veevacious-a

[veevacious-a]

"Exactly," Vee said, agreeing entirely. "Show must go on, and look at us! A very Pride Production of Much Ado. Hey, we almost did Much Ado back in Gravesfield one year. High School, too. We did Romeo and Juliet instead and it was good, but it was also a bit of a mess. High Schoolers and Shakespeare. You know."

A shrug.

But because the Dream still haunted Vee, Vee did want to say -- "Not to bring it back to weirder subjects again. I know we did really good to -- like -- swap topics. But I guess I also wanted to ask you something," Vee says. "You know, in the dream. You'd mentioned something about like-- your family. And being mortal among magical siblings. That's still true, right? I mean, I work with your mom at Chapter Three, and also your cousin's on the show and I guess, me too, in a way? That doesn't make sense. I mean. You know my sister's a sorcerer and it's sort of-- I don't know. I don't-- we're not close friends like that and I guess we also don't talk as much personally. Not that we have to. I just... do you mind if I ask how it feels? That sort of different feeling?"

@waitingona-mirabel

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

The thing about Mirabel Madrigal was that she had consistently been pretty friendly whenever the two of them met before this. Mirabel just seemed nice! At different events throughout the year, the two had been friendly acquaintances. Now, Vee figures, they're friends!

And Vee doesn't want to mess it up.

Next Swynlake dream, hopefully dream Vee wouldn't be head over heels for their ASM.

"I mean, back in my old community theatre, we had a whole chart for coffee runs. It was kind of fun. I won't tell you where my chart is, but I know it's my turn," Vee says with a laugh. "I've really liked Swynlake's theatre, though it was a bit different. Thought we weren't going to have a set there, for a second."

@waitingona-mirabel

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

Coffee was good! An excuse to stop talking about this was better!!! Because Vee just... needed to not talk about this. And Vee nods. Happy to... not talk about it.

Vee was just about to turn and grab them, but Mirabel offered and Vee nods along. "Sure, yea. And definitely grateful for anyone who feeds the Stage Management crew. Hey, by the way. I you're two over me on Hatter's runs," Vee says. "So I think I owe you some coffees before this all comes to a close."

Then, because Vee realizes how it sounds, "as a not-date. Maybe as a 'thanks for the run, let's get some real sleep with uni term starting' sort of thing?"

@waitingona-mirabel

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

@professor-lungri

Vee nods. Interested. Fascinated. They have to wonder how wide a net the word 'animal' goes. Technically, could certain magicks be considered animals? Or -- classifications, such as 'monsters'?

"Oh, I see!" Vee says, hoping they hadn't offended him. "So, okay -- some animals, magick animals, are animals. But others are non-human species, I guess? Or are all non-humans under the study of magizoology? Like werewolves or--?"

Vee had no idea what they were trying to say at this point. AHHHHHHH--- "Anyways, I guess I'm getting at... do you have any good books to research some amphibious creatures? I mean, lizard- and amphibian- shifters? Or, uh, have you ever fun into a cockatrice? Or a basilisk? Or--?" Vee cuts themself off.

"Sorry, I've got a million questions, I just wonder about all these things. Only, I don't have anyone to ask because you never want to make someone-- I guess I'm making you-- explain--?"

Vee, shut up.

So, Hypothetically... | Veere

[veevacious-a]

What was it in Into the Woods? 'Wake up, stop dreaming, stop thinking about the woods?' Like Demi-God Enchantra, more like.

(Thank you community theatre for getting that stuck in my head for weeks!)

"Hey, we don't have to-- uh-- thanks for bringing it up. Being brave enough to open the conversation, I appreciate it. Uh... I probably shouldn't think too much about it now, if that's okay? Just because -- uh -- the whole, 'focus on tech week' thing?"

It's not cold, but Vee really can't think about this or they might cry?

It really isn't that Mirabel is 'rejecting' them that makes them feel this way. It was the fact that the dream was so vivid and Vee felt love for Mirabel and maybe it wasn't entirely about Mirabel but Vee wanted to feel that again. Ah, yes... panic. Let's not do that, Vala!

"Anyways, uh.... do you want a coffee? There's, uh, some iced coffees in the fridge. Those, like, cold brew cans? Someone brought them and said they were up for grabs."

@waitingona-mirabel

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

Vee nods, understanding that -- yea -- they'd spent at least four days a week, sometimes closer to six, in each other's presence. Making notes. Taking after rehearsal. Making sure everything went well...

And Mirabel says they've always had more of a friend vibe. Vee respects that! Vee... also feels a little bit of heartache. And maybe that was unfair because, yea, Mirabel owed Vee nothing and it was in a dream! And the bottom of the lake! But Vee caught feelings and those feelings were fighting back.

"Oh, uh... I mean, it's sort of weird on the whole. You know?" Vee says, gesticulating somewhat. "Like, the dreams. We didn't have those where I grew up. So... I guess I have to adjust?" Vee drops their hands. "It makes sense, I think. It's an entirely different life under entirely different circumstances. Sort of that -- if we were different people, what if in movies, you know?"

Vee feels a little bit of ache at that too, for maybe no justified reason. "I don't know. I guess I have a lot to noodle on about it."

@waitingona-mirabel

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

Ack, they had to talk about it. Vee had been entirely okay to not talk about it. Because it was awkward! And they kissed in a dream!!!! That is not normal coworker behavior, thanks!!!!!!

And Mirabel is trying to be reassuring but it's not exactly working because it's sort of hard to follow. Sure, Mirabel wanted to ask if they were cool. But how was Vee supposed to answer... 'I don't know I'm having one-sided, confused feelings for two people, both of which are close friends and I don't want to risk ruining everything' !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Uh, yea, we're cool," Vee says, trying to not seem weird and whatnot. "Uh, I've heard about the dreams, but when everyone said they had them last Febuary I was just dreaming about -- like -- sitting at a shop in America. So I didn't know it was like this."

Here's the other thing: a naiad was a bit too close to exposing her Basilisk-ness. The affinity for water, the shapeshifting!!! What was it???

Would Mirabel catch on?

"Um, how are you feeling about it?"

@waitingona-mirabel

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

Birthday Bask, Vala Carrero-Noceda

[veevacious-a]

I love her enby swag so much

[veevacious-a]

Vee

[veevacious-a]

Oh boy..... Vee had gotten there early. Dashed straight from work at the book shoppe to getting to the arts building to make sure that the were 100% prepared for rehearsal because there was zero way they were going to be 100% focused. Especially trying to talk to Mirabel.

One might ask, Vee, how did you develop a crush on your coworker overnight?

And Vee might answer, Oh, I don't know. A magical dream in a magical town?

Besides that, Vee feels conflicted. Devyn was in that dream, and Vee still didn't know how they felt about Devyn. They were still friends of course, but after prom and everything--...

Vee is ready to scream.

Except they don't. Because they say, "Oh, it's going great!" Like someone who has had way too much caffeine (which wasn't true) and was running into their dream crush (which was true.)

"Yea, I respiked some loose tape and there's some fittings going on but we should be ready to start soon-ish." Vee smiles awkwardly. Doing her best. Mirabel can see through them, couldn't she? Argh.... last "dream" Vee was just at a tea shop for a few days sharing gossip about other people's lives. What the heck was this?

@waitingona-mirabel

Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming | Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

NAME: Vala, or Vee! GODLY PARENT: N/A; a descendant of other naiads of Potamoi (River Gods) AGE: Immortal, consciously existing for about twenty-five? AFFILIATION: A Resident Naiad of Atlantis, sometimes a volunteer lifeguard of the lake. SPECIES: Naiad ABILITIES: Standard Naiad Abilities -- breathing underwater, becoming 'one with the waves,' etc.; humanoid form, also a hybrid form BIOGRAPHY:

The very beginnings of being a ripple are lost in Vala's memory. She was born somewhere, somehow… a drop of rain on the surface of Atlantis, or maybe they were swept as mist off the currents… whatever it is, they've settled in Camp Swynlake as one of the many Naiad souls in Lake Atlantis.

They've helped children of the gods throughout the years, guarding the water and saving possible victims of Atlantis's temperamental moods. Before that, maybe they did the same. But Atlantis is most of what they remember. Ages going by, and Vee remains mostly the same. Not the most beautiful of naiads, they are reminded often, by catty sisters and aunts and relatives. They do not glisten in the morning light like some of their sisters, but they shine close to shore in the view of humans.

Should they not want to be admired by gods and more worthy people?

Not all Naiads think this way, but these are the Naiads that Vala had become friends with first, and her loyalty was a fault at times.

It wasn't until the Second Titan War that Vee really felt they could break away from these notions. Then, they swam to shore and tried to aid and help hurt campers and alumni. They felt small, but with purpose. It was in this time that they also gained some respect from their peers and became more -- how they felt -- themselves.

After Kronos's defeat, Vala played and talked more among the demi-gods at camp, making friends and even aiding or playing as the campers raced canoes. They threw water towards the sky, refreshing the campers on hot days.

Vee loves camp and especially the summer when most of the campers return. And now, with the alumni weekend, they are especially thrilled to see long lost friends and reunite.

[veevacious-a]

Oh, okay! Uh, yea, that made sense. Risking Ms Eda's likeness. Well, yea, sure. You could call it confidence, or you could call it vanity -- either one, but Vee is super sure it's because of the whole wanted criminal thing. Okay, maybe Vee should have figured that out anyways. Still, the question of what to paint for Eda's kitchen is an intriguing one.

Vee nods, and thinks. "Well, I've done landscapes before. And bowls of fruit. I do digital web comic so I could probably manage an action-y scene. Like from a movie or something?" Vee asks. "Or, I guess, I could do something a little different like a still life of something a little different than fruit. Like, uh, reagents? Or different types of food? Or wildlife? Though, Wildlife is a bit tricky."

@owlwitch-eda

Follow Your Nose || Veeda

[veevacious-a]

Vee nods, hoping that was right. Well, Allie would get a printout, wouldn't she? It was fine, as long as no one was seriously hurt--- and this was a community contract. It was different than a whole union contract. Also, this was England! Their rules were probably different for Unions and all ANYWAYS!

Slow down, Vee.

"Yea..." Edward had been Vee's first choice as well, but Mirabel made a good point. And every other understudy was -- in fact -- somewhere else. Dancing or-- Allie had a dance partner so... "I mean-- no. Hmmm," Vee pauses. "Ever think about acting, Mirabel?"

@waitingona-mirabel

Injury Report || Veerabel

[veevacious-a]

Post-Prom Apologies | Devee

[veevacious-a]

Vee nods. Right. Okay, so oils, probably. Vee wonders if they could steal some time to work on it in the art studio between classes. But, then again, they could work on it late at night at home, too?

"I'll get your approval on the initial draft, then," Vee says. "And then I can choose based on what it is you like? Cost-wise, oils would be more, but I'm a fairly inexpensive artist. Still a student and all."

Which was true. Vee wouldn't completely undervalue themselves, but they were no professional. They were in school for this! So, they could ask for about the minimum that was expected of them and still feel like they were being fairly compensated.

"With a photo reference, I'm sure I can get you that portrait quickly. But I still don't mind trying without a photo if you're not opposed to the description." Vee smiles. "That sounds really nice, though. A portrait-- I feel like people don't commission as many portraits these days. At least traditionally. It all feels digital. Not that it's bad."

Vee had done a fair share of digital art in their life!

Art was a thing that just, somehow, clicked. Back in Gravesfield, Manny and Camila encouraged Vee to learn to do. Be. Live as a normal teenager. So art classes as an elective and they took off from there.

Besides the enjoyment of doing art and making others happy, there was the fact that it seemed to be worth getting to know Tófi. For multiple reasons. He was interesting. He was also -- like Vee thought -- possible like her.

"Right now? Just the references. And, if you wanted to send me-- uh--" Scribbled down on a sticky note that Vee had pulled out of their bag... a sketched up mockup of a business card. (A draft for their graphic design class from before.) "You can email me here, and -- uh -- we can talk about pricing. Like I said, I'm pretty affordable, since I'm a student. I don't want you to feel taken advantage of."

@ofseptarsis

Drawn from Life || Open !

[veevacious-a]

A Note to Bullseye! On stationery featuring wild horses. A wild west style, of sorts. Non-Canon, if it's unlikely or too personal, but sentiment-wise, it is all the same!

Hi Bullseye! Happy Birthday! It's Vee from the park with the sketchbook and the horse drawings! I really hope you have a great birthday! I've enclosed a silly little sketch of a horse [mun note: not featured because unlike Vee, I am unable to draw horses] and really hope you enjoy it!

Best,

Vee!!!

@bullseye-stoddard