ᴀʀᴛ ᴏꜰ ʀᴇᴀʟɪᴢᴀᴛɪᴏɴ

⸻ ❛ I've got to admit, when I first moved here, I had the same sensation of Aurora Bay. Like, there is so much going on that was hard to grasp, but then, eventually, you accustom yourself to it.❜ And then when a person gets the rhythm of the city, everything is just too easy. ❛ On the bright side, you two have a long time to unpack things in no time. ❜ And then she gathered her sunlit hair over her shoulders and tied it in a messy bun around her nape, as her golden strands fell loosely. ❛ As for me… I didn't have anything new, just that I want to move again, but like leave the apartment that I'm living at the moment into a house, here. The thought of moving again, with toddler, cat and dog… And all my musical materials…. I need space, a better studio for me and my music, one that my son doesn't evade not want to play with his mother's instruments, mistaking them as a toy. ❜

"Always something going on is a hard thing to complain about. Just listen to us!" Maya laughed. It was a good problem to have, but as they both had observed, there was just a lot to grow accustomed to. It felt like an isolated world out here. With its own rules and traditions separate from so much. "It does sound like a lot on top of already a lot," She admitted and then smiled wider at the mention of the instruments. "Well maybe he's just taking after his mom and wants to learn post haste with that stuff." Maya wiped the sweat from her brow and pushed away the fly away dark hairs from her field of view. "What do you play if you don't mind me bugging you about it?"

"They have some of the greatest stories ever told. You should try it some time! No judgment if it doesn't work, but I've definitely cried over quite a few." Eyebrows shot up further at the mention of fashion. It was something that interested Maya greatly, but just out of her wheelhouse. Like she was a player next to a goalie. Similar in many ways, but distinct differences. "Oh! So many things. Probably? Magnets. Dyes. Fishing line for strength. What plagues your fashion sense now you think?"

Sterling had the energy of someone who likely had all of the animals excited to see. No doubt that they were always happy to be fostered by her. "Does your place do the time with strangers where people can volunteer to walk them or play with them a few times a week? I'd love to help out with that if I could."

"Scaring people is a lot of fun, even if its yourself." Kavi was totally one of those people that didn't like to do the same thing every day. She might be somewhat of a creature of habit with her likes and dislikes, but she also loved to be spontaneous too. And besides, she wanted a flower crown. Maya totally looked adorable with her. "What can I say, having a famous mother does have drawbacks." Her mom was a lot and Kavi had always understood their relationship even if that had taken a long time to understand. "Hmm. No, I think a surprise is in order!"

"Kavi, do not scare me at any time or place or I will make sure there is come uppence," The fake vigor is clearly that- fake. Maya is a louder person only when there's excitement. Her anger is weak and shrill at best, so there's not even a semblance of believability to the words. "A surprise is in order for the person with famous mom problems. Can do!" Her hands moved quick enough, but this wasn't instant. There's a look of concentration on her face all the same, little bit of her tongue sticking out. "Does your mom put pressure on you to be some sort of way with her around?"

"Oh, most definitely. Feels like I barely spend anytime at my house with all of these things going on. I love it! Very fun of the city and the county or whatever to do." That was an interesting train of thought, if the city itself put these things on or was it specific local government people. Maybe worth an ask. "He can always be little until he's grown. Even if he ends up taller than me," Maya looked at the child, "When he ends up taller than me. Not fair, kid. Not fair. But you're forgiven for the spirit of crafting. You know, it's basically my job. Crafting." In a loose term.

⸻ Freyja laughs, trying to suppress her own cackles at such a relatable phrase on how things work for not early birds. ❛ Solid? Wow… Tell me what has been going on since we last spoke? ❜ She inquired curiously, flipping her silky, glossy blonde hands with the back of her hand. And then… ❛ Oh!? No way! That's great! How did that work? ❜ Hearing the news makes her feel a bit motivated to try to understand her own older brothers. Exception is the oldest one. ❛ If she is in your life again, that I'd say… That's a green flag. ❜ And she was genuinely happy for the other woman.

"Just getting situated I think. Feels like every time I do as well, there's a new thing to see here in town. A new event or shop or something like that. Makes it all the more exciting, if not exhausting," And Maya gestured to the studio they were in as if to say 'point.' "Slowly and surely. Lots to unpack. A lot of stuff I've got to apologize for." But they were working on it. "What about you! Life has been treating you well, I hope. You deserve all of it and more."

"Why not constantly be a surprise? Keeping people on their toes." Sometimes Kavi didn't want to do what people expected of them. Most of the time they went against the grain on purpose. "She's so annoying sometimes. Brought me just to dump me the second a fan wanted something." Not that Kavi got away from that herself. "Oh, I have no idea how to make one, but I'd love if you made me one."

"One hundred percent in agreement with you. Even if that means I'm likely signing up for someone, or you, scaring the living daylights out of me one day." Maya had her own issues with her family, baggage that could fill one of those airport conveyer belt things. "That seems like quite the dynamic," Words dripping with sarcasm. Hands worked as the words registered and the smile on Maya's face reappeared, "Perfect. A flower crown for Kavi. Preference on color or anything like that?"

"So did he find out? Was it messy?" @vibrantmayadesai

"He did eventually, I think. I wasn't there for it. I was gone by that point. Unrelated to all of that. I kept trying to tell him or wanting to, but the sister was stopping me at every turn."

It wasn't really Kavi's thing, but they thought they might as well try something new. Maybe it would give her an idea of something to write about. "I live to surprise." They laughed. "Mom's around here somewhere, no doubt soaking up the attention as per usual." Sometimes Kavi did things with her mom just to do things with her mom. "I think I'd look cute with a flower crown."

"Doing it so well too," Maya added with a playful roll of the eyes. "Got-cha. That lines up then. You've found your excuse for my drilling ways." She was just happy to see them all the same. Felt like each day now was filled with someone she knew and she could talk to. Kavi just brought a little extra excitement compared to some. "Oh! Agreed. You want one? I can make you on. Or bring you one."

"Oh. You know what? I can't seem to remember," said after a moment of silence, letting her brain think back to that night. Lots of new faces, lots of things learned. Plus all the costumes. She had already started on this year's planning. Since she was, you know, actually planning on being here this time. "We can't have that, I won't rush the little guy," Turning back to see in the direction, but didn't do anything else so as to not scare the child with a stranger waving at him. "How old is he?"

"Do you think that's because Barbie had too much pressure on it? It had to deliver. Between the cast and the memes and such. So it had to throw it all out there. Swing and hit or swing and miss."