pearlcscents

" yee of little faith, when would i ever steer you wrong ? " there's likely a million answers she could give to that, so rhys barrels on without waiting for one, hoping the question doesn't fully register in time. adjusts the birthday boy sash lani had forced onto him again as if laufey would spot it. " told you coming out would be so worth it. imagine if you had to see this through my grainy instagram stories instead. speaking of which... " he tugs out his phone, giving shae zero warning before he takes a selfie of them both. " y'know, i'm thinking of shaking things up a bit. start expanding my horizons. maaaaybe even try lemon gelato. "

Shae is absolutely opening her mouth to remind him that he's told her about three different stories that would imply otherwise, but then closes it again on account of his adorable birthday sash. She can't call out the birthday boy! Besides, he's kind of right; he's yet to lead her astray. "We should have brought a sign or something," Shae chuckles, smoothing out the sash over him so it reads nice and neat, caught off guard by his quick selfie skills. "Are you posting that?" she asks, unable to help herself and her lingering paranoia in the back of her mind. "I just mean— I look awful," she adds quickly, coming up with a quick excuse that won't sound insane or ruin his fun. Be normal, she tells herself. "You know I'm the queen of wanting to get my favorite flavor all the time, but Amara had me try the lemon recently, and it's so good. You like sour, right?"

ivy  lets  out  a  laugh  at  the  relief  of  the  other.  she  wanted  the  other  parlors  to  make  their  money,  but  she  was  absolutely  not  going  to  watch  someone  getting  their  first  tattoo  at  solemare.  "  yeah,  thought  so.  "  she  nodded  as  she  leaned  on  the  table  with  the  flashes.  "  yes,  i  am  based  out  of  capri.  "  tone  is  soft  as  she  offers  a  smile.  "  are  you  looking  to  get  a  tattoo  ?  "

"Not necessarily," she chuckles, now having to admit to herself that the setting being at a festival wasn't the only thing stopping her. "That might be an end-of-the-summer kind of decision. After a spritz or two. Mostly just curious— people speak highly of your designs, you know," Shae tells her with a soft grin; she can't help but respect a woman with both reputation and the talent to back it up. Even if she's also a little intimidated. "So you're a local then, right? How long have you lived here?" Apparently not intimidated enough to keep asking her questions, though.

god is it hard to keep his fun down when she does so much that makes his lips twitch. she says he is without manners, when she acts rather rude in her own way. he doesn't mind, actually quite content and intrigued to see how long she can keep her attitude while she's cussing him out for his own. just some irony he can poke fun at. ❛❛ that's just a side hustle. ❜❜ he's no scammer, but he'll let her insult him in all of her creativity. leading her to her destination should be proof of sincerity, but he supposes she won't believe it until she sees the lobby. gabe had promised no laughs, but this chuckle is more impressed than mocking. so she does have some observation senses, just none for her surroundings. ❛❛ yeah ? the borough, too ? ❜❜ why deny the truth, he's lied to her one too many times already. his tricks wouldn't work on her again, not so soon. and the truth is, he was hesitating between new york and la. she looks like she'd enjoy overpriced smoothies and avocado on toast. but no, the edge she slashes him back with definitely is from the east coast. ❛❛ a princess like you, definitely manhattan. upper east side. summer in the hamptons wasn't cutting it this year ? ❜❜ a princess indeed, as he can't seem to be able to deny her commands, long strides bringing him closer to her as she asked.

"I'm not—" she starts to say, wanting to shoot back that she isn't a princess, but then he guesses where she's from with such shocking accuracy that it takes the rest of her sentence right out of her mouth. Instead, she's left to let out another vexed scoff, wishing more than anything that he'd been wrong, simply so he didn't get to win. One could argue neither of them are actually in competition of anything, but she knows they'd both disagree; there's clearly some sort of contest here. "September is the best for The Hamptons, actually," Shae tells him matter-of-factly, as if he'd actually care or be caught dead there. She can tell from his disposition and the way he says Upper East Side like it's an insult that he isn't one for exclusive dinner reservations and the social scene in Sunday best. Her arms cross over her chest as she walks, turning to him now walking next to her, though she still keeps an iciness in her gaze and enough distance between them for an imaginary third person. "And where exactly are you from, anyway?" Shae questions with the raise of a perfect brow and testing eyes. She simply can't be bothered to think that much harder about what borough he must have lived in, attempting to appear disinterested even in her curiosity. "And what the hell are you doing here long enough to know your way around?" A fact she won't truly believe until she can see her hotel again— he'd be right about that.

her tirade falls on endeared ears once again, letting himself be impressed by just how good of a reaction he fished out of her. god, she really is so pissed. a snicker almost breaks the fragile peace treaty going, but his attention is taken elsewhere to really be able to give out the same kind of reaction she is. he understands one word out of three, thanks to her dress and not the language used. ❛❛ what manners ? ❜❜ he teases, but it's a miracle he can whip up his eyes a second after she turns around, saving himself a whole world of trouble, he's sure. his smirk might betray still him. ❛❛ all of this doesn't have to be mutually exclusive, you know. i even work here. ❜❜ this annoying grin stays plastered on his mouth. gabe's thinking maybe he's found his match at his favorite game. he is incredible at reading people, and she just read him the same he did her earlier. ❛❛ should i guess which state you're from ? ❜❜ it's a no doubter in his mind. the accent, the quick temper, defaulting to empty threats of throwing more stuff at him ; oh she's american alright. he knows she's in no mood to play with him, but it won't stop him from at least asking. worst she can do is throw her purse at him. he nods his chin to bring her attention back to the cobblestone under her feet separating into another intersection. ❛❛ right. ❜❜

He jokes about not having any manners to speak of and she rolls her eyes despite him not being able to see it— he can, however, hear her scoff. He still sounds so jovial and light, which surprises her considering a small part of her knows she's being difficult, and also irks her to no end. "Oh, do you?" Shae asks, sarcasm dripping off her voice. "Being a scammer isn't a real job, by the way." She can't imagine this guy actually doing an honest day's work, but she has to believe that he does live here somehow, or he wouldn't know his way around like he does now. A curious part of her wants to ask how long he's been here; he still sounds so American, it can't have been that long. But she doesn't want to appear like she might actually care. In a perfect world, she'll never have to see this guy again. "No need. I figured out you're a New Yorker like twenty steps ago, and I'm sure you did the same," she calls back to him, not letting him have the satisfaction— only a man from her city could have this brand of unearned confidence. Speaking of... "I changed my mind," Shae declares, in a flippant way that leaves little room for challenge, as if sending a dish back to the kitchen. "It's too awkward with you back there. Hurry up," she tells him with that same annoyance, like she's not the one who told him to stay back there in the first place, only slowing her pace and not pausing for him to catch up before making the next right.

phone   propped   up   on   the   railing   in   front   of   her,   she   does   a   quick   run   through   on   how   she   looks   this   late   in   the   day.   she   can   work   with   what   she   sees,   just   needs   to   reapply   a   little   gloss   and   bam!   perfect!   snaps   a   cute   selfie   real   quick   to   send   to   the   swaby   sibling   chat.   halfway   into   typing   out   her   i   know   you   losers   wish   you   were   here   text,   a   call   comes   through.   doesn't   even   let   half   a   ring   go   through   before   she's   picking   up.   “   shae,   my   beautiful   topolina!   ”   plugs   one   ear   to   hear   better   against   the   pre   -   set   music   playing.   “   of   course   i'm   at   victoria!   i   wouldn't   miss   her   for   anything!   are   you   here?   ahhhh,   wait   one   second!   can   you   see   me?   ”   lips   roll   downward   when   she   realizes   there's   just   too   many   people   that   loom   over   her.   two   seconds   later,   her   eyes   are   brightening   with   a   thought.   “   oh,   don't   worry,   i   have   an   idea!   ”   looks   around   the   crowd,   eyes   scanning   through   various   biceps.   mind   made   up,   there's   no   shyness   about   tapping   the   winner   of   the   bicep   contest   and   requesting   a   ride   on   his   shoulders.   it's   an   easy   little   climb!   phone   back   up   to   her   ear,   she   scans   the   crowd   and   is   able   to   place   her   friend   in   less   than   a   minute.   “   aha!   i   found   you!   look   up!   do   you   see   me   waving?!   i'll   stay   right   up   here   until   you   get   to   me!   ” 

Shae's scanning the crowd still when she sees her friend pop up above the rest like royalty. In retrospect, she absolutely should have guessed Lani would be barricade— because truly where else could she be? Her toned figure in stunning fashion stands out on the horizon of the sea of people and Shae can't help the wide smile breaking out on her face. "I see you!" she squeals, waving her phone in the air for a second before bringing it back to her ear, "Okay, okay, wait right there!" Truthfully, it had been years since she'd elbowed her way through a crowd at a concert, but something about Lani makes her feel bolder, so she's pushing through— with several excuse me's and sorry's sprinkled in, of course, clutching her bag, her phone, and two small shots of limoncello she'd had the foresight and vision to stop for, miraculously making it to her with minutes to spare. "Thank you very much, please put her down gently," she tells the muscular festival goer, keeping a weary eye on him until Lani is safely on the ground again, and then she's wrapping an arm around her with a squeeze. "Here— take one of these with me before I lose my nerve," Shae instructs, passing her one of the small plastic cups she'd been hanging onto for dear life.

   “   you   look   lost   ,   do   you   need   help   finding   your   parents   ?   or   friends   ?   i'm   pretty   sure   there   are   some   police   officers   stationed   somewhere   over   there   .   ”

She's triggered for one fleeting second at the idea of someone thinking she's lost again, but confusion quickly takes over instead. "My... parents?" Shades slip down the bridge of her nose so he can see her furrowed brow. "How old do you think I am?"

although  the  pop-up  was  not  hers,  she  was  absolutely  spending  so  much  of  her  time  there,  just  assisting  whenever  she  could.  but  if  you  were  to  ask  her  what  she  thought  about  getting  a  tattoo  at  a  festival,  she'd  tell  you  it's  a  terrible  idea.  "  you're  absolutely  right  for  thinking  that.  "  ivy  agreed.  not  many  people  thought  it  mattered.  but  there's  a  reason  tattoo  studios  are  so  clean  and  neat.  "  people  do  it  all  the  time,  but  i  wouldn't  advise  getting  your  first  or  even  second  tattoo  like  that.  "

"Thank god you're here," she breathes out, happy to get an expert opinion on what she thought had just been her own paranoia. "Okay, definitely not doing that..." Shae chuckles under her breath, only loud enough for Ivy to hear. The tattoos look pretty enough, but she's too much of a control freak, and she's never even gotten one before— her first certainly isn't going to be under the sun and exposed to the elements. "Are you based out of Capri?" She'd heard Ivy is great tattoo artist, but she couldn't recall from passing conversation if she was a local or not.

her angry face is all the more adorable when it is matched with an equally upset stance. he wonders if she'd put half of that energy into actually trying to find the shore, if they'd met at all. he's as relaxed as can be, both hands in his pockets now, standing tall and unwavering in the face of her fury. the only thing that gets him to move is her storming right past him again, turning around to follow. without the shove, he notices. improvement ? the rest of the way will tell. assessing her path, he smirks again when she does accept his offer. not without conditions. ❛❛ noted. i'd hate to get a sole across the face. ❜❜ if you find your aim. there just is no helping the teasing. she didn't say no smartass words, in his defense. ❛❛ straight ahead, then right at the next street. ❜❜ gabe's sure she would've ended up finding her way. eventually. maybe after sunrise. but capri isn't that big. and the hotel is pretty well announced once you reach a main street. she simply ended up in a part where most tourists don't bother to visit, to his relief. with how popular it had become, he relishes when some of his favorite places aren't overrun with long queues and loud chatter. quietly following behind her as instructed, gabe has nothing better to do than stick his gaze right on her. her curls bouncing as angrily as her mood, her hands still in fists moving to the tempo of her steps, her dress flowing like upset waves. a beautiful storm, a surprise even to him. and of course, he's just a man, eyes lingering on the way her hips sways her ass right in front of him.

She can almost hear the way he's holding back on adding an extra little remark or smartass comment. As unbelievable as this guy is, at least he has some self-preservation left. And, besides, she's not actually sure she has it in her to take off her designer flat and swat it at him— but she wants him to think she does. She's striding across the street to the other side as soon as he gives her the direction, grateful at least that he adds the next step too so it's one less question she has to ask him, one less moment she has to share words with him. Feet pounding down the street, Shae can't help herself from subjecting him again to her frustrated train of thought. "Just unbelievable... Just... absolutely idiotic, I mean, are you sixteen? Are you that bored, or you never learned basic manners? Or you just enjoy lying to strangers like a... Like an ass," she rambles on and on, repeating the same insult, this time simply not caring what he does and doesn't hear. "God, I mean do you even live here? You can't tell me you're a local— you're definitely American," she quips sharply, this time finally turning back to address him directly, tossing curls and a dirty look over her shoulder— and she swears she's catching him in the act of his wandering eyes, ire and annoyance burning brighter in her own.

" honey you look like you've just seen a ghost ! i know i lost a little bit of my tan since i'd seen you last but surely i don't look that ghastly. do you need to sit down ? you look like you need to sit down, " she perches herself upon the nearest barstool, then gestures to stool opposite her. " it took me about twenty seconds to cross the terrace. i had to make sure it was you and that elliott's constant mentioning of your name hadn't hypnotised me into seeing apparitions, " she folds her arm over the table with a faint smile. " so, no, i haven't told him yet. you're looking faint, shae. do you need something to drink ? something sweet ? you look like you're about to pass out and i refuse to have to explain to everyone that i found elli's missing fiancée only for her to collapse after a margarita. "

Shae focuses on Giulia's composed and even tone as she sits, even in its subtle sarcasm, but she doesn't let herself feel any bit of relief until she hears her say she hasn't told her fiancé yet. She's not sure where to start, or if Giulia even wants to hear it— maybe aside from wanting all the sordid details as far as gossip goes. Still, it somehow feels more ridiculous not to say anything. "Look," Shae starts, trying to find her way through the roaring in her ears, "Before you say anything, I know this looks... I mean, I don't know what exactly Elliott or his family have said, but I let them know I just need some time. By myself." Well, she'd let her father know that, and had in turn asked him to fill the Archers in; she'd been too out of it to speak to anyone else when she left Marseilles. "Giuliana, I would really, really appreciate it if you didn't tell him you know where I am." She has no right to ask this of her— she's his friend after all, and she's not sure she would keep the same secret from her own friends. But she has to ask anyway.

" rose! " she clasps her hands together. " such a pretty name! " she stands closer to rose. " we have to take a photo! i have to show gigi this— " she snaps a quick selfie, not giving shae much time to prepare or protest. " so, like, gigi is my best friend, who's friends with shae, the girl you look like. and like... her husband, or was it fiance? anyway! she like, apparently! according to the— " she pauses. " like the vine? like what do they say about vines? like it's a fruit and then they say vine— " the word isn't coming to her. " anyway! she ran away! so i thought she ran away here! which is like totally believable, because i think capri is a hot spot for people who want to like avoid real life responsibilities and personal issues, which makes total sense because it's like so healing here. like the ringworm i had two weeks ago, it's already gone! " she points to a random pastry in the glass display. " i'll take this! " she smiles to the worker who looks visibly annoyed at her. " are you canadian? you say sorry a lot! "

As soon as Suvi mentions a photo, Shae's eyes go wide like a deer in headlights, but she's too slow. "Oh, that's—" is all she's able to get out before the camera is in front of both of them in selfie mode, and gone just as quick before she can protest further. Her heart sinks a little bit, knowing there now lies physical evidence of her being here on Suvi's phone. "Gigi, right, your best friend..." she mumbles back. The words husband and fiance make her stomach do a flip, drawing out a tiny bout of nausea, but Shae just swallows once and forces a smile as she listens to Suvi go on about her very own life. "Wow, that... That sounds crazy," she breathes out, and it's the truth. Hearing her current situation spoken aloud like that by someone else... god, it is crazy, she must look insane. Her brows are slightly scrunched, still trying to process it all when Suvi's asking if she's Canadian, and Shae has pretty much figured 'in for a penny, in for a pound'. "Yep! Yeah, I am. Just visiting Capri for the summer— it really is so healing, you're right. And you, are you and your friend here for long?"