gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

She raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching into a soft grin as she met his gaze head-on. “What can I say? I like a little risk,” she quipped, swirling her drink idly. “Though I didn’t expect the ankle bracelet to be part of the package.”

Her tone was light, but the glint in her eye betrayed the challenge she was throwing his way. She leaned in slightly, her voice dropping just enough to keep things interesting. “And maybe it is. Maybe I’m wondering if getting tangled with you is worth the ankle bracelet and the sly smirks.”

She took a sip, letting the warmth of the drink linger, matching his playful silence with her own. Finally, she added, “Guess there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there?”

Cole raised an eyebrow, his lips curving into a sly smirk. “What can I say? I’m a sentimental guy,” he teased, leaning back slightly. “And yes, unfortunately i do still have it.” He chuckled, the sound low and easy, as if wearing an ankle bracelet was just another casual anecdote.

When her attempted flirt landed with a mixture of awkwardness and a quick subject change, he couldn’t help but laugh—warm, genuine, and maybe just a little charmed. “Tangled with me, huh? Bold move,” he said, tilting his glass toward her with an amused glint in his eye. “But yeah, the drinks are good. Almost as good as your smooth recovery there.”

He took a slow sip of his drink, letting the silence hang just long enough to make it playful. “So, is that really what's on your mind? Being tangled with me?” @gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

GRACE CROMWELL || 2025 New Years Ball

@aurorabayaesthetic

[gracecromwell]

"Hey, I do think past lives do actually exists as well. But the chances of merfolk? I mean how else were we told stories if they're not a little bit true you know?" Gracie believed in a lot of things, it was just the fact the universe was well unsolved that we didn't know what happens beyond life. As well as supernatural, how else did those stories come to light? There has to be some little truths to it at least that's what she assumed. "Or they could be two species, well I mean we have the sirens who are supposedly great at singing but they are scary creatures."

"The fact that you act like the possibility of merfolk is more likely than past lives shows me we will get along." Hinata laughed. He supposed there was such things as past lives but no one could be sure. At least with merfolk he knew there was a possibility. Right? Most of the ocean was still yet to be explored and there was some crazy shit down there. "Not sure about the past lives or after life or anything like that, but I think sea creatures like mermaids are probably real. And yes, I know I sound fucking crazy." Hinata laughed again, this time more so at himself because he knew it did sound insane. "I don't think they're half human though. I think they're scary human-like fish."

@gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

Their past relationship was a good one, one of the many fond memories she liked looking back on. But with how things ended, she wondered if they could slowly come back to how they were before or even overcome those hurt feelings. She was willing to try, Peyton was a good person in her eyes and she knew he had a lot to deal with that she didn't want to push him so much. Which was probably why she was okay with ending things because she didn't want him to resent her one day.

"Hmm...would it be bad if I say yes?" She asked teasingly as she glanced over at him as she tied up her laces. "But I mean, I wouldn't make fun of you because honestly the last time I skated was well..with you so I may be a little rusty." Gracie shared as she switched to her other foot to tie the laces nice and tight so she wouldn't fall and loose a skate. "If anything, we can laugh about this and grab some grub afterwards."

@pytndyer

Peyton didn't know why he had asked that. All in all, this was awkward for him. It was a stupid question. He knew how to talk to people, but with Gracie, it was difficult for him. He wanted to work on their... relationship or whatever this was. Friendship? He knew he could do it. He had to let go of the past.

Remember the last time.... he remembered the last time. He followed in suit by taking the skates and walking towards the benches to put them on. "Yeah, I remember." Peyton said with a smile as he sat down. "I remember falling on my ass multiple times." He shook his head remembering the bruises that had formed on his knees as well. It was a moment he remembered being genuinely happy at the time. It had been the start of their relationship then.

"Are you expecting me to fall as often as last time?" @gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

"I just thought Gatsby was an idiot for waiting so long for a girl who he created and put on a pedestal." Gracie shared her thoughts on the book. The movie was great, she enjoyed the soundtrack but everything else, book wise, she didn't care much about other than the fact Gatsby held Daisy high up and not fall for the real her. "Yeah you're right, something I'm working on but you know...hell with it. I would love to get dominated by someone."

"Oh, good. Then that's the one. If I'm not crying by the end of a book, I don't really see the point. Except The Great Gatsby. I didn't cry during that one. I just felt bad for Daisy." She hadn't read a real romance book in so long. Oriana hadn't had that much time to read when she was practically at a red carpet event every other weekend. "I don't think that's embarrassing to say. You like what you like. Own it."

[gracecromwell]

"Okay would it make me a terrible person if I didn't wish for world peace?" Gracie asked as she sipped her green tea and added, "I think I would wish for getting a start up in my career, like make it big type of thing."

status: open @aurorabaystarter location: tuttie fruttie smoothie

"Okay, if you think it's so easy then here -- you can answer one," Presley says as she flips through her interview flashcards, reading a question off of the back of one.

"'If you could have one wish fully granted with no strings attached or consequences, what would it be?' And you can't say world peace."

[gracecromwell]

"I mean unless I magically down sized on shoes, then yes....size 8." gracie laughed lightly. She did wish she had smaller feet and had more options to choose from when she did buy some shoes. But it appeared everyone was her same size so she always had a struggle to find her new favorite shoes.

"God, I can't believe we're going skating again. Remember the last time?" Gracie asked as she accepted the skates from the person.

closed started for: @gracecromwell

location: ice rink

It was ironic that the last time Peyton had gone ice skating was with Gracie herself. This time he had agreed (it had been his idea) to go ice skating. He didn't understand why he suggested it in the first place because he wasn't the best ice skater.

"Can I get, uh, size 12.5 and a size 8." Peyton asked before turning towards Gracie, "You are still an 8, right?"

[gracecromwell]

"I was sobbing like a baby at the end. But I get the whole liking the fairy type of romance." Gracie said smiling. "I mean there's that one book that's all the hype but I couldn't get into the first book. I'm more of a...dominate type of romance? It's embarrassing to say that out loud now I think about it."

Oriana was shocked that she was getting all sorts of options from someone, although she had tried to read that book and not really meshed with it. "Well I don't know that I'm in to the fairy type of romance. I did actually try that once and wasn't a huge fan of it." She looked at the shelves and found The Song of Achilles. A sad book did seem like a better choice for her right now. "How bad was this cry?"

[gracecromwell]

"I love those ideas, like I said, I will leave it up to you and I'm certain I will love the outcome. Plus I get to flex it whenever I want once it is finished." Gracie said excitedly. She loved tattoos, they were gorgeous art pieces to be shown to the world. Minus the slight sting of a needle piercing her skin over and over again wasn't the best. But she was a big baby when it came to pain tolerance.

Maia grinned, clearly excited by the idea. "Alright, flowers it is! That’s a solid starting point," she said, her eyes lighting up with inspiration. "I love the idea of letting the artist get a little wild with it. Flowers give us so many options, and we could throw in some fun details—maybe a mix of something delicate and bold, a bit of contrast to keep it interesting." She leaned forward, tapping her chin as she started brainstorming. "We could do something flowery but with some subtle elements, like a design that wraps around your arm or something that feels more organic, almost like the flowers are growing out of the skin. It’s all about the vibes you want." @gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

"Oh shit, a whole ankle bracelet? Way to make my heart swoon Cole." She placed a hand over her chest as she gave him a mock awe expression and laughed. "But seriously, you still have that? I thought you're supposed to give those back or pay some fee for it." Not that she knew much about ankle bracelets for criminals or people involved with the law. But she knew of someone who had to wear one back in high school and talked about how expensive it was to have one.

"You can be tangled in them with me if you like," she attempted to flirt but felt herself feeling embarrassed to even spout something like that out. "I mean, what about the drinks, they're quite delicious aren't they?" She said as she quickly took a sip of her drink to swallow down the embarrassment.

Cole chuckled, leaning back as he gave Gracie a mock serious look. "Well, you know, I like to keep a little mystery. Gotta keep you on your toes." He smirked, clearly enjoying the playful exchange. "I'd let you borrow my ankle bracelet too but somehow I think I'd get into trouble for that."

When she mentioned her costume, Cole let out a low whistle, clearly impressed. "I'm not gonna lie, I have no idea what you're talking about." His eyes glinted with a teasing edge. "But those wings... you sure they weren't made for a more dramatic entrance? You look like you're ready to fly, even if the costume’s a bit of a struggle." He grinned, enjoying the sight of her trying to manage it all. "Honestly, you’re pulling it off like a pro, though. I’d probably be tangled in those wings within five minutes." @gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

"Well at least we share that in common. I mean I am a little creative but anything else...it's like a terrible disaster waiting to happen." Gracie said laughing. Her strong suit was definitely creating anything fashion wise, occasionally she did try sketching a real life portrait but she always struggled at the nose and mouth portion.

"Sounds to me that your past life could have been like a merman for all we know, if you believe in that past life stuff. But how cool would that be? Being able to swim around in the ocean like Ariel? Singing and collecting sea shells...god my little kid self would be so jealous."

"Well that is creative." Hinata laughed lightly. "If anyone isn't creative, it's me. I've never even been able to draw a stick figure correctly, much less anything else you actually create like that. Even something as generic as crocheting." He wasn't even entirely sure what crocheting was. He never understood the difference between crocheting and knitting.

"My hobbies are snorkeling, diving, cleaning beaches, surfing... basically anything in water. I'm a little fish. Or merman? Nah, but sometimes I wish I was. I could just live in the water then and I feel that would be an easier life than being a fish." He laughed.

@gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

"Oh do I ever," Gracie said excitedly, "Let's see...Sarah J. Maas has good books, A Court of Thrones and Roses is one of the first book of the series if you like fairies type of romance. Kind of slow in the beginning but it gets good in the second book. But if that's not your niche then there's The Song Achilles but to be warned I cried like a baby."

who: open / @aurorabaystarter where: oceania bookshop

Since coming back to Aurora Bay, Oriana found herself slightly bored with more free time on her hands. She had never been one to read for fun, but she was almost in her thirties and needed to pick up a new hobby. Stopping by the bookshop, she perused the shelves trying to find something that would be interesting to her. "Excuse me," Oriana cleared her throat and looked at the person beside her. "I'm looking for something light to read. Do you have any recommendations?"

[gracecromwell]

Gracie narrowed her eyes playfully at Cole as she tried to read him on his response, with what she saw and was okay, she nodded her head in appreciation and laughed. "Okay, fine, I'll believe you this one time." She said jokingly.

"Well damn, you should've said something Cole, you're holding out on me. I could have been comfortable running around with an orange jump suit instead of fighting these wings every step of the way." Gracie laughed lightly. She didn't mind her costume, it was the wings and wig that was giving her a hard time. In all honesty, she should've just died her hair a lighter orange to save the struggle of wearing said costume. "I'm supposed to be Bloom. Although I might have just went as Flora."

Cole chuckled, running a hand through his hair as he smirked at her. "Cliché? Maybe. Effective? Absolutely. But don’t worry, you’re the only one I’ve tried it on tonight—scout’s honor." He held up two fingers in a mock salute, his grin never wavering.

He tilted his head, taking in her costume with a playful glint in his eyes. "Winx Club, huh? Gotta say, you’re pulling it off, even if the wings are fighting you every step of the way. Jail uniform would’ve been too easy—besides, it’s Halloween. You’re supposed to suffer a little for the look, right? Though, you could've borrowed my old orange jumpsuit." He teased, leaning slightly toward her. "So, which Winx are you? Or am I just supposed to guess and hope I don’t offend a fairy in the process?" @gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

🔥 - cole

send me a 🔥 and i'll tell you one thing my muse finds attractive about yours

"As long as you promise not to mention this at all to him because I don't need him to tease me about this later or anytime soon." Gracie pointed her finger and lowered it back to her lap. "I think when he pays attention to small details or pays attention to what I said before and brings it up in our silly conversations. Of course he's attractive, anyone with eyes would see that. But I don't focus on looks when I find myself liking someone. He just...understands me and I find that really attractive. Which is probably why I find it hard not to like him--not that I like him that way or anything, once again, don't you dare repeat this to him."

@colexwalters

[gracecromwell]

"Okay okay, fine I'll spill." She said laughing at the pout she gave towards her. "Well he's funny, kind of sarcastic--well he is very sarcastic. Which I really enjoy in a person because if they can't be sarcastic with me then what's the point you know?" She started to think about Cole as she continued, "When we talk, we tend to bicker, flirting back and forth but I sometimes have to put space between us to not allow myself to fall for those lines he gives which are those silly pick up lines. His smile is so...hot? Like he gives a smirk and it has me feeling like a silly school girl who got her first crush." Gracie now felt like she was blubbering out whatever which she quickly shut down as she toyed with her ring. "I don't know, I think I'm just scared to allow myself to fall for someone new." She stared at Luciana and smirked, "You're very smart for that."

"I can't believe you aren't going to dish with me." Luciana pouts playfully. "You know I'm one of the best people to hear all about the stuff going on." She teases as she reaches out to grab the box of pizza when they call their name. She looks at her from over her shoulder. "And all I have to show for my work is my clients and myself eating pizza on a Friday night."

@gracecromwell

[gracecromwell]

"Ah...what a cliche line Mr. Jones" She raised her brows and couldn't help but to smile in return. "I wonder how many that worked on tonight." She pulled at the wing strap and sighed, "Yes I am. But I'm a character from the Winx club because I figured it was a simple enough costume but let me tell you, these wings are terrible. I should've just worn a jail uniform."

“I’m Indiana Jones, of course. Here to find some treasure,” he grinned cheekily, looking down at her. Blue hues couldn’t help hit take in her outfit, he had no idea what she was aside from assuming she was some sort of fairy. “Looks like you’re the treasure, though, Gracie.” Smooth as fuck, he thought. “Are you a fairy?"

[gracecromwell]

Laughing lightly as she nods her head, "Well I am glad. Here I was trying to think of something creative I can do on the spot but my mind went blank. It's like those conversations you have and someone asks what do you do for fun and you have to go with a generic answer like...crocheting. Which I cannot do by the way."

"I promise it's not that bad." Although Hinata knew that some people just didn't like the ocean and there was nothing wrong with that, it was just hard for Hinata to wrap his head around sometimes. The ocean was literally his whole career and he'd practically lived in it his whole life.

"They're not silly at all! You don't have to do something as crazy as cliff diving to impress me. I'm very impressed with your work."

@gracecromwell