monique o'connor

Who: Vince & open!

“There’s definitely a possibility…” Monique laughed dryly. She was hoping not to have a repeat of last year — but beggars couldn’t be choosers, either. It was for that reason that Moni had come alone, Freya preferring to do other less intimidating activities, until running into Vince, of course. “Is that a suggestion, or a question? I don’t know if you should trust my sense of direction.”

WHO: lena & @monixoconnor

Monique was overjoyed by the idea of company, having spent the last couple of weeks essentially isolated in their little camper. Freya had gotten a nasty infection, but now that she was all better and had the energy again, she could see how much she glowed trailing closely after Marisol while she remained on the path with Lena. “Please, you’re saving my sanity. How’ve you been doing? I feel like I dropped off the face of the earth for a second there.” She joked lightly, raising her macchiato and letting the combination overwhelm her tastebuds. “Ugh, so good.” Moni enthused after a breath, beaming at her own response with amusement.

where: summer gala 2025 - boat on the marina when: august 16, 2025 who: jayla & OPEN

She was almost like that one nerdy kid that sat at the front of the class, too quick to raise their hand with the answer to whatever question was being asked. Except in this case, she was first to push herself up and hit the dance floor. “Oh, me! I do!” Monique chimed, at the perfect level of buzzed to bust a move. Outstretching her hand to the other, the brunette beamed with a daring glare in her gaze. “Shall we, beautiful?”

who: kennedy & @monixoconnor

Monique had been watching happily from the sidelines, cheeks flushed from the amount of alcohol in her system at current. To say she had indulged a bit more that evening was the least she could do, taking advantage of the lack of responsibility and let her hair down and just be… her, and not a mom. Not that she’d change anything about her life or her daughter, but sometimes it was nice to have a break. “Kenny!” Moni enthused, not having recalled using that nickname in particular like, ever, but she shook it off without a care. Rising but making sure to grasp onto the blonde for balance (she really should have ditched her heels, but somehow every time someone convinced her to take them off — she’d be putting them back on again. “Please, remind away!” She giggled, one hand lifting to tenderly touch her cheek before her smile fell and a more sincere expression took place. “But you! You — you’re just a… a masterpiece! I mean, have you seen yourself in the mirror? Girl!”

Don't worry about it, can't expect everyone in this town to remember everyone's job and what they do. Not to mention despite this being my home I haven't actively lived here since I was eighteen. Other than to visit on leave, this is the first time I've been back any kind of extended period of time. Town royalty? Don't know if that's what it is, but we've been around as long as the Newman name from what I can gather. Can't imagine being an only child, like I'm sure there's some perks but growing up with a big family full of siblings -- it's nice. Even if I could complain from time to time.

I appreciate that. Well, that explains why I haven’t really seen you around — not that I’ve been here too long, myself, but long enough to know that it’s home to me and my daughter now, too. I used to have to check myself for spoilt only child syndrome, but thankfully growing up and having life throw things at you gives you a new perspective. Not that I went through anything like I imagine you’d have to in the navy, but… anyway, I’m rambling again. Can I ask, what brought you back? Family, or…?

who: chelly & open (3/4)

The end of summer was just around the bend, more or less, leading Monique and Freya to Benny’s to pick up their list of necessary supplies for the upcoming semester. Moni took advantage of her daughters affinity for pretty stationary and stickers while she was still interested in them — she knew one day, it likely wouldn’t be the same, as much as she hoped it wouldn’t. Her daughter ran ahead down the aisle, heading straight to where she knew the art supplies were situated, causing Moni to smile fondly with a gentle laugh. They weren’t the only pair in that isle, unshockingly enough, and she returned the friendly greeting. “I know what you mean.” The brunette chimed in response, shifting her handbag over her shoulder. “Stocking up on all she needs for school. More pencils, erasers, notebooks… probably a new pencil case, too. I’m a sucker for cute and practical things, so we’ll probably leave with more than we came for. What about you?”

Siobhan flushed in embarrassment. It was one of those feelings like when you're young and took something you shouldn't. Even if it was an accident you felt that surge of sloshy guilt. Their own brain was scattered too, trying to make sure she didn't say anything too out there. "Yeah." Kind of a puttered out answer and she laughed herself in being nervous. Her hands flung to gesture. "Uh, yeah! It was kind of a spur of the moment thing really. I didn't think I'd live here but there was an opening at the pharmacy and..." Siobhan sighed. This wasn't the first time she had shoved herself where she probably should have taken things slower or stayed out of the way. "I would have but I didn't want to intrude," Siobhan said. "I know how it looks but I wasn't going to keep it a secret forever... when you last called you were terse and so was I." She hoped something she stumbled through saying would be helpful or at least get things clearer.

Monique was trying to process the information as it was spoken, letting the blonde have her time to speak without interruption. “Okay.” Was all that Moni could muster in the present, understanding — or at least some form of it — starting to settle in. They had left things rather tense; she supposed it was her own fault for flaunting their new home on social media. “Okay.” She repeated, brown hues falling to her hands as she clumsily two stepped backwards. “I have to go.” surely she could come up with some half truth. “I’ve got to go and pick up Freya.” voice strong in her final words, Monique offered a final goodbye in the form of a tight lipped smile before turning and heading out the door.

She was probably near frying as it was all and any sunscreen advice given shot when she lathered herself in Maui Babe. Determined this summer to participate, be less hungover, get as much Vitamin D as possible. And when Moni offered up a beach day at the Summer Bash, Sav currently on a "Yes only" kick, (as painful as it was to her glass half empty approach to life) here she was. Groaning when she was half into a deep sandy sleep, Sav shot up to yesify Moni's request, "Gross, god. Reminds me of this one time, this guy. One hundred had no clue what he was doing, he pulled, did his finish and asked if I could guess the letter his jizz made on my back. It was an R."

“Wait —“ Monique really wasn’t sure how to respond to the information Sav shared. “I totally did not need to know that. Gross is right!” She laughed, screwing up her face in distaste. “You sure have some interesting stories. Makes me feel thankful my life is as vanilla as it is.” With a chipper ‘thanks’ following, the brunette leant back and rested against her elbows, hovering the freshly sunscreened skin above the fabric. “I think that side of my life is over, for the mean time anyway. Freya’s the focus, always.”

Just a bit, but honestly, not a big deal. Wish I could say I had the smarts to be an attorney but best I've got is bomb ordnance and mechanical engineering. Appreciate it. I do, there's a good few of us running around here. I'm a Newman, you probably know at least a few of my siblings.

Now I’m starting to feel like I’m just making a fool of myself. Can I blame ‘mom brain’ on this one? Probably not, but I’m going to try! So you’re a Newman — that makes you, what, town royalty almost? I swear I’m not trying to sound pompous or anything, I promise. There’s no judgement here whatsoever, just little old me and my sense of humour. Part of me always wondered what it’d be like coming from a big family, being an only child.

Who: Open Location: Anchors Away

Heavy pours are only bad if you’re not here to get totally wasted; which I’m not opposed to, for tonight. God knows I need to let off a little steam…

They do seem to be getting along really well. Alina's been asking when she can hang out with Freya again. School's out so I'm sure we can figure out a good time for a picnic. I hope you're okay with at least one other kid tagging along. My oldest's going along might be a bit 50:50.

Nothing makes me happier than seeing Frey make friends, having fun. She’s my greatest treasure. We definitely will, I’ll make sure of it! We could even take them to the upcoming Carnival if you plan on attending at all. The more the merrier, right?