* 𝐁𝐑𝐔𝐓𝐀𝐋 !

                    “   you   know   ,   sometimes   i   totally   forget   i’m   ,   like   ,   ‘   famous   ’   ,   until   someone   asks   me   to   take   a   selfie   in   the   bathroom   .       weirdest   .   place   .   ever   .   ”       //       @rhiannvns

         “  really  ?  i  guess  it’s  normal  in  this  city  .  for  the  most  part  ,  we  tend  to  mind  our  own  business  when  it  comes  to  celebrities  so  it  makes  it  easier  to  forget  that  you’re  ‘  famous  ’  .    but  jeeze  ?  the  bathroom  .  that  feels  like  an  invasion  of  privacy  .  it’s  the  bathroom  .  ”

“   no  ,   you’re   totally   right  ,   ”   she   nodded   absently   as   she   glanced   up   at   the   (  mostly   sunny  ,   thankfully  )   sky  .   “   but   i   don’t   blame   them   for   getting   ahead   of   themselves  ,   i   do   the   same   thing   all   the   time  .   ”   and   did   she   ever   —   if   mai   had   already   swapped   out   her   entire   wardrobe   for   the   warmer   months   weeks ago ,   then   that   was   her   business  .   “   i’m   gonna   be   completely   honest   with   you  …   i   didn’t   even   know   there   were   that   many   types   of   spritzes  .   the   only   reason   i   even   know   what   an   aperol   one   is  ,   is   because   i   ordered   it   on   a   whim   after   getting   a   waiter’s   suggestion  .   ”   in   truth  ,   she   didn’t   drink   all   that   often   beyond   a    mimosa   or   the   occasional   few   shots   at   the   bar  ,   so   she suddenly felt completely out of her depth  .

         “  it’s  like  christmas  decorations  going  up  in  october  .  but  when  you  commit  ,  you  just  have  to  keep  them  out  .  ”  and  listen  ,  she’s  not  being  a  hater  about  it  !  not  entirely  anyway  .  they’ve  already  slowly  started  to  transition  some  of  the  decor  in  their  apartment  for  something  more  fitting  for  spring  .  “  i  get  it  .  someone  in  college  introduced  a  hugo  spritz  to  me  because  they  came  back  from  italy  and  said  that  i  HAD  to  try  it  .  ”  not  that  she’d  ever  been  to  italy  .  the  prospect  of  traveling  to  europe  had  always  been  far  out  of  her  budget  .  she’d  only  ever  been  on  a  plane  once  !  “  apparently  there’s  even  something  called  a  campari  spritz  ?  sometimes  i  feel  like  they’re  just  making  up  spritzes  .  ”

" when it hits seventy degrees out ... all those tables are going to start filling up and the waits for the inside of the restaurants aren't going to be as bad . so i guess that's a plus . " beau shrugs , looking out to furniture in question . the furniture this time reminding him of pink flamingos mixed with a retro vibe . " i will say that i think aperol spritzes were dubbed as the drink of the summer last year on tiktok ? just trying to keep up with times i guess . "

         “  mmm  but  there’s  still  the  same  chance  of  running  into  a  line  out  the  door  because  everyone  thinks  the  wait  won’t  be  so  bad  .  ”  and  it’s  like  clockwork  when  it  happens  .  “  i  could’ve  sworn  aperol  spritzes  were  the  summer  drink  two  years  ago  ?  i  thought  all  the  rage  was  with  negroni  sbagliatos  because  of  that  one  tiktok  that  went  viral  .  time  doesn’t  feel  real  at  this  point  with  how  fast  trends  die  .  ”  don’t  even  get  them  started  on  how  that  nearly  started  bleeding  into  their  work  because  of  clients  with  unrealistic  expectations  .  “  speaking  of  cocktails  ,  i  read  somewhere  that  appletinis  might  make  a  comeback  this  summer  .  your  thoughts  ?  ”

he's RUNNING his hands on some of the gated off patio fence , collecting rain absentmindedly when the other turns to him . " unfortunate that it's also RAINY season , " but he doesn't seem too UNHAPPY , sunshine peeking through dark storm clouds seeming to do him some good . a pause . " a what ? english , munchkin . what the hell is an aerosol spritz ? like ... febreeze ? "

        “  i’m  sure  the  rain  will  ease  up  once  we  get  to  the  point  where  it’s  consistently  seventy  degrees  ,  ”  ria  muses  with  a  hum  .  and  while  inconvenient  ,  there’s  something  nice  about  the  rain  .  relaxing  .  feels  like  she  does  some  of  her  best  work  whenever  it’s  raining  .  she’ll  turn  ,  quirking  a  brow  at  the  other  .  “  oh  i’m  sorry  ,  did  i  slip  into  italian  ?  ”  words  are  dripping  with  sarcasm  .  “  aperol  .  bright  red-orange  in  color  .  tastes  deceivingly  bitter  .  but  apparently  pairs  well  with  prosecco  .  won’t  send  you  to  the  hospital  if  you  accidentally  ingest  it  because  it’s  not  air  freshener  .  ”

“   wait ... what’s   wrong   with   that  ?   ”   mai   frowned   in   confusion  ;   she’d   been   so   excited   that   some   of   her   favorite   restaurants   and   cafes   were   encouraging   people   to   use   the   outdoor   seating   —   she   was   of   the   firm   belief   that   there   wasn’t   much   better   than   some   tiramisu   and   a   cool   drink   on   a   warm   spring   day  .   “   do   you   not   like   aperol   spritzes   or   something  ?   ”

         “  nothing  wrong  with  it  .  just  feels  a  little  premature  since  it’s  also  rainy  season  ,  y’know  ?  i  don’t  think  we’d  be  getting  much  use  of  it  right  now  .  ”  and  there  really  is  nothing  wrong  with  it  .  ria’s  tone  can  come  off  a  little  …  unintentionally  judgmental  at  times  .  believe  it  or  not  ,  they’re  all  about  appreciating  the  little  things  .  and  that  includes  dining  outside  when  the  weather’s  just  right  .  “  i’m  more  of  a  hugo  spritz  person  .  or  maybe  even  a  limoncello  spritz  if  the  mood  strikes  .  no  hate  to  aperol  spritzes  ,  they’re  just  not  my  vibe  .  ”

                    “   consequences   ?       i   don’t   know   her   .       but   seriously   ,   ria   ,   my   life’s   just   a   bunch   of   ‘   let’s   see   what   happens   if   i   do   this   ’   moments   .       and   when   shit   happens   ,   well   ,   that’s   the   gold   for   my   stand - up   gigs   ,   you   know   ?       so   ,   yeah   ,   i   don’t   think   it   cancels   out   ,   but   if   i   go   and   do   something   that’s   even   worse   ,   it’s   kinda   like   i’m   beating   my   own   high   score   ,   so   it’s   fun   .   ”

         “  i  hate  to  say  it  ,  ”  no  she  doesn’t  .  “  but  i  think  that’s  why  you  keep  getting  punched  .  you  fucked  around  and  now  you  found  out  .  although  ,  i  guess  each  punch  has  a  story  behind  it  so  only  you’d  find  value  in  that  at  the  expense  of  sporting  a  black  eye  .  ”  he  can  afford  the  potential  emergency  room  visits  .  “  also  ,  that  sounds  like  the  WORST  coping  mechanism  ever  .  and  a  little  self-destructive  .  ”  it’s  their  nice  way  of  saying  ‘  get  help  ,  elias  .  ’

      ...   you're  talking  about  JUNO  ,  probably  !!  i'm  sure  she'd  let  you  borrow  one  of  her  cars  ,  or  you  can  borrow  one  of  MINE  !!! "   did  she  even  breathe  while  saying  all  of  that  ?  unsure  .

         “  more  than  ten  ?  ”  jeeze  .  talk  about  excessive  .  it’s  the  city  ,  there’s  no  point  in  having  a  car  if  she’s  honest  .  they’ll  listen  to  the  other  ramble  on  without  taking  a  single  breath  .  impressive  .  “  i  guess  that’s  the  same  equivalent  to  men  having  car  collections  .  except  for  whatever  reason  ,  it’s  always  old  school  chevy  .  like  those  chevy  bel  airs  .  i’m  surprised  those  aren’t  banned  .  aren’t  they  basically  death  traps  ?  ”  it’s  just  one  of  those  things  she’ll  never  understand  .  “  and  i  appreciate  the  suggestion  but  i  don’t  drive  .  i  have  a  license  but  that’s  about  it  .  ”

                    “   you   know   what   ?       might   be   a   good   idea   to   keep   your   phone   handy   next   time   we   hit   the   dive   bar   ,   ‘cause   if   laurie’s   gonna   start   hanging   around   here   ,   who   knows   ?       might   be   your   chance   to   film   me   breaking   his   face   .       seriously   ,   what’s   mr.   silver   spoon   even   doing   here   ?       guy   sticks   out   like   a   sore   thumb   .   ”

         “  isn’t  that  the  million  dollar  question  .  i  thought  he  only  frequents  establishments  that  have  high  quality  liquor  or  whatever  .  but  i  wouldn’t  be  surprised  if  he  just  subsists  off  shitty  vodka  .  he  doesn’t  seem  like  a  beer  kinda  guy  .  anyway  ,  consider  it  done  ,  i’ll  be  there  to  film  it  .  just  try  not  to  disfigure  him  too  much  ,  y’know  ?  wouldn’t  wanna  catch  a  case  .  ”

"at work today, they brought in this piece i've been like eyeing for a while, and the colors were just so much more vibrant in real life than the images the seller showed me. it looked kind of old, and like i'd need to get is restored but.." yejin just stops and groans into her hands, realizing, "i need to stop talking about work, i feel like i'm just tiring myself out, talking in circles. i'm soo sorry. if that gets annoying.. you should honestly, flick me on the forehead next time. i should shut up then, i swear." @junipcrs : utp!

         “  it’s  fine  ,  ”  ria  brushes  off  her  concerns  with  a  light  laugh  .  “  you’re  talking  to  someone  who  takes  inspiration  from  art  so  i  really  don’t  mind  it  .  ”  they’ll  shrug  .  “  and  is  it  really  workaholic  tendencies  if  you  enjoy  your  work  ?  but  if  you’re  in  desperate  need  of  a  subject  change  ,  we  can  also  do  that  .  i  heard  there’s  a  celebrity  chef  restaurant  opening  down  the  block  .  and  i  may  be  a  hater  but  i’m  always  skeptical  when  it  comes  to  celebrity  chefs  .  i’ve  noticed  most  of  the  time  it’s  about  aesthetics  and  ambiance  over  quality  of  food  .  ”

" i don't think i could put into words the sheer devastation i felt when i learned that they make poptarts without the frosting . to add some context to the level of hurt i was , just know that i found this fact out by biting down into the most horrendously dry and UNSWEET poptart known to man ... unrelated , of course , but do you happen to know someone that would like a box of unfrosted poptarts ? — someone that likes torturing themselves , maybe ? "

         she  nearly  does  a  double  take  at  the  mention  of  unfrosted  poptarts  .  “  i  mean  i  know  those  are  a  thing  but  …  didn’t  you  check  the  box  before  getting  them  ?  ”  surely  there  would  be  something  to  advertise  that  they  were  not  in  fact  the  poptarts  with  icing  on  them  .  “  i  thought  they’d  have  the  filling  .  don’t  tell  me  unfrosted  poptarts  don’t  have  the  fruit  filling  .  that  just  feels  UNAMERICAN  .  and  no  .  i  do  not  know  anyone  who’d  like  a  box  of  unfrosted  poptarts  .  and  if  i  do  …  i’m  seriously  reconsidering  our  friendship  should  they  make  themselves  known  .  ”

"not necessarily from like being in a tall space, like i'm fine on airplanes, but it's more when looking down?" even if she was on the top of a chair looking down, she'd be like, get me down immediately. "they could move back and forth? oh god. why would someone make that? go on that?" nodding eagerly, still woozey just thinking about swinging from such a tall height, "that sounds like a great idea."

          “  yeah  …  ”  she  starts  ,  sucking  in  a  breath  .  “  i  hate  to  break  it  to  you  but  that  sounds  like  you’ve  got  a  fear  of  heights  .  skydiving  might  render  you  catatonic  ,  ”  they’ll  add  in  the  last  bit  in  an  attempt  to  lighten  up  the  mood  .  “  my  theory  is  that  it’s  all  those  people  who  love  thrill  seeking  but  don’t  want  to  commit  to  a  rollercoaster  ,  ”  ria  rolls  their  eyes  and  leads  the  two  of  them  away  from  the  ferris  wheel  and  to  the  nearest  drink  stand  .  “  but  as  someone  who’s  been  on  the  ferris  wheel  before  …  i  promise  you  these  don’t  swing  back  and  forth  .  ”

                    thea   throws   her   head   back   ,   laughing   heartily   at   ria’s   response   .       “   you’re   probably   right   .       i   was   envisioning   a   sort   of   epic   foodie   spectacle   with   acrobatics   and   some   crazy   hand - tying   stunts   ,   but   maybe   it’s   the   triple   espresso   talking   .       and   you’re   right   !       some   of   these   celebs   probably   think   ‘   cooking   ’   is   just   choosing   the   right   microwave   settings   .       it’s   me   ,   i’m   some   of   these   celebs   .   ”       //       @rhiannvns

         “  listen  !  there’s  potential  in  the  idea  .  unfortunately  ,  your  studio  would  probably  have  to  up  their  insurance  policy  in  case  anyone  sets  anything  on  fire  .  now  for  a  cooking  show  …  it  could  be  the  next  cutthroat  kitchen  ,  ”  they  muse  with  a  laugh  .  “  see  ,  at  least  you’re  self-aware  .  i  seriously  worry  if  some  of  them  know  how  to  boil  water  or  if  they’d  just  microwave  it  .  that’s  honestly  so  concerning  .  ”

          "exactly!"   and the image is popping in her head,  lips curling into a grin.   "i'm picturing a post apocalyptic sort of vibe. or post the fall of society, at least. you have such a heroine face, i bet i could accentuate your features perfectly."  jia starts,  hands moving around excitedly towards @rhiannvns.   "what are your thoughts on powers reflected in the makeup? maybe a sort of ... literal glow about you, behind the dirt and grime of survival."

         “  like  mad  max  type  of  post-apocalyptic  ?  or  into  the  badlands  ?  ”  ria  asks  ,  grinning  at  jia’s  excited  energy  .  lips  twist  up  in  thought  .  “  that  sounds  interesting  .  how  are  you  thinking  of  achieving  that  ?  i  gotta  be  honest  ,  i  don’t  think  i  have  a  warm  undertone  so  gold  might  not  look  so  great  on  me  .  ”

HOPE MIKAELSON LEGACIES | S4E05: I Thought You’d Be Happier To See Me