#interaction. ∶ keziah emem.

[theiressence]

The holiday festivities were the usual merry-go-round of pleasantries — what were they doing, would they be visiting home, had their gift shopping been done yet? Keziah fielded all of the questions the same way; bright-eyed, warm and friendly — though, the façade begun to wear thin the closer the 25th came around. She wouldn't be going home for the holidays this year, and not for lack of trying. Maybe attending the Holiday Mingle would get her into the spirit — she'd gotten her hands on some mulled wine, and was slinking her way through the excited crowd, some popular 80s Christmas song coming from the live band. Teetering between self-pity and self-indulgence, brown eyes zeroed in on a familiar face. "Maeve," she breathed out, "Thank God, someone I know. I was this close to going home and having a Twilight marathon."

location: lakeshore country club when: december 12th around 6 pm who: maeve peters + open Although it was unusual for Maeve to attend an event with her daughter at home, it felt refreshing to do something for herself. She had hired a babysitter for the evening and put effort into getting ready, dressing up as elegantly as possible before heading to the country club. The venue was stunning, draped in festive decor that perfectly captured the Christmas spirit. Maeve had been quietly observing the lively crowd for a couple of hours, sipping her drink and soaking in the atmosphere. Then, she noticed someone making their way toward her. "This place is stunning, isn't it?" she said warmly. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

[kolking]

at KEZIAH EMEM’S PLACE in BELLEVILLE.                     — @keziahemem​

     Following a day of lecturing and a previous night of little sleep, when Kol finally arrived home after what felt like a brutally long day he sank into the couch in his living room. The television was turned on even if there was nothing in particular that he desired to watch, it was noise and mindless because if he started thinking about things it would eventually spiral and Kol would be sitting with a bottle in his hands once more, fighting the urge to empty it’s contents into himself. He wasn’t an alcoholic, Kol didn’t need to drink, there wasn’t a compulsion or addiction to do so — he’d just found it hard to keep living and existing in this world completely sober. The drink softened all the hard edges of this life and blurred his thoughts and emotions into some kind of stupor. That was almost all he wanted anymore, to stop feeling so much, for that pain and guilt to ease away.

     Hours had passed when Kol finally pushed himself up from the couch. He’d nearly broken into a sweat fighting the want for the more harmful than good cure of toxic cough syrup for a ailment that could never be fixed that way. Naturally, he hadn’t slept — just stared at the tv and tossed around on the couch until he couldn’t take it anymore. Without much thought, Kol left his place and grabbed some coffee before he found himself at Keziah’s door. It was a relationship he’d made every effort to blur the lines of. She was compassionate and caring, took care of him, and he’d even managed to find sleep under her healing hands. So he started visiting her more, talking to her and getting time outside of their sessions because he found her company soothing and non-judgmental. And, well, Kol simply liked being around her. He rang the bell and his blue eyes found nothing in particular to focus on as he heard steps coming toward the door. When she opened up, red-rimmed, bleary eyes lifted to find her beautiful, sweet face. Kol handed her one of the coffees. Both of them in his hands had the name Nicole written on the sides. “I couldn’t sleep.”

[aylinxyilmaz]

Starter for: @keziahemem​ Location: Yuj Yoga

Aylin had promised her friend to finally try a yoga class, after she had been able to skip them for quite some while now. She was proud of her friend that she had established this but if she had to be honest… She wasn’t quite sure if yoga was really her thing. She had found out that she was not as well balanced or flexible as she had thought. Aylin understood that the more you did the yoga, the better you would get at it, but where she was usually rather patient… It had been nowhere close when she had been trying this. So the young woman was rather happy that the class was over.

She lingered around after the class so she could approach Keziah after all the people had left. “I know that I will get better at this if I do this more often but I am not sure that this is my thing,” she admitted with a chuckle to her friend before she motioned to the door where everyone had left. “I know we just did this and that what I am about to propose will probably undo everything I just did but… Are you free for dinner? We need some us-time since it has been way too long since the last time!”

[theiressence]

No matter how many times she saw snow — Keziah was mesmerized. The white encasing every inch of her eyeline, illuminating it in this soft blueish glow; the very epitome of the holidays. It didn't feel like Christmas without some snow. She was sure if she'd gone home for the holidays, she wouldn't be so lucky. It was like the snow decided to hide away whenever it came to the hallowed Emem-Murphy Christmas extravaganza. Maybe the universe could feel the tension in the air. Dark, misty eyes roamed over the festivities, steam rose from the cup of hot cocoa spiked with Kahlúa, hugged between frosty fingers. Only slightly annoyed by the sheer amount of ugly Christmas sweaters this year. "If they didn't, I probably wouldn't be here," she admitted with a soft laugh, glancing down at the drink in her hands, "I don't think I'd make it through this thing... sober. —— And yes, I know how bad that sounds."

❛ OPEN & KIRA. — HOLIDAY MINGLE AT LAKESHORE COUNTRY CLUB.

With the glistening white blanket of snow somehow the decorations were even more beautiful. Christmastime wasn't a personal holiday for Kira, and even if it was her estrangement with her family would put a damper on the years long tension. With recent news there was an unsettling in her stomach as she made her way around. Part of her wanted to jump in on the kids crafts but instead she people watched and chuckled at the ugly sweaters. "Do you think it was a good idea to offer free spiked drinks?" Kira's dimpled, shy grin displayed her amusement as she found someone else standing back a bit and admiring the crowd.

[theiressence]

It was a nice idea, really. And Keziah was usually a big fan of nice ideas, but maybe not so much in that very moment. She hated to say it, but they really should have considered putting in a ringer — somebody to pretend they were part of the families and community members to, at least, make up for the lack of talent from the people who sang just to be heard. Who was she to judge anyway? It's not like she could her a note. Her nose scrunched, turning her head away to hide the utter dismay on her face from just how bad it all sounded. Only glancing up then, her eyes finding the source of the disgruntled comment, then hiding the laughter behind her gloved hand. Her gaze swept over him, watching as he snuck the contraband out of his coat pocket. "The free spiked drinks not quite hitting the spot, huh? Needed something stronger?"

location: lakeshore country club (holiday mingle)

who: anyone

Remington wasn't much of a decorator but he had to give credit to whoever set these kinds of things up. It must have taken a lot of planning and setting up. A lot of hours for sure. There was respect there. However- there was no respect for people in masses who should not be allowed to sing, caroling their hearts out. Were his ears bleeding? On the verge. "I knew I should have brought more if this keeps up." He more so mumbled to himself as a group of carolers had just finished their horrid rendition of the Jingle Bells song. After the words though were spoken, Remington grabbed the flask out of his coat pocket and poured the contents of the Irish Whiskey into the mug of coffee he currently was sporting.

[theiressence]

They were good, kind people, just trying to get into the spirit — Keziah had to remind herself of that. They weren't trying to torture her. Yet, every single time another person went off-key or sang louder to highlight their screeching, she was forced to self-soothe. They were good, kind people, just trying to get into the spirit. She was contemplating how much longer she was going to suffer through this, glancing down at the spiked eggnog she'd grabbed on the way in, then at her side when someone who sounded a lot like her intrusive thoughts spoke her complaints out loud. She had to giggle into her cup, shaking her head, "I'd say yes, but I'm trying to behave tonight. I actually want to make it home without a hair out of place."

Availability — open to everyone

Location — jingle and mingle

She had to remember to buy a flask after this. The bottle of water that held vodka had went undetected by many but she'd gotten odd looks when she poured it into her already spiked drink. A few had asked to share and she'd pretended not to hear them before rushing off, fearing that even what she brought wouldn't be enough to drown out the sound of some of the carollers who were allowed to sing. "Would I be on the naughty list if I hit whomever told that grey haired woman it was okay for her to sing? She may become my new paralysis demon or visit me in my nightmares. I just know that voice will haunt me for a long time." Sharing her recent trauma brought out some of her generosity, tilting the half empty bottle. "Want some?"

[theiressence]

A plume of snow shook from her hair, unimpressed by the sudden rain of snowballs that seemed to come out of nowhere. She would have worked away, muttering under her breath about the inconvenience, if it weren't for the culprit revealing themselves to her without realizing. Her brow rose, and she spun in his direction. "That was you?" Unsurprisingly, her voice was calm, hinting nothing at her frustration. "Did you throw the first snowball, or did you instigate it?" Honestly, either answer wouldn't have mattered.

location: lakeshore country club (holiday mingle)

who: anyone

"I suppose that's what I get for putting my foot in my mouth with wanting a snowball fight." The man found himself uttering, though he was laughing as his fingers ran through his hair from being pelted with a snowball. Though, props to the one who threw it. Perfect aim and a perfect shot.

[theiressence]

Zero — that was the amount of books Keziah had managed to finish reading this year. Not for lack of trying, of course. She started several, with the intent of finishing, but it never happened. Some, because they ended up more boring that she'd thought. Others, she still wanted to finish... but never got around to doing. Why was Keziah at the Novelty Book Shop then? She wouldn't be able to tell you. Likely, to add more books to her TBR stack. Whether she actually did the R part was TBD. The retail assistant to greet her on entrance like usual, wasn't there. Venturing further into the store, she found herself almost running into somebody dancing... and completely oblivious to her presence. She almost felt bad for interrupting his moment — but she cleared her throat anyway.

OPEN STARTER

Where - novelty book shop

_____________

It had been a pretty slow at work but Oscar didn't mind. He had some pretty chill music on, right now jazz, in particular swing, was playing through the small portable speaker that was tucked away in one of the shelves in the store. It was somehow quiet but loud enough to just be heard throughout the entire small bookstore. He had wiped, dusted and rearranged more times than he could count by the time lunchtime came about. As around 3pm ticked over he was losing himself into the music maybe a little too much. He was walking down the Fantasy section when In The Mood by Glen Miller started playing. The next thing Oscar knew he was dancing around, kicking his feet and sliding on the floor with his arms stretched out, not even hearing the bell above the door go off, alerting him someone had just walked in.

[theiressence]

The overwhelming presence of happy families, caroling and being loved up, was it. Keziah could only fake it for so long, and she'd done enough of that tonight. After downing her third or second spiked drink, she had to get out of there. Honestly, if she were smarter — and didn't have her decision-making affected by the alcohol in her system, she would have gone straight home. But no. Tonight, the pity party continued. Sliding onto an empty stool in the mostly empty diner, she deflated almost immediately, shedding her usual friendly, confident persona. A low rumble of a voice pulled her attention, and she glanced over with a tired smile, "Oh, no — I was there... until I just couldn't be anymore. Then I decided I wanted some pancakes with lots of butter and lots of maple syrup." Keziah's eyes narrowed accusingly, a playful tone in her voice, "Why — Holiday Mingle not your thing?"

❛ OPEN & BEAR. — STACKS.

Part of the reason he strolled in escaping the cold was because Bear knew most would be checking out the Holiday Mingle. He wasn't someone that grew up with happy memories of Christmas or the holidays, or any memories of them at all. It was hard to remember life before his mother had taken off and then his father... well, there wasn't a nurturing or festive bone in his body. These facts didn't make Bear a Grinch around the holidays but he couldn't force himself to go be full of cheer somewhere else in town. When he settled at the main counter, a waitress already bringing him some hot coffee, he glanced at the other that was here and not there. "Holiday Mingles aren't your thing either?"