◟· ☆ ʿ ˔ ⭒ ˑ ˒ ☾ ꮪꭼꮯꮻ🇳ꭰ ꮪꭲꭺꭱ

sometimes it really blew her mind that strangers were just nice. she nodded a bit as she gave him a small smile, “i jog through here a lot and they’re pretty safe trails and they’re beautiful at any timing” she said before looking down at the book, trying to find the right words to describe it. “very dystopian layout, basically books are banned and these people go around burning books they find to basically prevent people from having their own, i recommend it if you enjoy reading” cass smiled at him again as she looked between the paper and their surroundings, “this is seriously incredible, you’ve got serious art skill.”

Jessie was not exactly having the time of her life, having the drudge all the way out to the vet’s office by herself after her horses had fallen ill. It was just the changing of the seasons that was affecting them, but Jessie was still feeling the winter blues herself nevertheless. She’d been about to head back home, bundled up in the blowing winds, when the young man speaking caught her attention, “Uh, sure yeah, it’s cooler than a baby snow owl with sunglasses,” The cowgirl sighed, “Can’t say it feels all that special though. I’d rather be back on my farm.”

violet needed a moment.  she was on her way to work but needed to stop, having a mini panic attack.  once upon a time, she’d thought having magic made her a freak, but she’d never felt less like herself and more like a freak than she did now.  her magic was now a part of who she was and not having it made her feel… vulnerable.  “not really,” she replied honestly, taking a deep breath as she sat back.  “but it’s science,” she spoke again as she shut her eyes, letting face soak up the sun, “regulating my melatonin and such.”  as much as violet wasn’t a sunshine-y person, she was a science person.

“the most impressive? penny… don’t you know. that can’t be described with words… has to be viewed with the eyes. the senses…” he held his hands out, painting a picture for her, laughing at the load of utter crap he was spilling. she knew it, too. “f i n e. i haven’t been anywhere cool in a while, i’m stuck in this place.” but as he looked at who he was stuck with, maybe it wasn’t so bad to be stuck. maybe not stuck at all. “never admitting i’m cheesy. not going to spread a lie like that! let it get around, people might start to believe it.” he leaned in, “only you can think so. it’s our secret.”  he couldn’t let people know he was soft, weak! cheesy, even! and he would stand on that hill. at the offer to come to her parents house, he smiled, eyes looking off. he’d heard about her family before, and an offer like that seemed casual, but he knew to her, it was important, because her family was important to her. “anytime,” he said, focusing his gaze back to her. “i’ll be there. need to meet this grandma of yours i’ve heard so much about. she sounds like the person i’d get along with the most.”

he couldn’t help but laugh slightly at her jumpy reaction, leaning closer to her out of instinct, watching as the city seemed to light up like daylight for a few seconds. it was beautiful, but it was not what had his full attention, his gaze not staying there for very long, finding her much more interesting. unlike the christmas party a few weeks back, which now seemed like a lifetime ago, nick was ready this time. he’d been thinking about it all night, and lucky for him she had wanted to ring in the new year with him, too. nick had been thinking about this particular tradition, the kiss at midnight, for quite a while. he knew if he got another chance, he’d take it. he met her lips eagerly, trying to pour everything he felt and couldn’t say out loud into the kiss, hand cupping her face, happy for the chance to prove himself. it wasn’t shy like the first one they had shared, which could’ve had a little to do with the alcohol, but mostly came from a place of wanting to redeem himself. show her. he leaned in closer when he felt her hand fist his shirt, kissing her deeper, his hand that wasn’t on her face sitting at her hip, holding her like she was going to somehow disappear, or he was going to wake up. but it felt too good to be a dream.

           HIS REPLY MIGHT have been a bit dramatic, but it actually made sense -- true impressive things were hard to put into words. especially views, and especially if they induced a certain feeling... just like, sometimes, when penny looked out of her window at dawn and the sky had a certain shade of pink indicating that a beautiful day was coming to an end, the girl couldn’t help but feel a bit... nostalgic ? she wasn’t sure why, nor could she explain the feeling... but it were certain sights that left an impression. so she understood -- even if he wasn’t being entirely serious. “ good thing there are still many, many years to go wherever you heart desires. “, the girl reminded him, offering him a genuine and hopeful smile. they were young, they both still had their lives in front of them. when he leaned in, saying it was their secret that he was a bit cheesy deep down, penny laughed and nodded slowly. “ fine -- my lips are sealed. it’s our secret. “, she reassured him, her eyes finding his as she smiled. resting back against his shoulder, penny looked out over the view only to giggle as nick brought up her grandmother. “ you want to meet my suga mama ? oh, you will love her. and she will eat you up. “, penny agreed, nodding fiercely as she laughed. it would be nice to have nick over... and she was convinced her family would love him. “ they all will, i’m sure. “, she added, sincerely, smiling up at him.

nick had been feeling… off for a few days. he couldn’t shake why, and at first he thought maybe he was coming down with something. a cold, it was that time of year, but no sniffles or cough came. no fever. he just felt… peculiar. he wasn’t unhappy, quite the opposite, so he knew it couldn’t be that either. but whatever it was, he couldn’t place it, so he figured maybe some physical exercise (aside from running away from the fuzz) would do him so good, heading down to meet helia for some taekwondo practice. nick, to put it plain, sucked at it, but maybe trying it again would help shake whatever weirdness he was currently experiencing. plus, helia’s annoyingly positive attitude and dumb handsome face always made him feel like he was in a better mood. it would be a good enough distraction.

“alright… let’s go. i’m ready to get good at this whole thing,” he said with a clap of his hands, catching sight of the other. “don’t go easy.”

           WHILE HELIA HAD no classes to teach today, he would never turn down a friend who needed help. so, when nick had reached out, wondering whether he had some time for a taekwondo practice, the young man had happily put his sketchbook aside to make his way down to the martial arts studio -- being the nephew of the owner sure had its perks, right ? even when the place was closed, helia could workout or practice there whenever he wanted to. and today, he would do so with his friend.

              her smile could only grow wider upon hearing his words.    “    it’s good to start the new year with a positive and hopeful mindset.    ”    when he said that this year may actually be her year, sun’s cheeks stung a little and they started to heat up.    “    thank you, that’s very kind of you to say. i hope it will be your year as well.    ”    she noticed the stack of books he was carrying and her curiosity peaked.    “    is it your first book purchase of the year too ?    ”

his laugh made a light one leave her as well, nodding at his response.  “mmh.  i knew you’d think so.”  flynn was one of the most self-confident people she knew; the more she hang out with him, the more she thought he had a right to be, a thought she didn’t like very much.  “i know.  i am very brave,” she joked, looking up at him.  “this is pure torture.”  it was an obvious lie given her smile and the tiny step she took towards him while they moved to the music.  for a second, meg’s eyes veered off to look at the other ‘couples’ dancing before letting them find flynn’s once more.  “question for question?,” she asked, bringing up their game.  “where’d you learn to dance?”

wendy talking about the times she thought of him made peter’s smile grow, a breath of a laugh leaving him.  “no, it’s not ridiculous.  maybe a little but… i like ridiculous.”  it was something that as kids, pete probably would have poked a little fun at and even in the moment, had to make a little joke.  “did you think we would run to each other like people do in movies?,” he teased, taking both of her hands as he walked backwards until they found a spot to sit.  “sometimes i wish i could have just walked right over here, too” he admitted as they sat and an arm moved around her as he mused aloud, “i can’t wait to come here when the weather is nicer.”  maybe she didn’t intend to stop here on their tour but he wanted to enjoy his favorite spot with her.

“oh yeah.  i go to all the clubs and stuff,” aang replied through some laughter, obviously joking.  hearing penny believed him, aang’s brows lifted, head shaking with a bashful smile.  her offer caused a bigger smile, nodding in agreement.  “alright.  i will definitely take you up on that offer,” he says with a wink, taking penny’s hand to gently spin her.  “yeah, and this seems to be the best one this year.  or maybe it’s all the newcomers.”  though aang left pastoral city and distraught over what it did to his family and home, he tried to always see the good in things, which was having more people to meet and get to know.  

cass smiled softly as she nodded in agreement, “theres a couple paths and if you like walking they’re serene” she said as she looked down at her book, “Fahrenheit 451, brutal classic but i’ve loved it for years” she admitted before looking down at his own book. “what are you drawing?”

“it’s a thorn in my side, not a talent” she mumbled as she flipped him off as he winked at her. when the waiter came over and actually was in ear shot she smiled at him, making sure all irritation had vanished from her. “he just found this necklace and wanted to make sure it found it’s owner” cass said as she gave flynn a giant smile before nudging him with her elbow, “give him the necklace” she said through gritted teeth, as her smile never faded. she knew full well that if no one did report it, he’d surely try to keep it. 

wendy’s response, that the feeling was mutual, brought a grin to peter’s lips.  “of course it is.  i’m peter pan,” he said with a teasing wink, his nose scrunching up as well.  “no, no… you did nothing wrong.  promise,” he reassured the girl, squeezing her hand.  when she mentioned midnight, peter’s eyes widened, looking at the time as he bit his lip.  he was excited for midnight as well but the closer it got, the more nervous peter was ( an abnormal trait for him ).  “it is, huh?  then… maybe you should get your coat from the coat check,” he said with a wiggle of his brows and a smirk playing on his lips, having a little plan in mind.  he’d been saving the small potion he had for just this and just needed the chance to take it.  

danny had no ill will towards being in rome pines or the people in it. in fact, he was excited for the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends (hopefully living ones) and see what else this town had to offer. “nice to meet you! cool, so you know what’s around here to do for fun,” danny said, starting to accept the fact that he was going to have to walk to the garage. “you wanna come along for the walk, and tell me what there is to do for fun around here? because so far, i’ve been pretty bored, i gotta tell you! aside from checking out abandoned houses.” 

cass hated how absolutely smug he always was, but she knew it was all part of the ‘charm’ he spoke highly about. “how did you grow to be so annoying?” she asked as he laughed, sending a glare his way. looking around the party, she tried to see if maybe she could spot the person, maybe someone would be freaking out and would be noticeable. her own smug smile appear on her lips as she watched him wave over a waiter, “look at you, so nice, bet the lady you return this to will just fawn over how heroic you are” she teased as she watched the waiter shuffle over to them.

her days off were precious to her, as much as she loved working, a day off with nice weather only happened so randomly- she had to enjoy it while she could. her worn out book sat in her lap as she let the sun warm her skin, she never grew out of her trying to learn everything phase from school and it was nice to be able to take the time to read like she used to. her head snapped up as the other talked to her, and she gave the other man a small smile as she nodded in agreement. “yeah it’s peaceful here, it’s beautiful” 

“i am very self-confident,” megara agreed, laughing a bit more as her eyes kept on him.  “do you think i have a reason not to be?,” she asked, her eyes fluttering when realizing how close they were.  flynn could easily take this time to poke fun at some of her more annoying habits but she’d take risk just for her own sheer curiosity.  being spun around, meg’s eyes widened, soft laugh leaving her and cheeks flushing with warmth.  her eyes shut and open just in time to be looking at flynn when she ended up so perfectly being held by him.  “i guess one slow dance won’t do too much damage.”  her arms moved up to slide around flynn’s neck, a hand absent-mindedly brushing through a few of his curls as it passed.