vintage girl, modern world

It was with a depressing, but perhaps expected, realization, that Sera becomes aware she had been playing it too safe, and her subtlety had been lost in translation. But it wouldn't stay like this, she wouldn't allow it. She would be braver, more forward, more obvious for Imani. The thought of the beautiful, charismatic, and delightful companion slipping through her fingertips was one she couldn't stand to see.

Imani's outstretched arm was a welcome sight, and the older woman scooted in closer to her, the tension between them seeming to thicken. Serafina chanced a glace at Imani's full and supple lips, then re-met her gaze with determination and interest.

"Well, that's news to me." Sera's expression turned coy, and she gazed into Imani's brown eyes with interest and curiosity. "You've been nothing but good to me." Her shoulder bumped against Imani playfully as she continued, "I suppose that makes me lucky." Sera's eyes lingered on Imani's face for a moment to long, studying refined yet warm features, committing the woman to memory.

"It's the end of the year, so everything has slowed down." Sera recited the phrase like she had a hundred times before to all the people who had inquired. She drowns her frustration in the drink for a moment, before setting her glass back down. With Imani, she could dig under her placid pleasantry surface and give her something more honest, more truthful. Did Imani bring that side out of her, or did Serafina just trust her that implicitly? "Honestly, nothing has felt worthwhile or had a deadline that was remotely manageable. Someone wanted their whole first floor restored and decorated by Thanksgiving." She scrunched her face in annoyance, then continued. "I'm worried I might be losing interest in the whole thing. I do miss working on your home. But…" Sera shook her head, work was not the kind of conversation she wanted to unwind with tonight. "But that's not fun to talk about." Serafina trailed off, moving her hand to rest gingerly on Imani's thigh. How was that for subtle? "If it means we're finally going to act of this, then I'm already looking forward to spending another morning with you." Her hand slid a little further up the younger woman's thigh as she leaned in close. "Maybe, I'll even make you pancakes." She giggled at her own forwardness, and leaned back just a touch. "That is, if you have pre-made batter."

So. Lots of pressure.

She took a deep breath before knocking on the door, her hands finding their way to the camera slung around her neck and fiddling with the setting adjuster while she waited, trying her best not to freak out. "That makes two of us," Lalita admitted with a laugh that was more exhale than laughter. She didn't want to admit so early that this was her first actual photography gig, but it felt safe enough to admit she was nervous. Plus, she couldn't help it - this woman (Serafina, she had said) immediately seemed to put Lalita at ease.

"This place looks great," Lalita said honestly, finally taking a beat to look around. "You flipped this? Do you have a team behind you, or is it all you?"

She looked around at the home. With all the work she and her team put in, she hoped it was something that would stand the test of time. "Basically took everything out but the flooring. Even ripped out some walls!" Serafina chuckled at herself. She had done it again, a monologue of nerves. She combed her hair with her fingers. "I am so sorry. I have talked your ear off. Could I interest you in a drink or a snack? The house is staged so the refrigerator is packed with goodies."

She cleared her throat, looked away, and then took a few steps towards the kitchen. She had sufficiently embarrassed herself.

"All the Halloween festivities following but first snow! Oh, and then all the cute little Christmas time gatherings!" She paused, her eyes filling up with a childlike wonder that had not lessened over her many years. "The last three months of the year really are absolutely the best! Do you have any plans for the upcoming holidays?"

The cute little bistro came into view with its darling window accents. Sera could tell it was a remainder of a time long gone with a fresh modernity to it. It had been a while since she had been to the bistro but she was very excited to see their autumnal menu.

"What kind of appetizer are you thinking?" Sera hummed. "Something seasonal or classic?"

"You're so sweet. I was worried I was annoying you in the mornings. You never seemed like it. You were always so warm and inviting. Plus the coffee was always amazing. But not everyone is a morning person!" Sera laughed. "I've been good, work has been slowing down as the kids are in school and no one wants to start a project before the holidays, I guess. But you have to tell me everything you've been up to. But I need to pick something up, it's driving me crazy."

Then the compliment hit and it felt like the room went still and silent for a heartbeat.

"Oh." She said simply but it implied sudden realization that her feelings weren't one sided and the anticipation of their next much. "Thank you, Imani. You're too kind." Her voice quiet and her cheeks getting hotter by the second. She swallowed her shock and embarrassment. In hopes that this moment would be the start of getting to know Imani on a deeper level. "You know, you're just the kind of person I wanted to meet tonight. Lucky for me, I already know you." Sera's eyes finally met Imani's. "How should we spend tonight?"

Sera traded the stanleys with Helena. Sera took a sip and nearly choked. "That is some watered down wine. We need to get you a good glass." Sera chuckled and huffed. Sera started--what felt like--dragging her body towards the nearest carbohydrate. It looked like a slower but normal jog.

After   a   long   day   at   the   office,   Imani   figured   it   would   do   her   some   good   to   head   out   to   a   bar   and   let   her   body   relax   with   a   nice   drink   in   her   hand–and   maybe   do   some   flirting.   It   had   been   a   while   since   she   hadn’t   felt   that   level   of   attraction   for   someone.   The   last   time   had   been   when   she   and   her   house   renovator   had   shared   a   roof,   just   shyly   off   three   months   ago,   but   for   obvious   reasons,   the   duo   never   crossed   that   line   and   kept   things   professional.   Maybe   it   had   been   because   Imani   needed   people   to   keep   her   enticed,   entertained   and   stimulated,   but   it   felt   like   within   each   passing   day,   it   was   getting   harder   to   meet   and   connect   to   others   on   a   level   that   would   lead   to   anything   romantic.  But   that   didn’t   mean   she   would   stop   trying   when   given   the   chance.   So,   there   she   was,   sitting   by   the   bar   and   nursing   a   cocktail   to   relax   her   mind.   With   her   back   turned   to   the   entrance   and   casual   conversation   keeping   her   entertained   for   a   little   bit,   the   younger   lawyer   only   noticed   Serafina’s   presence   when   she   went   to   the   restroom.   Imani   ordered   another   round   of   drinks,   this   time   adding   one   for   Sera   and   then   joined   the   brunette   at   her   booth.    “   Of   all   the   gin   joints   in   the   world,   am   I   right?   ”    Imani   chuckled,   then   placed   the   glass   in   front   of   the   other.    “   Mind   if   I   join   you?   It   was   a   little   lonely   by   the   bar.   ”    A   smile   followed.    “   Unless   you’re   waiting   on   someone?   ”

Unfortunately for Serafina, the bar was not promising. The woman of almost 50 was not looking to be anyone's sugar mama or interested in anyone younger than 35. Also, she was convinced she still smelled like the oak wood she had been sawing earlier, despite the shower and primping that took place before hand. Serafina's head was spinning with everything wrong with her.

Then Serafina was surprised by a familiar face and all the insanity melted away.

"Imani!" Serafina's smile widened as she saw the woman. "No, I'm alone tonight. Please. Sit! Sit!"

She scooted in her booth, all but rocking back and forth in glee. Serafina was downright giddy to see Imani. The fact that Imani already had a drink for Serafina meant something special to Serafina. Imani was so thoughtful. This small move made Serafina feel like the flutters in her belly weren't one sided.

"it's so great to see you. You look amazing." Serafina sighed. "What are you looking for tonight? Anything I can help you with?" Serafina scrunched her face and laughed at herself. "I realize how that sounds in a place like this."

"Of course!" Sera said cheerfully as she taped another poster up. "I'm always happy to skip work for a few hours to help a friend. Besides, work has been slow any way. After the rush of summer, seems like things have cooled off. No one wants to redesign a living room with the holidays around the corner."

when : 6th of september

with : serafina arden @vlntagely

Serafina nodded at the elder woman as she handed her a cup. "Thanks." She took a deep drink and listened as her best friend spoke.

Maple Brook was always full of surprises and adventures, always keeping Sami's eyes and ears peeled for the next thing to captivate her. Today, it was the annual fair. She'd always pushed it off as a next year thing, too wrapped up in building a stable life to find time to relax and try new things. But, this was the year, she had told herself. Sami Rao would have and master a funnel cake for better or for worse. Standing in line for admissions, she raked a hand through her hair, pin straight but messy and a little out of place, and she was sure she had seen a split end or two this morning. Sami was still mulling over if she would cut her hair in a bob like she new a lot of young mother's did, but genuinely, she liked her length, and it made her feel a little more like herself to keep it.

"Can you believe admission is only a dollar?" She asked to the person next to her, her excitement brimming just under a carefully crafted facade of neutrality. "Well, with a book, of course." Nothing in life was free, she understood that. Her bag held about five books, because she had been certain for some reason that whichever one she handed off would somehow get rejected when she'd packed her purse. Now it felt juvenile and a little embarrassing to be lugging around it's heavy weight. "Did you bring a book for entry? I've got an extra if you need one." She scratched the back of her head and furrowed her brows, laughing slightly, "Several, actually. I love variety." She loved variety? Sami wanted to bang her head up against a wall, but unfortunately, they were outside in the fresh air.

Work had been slow today. She told her assistant that she would be out for the rest of the day and to call her if Sera was needed. She wasn't sure why she decided the fair but while she was walking, she had seen an advertisement and the idea had been stuck in her head ever since.

So here she was today, in the admissions line. The line was an impressive turnout for midday. Sera dusted invisible lint off her white t-shirt, and hoped the powder sugar of the funnel cake, that she would inevitably get, would blend in.

As she was thinking about this, the woman in front of her turned around and began chatting. The woman had a sweet face although she was unfamiliar to Sera. Sure, she had seen her around but they had never spoken.

"You're too kind!" Serafina smiled widely, "The book would be really helpful, I apparently didn't read the fine print." She chuckled self-consciously. "What all did you bring? Have you read them?"