#theusashfield

Great. Just great. "Fan-fucking-tastic." The words leaked from her mouth as a drop of water fell onto the age-worn almanac spread across her desk. Her assignment had been to predict where a specific sub-type of sea turtle were likely to lay their eggs come spring. Aalto knew that in reality, they wouldn't be solely relying on her or her other classmates to pick the right location, but it was still important-- drip another drop of water joins the first, soaking through the thin pages. Chain of thought officially broken, she tilts her head back just in time to get yet another drop of water splashing onto her face. In the moment it takes for her mind to catch up to reality the drips have turned into a steady trickle, splattering atop her coursework. And that was how she had ended up here. The manager of the apartment building had insisted she would not be able to stay while repairs to the piping went underway. Something about mold spores and contamination. It left her with little choice but to enter the run-down emerald lodge. She had only ever seen it from the outside and while she wasn't looking forward to staying, at least it would be affordable. Or so she had thought. Her jaw dropped none too subtly as the door close quietly behind her. Inside was a completely different story. There was a warmth to the building, plush carpets and armchairs upholstered with leather that looked decadently soft, that told Aalto this place was going to be out of her budget. Way out.

"Excuse me--," a strand of dark hair is twirled around her finger as she studies the man behind the desk, next words forgotten. He gives off the same inviting aura as the lobby, instinctively pulling her in so that she is leaning against the counter. She's physically drawn to him, to that sensation of warmth. So much different from the cold of the sea. Aalto inhales, a soft frown furrowing her brows as she came into just enough focus to return to the problem at hand. "Could you tell me the rate for your least expensive room?"

starter for @theusashfield.

SHIT. Her nine year old daughter getting lost on her way to the café from a play date was not a stressor she needed to be dealing with today, or any day really. For a small town, Westray never failed to be filled with some sort of chaos. This week, Flora had to be the one to fall victim. Thankfully enough, there were a few who knew and recognized her child, making it easier to become aware of the fact that she ended up in a place she was not meant to end up in before the situation could turn dangerous. At least it had been a decent hotel.

The bright pink coat caught her attention amongst the array of colors within the lobby, her arms wrapping around the girl as she crouched down with a sigh of relief. ❝ I am so sorry. ❞ It was an apology to both her daughter and the person who she stood with, not yet coming fully into view as she spent a good moment making sure the completely un-phased kid was alright. Once that much had been established, she finally turned her head to look up, lips parting to speak but no words escaping. Instead, her eyes widened at the familiar face that stared back at her.