thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

She knew she was reading too much into things when Ty's simply stating that she'd be well taken care of was enough to make Celeste's heart skip a little beat and then lodge itself in her throat. She tried her best to play it cool though and just hummed in response as he spoke, absently drumming her fingers against his chest for a moment.

And if she saw his gaze darting down to her hand for a moment, she tried not to think too much on it.

"Sounds like we're on the same page then. All the more reason for us to stick together." She told him softly before giving him a little roll of her eyes but she still didn't pull her hand away--and if anything, she unconsciously swayed just a bit closer to him, meeting his smile with one of her own as she kept her eyes up on his, "And you do clean up nicely for the record. Very handsome. Skate rat."

"I've noticed, I just... I don't know. " He shrugs, taking note of her cheeks flushing a bit, wondering if he should keep his mouth shut. Ty opts to listen to her, letting out a laugh as he finishes off his own drink. "Well you say the word, I'll make sure you're well taken care off, keep you off your feet as much as you desire." He smiles, playing with the ice, watching her fingers go from her glass to his vest, almost not hearing what she was saying.

The pressure of her finger just light enough to feel over the fabric. Ty clears his throat, glancing up from her fingers to her face, then back to her hands. An urge to rest his fingers on her wrist, to pull her palm to his cheek, to just pull her into him is fought off with the reminder there is a question at hand to answer. He wants to say not really. Not here with a familiar face. Not here with her fingers on his chest and her looking radiant as always. But the word touch starved also comes to mind, the lingering feeling almost as if her fingerprint was etched into his skin. "Only a little bit. It's... It's more dressy than what I'm used to. Y'know, being a skate rat and all." He jokes, finally lifting his head and smiling at her.

[thecelestexzhao]

Cel: Cool bc I wasn't totally giving you a choice 😌 Cel: Tattoos. That's your clue. Cel: Your very, very vague clue.

Layla: Absolutely. Layla: Oh? I'm very interested to hear about this. Layla: Do I get a clue on who it is?

— @thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

TXT Celeste 📲 Layla

Cel: Once we close up tonight, wanna go out? Cel: I uh, maybe have a development Cel: On finding someone with a brain @ponderosus

[thecelestexzhao]

closed - @sagexmackenzie

where - jade bowl

With both of them finally off work and not scheduled for the day, Celeste was all too happy to go out for lunch and take their time with it. "Gotta admit, it's nice to be the one served the food and the drinks for a change." She teased as she took a sip of her drink. "Any stupid patron encounters recently on your end?"

[thecelestexzhao]

"Uh...yeah?" She replied with a laugh, looking down at herself and plucking at her dress. "I'm much more a docs and jeans kinda girl if you haven't noticed." Celeste's words were teasing as she said it, playful. But that said, she couldn't deny that she felt....nice, in the dress. Pretty. She didn't let herself think much more on it though and just looked around again, humming in agreement.

She looked back in time though to catch Tyler looking at her and Cel felt a heat in her face, tinging her cheeks pink even as her smile turned a bit bashful- another thing out of place for her. "Well, for once I'd rather be served than do the serving, so..." She trailed off with a laugh, making a show of finishing off her first drink and she twisted to put the empty glass down on the bar. "And you? Feeling out of place in these fancy clothes?" And as she asked it, she couldn't help as she reached out, fingers brushing over lines of his suit vest.

"You feel out of place?" he questions, eyebrows pushing together before he takes another look around. Ty figures, she has a point. Not that he grew up the same as Cel did, but part of him will always know what it's like to know you don't fit in, or to know you don't belong somewhere. Amongst fine suits and dresses, and people he recognizes and knows for a fact are affluent, he can see how she's uncomfortable.

"It's definitely a different kind of party..." He notes, returning his gaze to her, finally taking her in completely. She's beautiful. Not that she isn't always eye-catching amongst the dimly lit bar lights or out in the city, but he supposes he doesn't appreciate it enough. Still, this isn't a date, and he stops himself from being stupid. Instead, he takes a drink. "Personally, I'm sure you get enough liquor in everyone it'll feel just like a regular night."

[thecelestexzhao]

"Nah, it's...--cheesy isn't the word I'd use." Celeste's voice was softer as she said it too, looking down for a moment. A family. Not quite something she'd ever had before. There'd been times growing up where Cel even wondered why her mother kept her--and likewise, she wondered why she herself didn't just run away. Oh well. That wasn't a train of thought she wanted to continue on.

She looked up again then, a smile now on her lips as she nodded, "I think I can come to like it." She replied, clearly already on board with it despite her words. "And...well, same goes for you. I've got you too."

"I know it sounds really cheesy, but we're family in this place." The bartender knocks her knuckles against the wall next to her, "Whether you like it or not. I got you." For the first time in her life, Layla had found what people deemed a chosen family. Certainly better than the biological one life provided.

— @thecelestexzhao

[thecelestexzhao]

closed - @romanphoenix

where - the reef bar

"Hey, do you know what you wanna order?" Celeste asked as she wiped down the bar around the man before she nodded behind herself, "Or should I refill the peanut bowl and bring over a soda or something and leave you to your thoughts?"

[thecelestexzhao]

closed - @juniper-soo

where - thrift store

Celeste had multiple pants and shirts slung over her arm and was currently looking at a skirt that could only be described online as whimsigoth. "Do we like this, or is it too witchy nineties like The Craft."

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste told herself time and time again that this wasn't a date (right?) That Ty was just her friend and they were going to the ball as friends. That still didn't stop her breath from catching a bit when he first got to her, seeing him with a fresh hair cut and dressed nicely--something she herself did as well, swapping her usual fishnets and boots for a long dress and heels. She even tried not to feel out of place as they made their way inside the hall, surrounded by gorgeous gowns and champagne flutes and making her feel a bit like she was just playing dress up. Oh well. At least she wasn't alone in that.

"Apparently so." She replied back with a little smile as they waited for their drinks. "At least everyone here is too wrapped up in themselves to notice anyone else? Makes me feel a little less out of place." Cel said it with a wry little smile as she plucked at some of the tulle of her gown.

for: @thecelestexzhao location: seascape, nye

Is this a date? It's not a date. Is it? His nose wrinkles at the ambiguity of it all, but he followed his sister's demands suggestions and cut his mop top to a cleaner cut and shaved. Never idle fingers fidget with the rings on his fingers as he patiently waits at the bar with Celeste. "This is like... A big deal isn't it?" He comments, looking around at all the people in attendance before coming back to her. It's probably the third time he's looked at her since he picked her up, not that he doesn't want to, it's one the only things he wants to do, but ogling is unbecoming and he's yet to find the fine line.

[thecelestexzhao]

Celeste softly thanked the waitress that came by and dropped off some waters and menus and when Tyler spoke she let out a laugh, nodding in agreement, "Fair enough." She agreed, not wanting to push it. But just the same as he continued she rose a brow at him, smiling back. "Let's stick with beers to start and we can maybe consider a shot or two?" She suggested before taking the drink menu from him, and as she spoke she let out a soft laugh "I don't think I could ever truly say no to a shot though. I cave under peer pressure."

When the waitress came by a few minutes later, she ordered a beer along with a cheeseburger and onion rings and once Ty was done too she just nodded towards him, "So. Other than having a mysterious past and being all charitable and helpful to the less fortunate, what else don't I know about you? I almost feel like we should play twenty questions. I could start in dangerous, deep territory and ask when your birthday is, or get real personal and ask what your favorite food is? "

Ty rolls his eyes at the idea, not that he was opposed to it, but Nic and Olive were ruthless. Especially when it came to him. There was no lack of love, but did they take his bullshit? Not even a little bit. He settles into the seat across from her, letting his body warm up from the windchill.

"Oh man..." Ty laughs, tongue poking at his canines as he looks over the drink menu. "Think I might just do a beer for now, I feel like I drink too much during the holidays." A note more for himself than something he's actually concerned about. "Buuuut I could very easily be talked into shots since it's the holidays." He teases, eyes flicking up to Cel before he slides the drink menu over to her. "What are you thinking?"

[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