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    COTY

    Assailant -- Year 226

    QOTY

    "But the dream, the echo, slips from him as quickly as he had found it and as consciousness comes to him (a slap and not the gentle waves of oceanic tides), it dissolves entirely. His muscles relax as the cold claims him again, as the numbness sets in, and when his grey eyes open, there’s nothing but the faint after burn of a dream often trod and never remembered." --Brigade, written by Laura


    Before I went under || Eros & Any
    #1

    Lavendel

    It is raining again, and Della finds herself sighing deeply as she watches the rain leave blurry lines on the panes of her windows. It seems as though she has not seen the sun in weeks (really it has onyl been a few days) and she is growing sick of it. She raises a pale hand to brush dark whisps of hair from her crystaline eyes, their gaze set intently on the puddle patched yard beyond her bedroom window. Though she is upstairs she can hear the faint singing of her mother from the kitchen below, the easy tune of The Supremes  'You cant hurry love' muffled by their distance.

    She groans quietly as she stands, her bones popping at the sudden movements. She stretches with a smile of satisfaction at the feeling of using once sleeping muscles. The brunette moves around the room collecting things to throw in a small bag before heading for the stairs. She merely calls to her mother a quick 'im off' before grabbing her keys and rushing to her car. This is how most mornings went. Della would rush to get dressed so she could sit in some peace and quiet before work started and then she would rush even more to get to said job at a local coffee house. The poor woman could barely remember the last time she had a sit-down breakfast with her mother. Mentally she makes a note to try for a brunch date with her mother on her next day off.

    As she drives she listens absentmindedly to NPR... God that made her feel old. With a quick flick of her maroon nails, the station is changed to some random pop song and she relaxes. How time had flown since her last year in high school! She was so close to being out of college and soon coffee cups and angry customers would be replaced by lavish stores and the asphalt of the New York city streets! Her mind is a confused jumble of emotions but her heart knows its course and she is overall excited for the year to come. Though for now she is tuck in her small home town and her simpleton job. 
    ~

    A thousand miles out to the seabed I find a place to rest my head.



    This may get angsty later on today has been rough and its led me to believe the week to come will only be worse. HOWEVER. Feel free to be a customer, a work friend, anyone really! Come interact with her! <3
    TAGS: @[Eros]
    [Image: lav_by_heyyou80-dc01t5i.png]
    L a v e n d e l
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    #2

    The coffee shop was nearly empty. Dark skies and spitting rain tended to do that. Sitting in his usual spot in the corner of the shop he sat staring out the window, his onyx eyes tracing the rain drops as they slid down the glass. The world was grayer than it usually was and the streets were painfully empty. He was just passing through the town and the sight of the quaint café had been more than enough to convince him to take a break from his travels. He felt stiff from sitting in the car too long.
     
    As he stared he was brought back into reality at the sight of a woman, undoubtedly an employee judging by her choice of clothing, as she climbed out of her car and entered the shop. He watched her as she walked in and immediately got to work. There was something that drew him out his seat then and away from his newspaper (there was nothing particularly interesting to read anyway). His coffee had long since been empty, which gave him the perfect excuse to approach the brunette woman.
     
    He took his time making his way to counter, meticulously throwing away his empty cup. He stared at the menu, even though he already knew what he intended to order and waited for her to acknowledge his presence.  

    Arithmetic
    I Don't Make Love
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    #3

    Eros

    His day started the usual way.  An alarm tolled and he was swift to silence it.  Turning in his sheets to look out his quaint apartment window, "Ugh! Rain again..." He grumbled but only because that meant he would require more clothing for his walk to work.  

    It was early.  The suns rays weren't gonna show today but if they'd had you'd barely see them sneaking over the small town horizon as he dressed for the day.  The cafes customary attire with their logo embroidered into the fabric.  His name tagged clipped to the alter side.  One last look in the mirror and he'd be grabbing his rain coat and umbrella, again.  

    Locking his door, he was quick to open the canopy above him.  Sporting the shades of his local tech college in an alternating pattern.  He studied during the week and worked evenings but on the weekends he opened the shop.  It was only a few blocks from his place and the work was pleasant.  Plus, Della would be working today and she was sure to brighten this dreary day.

    The keys fumbled in his hands as he arrived at the cafe door.  As he unlocked it and stepped inside, he made sure to give the umbrella a shake as he closed it before bringing it in.  The last thing he wanted was wet floors and customers slipping.  

    Flipping the closed sign to open he rushed his things to the back then began to open the registers and get the pots brewing.  Not many stirred this early so he knew he had plenty of time to prepare.

    As soon as everything had warmed, the cook had arrived.  "Good Morning Dale," he says absentmindedly as he cleans off the counter.  Dale was much older than he was and short on small talk so he quickly disappeared into the kitchen.  With a sideways grin he continued his preparations for the day.  That was until the door chime rang and he looked up to find a man in business type attire.  Being a small town he knew this man wasn't from around here so he greeted him, "Welcome! Can I get you anything Sir?" The man briefly scanned the menu before ordering a dark coffee.  He gathered a cup and poured the Brew for the man who grabbed it and proceeded to the farthest corner.  Guess he wasn't for small talk neither.  

    With a shrug of his shoulders he went back to the floor to put out condiments.  Turning slightly when another chime of the door goes off.  This time he smiles as Della rushes in from the rain.  He calls out to her a greeting as well, "Morning Della." He pauses his work to offer a wave to her and then continues on.  Eyes grazing past the mysterious stranger in the corner who was now looking to the service counter.  Strange, he thinks.  

    Placing the last set of utinsels onto a table he heads back towards the counter just as the man makes his way to the register.  He begins to tend the expresso machine as the man seems to glance over the drink listing again.  His golden eyes look to Della who is just about to greet the stranger when he steps up to the register, "Another dark coffee sir?"  

    Unconditional Love




    @[Lavendel] @[Arithmetic] baha cock block Tongue
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    #4
    It was a weekend, in theory. In reality, it was just another work day, just one that started four hours later than most others. She had been up until one this morning finalizing details on her design proposal, which was to be turned in today, and presented on Monday. She had two precious, unscheduled hours before she was due to pick up her son from a sleep over, drop him off at his karate class, head to the office to drop off her proposal, pick him back up during her lunch hour, go back to the office to do some preliminary work on next week's spreads. All this to be concluded with a PTA meeting where they would be discussing the issue of juvenile aggression within the school district, and what they'd be doing about it. Joy. 

    She had tried to sleep in, she really had. Had consciously turned off the alarms on her phone and bedside clock, meditated before bed. And she woke up promptly at 5:00 am anyway, after four hours of restless sleep. There was no point in lying in bed staring at the slowly lightening ceiling, so she got up and got ready for the day. 

    It was a rare treat, having time to sit and enjoy her breakfast. She had been eyeing the cafe for months now, had stopped in for a quick coffee twice. This morning, she'd do it properly. She had stopped briefly at the news stand, picking up copies of the fashion magazine she was an editor of, as well as a copy each of their two biggest competitors. She would browse them over her coffee, knowing full well that was letting work into her personal time. Armed with her literature, designer umbrella and dainty handbag, she checked her makeup one more time in the rearview mirror before exiting her beloved baby blue and white vintage Bel Air, umbrella first. 

    She stepped quickly across the street, side stepping a puddle to spare her dainty nude suede Jimmy Choos. 
    The retro red and orange dyed silk scarf that she'd tied into her mane of hair was her one "weekend" allowance to her otherwise professional outfit. Stepping into line behind a man who stood a head higher than her, despite her five inch pumps, she swept a wisp of expensive platinum hair back into place, surveying the menu critically. Perhaps she could get away with the egg white and spinach wrap... In the cut throat fashion world, every calorie counted. Maybe she'd just stick with a fancier than usual coffee.

    While the male barista took the man's order, she watched them work. There was a girl there as well, pretty in a carefree sort of way. She had a look to her that Sabrina recognized. Like she was rapidly outgrowing her current life, and had her sights set on something more. Well, she hoped the girl got there. Smoothing the skirt of her daring sky blue suit, she waited for her turn at the counter.
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    #5
    It isn't odd to see new faces in the coffee shop. In fact, it was rather common. Their town was small but placed conveniently enough to be on the maps of quite a few travelers on their way to the surrounding cities. When the dark-haired stranger comes to a quiet stop at the counter, the woman is busy fiddling with the golden nameplate that dully bore the soft curling letters of her name. He makes no move to catch her attention and when she glanced upwards she nearly jumped out of her skin. She could have sworn he had been sitting only moments before when her friends began arriving to work...

    "How can I h-"

    Though she begins with her usual friendly drone she is quickly interrupted by Eros and she quiets down with a soft smile. As the two men watch each other Della's attention is drawn to the woman that stands only inches behind the stranger. Della is enamored instantly. The woman looked as though she stepped right out of Vogue Italy, and Della wanted so terribly to be like her. Of course, she had probably seen her before, but Della saw at least fifty people a day and it was easy to forget a nameless face. So if she had been mesmerized by this mystery woman in the past, the magic had been reclaimed. 

    Della only allows her azure eyes to linger on the woman for a few moments however before she is quickly averting her gaze. 

    "Miss I can go ahead and begin working on your order if you'd like?"
    She proposes, offering a chance to quickly dispose of the customers and get them their food. Part of Della wanted to know everything about the two strangers suddenly. One a mysterious man who captivated her gaze the moment he sat down in the corner, another a woman in a strikingly blue suit who stood quietly behind the first. 

    "I'd be happy to help you out this morning."

    ~
    @[Arithmetic]  @[Eros]  @[Sabra]
    OOC: Something quick for everyone before I hop off to bed <3
    [Image: lav_by_heyyou80-dc01t5i.png]
    L a v e n d e l
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    #6

    Small towns were curious places. The people who resided there were easily fascinated by new comers, a fact that Ari was not ignorant of. In many ways he considered that to be his advantage. An act as simple as walking down the street made him a spectacle. It had served as entertainment for the first two days that he had found himself stranded in such a dismal place. Fruitless, however, the attention had soon grown bothersome.
     
    Disappointment was bubbling up inside of him. Della, as her nametag revealed to him, had a face that belonged in the city. Not in a coffee shop. As abnormally beautiful as she was, she appeared to be nothing but a looker. Afraid to take chances and grab for the things that you want.
     
    For a moment he was hopeful that she was different as she stepped forward and began inquiring his drink order – that is, until she was interrupted by her male associate. Ari was not shy in revealing his dismay. He shot a quick glare in the direction of the male barista, Eros. Still, the girl did little to take charge of the moment and she gladly stepped aside to allow her companion to take control of the situation. Clearly, his instincts about her had been wrong.
     
    As he stepped toward Eros to place his second order he was halted by the clang of the bell ringing as the door to the shop swung open. Ari was halfway aware as another woman stepped in. She was different and clearly did not belong in such a place as this. Instantly his attention was shifted, though he made no outward acknowledgement of his intention.
     
    Smiling thinly, he ordered, “A hot tea, please.” His accent filled the space as he stepped aside to await his request. Situated back in his corner seat he watched the new comer. She had a regality to her. A maturity that interested him greatly. Well put together, she was a far cry from the usual sort he’d come to expect to see on his daily walks to and from the coffee shop. In her arms he couldn’t help but notice the magazines tucked under her arm. It was obvious, not only by her demeanor but by her dress, that she was a professional woman. Ari admired her.
     
    Absentmindedly, he found himself straightening out his cuffs and his tie. His jacket was flung over the back of the chair beside him and his laptop was sleeping on the coffee table in front of him. Though not at the office, he still had piles of work and reports to sort through. A job he was happy to ignore for a moment longer.

    Arithmetic
    I Don't Make Love


    I'm still trying to get used to him as a character.
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    #7

    Eros

    Patiently he awaits the man's order, but another enters the cafe and distracts them all.  Another traveler from the city, he assumes, by the much too fancy attire for their small town.  It wasn't abnormal to see passer throughs but each intruiged the home-towners.  This lady probably got looks anywhere she went and today was one of those days.  

    Della's uncertain glances switch from the man to the women with a hint of awestruck in her eyes.  He had known Della for quite some time know and knew she had wanted to move to the big city.  Honestly it made him a bit sad that this was her finally year of high school and soon she'd be off.  He quite fancied the girls kind demeanor and ambition.  She would never settle for a tech college graduate, so he had never attempted to ask her out.  Besides she was a few years younger than him and a fellow coworker, so he didn't want to complicate their current relationship.

    A hot tea please, he had almost forgot he was waiting on the man's order.  Fetching the piping hot kettle from the warmer, he poured the man a cup.  Handing it over the counter he asked, "Will that be it Sir?  We do have some delicious pastries that are freshly made each morning?" When the man grabbed the cup and returned to his seat in the corner, he took that as a no thank you.  

    Turning to place the tea back into the warmer, he sets it down and walks towards the kitchen door.  Swinging it open he disappears into the back to retrieve the platter of freshly prepared donuts, muffins, and scones.  Before heading out to the pastry case, he grabs a clean set of tongs and heads back out to the front counter.  

    Setting the tray down he carefully places each item into the case in an orderly arrangement.  He listens in on Della and the women's exchange of conversation.  Curious as to if it would be revealed what brought the stranger to their quaint cafe on such a dreary day...

    Unconditional Love




    @[Lavendel] @[Arithmetic] @[Sabra]
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    #8
    She hardly noticed anymore, the way eyes seemed drawn to her when she entered a room. Her hair, which was a shade of warm caramel when it wasn't dyed blonde, her exotic features and blemishless light olive skin tone (courtesy of her absent father's genetics), coupled with her mother's clear blue eyes and svelte figure, had turned a pretty little girl into an undeniable beauty as she'd grown. 

    It sounded petty, but there had been many days where she'd wished for a plain appearance. Something to prevent the lecherous glances of old men, to deflect the unwanted gropes and advances she'd dealt with since she was twelve. 

    She'd built up a wall around herself. A protective barrier of bitchiness with a healthy dose of job obsession that had been successful in driving away... well, everyone. Once, she had let that barrier down. It had ended badly, but she couldn't bring herself to regret it. How could she, when that relationship had give her her son? But the barrier had gone back up, extended only enough to encompass the child she loved entirely. 

    The girl greeted her at the counter, cheery and warm. Sabrina smiled at her, taking one final glance at the menu behind the counter. "Good morning... Della." She greeted her with a glance to the girl's name tag. "A cinnamon cappuccino, with skim milk please. And..." Her eyes wandered to the tempting pastries the other counter worker was laying out, biting her berry-painted lip. Oh, what the hell. She was treating herself, right? She'd hit the treadmill for an extra hour tonight, that's all. "A cream cheese muffin too, please." 

    She waited as her order was processed, watching Della as she moved about. As the girl handed her a receipt, she held out her blue and silver business card. "Take this. We're having a photo shoot tomorrow evening, at six pm sharp, at the address on the card. I think you have potential. If you're interested, tell them Sabrina sent you, they'll let you in." She smiled again as she gathered her drink and pastry, hoping the girl would take her up on the offer. Fresh talent was always needed, and she knew opportunity when she saw it. With any luck, this girl might make the cover of Sylver in a year. 

    She situated herself in a little bistro chair by the window, taking a sip of her cappuccino before opening the first magazine. She jotted down notes as she browsed, only vaguely aware of the others moving around her. 

    @[Lavendel] @[Eros] @[Arithmetic]
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    #9
    As Eros takes the man's order (A hot tea to be exact) she moves aside from his disappointment laced gaze. If she hadn't been so used to this job shock would have been present on her face, but now it is hidden by a thick mask of a smile. The fair-skinned woman stepped forward and voiced her request. As she had done a million times before the brunette girl took down the order quickly. Softly bringing forth the price before passing the woman her receipt. As if for a moment she was not a barista in the middle of nowhere the woman (Who revealed herself as Sabrina) passed Della a shimmering card, her voice soft yet coaxing. The girl took it in a trance her eyes glossed over with a million emotions.

    "T-... Thank you."
    Her voice was a choked whisper as she read over the card. It was milliseconds that felt like hours before Della cleared her throat and met the other woman's equally as pale blue eyes.

    "I will certainly be there."
    And as soon as she voiced this she was off, fixing the mysterious woman's order. She was sure anyone within a fifty-mile radius could hear her heart thumping rudely against the ivory bones of her chest as she worked.  This was it! This was her chance to get the hell out of this God-forsaken place! Suddenly she went pale as her hands worked furiously to prepare the woman's drink. What would her mother think? What would she say? For so long her whole life had been helping her mother. 

    "This is it."
    She whispered almost silently to herself. Those three words quickly dismissed any guilty thoughts as she rounded up the last items of the order before bringing it to the front.

    When both customers were comfortably situated in their respected seats she turned to Eros with shock everpresent on her features. With jittery limbs and a hopeful heart she silently mouthed a quick 

    'oh my God.'
    If anyone knew how much this meant to her it was Eros.
    ~
    OOC: Hope this wasn't too bad! You guys are so creative and I love it!<3
    [Image: lav_by_heyyou80-dc01t5i.png]
    L a v e n d e l
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    #10

    Ari watched from the top of his laptop as the strange, platinum blond woman passed a business card to the young barista. Heavy surprise was evident upon Della’s face as she stuttered around, clearly dazed by the gesture. He smirked as he wondered if he would have received a similar reaction if he’d offered her a place on his private jet back to England. Probably not.
     
    It was painfully clear that he’d misjudged the young woman once again. Modeling? Really? There were far superior things for a woman to do to advance herself. Things that didn’t involve selling your body to the entertainment industry. Those so-called models were nothing but glorified strippers the way they strutted around in clothes far too tiny that left very little to the imagination. Now, of course, that did not mean that he did not enjoy attending such events. He’d had his fair share of model companions throughout the years, but he never kept them around for long. Almost every model that he met had been shallow and incapable of producing a single original thought.
     
    Della didn’t seem to be that type yet but give it time and she would soon be just as bad as the rest of them.
     
    Disgusted he’d suddenly gown restless. He set aside his tea and shut down his laptop. As he packed up his belongings he found himself drawn back to the platinum beauty. He hadn’t been able to hear much of her conversation with Della, but still he couldn’t help but feel drawn to her. Abandoning his things he strode over to her.
     
    ”I’m sorry to disturb you,” he said in a low voice, once again painfully aware of his heavy accent. ”You look awfully familiar.”
     
    Of course, he could have been mistaken. He’d been to events all over the world and had funded quite a few projects himself. Chances were, their paths had crossed once before – or he was merely being hopeful and using his mistake as an excuse to start a conversation with the out of towner. After all, a distraction could do them both a little good.

    Arithmetic
    I Don't Make Love


    @[Eros] @[Lavendel] -- @[Sabra] , Do whatever you want with this. Trying to stir things up a bit.
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