bloom where you're planted

yas | 26 | coffee in hand, chaos in heart (associated with blackstone ridge)

[yasemindemirci]

Full Name: Yasemin Lale Demirci

Nickname/s: Yas

Faceclaim: Cemre Baysel

Gender // Pronouns: Female // she/her

Age // Date of Birth: 26 // June 11, 1999

Hometown: İzmir, Türkiye

Occupation: Florist at Floral & Hardy

Neighborhood: Lakeside

Time in Blackstone Ridge: Lived here 2001–2017, returned permanently in 2023

「 the introduction 」

Yasemin is the kind of florist who can make a mismatched bunch of blooms look like it belongs in a magazine spread — not because the flowers are rare, but because she has a knack for noticing what makes each one special.

Born in İzmir and raised in Blackstone Ridge alongside her older siblings, Yasemin spent most of her childhood quietly observing, learning, and gently smoothing the edges of her family’s chaos. After a stint away for college and a few small adventures in other cities, she returned in 2023, ready to carve out a space that’s all hers — soft, sunny, and full of petals.

Her life hasn’t been without heartbreak. Losing Erhan left a mark; it hardened those around her, but Yasemin has clung to her own light, tending to it like the flowers she arranges every day.

⸻

「 petals & daydreams 」

• Texts memes at 11:47 p.m. with zero context whatsoever because “it reminded me of you,” usually with a flower emoji.

• Prefers sunlit corners over crowded rooms — says it’s better for plant care, but really it’s just comforting.

• First to notice when someone’s had a rough day; her hugs are warm, lingering, and genuine.

• Loves late-night walks by the lake with a cup of tea or hot chocolate.

• Hates when people treat flowers like they’re replaceable. She remembers the first time that made her cry out of frustration and takes more precautions than she needs to to get all flowers up to standards, a bit of a perfectionist.

• Once a timid “shadow” of her siblings, she’s learning to claim her own space without feeling guilty — soft doesn’t mean invisible.

• Keeps a tiny notebook for sketching bouquet ideas, doodles, and small thoughts; there’s almost always a pencil or pen tucked behind her ear.

• On the floor arranging flowers, she’s serene and focused; off the clock, she’s playful, silly, and surprisingly sarcastic.

• Once someone earns her trust, she notices every little thing about them — favorite flowers, coffee orders, how they laugh — but betray her confidence, and she retreats gently rather than fighting.

[legallytaemin]

Tae was, at heart, a simple, peaceful man. He might have carried a briefcase filled with law papers and often dressed head to toe in designer clothing, even when that designer clothing was casual leisurewear, but he was entirely at peace simply wandering around the farmer's market with a little basket, perusing the local offerings. The Tatum Dairy place had a stand for their cheeses, milk and ice creams, and now that he was part of the family again, he had to remain loyal. He was wandering the stalls, trying to figure out where theirs would be located that day when the girl practically ran into his arms.

"Oh! Uh, what? Hello?" Tae's eyes widened at the encounter. He was sure she must have mistaken him for someone else. He lifted his eyes to meet hers, somehow managing in his shock to read her expression. Oh, he was going to be so bad at this. "I thought you were going to find some bread," Tae replied, channelling what he could only hope was his best, straight boyfriend tone. "I was wandering around everywhere that sold sourdough looking for you." Tae cleared his throat. "Never mind, we can get some sourdough soon. I just realized, actually, I wanted some cheese, too. Shall we go?" His eyes fell on the strange man who was seemingly a little too interested in talking to her, and the puzzle pieces fell into place. He shoved a hand in his pocket to hide his wedding ring for a moment. "Thanks for keeping her company until I could get here, but we'll be going now," he said with a nod, stepping away and hoping she would fall in line with him. "He's not following, is he? Do you think he got the hint?"

[yasemindemirci]

Yas' polite smile remained fixed until the man finally turned and disappeared into the crowd. She thought she heard him muttering something that was unsurprisingly rude, but she chose to let it go. Then, she let out a shaky exhale and pressed a hand over her racing heart. "Oh my god." She breathed out a half laugh/half gasp. "I can't believe I just--did that. Wow." Her wide eyes lifted to the stranger, cheeks flushed with embarrassment. "I seriously owe you big time. Literally, I'll buy all the sourdough and cheese in this market if that's what it takes.

Her eyes darted briefly to the hand that had just disappeared back into his pocket. She had definitely caught the glint of a ring when she initially had gone up to him--but, well. Desperate times. "A-and--um, sorry." She added quickly, words spilling out. "If...if that was weird. I swear I didn't mean to drag a married man into a horrible rom-com moment. I just....panicked, and..." She trailed off, shaking her head at herself. This was the kind of thing she should've expected to happen to her. "If it makes you feel any better, I'm not in the habit of fake-dating strangers before noon. Genuinely would've probably just stayed home and doodled if the weather was gloomier." Yas smiled sheepishly, tucking her hair behind her ear. "But really, thank you. Can I at least get you something to say thanks? Like, maybe a loaf of bread or coffee--hell, I'll even throw in an emotional damage pastry."

[yasemindemirci]

tagging: @legallytaemin location: farmers market

Sundays at the farmers market were supposed to be Yas' happy place. Fresh flowers, little jars of honey, and produce for days. There was also a woman with a lavender lemonade stand who always snuck Yas a free sample. It was genuinely impossible to be in a bad mood. On this particular Sunday, though, her peace was interrupted by a man who didn't quite grasp the concept of a simple no thank you. He'd followed her from the jam tent to the coffee truck with an insistence that she "probably doesn't know what she wants yet." Honestly, the tone was enough to make Yas' skin crawl. Her heart skittered in her chest, grip tightening on her paper cup. She was suddenly regretting not asking Azra or Mickey to go with her. There wasn't a plausible escape route--not one that didn't involve making a bigger scene. Yasemin loathed spotlights.

Then, her gaze caught on a stranger a few feet away--tall, calm looking, and the kind of presence that made her feel like breathing was actually possible given her sudden anxiety spike. "Babe!" She called, waving with a small smile. She walked right up to the stranger, casting a disgusted look at the creep before turning to the stranger with what she hoped to be a disarming smile. "Hey, I'm so sorry I'm late. I meant to text you so we could find a meet-up spot. Did you find the apples you were looking for?" Her eyes flicked up to his, followed by a gentle tip of her head so he'd hopefully catch onto the unwanted presence. She pleaded silently with him--Please just go with it, and I'll explain later.

[mickeymaddox]

"I like the way you think, Yasemin," she said with a grin in the younger girl's direction. Anyone who was willing to split dessert was a winner in Mickey's book, especially when it came to fair food. "Trust me, your brother can attest to the fact that I'm surprisingly great at packing food away — and I don't mean in doggy bags. I'm sure not ordering takeout every night is healthier for me in the long run, but I'm probably eating twice as much since Aslan started cooking for me all the time. I've had to up my cardio just to stay in shape." That was, of course, not exactly the truth. Mickey had upped her cardio game outside of the gym from the day she met Aslan, but not because of her concerns for staying in shape. That had been an entirely different thing, but she wasn't about to talk about her sex life with Yasemin.

"Nobody's ever sent me flowers before," Mickey admitted, "so I can't say one way or the other, but I think you're right about it being a little bit of both. He's quite a catch." Mick lit up at the mention of a tour, nodding excitedly. "It would be amazing to see where you work! I can show you around the base, too, if you want. It's not nearly as pretty as a flower shop, I'm sure." When Yasemin mentioned that she looked like a coffee girl, Mickey laughed and nodded. "I've never been much of a tea girl, but I think I'm probably 75% coffee on any given day. I burn the candle at both ends a little too well, so sleep? Not my best friend. Thankfully I keep my heart healthy enough to not give out on me, at least not any time soon... According to my doctor, anyway. What about you? What's your go to, coffee or tea?"

[yasemindemirci]

"He cooks for you?" Yasemin's jaw dropped slightly. eyes widening. Oh, her brother was definitely down bad. She filed that away as just another thing to tease him about--though her hopeless romantic side won out pretty quick. "I'm pretty sure cooking is a love language for some people; I can't say I know all of them off the top of my head." She gave Mickey a quick once over, shaking her head. "Well, for what it's worth, you look fantastic. Come to my place sometime, and you'll find a small stash of Uncrustables. I'm not sure what it is about them--it probably makes me sound like such a kid at heart--but it's definitely a thing from my teenage years that unfortunately my future romantic partner will have to accept as a quirk. Whoever they are." Lately, she'd gotten more comfortable with owning even the weirdest parts about her. As a young girl, Yas was kind, but shy. Despite those positive attributes, she had often felt like most things she did weren't good enough. It had been a lot to work through as an adult, but thankfully the work had made her that much stronger and she didn't really feel the need to defend her own choices.

She turned to Mickey, grateful for and even a little touched by the admission. While she got to see the awe and excitement of customers picking up the flowers, she sometimes wished she could see the reactions of the ones who actually were gifted the bouquets. And no, she hadn't been there when Mickey received the flowers, but she had an active imagination--she'd always thought joy was a pretty palpable emotion. "I'd love that, actually." She paused, tilting her head. "You know how it's damn near impossible to get the guards at Buckingham Palace to crack their stoic expressions? For some reason that's what I picture when I think of a military base. Super silly, I know." She gave Mickey's arm a little squeeze, beaming brightly. There was always going to be a worry in her mind over whether people liked her, but she was filled with relief knowing it'd barely been a full half hour and they were already getting along this well. "Good, 'cause you're not allowed to tap out on me! I like you too much already. And, god....honestly? I'd have to give the edge to coffee. Tea's really good for relaxation and stuff, but I've genuinely never seen so many different and interesting coffee flavors cranked out. Maybe about a month ago I went a little wild over one brand because of the cute advertising. Gets me every time. Just show me a picture of a little piece of toast with a beret on a coffee label and I'm sold." Yasemin giggled softly, ducking her head. "More power to those who drink straight black coffee, though. I could never."

[aslandemirci]

Aslan was just finishing up stocking the shelves with freshly cleaned and dried glasses before the evening rush when he glanced up to find his younger sister striding through the door, lighting up the place with her warm exuberance and familiar smile. “Merhaba, hoş geldin,” he called back, eyes narrowing slightly in response to the way her own did. What was she up to? He wondered as she reached up and pinched at his earlobe. “Hey– what was that for?” Aslan laughed, shaking his head at her. It was only when she started talking that understanding dawned on him and he issued a long, exaggerated nod paired alongside a widening grin. “Yeah, she’s a knockout, huh?” He agreed, not shy about praising Mickey whenever the opportunity arose. He’d always been a bit more closed off, preferring to play his cards close to the chest and keep his personal life as private as possible, but this was different, especially now they were in a full fledged relationship, rather than dancing around each other with lingering questions shuffling between them. “Literally takes my breath away without even trying.” And it was true– Mickey didn’t have to go out of her way to catch his eye or make his breath hitch in the back of his throat, she did that with just one look in his direction.

“So, I take it this means you approve?” Aslan prompted, lifting a brow as a sly smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. “And I’ll let you know about the flowers. Don’t wanna send too many, you know? Gotta keep her on her toes.” Plus, he’d already found out that it was a bitch and a half to try to get them delivered on base. Chuckling as she pinched him again, Aslan shrugged and shook his head, “You don’t have to,” be good, that was, “Trust me, I’ve done way worse within these walls.” What he meant by that, she didn’t need to know. “Plus, I like that you’re this excited about Mick, y’know? That makes me happy– she makes me happy.” And so it was important to him that his siblings got along with the woman he was falling rather hard for. Snorting a laugh, he pulled down a fresh glass and started to work making her blueberry lemonade, “You know these are better with vodka in them, right?”

[yasemindemirci]

"What do you mean, what was that for?" Yasemin quipped, blinking innocently at her older brother. There was no malice, though. She was just happy to see him in a good place. Mickey really was lovely. While some might have grumbled at the way Aslan so openly spoke about Mickey, Yasemin was a romantic at heart. She clasped her hands under her chin and squealed. "God, you're so cute when you're in love. Be more insufferable, please. It's a good look on you." At the suggestion of vodka, Yasemin tilted her head and considered the addition. She didn't really drink too often--mostly special occasions. But this? Seeing her brother be so sickeningly cute and genuinely happy felt like an occasion of its own. "Ah, fine, toss some in there. Why not, right?"

At her brother's question, Yasemin snorted. "Oh my god, of course I approve. She's so freaking cool." She couldn't really believe it'd taken this long for them to meet, actually. Regardless, she understood that this was a big step for Aslan, and as giddy as it made her to befriend Mickey and as much as she'd tease Aslan any chance she got, she had a pretty solid understanding that there were some things you just didn't mess with. She could tell how precious Mickey was to Aslan just by one glance. So, as much as she wanted immediately to jump in on any chance to bond, she'd have to tread carefully and not come on too strong. "I should probably eat something too, while I'm here. I was so preoccupied at work that I forgot to step out for a bite." She ducked her head sheepishly. Then, after a beat, she met her brother's gaze again. "I genuinely hope I get to be that lucky someday." It hadn't happened for her--not yet. Yasemin had only been in one or two relationships so far; both had fizzled pretty quick. As she got older, she was realizing one of her biggest fears was being alone. Shrugging away the scary thoughts, Yasemin chewed on her lower lip, scooting her seat in a little further. "I'm really glad you two have eachother to lean on. I mean that."

[mickeymaddox]

Azra and Aslan had both warned her about Yas being a ray of sunshine, and Mickey had hoped it would be true. Unfortunately, plenty of people had said the same thing about Madison Maddox in front of Mickey, so she struggled to fully release the nervous energy she'd been holding at the potential for this to go wrong. The younger woman radiated warmth and gentleness, and Mickey instantly felt herself yearning to protect her from anything that might try to put that at risk. She'd figured eventually she'd end up adopting Aslan's protectiveness toward his sisters, but she wasn't expecting it to happen this fast. When Yas said she was going to hug her, Mickey's eyes widened briefly before her entire face broke into a look of relief. "I'd love that," she replied quickly before hugging Yasemin right back. Every bit of tension in her body seemed to drain right out of her, and Mickey gave Yas an extra squeeze before the hug ended, conveying her appreciation as best she could.

"It's honestly my pleasure," Mickey replied with a gentle laugh, pulling her hair forward over one shoulder and looking around at the options surrounding them. "Oh, yes! Would you want to split some? I don't need to eat an entire order on my own, even though I could, so we can share and then it's the best of both worlds." She already felt so comfortable with Yas, like she'd known her for a lot longer than merely a couple of minutes. Maybe it was having heard so much about her from Aslan and Azra, or maybe it was the warmth the woman radiated. Most likely, it was a combination of both, and Mickey was deeply grateful for it. "You work at the flower shop downtown, right? Your brother had some flowers sent to the base from there and I keep meaning to come by sometime to take a look around. I've never been a flower kind of gal, but those were so beautiful, it might have me changing my mind."

[yasemindemirci]

Yasemin watched as there was a flash of something--she couldn't tell what--cross Mickey's face before she accepted. Relief washed over her. The last thing she wanted to do was piss off her big brother's girlfriend. She linked her arm through Mickey's and gave her a proud little smile, like her work was somehow already done. Yasemin was a people pleaser to her core--but she was learning it was okay if not everyone liked her. Still, though, she felt like maybe there was already a sense of mutual approval between the two of them.

"I was just thinking that, actually! Because, yes, I could totally inhale an entire order and it might earn me some brownie points somehow because it's...a little impressive if not gross." She wondered what Azra and Aslan had told Mickey about her, and hoped she could live up to whatever image they'd presented. Her green eyes sparkled at the mention of the flower shop, and then subsequently--the flowers that Aslan had ordered to be sent to the base. "Oh my gosh, yes! That was such a fun order to help out with. And honestly, he's got good taste. Either that or he just knows you really well. Or both." She took a deep breath, reining in the excitement that was bubbling at the edges. She didn't want to burn Mickey out this early in the game. "But yeah, I could totally give you a tour if you wanted! We even have a Keurig that I keep stocked with fun coffee and tea flavors." She turned to glance at Mickey, a small smile on her lips. "You do look more like a coffee girl, but tea can be pretty much like a dark horse. There are some flavors that'll surprise you."

[tusertom-deactivated20251015]

cemre baysel as leyla in leyla : hayat aşk adalet.

[yasemindemirci]

where: Şerefe tagging: @aslandemirci

The bar was just waking up for the evening crowd when Yasemins lipped through the door, the familiar hum of chatter and clink of glassware comforting her like a blanket. Her eyes landed on Bobby first, and she lit up instantly, hand fluttering in a little wave. "Bobby! Hi! You look nice today." She said, as if she'd been waiting all week to tell him. Sweet compliments were often tucked into her pockets like ammo, and at least she used them for good.

Them, her gaze locked on Aslan, and the corners of her smile tilted sly, eyes narrowing mischievously. “Merhaba, ağabey.” She murmured, crossing the floor toward him as she'd done countless times before, knowing she belonged. That there was always a place for her here. Before he could brace for it, her fingers (painted a deep lilac with little white flowers on them) reached up to pinch his earlobe in that deliberately annoying little sister way. "So, umm...why didn't you mention the fact that your girlfriend is an actual goddess? Like, dude--she is unfairly gorgeous. Should I send flowers? You want me to arrange 'dumb' little weekly arrangements for her? They're not dumb, by the way. Can be cute without being tacky. Eventually she's going to think we're all obsessed with her." She clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth, giving one final pinch for good measure, this time on the forearm, before pulling her hand away. "Sorry, you're at your place of work, bla bla. I'll be good now." She hopped up into a seat, batting her eyelashes at him. "Can you make me a blueberry lemonade, pretty please?"

[birdie-white]

🎡 closed starter / yasemin demirci (@yasemindemirci) 🎡 location: parker county fair

"Okay, as your boss, I am fully aware that it's not my place to say this," she started as they walked past a few food vendors, trying to decide on what to order for lunch. Birdie had set up the schedule so that everyone got at least one afternoon off to enjoy the county fair, and the fact that she'd convinced Yasemin to join her for lunch before hers was a blessing she was not taking for granted. "But if you don't get at least two sweet treats after something savory, I'm not going to be able to forgive you. I can never choose between the funnel cake and fried Oreos, so I usually end up with both. They just round out a footlong corn dog so perfectly, you know?" Birdie laughed softly, knowing full well that fair food was unmatched. "I pretty much spend the entire year dreaming about this combo."

[yasemindemirci]

Yasemin's eyes wandered all around her, like a kid in a candy store. Which, to be fair--sometimes that was the vibe the fair gave. She really embraced any chance to lean into any ounce of whimsy that she could. Walking along with Birdie, she let out a laugh, sticking her hands in the pockets of her shorts. "I plan on it. I'm a menace for fried oreos, but I do think I'm gonna end up going for a Korean corn dog. When the vibe is right, it's right. Who am I to fight it?" She dropped her shoulders, tipping her head at Birdie. "No, I definitely agree. Sweet and salty? Truly the best. I don't know how one can go without it. I'll even go for a candy apple--my dentist can deal with the hassle later."

[mickeymaddox]

🎡 closed starter / yasemin demirci (@yasemindemirci) 🎡 location: the midway / parker county fair

Thankfully, Aslan was running out of siblings for Mickey to have to brave meeting at public events. This town could only have so many festivals and fairs and carnivals, after all, and she wasn't sure she could brave meeting another Demirci somewhere quiet. Between Azra and Aslan, she'd been briefed plenty on what to expect with Yasemin, but the idea of a younger sister still scared the shit out of her. After all, her track record with little sisters wasn't great, seeing as her own couldn't stand being in the same room as her most of the time. (It was, of course, mutual as fuck.) Here she was: standing in the midway of the Parker County Fair waiting for Yasemin to arrive so she could finally meet the soft, sweet, angelic baby sister her boyfriend and his sister both fawned over. Mickey didn't know what to do with soft and sweet, it wasn't like she'd ever managed to earn either of those terms from anyone before. Granted, if their text exchange thus far had been any indication, Mickey was sure Yasemin would probably make this a lot easier on her than she could fathom.

She spotted her instantly, recognizing the girl's face from the photos she'd seen. It was impossible not to soften as soon as she saw her, if only because the resemblance was uncanny. Then, of course, Yasemin had a softness to her that was contagious—even Mickey couldn't fight it. She understood instantly what Aslan meant when he said she balanced them out. "Don't take this the wrong way," she said after waving at Yas and approaching her slowly, almost like she was worried the girl would bite. "But you're, like, ridiculously beautiful. I mean, you're practically a model in pictures, but you are even prettier in person. Your parents killed it in the hot kid making department."

[yasemindemirci]

Yasemin loved the county fair. More specifically, she was drawn to the various people and booths. There was something so enriching and wonderful about watching the world pass second by second. She had to admit, the childlike wonder was something she'd tried to shake, but it just wound up being a part of her altogether. Add in the fact that she was finally going to meet her big brother's girlfriend, and she was practically vibrating with excitement. As always, there was practically a spring in her step, her high ponytail bouncing and swishing as she walked.

When Mickey approached and complimented her right off the bat, Yasemin tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, ducking her head a little. "Thank you! That's sweet of you to say." She clocked the cautious movement Mickey made, and immediately brightened a little more. Frankly, Yas found herself about as intimidating as a dull nail file. Sure, the Demircis had incredibly strong face cards, but Yasemin always liked to at least try and put people at ease. She was softer than her older siblings, and that sometimes (okay, most times) meant more of a willingness to offer a warm welcome. "I've been dying to meet you in person, so I'll try not to be so awestruck. I'm going to hug you now, okay?" She knew physical touch was sometimes a deal breaker for some, so after a moment of searching Mickey's face for any disgust (none that she could see), Yasemin wrapped her arms around the brunette in a warm embrace. Pulling back, she made sure to hold eye contact, offering a small and disaming smile. "Thank you for making my brother so happy. I mean that." As she let go completely, Yas shrugged out of her cardigan and draped it over her arm for the time being. Turning to Mickey, she couldn't help but feel even more hopeful--hopeful that Mickey was really in it for the long haul, that they'd have more chances to connect like this. "So! Coffee, tea? Or food? Because I'm known to go to town on fried Oreos. It's kind of embarrassing." She admitted sheepishly.

[blackstoneridge]

CHARACTER - BASICS

Name: Yasemin Demirci

Faceclaim: Cemre Baysel

Age / Birthday: 26 / June 11, 1999

Gender / Pronouns: female / she/her

Hometown: Izmir, Türkiye

Occupation: Florist @ Floral & Hardy

District of Residence: Lakeside

Time in Blackstone Ridge: Since 2001, returned permanently in 2023

trigger warnings: death

CHARACTER - BACKGROUND

What is the one place your muse feels most at home, and what does this place mean to them?

Among flowers. Yasemin has always found comfort in petals, colors, and little bursts of beauty and joy in unexpected places. Working at Floral & Hardy gives her space to arrange the world the way she wishes it could be — softer, brighter, kinder.

If your muse is not native to Blackstone Ridge, what brings your muse to Blackstone Ridge? If your muse is from Blackstone Ridge, what keeps them here?

The Demircis came from İzmir to Blackstone Ridge in 2001, and Yasemin has lived here most of her life. Where her siblings left and came back, she stayed, and that makes her feel quietly tethered. Blackstone may not be glamorous, but it’s home — the one place she knows how to bloom.

What would you say is your muse’s biggest motivation or desire, and how does this impact their decision-making?

Yasemin wants—craves, even—to be taken seriously. She’s spent her life as the baby sister everyone wanted to shield, so now she pushes herself to prove her independence. Sometimes that means diving into things too quickly just to show she can handle them. Other times it means fighting for gentleness in a family where sharp edges usually win.

How does your muse view themselves as a person? How does that compare to how your muse’s best friend views them?

She worries she comes across as a little naïve — too quick to hope for the best, too soft for her own good. But her closest friends would say she’s the one they rely on most, a quiet anchor who notices the details others miss. She underestimates her own strength, while others see it in her every day.

What is your muse’s relationship with their family like?

She adores her siblings and would do anything for them, but it isn’t simple. Not that she'd ever admit it out loud, but as much as she loves them, she's struck by the way Aslan treats her like she's a glass object, or frustrated by Azra's cynicism. Their father has never truly taken her seriously, and she stopped trying for his approval a while ago, even though sometimes all she wants is to be able to pick up the phone and break down to him without judgement. Her mother’s silences weigh on her more than she'd like to admit, too — a cautionary tale of what happens when kindness turns to passivity. Yasemin loves them all, but sometimes wishes they could see her as more than just the youngest Demirci.

Does your muse struggle to admit when they make a mistake, or are they quick to own up to it? Does it matter who they’re admitting it to, or how big the mistake is?

She’s quick to apologize — sometimes too quick. Yasemin hates conflict and will take on blame just to smooth things over, even if it isn’t really hers to carry. She'll even panic and think about said mistake for 3-5 business days. But underneath her apologies is a streak of quiet stubbornness: she’ll concede for peace, but she rarely forgets.

What is the coolest place your muse has traveled to? If they’ve never traveled far, what’s one place they hope to visit someday?

Her siblings have racked up stamps in their passports, but Yasemin hasn’t traveled much. She'd like to someday, and sometimes will browse travel sites just for the sake of dreaming about it. She dreams of seeing the tulip fields in the Netherlands — to stand in the middle of a landscape made of color and feel small, but in the best way.

Which parent (or parental figure) does your muse take after the most and in what ways? Are they aware of these similarities?

She takes after her mother, Afet, in warmth and patience, but she’s determined not to inherit her silence. Yasemin knows she’s softer than her siblings, but she also knows softness doesn’t have to mean weakness. She's determined to make sure that comes through.

Does your muse struggle to forgive others, or are they quick to offer grace? 

She forgives easily, sometimes to her detriment. What some call naïveté, Yasemin calls necessary. But deep betrayals cut her deeper than anyone realizes, and though she might still offer a smile, she won’t put herself in the same position twice.

Describe your muse’s highest high or lowest low so far in their life.

Her highest high came with finding her footing at Floral & Hardy — proof that she could lean into her own independence and step out of her family’s shadow. Her lowest low was losing Erhan. Not just because of who he was to her, but because his death hardened everyone else, leaving her to feel like the only one still reaching for the light.