respairs.

Shielding himself by way of avoidance wouldn't save anything this time. In reality, that only delayed an inevitable conversation looming between them. What they'd expressed already during breakfast earlier crashed through the surface, providing new ground to stand on. Already a long time coming on his closed-off part that she broke through.

The firm lines making up Levi’s expression were already softening at the admission, a direct reflex that found itself occurring around the easy charisma she naturally possessed. “No, that’s not corny at all.” With an amused shake of his head, a light breath of a laugh escapes him. “There will be a lot more of that now.” She’d upheld enough patience hiding away before, which was still hardly fair even then. “You know, you sound a lot like someone I know when they first got here..” A hinted smirk curves the corner of his mouth, one that didn’t reach completely reach behind his deep blues. That isolation had struck a different kind of nerve.

Her teasing accusation instigated Levi's broad shoulders leaning forward slightly further. "A terrible influence.." His tone drops to a lower rasp, holding the glint sparkling within Jasiri's eyes. "And I know what I want." He only readily remembers the menu once she resumed attention on hers. "Some of the best around." No less of course. "They're known for their steak options, but get anything you want." An insistence. "I was serious, you know, if you did need anything more with the move.."

 Talks of their future, though immediate, always brings a smile to her lips. “Hmm…I wonder who that someone could be,” she adds, playing along with his teasing. “I’m sure they never expected to be wooed by the desert.” After their initial separation, their texts had heavily consisted of apologies, missing you’s, and complaints about the desert; some came from a levelheaded Levi, while others were from a clearly inebriated one. “Now, look at them,” she pointedly pins him with a knowing smile. “You’re my unofficial tour guide to this town." 

At the mention of steak, she’s giving the menu another once over. Jasiri hums thoughtfully as she once again makes an attempt to decide. The eggplant parmesan beckoned her, and she wouldn’t mind pairing it with a ribeye steak. A combination of sights and smells eventually led her to confirm that choice. Her stomach was definitely looking forward to dining on the combination soon enough. “Alright, I think I’m set on the ribeye, and eggplant parmesan,” she nods.   

Jasiri tilts her head as she regards him. “I know...um...do you want to come with me?” The question stems from the idea that’s been bouncing around in her mind since they FaceTimed with her family in the afternoon. “My parents would welcome the visit.” It’s been quite a few years since he’s seen them in person. “I can’t promise you won’t get grilled though,” and by her mom especially. That woman was such a powerhouse even if she didn’t appear like it. 

While another full folder came his way, this was beyond what he could’ve expected from the City Hall meeting. A momentary beat passed while he let Darius complete the pitch’s entirety first and foremost before finally lifting his gaze from the paperwork stash held within his possession. “— Well, got to give the people what they want, don't we?” A slight smirk ghosts the curve of his mouth. "I mean, you did all this work.." A hand gestures back in sheer appreciation to the opened folder contents. "Coming up with not one, but two of these ventures revolving around me. You'll have to be repaid somehow."

Darius beamed, hands clasped together in excitement. “Brilliant!” He exclaimed with a chuckle. Levi was truly making his day with the positive stance to what’s been presented. “I know that I’m not the first person to have tried roping you into things, but I’m ecstatic that I’m the one you said yes to.” This honestly could have similar outcomes like the rumoured failures. As he expressed, Darius is relieved that the pro golfer is willing to delve into his craft again. 

“Sedona just had to work her charm on you, didn’t it?” He lightly teased. Well, whatever it was, he’s glad to see Levi becoming woven into the Sedona community. “I’m particularly looking forward to the golf clinic or camp or whatever it’s going to be called,” he chuckles. Any opportunity to shape the youth experience in Sedona he’ll back wholeheartedly. 

“By the way, those are for you to take with you, and peruse at your leisure!” They are a few months away from the summer season, so there isn’t much of a rush to prepare, yet. Besides, Levi may want to have his team lookover things, and he himself may have a few notes later on.

Darius catches the gaze of another one of his father’s friends. Despite the airpods in his ears and him talking aloud being the obvious sign that he’s on the phone, there are those who still like to strike up conversations, and this guy was one of them. Sanem’s offer of kicking people out is sounding better by the minute. 

DARIUS: “Tempting offer, but it’s not necessary, at least not yet.” 

With a few gestures and being quick on his feet, Darius makes his way back into the house. Avoiding the pickets of visitors gathered he heads upstairs to his childhood bedroom. 

DARIUS: “Neither of those are a bad idea. I believe dad is leaning towards the community centre, but for the church’s family day festivities, Demir land will be perfect.” 

The open air setup would definitely suit that type of church activity. It’s in just a few weeks, and wouldn’t be too much of a rush to prepare. 

while she'd never admit such aloud, at least while sober, she missed her ex's cooking. it saved her the task of doing it herself, and truth be told, there was nothing she hated more in life than grocery shopping. well, maybe cooking? she tossed random items in her cart, watching it fill with quick meals and items that would sit in the pantry until she felt like cooking.

mir paused when she heard someone near by mutter something to catch her attention. she turned, a steady smile on her mouth. when the other mentioned she reminded her of someone, her gazed dropped. of course she did. her heart sank as she thought about it. she'd been crazy to think she could move to the place her twin had called home and not run into someone that clocked the similarities. what stung, unfairly so, was that she was such a stranger to maeve's life, that people didn't automatically know. or maybe they did, and this was someone trying to be kind in case they'd gotten it wrong.

"miriam," she greeted, offering her hand for the other. "i'm guessing you knew my sister? maeve?" saying her name aloud felt... odd, almost like she didn't have any right saying it all.

Studying pasta packaging, she had finally made a decision when a familiar face caught the journalist’s attention. Miriam? She repeats the name in her mind. No Maeve…isn’t it? But– no! The woman before her bore a striking– no identical match to Miriam. This should not be possible considering that she knew Maeve was no longer among the living. Years ago she recalls hearing of a twin, but she did not know they were spitting images of each other. 

Bella moved on autopilot as she took the hand extended. Even as she shook it in greeting, her brain was taking a moment to process everything. This is probably why she’s still holding onto the hand offered. “Yes, Maeve,” she breathed. “Oh– sorry!” Bella releases the hand, wearing an awkward smile as an apology. “I'm Bella. Yes, I knew Maeve,” the repetition of her earlier response is lost on her. “You’re the twin,” an obvious thing to say based on what her eyes have witnessed. “Wow– just, wow– you must get this reaction a lot.” Bella slowly exhales, trying to reign her thoughts back in to focus on the present. “Have you– are you visiting?”

There was something about actually saying it out loud, about her agreeing, that made it all feel a bit more real than he’d expected. But if he was going to do this, if he was really going to try and move forward, then this… this was probably the safest way to start.

Out by the mini golf course, he let out a slow breath, shoulders easing as the cool night air cut through the lingering tension in his chest. Watching Bella grab her ball and putter, he followed suit, picking up a purple ball and spinning it idly in his hand as he watched her. The look she shot him had his lips pressing together, clearly fighting back a grin. 

“Mhm,” he hummed, biting the inside of his cheek to keep himself from laughing. “You sure talked a big game for someone who’s currently losing to the course.” 

“Moving forward, he lined up his own shot, glancing at the hole before looking back at her. “So,” he added more casually, attempting to carry out the act they had agreed to, “is this where I’m supposed to ask you something insightful? Or do I just compliment your… impressive technique?” His brow arched at he looked up at her, still fighting off a grin, before he finally took his own shot. The ball rockets off in entirely the wrong direction, ricocheting off the edge, rolling into a lowered part of their course that would make it incredibly difficult to get out of, let alone make it to the hole. Clearly, he wasn’t much better at this. 

 “A mix and match of both?” This is her first suggestion, but she could understand how rusty Jacob is in this regard. “Getting back into the dating world can be scary.” Bella wouldn’t worry too much about tonight if she were in Jacob’s shoes. “Keep the conversation going– easy, well at least with me,” they talk a lot in general so there’s no doubt that they’ll be yapping it up. “You’ll manage with the others,” she hopes her vote of confidence in him would be enough.

“Now, back to our little game.” After his shot nearly matches hers in ineptness, she laughs. “It seems like we’ll both be pretending we’re great at mini golf tonight,” They can both be delusional and hype each other up. “Don’t make me graduate to the good old let me help you routine.” On dates, taking the opportunity to guide a partner is a part of the dance.

“ oh, no, see, now i’m absolutely coming back for more, ” lake says immediately, pointing at jasiri with her straw once the smoothies are handed over. “ you can’t describe something as kiwi-tastic and not expect me to develop an emotional attachment to it. ” she takes a sip, pauses, then blinks like she’s personally offended. “ okay, wait. that’s actually ridiculous. ” a laugh slips out as she takes another sip, leaning back against the counter. “ also, thank you for validating my decision to avoid responsibility tonight. after the stair machine tried to humble me publicly, i deserve compensation and twelve hours of bedrest. ” her expression softens when jasiri explains, attention sharpening with genuine interest. “ wait, you were a physiotherapist for pro-athletes? that’s actually so cool. ” she tilts her head, thoughtful now. “ and wanting something more meaningful makes sense. i think eventually people wanna feel connected to what they do, not just good at it. ” then her mouth curves again. “ for the record, sedona’s really good at trapping people here accidentally. one minute it’s christmas festivities, next thing you know you’re emotionally attached to a town and discussing your love life with a stranger at the gym. ” lake glances toward the exit, then back at jasiri with an apologetic smile. “ speaking of avoiding responsibility, i should probably go before i sit down and never get back up. ” she lifts the smoothie in a little salute. “ thanks for saving me from death by stair machine, smoothie fraud, and poor stretching habits. next one’s on me, gym guardian angel! ” with one last grin, lake turns toward the doors, straw between her lips, already feeling lighter than when she came in.

Elliott: Hey, what the hell. Is it true you're quitting? Elliott: Heard some parents talking at pickup today. Elliott: Please tell me there's someone with a similar name or something.