all that jazz...

Aly had to grin at the sweet compliment from the other woman, reaching out to affectionately squeeze Jackie’s arm. “Oh stop it. I had the best canvas to work with.” She quickly replied, nudging her friend. A hum at the question of where she liked best. “I’m not sure I’ve been here long enough to judge.” Alyria answered honestly. There was something about Russia that was nostalgic to her, but she wasn’t sure she could live there full time again. “Maybe London?” The brunette hummed, thinking it over. “California? Oh gosh no. Isn’t it practically a desert?” She wasn’t sure that was really her scene. “Well, in that case, we should go for lunch or something. My treat!” 

Being able to see that grin and know her compliment caused it just warmed her heart. Her own smile turning into a grin when she squeezed her arm, “If you keep being so kind you’ll get me blushing.” Her eyes lit up at London, she always wanted to explore more of Europe. “I hope I can make it over there some day. I feel like it’d be quite the experience.” She chuckled softly and shook her head, “Sometimes yes depending on where you are. But other places are bright and green. And there are cities and beaches right at your fingertips.” She sighed contently just thinking bout it. “Wait really? I would love that! That sounds like so much fun.”

“It does,” Davion agreed.  “I think a lot of it here, too, is all the motion.  It’s not chaos, but nothing stays the same for long.  It’s fascinating.”  He watched her posture change and her face light, however gently.  It made him smile, too.  “Used to?” 

“Isn’t it? Everything about it just catches your attention I love it. I’m a sucker for catching onto minor details.” 

Seeing his smile made her relax a little, it wasn’t easy to bring up why she wasn’t on the stage as much. “Well I got injured about a year ago. Just recently I started being able to teach some classes. But not in the same capacity as before.” 

“Rome was fun. What little I saw from it. I booked this little hotel last minute after the ship docked. I ghosted right off that boat, got a ride into the city and found a decent hotel.” She could laugh now, but at the time it was the scariest thing she’d ever done. “It was near Vatican City so I took a little walk around there. I had four hours to kill so I became a tourist. Did some shopping.  Ate at this little bistro that had like a French mix to it. And then I sat in a car for a very long time praying Eva’s parents didn’t despise me. They didn’t thankfully.” She didn’t actually ask for a ride to Reggio or Venice. It just happened. “So I called Eva and was like surprise I’m stuck in Rome. And next thing I know she’s asking for an address because she and her parents are coming to get me. I thought I was nervous drunk-quitting my job. Little did I know that ride was also terrifying.” Another story she could laugh at now but was not funny at the time. 

Jackie was hanging on to each and every word, “The fact that you were able to handle all of that in stride and still get an experience out of it is amazing.” She shook her head, “I can’t imagine how intimidating that could have been too. Hopefully it is more of a good memory to look back on now.” She always hoped people could have fun on trips while they make memories. “Do you think you’d want to go back just to experience more of it?” The older she got the more she realized how much more traveling she wanted to get under her belt. Something she didn’t really get the chance to do when she was so busy with tours. Even if she had a lot of fun with it, it still didn’t give her as much free time with trips as she would have liked. “Cruises though, tell me. Worth it or not worth it?” 

“Oh pretzels can’t go wrong there.” She agreed. Chicken fingers were a last ditch effort for her if nothing else was on the menu. She wasn’t sure how valid their ‘vegetarian’ options were. “I think it’s a little ironic they sell clam chowder here. And I’m gonna be that girl and try it.” She laughed. Gabi was just as headstrong as Mari was a child. It warmed her heart hearing all the updates whenever they spoke. “She’s quite the drama queen I’d say I taught her well but she was just a baby when I lived at home. She absolutely has remnants of my attitude it’s so funny." 

“Right? They are my favorite. It is a nice little treat when you are out doing something special.” Jackie laughed though at what she said next. “Oh my god I didn’t even notice that! I couldn’t handle that, not with all these adorable fish and eating them at the same time. But you have to tell me how it is!” She shook her head at the thought. “Oh that is just the cutest though! See you know you leave an impact on everyone! I bet it is so cute to see that though. To see what stuck and what she still carried with her.” 

“Europe is so much fun. I want to visit all of it.” Hana gushed. “I’m on like three out of the… I think it’s over forty countries.” Hana was no expert but she knew it was a lot of countries that made up all of Europe. “Eh it’s not so bad, I like a challenge. Which is why I keep doing things. For the challenge.” Bragging wasn’t something she did often, but if she felt the moment called for it, she would. “Yeah the cruise was a disaster but I did get to see Eva again. We were long distance at the time. So I basically said surprise I’m stuck in Rome. It’s quite a story.”  

“Oh that would be the dream now wouldn’t it? I feel like there is so much to see and so little time. Three is amazing! I’ve only been to France and I loved it.” Jackie sighed contently, she loved being able to gush about traveling with someone. “That is so admirable! To be able to overcome them, people love to turn away from them.” Her eyes grew in surprise at the story. “That is amazing though! Being able to spend time with people you care about makes it a worlds better. Rome though! How amazing was that? What was your favorite part?”

“I-uh…” he stammered. He’s not used to compliments. Dom eyes this woman because in the past compliments meant someone wanted something from him. How could she when she’s a stranger to him? She could be genuinely nice? That’s a thing, right? “Thank you for the compliment.” he said at last because he doesn’t want her to catch on to his immediate go to: mistrust. When the woman revealed part of her past Domenick’s eyebrows rose slightly with a bit of interest. “What kind of shows were you in during that time?” he sipped his hot coffee again and it didn’t sting his upper lip this time. Close to perfect temperature, which is good because he hates dealing with a burnt tongue. “As in work or my lazy hang around the city day?” he asked her. “Work wise? I honestly don’t know. I worked at a bank for a short while. An office, too. A lot of small jobs here and there however none of them really stuck. As for what I want to do around Seattle? Sitting here’s high on the list. I might make a trip to a harbor and see what’s new there since I’ve been away. There’s a lot of movies I can pick to watch, too. I’m behind when it comes to what’s new. Things like that.” Domenick listed off one thing after another yet he doesn’t feel in any rush to get right to it. “What about you?” he asked and specified with, “What do you have planned for your day?”

“Well of course! Coffee is one of my favorite things, I always love to meet another person who appreciates it.” Jackie knew that sometimes she was over the top with her compliments but she always meant well. She wanted a chance to turn a persons day around and make them smile. “Oh quite a few! I did A Chorus Line, Chicago and Moulin Rouge. Those were some of my favorites.” Jackie took a sip of her coffee just taking a second to think back on all of the memories that she had made. She nodded at what he said, “All of the above!” Learning about people was one of her favorite things. Not only could she find things they had in common but maybe she could learn about a new idea or perspective. “That must have been so interesting though to have a variety of job experience, you must have so many stories.” This last year alone made her wonder what other jobs she could do. ““Oh the harbor is beautiful, I try to make it there as often as I can.” She agreed with the movies, nodding again. “I had some free time myself this last year and I still feel like I haven’t caught up on all the shows and movies I’ve wanted to watch.” Jackie thought for a moment, “I don’t actually have any plans today. I kind of just headed out to see where the day would take me. I thought one of the moments where there isn’t rain that I’d get some fresh air. Maybe get some lunch, but that is always so hard to decide where there are so many good places around here.” 

It felt so nice to actually sit and talk to someone who wasn’t in front of a camera or on set with her. Emerson had to rack her brain to think of the latest time other than present in order to conjure up the experience. Talking to Jackie – even for work purposes – had always been pleasant, but talking to her outside of it was even better.

“We need to get together more often than a blue moon,” she agreed with a smile.  

She listened intently to her friend as she spoke, letting her chin prop on her fist. “Have you found a lot of shows around here? I know a few stage productions in need of a choreographer,” she suggested. Listening to anyone talk about a subject they were passionate about was one of her favorite things. It was one of the reasons she loved joint interviews as much as she did. 

“This is the first break I’ve gotten in God knows how long. I’ve been filming a couple of projects at the same time and one of them is on hold because one of the mains had to drop out due to a family emergency. Production can’t continue until that character’s been recast,” she admitted. 

“I couldn’t agree more, I’ve missed you so much. Maybe we can make a little plan to meet every week or two weeks. Even if its just a quick lunch.” 

“I actually haven’t yet, I’ve just been working on my few classes here and there. But I really have been wanting to try for a show again.” Her eyes lit up though at her words, “Wait really you do?” Of course it was a little overwhelming to think of going back to help with a show again but it was what she longed for. 

Jackie sighed, “Really? Oh Emerson that can’t be easy. Of course I want you to take a break but it can’t be easy to be in the zone of a project and have it just drop. But maybe there is a chance this little moment to breathe could be used for good?”

“Stop, you’re so sweet. Thank you beautiful.” Mari smiled. They had made their way to the food court after walking a considerable portion. So far they weren’t skipping any exhibits so they had about half the aquarium left after their pit stop. “Do you want anything? I’m a little hungry myself.” She briefly looked to clear all the notifications on the new aquarium album she uploaded for her friends and family. “My little sister demands pictures of a jellyfish. We’re not allowed to leave unless she gets pictures of the spotted lagoon jellyfish.” She smiled reading the comments left by her sibling. 

“Oh you and your kind words, if you keep them up you’ll get me blushing.” Jackie teased, following her to the food court. Not even realized how she hadn’t even had a mean in quite a few hours. She hummed as she thought, “That is such a good question, there are so many options. Is it bad I kind of want to go nostalgic and get chicken strips or a pretzel?” Jackie chuckled though, “Well then we have to get it! I love how she knows exactly what she wants. That spot is especially cool though especially the ones that glow.” 

“Could also be that this is just all I know,” Ingrid admitted with a shrug of her shoulders. “Why move away from that?” It also didn’t help that New York was no different: too many people and tall buildings, it was all the same to her.

Ingrid caught the other’s interest and sat up straight as well, eager to talk about her ‘second job’. With a twinkle in her eye, Ingrid explained, “I’m in a band. We’re starting up, so we really aren’t known, which sucks. But we’re still awesome.”

“I totally understand that! It is nice to be where you know. But isn’t there something so exciting about getting to experience the world around you? There is so much to see and experience.” Or at least that’s how she always looked at things.  The twinkle in her eye only made Jackie’s grow. “Oh my god that’s amazing! New or not that’s amazing. It takes so much work to band people together. Do you guys have any shows coming out? Any songs? I’d love to support you guys.”

“It was on a whim at first and then I did it three more times. I came in second and third. Never got the gold. But there’s still time yet. "I did a lot of everything. Didn’t care if I was good I just enjoyed doing it. Traveling feels the easiest. To be honest. I’ve been a lot of places Mainly Europe. While I was here I went on the Valentine’s Day cruise. I went with Eva. I have been on a big ship cruise though. It was a Mediterranean cruise. The cruise was great who I was stuck with, that sucked.” Hana shuddered at the spoiled memories. “I think I was slightly drunk that whole trip. Work trips with a shitty boss as a newly hired personal assistant. Never again.”

“But still! The fact that you kept trying and learning is just so admirable!” Jackie always admired people who loved to explore and had that determination to keep trying new things. It reminded her of herself, maybe not as much now but at least before. Her eyes grew in excitement and intrigue, “Wow I’ve only been to Europe once on a trip in college for a competition but that is amazing. And that cruise...sounds like it could have been even better. I am so sorry that you didn’t have the best company.” That couldn’t have been easy. “Oh god I can’t imagine, I feel like they must constantly be ready to want to test you abilities.”  

✨

“So just having my company is enough?” She teased with a smile. “My my, you sure know how to make a girl blush.” Though really the brunette would feel less guilty for eating if she were not the only one. That was more on her than anything since she thought good things should always be shared, even if it was just a moment of enjoying the warm weathers with a nice cup of coffee. “Honestly with Seattle’s weather, I think it might be too early to say whether this will last. But at least we can say we got to enjoy it for however long this warm sunny day would be.” It would be better than not to experience it at all. She had almost forgotten what it feels like to feel such warmth on her face instead of the regular chill that would nip at her skin at times. “Honestly I thought I was just going to have another regular boring day like I always do, except for this warm weather. I never thought I would meet such a beauty and get to spend a moment with someone as sweet as you. But hopefully this won’t be the first and last time we get to meet, si?

“Of course it is! Sitting in nature with kind and beautiful company? I feel so incredibly lucky.” Jackie complimented, a bright smile still on her face. “Again, lucky me, it looks wonderful on you.” She was always full of compliments, she always felt like people deserved to hear how great they were. It always made her happy to see others happy. “That is a very good point! But look at us being smart and enjoying it while we can. Who knows maybe the cold weather is suppose to make us more thankful for the warmth like this.  Although one of her eyebrows rose at the other woman’s kind words. “I think you may take the prize in making people blush. If you aren’t too careful I can turn the color of my hair.” She teased, “Oh it certainly won’t be the last time. My heart couldn’t the handle the idea of someone as gorgeous as yourself ever being bored if I can help it.”

“I’m planning to enjoy it for as long as it lasts” she said. “I’m sure in a few weeks everyone will be complaining about the pollen count being out of control.” One downside to living in a place so green was that there was always a lot of pollen. Thankfully the high number of rainy days helped keep it under control. “Summer is nice too. I love being able to go to the beach and enjoy a dip in the water.” Which was always a little chilly for Harper’s taste, but she usually adapted to it after a few minutes.

Jackie couldn’t help but laugh, shaking her head at the thought, “You are so right! We can only get that moment to enjoy it for so long. That is why I can’t wait for summer after!” She sighed contently and leaned against the bench again, “Oh my gosh yes! You get me, Harper. Beaches are totally my weakness. You can do so many things there. But my favorite may just be being able to lay in the sun and enjoy being able to relax.” 

.

“Oh, I don’t think so. I’m sure if I was going to be a complete costume designer, I would have discovered that by now.” But while she did costume related things when needed, she preferred doing make-up. That’s just what she was better at. “Make-up is totally an art.” Alyria agreed, nodding. Not everyone saw that, or thought it was vain. Though, Alyria mostly did stage make-up, which was slightly more intense than regular make-up, as to be seen under the harsh stage lights. “Well, Russia is the coldest by far, with the most snow.” She’d grown up with that as her normal, so anything else was an adjustment. “I did like London though. Not too hot, not too cold.” A chuckle from her lips at that. But Aly softened at Jackie’s words. “Thank you,” She reached over, squeezing her friend’s arm. “That means a lot. You were one of only a few people I knew when moving here, and I’m grateful for your friendship.” 

“And you are a wonderful artist, I swear I looked the best while working with you.” Jackie complimented, learning the make up was always fascinating to her. Even though it couldn’t ever compare to the professionals she still loves it. She leaned against the bench taking in all of her words, “Gosh I couldn’t imagine. I thought New York’s winters were intense.” But she loved them nonetheless. “Wow I couldn’t imagine getting to go to those places. Do you have a favorite though? I think my favorite has been California.” Her smile softened, “It is an honor to get to be your friend. And what a wonderful coincidence we ended up in the same place. This just means we have to take full advantage of it.” 

When she didn’t dismiss his cupful of coffee offer and introduced herself in the process, it caught Domenick off guard. He lowered the large cap onto the bench seat and placed his hand out to shake hers. “I’m Domenick Rossi and it’s a pleasure to meet you, too.” After introductions were made Dom, once more, offered the thermos cap of coffee to Jackie Roberts to take. His thermos went between his hands and Dom turned slightly on the bench to converse easier with her. “Yes, travels. I started in London and went from there.” He took a careful sip from his thermos. Still too hot. “I have some stories I can share. Picture to accompany them as well.” he said after he gave up on his coffee for now. “Have you traveled as well?” Glad she’s not one to rush him off the bench of pretend his plans aren’t dull as dirt, he relaxed. “I am. The beauty of open plans is if I decide I want to get dinner or watch a movie I simply go. I know I won’t be able to do this for long once responsibilities take over, but I’ll enjoy it while it lasts.”

Jackie sighed contently when she smelled the coffee, “You have amazing taste, I can already tell.” She complimented, she was such a sucker for coffee. It was her one treat she loved to give herself. Something she’s gotten to enjoy more of in this last year. She adjusted in her spot, loving any chance to learn more about people. Her eyebrows rose in curiosity and excitement, she always wished she got more chances to explore Europe. “Oh now I would just love all of that. I’ve only gone overseas twice but I would just love any chance to do it again if I could.” Nodding though at what he said next, “I have! I got to travel around the country to do tours for shows I was in. I would be in a few states for a week or more at a time it was so much fun.” She could just go on and on about it if she got started. Jackie leaning against the chair, she admired his outlook on life. “Even for a short time that sounds like the dream. The world is your oyster. What have been some of your favorite things to do? Anything that you really want to do. 

Harlow ended up throwing her caution to the wind. Hell, it was the weekend and they deserved to have a fun lunch after a terribly long week. “ That is so exciting. It sounds like that you will be able to be teaching those classes in no time. “ Harlow said enthusiastically as she was excited for Jackie to be heading in the direction of her dreams. She deserved that opportunity to show off her talents. “ If they don’t, you know how to get ahold of me to do some ass kicking. “ Harlow said with a laugh as the mimosa’s suddenly appeared in front of them. “ Me? I mean I have been traveling a lot for work. Nothing too exciting yet. I want to go on an adventure though here soon. “ Her work load had tripled the last month. Her time with her husband had been very far and between. “ I want to do something fun with Jay so I am open for your ideas. “

“I really hope so, its not the same being able to just explain the movements but I still love it.” Jackie tried not to ever get too down about it, she is going uphill an she should be grateful for it. “But practice and determination can get you very far right?” What she said next made her laugh though, her whole face brightening up again. “Oh you will? Well if that’s the case they better watch out. They don’t want to know what it’d be like to see you mad.” It was the little things that really lifted the weight from her shoulders. “That sounds like you guys need to go on a romantic vacation! Like going to California and have like a few days on the beach. Imagine how cute that would be! Picnics, dinners the whole nine yards.” 

Location: Discovery Parks 

Jackie was finally given the chance to say she could go on short walks and jogs. One of the first places she wanted to was the park, she always loved the water. Plus she’d hope the fresh air and company would keep her mind off of things. But all while lost in thought she managed to bump into someone. Almost losing her balance for a moment. Something that she use to be able to pride herself. on. Her face was turning a bright red but she tried to play it off, but it wasn’t easy when she was nearly falling into the arms of someone quiet good looking. “I am so sorry I swear I am normally much more coordinated.” Jackie said with an apologetic smile.