and the greatest love of all is waiting somewhere for me.

grace thought over that toy idea and nodded her head as she listened to the other woman explain her idea. “that’s actually brilliant, sounds super complicated to do but that’s me who knows nothing about the inner workings of programs and toys.” she admitted but the idea itself sounded fantastic and she clearly seemed to know what she was doing even if grace had no idea. “it would definitely benefit so many kids and i can’t think of anything like it.”

“thank you,” said amani, giggling. thinking of new creations made her so giddy. “but honestly, i’m not going to claim total originality. i mean, i did come up with it in my own mind, but there’s no completely original idea anymore. especially in the internet age, you’d be surprised by the range of things you can find being sold. there probably is a product like this somewhere out there. nicolas cage air freshener exists, you know, so it’s not a stretch to think that kids’ toys companies have had a head start on this idea in some form. i just do my best to embrace the personal joys of inventing, nonetheless.”

There’s a look of genuine curiosity in Sebastian’s dark eyes as he watches the woman before him talk her heart out about the toy. He always thought it was rather admirable how passionate Amani was about her job. “You know, I don’t think I’m the right person you should be talking about this with,” He chuckles lightly. “But I can see that’s important to you. And it does sound quite amazing. I’d love to have had one of those for Isabella when she was a baby.”

“Oh, I see. Am I boring you, Rios?” she asks, though a chuckle ensues, letting him know that there’s no real acrimony to her words. “But, well, I’m sorry for rambling. I just thought of it while eating breakfast and, well, you happen to be there. All my friends have to put up with this.” She feels it’d be too awkward to look at him, but there’s an unspoken question there: ‘You are my friend, right?’ Or maybe he was now just a polite acquaintance. At least they could hold a nice conversation together, either way. “Thank you for listening. And, God, don’t bring up Isabella. You know I’m weak for that child.” She says, “I don’t see why she can’t benefit from having such a toy at her age, though. I know that when you’re a kid, sometimes you can feel like the world’s against you. You sometimes feel a bit alone and the world’s so big and scary. If I manage to build this toy, consider wrapping one up for little Isabella, will you?” She smiles at Sebastian, a little shy. But to be fair, she always was. “I’ll even give you one for free.”

Izzy brought the green straw up to her glossed lips and sipped on the iced caramel coffee she had in her cup; curious brown eyes watched Amani speak of her great idea. “Mmm!” She hummed, setting her drink down and gulping down the bit of coffee still in her mouth. “What a great idea! It’s both educational, fun, and helps with social skills. I love it.” She encouragingly responded, grinning. “You know, I wish I were more skilled at programming. I’d love to work on that with you. I also have this idea, it’s a little wild, possibly useless, and honestly, your idea is way better, but would you like to hear it?” She curiously asked, lifting her beverage to take another sip.

“Maybe we can combine our knowledge about programming and see what happens,” replied Amani, though she was evidently kidding. “But of course, I’d love to hear it!” She looked at the other, eyes shining with excitement. “What do you do, by the way?” Oh, how it lit up her heart to see someone who reminded her a little of her younger self take an interest in innovation. “Are you a student?”

“well, yes i do. i’m a big romantic, i think that’s pretty obvious. but men... need to get their shit together. and you know what, i won’t waste too much energy thinking about them. when my prince charming arrives, he’ll arrive. until then, i’m free of cares.”

“well, there’s this type of storybook i sell that has holograms in it. little kids can alter the holograms, too. they’re rudimentary holograms, but... i’m still so proud of it. i sometimes manage to really translate my vfx knowledge to making toys; i think it’s the best example i’ve accomplished so far. be sure to visit nona’s imaginarium sometime!”

Tisha had been watching the woman in the azure dress talk to herself for a while now. The other woman looked nervous and she wondered why. It wasn’t as if she were the one getting married. Stepping closer, she grinned a little as she overheard what the woman was saying to herself.

“It’s a good thing you’re not the bride then, isn’t it? Besides, your dress is gorgeous. I think a veil might ruin it…”

baby hated fucking weddings. she didn’t see the point in marriage or celebrating an institution that was established just so men could have women as their property. it was sexist. and bullshit. “yo. you look hot.” bright orbs were glistening at the other fondly, baby herself was rocking a chic pant suit and doc martens. “here, need a hand? the floor right here is a little unsteady. don’t know if your heels will fend well.”

“yeah, of course i do. i keep in touch with the crew to this day.”

“i told you, my fondness for video games is ideological. i love what they represent, but not so much the games themselves. that said, toad from the mario games is coming to mind.”

amani’s wedding look. going full cinderella.