thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

"Sisters? Clearly they should be my first choices for questioning then." Not that she had siblings, but Celeste could imagine that sisters wouldn't hold back from the truth. But until then she'd be content with just getting little bits and pieces of him and his past right from his own lips.

With it being December, even if California, it was still a little chilly out at night, and the breeze was a welcomed one, a little smile on her lips and her eyes closing for a second as the wind whipped through her hair as they walked. "They do make good fries, so you're welcome" She teased with a grin before they headed inside. It was fairly busy but soon enough they were led to a small table and once settled in, Cel looked to him, smiling again, "So. What're we thinking? Sticking with beers? Saying fuck it and doing shots? Really saying fuck it ans doing both? Pick your poison."

This is why girls don't like you. The ghost of Olive's presence presents in his head as Celeste speaks, it almost makes him laugh but he holds it together, giving a lift of the shoulders. "You'd have a long list of people to catch up with, though I'm sure my sisters would tell you all about it." And they would. Not that he'd mind, if anything Celeste and the babies of the Paquette Clan would get along well, especially Cel and Olive, but he figures he can enjoy her company for himself for now. She doesn't need the gory details from his siblings.

Tyler laughs, giving her arm a squeeze as he moves past to wander off and make their exit known. A thank you, a hug, and a merry Christmas later, they're out the door and into the night. His ears are currently ringing from the sudden silence, but his lungs are happy they can breathe in a puff of nicotine, the vape seemingly attaching itself to his lips from thin air as they walk. "Y'know, I wasn't hungry until you said something, but now I'm very excited for the prospect of fries." He admits, looking down at Cel as he pauses outside the pub, wanting a couple more hits from the pen before they trade the silence for another type of noise.

[thecelestexzhao]

closed - @buddywellls

where - christmas markets (backdated a couple days bc i suck)

Buddy was always someone Celeste enjoyed having at the bar since it ended up feeling less like work and more just hanging out with her friend (even if she was the one serving said friend). So getting to hang out now with drinks she didn't pour was definitely a good thing.

"So," She started as she brought over the spiked hot toddies, offering him the other as they walked through the crowded area. "Is it sad or a blessing for my bank account that I had like...barely a handful of people to buy gifts for this year." not like she had any family to buy for. Really it was just her coworkers at the bar and a couple friends.

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste snorted softly but she grinned at him as she laughed, "Oh, they did huh? Maybe I should find these people and get a glimpse into Mister Tyler's mysterious past." She was joking though- mainly. She knew all too well about ghosts in ones' past and wanting them to stay there, so all jokes aside, she wouldn't ever force him to open up to her if he wasn't comfortable with it. She just...liked talking with him, liked his company--hence agreeing to spend her evening volunteering with him.

"Go ahead, you can say I'm your favorite bartender." She teased, playfully tossing her ponytail over her shoulder with a grin before she nodded. "I'll try to be on my best behavior." She assured, even giving him a little salute before watching him go. As he did, she finished cleaning up and putting leftovers away for tomorrow, everything pretty much said and done so she removed her apron and pulled the elastic out of her hair, fluffing it up a bit and letting it fall loose over her shoulders while she waited for him to come back, refilling her water cup and figuring they could go to the pub in town to get a couple drinks and maybe a bite to eat together too.

“It’s true! They say I used to be quite a handful.” His own smile softens, the statement being nothing but true. They say he’s trouble still to this day, and often Ty thinks of how far he’s come. From learning to talk with his fists to being an actual balanced adult, maybe it isn’t being soft; it’s just growing up. He catches her expression go distant for a moment, part of him wanting to ask where she disappeared to but part of him knowing sometimes you just need to be in the past.

She’s back just as soon as she left, so for now, he just rolls his eyes and puts on a smile. “Nah, I’ve been going to the Reed too much thanks to you.” A click of the tongue as he pushes himself away from the metal counter top. “Think of where you wanna go, I’m gonna go check in with the director— no funny business while I’m gone.” He teases, disappearing from the kitchen to find their contact and see if they can be dismissed.

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste rolled her eyes at him, giving him a playful little shake of her head, "I call bullshit." She teased with a laugh. Her expression softened though as the conversation continued and she nodded again, looking down for a moment. Being raised by a (shitty) single mother, Cel had been to a soup kitchen a few times growing up, resorting to the kindness of strangers to keep her belly full, especially during the instances where they needed to stay at motels if there were no shelters. Those days felt like a lifetime ago though, now that she'd been living here for over a year. She had a home, a job. She had a stability here that her childhood-self only ever dreamt of.

"Hey, I'm not the troublemaker here, so nothing crazy up my sleeves thank you very much." She was smiling again, teasingly so, choosing to focus on the present instead of dwelling on her past, and when Tyler spoke again she thought it over for just a second before nodding. "Sure, yeah I could go for a drink. Just not the Reef. I don't need to be going to work on my day off."

"Mhmmm. More often than not." He hums, a smile on his face as she speaks. "What can I say, I've gone soft in my old age." A deep sigh is followed by a laugh as he picks up his own waterbottle, taking a sip from it and going to wash the oil and dough from his hands. "For sure. It's different... A different perspective." He agrees, toweling off his hands, scoffing at her but still smiling anyway. "Now you've got me worried about what crazy favor you might call in." Ty chuckles, putting the towel away and grabbing another drink, looking at the clock on the wall to see how much time they had left. "Wanna go grab a drink after this? We're almost done."

[thecelestexzhao]

New Years Eve Ball - Celeste Zhao

with @ghxstofyxu

@aurorabayaesthetic

[thecelestexzhao]

"Is that so?" Celeste asked, raising a brow at him. "And are you usually a making trouble? Cause I gotta say, volunteering to help people doesn't exactly scream troublemaker. Quite the opposite really." She teased, grinning at him. As Tyler prepped the pan she went to wash her hands and take a sip of her water she had to the side. This definitely wasn't something she was used to (she'd actually never done it at all) but...it was nice. Made her feel a little less useless for once. "I get that. It is a little...disconcerting at first? But it's nice, overall. To help." She took another sip of water then, leaning back against the counter as she watched him, and as Tyler thanked her, Cel just smiled at him again, humming softly, "Well, we wouldn't want you to have to be by yourself." She pushed off the counter then, walking over to him and playfully patting his arm. "But I'll keep that in mind. You being indebted to me and all."

He knows the feeling all too well, but he just smiles and shrugs. "It keeps me out of trouble." Tyler offers the explanation, but truth is he'd been into volunteering long before. It felt like a way to connect with people without having to actually connect with them, and now it's just habit. Hell, he'd go as far as to say he enjoys his time in volunteer positions. Tyler sets the pan down on the metal counter, pulling the saran wrap from the roll and covering it up for the next set of volunteers to use the next day. "But, y'know, a lot of people haven't stepped foot in a soup kitchen in any capacity, makes 'em uncomfortable," He cuts off the edge and goes to slide it in the fridge. "So regardless, thank you. Besides, you saved me from being back here by myself. I owe you."

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste wrinkled her nose up at the rational words Layla was dropping on her, knowing she was making very valid points- but still. She wanted to wallow in self-pity for just a little longer. "Whatever you say." she ended up agreeing before giving her a nudge, "So then...here's to you finding one with a brain?" She offered instead with a little grin before nodding, her expression turning more genuine. "Thanks. Layla. Really. I'm glad I have you in my life."

Layla had always felt cautious about what the other bartenders of the Reef thought about the relationship. Always quick to worry whether there was any perceived advantage outside the relationship itself. But so far so good, both Theo and Celeste seemed supportive of the duo — immensely appreciated by Layla.

"Ending? Girl, you're still young. You have so much time to make mistakes with other stupid men before you find one with a working brain." The brunette flashes a wide grin, before gently nudging the younger woman on the shoulder.

"I wouldn't worry about that. Solidarity, remember?"

— @thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste wasn't even totally sure how she got talked into this. She wasn't the volunteer type, but she enjoyed spending time with Tyler, so when he asked, it surprised even herself that she agreed. But hey, maybe it'd be a good thing. So here she was with her hair picked u[ put of her face and an apron tied around her waist as she put a tray into the oven, and when he spoke and thanked her, Cel just smiled back. "I would've been spending this time alone anyways, so..." she shrugged, figuring there was no use lying about it since she figured this year would be like the last where she just spend the holidays by herself. At least this way she was contributing to society and all. "It's nice of you though. To do stuff like this. Pretty sure the only time I've been in a soup kitchen sort of thing was when I was on the receiving end as a kid."

location: Aurora Bay Food Bank prompt: 💖 ─ volunteer together at a local charity for: @thecelestexzhao It turned out, there was a bigger turnout for the Christmas Dinner than anticipated, and he was happy to help when he got the text asking if he'd still be willing to come assist with the needs. Not that they had solid plans anyway, but he was surprised when Celeste agreed to join him, putting off their evening sketching party for a few hours longer. The two were placed in the kitchen together, popping rolls in and out of the oven, cleaning dishes, getting plates ready. "You really didn't have to come, but thank you." he figures he can't say it enough, so he makes sure to extend his gratitude once more when he walks by her with a pan of dough.

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste just rolled her eyes at him even as she felt the little uptick of a smile on her lips at his response. She always did appreciate someone who could match her sarcasm. "Whatever you say." she told him, looking him over all the while and definitely thinking to herself that his charm probably did get him out of a situation or two.

"You'd be surprised what some bored security guard would end up doing. I had a friend once get chased six blocks for swiping a snickers bar. Like..it's not that serious, Paul Blart." Celeste couldn't help but laugh as she said it too, shaking her head at the memory. She was still smiling too even as he called her out for still staying around and she just shrugged, humming softly. "I guess you could say it's piqued my curiosity, yeah. Besides, not like I have much else better to do since I just finished work and was walking home to do...pretty much nothing. This at least could have more entertainment value if shit hits the fan."

Kai chuckled, shaking his head as he slipped his phone into his pocket. “Pretty boy? I mean, I’ll take the compliment, but come on, give me some credit, I didn’t nab anyone’s phone. You really think I’d risk all this charm over a swipe-and-run?” He gestured to himself with an exaggerated flourish, his grin widening.

He leaned against the fence casually. “As for the cameras, let’s just say I’m banking on the ‘it’s too late in the night for anyone to care’ defense. Not foolproof, but it’s worked so far.”

Tilting his head, he gave Celeste a knowing smirk. “And hey, accomplice or not, you’re the one still standing here. Guess that makes you at least a little curious about how this plays out, huh?”

@thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

"Yeah? Well, don't get too used to it since I'm not usually always that logical." She told him teasingly, the smile still on her face but it was a bit softer too, Celeste very aware that something was definitely weighing on this man, especially as she kept looking back to the envelope on his hand, the simple paper practically holding the worlds' secrets with how important it seemingly was.

His question made her pause for a moment and Celeste tilted her head, humming a bit. The question was vague, but if she'd put herself in his shoes, she could imagine a few scenarios of words on a paper changing her life. She'd won the lottery, her father had found her and wanted to reconnect, her mother apologizing for being, well..her mother. Various, all impossible things, all floating through her head. "I think that you hemming and hawing it won't change whatever's written, so you're just...prolonging the inevitable? So that's where the next round could come in? Some liquid courage." Celeste told him softly, even giving him a little nudge. "I could even take a shot with you if you wanted? Hell, I could even open it for you and read it to you if it makes it less scary."

Jethro glanced up from the envelope, her voice pulling him out of his thoughts. He offered a faint smile, lifting his glass and swirling the remaining liquid before setting it back down. "You might be onto something with that logic," he said, his tone warm but carrying the weight of someone trying to make sense of things.

He nodded toward the envelope with a small, rueful chuckle. "It’s not exactly the kind of thing another drink can decide for me, but I appreciate the thought. You ever feel like knowing what's inside might change everything, and you’re not sure if that's a good thing or not?" He let the question hang for a moment, then added with a wry smile, "But hey, if you think another round comes with a side of wisdom, I won’t argue." @thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

"That works if you can prove you were in there? You think there's security cams they can pull?" Celeste was smiling now as she said it, amused by the entire situation. "Cause otherwise, you're just a pretty boy who hopped a fence and nabbed someone's phone. The odds may not be in your favor." His next suggestion was somewhat decent and Cel tapped her finger against her chin, thinking it over before shrugging, "I guess? Could always say you were trying to prove to someone you could do it too in the first place--even though that'd then make me an accomplice in this whole scenario."

Kai for the most part wasn’t someone who would have broken into a place so blatantly. As a matter of fact he probably would have just tried his best to relax back into his steady pace and head back out the door if no one had of noticed him. Then again, he had just leapt over a fence so far be it for people not to notice. “Not breaking in if I was just in there, right? Or does thaat somehow make it worse?” He mused, a soft laugh coming from him as he ran over to pick up his phone. He returned and held up his phone in fake surrender. “Right, so how about my new excuse will be that the fence just felt like it would be really good to use as exercise and testing myself to see how high I can jump?”

@thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste was smiled despite her sarcasm and she hummed, nodding at him, "Trust me, I understand." She plucked at her pigtail as she said it, knowing that Wednesday of all people definitely wasn't the most original costume, but it was simple to pull off and that's all she cared about in the end. "A tomato...." she again found her voice deadpanning, truly in disbelief at what some people came up with.

"Okay then. And I saw someone dressed up at Jojo Siwa, which in itself is a nightmare. And...I think Megamind? Or a rejected member of The Blue Man Group. Either way, I feel like I should pray for them and the blue that will inevitably tint their skin for days to come." Celeste looked around as she said it then, leaning against the wall all the while. "At least it's entertaining? Even if I know that in just a matter of hours everything will go from spiderwebs and spooky to fucking tinsel and Christmas trees. But oh well."

Something in the way she said Sigourney made him laugh low, envisioning in his mind what the screen legend might have to say for such an inventive tribute to her most famous work.

( Most famous to him at least, given he can't recall much he had watched her in outside of the Alien movies. )

"I think he's in with a good shot at it, more than me, that's for sure," He taps his costume blaster against the red of his jacket that was only distinct if someone was familiar with the lead of the Marvel franchise he was dressed as, "I saw something outside that was either a tomato or maybe a pin cushion. That could give him a run for his money. Have you seen any other peculiar choices wandering around yet?"

@thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste was used to patrons just coming into the bar to get away from reality- and given the way the man sitting in front of her was clearly lost in his head due to the paper beside him, she figured that's what he was here for. The evening at the bar was fairly slow though, enough that she had plenty of time to wipe down the bar around him before she pocketed the rag and leaned against the bar, raising a brow at him.

"It depends?" She offered, tilting her head as she glanced between him and the paper. "If it's like telling someone something..I'd rather get it over with? But situations and all vary, so..." She trailed off, giving the man a little shrug before nodding to the glass. "Would another drink help make the decision a bit clearer?

open starter for @aurorabaystarter where: any of the bars!

The hum of the jukebox in the corner was the only sound breaking the quiet as Jethro leaned against the bar, a half-empty glass of whiskey in his hand. He wasn't the type to make a scene or seek the spotlight, but there was something about tonight that had him on edge. Maybe it was the holiday's rolling in, or maybe it was the folded piece of paper sitting on the bar beside him—a letter he'd picked up earlier, but hadn’t dared to open.

"Crazy how one little envelope can weigh so damn much," he muttered, more to himself than anyone else, before glancing at the person who’d just sat down nearby. "Tell me something—do you rip the Band-Aid off right away, or do you let it sit there, staring you down until you can’t avoid it anymore?"

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste wasn't even sure how she'd found herself in the shop, yet here she was, listening to the man in front of her and raising her brow in amusement at his sale's pitch. "You gonna sell a harness or something to go along with the snow surfboard? Or just hoping for the best as people barrel down a hill?"

open: @aurorabaystarter location: surf's up

"Although, it's like rare to get, like, a lot of snow round these parts. I'm telling you, these surfboards are multipurpose with their deattachable fins. Easily can be turned into sleds for your snowing adventures. Honestly, you're getting a bargain if you think about it... surfing in the summer, sledding in the winter." Jared said to the customer, always the salesman. "They'd make perfect Christmas presents to those you know in snowier regions too. All regions if you think about it, as I said, multipurpose."

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste didn't know the girl, but the comment was overheard just the same and she looked over, raising a brow, "Does it really matter though? Like if it makes people happy?" She countered, tilting her head. "Like I'm not Queen Christmas or anything, but I dunno. the world is shit enough as it is, so if someone finds some joy in pumpkins or twinkly lights or some tinsel or something...leave them be? Not like they're hurting anyone. Other than your eyeballs I guess."

Open : @aurorabaystarter

Where : town square.

"God, this place is like so confusing." With her eyes hidden behind dark sunglasses, she scans the various shops around them. "You know how neighborhoods have HOA's and all that?" she continues. "I feel like the storefronts should have something similar. There’s just no reason for Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas decorations to all be up at the same time," she adds, a sour look crossing her face. "It’s like... a whiplash of seasonal depression."

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste smiled at the other woman, nodding. "Solidarity." She echoed in agreement, fully prepared to be as bitter and spiteful as needed despite not knowing the man in question. She didn't need to- she knew Layla so that's where her loyalties lay, "Oh absolutely--even if he's actually older than me." Celeste told her with a laugh. But just the same, Theo was more personable than they were, so he could keep up the positivity train for the place.

Hearing that Layla's own relationship was going well genuinely made Celeste smile then, happy for the other woman. "At least one of us may get a happy ending then. Cheers to that." And since she didn't have a glass, she just playfully tapped her knuckles against Layla's arm. "Not rushing things seems like a good idea, and he's a good man, so...yeah. I'm happy for you. Both of you, really. And remember that if you two truly end up together and you wind up owning this place too. Don't wanna be out of a job after all."

"Solidarity sister." Nice to know she was backed up on the aversion to the place, even if Celeste's reason wasn't as bitter as Layla's. "He's the youthful personality this place needs. The rest of us are all a little too jaded." Plus she was pretty sure a decent cross-section of their younger clientele came in, especially for Theo.

"You absolutely can." The fact Layla had a relationship in her life one actively wanted to live vicariously through was a feat of its own. "It's going really good." She nods, honestly, with a warm smile. "We've been taking things slow, for obvious reasons." Looking over Celeste's shoulder towards the bar, Layla shifts her stance. She still hadn't completely gotten over the guilt and personal expectations from coming after Gabriele. Especially since Layla was her previous employee. The dynamic is not something that anyone had ever vocalized to her, but Layla knew the ethical fine line she walked in this relationship. "But it's been worth it. I never wanted him to feel rushed."

— @thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste tended to walk everywhere which is how she found herself walking by the hotel on her way to work at the bar, one airpod in as she absently listened to music. She wasn't distracted enough to not notice the guy jumping a fence though and she paused, blinking in confusion. "Far be it from me to judge someone for jumping a fence and potentially breaking into some place." She mused, pulling out the bud from her ear as she watched him. She unable to help but raise a brow at his excuse though--even if she did see a phone in the distance "I'd work on that excuse though, especially since a cop could roll by and definitely not care to listen to it regardless of it being the truth or not."

With: @aurorabaystarter Where: Seascape Hotel

"shit." Kai cursed under his breath as he realized he'd left his phone beside the pool, he could see it through the fence. He really could not be bothered to go all the way back inside and explain that he'd just been in visiting the pool to give a little lesson to the last of the tourists for the season. It would be a whole drama that he wasn't ready for, when he could just hop the fence, grab his phone, and hop back. Simple.

Climbing in wasn't the problem, however. The problem was someone had seen him climbing in, so with a sheepish grin he looked up at the stranger. "Hey! Just grabbing my phone, I swear."