delayed rays of a star.

[wlsavannah]

hcmecomingxqueen‌:

Paige loved Halloween more than any other holiday. Sure Christmas and New Years were all about family but there was something magical about Halloween that brought her so much joy. Maybe it was her love of being scared or maybe it was the costumes— but none of that was important. The carnival made her happy, the girl practically bounding through it, it was the happiest that she had been in a while. She just wanted to do everything. “I saw something about a Haunted House Escape Room,” She spoke up, “What do you say, game for it?”

Savannah was used to delving into the Halloween hype on her own, having more fondness for it than most of her family, and it was a pleasant surprise to see someone else, albeit much younger, expressing that same enthusiasm. “Well, I’m definitely ready,” she said, injecting some teasing into her tone. “Are you? Just because I’m twice your age, don’t count on me to drag your passed-out self out of the room after some ghoul leaps out in your face and you drop to the ground in a dead faint.”

[wlsavannah]

xreachfortheskylarx‌:

“Research scientist most likely. You can never know everything, and actively seeking to learn more is the smartest thing you can do in life. I want to continue learning, and be constantly impressed with the universe around us and what it can do. Though teaching is a respectable choice too, because that’s passing your knowledge onto a younger generation who can then go out and show the world what they can do. I’d be happy with either.” Which sounded like something one would say to try and impress people older than them, but that had always been her viewpoint. Education was obviously important, and teachers got far too much flack for what they had to put up with - and she’d always loved finding out something new and using that to re-evaluate what she already knew - or thought she knew. The look on her face mirrored the look she used to get upon going to Disney World, listening intently to Savannah, occasionally nodding to prove she hadn’t slipped into a trance or stopped paying attention. “As admirable as I truly think academia is, there must have been something… Exhilarating about surgery. I assume that’d be the biggest test of anyone’s problem solving abilities, and getting to know you helped make someone’s life better… I can imagine that’s a very heartwarming thing.” Not that she dared bring up the fact that it wouldn’t always turn out well - especially when neuro operations held a higher risk of something going wrong than others. “At least you got to have the best of both worlds? You know how surgery works, and if you’re teaching others - doesn’t that also mean their future successful surgeries are partially your successes? If you hadn’t taught them, maybe they wouldn’t have been successes.” 

Savannah beamed, feeling genuinely pleased and more impressed as the minutes passed. “That is excellent to hear,” she said with feeling. “A very admirable mindset to have, and unfortunately also very rare these days, from what I see.” She paused, then smiled a little sheepishly. “Sorry - I must sound, what do you kids call it? Like the old man who shouts at the clouds. But I suppose it’s just unfortunate that I don’t see a lot of interns these days with that spirit.” Savannah frowned and thought back on her own academic history. “Though, to be fair, didn’t see much of that back in my day either. Perhaps that’s just a depressing commonality amongst human beings at large.” Still, to see a girl her age be this enthusiastic - and to tell the truth it wasn’t like all the interns she saw nowadays were cynical and materialistic, so perhaps things weren’t as bad as she thought they were. “Exhilarating? I don’t know about that. It was definitely high-stress sometimes, so maybe the adrenaline had that kind of effect. But I think I enjoyed the intellectual challenge of it more than anything. That really gave a kick.” It was probably honestly a little shameful that she’d turned to something more illicit to give her that kick, now. Savannah steeled her jaw and dropped her gaze for a second, though Skylar’s optimistic words cheered her enough to give her another sincere smile. “I suppose you’re right,” she said softly, though she wasn’t sure she actually believed that. Rationally, maybe - but the human brain was weird about rationality; she knew better than most. “That’s a good way to see it. I hope you manage to keep seeing it that way as you delve further into your work next time.”

[wlsavannah]

ethercals‌:

she relaxes visibly when she realizes the woman hadn’t seen anything. she’d have to be more careful next time. a model doing drugs is hardly anything the media hasn’t seen, but lettie still doesn’t want that splashed all over the media. “good. i hate people that stick their nose into everyone else’s business.” she rolls her eyes, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. “i’m fine, lady. i just don’t like people watching me, is all.”

Savannah raised her eyebrows, not sure whether she was feeling more bemused or concerned, and decided not to point out that the girl was the one who’d initiated the minor confrontation. “Of course not,” she said politely, giving her a small smile. “Still, I tend to find that people who worry about whether anyone’s watching them tend to be doing things that, well, maybe ought to be watched?”

[wlsavannah]

olivcrmc‌:

“yeah, i guess.” oliver agreed though in truth he wasn’t sure he agreed wholly. sure, school was just suggesting they start thinking and researching their future but it still felt like a piece of homework that needed to be done immediately and probably most because he just liked having things done and set in place. “it just seems like loads of people know what they want to do, or at least what they’re going to study and where they’re gonna go.” a pause, he took a breath and offered savannah a smile in response to the comforting pat. “yeah, yeah. they probably would,” ollie laughed slightly. “they’d probably prefer it if i just stayed at home but i think they know i wanna do something.. i just don’t know what exactly yet.” head at a slight angle, he frowned in thought. “they’re good. tryin’ their best to be as embarrassing as possible,” though it never really worked with oliver – he just enjoyed teasing them. “it’s pretty much exactly the same way it always is at home.” exactly how he liked it; a little hectic, but endlessly loving. “how’s, uh, your family?”

Savannah chuckled, turning her gaze upwards to the sky and tracing the stars for a second, thinking about her own academic journey years ago. “You know something, Oliver? I’m still in touch with some of my friends from high school. A lot of whom were, as you say, certain about what they wanted to do, where they were going to study, and all that. Would you be surprised to know that, of about ten of us, only I actually went to the school I planned to go to, and I was the only one who eventually followed the career path I’d decided on in school?” She met his gaze steadily. “Don’t worry about them, all right? Even the people who seem to have it all figured out probably don’t. No reason for you to try and match up to something that isn’t real.” Savannah smiled warmly. “And yes, it is every parent’s sacred duty to embarrass their children as much as they can. Trust me, I know.” She wasn’t sure how to answer his question, though. She didn’t want to make Oliver listen to her problems. “They’re... all right, I suppose. I don’t think I’ve been spending enough time at home to really know.” Not a lie. Also didn’t reflect very well on her, but, well. Things were what they were.

[wlsavannah]

roarkexa‌:

donnie knows that it’s probably a bad idea to let someone help him. he feels like it was even a terrible idea to mention the bag to this woman and yet he doesn’t know whatever choice he has. if he doesn’t find it then his worst fears might come true. and no, he also doesn’t want to get caught without a prescription but the father in him is causing him to push that concern to the bottom in hopes that he’ll find it safely. “okay, thank you?” it seems odd to thank someone in a situation such as this but he’s trying to be polite and he is genuinely grateful. unless she’s a cop and then he might actually be royally screwed. too late now to worry. “they’re just little white circular pills. they look like mints?” why do they look like candy? that’s a whole other topic donnie doesn’t have time to delve into while he frantically starts scanning the ground again. 

Savannah dutifully began poking around the area, trying not to smile to herself. Not very nice to find amusement in someone else’s drug-related misfortune considering one careless slip could land her in the same situation somewhere down the line. She nodded in acknowledgment of his description of the pills, deciding not to respond that she not only probably knew what kind of drugs he was taking on the sly but probably also had access to them and might have added them to her possession. “The pharmaceutical industry should probably try and design their goods to look less like they could be safely consumed by children, huh?” She said, keeping her voice light. “Especially for the stuff that could kill you if you took just a little too much.” 

[wlsavannah]

antiquxjul‌:

Julian pursed his lips and solemnly nodded his head. He knew that vicious cycle since he toyed with it quite often. He’d never really told anyone the amount of times he’d been offered Amber’s position. Even before she took it on and others held the spot; it was always offered to Julian and he continually turned it down for the sake of being with his family. And sometimes, he’d sit and thinking about what he’d given up by saying no. He could have advanced his career earlier on if he’d said yes, but it always came back to what he’d give up with his family. Julian couldn’t risk that. “It is a vicious cycle and I wish there was an easy answer. I mean, Lucas has been home more often since he’s looking for other work–although I think he might decide to settle on being a stay-at-home dad. I know the kids wouldn’t be alone then but I’d think about everything I’d be missing…” And heaven forbid something happened to him… wasted time and missed memories. “It’s conflicting. I love  my work but I love my family too. You know how it is.” Julian took up Savannah’s cup and set it down beside his, looking over his shoulder at one of the glass upper cabinet doors, the top shelf holding other drinks. “Are you wanting something stronger?” Julian asked as he peeked back over to Savannah. “Because I don’t think i’d say no to that either.”

“I won’t tell if you don’t.”

"Oh, is he? Good for him,” Savannah said, smiling. Neither she nor her wife had ever had the luxury to consider that - they loved their kids, but there was a reason why their rivalry in medical school had been so bitter for the longest time. They were both competitive and ambitious at heart, wanting to push themselves, always be better, be the best in their fields. If that had meant leaving the house before the kids were awake and only returning home after they’d gone to bed for weeks in a row... Savannah felt that ever-familiar twinge of guilt again. “Yeah,” she sighed - she did know how it was. It sucked. She let him take her cup without protest, a little lost in thought all over again, only snapping out of it when Julian suggested a real drink. “Have you ever known me to say no to something strong?” She grinned playfully. “Whatever you’re having, you know I’m not picky.” Although she probably ought to be now she had a cocktail of drugs she wasn’t supposed to be taking in her system. Eh. She’d worry about it when she came to that bridge, or something. “Oh, I won’t tell. Anyway, I’m not about to get into any trouble for drinking - haven’t made any pledges or promises about sobriety lately. Why, have you? Lucas or the kids on your case? Tsk, tsk.” Savannah winked at him. “Let me know who I have to keep secrets from.”

[wlsavannah]

xreachfortheskylarx‌:

“Astrophysics. I figured they could use some more females around since only about 20% of physics doctorates belong to women. And… It’s one of the most interesting things I’ve come across.” The giddy tone in her voice was probably a little much, but it was something she’d never been able to help. Talking about what you loved should make you instantly more petty, to the point where you were almost bouncing on your toes like a little kid - or that’s what she told herself. “Oh! Oh my god, I got so, so close to wanting to go into neuroscience. The brain is literally amazing, and getting to study that must have been so much fun.” Though ‘fun’ wasn’t something most people seemed to associate with studying. “Is it as great as it seems? It has to be to make the schooling worth it, right? What’s your favorite part about it? Or is it one of those ‘there’s so many you can’t pick one’ sorta things?” 

Savannah hummed, impressed and interested. “Very interesting. Very ambitious. But you’re absolutely right - we need more women in STEM fields, and I must say it’s very heartening to see you aiming so high. What do you plan to do once you’re done with your degree?” She smiled as Skylar continued, gushing eagerly and asking her a flood of questions. It was a little bittersweet, and she tried to recall the days when she’d been truly enthused about her career. She didn’t hate neurology or anything, not even now, but... it was complicated. Savannah chose her words carefully, not wanting to discourage or disillusion the girl. “It was definitely an interesting experience. And yes, if it’s right for you, and you’re truly passionate about the work, then there’s a lot involved in the course of study that can keep you going for over a decade.” She sighed, feeling thoughtful. “It’s hard to say now. I’ve made a shift into mostly the academic, research-based side of the work instead of surgery, which used to be my mainstay.” She decided against saying why - she wasn’t about to start telling all and sundry about her drug problem. “When I was practicing as a surgeon it felt amazing to save lives with my own hands. Made me feel useful and needed. Now... writing papers doesn’t give the same feeling, you know?”

[wlsavannah]

roarkexa‌:

armando hums in amusement, “i’m just on my way home. i somehow think this might be a little less sad than stumbling home. at least i can say i had an unusual encounter at the park. otherwise i’m just a sad drunk leaving the bar alone. again.” it’s often by choice. no one is the person that he would rather spend time with. but how long can he hold out for someone who may not even feel the same way about him? in fact, if she has any sense to her name she shouldn’t share the same feelings. “no, not really. unless you like to flip through news articles? not to play the world’s the tiniest violin for myself, but i’m definitely the least recognizable person in my family. you really saying you’ve never heard of ariel vega?” without hesitation he would always talk up his sister before mentioning his dad’s so-called talent.

“Oh, I can understand that,” Savannah said with a chuckle. She’d certainly had her fair share of memories about getting wasted from her younger days in medical school. “In my capacity as a medical professional, I do hope that’s not a habit for you, though.” She tried to recall anything she’d read about someone called Ariel Vega, but came up short. Probably not surprising - she’d barely paid attention to anything but her work and the kids for the past twenty years, and of course recently she wasn’t... sober half the time. She would be hard-pressed to name one currently-famous actor or musician or athlete or what-have-you at the moment. Savannah shook her head apologetically, smiling. “Who might that be? My apologies - I really am not caught up on pop culture and all that, these days.”

[wlsavannah]

rcseates‌:

another sidelong glance at savannah, and any potential questions—the who’s, the what’s, the why’s, the really’s—are hastily pushed back under her tongue. she won’t pry. “yeah, i feel you on that one.” the sigh is contagious as she follows suit, rolling her head back to take in the night sky. “sometimes i wonder if it’s too late to give it all up and start an alpaca farm somewhere.” which isn’t a complete lie, but not the truth either. “hey, this is probably not the best suggestion to make at this time, but—“ lips pull back into a grin as she playfully nudges the other, wiggling her brows mischievously. “do you think this is the cue to get some wine? apparently a glass a day makes the hassles go away.” any attempt to lighten the mood in some way is taken seriously—along with the excuse to drink with a good friend too, of course.  

Savannah snorted, her laughter genuine. “An alpaca farm? Of all things? I would have gone with the more common sheep instead. Imagine - a sheep farm in the New Zealand countryside, spending our days shearing and feeding instead of... whatever we’re doing,” she said with a grin. She met Adeline’s mischievous smile with one of her own. Was it the wisest idea? Probably not. Was it a good one, though? Definitely. “I certainly wouldn’t be averse to some good wine,” she agreed - it was the kind of night for that. Recently it was always the kind of night for that, but she decided not to dwell on that line of thought. “What were you thinking of? A bar? Your place?”

[wlsavannah]

souredsaints‌:

caleb grinned and ran his tongue across his teeth before taking a sip of his drink, “oh, it was far better than that. they got into a huge argument in the bar and he left. she proceeded to hit on me for the remainder of the night.” he decided against mentioning that he had in fact taken her home, more out of boredom than anything. “that’s not hard to imagine. anywhere that has something to offer is a magnet for weirdos.” he’d heard enough customer banter over the years, as well as having experienced his own fair share of strange events, to know as much. “academia? nice. i’ve never been much of an academic, but the more power to you and anyone else who throws themself into it.”

Savannah paused and ran his words over in her mind, tapping her fingers on the tabletop. “Hang on, they... got into an argument? Over what, exactly? Was he pissed that she didn’t distract you well enough or something?” Couples fought over the craziest shit - she knew better than most, but it didn’t stop her being surprised and a little disapproving. She shook her head ruefully, remembering some of the wild stories about memorable patients she’d heard from her colleagues. “Tell me about it. One of my friends down in the A&E once shared a story involving a cucumber, a badger and a lot of surgical tape. Don’t even ask.” She sipped on her drink, biting back a sigh and a remark about how it wasn’t exactly a decision she’d wanted to make. “I suppose so. On the worst days it feels like I’m wasting my time on useless highbrow theory while literally everyone around me is actually contributing something good to the world. Like, look at yourself - you stand behind the counter, pouring people delicious drinks, keeping them happy and entertained. What did I do yesterday? Wrack my brain the whole day just to write two pithy lines about the effect of scopolamine on neurotransmitters.”

[wlsavannah]

xreachfortheskylarx‌:

Having let most of her friends believe there was next to no chance of her going to college, getting to talk about it always filled her with a little too much excitment - to the point she had to hold herself back from word vomiting non-stop, causing the poor person she was speaking to regret asking in the first place. “Next year, hopefully. Mit has been the dream… Well since forever, but everyone needs back-up options. And I wrote out an application for Cambridge, which is a long shot - but it’s better to know than wonder what if, right? I spent the summer at Harvard, which was interesting but I never had that… Dream school moment there, you know? Did you go to college?” 

Savannah listened intently, pleased to hear such enthusiasm and ambition from the girl. She’d overheard too many spoiled-sounding interns bitching about the tough, not-so-glamorous aspects of medicine lately to feel very optimistic about the prospects around her. “My my, that’s certainly a worthy ambition - I certainly wish you all the best. What are you hoping to study?” She smiled, resting her chin in one hand. “And yes, I did - medical school, to be precise. Almost thirteen years studying to become a neurologist. I’ve quite literally spent half my life in school.” And she loved her job, and had no regrets, but it wasn’t exactly something Savannah was jumping to recommend to all and sundry. 

[wlsavannah]

olivcrmc‌:

it was a loaded question, but one he was mightily familiar with at this point – so much so that he’d pretty much given everyone who’d asked the same answer. “not really. i don’t even know if i wanna go to college, to be honest. i guess it would kinda make sense for me to go, ‘cause i like school and i do okay, but i have no idea what i’d study.” oliver did not like the idea of deciding his future at fifteen, especially when he was so unsure. as much as he liked to think he would be okay in the park alone, he was grateful for savannah’s presence really. “me too,” he muttered softly, picking idly at his sleeve before glancing over at her. “oh, i don’t think they would. pretty sure i’m the only one who’ll get told off, and i won’t tell on you if they ever find out i left.” he joked lightly.

Ah, the uncertainties of youth. To be fair, she’d never really experienced that very much - Savannah had been sure from a very young age of what she’d wanted to pursue, and never lost her passion for it all through the years of hard study and her actual career. “Well, whatever anyone tells you, just remember - you do have time to think about it and figure it out. What you want to study, where you want to go, if you even want to go at all... don’t fret too much about it. Things fall into place - trust me.” She smiled reassuringly at him, giving him a gentle pat on the shoulder. “I’m sure your dads would say the same thing. And I’m sure they’d help you out if you needed them, too.” She thought back on her conversations with Julian, feeling a little worry creep back into her tone. “How are your dads? Everything okay at home?” She hadn’t really been able to get a read on Julian the last time they’d met, but she just knew something was up. She hoped it wasn’t affecting the kids.

[wlsavannah]

roarkexa‌:

he’s avoiding eye contact with the woman as he occasionally glances back down at th ground while she speaks, “uh, yeah… i did, but it’s fine.” it most certainly is not fine but he can’t blurt out to a stranger that he dropped a bag of pills. “oh, it’s okay. i probably didn’t even lose it here.” the worst part is that he fears the bag might land in the wrong hands. it’s his fear that forces him to be honest with the person in front of him, “it’s just that i have a bad back and motrin doesn’t cut it, you know? i think i could survive a few others without taking anything, but i wouldn’t want someone’s kid finding it. i’m very worried about that. i can’t even begin to expression how irresponsible i feel right now.“ donnie’s never found himself in such an awkward position before. he’s a terrible liar as he puts his hand on his back, rubbing it as if it’s really going to sell the story. though everything else he’s said has truth to it. “i don’t even know where to begin to look.” 

Savannah raised her eyebrows, not quite believing him. Actually, not at all. “Uh-huh,” she said drily, regarding him closely. It wasn’t like she was about to rat him out for his strange behaviour, and considering his wow-totally-not-at-all-suspicious story, he was probably looking for, well, drugs. That he had dropped. In some hay. She couldn’t exactly preach to him or sound the alarm considering the situation she was in. “Well, for the safety of the children of Ashcroft, allow me to help you in your search,” she said neutrally. “Two hands will make lighter work - we’ll be more likely to find it with two pairs of eyes searching. Better to get it found before anyone else comes along, wouldn’t you say?”

[wlsavannah]

antiquxjul‌:

Savannah was making a lot of good points and it was very tempting to fall into it. It wasn’t as if Julian hadn’t thought about it before, but he always found a reason to not go through with it. Most of them were valid reason that he could probably find a work around to but there was one big caveat to the idea of Julian taking over. “It’d mean less time with Lucas and the kids,” Julian said with a soft sigh as he ran a hand through his hair. Right now, he didn’t want to risk losing out on time with them with his future being so… uncertain at the moment. “As wonderful as it would be and fulfilling, I don’t want to take my time away from my family. I don’t want to spend another 18 years fixed Amber’s messes or someone else’s mess, but I also don’t want to turn into one of those people who never see their family because they’re working all the time.” Julian stood up from his stool with a chuckle at Savannah’s antics, grabbing his tea cup so he could go around the island and make himself another cup. “Top of your class, miss smarty-pants. I have total faith in your abilities and I’d happily trust you with my head,” Julian said as he continued to laugh. “But my head is already a disaster, fair warning. Do you want something to drink?”

Listening to Julian’s earnest desire not to give up time with his family for the sake of his work... Savannah sighed, thinking about the past twenty years of her life. “I feel bad about it sometimes. I don’t think I was there for the kids enough when they were growing up, because, shock of shocks, neurology is a pretty demanding career, time-wise. But then I think about having given up all my prospects back then to stay at home with them full-time, and just thinking about it makes me so glad I didn’t. And then I feel bad about that. It’s a vicious cycle.” It was complicated. She loved her kids more than her own life, but... there was a reason why she’d been so driven and competitive in medical school. Yes, she’d wanted kids, and yes, she’d given them all she could - but she would have been bitter forever if she’d had to give up her work for them. Maybe a better woman wouldn’t feel the same - Savannah would never know. She offered up her cup at Julian’s words, giving him a grin she tried to inject with more humour than she felt. “I will accept that as due compliments, because my ego is the size of Texas, thank you very much. And that depends on what kind of drink you’re planning to offer me.”

[wlsavannah]

seaelias‌:

Elias managed a small smile as he shook his head. “I don’t blame your kids. I think it takes a very special and crazy smart person to go into something like that. I wouldn’t ever want someone to trust me to mess around when it comes to their head.” School had never been his thing anyway; Elias had always been more of a hands-on kind of learner and school didn’t cater to that often. “I guess I could, but ain’t too many kids who want to live the life of a fisherman. If I even mentioned it to some of the kids in town, they’d probably laugh at me.” There was nothing posh and rich about the lifestyle. “You could always go to the public pool. I don’t recommend swimming in the ocean unless you’re sure you know how to swim, but people don’t listen to me. If you need a teacher, let me know. I can’t teach you the fancy stuff, but I know how to do the basics.”

Savannah laughed, the sound bright and genuine. “Thank you for the compliment, I think. Although some days I’m not particularly sure how I ended up where I am either.” She pursed her lips, sighing softly. The world was becoming so complicated to navigate, it was no wonder Elias was having such difficulties. “Perhaps I should be your apprentice,” she suggested, half-joking. “Run from my responsibilities and spend my days going to market and riding the waves. Or something.” Big words considering she couldn’t, well, swim. But a new life far away from all the issues she was currently dealing with sounded pretty good right about now.

[wlsavannah]

emmy-meyer-coulson‌:

Open to All !

Halloween was back, admittedly it wasn’t her favorite holiday, that honour went to New Years, but it was one that had always been fun. Currently Emerson was standing in line for some fresh warm cider donuts while reading an article on her phone. Her attention was broken when a rolling apple hit her shoe and she picked it up, looking around for its owner.

Apple pie was something of a tradition for her, this time of year, and everyone knew you had to get the apples nice and fresh at the market to make a pie worth a damn. Savannah had gotten the apples without a hitch, and then her eye had caught on half a dozen more things and before she knew how, she’d ended up with very full hands and more bags than she could carry. She cursed under her breath as one of the apples moved precariously and proceeded to fall out of its bag. Thank goodness for it stopping when it reached a young girl in the line. “So sorry,” Savannah apologised, trying to figure out how to reach for it with a rueful smile. “I may just have my hands a little full.” 

[wlsavannah]

roarkexa‌:

“oh, i see,” armando responds, “sometimes you just gotta get out.” shrugging, he looks up at the sky, “at least it’s not raining.” his usual escape was the bar but he can’t say that he wasn’t looking forward to his own bed tonight. “i was on my way home, but i couldn’t leave you by yourself. it just seemed like a dick move, you know? unless you’d rather be alone…?” taking her hand into his, he gives it a firm shake, “armando. vega. maybe you’ve heard of me?” he chuckles at his own comment, “i’m kidding.” maybe she’s heard of one of his family members, though. 

Yes, she certainly did, Savannah thought a little unhappily, but tried to push it away. “Thank you - that was very kind,” she said sincerely. “No, I certainly wouldn’t mind some company. If you don’t mind, of course.” She didn’t want to keep him from anything he was busy with. “Very nice to meet you, Armando. I can’t say I have, though.” She looked at him with her eyes twinkling with mischief and amusement. “Should I know that name? Have I not been keeping up with the news enough?”