* 𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐘 / 𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐋𝐈𝐍'

"no, no." yemaya shook her head, mentally reminding herself to relax. she was far too obvious about feeling slightly out of place. "i just mean --- the two of us are just fine. i was merely curious." that way, getting an answer would allow her to readjust her thought process. she would have hated to be surprised with more company, especially if they were people she didn't even know. "goals..." she let out a sigh that was way sadder than she would have liked it to be. "honestly? not really? i mean ... not specifically? just--- to relax a little, honestly. i haven't allowed myself to just not think too much, you know?" she was always worried about something or thought too much about someone -- or things that happened. she just needed her mind to be blank ... even if it were just a night.

jordyn looks back at the bartender, giving them a nod of thanks as she takes the two drinks. "one for you, one for me. cheers!" jordyn holds out her glass, waiting for the other to clink hers against it. "unfortunately, i've heard that's just WOMAN BRAIN. did you know that guys can totally just think about absolutely nothing? like, not a single thought in their head... my brain never turns off," she says with a sigh before taking a drink. "but i can definitely get us to think about stupid, meaningless things. pop culture is always a fun topic for me."

Chance grinned with a nod. "Your secret is safe with me. I wouldn't want to wake up to the news that you were mobbed by angry villagers that can't take your personal opinion as just that. It's like someone saying that their favorite was Juno." And he was sure there were people like that out there as he took a sip of the smoothie to answer her next round of questions. "You can always ask, though I'm not sure I have a full answer. He just didn't work out. We'd been trying someone new since we'd lost the original drummer a few years ago and this one just walked away and onto another band." It left a sour taste in his mouth, thinking about all the time that he'd spent together to be dropped so easily, but Chance had to put on a brave face for the sake of the rest of the band. "We'll find someone new, hopefully soon. I've got my bud filling in for a few shows and he's good, but he's not meant to be used long term." Or so he hoped. He grinned once more. "A succulent? I don't know. That sounds like a big commitment. What if I'm not ready for that?"

"thank you, that means a lot. if you ever choose to share such a damning secret with me, just know it'll be just as safe," she promises. not that it was the most life-ruining secret out there, but they can't imagine chance has any of those himself. "i'm sorry to hear that. i fell like, um... i feel like people are so flaky these days? like, it feels like a recent thing... maybe it's just me, though... perhaps it's being spoiled for choice?" florencia couldn't be preachy, though. they'd done their fair share of flaking, but not so much in recent years. "a succulent is the perfect starter, honestly. if you think that is a big commitment, i worry how you manage friendships," they tease.

addison re-enters the room and her lips part slightly, eyes taking in the sight of her new friend all dressed up. "oh, okay, wow much ? you look incredible. seriously. so hot." she smiles widely, meaning every word and of course, she's trying to give some encouragement. "do you feel comfortable ? " the redhead questions, taking a sip of her own cocktail before she holds one out towards florencia.

florencia can't help the sheepish smile that sits on their face as addison compliments them on the outfit. although, the compliments don't seem super fitting when it's addison's outfit on her body. still, they feel silly pointing that out. "oh, uh, i hardly ever feel comfortable, so... that's nothing new," she jokes. "i'm sure i'll warm up after a drink or two," florencia says as she takes the drink from addison.

jordyn furrows her own brows, expression matching emi's as he rambles on about his new purchase. "i can barely use a NORMAL oven... what the hell is the dutch version of an oven?" okay, perhaps jordyn wasn't the best cook. how was that her fault? "perhaps my next inevitable, in terms of human development, is figuring out to feed myself with something other than a microwave dinner? or takeout?"

"stop scheduling your classes when i have clients!" esme laughs, shaking her head. she was just giving achilles a hard time and she hoped he knew that. "we only ever hang out at work, what's up with that? we need to change that."

"you should just start telling your clients to take my classes-- two birds, one stone?" a joke suggestion, but who was he if he wasn't giving esme a hard time? "i'm super boring outside of work, that's probably why. a homebody of sorts." it's not entirely untrue-- he did spend a lot of time at home. "but i'm always down to leave my house, should we change that."

"my dads know me well enough to know that i wouldn't react like that unless it was justified," she assures him, though this time she can't say that it was fully justified. but it was done with now, and thankfully she was walking home instead of getting into trouble. though something about their interaction tonight does feel a little dangerous. "please, like i wouldn't think of a more creative way to end you." luna teases, fake evil smile on full display. it's only when he shows off his muscles that she rolls her eyes, again, so dramatically it makes her head ache for half a second. luna can't help but to be annoyed at herself for using the word now being held against her, and she's certain this won't be the last she hears of it. "god, you're really clinging to that one, aren't you ? are you that insecure that me calling you pretty is the highlight of your night ? because what i meant to say, actually, was that you're pretty fucking annoying." the attempt at an insult likely doesn't hold much weight considering the smile that curves her lips ever so slightly. yet still, she can't pass up the opportunity to irritate him up further. "besides, i have chance for eye candy." her smile grows, though behind it perhaps she's looking for a reaction she knows she won't get. and she knows it because she wouldn't give it either, despite the feelings it may stir deep inside. her pace soon picks up when she realizes they're not too far from home. the quicker they get there, she thinks, the better.

achilles nods along as she talks about her dads. he can't relate to having loving parents at all, so he takes this opportunity to actually BE SILENT. a rarity between the two of them. "hey, give a guy a break. it's late and i can't think of a more creative way you'd end me," he acknowledges with a shrug. his answer would probably be the same at any time of day, but she didn't need to know that. for now, his excuse could work. "oh, trust me, there is no highlight to my evening-- you made sure of that," he reminds her, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving her the slightest shove. "god forbid a guy get laid, damn... it really could've been a FINE evening for me. but no, i've got to play babysitter." achilles finds it easy to complain about what could have been, because, well, it's not entirely playful. wherever his evening had been originally headed was no longer an option thanks to something ( someone ) out of his control. he brings his hand up to scratch the back of his neck. did he know a chance? the name was not ringing any bells and he couldn't picture a single face. "i don't know who that is, but GOOD LUCK TO HIM."

"oh, i just know that was convenient," she agrees with a nod. "and they delivered? with a fancy tray and everything? looks like you'll have to start doordashing like the rest of us..." not that kamala even ordered food all that often. "if you're every hungry and not in the mood to make anything, just let me know. i still haven't mastered the art of COOKING FOR ONE. so, i almost always have leftovers." kamala follows daphne through the entry way, excited to see how everything is set up. "oh, i bet that's so exciting." when moving into her own place, she was actually quite nervous to live somewhere that was just hers. kamala could be independent, it was just a scary thought having to be one hundred percent self-sufficient. "you'll have to teach me the art of saving so i can afford a place like this."

"Would you have let me serenade you so easily without even trying to go some distance? You have to know that you're worth it, babe," he added with a wink and a laugh as he waited for his friend to stand in the skates. "Don't worry. You can pick next time because I know you'll choose so you don't have to come back here. Or hell, we'll try ice skating. I haven't done that one before but it can't be that much different from this." He stood and waited. "Just give me a lap and see how you feel before you quit on me."

rhys lets out a sigh as he looks over at chance. "i've always been easy, man... you know that. a cuddle and a serenade would easily win my heart," he tells chance as he places a hand over his heart. "ice skating seems WORSE. i swear, you're set out to torture me. yes, i'll definitely be picking next. although, i'm scared it gives you more time to scheme on your next method of injury... or your next romantic gesture? but, fine, i'll give you a lap."

"no problem.” he responds with a smile. “well, you know me, I’m happy to go whenever you want. besides, they do the best almond croissants here, I couldn’t resist.” wesley let’s out a quiet laugh, a slight shrug of his shoulders. “trying to run a bar might be the better term to use, but I’m getting there. thankful I’ve hired people who seem to know exactly what they’re supposed to be doing.” it still felt out of his comfort zone, but he was getting there, and despite his reservations the bar was thriving more now than ever. maybe he was doing better than he thought. “how is solana ? ”

"i always forget that you're a croissant type of guy... now that i think about it, i feel like croissants are kind of neglected as a treat." that probably wasn't true-- isadora just never partook. "so, how long can we call it your bar if you have no idea what's going on?" a seemingly mean question, but isadora's tone is light. "it's always nice to have people on your side who know the job. perhaps you should take some bartending classes or something... do they have those? they have to, right?" there seemed to be a class for everything these days. "if they do, maybe we can go together. solana is perfect, as always. i mean, she's good. it's been just us two for a while, so we've been adjusting to the quiet again." it was always weird not having kids in the house, which, as a thought, was something isadora could never imagine even thinking about a decade ago. "how is everything going with you? you know, non-work related, i guess."

"Maybe I should get an energy drink." Val sighed heavily while rubbing her eyes. "Oh, I like that last thing you said."

"yeah, that might help," he agrees with a shrug. he'd never had one himself-- much more of a coffee ( or even a five hour energy ) guy. "i guess i'll be nice and let you have that one for free. next one's gonna cost you, though."

"i guess she rents a space..." she somehow managed to find herself alone in a practice room, so achilles could only imagine she was renting it. he couldn't give up this lie, though, because how was he going to explain his presence at the studio otherwise? "i don't know her schedule that well, though. i just know she's very committed so i figured she'd be here. i didn't mean to ruin your closing duties, though."

"even if he thinks he's too cool...he still needs you two. it's best to be patient." kai says gently, nodding. they had learned that over the years, not to force any time together. "he'll come to you when he's ready." it didn't matter their age, kai thought. children still needed their parents. "oh, i think he'd hate that. how dare we embarrass our kids in any way even if we don't mean to, right?" kai chuckles, shaking their head. "maybe just invite him over for dinner."

"i think i'm too old to be patient," isadora comments with a light smile. "i think once we hit forty, we should be allowed to be a little impatient, don't you agree?" of course, she'd always have patience when it came to banks. the love she had for him was definitely not anything she could have ever predicted. when reconnecting with solana, isadora felt she'd be perfectly content just the two of them. it wasn't until solana brought it up that isadora had really considered the idea of kids, and banks was not an easy introduction into parenting. now, though, she'd do anything for that boy. even if he never wanted her to. "dinner i know he'll come to. maybe i should just start inviting him to more dinners?"

"well, i'm just going to let you know now: I DON'T HAVE ANY MONEY. just in case you're ever thinking about it." which explained why he was a thirty-one year old man living with a roommate he met off of the internet. "oh, so you think i'm slow? that sounds like a bit of a challenge, to me."

antonia had spent the majority of her morning walking around, trying to familiarise herself with her new surroundings. she also took it as an opportunity to hang up some flyers, hoping at least one person in denver would be interested in cello lessons. no longer on speaking terms with her parents, she knows it’s important to independently make as much money as she can, since she no longer has their financial support. it’s both daunting and liberating all at once. when she’s stopped in her tracks, she’s a little hesitant, but soon paints on a faint smile. “uh, yeah, sure… if you don’t mind seeing if there’s somewhere to hang this up for me inside.” she holds a sheet out to him, bargaining. it would save her the trip inside herself and he looks exactly like the kind of boy her partners would hate the idea of her even speaking to. it makes the situation seem a little more amusing to her. maybe it’s why she’s actually willing.

hunter reluctantly grabbed the paper out of the other's hand, wondering what exactly she would be peddling. he looks over the paper, not even sure where to begin. CELLO LESSONS is written in large letters at the top, and he looks back and forth between the paper and the girl. was she serious? the way she's looking at him tells him that she is very serious. he almost wants to ask her if she's out of her mind, but... he really needs his bike watched. besides, all he really had to do was hand it to the cashier. whatever they chose to do with it was out of his hands, and he could say he did the girl the favor. "uh, yeah, sure, i guess... i'll only be gone for a minute."

rhys, surprisingly, actually does know what he's talking about. he ( and his firm ) had seen enough CAREER RUINING tweets to know just how important a social media deep dive could be. he's already thinking about which of peers he's going to ask for help when he hears the name veronica lee. it takes everything in him not to roll his eyes ( in a teasing manner ) as it seems the two have ended up right where they started. "you know, we could've saved a lot of time if you had said that five minutes ago," he jokes before taking a sip of his coffee. it'll be a bit weird, performing a social media deep dive on someone he considered a friend, but that seemed to be the job. "i'll be sure to get those checks done soon and i'll have all the important information sent to you once they're completed. overall, i think ororo is in a good place right now. is there anything else you wish to discuss?"

Banks nodded, noting that was a far nicer way of putting the job that he had which was full of pissy customers and pissier cats. "Yeah, which means that it changes weekly exactly when I'm working but it's never enough that I don't have time to be here." His eyebrows scrunched slightly. "You know, to practice or whatever."

"yeah, i've got a job like that." his class times were always changing-- not that he was complaining much. it's not like he had any other obligations. "yeah, man, that sounds good. i guess you could give me your number or something? in case you want to set something up sometime."