runaway bride

basics

full name: elena noemi alvarez

age & date of birth: 32 & march 11th, 1990

gender & pronouns: female & she/her

time living in bradford springs: one week

occupation: waitress at neon boots

positive traits: loyal, compassionate, rational, persistent.

negative traits: gullible, people pleaser, worrisome, stubborn.

where do they live: downtown

.

“So,” River leaned against the wall and snatched a flute of champagne from a nearby tray. “What you’re telling me is there are three goddesses here tonight? Dang we should have all come together and coordinated. Any Greek gods? Or is my Hades the only one?” They motioned to the King of the Underworld not too far away, getting a real drink for the two of them. Champagne would do for the moment, though. River looked the lovely woman over and tried to place her. She did look familiar but they could not place from where. But then the drunken night at the hoedown came back to them and they snapped their fingers. “You work at Neon Boots, right? I am positive you served us some really good drinks when we couldn’t decide what to order.” Which happened sometimes.

—  

Elena nodded. “I believe so, though it was all Cora’s idea. She’s the mastermind behind the costumes for the two of us,” she replied as with a glance down her dress as she smoothed it out once more to give her hands something to do. “No, no Greek gods in the picture. Just the two of us for tonight, even though I seem to have lost her for the time being so it might be just me by the time the night is over.” It was something that she was coming to terms with, seeing that she’d been the one to leave her plus one behind in another town and even though they’d shown up — it didn’t mean that things were any closer to being resolved yet between them. “Uh, yes, actually.” She smiled a bit more then at the mention of being remembered there and with a positive review. “You caught me on a good night then, since I don’t typically work behind the bar but I’m learning quickly. It’s easier to not drop anything when I’m behind the bar than when I’m working the floor.”

closed starter, the shining ball with: @elenaalvarez​

   “Is this seat taken?” Quinlan’s hand reaches for the back of the empty chair next to the other. He insists on asking before simply sitting beside her. He has grown tired of standing and is in desperate need of a drink while relaxing. His other hand is holding the glass of said drink and since he always enjoys humour, he quickly looks around. “No big fella who’s gonna string me up by my toes for sitting with you?”

—  

Elena wanted to laugh at the idea of there being someone who would string up the other for sitting by her side, but that was only because she hadn’t seen Eric all night. "Oh no, no,  she replied with a shake of her head. “No big fella, but perhaps a slightly high blonde that looks like a Greek goddess might have some say in it,” she replied with a smile, though she figured that Cora would be happy to see Elena talking to someone other than her or keep to herself for most of the night. “But I don’t think she’s anyone to worry about unless you see her near a balcony, and then let me know so I can reel her back in again.”

starter for: @coltonwright​ or @elenaalvarez​ or @banksrainier​

location: Ghost Town & Western museum

“So, ever since I came here a few weeks back, I’ve actually been really looking forward to these Haunted Tours.” Gwen said. “Although I do hope that I can still sleep. Running The Springs on little to no sleep sounds honestly terrible.”

—  

            “They have kinds of haunted tours back home, but I can’t say that I ever went on any of them before,” she replied calmly with a hint of a smile despite feeling nervous about going on one for the first time. They were more for tourists back home, but she felt more like a tourist here than a local even after a few months of living in town. “Have you been before? Are they as scary as they make them out to be?”

.

“Who me?” A bejeweled hand went to their chest at the comment from the gorgeous human on the sidelines. It could be for anyone, considering River sometimes forgot about the music and danced to one of the many melodies that string through their head. “Oh baby, you’re not overstepping at all. I do love to dance.” More than most activities. It was the one thing they could always count on to cheer them up if they were down or just keep a good vibe going if they weren’t. “You look absolutely stunning. A complete vision. Is there a specific inspiration for the ensemble or an original idea?” They asked, always a sucker for fashion and costumes and just aesthetics in general.

—

Elena smiled, glad that the other had taken it as a compliment rather than intruding on their own good time while she’d been on her own for a few minutes now. Cora had disappeared and she’d been fine with her glass of wine while watching a few people dance continuously. “It’s called my friend Cora had an idea and needed someone to pair up with, so here I am,” she replied with a small gesture towards her outfit in general as she smiled. The other had been the one behind the brilliant costumes for both of them. “You might have seen her. She’s the other Greek goddess that’s floating around this place.” Though she had hope that Cora would come back sooner rather than later so they could spend some time together after all the hard work they’d put into their costumes.

@elenaalvarez​ - the shining ball

After lots of mingling and some dancing, Natalia sipped on her glass of red wine as she stood still, her green eyes scanning over the other attendees of the ball with a smile. Everyone looked amazing tonight and she was very impressed by the decorations and overall atmosphere. It wasn’t until she noticed another step next to her and she couldn’t help but look at the beautiful gown this woman was wearing. “Hi,” she started with a smile, “I just wanted to say that your gown is stunning. You look incredible.”

—

Elena had managed to make it across the ballroom towards one of the bar areas for another glass of wine, settling in among some others who were standing around as well. She’d been watching people dance throughout the night, enjoying being able to people watch some without being looked at weirdly while also running into a few people that she knew. The person next to her spoke up and she glanced at them, not sure if they were speaking to her at first and then quickly realizing that they were as she smiled back at them. “Oh, thank you. This was all my friend’s doing, so she’s the creative genius behind the costume,” she replied with a nod in Cora’s direction. “I love your outfit as well.”

with: @elenaalvarez​​​ where: shining ball, dance floor. 

“ELENA—” Ines finds herself calling over the music once she’s spotted her friend from the sideline of the dance floor. Shuffling past the lobster, the Harley Quinn and the…. well, she’s not sure what that ones supposed to be. She finds herself within touching vicinity of Elena, her hand holding onto the others arm as she steadies herself. 

“Jesus—” she remarks, though not in a remotely religious sense. “You should wear this to work, you could probably retire in one night.” 

—

         “What do you mean by that, if you don’t mind me asking?” The blonde voice colored with empathy, she was curiously, yet with worry eyeing Elena. If anything, Dakota had learned to be alone. To be hidden from the remains of her former life, to remain a ghost of a sort.. one had to embrace the solitude. “Well,” the corners of her lips pulled into a friendly smile, “if that’s the case, then you’ll be with us. What do you say? Even though,” she scanned the room, “I have no idea where Conor is,” to which she laughed, “but I promise you we aren’t a bad company. And besides, you and I.. we can so hit the dance floor. How does that sound?”

—

          “Well — it’s been about ten years since I’ve gone to any kind of event without my ex,” she admitted, knowing how it sounded that she hadn’t managed to do much on her own until recently. “Cora was the one that talked me into coming.” And she appreciated the other helping her to get out of her shell more and her routine that she’d created since arriving in Bradford, even if it meant that she felt mildly uncomfortable at the same time. Elena tried to smile at the idea of going out on the dance floor in her dress. “Oh, I don’t know if I’m going to dance tonight. That might be a little more than slightly out of my wheelhouse. I haven’t danced in... months.” And that had been the lessons that she and Eric had taken leading up to the wedding that never happened as she glanced down at her fingers intertwined before she smiled back at Dakota. “But I appreciate the company.”

                           cora can’t remember the last time she’d done something like this , something so out of the character for her , but for the time being , it felt nice to let loose a little bit .  even if it was just for one night .  the topic she decided to arise sounded ridiculous for sure , but in her state of mind , corrupted by the contents of a blunt she just smoked outside , the case was of the utmost importancy that the grand hall was out of canapés .  ❝  no , no .  i  checked  , we’re out  !   and those were so great el , everyone  loves  canapés , what are gonna’ do ?  ❝  the question’s serious , as serious as it can get for a stanley that was in a way , one of the hosts .  her attention was then stolen , gaze averted towards the kitchen doors as a couple of waiters started walking out with trays of little smoked salmon sandwiches .   ❝  oh , thank goodness ,  ❝   cora uttered with a sigh of relief , leaning back in her chair and placing a hand over her heart .  soon after , she looked back at her friend , for a moment confused over what she was asking before she realized what she meant earlier .  ocean blue hues spark up as she leans forward in a blink of an eye , offering a big smile .   ❝  i did something , but promise me you won’t tell anyone ,  ❝   the blonde started , giggling a little as she was about to reveal a big secret .  well , in a way , maybe she was .   ❝  i smoked some …  ❝  her voice got extremely low as she moved even further forward to whisper the rest ,  ❝  some  weed  ,  ❝  as if she said something grand , cora covered her mouth and began to chuckle .   ❝  can you tell ?  is it obvious ?  i hope it’s not ,  ❝

—

Elena wasn’t about to say I told you so to her friend who was clearly not all there, but it rested on the tip of her tongue when the other looked relieved in seeing more sandwiches come out from the kitchen. There was little belief that they wouldn’t be prepared for the influx of people throughout the night as she smiled at the other. “I’m sure we can always save a few too if we think they’re about to run out again. I’ll put some on a napkin the next time that they come by our table,” she told her friend, leaning back in her own chair that had been her home for most of the night. They looked like they were keeping a secret, but not for long as she gave them another gentle smile with a nod. Okay, it wasn’t that big of a secret considering how Cora was acting — differently than she’d ever known the other to act before as Elena had to press her fingers against her lips to keep from giggling. “It’s a little noticeable? Not much. I wouldn’t worry about it as long as you’re having a good time.” And it would mean that she’d just keep a better eye on her friend over the course of the night than she had so that she didn’t get into any kinds of trouble. 

           Because I’ve had many nights like these - without the mask. That was an honest answer, the one she should have gave back, yet Dakota merely shrugged as she offered Elena a soft smile. ”You look gorgeous, Elena.” Red was definitely her color, there was no doubt. “Don’t overthink the dress. Just have fun,” it was certainly Dakota’s secret - have fun, drink champagne. “I believe that everyone can tell only one thing, and that is that you look beautiful and that the dress fits you perfectly. That’s all. Though, just don’t drink too much. Or mix drinks,” she winked at the other as she brought the champagne flute up to her lips. “But you are having fun, aren’t you?”

—

           “I’m trying.” There had been quite a few nights like this in her past, but there was always someone by her side — which meant that when Cora wandered off to have fun, then she was on her own again. It was something that she was both used to having as well as being nervous because she hadn’t been that way in over ten years. “I’m not used to going to things like this on my own, not anymore,” she admitted, or ever, if she were being perfectly honest with herself. “Cora was supposed to be my person all night but she wandered off to have her own fun and I can’t fault her for that. I’ve told her to do just that for so long now and she’s only now listening to me. I’m happy for her even if I’m being a wallflower by myself.”

— 📸—

So maybe there were a few…technical difficulties with wearing a sheet over one’s head all night long. On the one hand, it made for prime people watching while lurking around. Easy to blend into her surroundings without anyone even noticing her.

But when it came to food or drink? That was not so simple. She stole a couple finger foods beneath the sheet, chewing on them as she pondered how best to steal a drink without completely losing her cool ass costume. Granted, it was distracting when someone started tugging on the edge of her sheet.

“Girlfriend, really?” Andi snorted, a laugh soon to follow. “Alright, look - I’m happy to be a napkin tonight, too. It’s all up to the viewer interpretation, right?”

—

           “I’m so sorry,” she repeated, despite seeing the small stain that had already formed on the other’s costume as she pressed her fingers against her cheeks because she couldn’t believe that she’d done that. It looked like a napkin on the table, not someone’s costume for the night as she considered her options. “I could take it into the bathroom with me and try to clean the stain?” She could only hope that the other was wearing more than the sheet as she smiled at them. “Or if you give it to me at the end of the night, I’ll have it dry cleaned and returned to you as soon as possible after tonight.” Anything to try and make up for her social faux pas. “And I’ll get you another drink from the bar.”

Maia: You are not at fault here El.

Maia: It's lucky you spoke to me before I saw Santiago because I'm not sure it would've gone well for him otherwise.

Maia: I don't think I'd know what to say exactly, I'd probably end up speaking with my feet (obviously can't talk with my fists because my hands are pretty crucial for the whole career thing).

Elena: This is why I need you, not to throw feet at either one of them but help me figure out what to do next.

Elena: Santi is Santi and I never know what they're going to do next but with Eric here? I don't know what I'm going to do next.

*    ◟  closed starter /  the shinning ball . (  @elenaalvarez​​ )

                              from the moment they were standing in a large , hanging mirror in their full assembles ,  cora felt more nervous and thrilled than in a long time .  she couldn’t remember the last time she got so dolled up , especially alongside elena , whom she  somehow  managed to persuade into it .  to be fair , their dresses were both amazing , total  jaw-droppers  no doubt , reminding cora about the movie scene in  gentlemen prefer blondes   where marilyn and jane walked down a party .   while they definitely arrived together  (  and surely turned a couple of heads )  cora found herself doing something completely bizzare ;  well , bizzare for a woman her age , and a single mother . she didn’t know how it happened or why ,  but as she returned from the balcony giggling ,  the moment she spotted elena by their table , she rushed by .   ❝   el  !  you won’t believe me what happened ,   ❝   she tried to look normal , she  really  did , but it was obvious , more than obvious as she continued ,   ❝  we’re out of small sandwiches …. there’s no more canapés !  what are we going to do ?  we can’t be out of canapés ,  ❝

—

Elena had promised the other that she could handle being on her own for some of the night, not all, but enough that her friend would be able to enjoy herself without having to babysit. Still, she was hesitant to go anywhere in the ballroom but at least she wasn’t hiding in the corner, or the bathroom, or back at home. From her seat, Elena could at least enjoy watching all those around her with a hint of a smile on her features as she nursed her first drink of the night aside from the ones they’d taken beforehand to get her in the dress. When Cora reappeared, she smiled and felt relieved as it was only short lived when the other spoke up. “What happened?” Her smile flickered slightly when the other didn’t continue with their original story but shifted quickly, lost in thought as if they’d been talking about food the entire time. “No, no I’m sure they have more of them. They’re all over the place,” she spoke, though in that moment couldn’t see any of them on tables or trays that were slowly making their way through the room. “Okay, maybe they’re making some more in the kitchens. I’m sure they are. But you were going to tell me what happened?”