flirt but more like the way one could say 'buck-o' or something similar. "At least neither of us is from Ohio, right?"

[nishantdoshi]

Nishant was glad he did not know Sofia's inner dialogue, because he would certain have run straight for the hills if he found out. He masked so much in public that it had almost become second nature, he wouldn't even know anymore what he'd wear himself if he picked based on likes rather than comfort. Would he dare to put those rainbow on his cheeks? Or find that he didn't like the feel of paint on his skin? Luckily, on a daily basis, Nishant ignored this inner turmoil and was content to strike up an image of a straight man who was giving up his youth to... well, as far as normal people knew: helping run a business at the Little Duck and being a freelance accountant.

He took her words lightly, perhaps without a good reason, but he laughed as if she'd joked with him. "Oh yeah, no, probably isn't much to say about it. It was depressing, nice as well, mostly depressing." He accepted the drinks he'd ordered, putting the fancy glass in Sofia's hand and taking a sip from his beer from tap. He'd learned to drink it, as any good British kid. "Here's your drink," he said. "Want to toast to something?"

[thesofiavaldez]

It was nice he laughed, but felt ultimately like his continued deflection of life. Sofia truly wasn't sure what to do for him that would help, she wanted to, but so far as she could tell the most she could do without actively dragging him out of the closet - which she would never do - was to just be his friend. Maybe being adjacent to someone with taste would mean he wanted some of his own.

"Toast to you meeting someone cute?" she suggested, obviously allowing for a vagueness of terms so he did not become nervous immediately. "Or to you never narcing to Helia on the shit I say about how the towns rules are dumb?"

[pclymcrphcus]

"So, so many," she agrees, nearly flabbergasted. "It's beautiful, really, but I can see how it could get intimidating." She herself might have struggled to find her labels if it weren't for her activism. Her identity was founded upon commanding respect in her career, her sexuality explored with her own comfort in mind. She owed no one explanations about who she was or who she wanted to be with. "Back in my day, we didn't have so many identifiers and flags." In a time when such identities weren't honorably celebrated, she grappled with these labels, umbrella terms, and ideals. She owed much to the younger generation for their hard work. Many would argue that the success of the queer agenda was solely due to those who paved the way—the elders whose lives were threatened day by day, who lived in fear of their identities—but without these new insights and the growing vernacular, she wonders if finding safe spaces would be as easy as it is now.

"So this one is a mix of the non-binary flag and the lesbian flag, actually. Helia and I have been together for decades now," she says, though the pair had recently hit a rough patch where Lilette had seemingly lost herself in her work. She jokes, "Long-time lesbian, truth be told, but I've recently claimed non-binary as an identifier."

Her words are a mix of pride and reflection, her eyes gleaming with the strength of someone who has walked a long and arduous path. "As far as prettiest goes, you can never go wrong with the progress pride flag."

[thesofiavaldez]

Helia. The name stuck in her mind immediately cause Sofia's muscles to tense. It wasn't a reaction that came from her dislike, it was a reaction that came from distrust. Every action the woman had ever made showed Sofia that she was only out for her own agenda, that the feelings of other's, and the respect for them was secondary to whatever her goal was. Talking to Helia just felt like she wasn't human sometimes, just a pawn in something larger that mattered more. Certainly that shift was obvious, the evident awkwardness became active discomfort.

It didn't mean she'd stopped listening though, her shoulders might have risen with muscle tightness and her fingers might have begun to grasp the cup in her hands tightly but she was still paying attention as the woman explained the flag. The terms felt contrary to one another and yet obviously they existed, she had it within her grasp. "So terms don't necessarily always have to fit...perfectly," she acknowledged, though a quick glance down at her cup and it still felt wrong.

It also, perhaps due to insecurities of established fact, felt performative that now she was dating someone in the spotlight she would adjust how she acknowledged her sexuality. Even if she didn't feel it was why she knew people would comment it, say hurtful things, people always did. She knew in the end whatever she proclaimed herself as no one who mattered would care, her sister had certainly cared far more about her dating idiots than anything else.

It took her a few self-centered moments however to connect the dots that what the woman had said meant Helia was also gay and it oddly made Sofia a little sadder than she already had been. Why was Helia so content to fit the status quo of this town? Why wasn't the more willing to go against it?

It was a little hard not to ask how the woman had survived Helia but Sofia had been working on herself since she came to the UK and even that felt rude, how was she to know what they'd been through together? "I didn't know Helia had a partner," was what she said instead. "I guess the progressive cup is probably easiest for the moment," Sofia added, slowly placing her partially crushed present cup down. "Does that mean you're also...?"

[topherromijn]

Topher tried not to make it obvious that they were disappointed to hear that. They shouldn't be surprised, people after all didn't always stay in the same place for the rest of their lives. So they pressed their teeth on their lip and agreed that Sofia didn't have a choice in moving to this place. "You could roadtrip through the UK, maybe there are some other places you'd like as well," they said. "I could come visit you with my bike," they offered.

They attempted to sound more excited than they felt about Greecian hotties, their smile forced but light as well. They weren't that good at lying, their poker face was more because they didn't know how to feel about things than actually knowing how to hide their emotions. They now felt like they were at least being truthful to Sofia that it hurt them. "Greece sounds fun, I'd also like to go to Italy."

He grinned. "That's a deal, I'd like to be nursed back to health," he said in return, it sounded flirtatious but he meant well. He hoped she knew he meant well. "Oh they always do deserve it, I don't ever kick anyone without good cause." Which was true, all the fights he'd gotten into when he lived back in Belgium was always with the bullies, protecting some kid who didn't know how to protect themself.

Topher bit their lip and shook their head. "I don't," they admitted. "I don't know what SNL and OC are," they added. "I'm from the French speaking part of Belgium, I know some American stereotypes but I know way more British ones. The French live in a world of their own, my mom always said. It's a miracle I learned Dutch because none of my classmates bothered to learn."

[thesofiavaldez]

Sofia wanted to admit she felt the UK was probably pretty much the same, at least across Britain, the other countries were perhaps more fun, but she doubted that was what Topher wanted to hear. A thought that was solidified by their expression at the concept of going to Greece. It was hard for Sofia to see their sadness but she also didn't want to discount her own discomfort living somewhere she had not chosen. It was a feeling Topher couldn't help, something she had to talk to Micah about.

"Italy would be nice too," she nodded, hoping to let the topic go so she didn't have to keep upsetting Topher by reiterating her feelings.

Sofia knew how he meant it, though the flirting was fine too. Sofia didn't think he was that much of a jerk he'd actively try and steal her away from Micah. If she thought that then they wouldn't be friends. "Are you winning these fights? How in awe should I be of your arse kickery?"

"Eh, SNL is just stupid, but the OC? We have to marathon, it's a teen garbage show, so amazing," Sofia grinned. Perhaps something to do when Micah went away, Sofia knowing he had a few shows out of the country coming up she would not be able to go with him for. "What language did the other kids learn? Just French?" It sounded silly saying just French but from what she could tell around here everyone was at least bilingual which was a nice change of pace from back home.

[museinitalics]

This part was easy enough and so Micah moved as directed, sliding down the tub and leaning his head further back, "Like this?" He asked to confirm if this was correct or if he needed to move again, the tendons in his neck visible as he kept his head lifted out of the water.

He looked at her as she began to speak and he could feel the soft trail her fingers made across the rounded slope of his shoulder, his expression softened as she did, releasing some of the tension built up from holding this unnatural posture in the tub. He wanted to move from this position so he could take her hand in is and paint soft kisses along every risen knuckle on her fingers. He did not, instead he whispered to her in a quiet that might not be picked up by the camera unless the microphone as really good, "It was really hard to leave you," but for the both of them, at the time, it was what was best. As difficult as it was to do, they each had their separate lives.

He took in a breath, the water rippled with the movement of his chest and he spoke again in his more natural tone, no longer a hushed whisper just for her, "I guess we better make this a great video for you, though, I do wish you won't need to watch it," however he presumed that she may anyway, whether he was busy or not, because he did the same for videos and pictures of her, always glancing at the snapshots of memories between them with a wistful smile on his face as he did, recalling such warm thoughts from the days before.

[thesofiavaldez]

With a soft nod Sofia confirmed he was now appropriately positioned for the camera, regardless of comfort. Of course, that nod stilled when he said it was hard to leave her too. She knew he hadn't taken her words as accusation and she didn't take his as any sort of defence or scolding, all things were just true. Still, they also all hurt. She wondered for a moment if the song, at times, could be as hard for him to sing as it could be for her to hear. It was beautiful and romantic but it was also an actual painful part of their lives. Love didn't remove pain.

The nod that had ceased returned, this time softer, an acknowledgement that she knew he had not left lightly. She loved him for leaving, that he had chosen himself and what he wanted and trusted that things would find their way. He was right, they were here now, and he had a record deal, it was kind of crazy to think about.

Sofia smirked though "Need? Want. Maybe even when you're in the room." She chuckled a little. Things were eventually going to change though, Micah would have tours she couldn't go to because of work, though she was already considering leaving, or perhaps he'd be stuck recording for long periods. It would inevitably happen. There were worse fates than missing him for a few days. "Missing each other now will be different, we'll feel how temporary it is."

"Okay, I'm going to turn on the music so you can hear it and then we just record it a few times, you ready?"

[pclymcrphcus]

・ ✦ ・ 𝐩𝐜𝐥𝐲𝐦𝐜𝐫𝐩𝐡𝐜𝐮𝐬 / * ( closed starter @thesofiavaldez )

There was something about the rainbow-charged air that called out to her, caressing Lilette’s smooth, soft cheek like a lover's whisper. It tugged at her seams, drawing her out of herself, out of her duties, and into a space she hadn't known existed. Safety was paramount to her—safety as the spirits intended. In her youth, coming out had meant risking crucifixion, being burned at the stake or facing a world that just didn't advocate for her. She never imagined she would one day stand tall amidst a crowd, all wearing the same pride on their faces. The notion that a time machine might have informed her of this future would have made her guffaw. Instead, she basked in the warmth of the sun, soaking up the Vitamin D.

The COFFEEKANTEEN, a quaint coffee shop with an eclectic charm, was a haven for those who craved the hug of a roasted bean. The employee behind the counter handed her coffee cup with care—a nonbinary lesbian flag wrapped around it as they affirmed her name, Lilette Vaz. She moved to evade the path of other pick-ups, her shoulder bumping into another. A beautiful young woman with bright brown eyes stood before her, eyes that seemed to carry an extraordinary depth, as if they held hidden strength and resilience within their irises.

“Pardon me,” Lilette apologized, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. “I didn’t mean to bump you, I was just trying to get out of the way, and here I am, in the way.” She laughed lightly, the sound blending with the hum of the coffee shop. “You alright, dear?” Her voice was warm and genuine, her concern for the stranger evident.

[thesofiavaldez]

Sofia wouldn't have been quite sure the pride Lilette saw on everyone's faces was on her own. It wasn't that she wasn't proud of who she was, Sofia was perhaps too proud, but she was also pretty unsure of who she was in technical terms. Sofia knew logistically who she was but she wasn't sure any of the titles seemed to specifically align to her. She had initially picked the demisexual cup because she certainly felt like she was more attracted to people who portrayed certain emotional characteristics over physical ones but...in the same vein she had dated some fucking arsehole idiots who'd offered her almost nothing emotionally but pain. When she was young she'd just said bisexual, since it was the default of not gay or straight, but things were different now, it felt like there were a dozen or more terms and she was meant to just know which one was her. She should have perhaps just asked her sister to tell her which one she was -

The woman's train of thought as she stared down at the demisexual cup cut short when she felt someone knock into her, presuming her distraction was the cause. "Shit sorry," Sofia let out, looking up from the cup to see an older woman with bold deep features. "No, no, definitely on me, I'm just standing in the way," she insisted, trying to step out of the path she had allowed herself to get stuck in.

"Oh yeah, fine, just like...fifty thousand cups, you know? How do you pick which one is the cutest, right?" she joked, spinning the paper between her fingers. No, this cup was not the right cup, but pansexual, the alternative she had considered felt like too broad an option. What if she wasn't as good a person as it seemed, what if Micah was an exception and not the rule and deep down she enjoyed the toxic masculinity of her exes. What if the girls she'd hooked up with but never dated were also just her being a fucking bitch. It seemed on brand. The woman's mind was already running with these thoughts as she stood before the woman. "What one did you pick?" she asked, trying to distract her mind.

[bodhimohan]

CLOSED STARTER for @thesofiavaldez location ; MOONSHINE

Bodhi supposed the way the relationship between himself and Evanora was going, was in fact something of an update. Though for the past weeks, he'd been enjoying the secrecy and intimacy of being with someone out of sight of most people. Not that he would've cared either way, he did keep some distance between himself and most citizens of Fenrir's Wood.

Except for Sofia and a few others.

He got up from the small table he'd claimed when he saw Sofia enter, a smile on his face and a little wave so she would notice him quicker. "Good afternoon, I figured a chance of scenery would be nice, and I have a soft spot for limited edition food items."

[thesofiavaldez]

"You did not have to tell me twice," she smiled as she reached him, immediately going in for a hug but half expecting him to decline it. Some people were huggers - like herself - and some weren't. She had an odd feeling Bodhi was someone who only participated in hugs when there was a specific necessity to them, like if someone was upset, so if he declined she would not be concerned.

Hopefully the place had some vegan options, honestly so far the town had been both amazing as having vegan options while at the same time totally torturing her with all the other options. She was still amazed she had survived watching that girl eat endless delicious wings, it was hard not to ask for just one. "Plus we get to hang when I'm not crazy emotional," she joked. "It's your turn."