From Ortega:

Alyssa made her way through the park, sitting herself down at a bench and taking a deep, cleansing breath. She did love the office and gossiping with Ganja and Gia, but sometimes it all got a bit too chaotic. It was so seldom she managed to get any time to herself these days, so she made sure that she made the most of her coffee breaks. She'd just never let anyone know that these coffee breaks were half an hour long and took place in the park instead of in front of the marketing department coffee machine. Taking the smallest sip of her drink, she flinched slightly as a temperature akin to molten lava met her tastebuds. She'd never learn. Looking around, she took in everything she saw. She didn't get to be Galactica's oracle for nothing, and her hugely observant nature had always played a large part in contributing to that. She did sometimes like to just enjoy what she saw, though; a cluster of pigeons on the path in front of her fighting over a scrap of hot dog, a young couple talking together and seeming completely at ease, a huge bear-like dog dragging its owner along on a walk. That last one made Alyssa smile. Maybe she'd talk to Michael about getting a dog one day, when they'd both retired and had more time. She loved her job, but sometimes it was nice to think about the future. Right now though, sitting on the bench with nature, the beautiful views and cheerful people surrounding her, Alyssa considered that maybe she was happy exactly where she was.

From Torii

"Hey Laila over here," Raven called out from across the little hipster cafe she invited her to. She was so happy for the young woman and her newfound success on YouTube. "Thanks for meeting with me on such short notice. "It's no biggie," Laila said with a laugh as she sat down at the little table. She almost didn't recognize the model when she first walked in if it wasn't for her waving her over. Raven who she saw during fashion week almost barefaced, was sitting in front of her in full daytime glam; while she looked like she rolled out of bed and barely brushed her hair. "I was surprised you called me actually." Raven laughed, taking her sunglasses off and putting them in her bag, "why do you say that, you did give me your number." "Well it's been a while since I heard from you and it was pretty out of the blue," Laila replied as Raven signaled for a waiter. "True," Raven acquiesced with a shrug. "Regardless, I'm happy you were able to make it. But I did have a reason to invite you down here, besides getting some New York quality fresh air and enjoying some delicious fare they serve here." Laila giggled at the fresh air joke, if there was fresh air in New York, it definitely wasn't going to be found in lower Manhattan. "What do you have up your sleeves?" "Oh nothing really," Raven said innocently as she flipped through the menu absentmindedly. "I just wanted to give you a token of appreciation, also have you had caviar toast before?" "Caviar toast?" "I'll take that as a no," Raven replied before turning to the waiter who came up to the table. "Hello and thank you for having lunch with us at Lil PoundCake's Bakery, my name is Alisa-Summers and I will be your waitress this afternoon, can I offer you something to drink to start your order?" "Hello Alisa, I want to place 2 orders, one that will be a delivery and the other to dine-in." Raven began, looking up briefly at the other woman. "Ok, we can start with the delivery order first," Alisa began, writing on her order pad. "What would you like it to order?" "I want a lobster roll labeled for Fame, fried calamari rings labeled Raja, 4 bowls of roast tomato bisque for Raja, Fame, Roxxy and Ivy, 2 grilled swiss cheese and Fiji apple sandwiches labeled Ivy and Roxxy and 2 bottles of your fresh pressed peach and apple juice." Raven read off, not paying attention to the menu before handing it back to the waitress. "I want them sent to Galactica to the attention of Cynthia." "Will you be paying for the delivery now or will payment be tendered upon arrival to the office?" "I will be paying for them with our dine-in tab but I want that order sent out as soon as possible." Raven answered, "also add 4 side salads with house dressing on the side to that delivery order." "Ok," Alisa said, writing quickly before flipping the page for a new order. "Are you ready to place your dine-in order?" Raven looked over at Laila who was biting the inside of her cheek, how very Violet of her. "Do you know what you want to eat sweets?" Laila didn't know what to pick because a single slice of cherry pie, without whipped cream or ice cream was almost $10; she could buy a whole pie and gallon of ice cream for that price. "Umm...I'll take a glass of water with some lemon please." She replied before handing the waitress her menu with a smile. "Ok," Raven said, looking at Laila once more before turning her attention back to their waiter. "I would like a bottle of champagne with your assorted dessert tower for 5." Alisa nodded her head, "ok is there anything else?" "Yes, what caviar do you have?" "We have bowfin and kaluga caviar varieties," Alisa replied. "You don't have any beluga caviar at all?" "Unfortunately no, but the kaluga caviar is quite good," Alisa supplied. "No thank you, kaluga is good if you're trying to make a good impression but can't afford the beluga it tries to pass for. I don't want anything less than beluga but I'd settle for golden osetra." Raven replied easily, "all I want is the dessert tower and 2 glasses thank you." Laila only understood half of what Raven and the waitress were talking about, as far as she knew there was only one type of caviar and that was what she got on top of her sushi when she and Pearl went out to a fancy Japanese restaurant last week. "Since you didn't order anything, I figured we could share a bottle of champagne and the dessert tower," Raven started as she pulled out her wallet from her bag and set it on the table. "Even though I can eat that entire dessert tower and bottle of champagne on my own. But I'll be right back," she continued as she got up from her seat with her wallet. "I want to pay for lunch for everyone so I don't have to think about it later." "Ok no problem!" Laila said as Raven walked off before pulling out her phone to quickly call Katya during her lunch break. "Hello hello my little cheerio," Katya greeted as she saw Laila's number pop up on her phone. Her students were with another class watching Finding Nemo since it was too cold for the children to play outside. "What's going on?" "Katya I'm at lunch and a slice of pie is $10." Laila whispered into her phone, trying not to draw too much attention to herself. "Help me!" Katya didn't want to laugh at the panic she heard in Laila's voice, but she couldn't help the smile off her face, "where are you?" “I'm at this fraud of a cozy cafe called Lil PoundCake with Raven who invited me out." "Oh," Katya said as she leaned back in her chair. "They have amazing jelly doughnuts," she sighed as her stomach gurgled at the thought of the delicious food. "I can't afford anything here and still be able to get back to the apartment!" Laila said shrilly, before lowering her voice, "I don't want to make a fool of myself but I think I already did." Even though Katya didn't work at Galactica for very long, the limited experiences she had with the Russian model were positive. "Don't worry, Raven is a doll once you get past her icy Russian exterior. I remember she surprised us with a homemade Russian breakfast; but why are you worried, you met Raven before." "That was different, it was more people around, and we were on camera," Laila whispered. "But now it's just us in a fancy cafe where a glass of water was $2," she said shrilly, trying to keep her voice down. "Hey Katya can you watch the kids for me while I eat?" A young female teacher asked as she popped her head into Katya's classroom. "They're almost finished with the movie but I'm absolutely starving." "Sure Izabela, I'll be right there! And I made you a birthday cupcake so when we switch I'll give it to you!" Katya replied brightly, thankful for the young woman who took her class off her hands for a little while so she could eat and work on her lesson plans in peace. "Hey Laila?" "Yea?" "I gotta go, but don't worry, the worst Raven could do is a whole lot. But she seems to like you so if you stay in her good graces, she won't have a reason to be cruel." "Thanks for being so helpful," Laila sighed. "If all else fails, tell her she's the most beautiful woman in the room and she may overlook whatever you did," Katya said with a laugh before hanging up. "Ugh...." Laila groaned, letting her head bang on the table. Raven quietly sat back down in her seat, observing Laila who had her head down on the table, "you ok?" Laila's head snapped up, she didn't hear the older woman come back to the table, let alone and sit down. "Yea I'm fine," Laila began before stopping. "But honestly, I'm confused as to why you invited me out today." Raven giggled at Laila's admission, "well I wanted to formally thank you for doing my makeup when we were in Paris." "You didn't have to do that," Laila said as their waitress came back with their drinks and lunch order. "Ok here is your water," Alisa said as she set a pitcher of lemon water with a chalice in front of Laila. "And here is your dessert tower," she continued as she placed a tall 3 foot tall golden dessert tower, laden with pastries and sweets, on the table between Raven and Laila. "I will be right back with your champagne, do you have any special requests on year?" Raven tapped her finger to her chin, "something from 2010 will do fine thank you." "Right away ma'am." Raven passed a plate to Laila before she picked out a slice of chocolate mielle cake for herself. "Here, since you didn't order anything for yourself." Raven began, while putting a strawberry cream puff on her little plate. "And don't think I don't know you tried to find the least expensive item on the menu to order." Laila looked at Raven with wide dinner plate eyes. "If I invite someone out with me, especially when I know it's not the cheapest place in the world, I don't expect my guest to pay." "Oh," Laila said, her face heating up in shame. "It's all good." Raven replied, waving her hand dismissively, "but I'd advise you to get some of these desserts because I can eat all of this on my own." Laila laughed, finding it hard to believe that a supermodel could eat all of that, "you got yourself a deal." *** Laila couldn't believe it, not only did Raven eat a majority of the sweet tower but she ordered a whole fig & honey tart and a chocolate lava cake. Laila couldn't imagine eating another bite, let alone ordering two more desserts to go. "I didn't know models had appetites," Laila said with a slight burp before giggling. "I have made meals off of king sized candy bars and cartons of whipped cream," Raven replied before reapplying her lipgloss, "so this little tower is nothing." She said easily before pulling her bag into her lap. "Clearly." "Now, I have a quick question for you." Raven began, looking up from her bag. "What's up?" Laila asked, leaning back in her seat, stomach full from their sugar filled feast. "Well a little birdie told me that you like this song called 'Texas is Forever' by some emo band," Raven said, "what's the band name....fuck." "Are you talking about Pierce the Veil?" Laila asked excitedly, "I love them! I've been a fan of theirs since 2009, they are amazing! I remember when I begged my mom to take me to their concert when they came to New York for my high school graduation gift." "Did you enjoy yourself?" "No," Laila said with a sigh, "that same week I caught a random summer cold so I ended up selling them to a friend." "Oh, well Vic is a good friend of mine, I was in a music video of theirs a while back as a favor to him.” The tall Russian model began, a gleam entering her dark grey eyes. “I know his band plays that song you like, so as a thank you and congratulations on your YouTube channel, I got you and Pearl 2 VIP tickets to see his band perform and to go backstage to meet them and party." Raven said as she pulled out 2 backstage VIP passes to the concert, "you ready to party like a rock star?" *** From Wednesday.

“C’mon, we’re going to be late!” Laila called, putting on her platforms. She had deliberated between two pairs for ages when she planned her outfit; should she wear the 11-inch purple ones, that looked gorgeous with her outfit and made her just a teeny bit shorter than Pearl, or should she wear the 7-inch black ones, which she could walk better in but weren’t nearly as cool? She decided on the black ones - it was going to be a long night standing and jumping around, so it would make sense to go with something more comfy.

Pearl was putting the finishing touches of eyeliner on. “Nearly done! Give me another minute Bonbon!” She had made sure she looked impeccable, to look her best for Laila. Tonight was Laila’s night. She still remembers the night Laila rushed into the apartment, grinning like an idiot as she held up the concert tickets and begged her to go with her. And how could Pearl say no to her darling?

Laila pouted as she crept up behind Pearl and wrapped her arms around the blonde’s waist from behind. “Not fair, you’re going to end up looking better than I do.” Pearl had her black leather jacket on, a crop top underneath showing her figure. Tight-fitting jeans completed the effortlessly cool look.

Pearl giggled. “Don’t be silly,” she said, tapping Laila’s nose gently. “No one, and I mean not even Fame, is prettier than you are.” She slipped into her heels, holding the door open for Laila to walk out first, then gently slapped Laila’s ass on her way out.

“Flattery gets you everywhere, babe,” Laila replied. The two walked in silence to their uber, where Laila promptly dozed off after a few minutes, the lull of the vehicle her soothing bed as she drifted off to dreamland.

Next to her, Pearl took a few dozen photos, pulling silly faces in some of them, and as serious as a professional shot in others. She took a few of sleeping Laila, her little collection growing - it wasn’t a creepy thing to take pictures of your girlfriend sleeping, Pearl hoped. She just loved the peaceful look on Laila’s face when she slept, the small smile indicating a good, deep, dreamless slumber. It was only when the car came to a standstill that she realized they had arrived.

“Wake up, Bonbon, we’re here.” Pearl nudged Laila gently off her shoulder. Laila blinked. Holy shit. The lines outside the concert had melted into a large crowd. Thank god she wore comfy shoes, the queue is going to be hell - but it was all worth it. Pierce the Veil has been a band she always admired, and this was like a dream come true. She couldn’t wait till after the show, either!

As soon as they entered the concert, a young blonde ran up to them. “Oh my god, you’re Laila right? The youtuber? And Pearl Liaison?”

Laila nodded. “Yeah, what’s up?”

“I just want to let you know, I’m a huge huge fan of your channel, and it’s super cool to see you here because Pierce the Veil is, like, one of my favorite bands.” She paused, rummaging through her bag and producing a gold Sharpie. “Um, do you mind signing an autograph on my shirt? It would be super cool,” she added.

Laila nodded, slightly shocked but still grinning. The girl was so enthusiastic! “Sure! What’s your name?”

“Kylie Love. Um, just sign Sonique? That’s what my friends call me. S-o-n-i-q-u-e. Thank you so much!”

Sonique, Laila wrote, You are a star! Stay adorable xo Laila McQueen. Pearl added her signature, Sonique thanking the two of them profusely again before leaving.

“Well, that was pretty cool!” Laila smiled from ear to ear. “I can’t believe someone so young looks up to me!”

“You’ll get used to it. You handled that very nicely though,” Pearl said, kissing Laila’s forehead gently. “Now c’mon, let’s enjoy the show.”

As they walked hand in hand closer to the stage, the curtain lifted, the stage lights starting to flash. The crowd whooped at the band, Vic Fuentes shouting his greetings and introductions.