velascomari

[velascomari]

❝ at the samhain festival with @boyd-harris  —

“You seem to be in somewhat better spirits since the last time we talked.” Then again, it was hard to not to be on a night like that. The feast was plentiful, the booze overflowing, music blared from every corner— Sully’s promised to deliver and followed through. Sipping her drink, eyes still latched to Boyd’s face, she wondered, “Are you feeling any better?”

[velascomari]

❝ at the apartment with @bramwalsh —

“Will you stop grumbling and just put it on?” Already dressed herself, Mari regarded Bram with a new level of exasperation. “I'm not above changing my mind, you know.” The tiniest hint of a smirk might’ve started forming at the edge of her mouth. “There’s still time to make you be the Ron Stoppable to my Kim Possible, stuffed naked mole rat and all.”

[velascomari]

❝ at thrill-o-ween with @seydaxbulak —

Paintbrush in hand, Mari swirled the tip through a puddle of blue on her plastic palette. “Who do you think is going to win the costume contest?” She’d been eyeing up the contestants ever since sitting down to decorate a pumpkin, and now that Seyda was sat beside her she couldn’t resist ‘polling the room’. “I mean, definitely not the deer and dill pickle, right? What are they even supposed to be?”

[velascomari]

❝ at horror night with @lucianaxalvarez —

It was unexpected - running into Luciana again before either technically reached out - but once their eyes met across the food truck queues she couldn’t not approach. When Mari admitted she’d like to get to know her, to get a feel for what it could be like to have a sister, she genuinely meant it.

“So are you actually a fan of horror movies,” she questioned a few minutes after they’d each collected their food, pausing only to pop a cheese drenched fry into her mouth, “or did you just come along with friends?”

[velascomari]

❝ ANGELIA PAREDES —

─── starter for @vancitystarters​ / capping at 4 replies

GHOST TOURS, THE ORACLE ─── Waiting on the tour to get underway, Angelia eyed the bus outside of the magic shop with curiosity. She hoped with all hope that it wasn’t going to be a ride where a guide pointed out the windows at specific things and told some stories. The only reason the superstitious woman had even signed up and headed to The Oracle where the tour was supposed to take off from was because she wanted the opportunity to walk through the laces around Vancouver that had the biggest histories and legendary spooks to them. “Have you ever done one of these before?” Angelia asked the person standing near her. “A ghost tour,” she clarified. “I’ve always wanted to but never wanted to mess with it.” No idea on why she had chosen to do it now. “Some advice— don’t go straight home from where the tour ends.”

—

“Nope.” The word popped off Mari’s lips before she turned to flash Ang a tight pressed, crooked smile. “I have absolutely no idea what to expect tonight, but when you said ghost tour I couldn’t resist.” Or maybe it was another night in the woman’s company she had a hard time turning down? 

Either way, she pinched a few pieces of popcorn out of the bag she’d brought along (they didn’t say it was bring your own snacks, but they didn’t say it wasn’t, either) and then discreetly offered out the rest. “To be honest, I’m not even sure I believe in ghosts, but I’m open to being convinced.” 

In a way she was almost hoping for something to happen that would do the trick.

“Why aren’t you supposed to head straight home afterwards, though?” For a split second confusion marred the dark slash of her brow. It was quickly replaced by another easy smirk before she added, “Exactly what did you get me into tonight, Ang?”

[velascomari]

❝ LUCIANA ALVAREZ —

Luciana lifts her eyes up towards the other woman in front of her, arching a brow with curiosity when she mentions giving her phone to her. Honestly, she never imagined that his family would want anything to do with her with the fact that he did practically everything in his power to make sure she was never discovered… She kind of prepared herself for his family wanting to ignore the fact she existed as well.

“Uh… Yeah, yeah.” She reaches into her bag and pulls out her phone, swiping up to unlock the screen, clicking on her contacts. She turns the phone and holds it out to the other woman as she lifts her eyes up towards her. “Go ahead and put your number in.”

Somewhere quieter, when she’s ready. A part of her wanted to know what growing up was like for Mari because she had gone through her whole life being unwanted. She was never the girl most chose to be around and in relationships it was even worse she would shove them right out the door before they had the chance to break her heart first. It’s what she did in her relationship with Matt, ending things because he had the opportunity to realize she wouldn’t be enough. 

“I’d like that,” she said softly. As soon as she got her phone back, she drops it into her bag and reaches for her wallet, pulling it out and opening it. She tosses a few twenties onto the surface of the bar in hopes to cover both checks and enough for a hefty tip.

“I’ll text you.” She says before getting up and heading for the door, unsure what her next steps will actually be.

— THE END.

[velascomari]

text || lila & mari

Lila: I want to be a good mom and a good friend.

Lila: I'm still in love with him.

Lila: And considering he hates my guts, it's really fun.

Lila: Now, that I know him and Sloane have never even kissed. I decided to torture myself and do an investigation into who he actually might be boning.

MARI: And what makes you think that you aren't already? I feel like I need to remind you again that whatever mistakes you've made in the past aren't the sum total of who you are, Li.

MARI: But fuck. Yeah. I kind of thought so.

MARI: Unfortunately I know a bit about what that's like, too. Maybe he'll come around? I mean, stranger things have happened right?

MARI: And...? You said you think you figured it out.

[velascomari]

Do you have feelings for anyone?

"Yeah, for Jordan, ‘cause at this point in life I’m pretty sure we just need to cut our losses and meet each other at the end of a wedding aisle. Other than that? I plead the fifth.” - featuring @jordanmitchell

[velascomari]

If you could go back in time and change one day of your life, what would it be?

"Easy. It’d be the night I called things off with Elijah because it’s what my dad wanted me to do. Maybe by now we’d be married. Maybe it still would’ve ended on its own. Either way, at least I’d know whatever came of us was meant to happen that way instead of being a path I was manipulated and coerced into taking.” - featured @exhaleddcsires

[velascomari]

Have you done anything recently that you hope nobody finds out about?

"You mean like hooking up with Bram? Having no idea what it even means now or how I’m supposed to feel about it? Nothing that I can think of? I try my hardest to live the complete opposite kind of life as my parents which means not being a shady, underhanded jerk.” - featuring @bramwalsh

[velascomari]

do you believe in soulmates?

"To an extent, yeah. I’m not sure I believe there’s literally only one person in the entire universe meant for you, that’s a little too flowery and far-fetched for me, but I do think sometimes you meet people who are just right for you or whatever phase of life you’re in. People who are meant to meet you where you are, or challenge you, or help you grow into who you need to be. I mean, I’ve already experienced that for myself once so how could I not believe?” - featuring @exhaleddcsires

[velascomari]

do you have any secret talents/abilities?

"Well. I know how to keep up a very convincing smile even when I wanna punch someone in the face. Does that count?”

[velascomari]

Do you break up with someone or do you wait for the other person to break up with you?

"I don’t think I have enough of a track record to really say, but if you’re looking for a better answer than that? I’ve only had one relationship and I broke up with him so... there it is.” - featuring @exhaleddcsires

HONESTY HOUR.

[velascomari]

text || lila & mari

Lila: Kind of scary.. a little.

Lila: Don't go overboard, okay? I know you.

Lila: I have a hunch.. not proud of my cyber-stalking I did to validate this hunch..

Lila: Like, who am I to be jealous?

MARI: Maybe. But maybe it's also an unexpected blessing in the midst of everything else? You can finally be whoever you want to be, Li. Take advantage of that.

MARI: No promises about the "party" though.

MARI: Oh?

MARI: Don't be too hard on yourself. We've all been there. Once you've loved someone that sticks with you. It's never easy thinking of them with someone else.

MARI: Do you... still have feelings for him though?

[velascomari]

avatars ⋅ renata notni (galerie)

[velascomari]

❝ BRAM WALSH —

It was no secret he’d gone on living after the brawl with Silas — adjusted to the harsh, mangled reflection of his own image in the mirror. By now, he’d grown sort of comfortable with the pain his lungs inflicted every time he took a deep, strangled breath. He was used to sleeping in awkward and at times uncomfortable positions to accommodate his broken ribs, or busted face. The headaches after being headbutted eventually died down, were not as frequent as they once were but still arose every now and then.

With the amount of odd looks and mixed reactions of concern he’s gotten from various people in his life thus far, you’d think Bram would’ve gotten used to it. But, he still flinched in anticipation whenever a new set of soft hands grazed the discolored bruises adorning his otherwise perfect visage. In Mari’s case, his flinch was accompanied with a shiver that darted down the length of his back. The last time they were alone together, Bram vividly remembers pushing the bar with her even further. In between their usual, verbal banter - Bram managed to sink his head between Mari’s thighs and feast on her, all while he listened to her purr.

He wasn’t used to anything else from her. Wasn’t sure how to handle her sympathy, although there was maybe a part of him that appreciated it. That felt the slightest tug of something at his core when approached by it.

“It’s a long story.” Which is simply code for — you don’t want to know. “But, I’m alive.” When it comes down to it, that’s all that really matters to most. Even if, Bram would’ve preferred the alternative. But, he’s not about to unpack his unstable mind and poor mental health to Mari. He’s not trying to give her any reason to turn him over to professional help as opposed to whatever, she could offer. He wasn’t expecting much. Just a place to stay. Even if only, temporarily. At least until something more suitable came along and relieves her of the burden.

“And hungry.” Though, he thinks about it - he doesn’t pull away from her soft touch, or the exploration of her fingertips along his bruises. Instead, he leans into it while his dog lays down beside each of their feet. “I got into bed with some asshole who I owe a lotta money to, no big deal. It’ll get sorted.” And, even if it doesn’t — Bram tells himself, he’s mentally prepared for that.

—

Still alive? 

“Of course you are,” Mari scoffed, although her voice never raised higher than a quiet murmur. “You’re like a cockroach, Bram.” What should’ve sounded like an insult had an alarmingly affectionate undertone. Her fingers continued to sweep over that same gash along his jaw while she continued, “I’ve never known you to be anything but tenacious and resilient to a fault.” 

And sure, it could be argued she never allowed herself the space to truly know him at all, but her opinion stood firm. Bram Walsh wasn’t a man who laid down and gave up easily. Wasn’t his pursuit of her despite every reason to walk away proof?

Unbidden, the pad of her thumb coasted north to gently prod at the split in his lip and for that short moment she wasn’t there in her living room, cataloging each wound, but miles away and up a mountain. She was thrust to a moment mere weeks ago when her fingers had approached his mouth for entirely different reasons.

It was enough to shock her back into herself, back into reality, and Mari belatedly dropped her hand. “You’re also the only person who’d show up at my door demanding somewhere to crash and to be fed.” Yet she still couldn’t summon any of her usual ire toward Bram’s antics.

Casting her gaze across the apartment and into the open plan kitchen, she noted the food already waiting to be dished up. It was meant to be her own meal, but— “Sit down and get comfortable,” she instructed with a faint sigh. “I just made some pancakes.”

With a scratch to the top of his dog’s head (did her lease even allow pets?) she wandered off to follow through on the promise. It was only a minute before she returned with his plate. “Listen, I don’t live here alone so I’ll have to clear it with my roommate, but if you really have nowhere else to go you can stay.” All the tension and at times animosity between them aside she wasn’t going to cast him out. 

“Just tell me this much... do I have to worry about anyone busting down my front door?” Renewed concern - astonishingly for him, not the fate of her apartment - trickled through Mari’s voice again. “Exactly how much trouble are you in?”