#elsie.

"They're probably okay now," Elsie hazards a guess as she picks up one of the cookies on the tray before her. She and Scout are standing opposite each other at their little kitchen island, Elsie's latest creation primed for testing. Third time's the charm, right? The first batch had tasted like dust and the second had way too much vanilla, it was all they could taste. This batch would be perfect. It had to be. Elsie guaranteed five dozen cookies by the end of the week to the Avalon for wedding party welcome bags.

"If they're not...I'm just gonna drive into the ocean. I swear it," she nods fiercely and grabs a still too-hot cookie, impatience driving her to take a solid bite at the same time as Scout. Two things happen at once: the chocolate chips are lava in her mouth, burning her tongue enough for her to wave a hand in front of her face. Then, once the heat fades, all that’s left is… salt. Way too much salt.

your chest is wide open, and your heart is a home. others are welcomed in readily and asked to stay. you are comfort and love, everything you were never given but so desperately want to provide for others. you have built this welcoming hearth with your own two hands and won’t see anyone else left out in the cold. be careful to not burn yourself out trying to keep everyone else warm.

tagged: @dissolveds <3

elsie could admit it — she almost always took notice of when attractive people came into the bar. and she often took note of then those people were alone, or waiting on someone. and, well, she’s worked here for a while now, you know? she’s come to be able to pick up on the signs of a classic stand up. a ghosting, if you will. how there would be a polite smile when the waiter would ask if they were ready, and how they were always still waiting — how it was always just a few more minutes, they will be here soon. it was sad. honestly, it was! els hated to see it happen, especially to such a pretty girl. so, yeah. maybe she took notice while she was doing things in the back. finishing off her end of shift checklist, cleaning up, chatting for a minute or two — every once in a while with a peek towards the front just to see. was she still alone? was she still here?

“god, sorry — i was so damn busy tonight, time got away from me.” was said with a dramatic huff as elsie plopped into the other side of the booth. she let her bag fall to rest beside her, smile growing on her lips as she got comfortable both hands lifting to messily card though her hair. “i'm a mess — did you order yet?” no — she didn’t. els already knew because she had been on shift the whole dang time, but that’s okay! “you should have sat at the bar, babe — i could have chatted with you easier!”

       “oh —” it was all elsie could manage to say after a few long seconds of just ... standing here. she opened her door, fully expecting her tinder date, but what she didn’t expect was the way they were dressed & the flowers in their hands. 

       cut to the way she was dressed (a cute little satin set, very cute if she could say so herself), and she was needing a second or two to process it.