◤ ✕ ° › electric feel !

     “people just always have something to complain about, don’t they? sometimes i really hate working in retail ― but i do love it… despite some of the people.”

“ is retail where you see yourself for the rest of your life ? it must get tiring after a while. retail designates how often you’ll be around people, something i could never put up with. alone time is a necessity; it’s the only way for people to properly gather their thoughts. ”

Riory walked around the gallery admiring his new purchases and pieces. The theme of this set up had been nature and he had not been displeased with the way all of the pieces fell so nicely together. He had noticed one potential buyer eyeing one of his own pieces for an extended time and decided to start up a conversation. Walking up beside the other he clasped his hands behind his back “Beautiful piece isn’t it?” he asked “Its almost brand new, hardly a fortnight old”

valentina strolled through the gallery, her eyes studying each and every piece with much intent. through her peripheral vision, she noticed a figure moving closer. she shifted her gaze down to her arm, then proceeded to readjust the diamond bracelet pressed against her skin. she donned a dress fabricated of roseate chiffon, attire matching that of old hollywood, the golden era valentina desired to be apart of. “ yes, it’s very intriguing, ” she agreed, tilting her head slightly as if to view the piece in a different angle, “ who painted this ? ”

She held her arm for the other girl to take “Work gathering of sorts, some colleagues of mine are in town and decided to throw a charity gala to keep up the illusion that they’re all better than one another. They’re great people but they can be petty at times. And yes you are if you don’t mind, then again, if you did, I suppose you wouldn’t be joining me at all”

valentina took her arm and took a step to close the distance between them. “ sounds like fun nonetheless. extravagant parties are the best way to one-up your colleagues, so props to them, ” she said with a nod. suddenly, a streak of inspiration hit valentina, though she figured she needed the approval of her date first. “ since i’m your date, i think asking your permission is the polite thing to do, so that’s exactly what i’ll do. i’m a journalist, and my paper sent me here to venice to report on those who live here -- articles that describe the night life, day life, and so on to compare it to the social life of those in america. i think this gathering could be the topic of my next piece --- only if you’re okay with it, though. i totally understand if you say no, ” she reassured, “ i really hope that wasn’t out of line of me to ask. i wasn’t even planning on working tonight, i just think this might be an interesting piece. ”

Have you ever had that feeling—that you’d like to go to a whole different place and become a whole different self?

She eyed the girl up and down taking in her outfit, quite formal for someone simply walking the streets of Venice “I simply cannot do that, but seeing as you’re dressed quite appropriately and I am in need of a plus one, I don’t suppose you’d join me instead?”

valentina pondered her request, mentally weighing the pros and cons. after a few more seconds, she decided to accept the offer. the brunette before her was practically a stranger, and the mystery of the unknown fascinated valentina to an extent most would consider excessive. “ i’m in. i just have one question -- where are we going ? ” she asked, figuring it was imperative to know the crowd she’d be spinning lies for before arriving. “ so, is it safe to assume i’m your date for the night ? ”

“I am great company, but you see I kind of owe that company to my prior plans. No hard feelings doll” she shrugged, looking down at her shoes after the girls statement knowing her next words we’re sure to catch the girls ears “Thanks, they’re personalized NVPS Louboutin’s”

valentina spun around again and arched a brow at the brunette. “ now that’s not something you hear every day. you’re either extremely well off, or have a sugar daddy --- and i don’t know which one is more impressive, ” she said truthfully. she let a moment of silence pass, before proposing something new. “ come with me. i’m sure your prior plans could do one night without you. pretty please ? ”

“And what if my plans are better than yours?”

“ that’s not possible. here’s the deal: you can either come with me, or carry on with your plans. it’s all up to you, buttercup. ”

“when you’re in charge of things like this, yes people do notice if you’re gone.” laila shook her head, “suit yourself, i’m sure you’ll find someone else to keep you occupied, m'sorry.” she shrugged her shoulders. “thanks for the offer though.”

“ if you say so. you’re quite forgettable, though. maybe one of your little dancers will want to tag along, ” she said, already glad the blonde denied her request. it didn’t seem like she was the type of person valentina enjoyed being around. “ have fun --- though i doubt you can. from the looks of it, you’re incapable of fun. it’s tragic. i almost feel bad for you. ” 

“sorry to disappoint you, but i’m working at this event, i’m in charge of the dancers here tonight, i can’t just drop everything and leave like that.” laila’s second job meant the world to her and it was the reason why she dropped everything and left for venice in the first place, “maybe another time.” she suggested shrugging her shoulders, “if that’s what you want i mean.”

“ ah, ” she said in acknowledgment of the blonde’s statement. “ sounds busy. there seems to be plenty of people around, though, i’m sure they wouldn’t miss ‘ya if you slipped out for a little while, ” she tried, her small attempt at convincing the blonde to tag along. “ well, m’sorry, but it’s now or never. i can just find someone else to come along instead. don’t worry your pretty little golden head off. ”

“Im sorry, what?” she asked slightly off-put by the girls sudden statement, her accent slightly altering her speech  “I do actually have plans but they don’t exactly include you and I don’t plan on changing them last minute, matter of fact I didn’t plan on changing them at all”

valentina studied the brunette before her, a frown crossing her painted lips. “ suit yourself. you can carry on with whatever plans you had in mind. i just thought you looked like good company. guess i was wrong, ” she stated simply, looking the girl up and down once more. “ oh, and -- cute shoes, ” she pointed out before whirling around on her heel and pulling out her phone.

I was always an unusual girl. My mother told me I had a chameleon soul, no moral compass pointing due north, no fixed personality; just an inner indecisiveness that was as wide and as wavering as the ocean.