with an i

Hearing the sound of the other’s girl made Melody smile. It was weird, though. When they’d met, the twenty-four year old had automatically she wouldn’t have liked the other. That’s what had happened her whole life, wasn’t it? But they’d gotten along really well (from Melody’s perspective, anyway). She hoped it would last, but the whole fact that this going differently than according to ‘plan’ made her nervous. “That’d be awesome!” Melody laughs in return. “Look at us, making strides with our friendship.” The girl walks in, leaning against the back of the couch casually with a smile on her face and arms crossed. “What have you been up to this morning? I’m super bored, you should entertain me,” she jokes.

Paiton laughed. “Oh yes, what’s next a whole marathon?” She joked back. She looked up a Melody with a half hearted smile. “Cry-- making an Acai bowl.” Paiton joked awkwardly. She was still not entirely doing alright but she didn’t want the sympathy. She didn’t even want to talk about it but she could never convincingly lie that she was fine. “What about you?”

Paiton

Benji

“Funny, I get the same sentiment from my parents every time I show up unannounced.”  Norah quipped, fingers brushing through her long hair.  She wasn’t usually big on feelings, so the reasoning behind her sudden warmth was super foreign.  “I just…well, it sounds stupid but I need to stop myself from doing something dumb.”  She flopped down next to Paiton.  “What’s up?”

Paiton paused. She somewhat understood what Norah meant... well about the stopping herself from doing something stupid part. “I won’t judge but I understand what you mean.” She shrugged her shoulders. She looked over at the woman next to her, “I’m just... I was supposed to meet someone here.” She paused. “Like over an hour ago... I don’t think they’re coming.”

“– oh! shit, sorry,” scaring her had been enough to spook him too, giving an almost comical glance over his shoulder as if she’d been frightened by someone else. he doesn’t see himself as very intimidating, but he supposes anyone might look spooky when they’re walking around in the park at night. “didn’t mean to. just, uh… she couldn’t sleep and she was keeping her momma up, so i figured we’d go for a little wander. it soothes her in the apartment but there isn’t much space in there, y’know?” he’s referring to the small bundle attached to his chest, in which there is a baby girl wrapped in several layers to fight off the cold. she appears to be sleeping now, but that hadn’t been the case ten minutes ago. 

“It’s ok,” Paiton said with a slight smile, she could see that he probably felt genuinely awful. “Oh... oh my gosh.” She tried to avoid letting out a squeal that just about every girl did when they saw a baby or a puppy. “That’s a very sweet thing for you to do, I’m sure she’ll be able to relax with the crisp night air.” She said hopefully.

ʟᴀᴛᴇ ɴɪɢʜᴛ ᴀᴍʙɪᴇɴᴄᴇ & ᴡʜɪsᴘᴇʀs ᴏғ ᴀ ᴄɪᴛʏ ʙʀᴇᴇᴢᴇ came with the descent of the honey hue, and with time had become a prompt for Isaac’s departure from his abode. Daytime explorations were few and far between, too overwhelming for the male to endure, only encountered when his presence was required at his place of work; so he had claimed the night. Tonight he craved the sensation of moonlight dancing over flesh and he walked through the park to experience just that, his nose blushing a shade of rose with fingertips mimicking the hue. “ Oh, s-sorry, ”  Isaac’s words spilled in a whisper, equally as startled by the presence of another being,  “ I… I didn’t mean to. ”

Paiton was glad to see it was only Isaac. He probably hadn’t even recognized her in the darkness. “It’s ok.” She said quickly. “Don’t worry about it, I’ll be fine.” She patted the bench next to her so he could sit with her for a moment. “Unless you’ve got somewhere to be, do you care to sit for a minute?” She offered a small smile.

bentley lifts his hands in an apologetic manner before mumbling a soft, “ sorry ” before dropping his arms so he can fold them up over his chest. her face gives away a bit of feeling as he swallows thick. perhaps he shouldn’t be so nosy, but he does presume curious. “ y’alright though ? look a bit sad, really. ”

“It’s alright.” She shrugged. She could feel her heart still pounding as her body returned to normal. “Oh... I’m... I’m good.” She tried to force a quick smile. “I just don’t think who I was waiting for is coming and that’s never fun.” She laughed dryly, she couldn’t help it. It was laughing or crying sometimes.

VANA: OK GOOD!!!

VANA: i was like what?? why must you question whether plants are cute or not, they obviously ARE!!

VANA: do you have any??

PAITON: no my dude, I would never do that!

PAITON: only fake ones

    doing yet another what’s what around baltimore piece for work is frustrating to say the least. it may not be a ‘new york’ but baltimore is still a big enough city where he feels like he should be able to find more hard hitting furniture than a recreational rundown of the local parks. he uses it as an excuse to get out of the office though and finds himself traversing through the park with heavy steps. he doesn’t expect to happen upon anyone but once he does, he holds up his hands apologetically. “sorry, sorry,” he hums, “just passing through.” if she stays there any longer, she’ll probably see him again, actually. making rounds isn’t helping to inspire him any.

Paiton recognized Skylar well enough. In a way, it was impossible to miss the young father and his kids around the complex. She wasn’t really sure they’d ever had a conversation beyond ‘hey’ though. “No worries.” She said softly. “Have a safe night, it’s going to get pretty dark out soon and even just walking to clear your head is probably not the best idea.” She had no right to say it, but she still felt obligated to look out for others.

     marty was no stranger to solitary evening strolls in the park. perhaps it wasn’t always the smartest idea but she continued on time and time again nonetheless. the cool fresh air helped the girl clear her head which could be difficult sometimes, so when she found something that worked, she stuck with it. she hadn’t meant to sneak up on or startle paiton, but it was clear she did by the way the other whipped around. “i’m sorry! sometimes i’m just really sneaky when i don’t even need to be,” she offered her version of an apology with a little shrug. “are you here alone? that’s not very safe, you know!”

“It’s alright!” She said quickly, she was reassured it was a familiar face. She paused. “I mean... I didn’t come here to sit alone in the dark. I guess the person who I was supposed to meet isn’t coming.” She tried to just shrug it off. “Besides, aren’t you here alone?”

“yeah, i can tell,” she said. “why so jumpy, the dark getting to you?” she asked.

Paiton nodded. "I really don't like it... I'd even venture into 'scared of' territory." She laugh dryly. "I'd usually not be out here and I was waiting for someone but I guess they're not coming."

VANA: wait why the question marks

VANA: i'm LOST paiton

VANA: please explain

PAITON: I meant to hit the !! I swear