#( ft; rosalie hsu. )

[rosaliehsu]

[ender-yilmaz1]

WHERE: Spill the Beans WITH: @rosaliehsu

After the recent arrest of Theo Knox, it was safe to say that things felt like they were finally beginning to rev up for the ATF. Months had gone by without any breakthroughs, but this was a game changer, which meant longer hours both at the office and in the field. Before, he’d been able to balance his schedule and Layla’s, but with longer hours inevitably headed his way, he knew he’d need more help at home on those evenings when he had to work over. He’d never had to hire a sitter before, and if he was being honest, he wasn’t even sure where to start looking. Then one day, he came across an ad and jumped at it, eager to try and get something lined up before work became even more grueling than it already was. They’d agreed to meet for coffee, an easy, neutral way to start. Ender was already nestled in a booth with a fresh cup in front of him when he spotted who he guessed was Rosalie walk through the cafe door. “Rosalie?” He called out, just hoping he was addressing the right person. “Hi,” he continued, raising to his feet and extending a hand in greeting, “Ender. Thank you so much for meeting with me. Want a coffee or anything?”

[stefanosxdimopoulos]

As soon as he left her Stef found himself almost at a loss with what to do with himself. So usually a man of action he found himself stumped as to what task he could set himself to next. It was difficult to pin point just what had left him feeling that way, knowing it wasn't just because his morning routine had been interrupted nor was it that he was reluctant to offer her help. Domesticity wasn't an entirely new concept to him but there was something novel about it being with just one other person when his mornings had been filled with chatter and his family chaotically moving around each other before they went about the rest of their days. Maybe it was the discomfort that came with the idea that he was someone she'd turn to, surprising himself that he wanted to be that person but also feeling as though he'd always been more the twisted prince than a true knight in shining armour. Before he could lose himself in thoughts and emotions he didn't know how to name an idea came to him and he shut any remaining feelings and notions off the way that he had gotten so good at.

He could practically cook in his sleep and it had dawned on him that if he needed to eat she probably did too and so moved through to the kitchen to trying not to fixate how intimate it all felt. With the batter whipped up he began to cook the pancakes, on the second one when there was a sound of footsteps joining him in the room. Without turning he greeted his houseguest, offer made with a carefully neutral tone that he hoped she'd feel like she could decline if she wanted to. "I made pancakes, if you still have time for breakfast. Coffee too." Hand gestured vaguely in front of him, spatula in hand before he pointed to the fridge across the room. "Or there's some yoghurt in the fridge if you'd prefer. I just made some granola the other day."

Without thinking, her hand flew to her head, only upon her fingers touching the corduroy of one of her favorite hats did she realize what he was referencing. And though it took her a second to fully process, she couldn't help but laugh, a loud peal falling from her lips. It was at the entirety of the situation, really, how obviously frantic and flustered she must seem, that she couldn't even remember the hat on her own head. But mostly, at how....Cute he sounded, not to mention that embarrassed smile. The concept of such a stalwart person feeling that way was oddly comforting. It was good to know she wasn't the only person who could feel awkward or as if they had said something silly, something her loquacious nature often made her feel around him, all silent and stony-faced. "I'd forget my ears if they weren't attached to my head this morning. Sorry for gas-lighting you momentarily."

Her stomach jumped as he moved aside. She was thankful, endlessly so. But suddenly her mind began to spin out, trying to think how she could communicate just that. A gift card to his favorite coffee place? No, then she'd have to ask Tori where that was. Offer to take Titan out? Seemed too transactional. Make him dinner? Her mind paused on the idea. She knew he cooked at his family restaurant, so she might embarrass herself in the process, but it obviously intimated food meant something to him. And what better way to say thank you but in a language he spent most of his days speaking? As she bent slightly to greet Titan, her mind became more and more resolved. If she could get out of school on time for once, she should be able to make it to the cheap market downtown before the older couple who owned it closed up for the afternoon. --- She followed him (and Titan, naturally), almost on autopilot as she thought it all through, her mind only focusing on the present as he stopped. His words were firm, as if there was no room for argument, and she found herself utterly and rather embarrassingly, speechless. And as he turned on his heel and gave her privacy, she still hadn't figured out how to reply.

[stefanosxdimopoulos]

The question caught him off-guard and for a moment he felt entirely too exposed, as though he'd gotten too comfortable left some vulnerable part of him wide open. With the life he led such an oversight usually led to injury or worse and he has to fight the instinctive part of him that wants to put distance between them as quickly as possible. But her innocent question didn't deserve that from him. She didn't deserve anything apart from his gratitude and best manners. He resisted the urge to snap or cool his demeanour but there's no stopping the walls that come up slightly, deflecting with a weary half smile when honesty about his day isn't on the table. "Yeah, fine. Just tired." Words are punctuated by what he's sure is a convincing smile. after all it had been a long day.

Her laugh made him feel a little lighter, the darkness of the day brightened ever so slightly by her simple, uncomplicated joy. Warmth thawed the icy walls he'd hastily constructed and if there was one topic guarantee to earn his participation it was Titan. "Yeah, it's all in the training." He nodded slightly, indulging in a little more information. "It was probably both." Ghost of a wry smile flickered over his lips before he continued. "He knows to wait but that doesn't mean he doesn't try to hurry things along."

The mention of her work schedule broke the spell, bringing his mind back to reality and leaving him feeling as though he was loitering on her doorstep. Throat was cleared somewhat gruffly, Titan's ears pricked as he moved to his side in preparation to leave. The last thing he wanted was to be an inconvenience when she'd done him a favour. "Well, we'll let you get some sleep. Thanks again." There was a finality to his words, reminded of just how seen he'd felt only moments ago and seeking an exit before he felt overwhelmed once more.

Without realizing it, Rosalie had become knowledgable in the ways of Stefanos' face. It wasn't as if she had purposefully studied it, but as a joke she knew would have earned her one of the man's hard-to-earn huffs of laughter was only given a tug of the lips, she cocked her head. "Are you okay?" Perhaps she was projecting, but she had a feeling it was not a question often asked of the person in front of her, with his oak-like tendencies, silent and reliable, always standing at the ready.

But she couldn't help but laugh at his comment on Tori and Titan, as it might sound ridiculous to anybody who didn't know her, but those who did, it was a sound and just observation. Tori was a passionate woman who had no fear in expressing any and every thought that passed through her head. She was like a fire, fast moving and bright, tearing through everything with reckless abandon, only she didn't leave people burned. She was so opposite of Rosalie, that Ros often wondered why Tori even put up with her. "You can do that?" she questioned, eyes widened. Her parents had never even considered letting their kids have a pet, and Ros' only experience was with dogs was those of her friends, and was unaware that training could extend much past sit and stay. Despite her tired eyes feeling fuzzy in her head, she couldn't help but prod, "What do you mean?---Wait, does he like, nudge you? That's what he did to me, but I kind of thought he was annoyed that I wasn't getting to the door fast enough."

She sighed slightly at his question, not out of any annoyance of it being asked, but rather at being reminded of what early morning waited for he "If the day ends in 'y', I'm working early."

[avaxbests]

A love hate relationship had developed between her and shopping. What had once been one of her favourite pastimes, especially with her mother by her side, had slowly begun to feel more and more like an arduous task. Richard's exacting standards had meant that instead of a fun spree she'd spent hours carefully selecting piece to fit the vision he'd crafted for her. The joy had been sucked out of it when the mini fashion shows she had once done for their enjoyment had turned into tests she'd waited anxiously to pass.

But in the two years she'd spent away from his influence she'd begun to find the joy in it once more, finding it freeing to curate a wardrobe for only herself. Colour had been injected back in and there was more variety of shape but the discerning eye she'd had to develop remained. Quality remained important and so far she'd found this particular shop somewhat lacking, their price tags showing what she deemed an -over-inflated value. And it seemed as though she wasn't the only one, light hum of acknowledgement given before she replied in hushed but dry tones. "The mark ups in here are enough to make anyone trip over their feet."

She moved closer, holding up the pair of jeans and appraising it, the label feeling familiar to her. "I'm fairly sure I've seen the same pair online for at least $50 less." The garment was folded quickly so she could put it back down, dissatisfied enough that she didn't want to hold them any longer than she had to. Attention shifted from the jeans to the woman she was now next to, voice low once again as she offered to share her secrets. "But if you're into style over brand I know I great site for dupes."

where: clothing shop somewhere downtown who: open

The words of Donna Meagle rang in her ears. Treat yourself. Not to mention Tom Haverford's echoing sentiment. She may have been watching too much Parks and Rec in her few moments of spare time, she realized, but the point was still relevant. The debt she owed was too great to rob herself of small things until it was paid off, as she wasn't sure she'd ever be able to do so. So it was fine, she could buy a new pair of jeans without feeling guilty. But that thought was quickly quashed as she flipped over a tag on what she thought looked like a fairly cheap pair of jeans.

"Son of a motherfu--"

The words came out of her mouth before she could stop them, but knowing that these mass-made pair of jeans cost more than she'd earn in a week had shocked her enough that the woman, who always refrained from cussing, just in case students were nearby, couldn't help herself.

"Sorry," she wasn't sure if anyone was even paying attention, but with the few people milling about, she tried to save any pride and grace she had left. "I uh--Stubbed my toe."