𝔣𝔞𝔦𝔯𝔢𝔰𝔱

Alice bit her lip and blushed, giggling a little. It was a good sign that the other woman was offering to walk her home despite living right upstairs. This time Alice dared to be the bold one, leaning forward and looking at her lips for a moment before flicking her gaze back up to her eyes. “I’d be happy for the short walk upstairs to your place. It doesn’t mean the night has to end there, after all.” 

She could see the way Sienna’s eyes lit up when she spoke about activism, and it made Alice smile wide. More than anything Alice wanted to be like the heroes in the books she read and movies and shows she watched: someone brave and fearless who’d stand up for the right thing and protect others from harm. “Well, you know, it’s all in a days work. Someone has to be willing to stand up for what’s right, after all. I’ve got a few things in the works at the moment, speaking of. I’d love more people to have my back.”

Sienna’s cheeks flushed crimson as she had to look away, it was all fun and games to think about the possibility of a hook up but when it came down to it, despite all her lust she was terrified of saying or doing something wrong. Her bravery only ever took her so far. “I mean I have plenty of room.” she managed to get out, feeling as though her cheeks were burning now. “And um.. lots of .. books?”

“We can’t let anyone bully us into silence.” Sienna expressed, more firmly than she had intended. It was almost as if something had possessed her to speak in such a way, which confused her as she had never been wronged by anyone in Evermore. “Oh really? Can you spill the beans or is it top secret?” she asked, on the edge of her metaphorical seat only dying to know what Alice was planning. “If you ever need a partner in crime-- no wait, activism, I can make myself available.”

♡

“You could?” Her eyes literally lit up at the offer. “Do you have any orange?” Orange was among her favorite colors if not her favorite. She was giddy with excitement now. She didn’t know how to make clothes, but she could certainly bake a large batch of homemade cookies as a thank you. “There is?” They really did make everything. “Well, you learn something new every day! I bet it smells much better than the… fresh linen one I saw in the store the other day. It did not smell like clean bedsheets at all.”

“Yes! Yes I do!” Sienna beamed as she mentally counted the amount of shades of orange she currently held in her collection. “I have pumpkin, carrot, spice, clementine, copper and terracotta!” she explained as she counted them on her fingers “but in my opinion pumpkin and copper are the better shades.” Sienna began to laugh at Fawn’s disapproval of candle scents, after all she did know a thing or two about bedsheets. “Candles are big money now, like coffee houses! Ah clean bedsheets... just smells like tide to me.”

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“Really?” Whitney asked, eyes wide. Now that would be something. A junior suite at the Hideaway free of charge? That wasn’t a bad idea. But then again, she didn’t want to get too crazy just because she wanted a free room. “Actually, though that’s tempting…I should pass.” Chocolate hues watched as she looked over the bottles lined up on the back shelves, completely relying on Sienna when it came to what to have. “I think we should probably keep it safe. What can you make with Bailey’s anyway? I’ve heard of tea before with it…that might be more my speed.”

“Just know my offer still stands anytime you might need it, there’s always room for you here Whitney.” Sienna smiled with a little shrug of her shoulders, she knew offering rooms at no cost could affect business down the road but in the moment sometimes kindness was worth more than pennies. “A tea...” Sienna pondered with finger on her lip before the puzzle pieced itself together in her mind. “Oh oh! Well we could do a london fog- or a chai tea latte? Actually that sounds pretty good...”

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He had to agree that sometimes when things were quieter you could get more done and he was trying to be better about settling into quiet moments and appreciating them….But it was very hard for him to do that. That’s why he spent so much time researching or reading thesis papers from his students. He could be quiet but also not think about anything other than the information in front of him. “Oh, God,” he quietly replied, feeling heat rush to his cheeks at her words. Anyone mentioning him blushing definitely made him blush and the wink didn’t help. “Mushroom tagliatelle? Hmmmm,” he repeated, thinking that over. Was he more afraid of fake nacho cheese or fungus, that was the real question. After a beat, he nodded in her direction, leaving it all up to her. “Your choice. I will happily join you for dinner whichever one you want.”

Sienna chuckled at Fraser’s all too sweet reaction, not too long ago she might have exploded with secondhand embarrassment at the thought of someone saying that to her, however over the last few years of building her business and leaving her 20′s behind Sienna had become more confident in herself. “I’m sorry! I just meant It’s lovely-- that’s all!” she cried out, trying to fix the situation she had caused in the first place, worrying she had pushed Fraser over the edge. He was very intelligent, kind and endearing & the last thing she wanted to do was upset him. “Okay.. okay how about burgers and some fries? Oh maybe we sneak in a little milkshake? What do you think?!”

Alice shook her head. “Now, we can’t have that. I’ll stay with you ‘til lock-up and walk you home, if you like.” She didn’t mind spending more time with the pretty bartender-boss one bit. And walking her home would be a good opportunity to spend more time with her, maybe get her number by the end of it if she was lucky. “It would be my pleasure.”

Looking around at the empty tavern, Alice nodded. It was definitely a slow night, but who knew? Maybe it would pick up in a bit. “As much good as you can… that sounds absolutely splendid. I love a person who does good in their spare time.” Tucking some hair behind her ear, Alice hummed. “Oh, reading, mostly. Activism when needed. Good whenever I can.” 

Sienna smiled warmly, blushing at the thought of someone so caring, worrying for her wellbeing. “I would be delighted for you to stay until lock-up, but I live upstairs so it would be a very short walk.” she laughed, wiping down the bar with a cloth. Daring herself to be bold, but chickening out at the last second “But if you like I could walk you home.”

“It’s not a saints life but I believe in good karma and doing good things. I believe it keeps you pure at heart” she grinned proudly, standing by her statement. Sienna’s eyes lit up as Alice spoke, dazzling with interest. “Activism! You know that sounds so heroic and selfless! Fighting injustice, oh it just so wonderful!”

TASK 001 - THE PLAYLIST

PLEASE DON’T BE IN LOVE WITH SOMEONE ELSE PLEASE DON’T HAVE SOMEBODY WAITING ON YOU

various prompts ask meme // @burlesquedanceralice

Sienn's heart felt as if it stopped, either that or it was hammering against her chest too fast to keep up with. Her lips tipped into a shy smile as her gaze fell to the ground, afraid her blushed cheeks would give away too much. Sienna had always been awful at receiving compliments, especially from girls like Alice who seemed so adventurous, confident and breath takingly beautiful. "You are much too kind Alice." Sienna flushed, trying to steady her breathing and heart rate. "But I don't even hold a candle to yours."

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“Much easier to think.” And eventually spiral when your thoughts got to be too much and there was nothing around to drown them out. But that was a conversation Fraser didn’t want to get into. “Okay, as long as you’re one hundred percent certain.” He said with a smile, taking a drink from the pint in front of him as he put his research paper down, focusing on her more fully now. “You’re going to make me blush if you keep saying that,” Fraser chuckled, shaking his head. He highly doubted he came anywhere near the best customer or would be considered wonderful company by most but he appreciated the thought. “Oh, nachos…wow, I don’t know the last time I had nachos. Um…sure, sure I could go in on dinner.” He wasn’t sure what he was scared of more, the fake nacho cheese or the hidden jalapeños but there was plenty to be worried about. However, for Sienna, he could try not to freak out about it.

“Which makes it easier to do book keeping, or inventory while still being hands on and serving.” Sienna added, there was always something for her to do, a window pane to be fixed, emails to respond to, deliveries to be signed for and yet there was comfort in the chaos she could not explain. Sienna had grown used to the company of customers that now the solitude ate away at her soul & sanity like a gerbil to carboard; quicker than you’d expect, leaving no trace behind. “Well you are very handsome when you do blush, Fraser” Sienna winked as she reached for her notepad. Sienna licked the tip of her pen as she scribbled her own order before eyeing Fraser curiously. “Are you sure you’re okay with nachos? Our chef makes a mean mushroom tagliatelle.”

♡

Fawn would take note of that. The holiday did seem to creep up, so Sienna might’ve been onto something with planning in advance. “I would love a handmade scarf, that sounds like such a good gift!” Useful, practical, warm. “I don’t think I’ve even burned a candle before. They seem so strong and artificial. Maybe if there was something like… forest smells. But I think I’d rather just open my window.”

Sienna’s eyes lit up as she clasped her hands together in delight. “Oh! I could make you one! I have so much yarn in so many different colors” She beamed, mentally putting together an ombre of forest greens and earthy browns against the dark coloring of Fawn’s hair. She doubted Fawn would let her use pink. “There is one for forest smells, I like to use it in the bathrooms... but you are correct it can be artificial. Nothing in comparison to the real thing.”

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Sneaking a peak through her fingers at the purveyor of the tavern, Whit sighed and let her hands fall from her face. “Honestly, I don’t think I could handle more than one drink, I - uh, well, I’m not the best at handling anything too strong.” She’d always been more of a mushroom or weed kind of girl and even that she didn’t do too often. “I just need something to help me relax a little, make it feel like I didn’t just run a marathon…you got anything for that?”

“I’ll tell you what if you really cannot handle your alcohol I will personally put you to bed in a junior suite, free of charge.” Sienna teased in good nature even though her intentions were true. She turned to face the rows of spirits, mixers and liquors, humming softly as she traced her finger over the bottles.  “Just so you know I don’t condone recurring usage, but I could make you a strong old fashioned. Extra dry martini?” Sienna asked raising an eyebrow. “Or we could play it safe with a Bailey’s? I enjoy a small one with a book in the evenings.”

Alice nodded. She knew what she meant - how a connection with another person could be one of the most rewarding things in the world. Alice liked connecting with people. It was part of the reason why she’d found polyamory so rewarding for herself. It allowed her to connect to so many people in so many ways, each bond special and unique. “I’m glad you could have those connections. Maybe you’ll make another one tonight.” 

Her eyebrows raised and she took a sip of her drink before setting it back down. “Oh wow, the boss huh? How lovely. You must be an extremely busy person. When do you get time to enjoy yourself? What do you like to do?”

Sienna chuckled with a small nod, it was true that owning a hostel & tavern meant she met many different people, and some who would change her life for the better. Sienna admired the optimism although she had her doubts that a magical connection would just waltz through her doors in a town no one ever wants to leave. “Perhaps, although its more likely I’ll lock up alone.”

“I suppose it has its moments of glamour. But yes, its usually a lot busier than right now.” Sienna explained, gesturing to the empty tavern. She paused, thinking of her books, her vinyl collection, her wild birds out the back -- a combination of past times. “It probably sounds silly, but I like to do as much good as I can.” she replied with a small smile. “What about you? What do you do?”

various prompts ask meme // @warmheartelsa

"Honestly?" Sienna replied with a sigh as she locked her phone with a click and turned her gaze to Elsa. She was tired and definitely overworked, but there was a duty to uphold and an expectation to live up to. And Sienna owed it to herself and everyone else to see it through. "I'm thinking I would love to take tomorrow off-- stay in bed with a large cheese pizza and watch Casablanca. ...But I don't think I could stomach the consequences of that much dairy or personal guilt."