happily ever after.

"That's a good point. Definitely less of being trash, and more of like, a hidden treasure?" Left on the shelf to collect dust under someone comes along to brush it off and find the value. At least if it ends up in Hidden Gems, it has a chance to be taken in and appreciated again. "My mother used to always say when we thrifted clothes for school, or when she took donations from her church, that they were all just pre-loved. There weren't many kids sporting name brands in my town, so that thought always stuck with me."

"Yeah, hidden treasure sounds way better than trash. I have been told I tend to romanticize my life, but romanticizing trash really takes it to a whole new level," she admits with a laugh. "Exactly, and it's just such a better alternative to throwing it out."

"Actually so smart," Carina muses. "For sure you'd eventually tell the wrong person and get tossed in a lab. Well, I would," she laughs, "obviously you wouldn't. I wouldn't have even thought of that until I woke up in a cage somewhere."

"That's what I'm here for. To stop people from getting treated like lab rats," Cora says with a chuckle. "I'm sure you would've thought of it if you actually had magical powers. The stakes would be higher."

"so you came looking for inspiration in... here? of all places?" it's meant to be a light jab, he doesn't really care for the semantics of where a person chose to get their relief from being cooped up inside for too long. he holds his drink up to hers to clink against, before sipping, "what'ya needing inspiration for, then?"

"Why not? Inspiration can be found in all places. Plus, I enjoy people-watching. You never know, I could witness a meet-cute and suddenly be inspired to meet the next great modern time romance," Cora defends, smiling before taking a sip of her drink. "A novel. I'm a writer. Or I used to be before this writer's block punched me in the face." @pcrdita

open: @aurorabaystarter

Cora stops in her tracks, turning to look at a brick wall she had passed by a thousand times. It looked the same as it usually did, which only confused her more. "Hm, what am I supposed to be looking for? That might help me with my answer." @bradleybanner

open starter for @aurorabaystarter wherever you want to set it!

"Telekenis looks pretty cool. I'd never have to get off the couch ever again to get me a wine refill," Cora answers with a chuckle. "If I had to disclose my superpower, though, I'd go with invisibility. I'm not trying to become a lab rat." @carinaferren

"whatever you're drinking." feeling a little galvanised by the conversation, jude throws a quick wink over at the woman before turning his hipe to face the bar tender, order two amaretto sours. when his attention returns so cora, jude's back settles against against the seat rest to return to the conversation. "nothin' wrong with bein' a home body, though."

Cora looks down with a smile when he answers, once again thinking to herself that this guy was pretty smooth. "Thanks," she tells him after he orders the drinks. "No, there isn't, but my place is starting to feel a bit... claustrophobic. Not much inspiration to be found within the four walls of my living room, you know?" @pcrdita

starter for: open (@aurorabaystarter) where: seascape hotel nye ball "OK, I know it's cliche as hell to ask," Zoe starts, giving a swift smile, "But what's your New Year's resolution... and immediate follow-up: is it exactly the same as last year's?"

"Write something good enough to be published," Cora says without hesitation. "Get over this damn writer's block. And, yeah, unfortunately, I've been stuck in this writer's hell for over a year. What about yours?" @recklesszoe

it's probably the first time in adult jude's life he'd ever been called a smooth talker. when he was younger, he had that charm, but it was long gone by now. so jude likes to think the woman means it, there's only so many comments about him being cold and gruff that left him wonder whether he had the capacity to be appealing. but he'd never say that out loud. "can't say i'm any better." he too was a homebody, "what are you drinking?"

It was a relief to hear that she wasn't the only single person in Aurora who wasn't out here living her best life. It seemed like there were events here every week, and she'd be lying if she said she didn't want to skip a few of them from time to time. "Gin tonic. That's usually my drink of choice, but I enjoy an amaretto sour from time to time. What about you?" @pcrdita

Camryn smiles in agreement. "My mother used to use the phrase 'pre-loved' whenever we bought secondhand." It definitely made it feel more about it being something worth buying versus taking over someone's trash. It was also a fortunate thing her town was much smaller, and growing up, having the next new shiny thing wasn't on most of the kids' radar.

"I like that. Something never sat right about one man's trash is another man's treasure. If someone loves it enough to call it a treasure, then it was never trash, you know?" Maybe Cora was giving this a tad bit too much thought, but she had always been prone to romanticizing things.

"maybe i am." he nods, "or maybe the idea was to get to have a drink with you regardless." jude leans back in his seat, letting his hand wrap around the half drunk whisky. "only place in town that don't water down their booze. you?"

"Alright, if that's true, it's a pretty smooth move," Cora admits with a grin, impressed by how well Jude was playing his cards. She wasn't nearly as well-versed in flirting. "Ah, just looking for an evening away from home. I spend way too much time there, so I try to go out when I can. Plus, like you said, best drinks in town." @pcrdita

who: anyone & everyone where: town square during holiday express

"Yeah, of course. No need to thank me, this isn't entirely selfless," Cora admits with a shrug. "This is my second Christmas without my mom, and it never gets easier. My dad decided to go on one of those senior cruises and, honestly, I can't blame him. I'm glad he's out there, enjoying his life." She glances at Tobias. "It's lonely, though. Even more so this time of the year." @seversilencetobias

a lazy chuckles escapes jude's lips, glancing towards the bar then back towards the woman again. "how 'bout i make 'ya a promise to not go back to the bartender if i can buy 'ya a drink." there was certainly no reason from what jude could see of why he'd abandon cora.

"I mean, sure, but I have to point out that you're terrible at making deals because that one only has one clear winner," Cora tells him with a grin. She twirls the little stick in her drink, glancing up at Jude. "So, what brings you here? Just blowing off steam?" @pcrdita

"Non-fiction? Now that's a leap."

"It is, but I feel like that's what my life is right now. It all revolves around my actual life, and I think that's what's blocking my creative flow," she says, knowing if anyone could understand writer's block, it would be Xavier.