#codvalentines

For most people, the clearly defined bracelets on people’s wrists tonight might have meant something. But Lena didn’t care as much about that, as she did having a good time. As a single person, it wasn’t her responsibility to worry about everyone else’s relationship status. Instead, she much preferred for other people to remain in charge of themselves and learn how to stick to their own boundaries. She’d arrived only slightly late, largely due to the difficulty choosing a ‘casual’ outfit to wear. “So...” she said to someone who happened to be standing nearby. “Do people actually enjoy speed dating? Or is it an actual form of torture like it seems in movies?”

“Hiya,” her colourful bracelets chimed as she waved her hand in greeting, cheek flushed and warm from just how awkward this whole thing was. With a few drinks in her, her best red lipstick on, Berry was determined to put herself out there in the speed dating. If just for a distraction, or a chance of hope. “My friend said the best way to do these things is with an ice breaker, so, uh... hm…” she glanced down at the small notebook in her shaky hands, an onslaught of questions listed,  “if you could visit any place ever, real or fiction, which would it be and why?”

“Oh no, I’m fine. I’m doing just lovely. A 41 year old man at a single’s event the night before Valentine’s Day. it’s been... absolutely... cracking.” Maybe he’d had a few drinks already, but that was kind of the point. Maybe his Irish accent was creeping out, heavy on his tongue as he pushed his dark hair out of his face for the 50th time tonight. “I don’t sing very well, so the karaoke would be a disaster. I’m not good at... conversing, so there’s the whole event. At this point, I think the only thing I want to nail is my own coffin shut.” 

Dating had never been a priory for Devon, so the last place he ever imaged himself to be was the annual Valentines Day Stop Light Party. He’d gotten there late on purpose to avoid the small talk and awkward conversation and clear discomfort in the room. But thankfully, it seemed the night was beginning to warm up.

Xyla loved Valentines day. She loved the gaudy pink and red decorations, heart shaped sweets and pastries, and stuffed animals complete with red embroidery reading ‘I love you.’ She was a hopeless romantic to the core, but despite her love for the holiday, she wasn’t eager to throw herself into the mix. In fact, speed dating seemed more like a painful interview process, but she wasn’t about to ruin everyone else’s fun.

Finch wasn’t going to admit out loud that they wished they were going to the event with someone particular in mind. They were going with friends to the party and they were fine with that, they just hoped they would be celebrating this Valentine’s Day with Iain. Though they never really had the time recently to visit the flower shop and they thought it rude to ask someone on a Valentine’s Day date through text. So there they were, waiting in line when they saw a familiar mop of hair standing out in the crowd. Not even telling their friends, Finch practically ran towards Iain and wrapped their arms around the man’s waist. “It’s me!” @iainxtravers​

olympe knew that she was supposed to be relaxing here, that isa would probably murder her for taking a work call. but this was important and she didn’t want to have to wait another week to get a hold of him. spotting a way out back, she quickly slunk outside, phone already to her ear. “look, i know your busy but i need you to look over the case. you’re the best forensic anthropologist in the state and having you as the expert witness would do more then you know. call my assistant in the morning and book a time to come in. i’m not waiting another week this time round.” by the time she hung up, she was standing out the back, leaning against the wall. it wasn’t until she slipped the phone back in her pocket and looked around that she realised she wasn’t alone.