thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Val: Considering I barely had tv access growing up, not really Val: I do like seeing the ridiculous outfits people wear though, and judging them from the comfort of my couch.

Izzy 📲 Val

Izzy: hey girl Izzy: do you care anything about award season?

@thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

closed - @greengideon

where - the diner

Valeria couldn't believe she'd been living in this town for a year already. It felt like so much and nothing had at all changed. Just the same though, she needed to celebrate, and as silly as it was...

"Hi! I hear you're who I need to speak to to see if you'd sell me an entire chocolate cream pie instead of just the single slice that's on the menu."

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria had never really been to a ball and she felt utterly out of place because of it- especially since she'd come alone. At least the drinks were free. She'd seen some people she knew though, mingled for a bit, but ultimately she found herself a little high top table to stand at, sipping her glass of wine as she watched everything playing out around her. The voice nearby snapped out her of her thoughts though and a smile pulled onto her lips as she nodded, "Oh--yeah. I'm fine. Just....a bit overwhelmed?"

open starter for @aurorabaystarter where: seascape!

"Are you okay?" Ela asked the other person after poking her head around the corner of one of the hallways. If there was one thing she was good at, it was poking her nose where it didn't quite belong and pretending to care to get whatever gossip was floating around this town. "You look a little...flustered?"

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria had gone to the salon in town a few times since moving here nearly a year ago, so when she saw the familiar woman she headed over, greeting her with a smile. "Pretty sure nothing served in this hotel is considered cheap." One bottle of champagne would've probably been a day's worth of her paycheck if she stopped to look. She'd rather just drink it instead. "If anything we're right by the beach at least? Can go soak your feet in the cold water." She offered with a laugh before nodding and looking around. "How many people here do you think are on a first date? Or even better, how many are here on a not- date while their actual significant other is also around?" because she'd definitely seen it happen before- where people sneak off with their side pieces while the one they're in a relationship is was none the wiser. "Or just how many drunken hookups are bound to happen in the next few hours."

open starter: @aurorabaystarter

location: nye ball @ seascape hotel

"I think the amount of champagne I had will surely catch up, but at least it's not the cheap ones because lord knows I will not be able to walk in my heels end of the night." April said laughing lightly. She smooth out her dress and nodded towards a near by couple who looks like they were fighting, "Should we make up scenarios about people?"

[thevaleriaxortiz]

New Years Eve Ball - Valeria Ortiz

@aurorabayaesthetic

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria wasn't really sure what they were doing, but she knew she liked spending time with Joseph. She liked when he held her hand and when she made him smile and she really wanted to spend more time with him. She wanted to get to know him beyond the superficial things beyond a first date, so when he asked her to spend the evening with a picnic in the gardens, all decked out in their beautiful holiday nights, she could hardly say no.

So once she got dressed and ready Valeria made her way to the gardens and as she got to the meeting spot and saw him there she paused, lips parting slightly as she saw the set up and a soft wow escaping her before made her way to him, her smile growing. "Consider it...definitely liked." She breathed, looking it all over for a moment before she finally met his eyes, "Likewise, something I thought you'd like." She teased as she gave a playful little wave to her outfit, the sweater she was wearing a shade of Cinderella blue that she teasingly assumed was one of his favorite colors.

who: @thevaleriaxortiz where: the botanical gardens

Joseph stood in the peaceful corner of the botanical gardens, the soft hum of nature surrounding him as he carefully arranged the gifts beneath a canopy of vibrant flowers. The bottle of red wine, a luxurious vintage, gleamed under the sunlight filtering through the leaves. The Belgian chocolates, rich and decadent, sat beside it, wrapped in elegant paper. He checked his watch—Valeria would be arriving soon.

With a calm smile, he stepped back and admired the spot he had chosen. The botanical gardens were the perfect backdrop for this moment, with the delicate fragrance of flowers and the tranquil atmosphere. As Valeria’s footsteps drew nearer, he said, “Just a little something I thought you’d like.”

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria never minded working closing shifts since she actually liked when it was quiet at night and less chaotic--even if it meant working the busiest time in the day with the dinner rush. She also didn't mind it since she had not much else to do either but go to her empty little house and spend the night alone. So when her boss spoke up she just hummed, glancing over to him from over her shoulder as she wiped down a table. "I'll happily lock the door in someone's face if they try and roll in after hours."

Finishing up the last table, she pocketed the rag into her little apron and went over to the bar, playfully rolling her eyes as she looked over to the man still nursing his drink at the other end. "Hey, at least he always tips well?" She offered with a laugh before she moved to where Santi was and gave him a nudge, "I got this. And since the bottle of Jameson is still out, do youuu maybe wanna get us a drink?" Val shot him a little grin, hoping to catch him in a good mood so he'd be down for a couple drinks since it did help the end of the night go by a bit easier.

closed for: @thevaleriaxortiz

where: four leaf after close

Santiago exhaled a sigh of relief once he had ushered the last lingering barfly from the pub and pulled the inside door bolt closed to prevent any wanderers from chancing an appearance.

( Any lights on at Four Leaf drew in his most prolific regulars like moths to a Guinness dispensing flame. )

"That's the last of them," He says as he turns to face Val, "I hope."

Seamus hadn't taken the hint when he had started stacking stools on tables, remaining glued to his own at the bar instead. He knew the Irishman well enough to know he didn't set out to cause trouble but the Jameson and his fiery nature could be a volatile mix.

"Some nights Seamy thinks closing time's a negotiation," He explains as he makes his way behind the bar to get started on his least favorite post close task -- cleaning the draft drip tray.

[thevaleriaxortiz]

closed - @jaspermorgan

where - christmas markets

The holidays were never much growing up for her, so seeing the way this town went all out was really something. Valeria excitedly checked everything out and was currently shopping in the markets, a couple bags on her arm, and had ordered herself a salted caramel hot chocolate- only to be handed a peppermint one. The boy behind the counter said she could keep the wrong one for free so she looked around for a second before stopping a passerby, "Hi there! You wouldn't happen to like peppermint would you?"

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria didn't really have friends despite having lived here for almost a year, but she figured that now that she was secured in the life she'd built here, she could finally start relaxing. She had a stable job, a home, her brother and sisters were safe and content in their lives...things were good. So even if she only knew the girl by proxy given they worked together, Val still considered her a friend, so she was excited to spend the evening together.

"Hey!" She greeted Roxy with a grin, waving her inside. "Don't mind the mess but I did clean my entire counter and wine glasses, so I'm ready for you to grace my kitchen with delicious food."

Roxy was so excited to come over and cook with her co-worker. She always liked talking to Valeria at work so it was nice to hang out outside of the pub. With arms full of groceries, Roxy knocked on the door. "Special delivery!"

@thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria: who tf do you think i am that you think i have a saw?????? Valeria: i was more thinking of just going to the store and getting a fake one? i always liked the idea of getting a big one with lights already on it, that change colors? Valeria: i don't have a car (yet 🤞) but i figured could just uber to the store or whatever?

Asher: ya Asher: r we cutting down one? we need a saw Asher: wait u gotta car to tie the tree to the top of right? Asher: idr @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"It's a figure of speech, viejo." She quipped back without missing a beat (even if he was only mere months older than her) "But no, I don't think you'd be alone. Just the same, here I am. Ensuring it." Valeria reached over and gave his arm a little squeeze as she said it too, because all jokes aside, she didn't think anyone should be alone on their birthdays--she knew all too well how it felt. "Definitely drinks, yes. You sticking to anything in particular tonight? Or just saying fuck it and getting a bit of everything?"

“ Were you actually thinking I was going to be alone? because I might have to reevaluate who I think my friends are” he teased, giving Valeria a warm smile. To be entirely fair, Nelson had no idea who actually were his friends at times, because of the fact that he had come from money. But the move to Aurora bay had helped a lot because it meant that most people there were more genuine than where he’d grown up. So he didn’t dwell on it too much, aside from making jokes. “ do you wanna grab a drink first? “ @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria shook her head at the mere idea of hot sauce wine. Some things should just not exist and it better stay that way in this case. "Anyways, yeah! Wine and charcuterie aaand if it's awful we can always just eat the cheeses and cut out? There's a bar like ten minutes from here that might still have happy hour going."

"No," Esma let out a laugh. "I can do the mulled wine and I can even do the sangria, but we cannot have hot sauce flavored wine and if they do actually come out with that eventually then I think we should definitely get some sort of commission cause clearly they've been listening." Esma wanted to stay far far away from the wine though, she'd do the mulled wine and sangria, but that's where she drew the line. "Alright, let's order one and see what they've got, they better not disappoint us." @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria: I knew I should've taken you for a moscato type of girl 😛 Valeria: but you got it! kitchen counters cleaned and chilled sweet wine will be waiting

Roxy: ofc im down! Roxy: as long as the wine is sweet and doesn't taste like wine Roxy: but I'll see you soon! @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

With some down time at work, Valeria got herself a glass of coke and sat across the Uly, figuring she could spare a few minutes. "Honestly? I'm not sure." She told him with a laugh even as she shook her head at herself. "Maybe a new video game or a vape that he won't lose or break in five minutes?" she offered teasingly. "I can try and wrangle an answer out of him though and float you some options." Least she could do for the guy she knew was her brother's best friend. "You know, him and I almost shared a birthday? We're a day apart, so little eight year old me joked that he was my birthday present when he was born."

closed for: @thevaleriaxortiz

where: four leaf

"You got any idea what Asher'd want for his birthday?" Uly asks his best friend's sister when she seemed less busy than when he had arrived. Though the actual day was a couple of weeks out, he was a bad gift-giver by virtue of usually not caring enough to even try -- but this was an exception.

[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."