#interactions: ahalya.

[robertsameliax]

location: urban harvest

who: ahalya reddy ( @ahalyaxreddy )

Amelia wasn’t a cook but her brother and his new beau were coming over and she didn’t want their first time meeting to be with take out. She wanted to show off that she had changed from the girl who they used to know to the one that she had envisioned herself as. Though she would be joking if she thought that she was better than she had been ten years ago. She was older and wiser but the same girl was hidden in the depths of her bones forever. Deciding to go to Urban Harvest at the recommendation of a friend, she stocked up her basket full of different items: meats, fruit, cheese. As she glanced at the wine selection, she wasn’t even close to deciding what kind of wine to get. “So I have all of this, right? What wine do you think would pair well?”

[bekturan]

location:

status: closed for @ahalyaxreddy

“How am I so tired?” It was a rhetorical question, though. She already knew the answer for herself.

If it wasn’t the sleepless nights it was the early morning runs. And if it wasn’t the runs she took around Lake Shoal, it was the classes she took a few times a week in between patients. Hot yoga, Pilates, spin, even a foray into the world of pole aerobics at a little studio three towns over— If if kept Bek moving she was down. 

Until she wasn’t. 

Pulling her legs up onto the cushion beside her she glanced at Chess' roommate and flashed a weary smile. Yeah, she might’ve been tired, but she was never too tired for her friends. 

“I meant to say thanks for ordering me in that yoghurt at the store.” Ahalya always pulled through when it came to stuff like that. “You can’t even imagine the looks I get at Bell’s every time I try to explain I’m not talking about the little low-fat, fruity pots they keep in stock.”

There was a low chuckle, and then, "If you ever decide to close up shop and move town I'm packing my bags, Chess included, and following you."

[aghcstcwn]

TO: @infinitcs

LOCATION: Outside Urban Harvest

Liam’s eyes immediately fell upon Ahalya, who was standing near her car. Without much warning, Liam would appear just before her, plopping himself against the side of the hood, “So, do you remember when I’d work here, and like I’d show up late, and you and your dad would be like ’where the hell have you been?’ And usually it involved me being out all night, usually with some girl?” He began, taking absolutely no breathes in between sentences as he rambled on. “And your dad would joke about how I’d give him a grandkid before you, and you’d roll your eyes and be like ‘he’ll probably end up with some nasty incurable disease first’?” Liam dark hues fell upon her features, lacking their usual mischief, “Yeah, well – if you and your dad made a bet on that, I’d like to inform you that you now owe him.”

[ryanparrish]

location: southern drawl bar

featuring: @ahalyaxreddy

"Hey you." As promised, the bar crawl they agreed to embark on had finally commenced. Since the last time they talked, a lot's transpired. Ryan had it out with Ellie, and it didn't end well. He found out the truth behind her affair and the following day went online in search of a lawyer. He booked a consultation, decided to pay the attorney fees and now the divorce was finally underway. On top of that, Tess ambushed him at this place and they... sort of hashed things out. Needless to say, things were looking up. But they were by no means any less messy. "Interesting spot to kick off this little bar crawl. I hope you don't expect me to line dance. If so, I'll need a few shots first."

[ryanparrish]

Do you know her? Since the moment Ellie walked in with a purpose and cashed in on her bid, it'd been the same question on everybody's mind. Along with, how did he know her? where did the two meet? what was the deal behind her all out bidding war with his ex to gain his affections? All valid questions, with all valid answers. Though, he wasn't exactly in the mood to give any of them. Because, if anyone should be asking or hear them first, it should be Tess. She's the one who seemed more confused out of anybody. And truthfully, she had a right to be. When they spoke the other day, he failed to mention Ellie's existence. Mostly because he hadn't gotten the chance but also because, it wasn't the right time. Nor was that time now.

But ready or not, Ryan would be forced to face Ellie one way or another. And worse than that, he was required to sit through two fucking hours of whatever bullshit she swept in her web. For the moment though, he was stalling. And what better way to do that than with Ahalya? Who never ceased to entertain him and who could successfully help get his mind off anything. "She's my ex wife." he explained to her, rather flatly. "Or so, I thought our divorce was final a few years ago. Evidently, it's not. It's a long story though, I'd rather not bore you with the details." Frankly, even if she insisted - the details were a little muddled, even for him. He wasn't sure what went wrong between the time he signed his name on the dotted lines and they were routinely delivered through priority mail. Someone fucked up somewhere and their mistake was costing him a headache, and the rekindling of his first love. Because, he can't imagine Tess will want anything to do with him after she learns what he failed to mention the last time they spoke.

"No shit, really?" Rather than retrace the steps of his marital woes, Ryan was more interested in learning how his boxing lessons came in handy. Had Ahalya done them all a favor and put Renzie out of his misery once and for all? One could only hope. "I fully intend to take you up on that offer and I expect a full play by play over these drinks. What do you say, you and I go on a bar crawl next week? Any day you're free, text me and I'm there." | @ahalyaxreddy

Her otherwise cheery disposition changed to one of confusion given his tepid, almost dejected, response. Was he just not pleased with the woman that had won his bid? And if so, why? A part of her was filling in the blanks rather than prying into his personal life ( though chances were she would do so anyways ). She’d witnessed the two women who were vying for his affections, one a complete stranger and the other, someone everyone in town knew well. Ahalya certainly did, even if she doubted that Tess Abhrams knew of her existence. Her own patchwork explanation was that Ryan would have preferred the company of his high school sweetheart to an unknown face. Was that enough to merit such a lukewarm reaction? “Do you know her?” Curiosity getting the better of her, and her own deduction unsatisfactory, Ahalya blurted out the question before biting her tongue.

“You really have a way of being cryptic, Ryan.” She teased as her confusion continued with his vague response once again. Someone I love. And who could that be? Ahalya couldn’t say she wasn’t used to picking through his ambiguous statements to cobble together some sense. He was a man of few words and the circumstances that forged a connection between them did not make it easy to riff. After all, despite how open she was with everything and everyone, when it came to the past three years, Ahalya kept her emotions close to her sleeve as well. Ryan seemed to extend that practice to most parts of his life. Which was why she limited the number of personal questions asked, leaving it to him to share if he wished.

As the question turned back to her, Ahalya found it was her turn to adopt the Ryan Parrish-speak. Because if she opened her mouth, she was sure that she could say a lot about Renzie Naipaul. But Ahalya was trying her best to refrain from badmouthing people behind their backs. She did not need more bad juju in her life. “You know, it’s as good as one can expect a date between two people who got stood up to be.” She was still a little bitter at the turn of events that ended up pushing her and Renzie into the same space again. But one thing she could share with him at the mention on the recently returned filmmaker. “Though, one of these days, I owe you a drink. That one boxing lesson came in handy recently.” | @ryanparrish

[covingtonrp]

On behalf of Children’s National, we would like to thank everyone for their donations during Covington’s 12th Annual Valentine Date Night Auction. The results of the auction are as follows below.

AHALYA REDDY.................... RENZIE NAIPAUL

BEK TURAN......................... . WYATT ABHRAMS

BLAIR MORENO.................... JACE HARLOW

DREW PARRISH.............. ...... TESS ABHRAMS

GEORGIE ABHRAMS............. SAMARA KHANNA

KAIRA JOSHI.......................... ROMAN WAGNER

REYHAN SOLMAZ................. CALEB RHODES

RYAN PARRISH...................... ELIANA ALMEIDA

SARAI AYUTTHAYA................ KWAME MENSAH

AIYLA DEMIRCI...................... HARLOW MILLER

DATE DETAILS:

Dates Begin At: 10:00 PM

Dates End At: 12:00 AM

MOD NOTES

Now that results are in, we recommend you get with the player you’ve been paired with to plot or discuss what will happen next between your characters (unless you choose to write it out on the dash!)

Dates go on for 2 hours minimum before your character can clock out. Though, if you both want, time can also run over. That’s entirely up to you and your partner.

At the end of the night — EVERY COUPLE must share a kiss at the stroke of midnight per auction rules. Though it’s up to you how they kiss, where, and for how long. You can get by with a kiss on the cheek or the hand, or your characters are free to do more. Whatever you and your partner decide and deem most appropriate.

For new characters who weren’t here when bidding started, you are welcome to still participate. We invite you to reach out to other players with new muses to see if they’d be interested in plotting something out. Although, participation is NOT mandatory.

Interactions can begin starting today! Jan. 28 through Feb. 14 OR until your thread(s) end.

Have fun!!! Any questions regarding this event and you can ask us via the main or on discord.

[ahalyaxreddy]

WITH: @samaraxkhanna LOCATION: heavy hitters bar

It was strange. Sitting at the bar. Under different circumstances, Ahalya would have proudly walked into. She would have had a table reserved for her. Hell, she would have made herself right at home because she would say she had an in with the owner. These days however, she avoided Heavy Hitters for the sole reason that she worried that she might run into her childhood friend. As stupid as it may seem, the past few encounters convinced her that she had been right to do just this. After all, awkward did not even begin to cover how their interactions typically went. That said, tonight it was unavoidable. Reyhan had asked her to meet her and it was the closest bar for both of them to get to. She had never really gotten into the details of her fractured relationship with her once closest friend with one of her present closest friends. Tonight was certainly not the night to get into that either. Which was why she obliged, showing up at the bar a little earlier than intended. Noting that there were no tables open at the moment, she agreed to wait by the bar since Reyhan hadn’t arrived anyways. Maybe the universe would be on her side that night and none of the tables would free up by the time her friend arrived. They could escape and go somewhere else instead. Ordering just a Coke to start, her eyes instinctively cast around for sight of Samara. What would she do even if she did see her?

[zchidavci]

Since Zahid was new in town, he didn’t know much of anything. He figured there were a few other spot, he just hadn’t checked it out yet. "Noted. I'll have to check those places out sometime. But for now, The Sipping Cup it is." He appreciated her reassurance that she wouldn't be rejecting him after just one meeting. It was a relief to know they were on the same page about keeping things friendly. 

Antalya was considered a vacation spot in Turkey, therefore he didn’t mind the slower pace of life. A part of him wouldn’t even know what he would do with himself in a huge city. He’d be lost. "Yeah, New York City is definitely a whole different ballgame," he agreed. "But hey, sometimes a change of pace can be nice, right? And Covington seems to have a lot to offer, even if it's not quite as lively as the Big Apple. But don’t take my word for it, I’ve always liked the more chilled vibes."

He felt sheepish as he thought about his first meeting with Ahalya. She hated him for good reason. He wasn’t exactly gentlemanly that night. "I did. I wish I hadn’t been so drunk that night.” The fact that she still agreed to let him rent a room at her place blew his mind. Then again, other than their interactions that night, he had a clean background. He listened as Samara talked about her favorite aspects of owning the bar, smiling at her remark about the free alcohol. "Meeting all sorts of people does sound like a pretty cool perk. Although I can imagine it gets a bit rowdy at times. Good thing you've got security to handle the rough stuff." They moved up in line and for a moment, he looked up at the board containing the list of drinks. "So, what's the craziest thing that's ever happened at Heavy Hitters?" 

“Not exactly true,” she told Zahid with a grin before shrugging, “you can get some great coffee at Bread & Butter, along with Brunch and Barrel too. Granted it doesn’t quite hit the spot the same way The Sipping Cup does, but they're still good.” Still she nodded at his declaration and spoke up, “a mind reader would be very impressive and please—I won’t be rejecting you in one meeting, besides this is just coffee.” She listened as he spoke about Covington and how he was enjoying residing here so far, it was always nice to hear that type of praise for her hometown.

Of course if she was happy to hear it for her own hometown, perhaps she shouldn’t have been so quick to be rude about Little Rock, after all—it might have it’s own perks to the place. “Hmm—yeah I’m not a fan of sleepy towns myself,” she chuckled softly before explaining a little more, “I went to college in New York City so—I’m used to much more lively places, but Covington was always home so coming back here wasn’t nearly as difficult as it might be for others who were just moving to Covington. “Oh wow you met your roommate there? That’s not normally a place people have those initial meetings, but hey—maybe alcohol makes it easier to ask those awkward questions,” she grinned back at him before thinking thoughtfully about his question.”My favorite thing about owning the bar is the free alcohol,” she said with a glint in her eyes before chuckling softly as they got into line at the coffee place. “I’m kidding—um, my favorite thing would probably be the different types of people I get to meet. Some good, and some bad…but luckily I have my security for breaking up the fights. I feel like if I tried—I’d end up getting hit and don’t really think that would be good, so—hiring security was definitely the way to go.” | @zchidavci

[ahalyaxreddy]

Her gaze traveled away from the drink before her that she’d been toying with, not really drinking. The voice was familiar and one that seemed to always find her only during times of weakness. Not that she thought that he did so intentionally. But somehow, it was only when she was in these kinds of moods that her path seemed to cross with Luke. And maybe that was precisely why they spoke. Otherwise, she wasn’t sure if they would have interacted given that she pegged him as someone that differed from her greatly. It was only in these bouts of confusion and vulnerability that he seemed to enter her life, each time related to the same man that she had been thinking about now.

So, while to others, she might have said that she was fine, she didn’t bother to give him with a fake smile or feigned cheerfulness. She’d put up a façade in front of everyone else to ensure that no one questioned her about her dampened mood the whole day. She was too exhausted to continue. That said, Ahalya also did not give him a straight answer, nor did she believe he wanted one. His question was a rhetorical one because the nature of their relationship was not such that they divulged their innermost thoughts to each other. So instead, she slid off the bar stool, agreeing that she needed both a distraction and release. “Let’s to darts. I feel like throwing sharp, pointy objects and it’s better I do it at a board and not at a person.” | @lukegamble

"you alright?" no one would ever claim that luke was that much of a social guy. when he went to a bar it was to pound back some drinks, never to excess, only enough for a good buzz, but it had never really been for the social aspect of it all. he's just ordered a fresh round for the crew that had dragged him into heavy hitters with them a couple of hours ago following a shift. he'd noticed her, a while ago, seemingly locked in thought. luke had wondered if she'd been having an internal meltdown and that was what finally had him making his way over.

"you like pool or darts?" the seat next to hers was taken up by his large, tattooed frame. most people read him as the bad boy that's presence meant bad news. however, could he be such if he was always headed toward people in need rather than away. perhaps he was destined to be a firefighter, stunt riding be damned. "if not, i could teach you. either way, they're a good distraction. might even be a good release for frustration." — @ahalyaxreddy

[avani008]

These are very good points, OP, and an important reminder of the Ramayana and Mahabharata are actually very very different from each other and not at all interchangeable! But I am just going to be That Annoying Nitpicky Person, please bear with me. 

The Gita that is part of the Mahabharata is the Bhagavad Gita--the one we all think of as *THE Gita*. It’s written by Vyasa and consists the discussion between Krishna and Arjuna before the war, etc. etc. But the term “gita” just. means “song,” so the Pingala-Gita (I love this shout out! From the Bhagavatam) and the Vyadha-Gita (from earlier in the Mahabharata’s narrative, when hte Pandavas are talking to Sage Markandeya) are all other soliluoquies that explain philopsophy, if that makes sense. The Gita Govinda by Jayadeva is a completely different work written almost a millenium after we think the Mahabharata was. 

Also, while I agree there’s a lot to side-eye in Rama’s behavior, especially in his treatment of Sita, I....think it’s a bit of a misrepresentation to say Rama would be cool with the vastraharan because Draupadi was “fairly won”? For one thing, Rama -- and the Ramayana itself, as the poster above mentions--actually interacts with varied interesting women, many of whom actually have transgressive sex lives and actions (though, I also agree that by and large, the Mahabharata does better by its female characters)--for example, the redemption of Ahalya, which praises and honors an adulteress (see: what happens in Bala Kand vs other variations of her story). 

Plus, I’d argue the closest parallel to the dice game and its fallout is in Vali’s treatment of his brother and sister-in-law, and Rama is very much not in favor of that. While he agrees Vali has a right to retake his throne, he clearly draws a line when it comes to persucuting his relative and assaulting a woman.

*And* Draupadi’s argument in the assembly is not an appeal to feminism or mercy, but her pointing out that she was not fairly won, because a man who has been lost at a stake has no right to wager another (I’d argue no one has the right to wager anyone else, period, but uh, this is very much a slave-holding, feudal society so...*shrugs*).  It’s the audience at the dice game who hems and haws instead of making a judgment, which is what they’re called out for. But this, I think, is absolutely the sort of argument Rama would make and defend.

wait omg how is the mahabharata and ramayana complete opposites

ok so

Ramayana : Absolute definition of dharma, and following the law strictly, even when it is bigoted and immoral (for example Sita's banishment because of a washerman accusing her of infidelity, and Ram murdering Shambhuka the Dalit just because he tried to become a sadhu).

Mahabharata : Lucid, flexible, fluid definition of dharma. The need to change dharma when it starts harming people or being used unjustly. The fact that the definition of dharma and morality is different for everyone. For example, Krishna stopped Draupadi's cheer-haran, but i have a feeling Ram would allow that to happen since "she was won fair-and-square".

Ramayana : North-South.

Mahabharata : It's in the name dude, it covers everything.

Ramayana : Clear definition of good and evil

Mahabharata : Everything is gray. There's no clear good or evil. Both sides do adharma.

Ramayana : Women are shown in a more submissive, docile light overall.

Mahabharata : Women are also shown to be warriors and able rulers and ambitious people. The women take an active role in the epic.

Ramayana : Not much complex

Mahabharata : HOLY FUCK IT IS SO COMPLICATED.

Ramayana : me not likey

Mahabharata : me likey very much

[robertsameliax]

Amelia smiled. “Guide or not I would absolutely be lost without you so you are absolutely the hoity toity wine connoisseur you inspire to be today. I mean I even tried to Google it but it got too complicated that I felt like ripping my hair out so thank you for making this so easy.” Amelia was rarely one to ask for help even in a store so it was unlike her to even ask so to have the help now was a god send. She probably would have thrown her basket down and left by now if it wasn’t for Ahalya. “Really? I can see you as the dessert queen,” she replied with a laugh. “Right now there’s probably going to be three to five people coming. As for sweet levels, nothing that is like sickeningly sweet but something where it’s like the perfect pair of sweetness and richness. Does that make sense?”

Ahalya laughed when the other woman confessed that she too should have opted for bringing something, rather than hosting. Then again, Ahalya could understand wanting to do something special. She might not have the talent at putting together an elaborate meal, but she sure did appreciate when someone else did. Which was why now, though it was not a three-course dinner, she was personally invested in ensuring that Amelia’s first attempt was a success. She preened a little at the compliment, before breaking into laughter and shaking her head. “Trust me, you’re giving me the chance to live out my dreams of being a hoity-toity wine connoisseur. But the secret is, I’m just referring to the guide they gave me.” At the final question, Ahalya brightened significantly. “Listen, I don’t need a pamphlet for this. Desserts are my actual specialty.” Motioning for her to follow, Ahalya led her towards their bakery. “How many people are we talking? And what are their sweet tolerance levels like?” | @robertsameliax

[bekturan]

Still one with the couch cushions, Bek huffed some cross between a laugh and a tired sigh. "Well, I ended up having to make two trips when they didn't have what I needed so... lesson learned?"

She'd never, ever cheat on Ahalya and her store again.

You know— Until the next time she needed to stock up on batteries or Sprite or a half a dozen bags of Swedish Fish in less than five minutes. Her heart was loyal until the very end, but after a long day on her feet a girl had to do what a girl had to do.

Thirty-seconds and two spoonfuls later Bek closed her eyes, releasing a deeply satisfied moan.

"If she is I don't even want to know." Ignorance, much like the pudding in her hands, was bliss. "I could easily eat like ten of these in one sitting." She luxuriated in another bite, then mused, her voice muffled around the spoon still dangling between her lips, "Any chance you're looking to hire a full time taste tester? 'Cause suddenly I think I'm job hunting."

Screw her doctorate, screw the money— She'd do it for free.

“Because outside of a few power naps on our couch, I swear I’ve never seen you sleep.” For a second, Ahalya, dramatic to a fault, waved a bundle of garlic close to her to check if she had an aversion ( other than the obvious ). “You know they filmed Nightwalker Chronicals here and I’m starting to think they left you behind.” Moving back into the kitchen, she continued to stock their diminishing pantry with everything she’d snagged from the store. When she saw how hard Bek and Chess worked, Ahalya wondered at times if she ought to do a bit more with her own life. Then again, she appreciated the sound sleep she was getting now after a few years of restless nights.

 “Atrocious. The fact that you went to Bell’s for yogurt. Scratch that. The fact that you went to Bell's for anything is horrific.” Her tone was good-natured however because she didn’t have an issue with the owners of the store. Or at least no lifelong feud types. Just some good-natured competition though the town was big enough for two groceries stores serving pretty different customers. “Luckily I’m planted right here. I'll be buried in the store sooner than I'll ever step foot out of this town, so you're probiotic fix is safe with me.”

Pulling out a little pudding cup in a glass jar that they’d just gotten samples of, she put one in the fridge for Chess before offering Bek one. “It’s new. Tell me what you think. You know Francis Butler? Lives out in Orchird Park? She had a little stand out in the square in New Years. Apparently a family recipe but I'm not sure I totally believe she isn't just repackaging vanilla pudding with a few Oreo crumbles.” | @bekturan

[ryanparrish]

"Can not." Nevermind the fact, he has to school his expression into something more inscrutable just to prove his point.

"Are you implying I was weak in high school? Because, that's just plain mean." He might've been able to dunk a basketball or reach a can off the top shelf at the super market without ever breaking a sweat but he definitely could not bench press one fifty like he could now. So, point very much well taken.

With every swing of her fist, he blocked the impact off with his mitt. By the sixth or seventh stretch, sweat began to trickle from her forehead and he could feel the air around them closing in and growing tauter. "You mean to tell me, there's not a soul out there you don't want to clobber? Like an ex boyfriend that's pissed you off... or hell, an employee that just sucks at their job and then gives you attitude about it? I'm sure there's at least one person out there who's worthy of your wrath." | @ahalyaxreddy

“You have a terrible poker face. I can see your lip quivering.” Her eyes narrowed because obviously she was well aware that she was no where near ready to take him on. No matter how lofty her claims may be, Ahalya was no boxer. “I could have beat you in high school though.” She might have been scrawny, but so was he. Her smile was wide and teasing as she threw the final punch against the sandbag that suffered little damage. With that, as they shifted to more direct combat ( if it could even be called that ) she tried to avoid jabbing him in the face while mirroring the actions he taught her. She might not have had the power behind her punches just yet, Ahalya at least was a quick study of the movements. So she went in a steady pace with each throw, focusing on her breathing as he instructed before dropping her hands to her sides. “I’ve vented out all my frustration against the world, and then some.” These days she didn’t really have much to complain about, so that wasn’t really saying much. “I think I need to find a nemesis. I’ll be much better when I'm visualizing their face against my fist.” | @ryanparrish

[ccastellanos]

He, unlike a majority of others in this town, fell knee deep in the woods while minding his own business. The thing about small towns is, they like to gossip. A lot. Some days, Cas couldn't help but wonder where in the world they were getting their outlandish information. Was is solely by word of mouth or did they cyberstalk each other to death and then confront one another when they ran into each other in random places? Perhaps, it was both.

There was some respect in that. If only because, he does the same extensive research as part of his self-made business. One that requires him to take outdoor trails, like this one, often in order to collect the reward money waiting for him at the end.

"Who, me? Lost?" The question is absurd enough, it could easily conjure a laugh. But, does it? No. Because, Cas isn't easily humored. By anything. Even pretty girls like her.

"What makes you think I'm lost?" Curious and intrigued of her answer, his lips give way to a smile before he carries on in a thick, English accent. "I know I might've left my bag in the car but, I can assure you I'm an outdoors-man. When you get a lead, you have no choice but to follow it. Regardless if you leave your boots at home." Another precaution he didn't seem to have taken at the moment. "You look familiar." It takes him a few seconds to place her before her beautiful, brown eyes give her away. "Urban Harvest. You're the owner. We met in the produce aisle after some bloke dared his friend to stick a jalapeno up his nose. I take it, he learned his lesson after the EMTs finally got it out, yes?" / @ahalyaxreddy

WITH: @ccastellanos LOCATION: riveroak hiking trail

The weather was warming slightly and with an otherwise light day at the store, she figured that she could go in a bit later. With a revived focus on making something of the creativity that had been dormant for three years, Ahalya set out to find a new source of inspiration. And what better place than to venture into nature. The trails were ones that she knew like the back of her hand. She’d ventured through them all throughout her childhood, which she leveraged when she was giving tours. As she ventured through one of the paths that was less well marked, something that only the locals really knew, she caught sight of another hiker up ahead.

From a distance she could not really make out who it was. But as she got closer, she realized that his was a familiar face. One she’d seen around the store on occasion. And considering that he was very clearly from not around town, her curiosity had been piqued. They had exchanged few words, but it had been brief and hardly enough to sate her intrigue. Because Covington saw outsiders, for sure. But foreigners? They preferred the real Hollywood. Not the Hollywood of the South. “Hey,” she called out, not sure if he wanted the company, or recognized her. But, presuming that he hadn’t meant to wander out this way, she jogged up to him. “Are you lost? This is kind of off the actual trail. Pretty far off, actually. You probably missed a turn or something. It’s okay, I can show you back, if you are.”

[ahalyaxreddy]

The answer was unsatisfactory for a number of reasons. First being that Ahalya had been unable to ask her friend the question that was actually on her mind. How was she holding up with her ex in town? But to ask that would require Ahalya to first address the fact that she learned that Roman was her ex. That would then require a conversation about why did she now know that they were broken up or when they broke up. Or more importantly, that he was in town. Unless Samara herself didn’t know. Which was unlikely because how else would Harlow have found out. All to say, it would have been a lengthy explanation that would have required really digging into the root of the awkwardness and unrest between them. The fact that Ahalya did not know a thing about her life anymore when at a time, she had been the one that was privy to some of Samara’s deepest and darkest secrets.

Second, her answer betrayed absolutely no feeling whatsoever. It was classic Samara. Hiding anything that she felt behind a mask of stoicism, putting on a brave face as though nothing could impact her. Ahalya had seen moments of weakness. She knew that her friend was not so unfazed as she would like the world to believe. Or at least, at a time, she was not. Ahalya had no idea what to think about the woman that stood before her today. There was a reason that she felt she could not recognize her. It was because every little bit of emotion that she understood Samara to have was locked away somewhere deep inside her. And the few moments that she saw them flash across her features seemed almost surreal. And as though to drive that point home, she was right back to giving her surface answers that divulged nothing.

Why would they? Ahalya and her had long since shared anything they were feeling with each other. Ahalya had always been the more emotional one between the two of them. It was only natural that tonight, even when there was an uncrossable distance between them, she would have bared some of her anxieties and complaints. Her emotions tumbled out without filter. It was the childishness that she continued to possess that made it impossible for her to fully seal away every lick of emotion that she could possibly feel so that she could experience them all at once when she was alone.

For a moment she wondered if Samara shared with Harlow how she was feeling. Was there at least one person that got to see who she really was underneath all this? Maybe that man that she was referring to as her just like a brother. Did she at least share something with someone? It was an awfully lonely life to live otherwise. For a second, Ahalya’s heart ached for her once best friend. The thought that maybe she did not express herself to anyone anymore saddened her. That she refused any weakness and only let her guards down when she was utterly alone. Then again, maybe that was Ahalya giving herself too much importance. Maybe there were plenty of people that Samara shared her sorrows with. Ahalya was just no longer among those ranks. Though there was a bitterness at the last thought, she hoped that it was the case that Samara had a support system that no longer included her rather than none at all.

Which was why Ahalya just accepted the vague and cautious answer. She did not have the right to push her friend to give her more or to question her emotions. “I’m glad to hear it,” she said, trying to sound convincing, responding with a vague sentiment of her own. And because she was not trying to hog up more of Samara’s time than was necessary, she gave her a polite and soft smile. “Enjoy the rest of your evening and your date. And hopefully no other unexpected surprises in store. Though, you never know with Georgie.” With that, she gave a parting smile, choosing to at least do what Samara said and not let the little hiccup of her date skipping town ruin her evening. Besides, her date was the last person on her mind. It was this interaction that would play in her mind later. | @samaraxkhanna

FIN.

When Samara had come back to town all those years ago, Ahalya had been one of her first few thoughts. She’d desperately wanted to head over to her best friend’s place and just cry it all out. She knew the other would be able to be there for her but had stopped herself. How could she expect Ahalya to be there for her when Samara felt like she hadn’t done that for her? She had no idea what Ahalya had been through in the time that Samara had been gone, save for a few tidbits here and there that would slip out when they’d kept in touch but then when the phone calls stopped…she got some information from Harlow but slowly that had begun to fade  as well. It had often begged the question if their friendship and the bond they’d cultivated was really so feeble that it had broken under the strain of adulthood and distance. Samara had no answer for it though…not when her heart still adamantly referred to Ahalya as one of her best friends even if Samara’s brain didn’t think that was valid anymore.

Besides—she was almost sure that Ahalya would’ve found another to take her space and perhaps that was why the distance had grown to such lengths between them. She’d never be able to fault the other for that of course, not when she knew her friend was such a personable individual who was so friendly that she would easily make a friend. It was these thoughts swirling through Samara’s mind as she allowed herself to get lost in the past for a few seconds, that mask slipping once more as she let her know exactly who her best friends were; well without the actual words being said. But then did she really need to say it? Didn’t Ahalya know that Samara would always feel this way about her? How could she just instantly think the other was her best friend? He’d always been her sibling in every way but the stuff she’d tell her girls was definitely not something she’d ever tell him.

The urge inside Samara was quite great to just question Ahalya’s statement. To ask her if it really did make sense or if she was just saying it to try and move on from the topic. Because if they were friends, she’d easily question her and do it with a teasing smile because they were allowed to do that with one another. But now? Now she simply gave the other a smile, not missing the look in her eyes that almost made Samara want to say something more, to ask her if she still cared in the same manner that she used to. Except she kept quiet—knowing it wasn’t what either of them were willing to talk about, especially not in a place like this. This was a social gathering and definitely not a place where either of them would be able to speak their mind freely. Did a place like that even exist though? Samara was beginning to grow doubtful even if she’d never let herself say those words out loud.

“I hope so,” Samara nodded at Ahalya’s statement about Georgie. She’d been closer to Lee when she’d been younger but really he was the only Abhrams she’d really known on a closer level. But their relationship had been only for a short while when she’d been a freshman so Georgie hadn’t really been around much. If their friendship didn’t stand where it did today—she’d have easily told Ahalya to crash their date and that the three of them could spend the evening together but she couldn’t even say that even if she wanted to. And that’s why she spoke about how Ahalya couldn’t let something like her date disappearing ruin her evening. Her friend had gotten all dressed up and truly looked like a million bucks and deserved to feel that way as well. A brighter, more true smile appeared on Samara’s face when Ahalya agreed with her and she nodded before letting out a soft laugh, “then in that case, let’s think that way and say you dodged a bullet.” Samara was beginning to think that their conversation was nearing a close until she heard Ahalya’s question and she would’ve thought it to be a natural one had she not heard the ‘um’ from the other woman at the beginning of the sentence. It was what she often used when she wasn't sure how to approach a topic, or at least it had been that way in the past and it made her wonder why she’d asked in that manner.

But then it all clicked. Harlow might’ve told her or Caleb might’ve. Someone could’ve told Ahalya that Samara’s ex from New York was in town and maybe that was why she’d asked? Samara could recall telling Ahalya about meeting him but couldn’t remember now if she’d mentioned his name or not, or had she even told her much? That was definitely closer to the time the two girls were beginning to drift apart so she couldn't even recall much from then—blocking those more painful memories from her mind and heart. “It’s been—okay,” she admitted with a soft smile, a casual shrug as if she didn’t want to make this moment about her even if the question was aimed at her. “It was definitely full of a few surprises that’s for sure…things I didn’t exactly expect, you know what I mean?” In another universe—her best friend wouldn’t have even needed to ask the question and instead the two of them would be doing shots while cursing the other man for even showing up here and Samara would feel taken care of in the best way. But she didn’t have that anymore. | @ahalyaxreddy

[ahalyaxreddy]

“Oh, you work at The Sipping Cup!” Ahalya exclaimed, remembering where she had noticed the blonde woman before. She worked behind the counter at Stevie’s café. Of course! Ahalya would never claim to remember everyone, but she tried her best to remember the faces of people who traveled in the same circles as she did. By virtue of not being the biggest coffee drinker, she hadn’t interacted with Dakota all that much. But she imagined that baristas and bartenders always had the best intel. So, it came as no surprise when her companion shared her opinion on the two prospective bidders. “You know, I see that. There is a vibe of haughtiness about the one in the red that makes me not trust her.” As she pointed out others, Ahalya found herself enjoying getting the full gossip. “Are you naturally observant or did your job train you to become like this?” | @dakotaheise

"All I could pay you in was coffee. Not much of a repayment." Well, depending on her feeling toward coffee. As she said that, Dakota lightly kicked off her other heel, tugging the other back on. Time to alternate. She scoffed a little. "Figures. They come into The Sipping Cup sometimes. The one in the red always has this weird air about her. Like just because she pays well the sun shines outta her ass or something. The one in silver is super sweet though, tips well. Never minds the rushes."

Damn, now she found herself rooting for a stranger to get equal time. "The one in the green over there, way in the corner, she's been trying to get the nerve to bid for 45 minutes. She keeps losing her nerve. So does that guy." She was spending too much time sitting and not enough time doing what she came for but there was no way she could stand at the moment. Not if she didn't want to end up with swollen ankles for a week.