miss mars

ꔛ   ꙳    ⋆     ⌕ .      𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍   …    @villagestart​    ꔛ

              ❝  did  you  know  in  the  victorian  era,  when  words  couldn’t  exchanged  verbally.  they  sent  flowers  that  translated  into  certain  meanings.  romantic  but  oddly  ominous  ?  ❞  pearl  fingertips  gently  grazed  the  coveted  flower  wall.  ❝  i  learned  floriography  in  like…  the  fifth  grade  ?  terrorized  my  parents  with  it.  ❞  the  recollection  of  the  memory  encouraged  a  soft  giggle  to  escape  from  her  pressed  lips.  ❝maybe  i  should  put  an  end  to  professional  emails  and  go  back  to  sending  mysterious  bouquets  that  you  can  only  decode  using  an  1800s  textbook…  what  do  you  think  ?  ❞

Audrey nodded, looking at the petals falling down the wall. “Wow, really?” She questioned. “I think that’s a great idea to bring back! I’m all for it. Who doesn’t love fresh flowers?” The red head said and shrugged her shoulders. “Next, we should bring back leg warmers. I think they’re essential in the north,” she suggested with a giggle. “What do you think?”

“I swear if I get catcalled one more time, I’m going to punch that person in the throat,” she rolled her eyes as she wasn’t really talking to anyone in specific. “I literally work with all guys and they would never make those comments to me. I just don’t understand why people think that a girl would melt at being told their ass looks good and whistling. It’s gross.” @villagestart​

Audrey looked over at the situation, keeping her eye on the female and nodded. “I know, it’s disgusting,” she said, looking around for the suspect. “You’re disgusting!” She yelled out into the streets of New York. “God, I want to punch them too! You would think this long into this whole human nature shit, things would be a little different.”

It was a beautiful afternoon to go for a walk in Central Park, and Cecelia was there often since her Carnegie Hill townhouse was not too far from it. With her son and newborn daughter in the stroller, she also brought along her lesson plans so she could sit outside and work on those for a little while. Being recently divorced, she was slowly starting to get the hang of being a single mother. She was fortunate enough to have help when she needed it, but she liked to do things herself when she could. Approaching a bench with one end taken by someone, Cecelia offered them a smile. “Excuse me, do you mind if we join you for a little while? I promise we won’t be a bother.” 

@villagestart​

She held onto Cookie’s pink leash, headphones on as they jogged along the concrete pathways of Central Park. Growing tired after their fifth lap, she sat down on the end of the bench, taking deep breaths as she poured water into a small collapsable dog bowl. “You all okay, Cookie?” She cooed towards the white dog. She looked over at the brunette with a smile, nodding her head. “Of course, go ahead,” she offered, pushing Cookie’s bowl out of the way for the stroller. “Your babies are beautiful,” Audrey said, taking off her headphones and sitting up against the bench. “They’re precious!”

Cooper wasn’t really ever into these type of things, sure he lived in the city and knew that these type of events happen but the man wasn’t into it as much as most people. He didn’t do well in crowds but the Detective figured he might as well try and enjoy himself. He had met up with Audrey by the jewelry stand and Cooper laughed a little as he watched her pick something out “Get it. Treat yourself every once in a while.” Cooper said smiling, and then looked at the jewelry himself “I’m only here to get something for my mom and sister. Possibly something for Scout.” He shrugged his shoulders and spotted a diamond silver necklace “You think one of them would like that? I know nothing about jewelry.” He folded his arms across his chest and shook his head “This shit is expensive but Ill buy something probably.” 

Audrey nodded, taking his suggestion and adding the ring to her small basket. She was going to do some serious damage to the little boutique. “You’re absolutely correct, Coop, treat yo’self everyday is my motto- actually,” she said, snickering as she walked around the tables. “Hmmm... have you noticed if they were a lot of necklaces? If not, what about a bracelet? Oh c’mon, supporting small businesses is worth it,” she said, nudging him. “Look at that bracelet,” she said, pointing to the silver bangle with small stones. “This would be nice for your mom or sister,” she suggested. “Who’s Scout?” she inquired.

.

“— Ah, that’s why I recognise it. My mom is October 4th.” He assumed that was the stone in a pair of earrings her dad had given her for one of their anniversaries, hence the recognition. “I’m March 15th and the only thing I know is that I’m a Pisces.” Scott didn’t know if that made a difference to birthstones, but his knowledge of stones and signs was pretty much non-existent. “One of thirty three and counting,” Turning his wrist back over he chuckled and felt his stomach rumbling at the thought of another bowl. “Everyone should try it at least once,” Browsing the rest of the stall, Scott stopped as she mentioned the ring was stuck and glanced over to see what she meant. “Oh—” She was being quite literal, “It’s not the worst I’ve seen. Have you got any water?” He asked, pulling his own backpack around his shoulder to see if Sam had left his bottle in there.

“She must be really cool, she’s a Libra,” Audrey said. She fumbled around her bag for her water, holding out her hand as she began feeling her literal heartbeat in her finger. “Oh, thank god,” she said, bringing it out and struggling to unscrew the cap. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Audrey, would you mind saving my finger?” She asked with a desperate chuckle. “This is so awkward,” she said, small giggles erupting from her. “Your tattoos are cool, by the way. I would love to pull off that look!”

malcolm realised he had been more focused on her than the rings she was deciding between, he didn’t know which she was holding out for him until it was in his hands. “ neither am i, ” he replied honestly, once he had slipped it on his finger. it felt slightly like he was looking at someone else’s hands. he was sure anyone who knew him would questioned it to, at least until he told them about the person that helped him pick it out. “ you have managed to get a ring on my finger faster than any woman, well ever. ” 

Audrey bit her lower lip, raising her eyebrow and giving him a tempting look. “Word on the street is... I’m the baddest thing walking AND the smartest one talking,” she mused at him followed by a genuine belly laugh. “An opportunity missed by others, huh?” She said. “I’m Audrey Mars, it’s nice to meet you,” she introduced herself, putting her hand out. 

𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐃     𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑    :    𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑     𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐄𝐑      𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓.     𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘    𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐒

he smiles at the strawberry blonde as he see her grab the red little bag ❝ I mean why would you ? ❞ he inquired as he cocked his brow up , the same smile on his brims ❝ it’s a festival , even in the NFL believes in a little break . ❞ he muses towards her as he steps a little closer ❝ so do I at least get a few minutes of your time or do I have to get an appointment for that ? ❞

She looked up at him with puppy eyes, not intentionally... but intentionally. She could always captivate him with a little twinkle in her eye. “Oh,” she let out, looking around at the crowd. “Well, aren’t I lucky to have run into the one and only?” She said to him. “I guess it’s your lucky day because I can spare you some 5 minutes,” she said, putting out her hand– a habit she formed when they grew closer, immediately putting it down catching her mistake.

.

     “I don’t know what my birth stone is, thinking about it…” Scott mumbled out loud, looking at the opal. “Yours is beautiful though, what month were you born in?” He asked out of curiosity, the stone looking familiar to some that his mom wore occasionally. Then again, until a few years ago he assumed that sapphires and  aquamarines were the same thing. It was his step-sister who put him to rights there and Scott learned an important lesson, don’t mess with her knowledge of stones. “Not really, my mom gave me my dad’s wedding ring and it’s tucked away somewhere.” He shrugged turning his palm over to reveal a small tattoo on his wrist, “I only tend to wear tattoos.” 

The subject of food was one he could relate to, perhaps too easily. Fresh off a long shift he had already inhaled a BLT on his way to the park, nabbed some of his sons chips and eyed a couple of food stalls down the way. “Have you ever been to that Thai café down the street? Blue Sky, I think it’s called — They’ve got a stall on the other side of the park, the best Khao Soi in the city and they’re giving samples out for free. You’ve gotta’ try there, or the taco truck out front. Both are good options.”

Audrey placed it on her finger, getting convinced by the second the purchase it. “I was born in October, the 10th” she said. “What about you?” She asked. As he spoke, she tried taking off the ring- until it didn’t come off and she slowly put down her hand by her side, keeping her calm as much as she could. “Oh, wow, look at that. That’s a tattoo,” she said, peeking closer. 

“Hm... I can’t say I’ve ever had Khao Soi...” she said, looking down at her hand. “God, you’re making me so hungry but this ring is stuck on my finger so.... I might start freaking out,” she said, letting out a nervous chuckle. “This would only happen to me! Truly!” 

malcolm didn’t quite know if his intention was to make his new acquaintance laugh, but after seeing the result he was more inlined to cause that smile again. “ if i can’t convince them on the merits on my teaching, maybe this is the best back up plan, ” he replied with a smile, letting his hands fall back to his sides. the professor no longer really had the same concerns as when he first started out about making his students think he was ‘cool’, maybe it was just with every extra year that separated them.  “ as someone who seems to know their rings, which would you pick out for me? how can i get some of that drip? ”

She looked over at him, a sly grin remaining on her lips. “I guess you have to count your blessings, huh,” she teased him, pushing her long red hair behind her shoulder. She brought a finger up to her raspberry lips, looking around the jewelry stand. While she didn’t know what he was specifically into, she still had a sense of style to her persona. “How about this?” She asked, grabbing the box and holding it in front of them. “I’m not mad at that, Professor,” Audrey encouraged him. 

“You don’t have to tell me twice.” Eloise answered chuckling as she leaned to pick up the piece. “It has, yes. I always tell myself I won’t let that much time pass to hit you up for a coffee and then I do.” She shook her head. “But all’s good. Still teaching, still booking some lil gigs. You know the drill.” The blonde shrugged nonchalantly with a smile, her hands expertly clasping the necklace and then turning for the mirror. “How about you? How’s the fund group going?”

She watched Eloise move along the jewelry, smiling down at the beauty of the art. “Whenever, wherever it is, I am always happy to catch up with you, darling. I can’t believe where we are now compared to where we’ve been,” she said, snickering and nodding. “That’s great, I’m glad it’s working out. Luckily, it’s thriving and flourishing, I am so happy with how it’s been!” She cheered. “Oh, I love that necklace on you, Eloise!” 

with so much to see, malcolm had ended on one big walking tour of the event area. “ no, it’s alright, i’m a long way from needing to buy anyone a ring, ” malcolm replied with a smile that was almost a laugh except it just involved a short burst of air from deep in his chest. “ all my students tell me i should be getting some for myself though, channeling the harry styles’ of the world but i don’t know if i’m pulling that off? ” he continued, essentially just thinking out loud at this point as he raised his bare hand out wide in front of them both, looking at them pensively. 

Audrey nodded, relating to his statement. She had barely just started an empire– the last thing she needed to be thinking about was marriage. She giggled, looking at his hands. What a tease, she thought, immediately shaking it. “The Harry Styles of the world?” She repeated. “I don’t know... it depends what kind of students you’re teaching. But if I saw one of my business teachers drippin’ like that, I’d want to go to class,” she mused back. “Thank god I’m out of school, for now,” she said. 

𝐅𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐃     𝐔𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑    :    𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐗𝐀𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑     𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐁𝐄𝐑      𝐅𝐄𝐀𝐓.     𝐀𝐔𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐘    𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐒

his person was covered by a grey - greenish track suit , the wind was fragile against his skin . yet chocolate hues never seem to lose focus of the strawberry blonde hair that waltz by the shining couture . he sees her interacting with the other and long limbs stride to the counter , sending her a wink. ❝  hey sweetheart how much ? ❞ he points at the red box , he knows she looking at him , he likes it . attention was something that he always craved , especially hers. tapping the black plastic on the receiver, he turns to look at her . ❝ im a little early but better early than never right , libra right ?  ❞

She smelled his familiar scent, indulging in cologne like she used to. A cheeky grin formed on her face and she looked up at him as she continued through the transaction. “Thank you,” she mouthed to the cashier as they handed her the little red bag. “Thank you,” she said up at him. “I just can’t seem to escape you, can I?” she teased, twirling around to look at him. “Don’t you have practice or something to get to?”

.

     Ugh — That was the last sound his son made before slipping off with his friends, a groan of embarrassment as Scott told him they needed to head back to the apartment soon. He merely chuckled as his friends said hello before disappearing, left to wonder around Paley on his own as exhaustion creeped up on him quickly. Three night shifts were rough at the best of times, but with five incidents and a broken coffee machine in the canteen, this weekend had been tougher than planned. 

Triple shot espresso in his hand, one eye on the direction Sam and his friends were heading, he paused at front of a jewellery vendor and browsed over the pieces they had to offer. They were beautifully crafted and apparently, the woman next to him thought so too as she mumbled with her conscience. With a smile he looked at the ring she pointed out and agreed, “It’s nice,” Scott picked the box up and felt his mouth fall into a small frown. “I’m not sure it’s my style, though.” Too small, too shiny and ultimately, something he would end up losing on the way home. A waste of purchase, for him at least. “Maybe I’ll just stick to the fresh food stalls.”

She nodded, hearing his comments and observing his frown, her eyebrows furrowed and she grabbed the small box again to look at the stone. “Hm, makes sense,” she said back. “This is my birth stone, it’s an opal,” she informed him with a smile. Audrey had always been one to talk to a stranger, this was not out of the ordinary. He was in for the roller coaster of her mind. “Maybe it’s a sign it belongs with me,” she continued, snapping the box closed and holding it in the palm of her hand. “Are you a jewelry type of person?” She inquired up at the male, looking around the stand. “I haven’t tried any food here yet, do you have any recommendations?” 

Eloise was enjoying herself, the festival was certainly one of her favorite things and it positively had to do with the fact it was the first activity she took part of when she first came to New York, what was there to say? She was an emotional and nostalgic person. And then, there was the fact she loved spring so celebrating the start of the season was a must for her. As she walked around checking stands, Eloise recognized someone standing looking at the jewelry and decided to stop. “There’s no such thing as too much jewlry, dear.” She told Audrey, still took the box to examine the ring. “It definitely is.” With a nod Eloise then handed back the box. “But I actually like that gorgeous emerald necklace.” 

She felt the familiarity of the presence, looking over at the blonde with a wide smile. “Eloise, mon amie! Vous êtes belle,” she said, placing a kiss to her cheek. “Yes, that is gorgeous. It suits you, you should try it on!” She encouraged her. “Wow, it’s been a while, huh? A couple of months? How’s life?” The red head inquired. 

She was looking forward to the pop-up festival happening. It gave her a chance to support local businesses and enjoy her hometown. As she roamed around with a glass of white wine, she stopped at the sparkling jewelry stand. It was busy, but the rhinestones and colors were calling her name. Picking up the small red box and looking at the opal stone twinkle, she shook her head, putting it down. “I have way too much jewelry already... I don’t need it. Or do I?” She muttered to herself, realizing the crowd around her. “Oh, sorry, I’m just talking to myself. Did you want to look at the ring? It’s beautiful,” she offered with a smile. 

@villagestart​