#ft. elena vasquez

[aishathevar]

who: aisha & @lenavaz

where: silver pines golf course

when: golf weekend (october 5th, 2024)

Aisha was notoriously not the biggest sports type, often preferring watching from the sidelines rather than actually participating. But she didn't mind golf, low stress, and she'd gotten to wear cute outfits, what was better than that? Though she could admit, that even if she hadn't been the greatest at it, a few rounds on the course was right up her alley on a nice day. So inviting Lena out to join her, she lifted the golf bag so it was slung on her shoulder as they headed to where the balls landed. Glancing over to her as they walked, she gave a small smile. "I have to say, this is a bit harder than mini-golf."

[kennedyxwarren]

happy birthday, @lenavaz!

To one of my favorite coworkers (and friends!), Happy Birthday! It's always a pleasure to work alongside you, and I hope you made the time to enjoy your day today. I got you a couple things I thought suited your vibe for some presents including a little plant jewelry holder, and a flowery tote bag for beach days, or just to have around. Hope you have a lovely day!

-- Kennedy

[kennedyxwarren]

"I've been anti-groundhog for years now, it's about time people caught on," she joked, although she was semi-serious. She knew some things were just traditions, but she couldn't help but be skeptical when it involved the unpredictable nature of the seasons. At her offer, she took a strawberry from the container with a smile, never one for passing up fresh fruit. "But you're right. I decided to take the afternoon off, finally. Couldn't take the nice day for granted," though she was sure there'd be more nice days in the future, she hadn't given herself much of a break recently from her business. Hence why she finally decided to take a day off, the nice weather being an added bonus. "Kind of hoping this is actually the start of spring and not just the rare day we get before a rainy few weeks."

It was the perfect kind of day to be outside, and while Elena would love to be at home gardening or sitting on the back patio with a lemonade and her sketch pad… work called. Thankfully, Amina believed in decent-sized breaks for fresh fruit and bubbly beverages, both of which were next to her on her bench as she watched the fountain and the shoppers, and then Kennedy, extra grateful to get to spend the break with a friend. "Sometimes I think the groundhog is telling us something…" she wrinkled her nose, looking over at her friend, "like, you know, we shouldn't trust rodents when it comes to predicting whether or not we're going to have an early spring?" Elena laughed, shaking her head and popping open the fruit container, holding it out a bit towards Kennedy to let her know that she was more than welcome to share as she popped a strawberry into her mouth. "But I guess we can't complain when we get sunny days like this."

[aishathevar]

who: aisha & @lenavaz

where: somewhere in the suburbs

when: april 2024

With a heavy tote bag from her haul at the Treasure Chest on her shoulder, Aisha had been glancing at the shop windows as she walked through the suburbs. While she hadn't had any specific plans that afternoon, she was fine to just see where the afternoon took her. She often enjoyed spring weekends, when the nice weather allowed her to meander without having to worry about escaping the cold. As she glanced over from a window, she noticed Elena near one of the stores. Giving a bright smile, she approached her. "Hey, Lena!" she gave a small wave. "Enjoying your day?"

[kennedyxwarren]

"Pretty sure I'd be more inclined to do day-to-day tasks if I was wearing a pretty dress all the time," she joked, knowing it wouldn't probably be the most practical. But she liked to get dressed up every now and then, not getting the opportunity very often, so having a day like this to do whatever she pleased was something she was going to enjoy every minute of. "Well, thank you! I try, but I think you being a makeup and gemstone genius deserve a day off just as much as I do," she grinned at Elena. She'd always admired the others' work ethic, and was happy to work alongside her, but it was nice to spend time outside of the hectic business. "I can promise you that," she nodded, knowing she wouldn't be as bummed having missed out on getting her dream item, but that the day was over. "That'd be a good idea! Not something as flashy you can incorporate into your everyday wardrobe," she nodded, giving a slight hum of contemplation as she tried to think of suggestions as they made their way over to the shops. "Maybe a flowery necklace, or bracelet?"

"Plus, it's wasting your time while looking super, super pretty in a costume," and that was Lena's favorite way to waste time, while looking good. She could waste time at home in pajamas, reading a book or watching TV, or she could be a damsel running through the Renaissance Faire. She knew which option she was going to go with. "You deserve that, too! You spend so much time doing so many things for so many people, you deserve to just be able to kick back, relax, do whatever looks good in the moment." Lena herself liked to be organized, punctual, tidy, but there was no way they could ever live up to what Kennedy did, especially after having seen her in action. "Yes, let's!" she grinned, "I don't want to turn around on the bus and see any pouty faces from you," although she had an idea in her head that she would be seeing much more sad, pouty faces simply because people were heading home. "I think I want a piece of jewelry that I can wear often, you know? Not something that's too obvious like a giant unicorn, but maybe… something delicate?"

[anthwang]

"Pretty unpredictable for Maine during this season, but glad it turned out to be a nice day for them," that's the least they could ask for, rather than a gloomy day. Though the night air was welcome as long as he was sitting by the fire, enjoying a bit of warmth even if the nights hadn't been that cold yet. Taking the bag handed with a smile, he shook his head. "Not quite sure about trusting those who like burnt marshmallows. Wouldn't it ruin the flavor profile of the s'more? Not that I'm a snob or anything, just think toasty marshmallows are inherently better."

"It can be so touch and go this time of year. One October, it's still warm and sunny, and then next thing you know, you've got a blizzard for Halloween," but the Newmans had lucked out with a beautiful day, and a beautiful evening, too. Although it was cooling off, it still felt nice to be outside, especially after dancing under the tent for so long. Holding out the bag to him with a grin, she couldn't help her laugh. "There are some people who actually like burnt marshmallows more than the perfectly toasted ones, so it might not be so bad. Guess it depends on how much you trust their taste?"

[kennedyxwarren]

"I agree! It's so much easier to waste your time away at a Renaissance fair than something else," while she enjoyed the aspects of her day-to-day life, the business had her scheduling time for nights out or doing little things when she could. So having a full day to just drink ales, watch jousting, or just wander around sounded perfect to her. "I'm just looking forward to spending a full day without planning, so all in all, it's good for everyone I didn't get into that," she laughed, nodding enthusiastically at her next sentence. "I'd be lamenting the whole bus ride home if I missed my dream item, not being dramatic at all," she joked, trying to justify the purchases she'd make at the Faire. "So shall we go hunt for the perfect piece?"

"Yes! It's like time has no meaning at all. Although most of the time when that's happening, it's me not getting through my to-do list, so at least this is something somewhat fun, you know?" If she lost her whole day to something like the Renaissance Faire, it felt like time well spent. Chores? Boring. Jousting, shopping, eating, human chess, an evening gala -- that was much, much more her speed. "And then we would have to whip out the schedule and figure out how to change things up, we would have gotten frustrated, it's just no good," Lena let out a laugh. "It's so hard to tell yourself no when there's something you really, really want when you're in a situation where you don't know if you'll ever see it again! I don't want to miss out on my dream item!"

[kennedyxwarren]

Although it seemed like spring had yet to appear in the town after weeks of dreary weather, it was finally a nice, sunny day. It inspired Kennedy to head over to the Hideaway Market for a low-key, day off. After stopping at the Collab to look at a few new vendors, she decided to sit and enjoy the sun instead of returning to her apartment right away. Glancing around the space, she sat on a bench, looking at the shoppers milling about, enjoying their day. As she heard a voice, she turned slightly to see Lena take a seat, a smile coming to her face. "Oh, absolutely!" she nodded in agreement. "Even though it was supposed to be an early spring, it felt like it'd never come around."

WHO: Elena & OPEN!

WHERE: Hideaway Market

WHEN: spring, 2024

The sun was finally showing -- and thank goodness for that. Growing up in Maine meant that you had a certain understanding: it was going to be cold much longer than it had any right to be. But once that sun came out, everything changed. The grass seemed thicker, more lush, the trees were blossoming, and everyone just seemed... happier. Elena, included, as she dropped down to sit on one of the benches in the Hideaway Market center, in front of the fountain they had just got running again. Tilting her head back, she let out a warm, content sigh at the feeling of the sun's rays on her skin, speaking to the person next to her. "Can't tell me that doesn't feel good, hm?"

[kennedyxwarren]

"I get it, you think you have the whole day, and all of a sudden, you're halfway through and still have so much to do," at something like the Ren Faire, Kennedy wanted to try to take everything in. She didn't want to spend too much time doing one specific thing, so she promised herself she'd diversify her day. "It's probably best I didn't. I usually have things timed to the minute, it wouldn't give us leeway to explore." she wanted a carefree day, one she could spend geeking out, and not have to worry about the timing of her schedules. "Well, obviously. What if we go back and it's not there? I'd regret it all day," she let out a laugh, then gave a shameless shrug herself. "I may also be a fan of impulse purchases, so you're in good company."

"I keep telling myself that I have all day, but I don't want to also be telling myself that I have all day at eight o'clock tonight, you know?" The idea of missing out on things that she wanted to do drove Elena nuts, and at a place like the Renaissance Faire, where there were no shortage of things that she wanted to get into, that was the last thing that she wanted. "Oh, we should have done that! You have all that planning know-how, we could have made this happen so easily… but you know what, then we would have stressed out if we missed something, too," and that might have ended up making the whole thing even worse. "That's a good idea, though! And, if we see something that we need some time to think about before purchasing, we have it." A pause, and then a laugh, "although I am the queen of impulse purchases, so."

[aishathevar]

Walking across the greens, she was glad she'd improved somewhat throughout the game. Instead of her ball landing a few feet away, it went farther, by not much, but still an improvement. Or maybe it was a way to convince herself she wasn't bad at golf, but she wasn't all that concerned, having fun, and enjoying her company. "No, I totally understand. I could definitely go for a water feature now, or even a windmill or something," she joked, a grin on her face as she slightly adjusted her visor, spotting the bright yellow golf ball she'd been using. "Though I will say I'm doing better than I thought I would. I thought we would be stuck at the first hole the entire time, but I think we're making good progress."

Elena wasn't the world's worst golfer, but that definitely didn't mean she was going to go pro any time soon. It was one of the sports she had learned to play with her dad when she growing up. He loved to golf, liked getting something good to eat afterwards, wandering around the club house. Lena just liked putting on the cute little outfits that you could get away with calling sporty when you wanted to go play. "No kidding," she laughed, following after Aisha as they crossed the green down to where their balls had landed, not very far from where they needed to be, but… definitely not close enough to be brag. Somewhere in the middle. Maybe they were getting better? "You know when you're doing miniature golf and you come up against a sand pit or a water feature and you think, gosh, this is impossible?" she glanced over at Aisha, trotting over to her bright pink ball. "I actually wish there were more of those about now."

[aishathevar]

"Sometimes I regret moving to the Northeast during the cold months. Then the nicer weather rolls around and I convince myself it's only a few months of cold," she shook her head, a slight grin crossing her face. But luckily this had been her third winter in town, and she was used to the weather by now. She'd complain during the chillier months, but she was fond of places where they got the proper seasons and not some version of each. Which is why she got excited to plan her wardrobe out with each season. "I should know that it's never just a few things, right?" a hypothetical question since she knew the answer each time she stepped through the doors. "Not sure it's because people are spring cleaning their closets, but I did find more cute finds I'm excited to break out." she nodded, glancing over at Lena with a smile as she extended her arm. "Then I'd be glad to accompany you." she said, linking her arm with hers.

"I don't know about you, but this winter felt like it was never going to end. And it wasn't even that snowy!" And for Lena, that meant that it wasn't a winter worth suffering through; she wanted warm weather, sunshine, flowers and blooms -- at least, if it wasn't going to be a beautiful, snowy winter that sort of made up for it, anyway. Once it became clear that a blizzard wasn't going to turn their town into a winter wonderland, bring on the green, green grass. "You go in to pick out one thing, and leave with a whole bag?" she laughed, knowing far too well how it went. Her closet hated her for how many new things she brought home every single time she tried to go shopping. "I bet that you found some fab finds, though," Lena grinned, looking over at Aisha. In her opinion, the other woman could have worn a sack and still looked beautiful, so that was never a question. "If that company is you?" she asked, grinning, and extending her arm, "please, accompany me."

[aishathevar]

"Yeah? Well, it's a nice enough day to stop and smell the flowers, literally, so I wouldn't blame you," A small smile crossed her face as she glanced over at her, adjusting the tote bag on her shoulder with a nod. "I am, well- was! Went into the Treasure Chest to get a few things to refresh the wardrobe, but you know how that goes- went a bit overboard, if you could believe that," she couldn't help but laugh since that was typically how things went whenever she went in the thrift store to just browse and she was sure anyone knew that. "But now I'm just seeing where things take me now since it seems like that kind of day." she still found the town had new ways to surprise her, even after being her for a few years, so she never quite stuck to her set plans. "So, care for some company on your walk?"

Having grown up along the coast, Lena used to dream of the day when she could own a home, walk along the quiet suburb streets, stop into the pizza shop, smell the flowers that her neighbors planted. Granted, she hadn't expected it to happen when her abuela passed down the modular home she had lived in for years to her as she took up residence in the retirement home, but… it did mean that she got to live out her dream and enjoy those long strolls down the sidewalk. Sometimes, she was even lucky enough to see people she knew, breaking into a grin as Aisha waved, and returning the gesture. "Hey! I am, I'm doing that literal stop and smell the flowers kind of thing, you know? How about you -- out shopping?"

[kennedyxwarren]

"I can admit, I'm excited about everything myself, and narrowing down just one thing to start with is tough," Kennedy agreed with Elena, a slight laugh leaving her lips. Ren Faires had always been right up her alley, so she was glad to be in the company of someone who was hyped as she was. "All good options. Too bad I didn't make a schedule to squeeze in everything throughout the day before we have to go back to the buses," she joked, glancing at the flowers they passed before setting her focus on what they were starting with first so she'd be able to have an idea of where they were going. "Maybe some shopping to start with? That way we'll have the rest of the day to check everything else out."

WHO: Lena & @kennedyxwarren

WHERE: Ren Faire

WHEN: July 27, 2024

"The only downside I can quite possibly think of when it comes to the Renaissance Faire... is that I don't even know where to start?" Elena laughed, looking over at Kennedy with an amused expression, "do I want to eat? Do I want to immediately go find a head piece that pulls my outfit together? And then I start doing the math in my head, like how many hours do we have and can I quite possibly fit in every single thing that I want to do before we have to get back on that bus?" She lifted her skirt in her hand, stepping around a flower garden brimming with bright colors, other hand reaching out to brush the petals of the roses. "So what do you think -- what first?"

[anthwang]

Anthony was admittedly not big on dancing or making small talk, so he hung out on the outskirts of the reception for a bit. Sipping on mocktails from the open bar, he decided to head towards the fire pit once it got a bit cooler. Glancing over when he saw Elena approach, he offered a smile in her direction. "It is a pretty nice night," he agreed, watching as she pulled out two bags of s'mores ingredients. "I was actually thinking of making one soon, you read my mind! Can't say I've done this in a while myself, so hopefully I won't burn my marshmallow."

WHO: Lena & @anthwang

WHERE: Cage & Cordelia's Wedding

WHEN: October 19, 2024

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Elena asked as she approached Ant by one of the fire pits, pulling her skirt carefully under her legs as she dropped to sit on the bench, smile on her face. "Are you going to try your had at making a s'more?" Without waiting for his answer, she pulled out two of the paper bags, breaking into a grin. "It's been a while, but I'm willing to try if you are!"