thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria was tired from closing at work the night before and definitely needed the caffeine jolt, so much so that she'd been mid-yawn when walking through the busy coffee shop and didn't see the man in front of her til it was too late. "Oof--" She stumbled back for a second, glad she at least wasn't holding her phone because she for sure would have dropped it, before she blinked up at the one she'd bumped into.

She let out a sigh as the apologies tumbled from the man's lips and she shook her head, "No, no it's fine. Not like I was much better with looking around." She waved him off, figuring it wasn't a biggie. But at the offer of a free drink... "You sure about that? Not like blood was spilt or anything."

Open starter: @aurorabaystarter

Where: Local coffee shop

Helping to keep the Aurora Bay Times going wasn't always easy, as it sometimes left Shyne completely drained and just wanted to sleep it off or have a drink. It had late nights for him, but he'd never want to change that. He rather enjoyed the job and sometimes helped get stories as it came to it, but really he was just a helpful illustrator.

To get the day going, he needed caffeine so he was going to get a much needed drink, but being lost on his phone he bumped into someone. Blue eyes widen and Shyne was quickly apologizing. "Forgive me, let me buy you a new drink at least. I'm sorry, just a mix of work and being sleep deprived."

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"Lame, but yeah I guess that's a fair thought just the same. And yeah! Baby colors. Baby blue, baby pink, all those pastelly shades. They tend to wash out. I'm much more a darker tone or something bright and bold." She realized she was rambling a bit then and pulled back, letting out a soft little laugh, "I appreciate the thrifty compliment. And I'm Valeria." She moved her things to her other arm so she could hold her hand out in greeting.

"Someone? One of the workers. In their defense, they...are at work. I'm sure I'm one of the many faceless drones they put up with every day." A look that matched her own crinkled nose, though his was more of an act than a natural reaction, "Baby colors? I'll be staying away from the baby...anythings for the time being." A nod- to have a pair of worn out docs meant it must have been years for her since grabbing them. Those things could outlast the nuclear fallout. "Now that is a beautiful thing to hear. Respect. Oh, Tobias by the way." @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria rose a brow at him, amusement glittering in her eyes as she hummed. "First off, relax Jonah Jameson." She started, moving to sit upright once he got into his office. "Unless you want me to stop being nice. Cause I can just get right up and leave and take your card with me that you left behind at the pub." As she said it, Valeria fished out the man's debit card from her pocket, waving it in the air before she moved to stand. "I guess if you insist I can just go though, since I don't have some breaking news."

open: @aurorabaystarter location: aurora bay times hq

"You better be here to give my journalists the next massive story that's going to sell a bunch of papers, or give me some exclusive photographs of the town superhero. If not, your parked ass better get movin'."

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria nodded, giving him a smile. "Did someone say otherwise?" She wondered, looking between the two shirts before nodding again, "Dark is always a better option. And it goes well with your skin tone- even though yeah, I could see whites or grays going well. But bright like, baby colors?" She wrinkled her nose up, even knowing for herself something like a baby blue just...didn't work. "Oh--thanks!" She looked down at them, inspecting them. "I've been looking for a pair of boots to wear other than my poor worn-out Docs, so hopefully these work. And yeah, absolutely. I can't think of much in my closet that wasn't thrifted."

"Knew it. I appreciate the help, truly. As for the brightness, I would prefer to keep it to the darker things. Unless it's a hard neutral like a white or gray. Then-" A noncommittal shake of his hand and then he slid the shirts across his shoulders. "But yeah, again- thank you. Oh! I like those boots you have there. Look broken in. One of the best things about thrift stores, if you ask me." @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"It helps that I'm pretty." She countered, playfully batting her eyelashes at him, "Maybe we gotta get you some mascara or something and you could get some tips from petulant patrons too."

As she said it Valeria already took over in finishing up the cleaning, genuinely not minding it since it was so embedded into her- cleaning taking care of things. She'd been doing this her whole life, to the point that it was almost a comfort. "Nah."

She'd finished wiping down the bar and resetting everything behind before she moved back to her boss, passing over the rag in exchange for her glass. "You know, it's coming up on one year since I started working here. Which means it's been a year since moving here, starting my life over--enriching yours with my phenomenal presence.."

"Is he tipping you at all? You must have an actual four leaf-clover for that sort of luck."

He's glad to hear the man had heeded his perpetual warnings to some degree, his penchant for trying to evade his tab and handing out any cash seemingly reserved for just the bar owner and not the rest of the staff. Santiago's been doing the same dance with him from back when Murphy was at the helm, finding the old devil to be harmless even though he could be irritating.

Her suggestion and his to-do are no competition for one another, turning to reach for the Jameson rather than the cloth as he complies with the sound of two tumbler glasses being placed on the bar top.

"Be a shame not to, so they say," He pours himself a measure and a half with no added frills, holding the bottle in wait for confirmation of her preference to repeat the same with hers, "Do you want ice?"

@thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria gave the woman a sympathetic little smile. She didn't come from money, in fact now with her waitressing job and steady tips was probably the most financially stable she's ever been in her life, so the thought of spending an exorbitant amount of money on a dress for a party didn't really compute to her. "Well what did the invite say? Or even look like? Cause don't those usually give a hint?" Not like she'd ever been to a wedding. "Maybe get two dresses if you can? One simple black one and more...I dunno, brighter?"

a subdued look of disgust flashed over her face at the question. "ugh, so black tie. 'casually dropping most people's net worth on our wedding' kind of black tie." the thought continued to haunt her. it wasn't as if she was hurting for money, but the idea of spending that amount on something that had a fifty percent chance of becoming a representation of failure was unthinkable. "but you may have an idea with the cooler color. but then watch the theme be like 'the tropics' or something stupid like that."

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria couldn't help but overhear the woman's plight as she looked through the racks of clothes, not really envying the position she was seemingly in but just the same she nodded to the rack. "Blue works. Or any cooler color, since it's still winter? Just no white though and you should be fine wither way? Is the wedding more casual, or like a black tie kind of affair? Cause I suppose that would affect the decision too."

who: open to anyone @aurorabaystarter where: sea glass boutique

"I'm never going to find anything." the woman bemoaned as she frantically thumbed through the rack. "like what do you wear to a cousin you never met's wedding? how do I not make it scream 'my dad begged me to come with him because it's mom's side of the family and she's been dead for over a decade and he never really liked these people anyway'?" vera wished she could go back and time and just tell her dad no, but that man was her kryptonite. the power a five-six, almost eighty-year-old man had over her was laughably impressive.

black curls fell over her shoulder as she looked at her companion. "something blue? that whole situation gives off a blue vibe, right?"

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria had never really been one for tea so she'd never been inside the cute little shop. Just the same though, as she walked by and saw the woman standing outside with a tray of cups, she could hardly just ignore and walk on by.

"So I gotta admit, I..don't know the first thing about tea." She started with a laugh, biting her lip as she looked the various options over. "Which one do you recommend the most? Like..top seller? The gateway drug to tea drinking?"

for: @aurorabaystarter (0/5)

It was shaping up to be one of the slower days at Serenity Tea Room. Days like today were typically early days for most employees, if they felt like leaving early. Today was one of the days in which a majority of them had taken the offer, so it was just her and a skeleton crew by three pm. In order to keep herself preoccupied Lav brews up six different types of tea and separates them into little sample cups. She places the cups neatly on a tray, then creating labels for each little section to help identify which tea was what.

With a light, but cozy, winter jacket on Lavinia makes her way outside. This was her way to both promoting the tea shop but also to help keep the citizens of Aurora Bay warm while they were out and about. “Hello! Would you like to try one our teas today? Great way to keep yourself warm, and energized. Except Lavender, that one might make you a tad too relaxed.”

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Even if she now had a bit of a disposable income, Valeria still oftentimes found herself at the thrift store, hardly ever buying newer, more expensive things when she tended to, well, find some hidden gems in these places. She currently had a new sweater and a pair of jeans draped over her arm and was looking at a pair of boots when she heard the comment and she looked over, tilting her head slightly. "This one is darker." She noted, reaching over and giving the shirt a little tug, "So for that alone, I'd say this one? It's more of a wintry palette-- unless you're wanting brighter?"

Who: @thevaleriaxortiz Where: At Hidden Gems

Tobias rolled his eyes inwardly as he stepped away from the worker. Okay, he shouldn't be so mean. She was trying her best. But the idea that both of these blue work shirts looked the same? Insane. Just because they were both blue color? So instead he'd find someone with style more like his own. Or at least, someone who wasn't paid to be there. Maybe he'd get a real opinion. "Pardon me? Could you per chance tell me which of these shirts you like more? And do you think they look the same?"

[thevaleriaxortiz]

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria kept her hand in his and walked with him, trusting him to lead her so she allowed herself to look around, a soft smile on her lips all the while at just how pretty everything was. Even the air with its floral scent just added to how...well, perfect everything was. She finally gave him her attention again though as he brought them to the bench with everything already waiting, and Val's smile just grew as she took it all in.

Tea, pastries...the sketchbook, it all again made her breath catch, and when he asked if he could draw her, Valeria was pretty sure all the air escaped her lungs entirely. "Oh, I...--yeah. Yes, of course. I'd like that." She agreed, giving his hand a squeeze before she snorted softly, "I can barely draw an even circle, so I wouldn't expect art out of me if I'm being honest."

As Valeria followed him down the winding path, they arrived at a quiet corner of the gardens, where a small wooden bench sat beneath a blooming wisteria tree. The soft lavender blossoms draped overhead, their sweet scent carried by the gentle breeze. On the bench, a neatly folded blanket and a small basket waited.

He turned to her with a shy smile, pulling out the basket’s contents: two steaming thermoses of tea, a handful of pastries from Sweet Nothing's, and a little sketchbook. "I thought you might love this spot," he said, settling beside her. "Thought we could sit here, enjoy the morning, and... maybe you’d let me try drawing you. Or you could draw me and make me look way cooler than I am." @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

While she was nervous to come clean about things, there was also a relief there, a tightness loosened within herself to talk about it aloud with someone. Especially when that someone was family. She felt some invisible weight come off her shoulders, relaxing a bit more before she let out a heavy breath and looked up to her cousin, giving her a little smile as she nodded, "Thanks." She replied softly- both for the promise of good holidays and just for listening. They hadn't been in each others' lives for long, but Valeria loved the other girl and was glad that she was in her life now.

"Anyways." She started, taking a much longer sip now of her margarita. "Anything tragic you want to share, or should we just look ahead and talk about the future? A future I hope includes another round of drinks- or at least a round of shots." since lord knows she could use it.

There was a slight shift of the energy in the room when Valeria told Izzy that her father (Izzy's uncle) wasn't a good man and began to explain why. Her heart ached for her cousin as she couldn't imagine having a relationship like that with her parents. Izzy had lost her father when she was young and she and her mother weren't all that close until recent years, but nothing like that had ever happened.

The ache only intensified as Izzy thought about how hard it was to have her own daughter and learn how to parent, she couldn't imagine having to take care of children that weren't even hers and try to come up with the cash to even do it.

"Well, that's all the more reason to make sure Christmas and every other holiday together is amazing."

@thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria hummed in agreement, nodding as she looked around. "Dropped into a movie set is a hell of an analogy." one she couldn't agree more with. "Especially since this is my first time at one of these. First time in a fancy ballgown like this too." She looked down at herself as she said it, the long black fabric more than anything she'd ever worn before. She felt like a kid playing dress up almost, sneaking into her mother's closet. (Except not even her mother had anything like this as far as she remembered).

The girl's voice brought her back to the present and Val even felt a heat rising to her cheeks, a more bashful smile now on her lips at the compliment, "Oh, well- thanks. You do too, by the way. Your dress is gorgeous." And as for the free wine... Valeria lifted her glass up at the words, smiling. "I'm all for free wine and people-watching. Especially since I'm here alone, so I have no one to hurry back to."

Ela’s eyes softened as she leaned against the high-top table, her drink in hand. “I get that,” she said with an understanding nod. “Balls can be... a lot. All the glitter, the gowns, the small talk—it’s like being dropped into a movie set, but no one gave you a script.” She offered Valeria a warm smile.

“But hey, you’re here, you look stunning, and you’ve already survived the mingling stage. That’s, like, half the battle.” Ela glanced around the room, her tone light. “The other half? Finding the perfect moment to just enjoy yourself. No rules, no pressure. Even if it’s just appreciating the free wine and people-watching.” @thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

"Same." Valeria told her with a grin. She was glad that she'd made friends here in this town, had created a life for herself here. It'd all been a bit of a pipedream just this time a year ago, but now it was all real and Val couldn't be happier. "And yeah, of course! If anything I should be thanking you for being down to come and cook on your day off?" She told her with a laugh, all the while moving around her kitchen to grab some glasses and a bottle of wine from the fridge. "So how'd you get into cooking in the first place?"

"I'm so excited to get started on this!" Roxy nearly skipped to the counter and she spread the groceries out on the counter. "Thanks for inviting me, this is going to be so fun. If you pour the wine I'll start unpacking all this."

@thevaleriaxortiz

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Christian Serratos

[thevaleriaxortiz]

Valeria smiled brightly over at him, humming, "Well then mission accomplished." She replied teasingly, trying to play it cool even as her heart tripped in her chest. "Magic huh? Well, again...mission accomplished." Very much so too, given how beautiful everything was.

If at all possible, Valeria's smile grew as he complimented her, preening a bit internally at her good choice in outfit and when he held his hand out she came closer, easily slipping hers into his, "I'm glad you approve." She replied, giving his hand a little squeeze before she nodded and moved to sit down. "Surprises? Well, now I'm definitely intrigued. Do I get a hint?"

Joseph’s face lit up when he saw Valeria approaching, the holiday lights casting a warm glow around her. As her soft “wow” reached him, his chest swelled with a quiet satisfaction. “I was hoping you’d like it,” he said, his voice low but filled with warmth. “I figured we could use a little magic tonight—and what’s more magical than this?” He gestured to the twinkling gardens. "Plus I heard they're doing a great hot cocoa."

When her teasing about the sweater landed, he laughed softly, his eyes sparkling as they met hers. “Cinderella blue, huh?” he replied, tilting his head as if to appraise the color. “You caught me—it’s definitely a favorite. But I think you might have made it my all-time favorite now. You look amazing, Val.” He stepped closer, offering his hand. “Come on, let’s make this night one for the books. I’ve got all your favorites—and maybe a surprise or two.” @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