#i:georgia

[dcrkcloud]

starter: your choice ( @dcwnfalls ) location: adult paint night, heights community center

Looking at it, you'd never know Georgia had spent all night on her 'masterpiece'. Holding it at arm's length to get the full picture, she's tempted to hover it at arm's length over the nearest bin, if not a shredder, but she should probably at least get out of the sight of the teacher and other volunteers before she makes her feelings known. She tugs on her coat as everyone begins to pack up, tucking her showpiece under her arm for now. The night still feels young, however, and after that, "I think I need a drink," she sighs. "I don't know why I was a little hopeful the 'adult' part of the paint night was wine. Care to join me?"

[dcrkcloud]

Though she loves the idea of being pampered, spa days aren't common for Georgia. She's slowly resented the feeling of being seen over the years, and the concept of doing nothing at all sounds more stressful than relaxing, but with a friend, it's social and the tone of a trip to Cove Wellness Centre shifts entirely. "A trophy wife..." Georgia repeats with an airy laugh. It sounds good, but to be so dependent on a someone else... The thought makes her shudder. "Do you have to word it like that?" She laughs again, eyes diverting away a little shyly. "Sounds like you're very ready for me to see you naked."

closed starter, ( @dcrkcloud , choose your fighter ) ! location, @ cove wellness center ! !

she could have a spa day everyday, considering just how rejuvenated she feels every time she visits the wellness facilities in coral cove. this time she tags along with a friend, wanting to show them what a day of doing absolutely nothing feels like. “ if i didn't get bored easily i could totally be a trophy wife, “ lana comments randomly as she slips on the comfy robe in the changing cabin, giving herself another ( self - absorbed ) glance in the mirror before she lets the door slide open. “ you ready to see me naked ? “ she asks her friend as she steps out, a mischievous smirk on her plump lips as she leans against the door frame.

[dcrkcloud]

starter: serin ( @serinxo ) location: national croissant day, sunrise cafe

Georgia isn't usually this generous, but there's something in the air today ( the scent of freshly baked croissants ) and she finds herself making an offer the person waiting behind her hopefully can't refuse. "Do you want to go halves for a dozen pack? Seems like overkill for just me, but it's better to buy a few." One definitely isn't enough, twelve is too many... Yet, six alone isn't enough for her to feel like she's taking full advantage of the discount. Honestly, she shouldn't complain that these days this is the biggest dilemma of her day.

[dcrkcloud]

starter: your choice ( @rcdamancy ) location: national sticker day, the book nook

Admittedly, Georgia isn't much of a reader. She isn't much of a New Year's resolutions kind of person either, so her being in The Book Nook that afternoon isn't some fleeting hope of becoming a reader just because they've looped back around to January either. In reality, a good friend had told her all about the novel they'd been absorbed in all weekend and in a desperate attempt to have something to connect with them on, she'd vowed to try reading it. Plus, she can never say no to anything free, even if it's stickers she'll probably never use. "Excuse me." She smiles tightly, nudging past someone. "Hey, do you know where the thrillers are? Sorry, I don't know if you even work here."

[dcrkcloud]

starter: leon ( @hecticlife ) location: national hot tea day, sunrise cafe

Ordinarily, at the notion of having to share a table with a stranger, Georgia would scoff and stomp her way back home, but with the buzz of the atmosphere and the time she'd spent on her look on her mind, she begins to consider accepting her fate. There's no familiar faces in the vicinity, though whether that's actually a bad thing is up for debate. Instead, she turns to the man behind her and takes a chance she's already hoping and praying she won't come to regret.

"Hey, they won't let me have a table unless it's for two because it's so busy; want to share a tea flight with me?" She can already imagine how uninviting her irritated expression is, so she adds on a quick "I'll pay, my treat," to sweeten the deal.

[dcrkcloud]

starter: your choice ( @cherriesfm ) location: lick the spoon

It doesn't need to be National Strawberry Ice Cream Day to get Georgia to indulge. She does usually prefer the company of her bed and Netflix with her bucket full, but the promise of a free scoop is enough to placate her as she waits in the queue. Truthfully, her favourite flavour is actually Cookie Dough, but June's a little further away than the counter, even if the person two in front of her is taking a lifetime to decide what they want.

She clicks her nails against the back of her phone, tilting her head back just enough for the person behind her to hear her quiet complaints without taking her eyes off the customer at the front. "Getting the free ice cream flavour on the free ice cream flavour day has to be the easiest decision of my life, yet this guy's indecision is making me doubt it now."

[dcrkcloud]

starter: your choice ( @dreamerfms ) location: tipsy shores dance hall

It seemed like all of Georgia's plans since the new year she'd been dragged to against her will. Her fierce dedication to her image will never allow her to admit it, but she's actually quite enjoying line dancing so far. She doesn't exactly have two left feet — she'd spent enough time over the years desperately trying to find a sport to match her sister in to know she has some level of coordination — but each movement is so new to her that she feels like a fawn trying to find its feet.

"I'm so sorry," she tries to stifle her laugh as she bumps shoulders with the person beside her. "I genuinely don't know what happened there. It's like my upper body goes left, my lower half goes right, and all of it goes wrong."

[dcrkcloud]

starter: gianna ( @amadouers ) location: harborview residences

Georgia doesn't expect to be met with this anywhere, much less the lobby of her apartment complex. The mail she'd just collected is now sprawled out across the floor, heartbeat loud enough that her neighbours might start to complain. It's always here, in what should be the safety of her own home, that she feels the smallest. She'd wasted so much of her effort avoiding Juliet when coming and going, when there had been a bigger threat lurking in the corridors all along — a ghost of the past, the sister she'd tried to erase. Knowing where she lives. It takes her a minute or two to muster up anything to say, to find any words that won't stumble out of her mouth in the garbled mess she's tried so hard not to be since she left Gianna behind.

"What are you doing here?"

[dcrkcloud]

starter: luka ( @lukahernandez ) location: adult paint night, heights community center

In her desperate attempts as a child to find something her parents could love her for as much as they did Gianna and tennis, Georgia had tried painting. It had gone about as well as one could expect, given that she had no real interest in anything of the like. As an adult, she'd sometimes wondered if she'd missed something amongst all the hobbies she dipped her toes into. She been so focused on impressing her parents that she forgot to actually try to enjoy herself, however tonight, barely a third of the way through her painting, she's realising she hadn't missed much at all.

"It's a wonder CalArts didn't want me." She mutters to the person beside her, not once taking her eyes off the mess of her canvas. "I probably should've listened when the teacher was talking, but I didn't really want to."

[dcrkcloud]

starter: your choice ( @starlightfms ) location: national bobblehead day, retro roots

Georgia hadn't known there'd be an event on today. She was actually only popping in on her way past, always a little curious of what new vintage clothes they might have added to the rails since she last visited. All that to say it's much busier today than usual, her back and shoulder being bumped repeatedly as other shoppers try to squeeze past her. She'd thought it must be something interesting to draw all these people in, but as she picks up a bobblehead, she can't help but mutter to the person beside her, "all this over these dumb things? I don't get it. Do you get it?"

[dcrkcloud]

starter: your choice ( @wallfloweresque ) location: heights community centre

This had to be some kind of sick joke — her friend begging her to come to indoor ping pong at the community centre only to cancel once Georgia's already here, seething just inside the door to avoid the wind messing up her hair. She hugs her jacket closer around herself, one thumb furiously typing and deleting a variety of strongly worded messages, none of which seem to perfectly capture how blinded she is by rage — not enough so to send, anyway.

"Fuck. Fucking ping pong. Fucking table tennis. Fucking joke." She mutters to herself, stepping back as someone seems to pause in front of her as they come in. "Sorry."

[dcrkcloud]

To Georgia, it's a silly question. If the flavour is free, it's automatically her favourite flavour. "Does it, though? Does it not just matter most that it's free?" She asks, almost more so to the universe than to the woman beside her specifically. Her eyes remain on the man at the front of the queue, still going back and forth between his choices. She's never been more glad to just be the person who delivers the food once it's ordered. "Especially because if it's free, and it isn't your favourite, at least you didn't lose any money giving it a try. Although. I don't know anyone who doesn't know where they stand with strawberry ice cream by this age."

"well,  it  depends,"  josephine  looked  up  from  her  phone  as  she  locked  the  screen,  shoving  it  in  her  pocket.  "is  the  free  ice  cream  flavor  your  favorite  to  begin  with?  because  then,  it  won't  matter  if  it's  free,"  she  was  silently  grateful  to  be  fan  of  strawberry  ice  cream.  in  fact,  if  she  really  gave  it  a  bit  more  thought,  there  wasn't  a  particular  flavor  of  ice  cream  josie  didn't  like.  if  there  was  one,  she'd  yet  to  find  it.  "he  is,  actually,  taking  an  exceptionally  long  time  to  decide  though  so  i  have  to  agree.  it's  ice  cream,  when  was  it  ever  that  serious?"

[dcrkcloud]

Usually, she'd be off put by the woman's enthusiasm, but today she basks in it, an embarrassed, somewhat shy laugh bubbling past her lips. She does genuinely seem to understand where she's coming from, and to not be ridiculed or ignored when she can't quite grasp something is a newer feeling for her that she finds it hard to react to. "I feel like it's repetitive enough that I should be getting it just from doing it over and over again, but also so repetitive that it's confusing me instead." She admits, tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "Oh? Is that okay?" It's equally strange to be invited somewhere so easily. "I would... I would love to, if you're sure." Georgia doesn't often sound this uncertain, but it looks good on her, makes her seem more grounded. "Oh my god, that's a blast from the past. Have they even played Billy Ray yet, either?"

she loves to dance. spent many of her younger years in her room, copying the choreography from all her favourite shows and singers, making up her own and forcing her brother to participate. to say she doesn't still do it now, would be a lie. so when her girlfriends has suggested line dancing, she'd eagerly agreed. thinks she's keeping up more than she actually is. eyes widen when someone bumps into her, but the moment the other speaks, her expression quickly brightens. " oh my gosh, i totally get it ! i mean, i've got the moves down, but even i’ve had those moments where my feet just don’t get the memo. " supportive smile adorns her features, ever encouraging. " but you're doing great, and as they say, practise makes perfect. if you want, you can come dance with me. all my friends seem to have given up, and i'm still raring to go. i mean, they haven't even played old-school miley cyrus. and what's line dancing without a little hoedown throwdown ? "

[dcrkcloud]

Serin seems determined to make this more difficult that it has to be, and Georgia's a hypocrite for huffing out a sigh over it because she would be the same should the roles be reversed. Though she wouldn't kick up such a fuss about choosing ( it's all pastry goodness to her ), she most certainly would want the kinks ironed out in their agreement, no matter how simple, before she lays down any money. "Sure," she breathes out, exasperated, "you can choose whatever you want, as long as we split the twelve and the cost." Her hair falls over her shoulder as she turns just a little more towards Serin, eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "And no, just the croissants, no coffee involved. Strictly croissants." If she had the self awareness, she'd have the epiphany here that this is only a fraction of how tiring she can be in situations like this, but she never has done, so she just continues to hold up the line. "You know, you could've just said 'yes, please, can I choose the pastries?' instead of making this complicated." She can't help but comment as she checks her purse for change. Card it is, then. "Not sure why you had to bring trust into it; it's a croissant."

serin stands behind georgia, arms loosely crossed, a subtle air of cool detachment about her, though her sharp eyes linger just a beat too long on the display of golden croissants. at the suggestion, her brow arches ever so slightly, a silent question written on her face as she tilts her head. "halves, huh?" her voice is low and deliberate, carrying that unmistakable edge, as if she’s assessing whether georgia’s offer is worth her time. "i’ll admit, twelve is ambitious." her gaze flickers to georgia, then back to the croissants. the faintest smirk curves her lips, something wry and knowing. "fine. let’s split them. i’d hate to see good pastries go to waste just because someone couldn’t commit." she takes a measured step closer, the smell of butter and sugar teasing her resolve, though she’d never admit it. "on one condition," she adds smoothly, her voice dipping into that sharp, no-nonsense tone. "i get first pick. no offense, but i don’t trust anyone else’s judgment when it comes to pastries." there’s a pause before she adds, almost as an afterthought, "and i hope you’re not expecting me to chip in for a coffee, too. we’re strictly talking croissants here." it’s hard to tell if she’s joking or not, but the glint in her eyes suggests she’s at least amused by the whole exchange. brushing a lock of dark hair behind her ear, she glances at georgia again. "so? deal, or should i just grab my own box and let you figure out your pastry math on your own?"

[dcrkcloud]

As she's getting ready, Georgia sneaks a glance at Maisie's finished piece. She'd already noticed the on brand colour scheme, but though it's not something she'd hang in her own home, it's definitely league's better than her own. She decides not to say anything, not liking the pit it starts to create in her stomach. Instead, she smiles coyly back at Maisie's question. "You might have a point there. Honestly, I can't tell if I'm more in the mood for a classy wine bar or chugging a bottle with instant noodles outside a convenience store." Usually she was the former, but it's been a long day. "That's what this workshop has done to me. Is there anywhere you'd like to go?"

maisie wasn't particularly fond of community center events , but she had to make an appearance once in a blue moon to solidify her belonging in palmview grove . she picked the least offensive of the weekly offerings — and she took her art very seriously . using a color palette of almost exclusively pink , her artwork certainly differed from the rest , for that she was immensely proud . as she packed up , she considered donating her work to someone less fortunate , but her train of thought was paused when georgia spoke up . “ i'm not sure i would've cared to see this crowd after a glass of wine , so we can consider ourselves lucky , ” maisie laughed , but there was a slight edge to her voice , “ where were you thinking ? ”

[dcrkcloud]

Georgia would never let Juliet know of the shiver that runs down her spine at the sound of her voice. She should've been smarter — she is smarter — and realised she'd be working today before she came. Then, she could've come another day, or with a defence plan, rather than being caught off guard. In truth, she doesn't know why it's such a big deal. Sure, she hid some parts of her story, maybe flowered up some others, too, but didn't everyone do that a little bit? Didn't everyone want to be able to recall a happy childhood rather than a shit one? Was it such a crime to want to be loved? "In the attic, hm? Seems like you might be the one with the wild imagination." Admittedly, she'd have done it if she could, even just for one day to be about her rather than Gianna and her soaring tennis career. "I'm actually looking for one about a best friend who completely goes off the rails about the smallest thing, you might be familiar with it." She runs her finger along the spines of one of the shelves as she speaks. "Could you recommend me anything like that?"

          boxes of a new book shipment piled behind the counter adjacent to the register remained hardly touched by juliet who stood in front of one of the many shelves. a customer's phone in one hand and dark brown eyes scanning for the booktok title ( replying the tiktok for her just in case she hadn't heard it the first five time ) they refused to leave without. but soon enough it had landed in their hand along with the device and a rushed departure to checkout. spinning on her heel to follow, a soured expression, or perhaps it was one of disdain, the sort that pursed her lips like sucking on a lemon crept onto her features. “ thrillers, ” she repeated, making a point to pass georgia with noted effort. “ though i don't know why'd you need to buy one, you've got such an imagination already i'm sure you could pluck up a bunch of stories out of thin air. ” the backhanded compliment came just as juliet arrived at the thriller section to which she gave an exaggerated gesture. “ maybe yours will be here one day. you know, about the girl who hid her sister in the attic or something. ”