thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

TXT: Valeria 📲 Asher

Valeria: Hey hermanito Valeria: Question/request Valeria: Would youuuu maybe want to come with me this weekend to get a Christmas tree? Valeria: And help me decorate it and all that? @heyits-asher

[thevaleriaxortiz]

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria has been living here for almost an entire year and sometimes the ocean still just mystified her. So on days off when she had nothing else to do she oftentimes found herself walking with toes in the sand along the shoreline or even just the length of the boardwalk like she was now. The comment made her pause though and she found herself smiling.

"I grew up in the dessert. So same. Sorta. Moved here beginning of the year." Arizona was nothing compared to this. "Mountains sound nice too though. Maybe after a full year of hearing waves crashing I can find time to head up north and see some of those. Maybe even experience snow."

OPEN STARTER for @aurorabaystarter

There is a warmth to this Californian air, and Camryn takes full advantage. A morning of gas station coffee that makes her wish she opted for Driftwood instead, a walk on the beach front, an afternoon at the art museum, lunch at the local deli.

With tomorrow being the official first start in the station - her mind runs with everything starting with the introductions (she sent out a mass e-mail to the entire staff to be in tomorrow at nine a.m.) and a list of questions to broach any concerns they all have had in the past few years - her excitement has finally outweighed the nerves of moving so far from where she grew up. She is in a good mood.

"The first time I saw the ocean was last week," she says to the person in earshot. Whether they are hanging over the edge of the boardwalk or just walking by, she doesn't pay attention. The Pacific keeps her focus as the sun glistens off the surface. "I grew up around mountains and valleys, and this is its own sort of beauty."

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria hesitated for a moment, taking a long sip of the margarita sitting in front of her before she spoke, "My dad....he's not a good man. He never got physically abusive but..yeah." She figured they were both adults, and they were speaking about her own uncle, so she might as well know who (and what) she was related to. "Was always mentally and emotionally getting at us, my mom specifically. And I mean, she tried but.." Valeria shrugged. "It's hard to deal with a deadbeat husband and multiple kids and trying to keep a roof over their heads. So I pretty much raised my sisters--and Asher too, to an extent. Dropped out of school, did um...I got odd jobs here and there," technically the truth. "I was too busy raising kids that weren't mine, and we were too busy surviving, to ever truly have a real holiday season."

Valeria took another (long) drink from her glass til she practically drained it, figuring she could probably use a shot of tequila too, before she met her cousin's gaze. "They're 18 now and got into college. My mom divorced his ass....so I'm edging into the later half of my thirties and finally getting to have my life back for me. And I'd like that to include a Christmas tree."

Izzy's face softened as her cousin spoke, and it honestly meant a lot to her that Valeria felt she could open up to her like that. Izzy was completely aware of how difficult it was to do something like that at times. She nodded as she listened, giving her a empathetic look as it reminded her of herself.

"Maybe it's not totally the same, but before my accident my whole life was figure skating. Holidays were hardly existent to us. Honestly, we never celebrated much of anything that wasn't good scores at programs before Clara was born. So yeah, I would love to share the holidays with you guys. And I will accept gifts as well as you will accept gifts from me." Izzy grinned.

@thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria had just gotten off shift at work and while she really wanted to just relax for the night, she wasn't about to turn down a friend on their birthday. So she quickly went home to change her clothes and touch up her makeup and let her hair down before she headed off to the club, soon enough spotting him in the crowd. "Well I couldn't let you celebrate your birthday alone, that's just sad." She teased him with a grin. "But the free drinks are a nice bonus as well."

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Nelson never wanted to celebrate his birthday on his own because he just felt like that would have been a boring way to spend the day. It was why he’d messaged a few people and told them if they had the time he was going drinking and dancing for his birthday and they were more than welcome to drink on his dime. So when he saw the familiar face he smiled softly. “ what was it? the free drinks or the chance to see my shitty dancing ?”

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"Well sor-ry for trying to pry some deep-seeded secret from you." She told him with a laugh before rolling her eyes at his comment, "Charming huh?" She tacked on, raising a brow at him, "Now see, that could either be literal, and it can be blue, like Cinderella and Prince Charming and all? Or are we going the sarcasm route to say black?" both suited him though, in her opinion. "I'll be nice though and say that my favorite color is red. Deep shades like burgundy and maroon to be exact."

"Hey, far be it from me to insult Miss Swift's music. I gotta admit she's got a few good ones. So feel free to sing anything to me you'd like and have me swooning, Romeo." Valeria locked her pinky with his for a moment before she looked ahead. Soon enough they were getting to the beach with their wine and pizza and she pulled her shoes off, letting them dangle between her fingers as they got to the sand. "So if I can't ask for favorite color, what can I ask to get to know you more?"

Joseph raised an eyebrow, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. “Oh, so you want to know my favorite color, huh? Clever tactic, Valeria. But I’ll have to keep you guessing a bit longer—let's just say it matches my charming personality.” He snirked, squeezing her hand back as they walked.

When she nudged him about being a Swifty, he laughed, shaking his head. “Me? A Swifty? You caught me! But only if it means I get to serenade you. Just imagine it: me, standing there, belting out some heartfelt lyrics while you blush from all the compliments.” He paused, leaning in slightly. “How could I say no to that?” As she offered her pinky, he wrapped his own around hers, sealing the playful promise. “Deal! But you better be ready for an epic performance. I might even throw in some dance moves for good measure. Just don't blame me if you find yourself swooning.” @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"I mean, spicy margaritas are already a thing and are fabulous? I had a habanero guava margarita once that I still dream about to this day." She told her with a laugh. "Not to mention things like chocolate wine exist so...yeah. Wouldn't be surprised if somewhere out there there's spicy wine or something." She just wasn't sure if she wanted to try it. At the next comment Valeria hummed, shrugging slightly. "Could go both ways? Like if they're using ghost cookie cutters for the cheese or something? Or if there's little decorations. Either way, I don't think I'd ever say no to cheese and crackers."

"Isn’t it just, like, warm and spicy?” Esma replied, shrugging her shoulders. “Like, cinnamon spicy not hot sauce spicy although I hope nobody here overhears me because they should not make that a thing.” The thought made the brunettes nose scrunch, nobody needed hot sauce in wine. It was probably already a thing somewhere. “I wonder if they’ve actually made the cheese board Halloween themed too or if they’re just playing on the theme? ‘Cause like, imagine little pumpkins and ghosts on it? Surrounded by cheese.”

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"Mulling spices..." She echoed, nodding since that at least made sense. She was still trying to wrap her head around hot wine though since she was the type to chill it regardless of color. She'd had people give her looks before for having ice cubes in wine glasses. Oh well. "Seems like a good time for us both to try it here then?" Valeria offered with a smile before she nodded and shifted aside somewhat, making more room for the man to come closer, "I'm in. Let's do it. And if the mulled wine is no good in my opinion, just don't judge me if I end up buying a bottle of something I will like."

There was something soft about community. And though Aaron had grown up in a city he adored, New York was rather big, and sometimes felt endless. Though it had only been a few months in Aurora Bay, he was starting to see just how much was centered around community. How a festival could draw the entire town in and make strangers... well... known. It had been an adjustment period, not one all to kind, and finally, Aaron felt it necessary to push himself to try. To try and meet others and participate. What was the point of moving across the country if he didn't at least make an effort? He found himself at the winery, and though he felt awkward, knowing so few people in town, he heard a voice, perhaps as timid as he felt, and decided to jump into conversation. "I believe it's mulled because it's prepared with mulling spices. Like... cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg.. all that. The fall types of spices, as it were. And I haven't had it here yet, but I tend to enjoy a mug of mulled wine, now and again." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Silly name, aside... wine and cheese is probably the perfect combination. Considering it looks like we're both here alone with questions, do you want to... share a Char-boo-terie board?"

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria looked down at herself as she sipped her drink, clawed hand at her side before she brought it up and playfully wiggled her fingers. "Survive a week as Freddy Kreuger? Hell yeah, I don't see why not. I wouldn't be stupid enough to keep chasing the same girl and her friends and family over and over. I'd one and done it to keep from getting caught and stupidly attacked in a booby-trapped house."

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where: sharky's monster mash

"If you could, would you live a full week as who you're dressed as? Additionally, do you think you'd survive it?"

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"That's right." Valeria confirmed with a playful grin as he squeezed her hand "And once that day comes I'll even make the payoff worth your while, wear your favorite color and everything- once you tell me said favorite color that is." And maybe this was also her way of trying to learn more about him, but so be it.

"For your information I can definitely appreciate some 80's tunes and some pop songs, thank you very much. But what, are you secretly a Swifty?" She asked teasingly, giving his arm a little nudge as she walked beside him before shaking her head. "No judgement, promise." As she said it she turned more towards him and even held out her other hand to offer her pinky up to really seal the deal. "Especially if that means it's me you'll be serenading and getting to see that side of you."

Joseph’s grin widened at her playful challenge, a mix of amusement and interest in his eyes. "Oh, is that how it works? Gotta earn the real effort, huh?" he teased, giving her hand a gentle squeeze as they walked. "Well, now I’m motivated. You’ll get that proper ask when the timing’s just right."

As they stepped outside into the cool night air, he chuckled at her question. “Embarrassed? Nah, I’m just… selective about when I reveal my questionable taste in music,” he said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the banter. “But if we’re gonna do this, I might have to ease you in—don’t want to scare you off with my random 80s throwbacks and guilty pleasure pop songs too soon.” He glanced at her with a playful glint in his eyes as they made their way toward the store. “But since you’re promising not to make fun of me, maybe I’ll let you in on a few tracks. Just don’t judge me if I start belting out some cheesy ballads after a couple glasses of wine.” @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"Why am I not surprised that black coffee is your go-to." She told him teasingly, even giving him a playful shake of her head, tutting at him, but a smile was pulled onto her lips all the while, clearly just teasing him. The smile grew as well then when he agreed and she nudged out the seat beside her, motioning for him to go ahead and sit. "This lovely lady actually has no problem with dining alone, but given that this is a winery, I think instead maybe I'm saving you from doing something you just said you hated doing. So really, you should be thanking me from saving you from a fate of lonely drinking."

"Warm drinks were never my forte, unless it's a black coffee." Ricardo remarked, as he tapped his fingers rhymatically against the table's surface. He surveyed the room, and realised that her company would be much better suited to him than some of the men he'd recently had board meetings with. "I'd love to." He said, giving her a smile. "I hate drinking alone... and well, if there's cheese and grapes, it would be rude to leave a lovely lady to dine alone."

@thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Admittedly, the idea of spiced wine wasn't necessarily a bad one (especially since she tended to enjoy anything with spices) but maybe she'd save it for another day--or at least a a day where she didn't have to pay for it, so at least that way if she didn't like it, at least it wasn't a waste of money. "Oh yeah, the cheese board was never in question, I could eat it as my main meal daily." Valeria replied with a laugh before nodding to the empty spot next to her, "You're welcome to sit and split one with me if you'd like?"

It would surprise no one that knew Emily well that she chose to spend one of her free moments to come to a wine tasting. Even if having it be autumn themed was still a bit odd to her, even after having lived in town for the past 3 years. "Mulled wine is heating up cheap wine, putting in some spices and suddenly it's supposed to taste good." She replied with a small shake of her head. "The charcuterie board on the other hand, will definitely be worth it. If I were you I would focus on that, I know that's my plan." @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Where does your muse feel most comfortable at?

"Honestly? Whenever I'm with my brother (or our sisters) I feel most comfortable. I raised them, so I was always around them- but Ash especially, him and I kept that damn roof over our heads for years. He saw me at my lowest. I trust him unconditionally. So..yeah, with him. Probably why I didn't even think twice when deciding where to move to and knowing he was here." @heyits-asher

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria Ortiz as Freddy Krueger

"One, two, Freddy's coming for you."

@aurorabayaesthetic

[thevaleriaxortiz]

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria: sounds like a plan! Valeria: you get the ingredients, i'll supply the kitchen Valeria: and wine too, if you're down

Roxy: You got it!! Roxy: I'm excited!! Roxy: aahh bet! that would be so much funn!! @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"I do! All those sound good to me, even if my mind can't quite wrap around the idea of warm wine. But what the hell? Always good to try new things, right?" Valeria was grinning still as she looked the place over, figuring it had to be something good if so many people tried it, and when the man spoke again she barely thought about it before nodding, looking quite eager. "Yeah! Let's do it--if you'll share that is. That way if I do end up actually hating it, I can at least count on someone to have it anyways?"

"Mulled wine means it's served warm." He responded quickly. A tip he had learned from partners. "If you like fruit and spice then it's worth it." Daniel definitely wasn't a wine expert. He only knew pieces of information. He tried to hold in his laughter, but he couldn't. It was a laugh of endearment. He didn't get the word right the first time either. "Definitely worth it." He nodded with a smile. It was his favorite part.

"Are you up for it? Promise the warm wine tastes pretty good." @thevaleriaxortiz