ofsundays.

the  praise  for  carrie  does  get  her  more  into  the  conversation.  maybe  it's  morbid,  all  things  considered,  but  they  did  enjoy  a  horror  movie,  especially  when  they  were  gorey  and  horrible  like  most  of  stephen  king's  stuff  is.  "it's  a  beautiful  performance  —  it's  not  everyday  you're  splattered  with  fake  pig  and  human  blood."  carrie  as  a  broadway  or  ballet  show  would  be  incredible;  she  should  push  more  for  it,  given  her  experience  doing  bloodied  juliet  in  a  few  romeo  and  juliet  productions  was  already  fun  due  to  the  violence  of  it  all. 

"that is a dicey decision to make, especially in this weather. hot chocolate is a great indulgence, don't get me wrong, but coffee... there's something to be said about a familiar comfort, right?" theo comments, falling easily into the dialogue with him. the concession worker slides her drink across the counter and drops a bit of change into her hand, which theo quickly places in the jar labeled tips in black marker. "since when do i need an excuse for that? i thought flirting was the kind of thing you welcomed happily, especially from me," she chuckles, lips wrapping around her straw and taking a long slip as theo watches him with quiet consideration.

alex’s smile deepened at that, the kind that stayed a second longer than usual. “you’re not wrong,” he said, voice warm. “coffee’s predictable. dependable. feels like the right call when everything else is cold and loud.” his gaze followed the movement of her lips around the straw, not subtle at all, he knew what he was doing. “and you’re right,” he added, quieter now. “i’ve never had a problem with flirting. especially not from you.”

the touch of his hand against hers was a pleasant surprise, one sam held onto. " beer is always a good choice, there is something even better. have you ever tried a cocktail with beer? " with her hand in his, she walked towards the bar. " there's this one called ruby hearts, they use liquor and mezcal, it tastes like magic " it was one of the first drinks sam learned to make when buying the bar, a favorite. " this is going to sound strange, but why are you always at the rink? i can't help but feel a bit curious now. "

at the mention of the drink, his brows lifted, curiosity winning out. “beer and mezcal?” he echoed. “that does sound like something that could either be terrible or… awesome.” he paused, then nodded. “all right. ruby hearts. i trust you.” as they moved, her question drew a soft exhale from him. “the rink’s been a constant,” he admitted. “grew up there. played hockey most of my life. some habits don’t fade, even when the skates do.” he glanced back toward her, tone lighter but sweet. “and i like seeing people in their element.”

she glanced around them, the glow of lights and the steady sound of voices filling the space, then back to nohr. “maybe fun looks a little different for me,” lodi added gently. “making sure everyone else gets to have their moment, then stealing a few of my own in between.” a smile settled on her mouth. “but i promise i won’t let the night pass without enjoying at least part of it. deal?”

blue eyes drifted towards the lobby, a group of tourists flooded in with bags and coats, eager to spend indecent amounts of money at st. agnes. " i don't know how you do it? this place seems too busy " sam took another drag of the cigarette, half melancholic. " we do have security footage, that should help. what if someone took it? how do i even fire a person, lodi? " fear washed over her. " sometimes i kind of wish i could go back to skating... i fucking miss it."

at the question about firing someone, lodi turned back to her fully. “slow down,” she said calmly. “we don’t know that someone stole it yet. footage first. facts first. you don’t fire on a feeling. you fire on certainty, and even then, you do it clean. private. respectful.” her voice stayed grounded.

then sam’s last confession landed, and lodi reached out without thinking, bumping her shoulder lightly against hers. “you’re allowed to miss it,” she said softly. “and you’re allowed to want more than one life. this one doesn’t erase who you were on the ice.” she paused, eyes kind. “and it doesn’t mean you can’t find your way back to it somehow.”

alex glanced down at the menu, then back at her, caught mid-indecision in a way that would’ve embarrassed him if it were anyone else. instead, a small smile tugged at his mouth, amused and a little guilty. “i was weighing the emotional consequences of hot chocolate versus coffee,” he said lightly, stepping aside to give her room. “you probably saved me from overthinking it entirely.”

'ooh, you could cut the tension with a knife,' she quips, peering at rowan around a half-empty lemonade cup with raised brows. 'it's about setting intentions, right? start the season with a win. build momentum.' she moves from leaning back against the rails, turns to settle her elbows there instead as she faces towards the ice. she squints, pauses to study the bench. plenty of crossed arms, glances to study the other team. the nervousness isn't always so easy to hide. 'hmm, both? a shove or two can make for a good photo. but, there's lots of talent to showcase.' watching the cheetahs' warmup, a hand absentmindedly waves away rowan's apology. 'who do you think is worth watching tonight... in your expert opinion?'

she shifts her stance at the railing, in her element with the surrounding of bodies and noise. this is home-ice chaos, and she wears it easy. at maren’s question, rowan finally looks over, thoughtful. “okay,” she says, lowering her voice like she’s letting maren in on a secret. “if you want drama, keep an eye on the third line- they’ve got something to prove and they know it. guys like that take risks. risks turn into shoves. shoves turn into great photos.”

then her gaze peaks back to the ice, chin tilting toward the bench. “but talent-wise? watch the defense tonight. first game jitters show up there first, and if they settle in early, that tells you everything about how this season’s gonna go.” a beat, softer, proud without being obvious. “they’ll hold.” she nudges maren lightly with her elbow. “i’m not saying that just because i grew up listening to my dad rant about blue lines and gaps, but… i am absolutely saying that because i did.” her smile warms. “you’ll know the moment worth shooting when the noise drops for half a second. that’s when something big’s about to happen.”

away from the lobby noise, skogen managed to finally let out a breath, leaning her back to a random wall for a smoke. " am i famous here? your annoying friend with no boundaries " she placed the cigarette on her lips for a drag before offering it to lodi.

"bad vibes or good vibes? there's a ton shit of tourists " st. agnes wasn't sam's favorite place in town, growing up it has always been too expensive or crowded for her. " i noticed yesterday after checking in on some boxes we got, there should be one left in stock, but there wasn't " she paused. " only me and two bartenders. "

at the question about the vibes, she glanced back toward the lobby, watching a cluster of tourists fumble with their coats and flutes. “neutral leaning good,” she decided. “busy, but happy. which is about as much as you can ask for tonight.” then her attention sharpened again, all warmth folding into focus as sam explained. “yesterday,” she repeated quietly. “one bottle unaccounted for, limited access.” lodi nodded once. “okay. don’t panic, and don’t accuse anyone yet. check delivery logs, then security footage if you have it. i’ll help you figure out how to handle it without it turning into a mess.”

" i see... you're a responsible person, and this could get you in trouble " he was a principal, an authority figure of some sort, and she was, well, the worst company possible. " if you want me to walk away and pretend this was one huge mistake, than i would " blue eyes met his, not in a challenge, but rather a glimpse of understanding. " the town shouldn't like you any less for having some fun. "

perhaps they could meet in the middle, a strange night, but not a bad one. " one drink and talk, careful, that feels very reckless, next thing you know and we'll be breaking curfew" sam teased before her lips curled in a delicate smile. " we should get going then... " slowly she extended a hand to alex, an invitation. " what are we drinking? "

he let her words sit between them for a beat, then reached out and placed his hand on her's. not rushed, not hesitant- just deliberate. “one drink,” he agreed, tone lightening. “and talking. clearly dangerous territory.” as he started them toward the bar, he glanced at her again, amusement flickering in his eyes. “i’m thinking beer. something simple, no surprises.” a pause, then softer, more curious than guarded. “you? drinks on me.”

he lifted his coffee a little, as if in understanding. “i admire the commitment, though. staying up until nine is no small thing.” a laugh followed, low and warm. at nicolas’s question, he shrugged. “a bit of both, i guess. i helped set up earlier, made sure no one forgot mittens or hot chocolate.” his gaze drifted back across the square, familiar faces everywhere. “but i’m trying to be better at just… being here. enjoying it.”

he looked back at nicolas, something sincere settling into his expression. “days like this matter. not because they’re loud or exciting, but because they give people a chance to slow down and start again.” a pause. “and honestly? i wouldn’t leave before the fireworks either. some things you’re meant to see through to the end.”