The markets definitely seemed to be a hit with the town, which Celeste was thankful for since she knew how much time and effort her mother had put into it all, and even though she was still a little wary at just how many new faces there were all around, she was trying to take it all in stride. She trusted her mother’s choices after all, and even though she was a bit wary of the outside world as a whole, Cel still wanted to trust that people were good.
And judging by the happy looks of people also in the markets, good was definitely all around.
Currently she was looking for little gifts to give to all her daycare kids, a little basket on her arm full of various little ornaments with the initials of all her kids and she looked over at a man standing a few feet away from her, inspecting one of the other displays. “You need any help picking something?”
Being a single parent wasn’t an easy undertaking, but Quinn was trying his best. Him and Rosie hadn’t asked for this arrangement and but it was what they were given due to circumstances beyond their control. Quinn had lost the love of his life and Rosie had lost her mom. Everything he did in life at this point was entirely for his daughters benefit. He wanted to make sure that the gap left from her mom wouldn’t affect her in a horrible way. It was part of why he moved to a town populated by people his family may have harmed. He had to risk it for Rosie, so that she had a safe space and other witches around when her powers came into her own.
Noble intentions they may have been, but it was still not enough at times when Quinn got overwhelmed. It didn’t happen often but still occurred enough that he genuinely needed help beyond what he could provide. Today was one of those days while he finished running his errands on his day off, with his young daughter in tow having a tantrum. He crouched down to her eye level and tried to coax her out of what was upsetting her, unsure what to do today. Nothing seemed to be working. It was only when he heard a vaguely familiar voice that Quinn’s tension seemed to fall of his shoulder. The doctor looked up to lock eyes with Celestge and a grateful smile settled onto his features. Instantly, Rosie’s demeanor changed and she looked between the two before wiping her eyes from the tears that were starting to for. She looked at Quinn quietly for a moment, waiting to see if he agreed to the terms. When he nodded, the little girl started to settle. “ You are a lifesaver. It normally isn’t like this, but I think today was just one of those days. “ Quinn explained as he was now trying to get his life back in order. “ It’s Celeste right? Thank you so much’
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Once she was closer to them, Celeste realized she recognized the little girl as one of her old daycare kids- and she recognized the man then too, even if she hadn’t really spoken to him in quite some time. She focused on the girl though....Rosie! and when she seemed to relax Celeste grinned at her, tucking some hair behind her ear, keeping her voice light and soft all the while “See? When you’re good you get good things. So how about we just sit right here and let your poor daddy get some of these bags settled and then we can get you the treat, hmm?” When she got another nod Celeste nodded back, keeping her attention on the girl and helping her sit in one of the chairs before she turned her attention to the man beside her.
“It’s no problem, really. I know all too well about one of those days.” She joked- after all, she dealt with a dozen toddlers every day, and usually when one started a meltdown, others usually followed suit. As she spoke she righted herself and moved to help him untangle the bags and get them settled, a smile again pulling onto her lips, “Mhm.” She confirmed, surprised that her name was remembered...but then immediately feeling bad that she didn’t remember his. “Right, um...--...Rosie’s dad?” She offered, huffing out a laugh before giving him an apologetic smile, “Sorry. I...I usually just stick to memorizing the kids’ names. Seems I’ve been slacking with the parents though.”
At Celeste’s question, Catalina didn’t really have an answer. She shrugged, leaning over the counter with a soft smile. “I don’t know. Who doesn’t want a silly, romantic comedy these days?” She asked, truly meaning it. She always loved a good romance story, even when she didn’t feel truly romantic. It was just something easy, light hearted, and it always had a happy ending. “Plus, it’s Christmas. Aren’t you excited?” As much as she knew it was going to hurt, being the first year without her dad and step-mom, she was excited for a bit of holiday cheer.
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“Mmm, fair enough. Besides, in a book is about how close I’m going to get to any romance any time soon.” Celeste playfully wrinkled her nose up as she said it before laughing and shrugging at herself. “I am yeah. Mom always gets excited about lighting the tree, and with all these new people, the market shops is a great idea, I’m excited to buy all sorts of things--which reminds me, care to give your favorite person in the world a hint about what you’d like for Christmas?” She asked with a bright, teasing grin. She knew the holidays were going to be rough for Lina, so Celeste wanted to try her best to make it as decent as possible for her.
As soon as Ren heard Celeste’s first response, he knew he was in for it. He didn’t like a lot of people but he genuinely really liked Celeste and would put up with her teasing. He still wasn’t fond of it, but he still had a soft spot for the people that welcomed him in town when he had been new. “ You can, but maybe keep it down. Someone is bound to overhear this and then my reputation is shot” Ren replied with a half smile as he glanced over to her. “ I don’t smell it. I drink it. And it’s one of the few thing’s that actually makes me start to care about Christmas. “ He explained before giving her another look. “ Though admittedly it is strong”
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Celeste enjoyed spending time with Ren, especially since he was (or had been) a rarity at the time of someone in town who hadn’t known who she was right from the off and hadn’t immediately known who her mother was. She was her own person with him, which was something she deeply valued. “Well we wouldn’t want to tarnish that upstanding reputation, huh.” She teased, laughing as she shook her head fondly at him, “Okay, okay. I’ll admit, I do enjoy the occasional peppermint tea. Can’t say I’ve ever had it as a coffee though.” As she spoke her own actual drink was passed over by the barista--a simple mocha latte and she grinned as the scent of it hit her, “I’d much rather straight up chocolate with my coffee.”
One of Celeste’s favorite things about her job (other than of course helping raise the next generation) was that it was done early in the day, still giving her ample time in the afternoon to get things done. And with Christmas just around the corner, she had plenty she needed to get done. But first- coffee. The line in the cafe was something she was still getting used to, dozens more in and out at every hour, making it almost impossible to never not have a line anymore. Oh well.
As she stood in the line though, she heard commotion at one of the tables nearby. She saw a man trying to help a little girl get settled in but she clearly was not having it and looked close to having a meltdown as she tugged on the man’s shirt and pantleg. And the man..well...he didn’t look much better off, clearly stressed and struggling with multiple bags on his arms and fighting what was quickly becoming a losing battle. So Celeste found herself stepping out of the line and immediately heading over, wasting no time in reaching over to help the man trying to untangle some of the bag handles even while she focused her attention on the little girl- one she somewhat recognized. A former ‘student’?, “Hey! You know they give out free cakepops here to all the little kids who come by. But only those on their best behavior...I saw some pretty ones coming out with purple sprinkles before too. You think you can be good enough to get one?” As she spoke she shot the man a tentative little smile, hoping she wasn’t overstepping.
Catalina leaned forward against the counter whenever she realized who it was. She loved when Celeste stopped by. It was like she had an older sister helping her with everything, the older sister that she wasn’t. “We’ve just gotten new Pete books. I think the kids will love them.” She stated, pulling them out from behind the counter where she had stashed them for the daycare. “I think that you need something… lighthearted, romantic. I’ve just gotten this new book in, super Holiday themed. It’s like watching a rom-com movie in your head.”
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Even as she spoke, Celeste found herself giving the younger girl a once over. She’d always loved and cared about Catalina since she was born since she’d been friends with her mother, but after her death, and the more recent deaths of Lina’s father and step-mother, Celeste felt like now more than ever she needed to be more present in the other’s life, to be some sort of support system and just someone who was around. To maybe let Lina feel a little less...alone. “I trust your judgement on it, so if you think the kids will like it...” she agreed with a smile before she snorted and rolled her eyes, “Romantic, huh? What gave you the idea I need that?”
Catalina stood behind the counter at the library with her phone in hand. She had finally put out a flyer, advertising that they were looking for help, but the lack of emails coming in was starting to get frustrating. It had been days and not a single application, resume, or person coming in with interest. Hearing the door open, Lina slid her phone back into her pocket with a smile. “Welcome to Lyndhurst Library, what adventure would you like to follow today?”
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The town becoming busier by the day was both exhilarating and overwhelming at the same time, so when she wasn’t at work with her daycare kids, Celeste found herself going to places like the library, wanting to surround herself with familiarity--and thankfully as she saw the girl behind the counter, she got just that. Catalina was someone Cel had known her entire life, and after the girl had lost all of her parents...Celeste found herself wanting to be around her more and more- even just to make sure she was okay. “Mmm, well I was going to look for a book or two for the kids, but I think following my own adventure might be fun. Especially since a quiet night at home alone with a book sounds a lot less daunting than facing the whole new world outside.” As she spoke Celeste smiled, moving to the counter and leaning against it. “You have any suggestions, Lina?”
It was another day out around town. It was actually one of his day off on duty. On his off day Vincente spent it all day with his daughter. He wanted to get as much quality time with her while he could. She was growing up everyday and there wasn’t a time that Vincente wanted to miss out. Ten years had already flew by. The day included fun activities for the two of them and to end it Vincente decided on a some festive drinks from the coffee shop. He got himself a decafe and Bella wanted a fancy peppermint drink that shop was promoting for the season. There wasn’t any caffeine in it, so Vincente saw no harm in it.
The shop was busy and drinks were flying out. He kept an ear and eyes on their drinks. His drink came out first and so he hung close by for Bella’s. He heard her order and was ready to swipe it up when another hand took it before him. “Not mine. My little hija,” He gestured over to the little girl playing with a doll at a table nearby. Vincente recognized Celeste immediately. “I think you know her.” He said with a smile.
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When she looked up, Celeste realized she knew who it was whose drink she (maybe?) took and she immediately smiled- one that just grew when Bella was mentioned. “I definitely do--even if she’s a lot bigger than she was when she was in my care.” Celeste joked, letting out a laugh before she shook her head at herself “I also have a little less judgement in me knowing the peppermint drink is for a little girl and not a grown man.” She teased as she handed him the cup.
“I can arrange that.” Althea teased when Celeste mentioned her making a trip out of the way every morning to bring her coffee. Admittedly, there were still times Althea missed when Celeste still lived at home. Sometimes she felt their time together wasn’t enough. “Dinner sounds lovely. What were you thinking, anything you’re in the mood for?” She grinned, despite knowing they almost always ended up at the bistro in town. It was one of Althea’s favorite places, but she never wanted to suggest it because she didn’t want Celeste growing tired of it.
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“I’m sure the kids would love a visit from miss mayor.” She teased, grinning at her mother still, and at the agreement to dinner, Celeste looped her arm through Althea’s and gave a tug, already leading them in the direction of the bistro since she knew it was her mom’s favorite place in town. “I think instead the real question is if it’s a salad night or a burger night.” She knocked her shoulder into her mother’s, smiling still. “And if we power-walk, we can make it for happy hour...” She tacked on as she led them down the road. “And I think you of all people deserves to have a drink or two, miss mayor.”
The weight that had been off of Ren’s shoulders since moving to town had suddenly felt so much heavier now that people could find him again. It was wrong for him to run away from his problems, as he was very much an adult and too old for this sort of behavior. Losing his father however had sent him down a oath he just wasn’t able to get away from without leaving and while it was a bit of a cowards way out, it was all he could do. That didn’t mean he wasn’t regretting his choice to do what he had done now. Ren was just waiting for the day someone showed up from his past and needed an explanation.
The only benefit of the day was the fact that he had a bit of free time to grab some coffee and relax before he had to go and head into work. He had the money to spend his days doing nothing for the rest of his life, but that existence seemed so boring. He had been lost in thought looking through his messages when someone had began to speak to him. “ Sorry?” Ren replied before looking up and seeing Celeste and offering her a smile. “ Oh hey” He replied before glancing down at her drink and offering a sideways smile. “ If I say yes, you’re not gonna tell anyone I order drinks that taste like I inhaled a candy cane?”
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Celeste visibly relaxed when she saw who it was, the cordial smile on her face growing much more genuine. Ren was actually someone she knew--and liked. And with how many strangers were walking around now, familiarity wasn’t something she was going to take for granted. When the man spoke she laughed, the smile still on her face, “I won’t tell a soul, promise.” She playfully saluted towards him as well before her smile turned a bit mischievous, “As long as I can still give you shit for it.” She tacked on, her expression now into an all-out grin. “It smells like coffee and toothpaste, how is that tasty to you?”
Since the town had opened, Celeste found herself admittedly a bit overwhelmed by the crowds that were suddenly everywhere. She was born and raised beneath the barrier, so she felt like she knew pretty much everyone that’d been in town--until now anyways. Not only that, but there were suddenly lines everywhere. Gone were the days that she could zip in and out of the coffee shop in a handful of minutes it seemed. Oh well, at least things were still relatively quiet.
Once her order had been places, Celeste stood to the side as she waited for her drink to be done, going over her planner for the week for her kids in daycare she taught, and when a cup was passed in front of her, her fingers immediately curled around it and she took a step away before the scent of it hit her. She definitely hadn’t ordered....--was that peppermint? She finally snapped out of her thoughts, looking at the cup and shaking her head. “Oh–no, uhh..” she looked to the person beside her, shooting them a little bashful smile, “Sorry..is this yours?”
Althea always made a point to see or at least speak to her daughter every day. It didn’t matter to Althea how busy she might be between being the Coven’s High Priestess and the Mayor of Sleepy Hollow, Celeste always came first. In fact, she was headed towards Celeste’s place of work in hopes of catching her and seeing if she wanted to have dinner that evening, however, Celeste seemed to run into her first.
Althea hadn’t been paying attention to who she was talking to, but when she heard that voice, she instantly knew. She turned to her daughter with the brightest smile and instantly draped her arm around Celeste’s shoulders as they looked over the town. “It’ll be an adjustment for us… but it’s good. Besides, you can just come by my office for coffee in the morning, or am I finally too old for you?” Althea teased, grinning still. “I think it’ll be good. I’m done hiding, and I know everyone else is too.”
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Despite how busy they both were, Celeste tried to make it a point to at least call her mother every day and to see her multiple times a week as well. Althea was the single most important person in town so she knew her mother didn’t have much down time, so it honestly made her feel pretty special that time was always carved out for her.
She grinned as her mother’s arm moved around her and she followed suit, wrapping her arm around Althea’s waist and leaning in to press a quick kiss to her cheek. “If you say so.” She teased lightly, knowing it was a good thing the town was open now even if she was still a bit hesitant on it. “The coffeeshop is seconds from the school, whereas I’d have to backtrack to get to city hall. Unless you want to come to my ‘office’ with coffee.” she made air quotes around the word, grinning all the while. Her daycare classroom was a tidy chaos of crystals and plants and toys and books for her kids. “I never thought of it as hiding as much as just...seclusion? And peace. And I don’t think anyone’s done with peace.” As she spoke she used the arm around her mother’s waist to give a little tug, nodding down a street, “Instead of coffee, wanna get something to eat?”
occupation: Daycare Teacher at Washington Elementary
biography:
From the moment she was born, Celeste’s life had barely been her own and she’d had greatness thrust upon her. She was a legacy. She was born just as Sleepy Hollow’s sanctuary was formed, and her mother, Althea Zhao, is arguably one of the most notable (and powerful) witches alive today. After all, Althea not only had a hand in taking down the leader of the Nexus coven, but she was behind the idea of creating the forcefield that protected Sleepy Hollow and kept hundreds alive and thriving. She was loved and respected by even non-witches, and given that even her mother, Celeste’s grandmother, had been a High Priestess as well, it was practically a given that Celeste would follow in their footsteps.
Except that’s not what she wanted. At all.
Celeste didn’t want all that power and responsibility--and more over, she never really thought of herself as being all that great at witchcraft. Sure she did all her training and went through all the courses a young witch would to grow into their powers, but there was always something a bit...awry within her magic. Something not quite stable and perfect, like her mother’s. And whenever it was pointed out to her, it just made Cel feel like even more of a failure, like she was letting her family and her legacy down. That’s not to say she was bad at being a witch, or even that she didn’t like it- because that definitely wasn’t the case. Cel loves being a witch, loves reading spell books and learning to brew new potions. She feels closest to her craft at night as well, excelling in celestial learnings and magic. She can be found on her own on every full and new moon, doing her rituals and recharging her crystals and drinking a monthly potion to keep her appearance young.
But where she wasn’t quite up to par with her magic, she excelled in her favorite thing in the world: art. Celeste loved art of all kind and more often than not can be found with a sketchbook in hand or paint stains on her clothes. Her dreams were one day not to be the next leader of a great coven, but just to be an artist and to be appreciated and renown for something she did on her own and not just for her lineage.
But despite feeling like she’s always been in her mother’s shadow, Celeste genuinely loves her mother. Her father died (time here) so her whole life has only been them two, with Althea being the only parent Celeste has ever known. The two have an incredibly close bond...so much so that Celeste feels guilty for how inferior she feels to her mother, and would never let her know how she feels about it all, lest she breaks her mother’s heart. So since she doesn’t think her art will ever amount to much, and she definitely isn’t suitable to be the next Priestess, Celeste has made the best of her mediocre life by trying to help the next generation of children come into their own by becoming a daycare teacher, something that fulfills her almost as much as her art.
extras:
began doodling as a child and it all spun out from there
studies constellations and zodiacs
uses moon water in most things
definitely a night owl, usually up into the early morning hours
appearance: long dark hair almost always picked up, physically looks in her mid-20′s
aesthetics: hidden napkin doodles, worn-in converse, moonlight reflected on the water, sleepless nights lit by candlelight, red wine splatters on hardwood, crystals hidden in pockets
