𝕤𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕥 𝕕𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕞𝕤

Diana wasn’t good at this kind of thing. Apologising that is. However, Lyssa had been one of those that she had barely spoken to in the past while. Evangeline hadn’t like the idea of her hanging out with the younger blonde and really all she wanted to do was please her. However, it was at a moment where she actually really missed her. Even if that in itself was hard to admit. However, she was stood there waiting at the aquarium for her, after having told some other person that she was looking for her. Standing there, with a plush shark in her hand, she felt more then a little awkward. It was perhaps a little deserved though. After ‘ghosting’ her friend, as the young people would say. @ofhiggins​

It was a busy day. The wintery cold didn’t seem to bar anyone from travelling to the aquarium. If anything people seemed more keen to see the animals — some in their natural habitat in the cold. That, and the volume of children visiting because they were out of school made Lyssa’s day full and tumultuous. That was the very reason why she hadn’t seen who was standing there in the first place. It took a second look for Lyssa to recognize it was Diana, of all people. The important and usually serious lawyer was in the middle of a family friendly place, holding a damn toy shark. “Wh — I ..”. It had been so long, the blonde didn’t even what to say. Shaking her head at herself, she swallowed. “What are you doing here?”. 

Lara’s intuition told her the petite blonde would be joining her after the festivities using the spare key Lara’d given for emergencies. It was something Lyssa often did and Lara as annoyed as she was at times didn’t mind the other’s company. “Beastie, I’m afraid the perfume I bought you for Christmas gave you away,” she teased lightly, meeting the petite blonde halfway and taking her hand to spin her around once slowly. “So this is the dress, huh? Happy New Year and you look beautiful,” the blonde exclaimed sincerely. “Did you have a good time?” As the conversation shifted to her, she heaved a dramatic sigh and turned around to flop on a bean bag she still, for some reason, kept around the apartment. “Yes, I did,” she couldn’t help a beaming smile. “My night was… Eventful, to say the least, but I had fun. Heath and I did something bad,”

Lyssa grinned at the response. If it was her perfume that gave her away, she had no qualms about that. Lara was far better at things like beauty and well — really just anything compared to the younger blonde. The compliments she had received for the scent were more than she ever gotten. “I had a decent time,” she chose her words tactfully, musing in thought. Raising a brow at the wide smile Lara gave (though she was happy whenever the actress herself was happy), Lyssa couldn’t help but wonder what kind of things she got into. “This is the part where you explain what you mean by eventful and bad. And if you leave anything out, I’ll know. And I’ll be extra annoying so spare no details,”. 

@ofhiggins​

Chocolate liquor from the Switzerland, a Nina Simone discography and a few stolen props from various movie sets. What more did a woman need, honestly? It was surely enough for Lara to put on a one man show in her apartment and keep herself entertained. Oh Lord, don’t keep me waiting were lyrics she directed at the microwave making her popcorn. The blonde disappeared in a flash, though. Light in her footsteps, she moved on to the sculpture of Ares her artist friend had made for her. Be as firm as can be, Lara told the God of War before she began twirling around one of her favorite plants. Go ahead and take care of business for me, for me, for me! The performance ended as Lara hopped onto the counter and adjusted her pink feather boa in a dramatic manner. “Alright Beastie, I know you’re around here somewhere. Come out, come out, wherever you are.”

Lyssa had been home a while before Lara — and by home of course she meant Lara’s too. It was a rare occurrence for the young blonde not to crash at the older’s when it was far more entertaining of a place, and certainly for less lonely.  Already wrapped in her own intial-embroidered silk gown, Lyssa peeked out of the shadow of the hallway with a rather sheepish grin. She had been watching the whole time, always finding Lara’s antics enjoyable. “How did you know I was hiding?” she gave curiously, getting closer to the actress to inspect her properly. It went without saying that Lara must have had her share of fun for New Years Eve. Otherwise she wouldn’t have put on such a show. Now was the time to assess the damage. Did she had warm, rosy cheeks? Did she have the scent of alcohol on her? “Happy New Year. I take it you had a lot of fun?”. 

Nathan was wandering around the cruise after leaving his room, he didn’t feel like partying like the rest, it has never been his scene, he’d rather watching the ocean, feeling the fresh breeze on his face, allowing his thoughts to flow. When from afar he saw a familiar figure, deciding to approach her with a frown on his face, it couldn’t be her, could it? “Lyssa?” He asked softly still unsure if it was his ex-girlfriend or not, chuckling when he realized he scared her. Nathan didn’t know how to react, should he hug her? Ask her why she broke his heart leaving him behind? Should he act like he was still her best friend after all these years? Or like two friends who are close as strangers now? “I should ask you the same. What the hell are you doing here alone?” He furrowed his brow at her. “It’s really weird for me to be here when parties are really not my thing but my best friend Nik thought it was a good idea for us to ring in 2020 in a cruise, so here I am.” Nate pointed out with a gentle smile on his lips, putting his hands on his pockets. “I really didn’t expect to see you here.”

“It’s New Years Eve,” Lyssa shrugged as if it should have been obvious. “I don’t know — I know everyone is out partying but even just the fireworks and noise is starting to become too much for me. Thought I’d come out here for a little getaway. Peace and quiet, you know? But a cruise sounds like a good way to celebrate,”. The blonde wrapped her cardigan tighter around herself, arms crossed beneath her chest for some warmth. At the mention of not expecting to have seen her, Lyssa could only offer a thin lipped grin. “Me either. I guess... it’s been a while huh? I’ve been back in New York for some months now but if I’m being honest, I’ve been a little afraid of hitting up all of my old friends, you included,”. It felt strange to be back, if Lyssa was being frank with herself. Even though it had only been four years, it seemed easier to let the past go than become stagnant in it — especially when that past included an old and poorly resolved relationship. “But it’s nice to see you. You look good. Still causing trouble or what?”. 

The start of a new year should mean fresh, exciting beginnings, yet Lyssa felt quite the opposite. Work? Mundane. Love life? Tumultuous to say the least. Everything else? Hell, she didn’t even want to think about it. It hadn’t been a full week into the year yet and the blonde already found herself drowning her sorrows in a bar. The cherry on top of it all was that the bartender had asked for her ID, delaying the liquid poison for a few more minutes than necessary. Then again, it wasn’t anything a double wouldn’t solve. Spinning around in her bar stool and leaning back against the bar, Lyssa watched those on the dance floor enviously. Even with some alcohol coursing through her system, she couldn’t rack up enough courage to join them. “Rather see you out there,” an unfamiliar voice beside the blonde piped up. Lyssa narrowed her gaze at the man. It was bad enough she was thinking it — the last thing she wanted or needed was for a slimy looking stranger to tell her the same. “What’s it gonna take for you to go dance with me, huh sweetie pie? One drink? Two drinks?”. 

New Years Eve. The end of an entire decade. Something so monumental and iconic surely meant everyone was out celebrating, bracing for the countdown into something new. Lyssa was certain that that was where all of her friends were considering the number of invitations she had received to go and do the same. Yet, with only a little time before the actual stroke of midnight, the blonde was by her lonesome. The only company came in the form of soft waves crashing onto the banks. The familiar and grounding sensation of sand beneath her feet kept her walking in spite of the darkness. She hadn’t planned for her night to be like this. It felt a little... somber, but Lyssa much rather be by the ocean than partying rowdily with others. She bent down to uncover a sand dollar that peeked its little corner, standing back up to admire it only to spot a dark figure directly in front of her. A squeal of fear echoed out and Lyssa jumped. “Holy f—” she caught her breath and looked properly at the face. It wasn’t just anyone. It was someone she knew. Was this a figment of her imagination? “Oh my god — you scared the crap out of me!”. A playful push against Nathan’s shoulder served as her retaliation. “What — what are you doing here?”.

The laugh that left Charles’ lips was warm and hearty. Somewhat like Santa’s. Don’t worry, Diana had already made the comparison to him. “The one and only. Although you make it sound like I did much more than I actually did.” Always downplaying himself. Diana herself couldn’t be happier at what she was seeing. it wasn’t like she had been nervous about people liking Olivia. After all, how could anyone not? It just… It felt like she putting something so precious into the world and hoping that no one would break them. As soon as such thoughts came to mine, Diana quashed them. now was not the time. She just stood there, watching the knew. She’ interject when needed.

Lyssa was quick to shake her head at Charles’ humility. Albeit polite of him, she wanted the man to know just how much she admired what he did. “They were able to help so many more seals and polar bears because of what you did. You definitely deserve that recognition,” she offered, a turn of her head to look up at Diana with a bright smile. The blonde was impressed that the lawyer knew someone of such caliber, and was more than happy this was going well. “I don’t suppose I could interest you in another more recent passion project of mine? Diana’s been helping me and offering the best advice I could ever receive but we could always use another person to support our side. Especially someone as influential as you!”. 

Lara’s expression lit up, a genuine smile finding its way to her lips once she spotted Lyss’ infectious smile. The younger blonde’d had a rough couple of weeks following the run-in with the idiot of her ex but step by step, day by day– and Lara was relieved to see Lyssa getting better. It was always easier for younger people to get over someone or something, Lara, an old lady, concluded. “Hello beastie,” she pulled her into a tight hug. “My apologies, meeting with my agent dragged on,” and it hadn’t gone as well as planned, but alright. Scratching her cheek, she took a look around. “I’m here now, though. So this is your world, huh?”

Though never quite the kind of person to be prideful or in any way a show off, Lyssa couldn’t quite help the looks of awe and whispers from strangers as they watched the two blondes together. That was the magic that was Lara — simply being near or around her had the effect of making her feel so cherished and special. Hugging back without hesitation, Lyssa was quick to shake her head at the apology being given. “All good, I’ve just been giddy all morning,”. She took a step back to give Lara a proper look at their surroundings. There were a few habitats of exotic fish, but none compared to what she was going to show her. “Mhm, you’re in my turf now and if you’re not nice to me, you might get dunked in a tank,” Lyssa teased lightly. “So, are you ready for what I have in store for you today? Not scared, are you?”. 

“Charles. It’s been a while has it not?” The man Diana was greeting was someone one would see when picturing the godfather from the Nutcracker. White hair tied into a ponytail with warm eyes that clashed a little with the harsh quality of his face. A warm laugh left him and Diana was soon drawn into a hug. “You’re wife isn’t with you? Is she doing alright? Something starting with E isn’t it?” For a brief moment, the woman’s mood shifted. “Evangeline and yes, she’s just away on some business at the moment. However, I have another guest tonight. One I’d very much like you to meet. Charles Melton, meet Lyssa. She’s fighting for the creatures of sea just has much as you are if I believe. Just with a little more sparkle.” She found that she was quite proud to introduce Lyssa has hers. In a sense.

Lyssa remained quiet as the two adults spoke, unsure of when or where to insert herself for an introduction. Thankfully Diana was the expert at this in doing so so smoothly and politely. The moment her name stemmed off of the lawyer’s lips, Lyssa extended her hand to shake Charles’. She had never been in this realm to know what the proper thing to do was — and she went by what seemed the most formal. “Nice to meet you,” she greeted, a genuine smile on her lips as she always and often had. And then her brows furrowed. “Hold on. Melton. Melton. As in the Charles Melton who matched the donations dollar for dollar from last years ‘Save the Arctic’ foundation? You turned the entire charity around! They were able to go on two extra conservation trips because of you!”. 

Listening to her request made Aya laugh, it was indeed weird, but not the first time that something like that happened. Luckily Aya is blunt enough to just tell that they are boring or so. 「 What would you prefer? Just talk to him, say some bullshit about you or pretend that we are together? 」 Aya was kind of thrilled about it.

Lyssa’s eyes kept darting back towards the bathroom to make sure his date wouldn’t suddenly spring up on them. There wasn’t much time to make a decision and she picked what seemed the most effective. “The last one,” she gave hurriedly. “It’ll probably turn him away the best,”. Just as she suspected, the tinder date — who looked sleazily dressed with ruffled hair — was already bumbling his way back towards the blonde. 

“Listen, I don’t normally do this and I know it’s weird but —”. There was a slight sheepishness to her voice. This wasn’t exactly something conventional, especially not for someone like Lyssa. “My tinder date is going to be back from the bathroom soon and it’s bad. And I mean really bad. Can you um, help me?”. 

To be fair, Lyss’ questions were all legitimate and, Lara, having caught her reflection in the mirror, asked herself how she’d found herself in a situation where she had to be the rational one and explain life when she herself didn’t understand how it all functioned. Yet, she couldn’t just ignore Lyssa, the wonderful creature, the annoying ray of sunshine, an adorable pain in the ass. “Who knows what was going on in his head. It seems to me he simply didn’t know, alright? Sometimes we don’t know. And he didn’t know to appreciate you and your feelings. Which means he’s either not right for you or he’s a moron for not even trying. It’s all him, though, I assure you.” Lara took a seat next to the younger blonde, folding a leg under her. “My sweetling, it’s both. It’s definitely his loss and you may be feeling lost at the moment but that’s only temporary, I promise,” she looked down at Lyss, feeling sorry and kind of pissed the younger blonde had to feel bad, but wasn’t that life? Lara innerly rolled her eyes. How it all frustrated her. “Do you have to go to work today? Want to me to come with you? You said there was something you needed to show me?”

It felt as if Lyssa had been holding herself together all this time. Despite being at Lara’s, knowing that she was in a safe space no matter what, it wasn’t until the older blonde sitting so near her that the girl broke down. Lara’s words resonated deeply, hoping to goodness there was wisdom and truth in them. Because the truth of the matter was that believing she wasn’t enough for Richie — or anyone for that matter — would haunt her for ages. Lyssa clambered into the other’s lap, wrapping her smaller frame against hers like a small koala on a eucalyptus tree. She buried her face into Lara’s shoulder for more coverage and let out just the softest of cries. “Double promise?” she asked in hopes for anything that’d make her feel better, though the lump in her throat didn’t help.  “At work, yea. But I can’t tell you what it is. It’s — it’s a s-surprise,”. 

“For the ducks.” Something so small yet somehow heart pulling. Diana smiled then, warm and reassuring. Well, she hoped. “Follow me, we’ll start with someone I’ve known for a few years now. An easy target if we want to use such terms.” She began to walk, gesturing with her head for Lyssa to follow. It would be much easier to take her ar, however that ight be too much.

Lyssa took a deep inhale to refresh herself, putting on a brand new and bright smile on her face as she supposed people were supposed to do at places like these. With a single nod at Diana — a slight desire to grasp hold of the older woman’s arm once more for comfort but deciding against it — she followed. Even down to the smallest of things like how she might shake this person’s hand or say hello, Lyssa was trying to work out in her mind as they walked in silence.