Ciro Ricci

“Oh really. How many are you up to right now? I’m here for a good ugly sweater or two.” She joked with him. “Coffee is basically the blood in my veins at this point.” She was constantly drinking coffee to just try and stay awake. Even though at this point she was still mildly okay, but she had tons on her plate. “I get that. I mean it does balance somewhat? I mean one is somehow less sugar right? At least I would hope it is.” 

“Just two. But one of them lights up.” They mused with a laugh. “That’s fair. I think one in four people have a serious case of blood that’s actually coffee.” Ciro joked. “Yeah, exactly. It’s a trade off. I think coffee is more caffeine and less sugar and hot cocoa is more sugar but less caffeine. That’s what it is. Thank you, now I can defend my poor habits.” 

“It’s not. I don’t get it.” Marco shrugged his shoulders, although found himself laughing at his sibling’s plight in that particular moment —- winter in California definitely wasn’t cold. “Alright, fair enough, I can go with that,” he responded then, chuckling very softly. “You are? That’s something, at least. But I will have, I’m at the restaurant tonight… as usual.”

“It is though. You have to wear sweaters and you didn’t think ahead so they’re kind of dusty. Which is pretty uncomfortable.” Ciro said with a laugh. “Fun, fun. Sucks to be the talented one of the family.” They smirked. “Maybe I’ll drop in, start a nice kitchen fire. Or just order chicken nuggets and be shamed by everyone there.” 

The conversation was odd. It wasn’t like Rafael spoke to others often enough to invoke these sort of topics but it was a safe one. General and neutral enough to maybe get a response or two. Something that could lead to an interesting conversation. Maybe? But Rafael was simply passing by. Nightwing, the black stallion on his left, had injured herself on their daily walk. He knew they wouldn’t last too long if they didn’t take the rest of the walk to the ranch slow. But he hadn’t expected a stranger to conversate with him either.

“I don’t mind talkin’ to you but this mare right here is injured. You do you mind if I burrow your scarf?

Before the other could dismiss him, Rafael was quick to offer something in return. “I’ll make you hot chocolate for your trouble and kindness.”

A pause of silence fell between the two after Ciro spoke, leaving him to expect he might just not get an answer. They supposed, in the other’s defense, he probably had somewhere to be and they did just kind of stop them. “Uh,” They stopped, cut off by a quick offer. “Well I can’t turn down hot chocolate.” They said, taking their scarf off and holding it out for the man. Though, they would have given him the scarf regardless. While they knew next to nothing about horses, they wouldn’t neglect an animal in need. Especially if all that was needed was something so simple.

@ciroricci​

“Best day ever.” The blonde squealed, hugging the puppies close to her. There was nothing better than the smell of young animals, regardless of what they were. And these were so soft and cuddly and she just wanted to eat them up. “You should have more brilliant ideas like these every day.” She told them, thinking before it’d be strange to be doing things with her boss’ sibling, but talking to them came natural to Nina. “Are you planning on adopting one?” 

“I have to say I do miss New York around this time of year. I loved the snow so much.” Since being back in Santa Monica she hadn’t seen any snow, she knew that it was unlike she would be getting it for Christmas like she usually did in New York. Clicking her cup against his. “I think that’s a pass for me right now.” Kessa laughed softly. “It’s not really my thing you know? Although if you get anything a little more advanced you can give me a call.” 

“I will say, part of me wishes I lived somewhere where it would snow. Then I remember I would probably spend all my time complaining about the cold then enjoying the snow.” They said with a laugh. “Do you miss snow?” They asked genuinely as they clinked their cup with hers. “Ahh well, I’m disappointed. But fine, we’re getting a new series in a few days I think you’ll like. Thought he cover of this one does not glow in the dark.”

“I love the cold, I couldn’t stand the summer, but I guess that’s California for you.” he replied to them, even if the summer hadn’t stopped him from drink his multiple coffees each day. Nothing was going to break that addiction, not even a blistering heat. “I just think Christmas has more of a …. Feel to it? If you know what I mean? Cold weather, but warm feelings… That sounds like it came from a commercial, I’m so sorry.” He laughed, giving the other an apologetic look.

“If only people knew what cold really was.” she smiled. “Being from Chicago we get chilly Autumns and  freezing cold, snowy winters. For me it’s just getting used to the extra humid summers.” she wrinkled her nose. “That is very true, That and cute warmer clothing.” She was a sucker for clothing.

“Ahh see, but I thrive in the heat. The sun no longer hurts me. It’s just part of my day. The cold though? The cold is vicious. It thwarts my plans and makes me want to sleep all day.” Ciro said, a smile on their expression. “I finally have an excuse to wear jackets and sweaters again without the risk of melting.” 

“Merlin. Hands down. I just think it’d be neat to have magical powers. Also my dream when I get older is to live a tall spiraling castle and wear a blue robe with stars on it so..you know. I’d fit right in.”

“I actually don’t mind it right now. Although I’m a little disappointed that my shorts have to be put up, but I have lots of cute sweaters. Plus at least Diana won’t give a look when I come in with certain shorts on.” Alex commented with a laugh. “Yes, that is also the great thing about fall. Although change the hot chocolate to hot coffee and well—“ She laughed. “So do you not like coffee or just more of a fan of hot chocolate in this weather?”

“See, I for one am very excited for ugly sweater season. I think my goal is to eventually get one sweater for each day of the week.” Ciro said thoughtfully with a nod. “Oh no, I love coffee.” They mused with a laugh. “Just I prefer frozen coffee. So coffee in the summer, hot chocolate in the winter. I think it somehow cosmically balances that way. I don’t know what I’m balancing but..you know.” 

“I actually don’t mind it because it’s not near as cold as New York.” She told him with a shrug. “That it is. That is the one blessing of this time of year.” Raising her cup to him that was filled with hot chocolate. “So anything new in yet or am I waiting a bit longer?”

“That is a great point. Sometimes I wish I was in New York. Then I remember their weather.” He said with a laugh, raising his own cup of hot chocolate. “We have a few new things if you like children’s books about dragons and knights. The cover has stars that glow in the dark, it’s pretty good.” 

“To be honest, I don’t even know why anyone’s complaining, it’s not as if it is actually all that cold,” was Marco’s response and he shook his head a little, a chuckle escaping him. “I don’t see why you need a reason for buying hot chocolate. Just do it anyway, who cares if it’s 40 degrees.” A small laugh. “Anyway, what are you doing for the rest of the day? You at the shop?”

“Because it’s colder then it was yesterday which is very uncomfortable?” Ciro mused with a shrug. “If I don’t have a reason then I really don’t have an excuse every time I look at my bank account. With a reason there’s a lot less guilt. Obviously. I have nothing planned for today but no, I’m away for the evening.” He said with a short laugh. “How about you? No major fires to put today?” 

She had always been one to stop and take in life’s more simple pleasures, enjoying the things that were right in front of her instead of always searching for more. “I’m always gonna be a beach baby but the colours are pretty beautiful.” Smile had sprung easily to her lips as she spoke. “It’s always acceptable to buy what you want, especially if chocolate is involved.”

Jasmine’s cheerful mood was a relief. Especially considering the last three people they talked to at the bookstore before they left were bitter about the weather.  “I do love the colors.” Ciro mused with a laugh. “Don’t encourage me. I’m already a dangerous force on the night after a holiday when all chocolate is on sale.” 

Leyla groaned, her head falling forward to rest on the table beside her coffee. “My head feels like lead,” She complained, not bothering to lift her head from the cold, linoleum table. Diner food was exactly what she needed to quell her hangover, greasy, cheesy monstrosities that she’d regret later. Cholesterol and clogged arteries be damned, a burger was the hair of the dog that she desperately needed. “Tequila is the worst. The absolute worst. Why did I do this to myself?”

“Fun night out I take it?” Ciro mused, sliding a basket of fries to the middle oft he table and plucking one out. “Tequila? I’m assuming it’s because waking up with a hangover is a person’s favorite thing.” They joked. “Could be worse-” They said, cutting themselves off and smacking the table loudly. “Woops, thought I saw a fly.” 

open starter | lucky’s

“ i’m just saying, ” jamie began, hands up in mock surrender and a goofy smile plastered across his face. “ that people in horror movies must have watched horror movies, right? ” he took a big sip of his beer before turning back to the person he was talking to, voice almost painfully earnest. “ so why wouldn’t they run away immediately? who sticks around for ghosts and axe-wielding murderers? it makes no sense. ”

“Well that’s very simple.” Ciro said in a matter-of-fact way, an eyebrow raising as they spoke to Jamie. “In our universe we watch these movies and obviously know to do the opposite because of that. In their world, horror movies are nonsensical and apply logic. So they do the opposite and scream and run right into the axe-wielding ghost murderer.” 

“I’ve got nothin’ against cats,” he starts with a shrug before taking a sip of his beer. “But there’s just somethin’ about dogs that make them better. I know there’re some affectionate cats out there but havin’ a dog run at you after a long day at work is far more rewarding to me.” Logan raises a hand, “personal preference and all.”

“I mean, I’ve got nothing wrong with people being wrong, but you definitely are wrong.” Ciro said jokingly. “Everyone’s got a preference. I like both, I think they’re both different types of animals. Though I have to say as far as rewarding goes, there’s nothing more rewarding then finally bribing a cat to sit in your lap.”