Aria Edwards

“The music does get me every time, I usually try to skip the intro cause the music paired with the creepy shadow pictures- no thank you.” Shaking her head Anna corrected the other, “my plan is to sleep right behind the door, I’d wake up to them trying to kick it in, jump up and- WHAM! Baseball bat to the face.”

“I wish they had the whole skip intro thing when ‘Are You Afraid of the Dark?’ was on. That clown was terrifying.” she shivered, the mere thought making her uneasy.

“Okay, that’s not fair, it’s not like it came with a warning telling me to not watch alone. It drew me in with it’s creepy preview, had me thinking I could handle it.” Anna sighed in defeat as she sat beside the other. “I was bamboozled honestly.”

“Hoodwinked.” Aria added, playing into her indignation. “It’s the music on that show that gets me. It’s the creepiest music I’ve ever heard.”

“Uh, yeah, anytime…” He pursed his lips as she downed the drink in one go. Oh boy, was that going to hit her all at once. That’s what she got for not heading his warning through. He waited to see her reaction and could only shrug at her comment. “I didn’t make the punch,” he explained. Then again, he knew what fairy properties lay at the bottom of the cup. Not that he was supposed to tell her. “Want some water now?”

"I would prefer to be drunk.” she answered honestly, amending, “But water is a better choice and my wanting to be drunk is probably a manifestation of my constant desire to avoid what is best for me.”

She pressed her lips together, then, unsure as to why the rest of the words came out when she could have only said ‘yes’ and moved on. Staring at the man for a moment, she couldn’t help but notice he had beautiful eyes. 

“Your face is really handsome.” she almost breathed, again confused as to why she would want to tell him that. “I am very confused right now. Do you know why I ...” she drifted off, hand going to her hair as she tried to think of an explanation before answering for herself, “Dammit, the fairies spiked the punch, didn’t they?”

“Well the offer still stands if you find some sort of loop hole or something.” She told the other. “Hey add in some romcoms and that is the best kind of way to alleviate the pain.” Becca admitted. “What kind of work do you do anyway? Maybe I know someone that could help.” 

“I do love a good rom-com.” she sighed, pausing a moment before continuing. “I work as an assistant but who knows, they may find somewhere to stick me by the end of the month.”

“i guess, that’s to say, i don’t really talk much at all. i’ll take the debt though. i could always use a favor one day. at least you’re prepared for this being fired thing. i’m not the best money management dude.”

“Fortunately, that’s one of the things I’ve always excelled at.” she shrugged, adding, “Don’t mind owing you a favor but nothing illegal. I’ve managed to keep my record in great shape as well.”

Zeus: “I would always get into it with my mom over not closing cabinets and drawers all the way. Guess who inherited that trait?”

Mummy: “Rodents. Mice, rats...not a fan.”

She shook her head feeling for the other girl. “So basically it’s just a fancy way of saying your fired, pack your bags?” she asked.  “I’m sorry I know a bunch of lawyers if you feeling like suing there ass for some reason or another.” she half joked.

“I wish I could but I don’t think I’d have a case.” she laughed, “My pain and suffering is only known by the cashiers who scan my wine and Ben & Jerry’s.”

A slow smile spread on her lips, listening to Aria answer in a little more detail than she’d expected putting forward the question. But as much as it was starting to feel like a job interview she’d somehow ended up conducting, Lysa was genuinely interested in what the other was saying, her head tilting forward in a small nod as she considered her words. “For what it’s worth, you’re well prepared for any future job interviews. They won’t even know what hit them,” she chuckled. “Though I’d avoid mentioning his extracurriculars at the real thing.” Thinking back on everything she’s said, Lysa leaned back on her chair, eyes narrowing in thought. “You know what? I think I might actually have something..?” Pausing, she bit her lip, unsure if she should even bring it up. “I mean, maybe. I can’t promise anything yet, but my PA’s currently part-time, a student, and she’s been thinking of leaving. And I’ve been thinking of hiring extra help, seeing as I’m probably gonna need it in the upcoming months and.. Basically, long story short, there may or may not be an opening, it might only be a part time thing at first and I can give no guarantees, but hey, it’s something to consider, right?” Offering a small shrug, she went on. “So, do you know anything about magazine work? Arts? Design? Not interviewing, just asking, I promise.”

“I’m sorry.” she apologized with a chuckle. “I hear ‘what are your qualifications’ and I immediately go to sitting on the awkward side of the desk.”

Aria listened, biting on the inside of her lip. She nodded at the question, “I do, actually. I currently work at that little magazine - the one they give for free in regional hotels? My boss edited the features so I am not versed in the art side of things but I would be interested in learning.” 

She straightened in her seat, her hands in her lap, “I appreciate the lead even if it isn’t an offer. Honestly, it’s incredibly nice of you.” She then held out her hand, “I am Aria. Figured you should at least know my name.”

“time to start the job hunt. they sound like shit people to work for anyways. whatever, i’m bash. don’t got any problems to unload on ya.”

“That just means I owe you an ear sometime.” she answered the shrugged. “But it’s nice to meet you. And, yeah, I guess. I have a few weeks and I think I would be okay for a little bit after that if need be.” 

“I think you can use present tense if you’re still planning on finding something similar. What is it you do?”

“Personal assistant.” she answered. “Not at all what I studied but it is what I like.”

“Oof,” she pursed her lips, head tilting in sympathy. “But you said the end of the October, right? Which means there’s a chance to skip unemployment entirely if you find something by then. So, let’s see what we can come up with. What’s your qualifications, what do you do?” 

“That is true.” she agreed, settling back in to her seat. She had briefly thought about looking but the news was so fresh that all she could think about was waiting to see if something came available at her current job.

Taking a deep breath, she started, “Well, I don’t work in what I studied which is psychology. Graduated from Temple. As much as I love it and helping others it started to feel a little...stuffy. So I have been working as a personal assistant - which I love by the way.” emphasizing her love for what she did felt a little bittersweet given the circumstances but it was her truth.

“But as far as qualifications go I can type seventy words a minute and I am super organized. I pick on tech quickly and don’t mind running around. I like to be depended on and am very loyal. I am usually very discreet but my boss wasn’t exactly hiding all of his extracurriculars...” she laughed, trailing off as the more rational parts of her brain started realizing that  she wouldn’t have a job past Halloween. “Gosh, what an ass.”

“Occupational what now?” Becca asked hating it when people starting using fancy words for being fired. “Why are you on that anyway?”

“Reserve.” Aria repeated, the corner of her mouth ticking up. “My boss is leaving and they don’t have a place for me once he does.”