C'EST LA VEE.

Vee Carrero-Noceda! 20. Pride U, Year 2. Digital Arts and Creative Writing.

[veevacious-a]

NAME: Vala "Vee" Carerro-Noceda PRONOUNS: She/They BIRTHDAY: 27 August 2003, age 20

MAGIC STATUS: Magical Species, Basilisk -- (Not Publicly Known) NATIONALITY: American, Prev. Boiling Isles ETHNICITY: Filipino ACCENT: American HEIGHT: 5’2" BUILD: Lean COMPLEXION: Medium, Warm EYE COLOR: Brown HAIR APPEARANCE: Long, curly, highlighted dark brown. DAILY JEWELRY: Simple Studs. No other jewelry, usually.

OCCUPATION: PrideU, Digital Arts & Creative Writing (2nd Year), Clerk (Chapter Three) RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single. SEXUALITY: Queer???????

WHAT WOULD YOU FIND IF YOU GOOGLED THEM:

personal: @/vee.va.noceda || You would see pictures of Vee's life (High School Pictures of Softball and Broadcasting Club, #BoothLife in the School Plays, Family Photos.)

creative: @visaveev || Vee doesn't put her real name on her art accounts. Just "V." They post fanfiction, fan-comics, and original work. They do everything they can to keep their personal and art accounts separate.

OTHER: TBA

---

other muses: julieta "juli" madrigal | menodora "moon" butterfly-johansen | majke "magica" de spell

[waitingona-mirabel]

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Mirabel laughed when Vee mentioned a coffee chart. That sounded exactly like them— ridiculously organized. Mirabel was pretty organized too, but not because it came naturally to her, only because she'd practiced doing so for a long time. She liked being relied upon, and being organized was the best way to be someone that people relied on.

Her expression turned slightly more serious when Vee mentioned the set, though. "Oof. Yeah," she replied, thinking back to the drama with Lou this summer. She'd signed the card asking him to come back, but Mirabel still thought the whole thing was a bit selfish. People were counting on all of the crew to deliver a great show!

That was all behind them, though, and all there was to do was focus on the future.

"But hey, that's theater, right?" Mirabel said, still reluctant to talk negatively of other people on the cast and crew. "The show must go on."

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

"Exactly," Vee said, agreeing entirely. "Show must go on, and look at us! A very Pride Production of Much Ado. Hey, we almost did Much Ado back in Gravesfield one year. High School, too. We did Romeo and Juliet instead and it was good, but it was also a bit of a mess. High Schoolers and Shakespeare. You know."

A shrug.

But because the Dream still haunted Vee, Vee did want to say -- "Not to bring it back to weirder subjects again. I know we did really good to -- like -- swap topics. But I guess I also wanted to ask you something," Vee says. "You know, in the dream. You'd mentioned something about like-- your family. And being mortal among magical siblings. That's still true, right? I mean, I work with your mom at Chapter Three, and also your cousin's on the show and I guess, me too, in a way? That doesn't make sense. I mean. You know my sister's a sorcerer and it's sort of-- I don't know. I don't-- we're not close friends like that and I guess we also don't talk as much personally. Not that we have to. I just... do you mind if I ask how it feels? That sort of different feeling?"

@waitingona-mirabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Honestly, Mirabel hadn't really thought Vee was asking her out until they clarified that they definitely weren't. Oops.

It was a little bit nerve-wracking to Mirabel, to think that she and Vee had been so perfectly on the same page all summer and now there was this weirdness between them right before opening night. And it seemed talking things out hadn't totally dissipated it.

Maybe it would just take time.

"No, totally. I mean, not that you owe me anything, really. But I'm down to get coffee whenever. I love coffee!"

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

The thing about Mirabel Madrigal was that she had consistently been pretty friendly whenever the two of them met before this. Mirabel just seemed nice! At different events throughout the year, the two had been friendly acquaintances. Now, Vee figures, they're friends!

And Vee doesn't want to mess it up.

Next Swynlake dream, hopefully dream Vee wouldn't be head over heels for their ASM.

"I mean, back in my old community theatre, we had a whole chart for coffee runs. It was kind of fun. I won't tell you where my chart is, but I know it's my turn," Vee says with a laugh. "I've really liked Swynlake's theatre, though it was a bit different. Thought we weren't going to have a set there, for a second."

@waitingona-mirabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

"Oh! Yes! Please!" Mirabel said, maybe a little too enthusiastically, like coffee was her absolute favorite thing in the world.

Admittedly, she did love coffee, but that probably wasn't the reason for her reaction— she just felt kind of awkward right now, and welcomed any subject change.

She stood up. "I'll grab two if you wanna get started on formatting the reports for today. Thank god for generous people and their coffee, right? I mean, we're stage management, we need it."

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

Coffee was good! An excuse to stop talking about this was better!!! Because Vee just... needed to not talk about this. And Vee nods. Happy to... not talk about it.

Vee was just about to turn and grab them, but Mirabel offered and Vee nods along. "Sure, yea. And definitely grateful for anyone who feeds the Stage Management crew. Hey, by the way. I you're two over me on Hatter's runs," Vee says. "So I think I owe you some coffees before this all comes to a close."

Then, because Vee realizes how it sounds, "as a not-date. Maybe as a 'thanks for the run, let's get some real sleep with uni term starting' sort of thing?"

@waitingona-mirabel

[veevacious-a]

So, Hypothetically... | Veere

[professor-lungri]

@veevacious

A chuckle escapes when the girl starts rambling. For his part, Shere (and his tiger) are just amused, and he shakes his head.

"No, it's not rude to say no, but it's no trouble. I was going to make myself some." And he was, it wasn't a lie he was telling to put her at ease. He almost always did when he was grading.

He gestures for them to close the door, if they'd like, and to have a seat while he started up the hot water, listening while the girl (?) spoke.

But oh - that was quite easy.

"Well, it's the scientific study of the behavior, structure, physiology, classification, and distribution of animals, but of a specifically Magick variety. In essence, it is the zoology that people only believed in legends and stories. Take myself, for example. Vaagh are often treated as second-class in my home country, little more than dangerous rogue Tigers or a story to tell to frighten children. I am a part of one such understudied community."

[veevacious-a]

@professor-lungri

Vee nods. Interested. Fascinated. They have to wonder how wide a net the word 'animal' goes. Technically, could certain magicks be considered animals? Or -- classifications, such as 'monsters'?

"Oh, I see!" Vee says, hoping they hadn't offended him. "So, okay -- some animals, magick animals, are animals. But others are non-human species, I guess? Or are all non-humans under the study of magizoology? Like werewolves or--?"

Vee had no idea what they were trying to say at this point. AHHHHHHH--- "Anyways, I guess I'm getting at... do you have any good books to research some amphibious creatures? I mean, lizard- and amphibian- shifters? Or, uh, have you ever fun into a cockatrice? Or a basilisk? Or--?" Vee cuts themself off.

"Sorry, I've got a million questions, I just wonder about all these things. Only, I don't have anyone to ask because you never want to make someone-- I guess I'm making you-- explain--?"

Vee, shut up.

[waitingona-mirabel]

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

"Yeah. I get that," Mirabel said, now feeling just a bit guilty. Had she shut down the idea too quickly? She really did think Vee was brilliant; fun to work with and endlessly organized and, honestly, just as pretty in real life as they had been in the dream.

But Mirabel didn't feel the same way she'd felt in the dream. She didn't think so, anyway. And maybe a small part of it was the fact that real life never quite worked out the way it did in the dreams— not even with Alice, after all, considering she'd had to go back to Elfhame for good.

Mainly, though, Mirabel just wanted things to stay drama-free during tech week.

"If you ever want to talk, I'm here, you know? I've been through it so many times," she promised. "Like, nine years worth of 'em. I get it."

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

What was it in Into the Woods? 'Wake up, stop dreaming, stop thinking about the woods?' Like Demi-God Enchantra, more like.

(Thank you community theatre for getting that stuck in my head for weeks!)

"Hey, we don't have to-- uh-- thanks for bringing it up. Being brave enough to open the conversation, I appreciate it. Uh... I probably shouldn't think too much about it now, if that's okay? Just because -- uh -- the whole, 'focus on tech week' thing?"

It's not cold, but Vee really can't think about this or they might cry?

It really isn't that Mirabel is 'rejecting' them that makes them feel this way. It was the fact that the dream was so vivid and Vee felt love for Mirabel and maybe it wasn't entirely about Mirabel but Vee wanted to feel that again. Ah, yes... panic. Let's not do that, Vala!

"Anyways, uh.... do you want a coffee? There's, uh, some iced coffees in the fridge. Those, like, cold brew cans? Someone brought them and said they were up for grabs."

@waitingona-mirabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

How was she feeling about it? That was probably something Mirabel should have figured out before talking to Vee...

But she was trying to be better about this communicating thing after all that unnecessary stress with Penny and Jeremy. Because it was scary, but it did save a lot of trouble, just saying things directly.

"Uh- well, honestly?" Mirabel chuckled nervously. "I feel like it makes sense, considering how much time we've been together for the past few weeks- but I'm also, like- I have always kind of felt like the vibe was more, uh, friends."

She blushed. "But I was also just worried about making you feel weird, or putting you in a weird position, and now I definitely feel like I did, so... yeah. Sorry. Did that make any sense?"

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

Vee nods, understanding that -- yea -- they'd spent at least four days a week, sometimes closer to six, in each other's presence. Making notes. Taking after rehearsal. Making sure everything went well...

And Mirabel says they've always had more of a friend vibe. Vee respects that! Vee... also feels a little bit of heartache. And maybe that was unfair because, yea, Mirabel owed Vee nothing and it was in a dream! And the bottom of the lake! But Vee caught feelings and those feelings were fighting back.

"Oh, uh... I mean, it's sort of weird on the whole. You know?" Vee says, gesticulating somewhat. "Like, the dreams. We didn't have those where I grew up. So... I guess I have to adjust?" Vee drops their hands. "It makes sense, I think. It's an entirely different life under entirely different circumstances. Sort of that -- if we were different people, what if in movies, you know?"

Vee feels a little bit of ache at that too, for maybe no justified reason. "I don't know. I guess I have a lot to noodle on about it."

@waitingona-mirabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

"Oh- thanks so much for doing that." Mirabel hadn't realized just how early Vee had gotten here, but it made sense— they were the stage manager, after all, responsible for running everything. And it was tech week now, with so much still to do.

It was tempting to dive into that long to-do list and put off this conversation until later, but Mirabel knew she had to be the person to bring it up. She cleared her throat, blushing.

"So, um- listen, about the dream..." Mirabel said. "I just kind of wanted to check in. 'Cause I've lived here for a long time and I've had quite a few of these, and I know you're a little newer to this. And I remember how weird it was when I first got here. But, um, anyway- I just wanted to say, like, it doesn't have to mean anything unless you want it to. But that's not to say, like- obviously, I do think you're really cool, I just- wow, I really suck at this." She laughed nervously and took a deep breath. "Basically, I just wanted to ask if we're cool."

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

Ack, they had to talk about it. Vee had been entirely okay to not talk about it. Because it was awkward! And they kissed in a dream!!!! That is not normal coworker behavior, thanks!!!!!!

And Mirabel is trying to be reassuring but it's not exactly working because it's sort of hard to follow. Sure, Mirabel wanted to ask if they were cool. But how was Vee supposed to answer... 'I don't know I'm having one-sided, confused feelings for two people, both of which are close friends and I don't want to risk ruining everything' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Uh, yea, we're cool," Vee says, trying to not seem weird and whatnot. "Uh, I've heard about the dreams, but when everyone said they had them last Febuary I was just dreaming about -- like -- sitting at a shop in America. So I didn't know it was like this."

Here's the other thing: a naiad was a bit too close to exposing her Basilisk-ness. The affinity for water, the shapeshifting!!! What was it???

Would Mirabel catch on?

"Um, how are you feeling about it?"

@waitingona-mirabel

[veevacious-a]

Birthday Bask, Vala Carrero-Noceda

[sunflowerpin]

I love her enby swag so much

[realyskp]

Vee

[waitingona-mirabel]

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Mirabel knew that, no matter how awkward she felt about her magical-dream-romance with Vee, Vee probably felt even more awkward, considering this was probably their first-ever magical Swynlake dream. So Mirabel was probably going to have to be the one to bring it up.

Not that Mirabel felt badly about anything in the dream. Admittedly, she'd never really thought of Vee as anything more than a friend, but just like in the dream, they were beautiful and creative and resourceful and kind in real life, too. So it made sense that those qualities would show up in the dream, too.

She just hoped Vee wouldn't feel uncomfortable around her or anything.

"Hey!" Mirabel said, walking into rehearsal. "Uh, how's it going, Vee?"

[outfit]

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

Oh boy..... Vee had gotten there early. Dashed straight from work at the book shoppe to getting to the arts building to make sure that the were 100% prepared for rehearsal because there was zero way they were going to be 100% focused. Especially trying to talk to Mirabel.

One might ask, Vee, how did you develop a crush on your coworker overnight?

And Vee might answer, Oh, I don't know. A magical dream in a magical town?

Besides that, Vee feels conflicted. Devyn was in that dream, and Vee still didn't know how they felt about Devyn. They were still friends of course, but after prom and everything--...

Vee is ready to scream.

Except they don't. Because they say, "Oh, it's going great!" Like someone who has had way too much caffeine (which wasn't true) and was running into their dream crush (which was true.)

"Yea, I respiked some loose tape and there's some fittings going on but we should be ready to start soon-ish." Vee smiles awkwardly. Doing her best. Mirabel can see through them, couldn't she? Argh.... last "dream" Vee was just at a tea shop for a few days sharing gossip about other people's lives. What the heck was this?

@waitingona-mirabel

[veevacious-a]

NAME: Vala, or Vee! GODLY PARENT: N/A; a descendant of other naiads of Potamoi (River Gods) AGE: Immortal, consciously existing for about twenty-five? AFFILIATION: A Resident Naiad of Atlantis, sometimes a volunteer lifeguard of the lake. SPECIES: Naiad ABILITIES: Standard Naiad Abilities -- breathing underwater, becoming 'one with the waves,' etc.; humanoid form, also a hybrid form BIOGRAPHY:

The very beginnings of being a ripple are lost in Vala's memory. She was born somewhere, somehow… a drop of rain on the surface of Atlantis, or maybe they were swept as mist off the currents… whatever it is, they've settled in Camp Swynlake as one of the many Naiad souls in Lake Atlantis.

They've helped children of the gods throughout the years, guarding the water and saving possible victims of Atlantis's temperamental moods. Before that, maybe they did the same. But Atlantis is most of what they remember. Ages going by, and Vee remains mostly the same. Not the most beautiful of naiads, they are reminded often, by catty sisters and aunts and relatives. They do not glisten in the morning light like some of their sisters, but they shine close to shore in the view of humans.

Should they not want to be admired by gods and more worthy people?

Not all Naiads think this way, but these are the Naiads that Vala had become friends with first, and her loyalty was a fault at times.

It wasn't until the Second Titan War that Vee really felt they could break away from these notions. Then, they swam to shore and tried to aid and help hurt campers and alumni. They felt small, but with purpose. It was in this time that they also gained some respect from their peers and became more -- how they felt -- themselves.

After Kronos's defeat, Vala played and talked more among the demi-gods at camp, making friends and even aiding or playing as the campers raced canoes. They threw water towards the sky, refreshing the campers on hot days.

Vee loves camp and especially the summer when most of the campers return. And now, with the alumni weekend, they are especially thrilled to see long lost friends and reunite.

[owlwitch-eda]

Follow Your Nose || Veeda

[owlwitch-eda]

@veevacious

Eda had no idea how any one taught art. Or creative anything. It seemed like a big ol' scam. But, then again, she made a living off scams, so... But, then again, she also didn't target the youth and promise them success so long as they got the fancy credentials and piece of paper. Soooo.

Anyway. Not the point. The kid said they liked what they were doing. It couldn't have been all bad. Probably. Maybe.

She opened her mouth, ready to tell them that would be great! Say something that might make them laugh, like about how she was destined to be a model and they were the only one who had ever seemed to notice this calling.

But then that would mean they'd come back here. Spend more time here.

Eda couldn't have that.

"Sorry, can't risk you using my likeness. Too precious to just be giving away, you know?" Eda said. "But I'm actually in the market for something for my kitchen! The last one..." (Her mind wandered to the scene of Hooty eating the painting of butterflies she'd gotten.) "...didn't work for the space. You do anything else besides portraits? Landscapes? Bowls of fruit? Action scenes?"

[veevacious-a]

Oh, okay! Uh, yea, that made sense. Risking Ms Eda's likeness. Well, yea, sure. You could call it confidence, or you could call it vanity -- either one, but Vee is super sure it's because of the whole wanted criminal thing. Okay, maybe Vee should have figured that out anyways. Still, the question of what to paint for Eda's kitchen is an intriguing one.

Vee nods, and thinks. "Well, I've done landscapes before. And bowls of fruit. I do digital web comic so I could probably manage an action-y scene. Like from a movie or something?" Vee asks. "Or, I guess, I could do something a little different like a still life of something a little different than fruit. Like, uh, reagents? Or different types of food? Or wildlife? Though, Wildlife is a bit tricky."

@owlwitch-eda

[veevacious-a]

Injury Report || Veerabel

[waitingona-mirabel]

Mirabel's eyes went wide, until Vee said, I don't think they're necessary. And then she shook her head. She'd been so busy in the moment getting the rest of the cast to calm down, getting Allie the medical attention she needed, reordering the schedule so that they could still fit everything in after this delay, that taking pictures hadn't even crossed her mind.

Even though Mirabel was the one who had worked on Swynlake shows before, Vee had a lot more experience in general. So Mirabel trusted their judgment.

"Yeah, uh, it's probably fine— but let me know if you hear otherwise," Mirabel said. "Any ideas for who could fill in? I mean, most of our understudies are pretty occupied. I'd ask Edward, but I also kind of feel like he needs to be focusing on Leonato stuff..."

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

Vee nods, hoping that was right. Well, Allie would get a printout, wouldn't she? It was fine, as long as no one was seriously hurt--- and this was a community contract. It was different than a whole union contract. Also, this was England! Their rules were probably different for Unions and all ANYWAYS!

Slow down, Vee.

"Yea..." Edward had been Vee's first choice as well, but Mirabel made a good point. And every other understudy was -- in fact -- somewhere else. Dancing or-- Allie had a dance partner so... "I mean-- no. Hmmm," Vee pauses. "Ever think about acting, Mirabel?"

@waitingona-mirabel

[veevacious-a]

Post-Prom Apologies | Devee

[veevacious-a]

V: Boba would be great! V: I've got play rehearsals in the evenings, but what would say about -- maybe -- early afternoon? Sometime maybe next week or after? V: I might have taken on a bit much this summer. A class, Stage Managing, still working, and internship hunting... V: But I still want to get Boba, though! Sorry. I might say too much.

@devyn-morey

[devyn-morey]

armadevn: yeah that sounds great! armadevn: i have a bunch of classes too but my tuesday afternoons are free!! armadevn: let me know if that works d(°∀°d)

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

Drawn from Life || Open !

[ofseptarsis]

"A landscape" Tófi echoed with a nod.

Call them unnecessarily sentimental, but, given the opportunity, they would love to have a reminder of the Mjaunie fields where he'd grown -hell, maybe even an artistic rendition of the Woods where their people had spent so much of their post-Mjaudependence times living in.

"I don't have a preference between oils and acrylics" they admitted with a little shrug as they continued looking at Vee, trying to decipher them "I would gladly accept whatever medium you are the most comfortable with: even digital art as long as it is not one of those modern Artificial Intelligence lort people are calling art this days"

'I'd be interested to try! I'd definitely give it my best shot. I'd just hate if you came away from a session disappointed.'

At that, they raised both eyebrows in bewilderment.

Tófi of Septarsis wasn't a Monster that trusted easily, specially not without a good reason to do so: but Vee had shown that they knew their craft and were open to suggestions on how to improve, they cared about what they did and even their sketches were sufficiently good.

They had been the one to ask about a commission, they had been the one interested, so disappointing them shouldn't be a thing that should cross Vee's mind...and yet, it did.

'I just wouldn't want you to feel like you wasted your time.'

"I would not feel such thing" they assured Vee, as their expression slowly returned to a neutral-yet-artificially-friendly default "I do not have a photo of this person right now but I could easily obtain it. You do not need to worry too much about my descriptions being too vague or too difficult to follow, barn"

And then came the information, via a sticky note, which Tófi promptly read, then put in his pocket.

"I will" they nodded "I will send them as soon as possible. Is there anything else you would need, Vee?"

@veevacious

[veevacious-a]

Vee nods. Right. Okay, so oils, probably. Vee wonders if they could steal some time to work on it in the art studio between classes. But, then again, they could work on it late at night at home, too?

"I'll get your approval on the initial draft, then," Vee says. "And then I can choose based on what it is you like? Cost-wise, oils would be more, but I'm a fairly inexpensive artist. Still a student and all."

Which was true. Vee wouldn't completely undervalue themselves, but they were no professional. They were in school for this! So, they could ask for about the minimum that was expected of them and still feel like they were being fairly compensated.

"With a photo reference, I'm sure I can get you that portrait quickly. But I still don't mind trying without a photo if you're not opposed to the description." Vee smiles. "That sounds really nice, though. A portrait-- I feel like people don't commission as many portraits these days. At least traditionally. It all feels digital. Not that it's bad."

Vee had done a fair share of digital art in their life!

Art was a thing that just, somehow, clicked. Back in Gravesfield, Manny and Camila encouraged Vee to learn to do. Be. Live as a normal teenager. So art classes as an elective and they took off from there.

Besides the enjoyment of doing art and making others happy, there was the fact that it seemed to be worth getting to know Tófi. For multiple reasons. He was interesting. He was also -- like Vee thought -- possible like her.

"Right now? Just the references. And, if you wanted to send me-- uh--" Scribbled down on a sticky note that Vee had pulled out of their bag... a sketched up mockup of a business card. (A draft for their graphic design class from before.) "You can email me here, and -- uh -- we can talk about pricing. Like I said, I'm pretty affordable, since I'm a student. I don't want you to feel taken advantage of."

@ofseptarsis