u n t a m e a b l e .

. tia dalma . *elias pointe rp*

[touchof-destiny]

[gretagerwisg]

Zoë Kravitz’s outfits in High Fidelity

[touchof-destiny]

The strange dreams, visions, what have you, that had been plaguing her for the past few days were starting to weigh heavy. She didn’t know what they were, which bothered her the most. For someone who could help a stranger in a random store connect to a lost loved one from from the ‘great beyond’, or offer advice for most situations in general, it sucked having no clarity on yourself. Whatever they were felt like a warning, a big red danger sign. She felt off. Tonight was a ‘drowning your sorrows at the bar’ kind of night, since nothing else had proven so far to work.

Tia could feel eyes on her, turning to the person and offering a wave, who she assumed was much farther gone than her, but she was on her way, tossing back another shot. “Two more, please.”

[campmiasmas]

[tickingtimexbomb]

touchof-destiny‌:

The spike in Jess’ anxiety was evident, and it’s why Tia didn’t try and press further. But she couldn’t help it. She required answers to her questions, how else would she help, get to the root of the problem? It was almost a shame she knew Jess well, the more Tia pressed the more she pulled away. “Take the rest of mine,” she demanded, holding out her mug that still had a good amount left. A quiet sigh left her lips, more sad than anything. Not pity, not anger. Just sadness. Wishing one day she’d find some relief. That’s all anyone wanted for someone they cared about, right?

“Your mess is my mess, dear,” she teased, happy to keep playing along with the façade. Moving swiftly on from the questions. 

“Couldn’t have been because you have such a way with words.” She laughed, a rare, real laugh, happy someone else shared her sentiment about love and relationships, but it would never fool anyone else. Maybe they would work out after all, withstand the test of time. 

“Mm awful until you met me, thank you very much,” she corrected, giving her a warning look. Practicing. “I did. You’re terrible at planning,” she said plainly, “you could never plan a proposal. I debated the ol’ cliche of putting it in the bottom of champagne, but I knew y’d end up swallowing the ring.. or choking on it.” She smirked, eyes on the computer, mind wandering as she flipped through the pictures of resorts. “Drunk off rum from dinner… by the water.. just you and me. Simple. To offset the rest of the insanity that we are.”

“I could plan a proposal, Tee.” Jessica teased. They both knew what she was capable of, but the drive to complete a task was an insufferable roadblock in her path to success. “You’re right though, I’d probably drink the whole thing. What a pop question that would have been. A romantic ER visit.” 

Jessica hated going to the hospital. Then again, she didn’t know anyone who was thrilled to walk into the place as a patient. The wait alone could drive anyone insane. “Okay so, what? You get down on one knee? Or did you stay standing,” she poked fun at their obvious height difference. “You’d be staring up a treacherous mountain on a knee, but if you want my mess to be yours, holy matrimony would seal the deal.” 

Jessica drank the rest of what Tia gave her, which would be enough to hold her over another hour before she became stir crazy laying in her bed. “I don’t want some big wedding either. The last thing I’d want to see is a bunch of faces breathing hot air as they watch two women kiss. Hope that’s okay with you.”

[touchof-destiny]

Tia nodded in agreement. “Ugh. You’re so right, no thanks.” She rolled her eyes at the thought. She could only imagine. Not that she had a bunch of people she’d want at her wedding anyway, not like people were lining up for it. She barely had people in her life to fill seats, Ben being the only person who came to mind immediately, adding “I don’t know about you, but my list is pretty short, so no one would really be disappointed for lack of invite. I’m fine with just running on down to the courthouse.” That was probably the smartest, easiest way.

“Can ask people to mail us gifts. Spend the money on a nice getaway.” She nudged her with her foot again, as if Jess needed convincing. “And maybe booze. But I’m monitoring your intake. As any good wife would. Want you somewhat conscious for part of it.”

She pushed the laptop away, knowing she’d get back to it at some point, now stuck in her mind, looking up at her friend, well wife now, her tone shifting to somewhat serious. “I’ll get out of your hair. Promise me you won’t drink yourself into a stupor tonight and then promise you’ll try the stuff I brought over. It’ll help.” She stood up, knowing Jess wasn’t one for physical contact, but brushing her fingers briefly over her arm. “gotta let someone help you sometime. I’ll keep pushing ‘til you do.”

[touchof-destiny]

tickingtimexbomb‌:

The mantra was usually trick enough to ward off the visions. Hallucinations? She wasn’t even really sure what they were at this point. Residual energy that stirred in place like a vortex. “Not drunk enough for this,” she said as she slid open the bottom drawer again for a look see. But she already knew she was dry. “I don’t know.” She mused, “I would say they gradually get worse. Rarely are they better.” Jessica started, but that was as far as she wished to go. “I don’t want to dig into this bullshit right now Ti. I know you mean well, but this is just…” 

“–It’s my own mess. The less you know, the better.” She stated firmly. She couldn’t risk it with Tia. No matter how many rabbits she pulled out of that magic hat of hers. 

“You know what, just book something, I’ll pay.” Jessica agreed. She hated committing to things, but a fake marriage in order to make for a better spa stay didn’t bother her as much as the idea of a real proposal. “So what’s our story? What’s our back story for this, beautiful marriage? You took me… to my favorite spot deep in the heart of the city that never sleeps. Back where I lost myself, and where we ultimately met. I wasn’t looking for anything serious, neither were you. Love just happened… Like the awful fucker it is.” She started the narrative. “Right, it’s gotta stay sappy and cute. How did you pop the big Q? I’m assuming you did it. Unless you think it was me.”

The spike in Jess’ anxiety was evident, and it’s why Tia didn’t try and press further. But she couldn’t help it. She required answers to her questions, how else would she help, get to the root of the problem? It was almost a shame she knew Jess well, the more Tia pressed the more she pulled away. “Take the rest of mine,” she demanded, holding out her mug that still had a good amount left. A quiet sigh left her lips, more sad than anything. Not pity, not anger. Just sadness. Wishing one day she’d find some relief. That’s all anyone wanted for someone they cared about, right?

“Your mess is my mess, dear,” she teased, happy to keep playing along with the façade. Moving swiftly on from the questions. 

“Couldn’t have been because you have such a way with words.” She laughed, a rare, real laugh, happy someone else shared her sentiment about love and relationships, but it would never fool anyone else. Maybe they would work out after all, withstand the test of time. 

“Mm awful until you met me, thank you very much,” she corrected, giving her a warning look. Practicing. “I did. You’re terrible at planning,” she said plainly, “you could never plan a proposal. I debated the ol’ cliche of putting it in the bottom of champagne, but I knew y’d end up swallowing the ring.. or choking on it.” She smirked, eyes on the computer, mind wandering as she flipped through the pictures of resorts. “Drunk off rum from dinner... by the water.. just you and me. Simple. To offset the rest of the insanity that we are.”

[touchof-destiny]

jynnedune‌: 

“Clearly,” she repeated, laughing with another roll her eyes. Other than the spot on her ceiling, Tia was probably the only person Jynne was ever straightforward with, appreciating how upfront her friend usually was in return - no matter how hard it was to hear sometimes. 

Honestly, she had no idea how she felt about Jack. Jynne never usually stayed in one place long enough to ponder her feelings for someone else, or any feelings they may have developed for her for that matter, but she’d gotten comfortable here in Elias Pointe. It was the place her mom grew up, or so she as told; whether it was true or not, Jynne felt a certain closeness to her here, but maybe she’d gotten too comfortable.

“Well, there are some perks,” she began, taking another grape from the bowl. “Obviously, I enjoy his company. That was how it all started in the first place. And he helps here and there with bills…” she trailed off, deep in thought, lying to herself - but that was something even she didn’t know yet. “I don’t know. It’s weird to think about him not being there though.“

Tia laughed, knowing all too well about ‘perks’ and the other stuff that sadly went along with them. Did it really make them perks at the end of the day with all the other crap that came with them? “Not laughing at you. Promise. I just... know exactly how you feel.” She looked over at Jynne, giving her a knowing look and shaking her head. “I don’t know how we let men get away with the things that we do. They’re lucky. Jack included.” She didn’t know all the details about their relationship, certain there was two sides to every story. Or three. His, hers, and the truth. Still, she knew it wasn’t easy.

“I wouldn’t worry about that. I think he’ll always be here.” Tia knew enough that Jack’s feelings for Jynne ran deep, but unfortunately for Jynne she would have to figure that out on her own time. “In a literal sense because I can’t see him leaving... and also because it sounds like he really cares. And that doesn’t go away easily. If ever.” She grabbed a grape, popping it in her mouth. “Plus aren’t you the one that’s leaving? Maybe your trip will give you some.... perspective.” One could only hope, right?

“I hope you figure it all out. You need a rescue, let me know.”

[touchof-destiny]

neighborhoodxwebhead‌:

“I’m not allowed to have truth serum,” Ben quipped, quickly paced to her shop as his mind wandered to the image of his overflowing sink, where Tia’s many Tupperware containers sat. Dirty. Of course, they were dirty. His cheeks blushed with embarrassment. 

Inside, Ben took a seat in her magic chair, as he so deemed it. “What goodies did you make this time? I’m not so great with spicy,” he started, though he never wanted to disappoint her. “But I’ll try it for you.”

“Maybe I already slip it into your food, handsome. Ever think of that?” She couldn’t help but tease him, too easy. She only emphasized her point by pulling out a tupperware, saying goodbye since she’d probably never see it again. 

“It’s not so bad. I ease up on the spice with your helping. It’s ‘ropa vieja’ and I think I saved you some plantains.. good. I promise.” She hadn’t heard a complaint yet, but she didn’t think he had it in him even if he didn’t like it. He was sweet and had a kind heart. Which led her to her next question.

“So why are you wandering around in the early hours of the morning.. are you meeting with someone?”

[touchof-destiny]

tickingtimexbomb‌:

While Tia was away snooping and fetching her glass of OJ, Jessica flipped open her laptop. Drinking down the terrible vodka like it were a necessary cough medicine, she began typing away for the fancy resort. All the results costing anywhere between 200 a night to 700. A steep price for some relaxation, but if she knew any better she’d say it sounded like a scam. “Well, I don’t know how fancy you’d like to get, Tia darling, but looks like it’ll cost a pretty penny. Maybe if we both sell a kidney.” She took another mouth full.

Tia probably knew what she was doing when it came to the witchy things, however she never tried them without a glass of alcohol at her aid, so there was no real telling how well they worked. Jessica trusted her either way, though it took them years to grow close enough to warrant it. 

She smirked with Tia’s nudge. “Sober mind? Do I look like the sober type?” She gave her a smile, forced and awkward, almost painful in presentation. “You wanna see what you can find? All these spas are out of my price range,” Jessica offered, turning the laptop around. 

“What should I burn it in? Ashtray? Or do I need some fancy holder?” She asked as she examined one of the items. 

Tia considered it for a minute, taking a sip of her concoction. "Sneak in?" She'd done worse for less, her eyes lighting as an idea flashed in her mind, echoing on her face. "We can pretend we're newlyweds, they'll give us endless discounts. Free champagne. Chocolate." She nudged her friend again as if she needed convincing, though she highly doubted Jess needed much convincing to lie for perks. "I need my kidneys for when you inevitably need one," she quipped back, smiling sweetly. 

She narrowed her eyes, looking her friend up and down like she was considering it, ignoring the jab and obvious sadness behind it all. "One day, I can only hope." There wasn't much she could do, but be there and offer her help when and where it was necessary, but it didn't mean she enjoyed watching her friend's spiral. “If I see something I’m booking it.” She pulled the laptop in her direction, adjusting herself on the desk.

"Fancy? Since when would I give you something fancy... and I know you have no issues when it comes to burning things." Her eyes dropped to the ashtray on the desk, but she had no room to talk. "It's simple. But you need help, just call." She knew it was a futile attempt, but at least it was out there that she could call anytime she needed to. “Have they gotten worse or stayed the same?” she asked, trying to stay casual as her eyes wandered the beautiful resorts and spa getaways. “Maybe something spurs them on. Has to be some common link between them.”

[touchof-destiny]

[bringmethatxhorizon]

Grant sighed when he felt someone behind him as he finished up paperwork he should have done days ago. “Find someone else to hover around and bother with your problems please,” he said, without looking up to see who it was. “I’m on a deadline with this.”

[touchof-destiny]

“And I said, that creep has been coming around my shop again, and yet nothing has been done!” She knew she was being loud, inside a police station, very close to what could be yelling at an officer of the law, but she didn’t care. Jack wasn’t in sight, so whoever was closest was getting the brunt of her wrath instead.

“Even after I was promised it would be taken care of. So, I would like an explanation, or even better, some action taken.” She crossed her arms, awaiting a response. Deadline or not.  

[touchof-destiny]

jynnedune‌:

“Valid point,” she smirked, ignoring the ‘I-told-you-so’ expression she knew was on her friend’s face, rolling her eyes. "It’s just that Jack and I are so similar, I would’ve liked to think we were on the same page, ya know?“

She took the grape from Tia and popped it in her mouth. "Not yet, but he’ll be back,” she sighed, “He always comes back…” Jynne turned on her side to face the other, propping her head up with her arm and wrinkling her nose, unsure if she wanted an answer to the question in her head, “What do you think? Am I making a bad decision?”

“Too similar, maybe...” Tia wasn’t sure she believed that fully, but she’d keep her mouth shut. She was here to listen and offer advice. She could be judgy about the men in this town another time. Even if she did have a small soft spot for Jack. Very, very small. “Hm... offers and then pretends he doesn’t have a heart to begin with... but he does... don’ they all? It’s easier that way. So he’s hiding it away... clearly you have quite a hold on him.” In truth more men came to see Tia than women, wanting to know insight to relationships and their partners, more insecure than they ever let on. She saw a different side to people than most.

“Are you asking because you want my honest opinion? Or am I indulging..” she asked, grinning up at Jynne, though there was some truth to her question. “Do you wan’ to do this back and forth game forever? You’ll tire of it eventually...” Everyone did, whether forced or chosen. “How do you feel about him? Honestly?”  

[touchof-destiny]

tickingtimexbomb‌:

“What mama don’t know won’t hurt,” Jess answered, bitter with her own recollection. She could hardly remember what it was like to have family at this point. 

Jess was quick to seat herself at her desk, where a series of papers were sprawled out for anyone to read. Thankfully she wrote in chicken scratch, so the only person who could decipher what was written- if she was lucky- was herself. The power of technology, she smiled at the closed laptop, probably just itching to be woken, so it could take several long minutes, as it did her most mornings, to properly find its footing.

“Was lunch fun? Bout to get a little better,” she relayed, retrieving the vodka bottle in the bottom right drawer of the desk. Most of the alcohol was missing from it, which alone must have meant she was desperate because she hated the taste, but that didn’t stop her from pouring the last of it into the mug.

“You know, maybe we should do some sort of detox cleanse thing. Where you go to some spa resort and go on a liquid diet for a weekend. A couples retreat. That’s a real thing.” She looked up from pouring. “I saw it on-demand the other night. All the characters in it get one wish to fulfill. I think they had it under the horror genre.” Jessica looked over to Tia with a smile. It wasn’t the most genuine of looks, but Tia had seen her enough to know by now that she meant well. And she appreciated all the effort she put in to try and heal her.

“They called it Fantasy Island. Real spooky shit. You want something to drink?” Jessica asked, willing to give her the last half of a shot. “Or I’ve got some OJ in the fridge.” The date of which would need a once over before ingesting. 

“What kind of goodies did you bring me? Tell me they’re drugs.” Jessica joked. 

She laughed bitterly, shaking her head, pulling out a cigarette as if to ride her point home even more, holding the pack out to Jess in offering. Might as well sin together. “I’m sure my mama rolls in her grave every day.” It was probably better she had been gone for years. Tia couldn’t imagine having to explain half her life to her mother, let alone the choices she made almost daily, specifically lately. She needed a cleanse. Body, heart, and soul.

“Warm?” she scrunched her nose and made a noise of disgust, eyeing the bottle that had come from a drawer. Basically empty as Jess poured it into her cup. “Give me that,” she demanded as she waved her hand requesting the bottle, standing up and going to dispose of it, and more importantly wanting it out of her companion’s hands. Though she knew full bottles littered the place. ‘As well as the recycling bin,’ Tia thought as she passed the overflowing can, pouring herself the aforementioned orange juice and adding the last little remaining gulp of vodka. 

“Cheers!” she offered overly cheerful as she made her way back over, clinking their mugs and taking an experimental sip. Not terrible, she’d had worse, thankfully the orange juice was cold. She plopped down on Jess’ desk this time, never shy to make herself at home, eyeing the paperwork. “And I thought my desk was bad.” She couldn’t make heads or tails of anything, assuming it was client info, raising her eyebrow at her friend’s rambling. “Oddly enough I was just thinking I needed a cleanse, going back to that. Let’s do it. Real fancy though. All out, the works.” If they were gonna do it, they had to do it right. 

“You don’ need me for drugs,” Tia chided, pulling the things she brought from her jacket pocket, holding up each one as she explained. “Light this. At least thirty minutes before sleep. Or whatever you do that closely resembles sleep.” Seriously, the girl in front of her was paler than a ghost. “These go under your tongue. Let it dissolve.” She smirked, nudging her with her foot. “You can pretend that’s drugs if you want. Try to clear your head. Sober mind.” 

[touchof-destiny]

neighborhoodxwebhead‌:

Ben didn’t like being caught up in lies, and he wasn’t a liar per se. But, “I, was- taking photos for… a project,” he stumbled over his words as he pieced together a half truth. 

The adventurous boy skirted as far away from his late night excuses. But it warmed his heart someone was looking out for him. Who watches the watchmen? Apparently it was Tia Dalma. 

“I’m happy, sure,” Ben nodded a few times. He could count a few things that brightened his mood over the past few days. One was the burrito date. And then it dawned on him. “Kinda hungry, actually,” he said as his stomach growled in agreement. He laughed. “How are you? You seem,” he tried to read her, but she wasn’t an easy one. “–how are you?”

“On the side of a building?!” She couldn’t help the high-pitched accusatory tone that slipped out, sighing. “Don’t lie to me. You know when you can lie to me? When you bring me my containers back.” Which she wouldn’t hold her breath over, patting him on the shoulder both motherly and as a warning. 

She would be watching. 

“Which reminds me...” She had more for him, of course, waiting in her fridge at the shop. “I was experimenting with an old school recipe, new flavors. You’ll let me know what you think.” More of a demand than a question. He was always grateful for the food, and it was why she continued providing. She could never turn off her need to help. “Kinda spicy, but I know you can handle that.” She smiled, trying to see what he wasn’t telling her. “That’s good, happy is good. With the right people, I hope.” 

She waved him off, moving them both in the direction of the psychic shop. “I’m good. Come, I’ll heat the food up for you. Maybe you have more lies for me, or I’ll break out my truth serum.” She’d let him think it was a real thing.

[tickingtimexbomb]

“Well, you’re earlier than I thought.” Jessica noted as she walked down the hallway towards the apartment door, checking her watch as she now realized she was the one running late for time. 

The frosted glass section of the door was still broken from her run in the other night with the crackhead from the second floor. But as advertised, Alias Investigations was still up and running–from the comfort of her little shoe box sized cage. 

“Hope you weren’t waiting long. Got caught like a genie in a bottle at lunch again, or whatever Christina Aguilera said,” Jessica recalled, knowing there was no better time to start drinking than when the opportunity presented itself. Helped her focus on more important things. “You can just go inside, the door’s unlocked.” Not a wise thing for a place like this, but– 

“How are things?”

[touchof-destiny]

“My mama taught me that early is on time, and on time is late,” Tia replied easily from the spot she had taken up while waiting, knowing most people didn’t follow such old school ideals anymore, but they had a way of sticking with her. “And in that case, you are very late.” Not that she was keeping a tally or that it even mattered. She could amuse herself. She huffed a laugh for the sake of the girl, aware of her state already, opening the door for them both. 

“With me? I should be asking you that.” Oddly enough no one ever asked the psychic if they were okay. Just sort of came with the job description. “I don’t mind makin’ house calls... gets me out of my place. Change of scene.” Not to mention it meant a closer eye on a few people, which meant a lot in this building alone. Lots of interesting characters, frequent visitors.

She spun around the place taking it in, before picking a spot to get comfy, plopping herself down in the nearest chair. “I brought some things... should help with the.. intrusive dreams.” She was treading lightly, not sure of the state of her yet, switching temporarily. “Fun lunch break?”

[deadvnarrival-deactivated202311]

[neighborhoodxwebhead]

“Hey you,” Ben smirked as he saw the familiar face. “What’ve you been up to, killer?”

[touchof-destiny]

She looked up at the familiar voice, rolling her eyes at the greeting, but she couldn’t help the smile that pushed it’s way through. Ever since their first encounter at her shop months back, Tia couldn’t help the fondness she had developed for Ben, keeping a close eye on him, whether he knew it or liked it or not. “Don’t think I didn’t see you out and about the other night... way after 1 am, mind you,” she scolded, always a little worried about the spider monkey in front of her, doting on him like an estranged auntie. “You stay out too late. Dark circles under your eyes.” She gave him a once over, scrunching her face. “Looking too thin.”

“Hm.. but I am sensing a bounce in your step though... you happy? Talk to me.”