Valentina Vasquez

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Linh chuckled, shaking her head “Hey you are ruining my late night surprise for you Val, I’m a sensual lover” she teased her friend shrugging “What can I say? Its fate, after all the Gods blessed us with the power to gain this win.” She joked with the other taking in her sighing to know who caused it. “Hey at least it’s just us this year yeah? And if you need me I’m here, as I have absolutely no lover waiting on me”

               “dios mio, never say that word again.” Valentina chuckled, pretending to gag. “No one? Not a single one?” she teased Linh. Valentina had no idea what that was like. From the time she started puberty, she always had a boyfriend. She had a fear of being alone, it was one of the many things that stopped her from breaking up with Cris.

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Cris followed after her, it was quite the excitement whirling around both cities now that a death had occurred including who was holding the knife this time around. “Don’t worry I’ll look after you. Besides, we aren’t going too far for comfort.” He mused moving to wrap his arm around her shoulders looking at her “I’d never let anything happen to you Valentina, besides I don’t like you feeling so gloomy.”

               If there was one time Valentina was comforted by that, it was now. She knew what Cris was capable of. And if anyone had a chance of keeping her safe it was him. “I can’t believe it was Josh.Maybe he’s having some kind of delayed trauma response. I mean, he and Deena survived those murders in the 90s right?” she asked him. “I’m sorry. I’ll stop.” She muttered, putting on a small smile for him. She took the moment to kiss him quickly. 

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     “Alright - Alright” Ezra rolled his eyes gently as she teased him, shaking his head. “Fine” he sighed, knowing that she was right. She knew him far too well for that. “He swung by the bar out of nowhere the other night…claimed that he came by with friends but then he spent the whole night trying to get to know me” Ezra rolled his eyes again, as if it was the worst thing in the world. “He even tricked me into agreeing to a date, Val. This is getting…I can’t say no to him. It’s awful”

               “Oh god no. not actually wanting to KNOW you. What happens when he discovers you have the personality of a wet paper towel?” she smirked, holding onto his arm as they walked. “Tricked you huh? It sounds like you like him. And you could certainly do worse than Calvin freaking Prince. Were you team Calvin? I was. I think Delores is Team Amante. I never remember.” She shrugged. “Point is, stop being so pessimistic. This is a GOOD thing. And you deserve it.”  

Linh chuckled at her friends words “Hey this is my sport and I’m excited for a chance to see if all those years of hanging out with me upped your game.” she teased the other shaking her head “Oh you are hilarious, you know me I’ll smile in your face then stab you while you watch” She teased helping her friend into her gear.

“Linh if you’re going to talk dirty to me, whisper in my ear.” Valentina joked. “It should be fair to have all three of you on the team like that. Everyone knows you’re like the town’s Olympians or something. You guys should be forced to separate. “Val sighed. To be honest, she didn’t really care about the game. She’d probably just go hide out in a tree somewhere. It was just an excuse to be away from Cris.

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     “Yeah, I guess” he shrugged weakly. Ezra knew that she was right, though. He usually did watch from his backyard or his window but he’d tried to shake things up this year. His head shot up at the mention of Calvin, Ezra’s lip twitching with a smile that he supressed. “Why would I care that Calvin’s here?” he asked, shooting her an incredulous look. Valentina always seemed to see right through him so he wasn’t sure why he was so surprised, really. 

“WhY wOuLd I cArE iF cAlViN’s HeRe?” she mocked him, pushing his arm forward. “Puh-lease. You can lie to a lot of people, but you can’t lie to me Ez.” She smiled. She was happy Ezra found someone who made him happy. Somewhat so anyway. “Have you seen him since…you know?” she asked, putting her two index fingers together. 

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Cris saw the flinch and in truth what did he expect it wasn’t as if she really welcomed his touch lately but still all he did was smile. “You still look amazing even when covered in oil, and besides I always like seeing the real you” He mused, following her eye line straight to Mateo, that he didn’t like Sawyer was on the other side and she didn’t even glance at him. “Good I’m glad you could use all the help you can get here. “Who am I to deny you such a simple request? I’ll take you home and wait for you while you get ready,  give me a chance to check in on your family.”

Of course. She smiled, turning around to grab her jacket. She placed in on before following Cris’ out the shop. She made sure to keep her eyes down until they were out of there. “Are you sure you want to go out tonight baby? You know with the murder just happening?” she asked speaking of the last weekend’s events. Val ended up getting lost in the woods with Mateo and didn’t return home until the following morning. “What if it’s not safe?” she asked.

@valsquez​ Event Starter

Linh was possibly suckered into joining this because Val thought it would be fun and once the paintball guns were mentioned well she signed up immediately. “I hope you know that just because you are my bestie doesn’t mean I won’t shoot you” She teased carefully looking around for Val she was there, there was no denying it. “I’ve got 20 rounds and someone is getting turned into a Picasso” She joked.

“WOW so that’s how it is Judas?” Valentina joked as she put the paintball gear on. “I can’t believe we ended up on different teams this year. Who am I supposed to piggy back off of?” she joked turning her side to Lihn. “Clip me up? And try not to stab me?” she teased.

Closed Event Starter for @valsquez​ 

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     “I know this is gonna sound like one of those Captain Obvious statements but I have to say that I didn’t think there was going to be this many people here” he grimaced, nose wrinkling in mild disgust as he watched strangers move through the crowded place. Being out during the day was a rare occurrence for Ezra within itself, his night shifts usually getting in the way of any kind of normal socialisation, not that he minded. He did better on his own anyways. “What time do you think it’s acceptable to just, you know, quietly slip away?”

“It’s like the one thing cool about Shadyside Ez. The one time of year we get tourists. Shoulda watched from your backyard if you didn’t want people.” Valentina laughed at his facial expression. “It’s a town event. not a birthday party. if you wanna leave, leave. But you’ll probably miss seeing Calvin.” Valentina teased.

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“Jeez–” Logan took a small step back, his blue eyes widening. “This is just a game, right? I mean…” He looked around, running a hand through his hair with a soft huff. “I didn’t miss getting drafted into the Hunger Games or something, did I?” He hoped not, he was pretty sure he wouldn’t make it. “Uh, yeah, I’m fine. Thanks.”

“Yeah it is. Some assholes just take it to another level.” Valentina rolled her eyes. She waited until he was out the way before slowly letting the branch go. she was glad he was okay. She looked at the band on his arm and smiled. “Well at least you’re on my team.” she laughed. “have you got anyone?”

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Cris had watched the whole sorted scene from her office, he hated when others dared to flirt with his girl but Valentina didn’t seem to respond to Mateo’s obvious flirtations so he just filed it away for later. “I wanted to surprise you, besides there is nothing sexier than watching you work under a hood.” he smirked, lifting his hand to move a stray hair from her face. “Maybe so but I’ve missed you which made me hope you missed me too?” He questioned smiling softly “Sounds like quite the busy day, the new hires Mateo and Sawyer right? Your Papi was telling me earlier how excited he was that your business is growing. Sure darling you know I’ll wait forever for you.”

Valentina flinched slightly as Cris touched her face. She tried to resist the urge to move back all together. “of course I missed you. I just wasn’t expecting the surprise. Look at me I’m all covered in oil!” she tried to play things off. She glanced back at Mateo and then back to Cris. “right. they’re good workers.” was all she said, not sure about how much Cris had scene. Granted she hadn’t done anything wrong, but that wasn’t always how he saw it. A few stress filled minutes she was done. “I should go home and shower and change before we go out.” she tried to reason.

Lorina smiled at the woman. “I guess stupid questions aren’t your thing. Got it.” She pointed to where her motorcycle was, just outside Vasquez Motors. “My bike has been doing some odd noises and I decided to bring it before it got worst.” She took a second to look around the shop, taking notice that it was getting a lot of business. It seemed like a good place to get information, if she managed not to piss anyone off. It had been running for long enough that they probably had some opinions on Goodes. “Will I have to leave it here overnight or can I wait?”

Valentina simply winked in reply, coy smirk on her face. “Well let’s take a look, see if I can eye ball it. Keys” she said walking out to the bike and holding out her hand. She turned it on and got on, letting the engine rev a few times. “Hmmm...that’s odd.” she frowned getting off. “I’ll roll it in and let our bike guy start taking a look. You’re free to wait but I don’t know how behind he is right now.” she offered. 

“I mean, I could be family. I just figured I’d wait a few years and play the long game before I bought a ring and proposed but if that’s what you want..” He trailed off, a smirk tugging his lips upwards as he grabbed the broom. He didn’t pretend to sweep but rather actually swept the floor. He knew that his flirtatious nature could get him in a lot of trouble here. He had seen Val’s boyfriend and knew that whatever he was involved in, it wasn’t good. But still, he couldn’t help it. He flirted with everyone - it was just who he was. “It is ridiculously cold in the shop. You guys ever consider getting heaters out there?”

oh great. Another flirt. Just what we needed. she thought to herself. Cris was gonna burn the shop to the ground. “ I’d consider a new plan of action Romeo. Keep dreaming “ she rolled her eyes chuckling. She nodded when he actually swept up. It wasn’t his job, or her’s, but she wasn’t about to complain. She’d make sure Delores thanked him later. “There is one but it’s busted.” she sighed. 

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     “Alright. fine” she held her hands up, nodding gently. Her father’s disapproval of her working in the shop was the only no that Delores hadn’t been able to charm into a yes so Val was right. It was easier that she stay as far away from the action as possible because God forbid she get her hands dirty. “It’s not like you to rush it” she observed, wondering suddenly if it had anything to do with her fight with Cris. 

Valentina shrugged. She understand the need to prove yourself in their family but her hands were tied. Their father’s word was law. “yeah well, I had some unexpected things pop up and I was in a hurry.” Valentina answered her with a sigh. She didn’t even bother looking up from the engine. When she still felt her sister there she finally looked up. “What else do you want to ask?” she questioned.

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Azalia couldn’t help but snort at Val’s eagerness, glancing around the shop. She herself had absolutely zero mechanical skills, but she had to guess the job was demanding, to say the least. Complete with irate customers when the work wasn’t done fast enough. “I don’t see why they can’t keep the toasted white chocolate around all year,” she said, leading the way toward her car. “Neither of those things are especially Christmasy.” She looked over at her. “Have things been busy today, or are people already hunkering down?”

“A little of both. I had an open schedule because I have vehicles that were supposed to be picked up, but people are asking to reschedule until after the weekend with all that serial killer mess. Has them scared to leave their homes. It’s ridiculous.” She explained as she followed her Aunt. Azalia was one of the few more adultier adults Val actually trusted. She felt like she could talk to her about anything. Or, almost anything. “So I don’t have the space to get new cars in until the old one’s get out. It’s a pain in the ass.”

“Don’t I wish, a nice long break with nothing but good food and the best company around is long over due for us both.” Linh replied to her friend, she hardly mind pulling her from the shop especially given who was chatting up her dad in the office at the moment. “Oh I love that place, and it’s been forever since we’ve gone there.” She mused pulling her friend along.