#arconia.starter

someone is talking to her. their voice drifts in and out, words registering as sound rather than meaning. sofia’s gaze is unfocused, fixed somewhere past them, mind still tangled in the quiet hours of the night before—fluorescent lights, steady hands, the weight of careful work that doesn’t leave you just because the sun comes up. she nods once, automatically. then again. when the sound stops is when it catches her attention. sofia blinks, the moment catching up to her a second too late. she looks at them, lips pressing together before the apologetic smile appears. “…okay,” she says, gentle but amused at herself, “either you were talking just now, or i’ve been staring through you like a haunted house attraction.” it's a small laugh that escapes her lips. “could you run that by me one more time? i promise i’m back in the room now.”

         (    ↻    )    emiko’s brows furrow when they’re presented with two drinks.  nonetheless,  they reach out to grab both cups.  they turn and catch sight of  [  your muse  ]  and smiles.  “  hey  !  do you want this  ?  ”  they hold up one of the cups.  “  they made me an extra and while i love a free drink,  i think i’m gonna be way too caffeinated for my own good.  ”

"come on," lorenzo essentially whined as he repeatedly jammed his finger into the up bottom, casting a brief glance at the empty lobby. a rarity, he'd come to realize in his short time at the arconia - and definitely one he treasured. almost as much as he treasured a solitary elevator ride. of course, it didn't seem like he'd be so lucky as to experience both back to back, not with the elevator taking so long. "finally," he muttered as the elevator arrived, his hand already outstretched to press the close door button when someone follows him in. "going up?" he asks, trying to hide his annoyance as he jabs the button for the twelve floor.

"Looks like you and I had the same idea," she muses, slipping herself onto the couch beside them. Not a second wasted as she's pulling the set of gloves from her hands and letting the heat from the fire warm her skin, "It's freezin' outside and I ain't ever been more grateful for a fire place than I am now."

“Is this…” He waved his hand in the air, gesturing toward the dog growling and forcefully tugging at him. “…yours?” he asked, a strained smile on his lips as if he were trying to act like the situation was completely normal and as if he wasn't extremely scared and uncomfortable.

@arconiastarters