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Es un placer esto de arder en tu fuego

@andromedagarcia

AIB OC. Roleplay, asks, everything and anything. +18

Andrómeda García

  • 27 years old
  • Born in Madrid, Spain
  • Has lived in Japan since she was three
  • Will refuse to speak to you if you call her by her full name
  • Clubs player
  • Passionate, fiery, determined, confident, cheeky
  • Anger issues, very short fuse
  • Loves dancing and partying
  • Her feelings sometimes get the best of her
  • Has two younger siblings: Cassiopeia and Hércules

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Both the muses and mun are +18.

This is just something I do for fun, because I love my characters and wanted to develop them further than just a few fics and oneshots.

I am not picky when it comes to what to write, but if you're interested in romance, enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, or anything of the sort I'd like it if there was chemistry between our characters. Maybe they could start off as friends and see where that takes them?

I don't like writing smut.

I am always up for talking ooc as well, so if you ever want to chat feel free to shoot me a message.

If I ever don't reply to a post/am taking very long to reply to one of our threads, again, please message me. It could be that I'm not inspired, I haven't had that much time, the thread got lost somewhere in my notifications or I just can't get into the mindset of that character in that particular moment.

Each of your characters gets their own separate universe with the siblings. So, basically, multiverse. But, you get the three of them, because otherwise I'd go crazy. <3

The night felt oppressive. Airi was sitting on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest, lost in thought. Somehow, the din of the party still rang in her ears, and above the general noise, Andrómeda’s words playing over and over like a twisted version of a broken record. And more than the words themselves, what was troubling Airi was the hurt in Andrómeda’s voice. 

She walked inside of the room, a blue vision, a harbinger of apocalypse, an ill omen.

Was that what Airi thought of her? Was that what she thought of herself, what she intended to be? She crossed her arms, bit the inside of her cheek, looking at the blonde woman, her husband's lover. They had never spoke before that night, but there had still been a connection between them, of sorts. They had kissed the same lips, caressed the same skin. Andrómeda, without wanting to, picturing someone else's face in her mind, painful parsimony and obligation in every movement of her body. Airi, most likely, passionately, a fire burning inside her that had long been suffocated in the Spanish woman. She could understand that Takeru had become obsessed with her, who wouldn't be?

But, judging by what Airi had said earlier today, her passion had been nothing but an act, not fueled by love, but by something else. Was Takeru not able to tell difference? It made her feel pity, and a certain sadness. That he had never felt a dear, loving hand, and therefore could get lied to so easily.

'You're going to kill him. Our of your own volition? Or are you working for someone?' Better to go straight to the point. It was late at night, most likely they were both tired of pretending, and Takeru wouldn't visit her room, but he might still desire a taste of Airi if he wasn't too drunk... or high. So, masks dropped, thrown to the ground, broken into million pieces. No more intricate dances, no more questions or negotiations. Pure honesty.

'I don't love him.' Andrómeda began. 'But, as with all marriages, is more complicated than that.' How could she put it into words, the fact that some days she felt nauseous at the simple mention of him, and others, they had even laughed together? That, as mean as he was with her, sometimes, he was always sweet to Cass, caring for her like a family member, forgiving her antics and misbehaviours.

'Have you thought about what it would mean for him to die?' Chaos. If she would be pregnant when it happened, it would make her a target. She could run away, look for Aguni's protection, but then... it was complicated, not as simple as pressing a trigger, as slipping a little bit of poison in his drink every single night and hoping there'd be no repercussions. 'I'm not here to convince you not do it. I don't know if I care enough to stop you. I also don't want to know your final decision. But, if you go through it, I need you to guarantee my safety, and that of my siblings.' And my future baby, if it comes to it. No child should pay for whatever mistakes their parents had committed.

'Whatever you do, keep in mind they'll go after you next. Not because they want to, but because they have to. It's the way families work here. And...' Cold chills making their way down her spine. Because now that the idea came to mind, she couldn't possibly shake it off — Aguni wasn't going to stay still if his best friend was murdered. They had too much history between them. They had gone to Hell and back together and it was not unlike him to burn the world to the ground if something of the sort happened, even if they were not on good terms right now. Would he forgive her, if he knew that she was aware of this, and didn't tell him anything?

Even keeping herself to the periphery of the party Airi was very aware of the animosity toward her. Curious eyes, malicious whispers. Why had Hatter asked her to come here? She’d tried to refuse but if she was playing the role of complacent mistress, she really didn’t have a valid argument to go against his wishes. So here she was, enduring the overt glances, the obvious dislike aimed at her.

Sticks and stones, she thought. What was that? Sticks and stones–more like knives and guns in this godforsaken place–may break my bones but words and looks will never hurt me. Or something like that. She tapped her foot impatiently and checked her watch. How much longer would she have to stay here? Airi wasn’t just thinking about the party. How much longer would she have to stay in his house?

Airi knew her superiors were displeased. Her assignment was supposed to be a simple one: infiltrate the cartel, acquire valuable information (which meant anything and everything that would help build a case against them) and report her findings. That was it. Nothing had been mentioned about sleeping with the crazed drug lord. That had been her own initiative.

But really, did they expect her to join the cartel as a meth cook? That position would barely get her any intel and plenty of risk. Not to mention it would take her ages to rise to a position where she could actually exert influence and get near the Boss. So, yes. Her approach had been riskier, but ultimately she was where she wanted to be. At the very top of the food chain, getting information (which she did pass along, she wasn’t completely slacking off) and, more importantly, getting to manipulate the man she hated, driving him to self-destruction. 

Granted, she hadn’t expected him to become obsessed with her. No. Her original plan that night at the club had been simply to spend that night with him, hack his phone, steal his passwords and keys and then use that to find the best way to kill him. She hadn’t counted on being invited to his actual house, let alone being asked to stay. Indefinitely.

Airi had assumed he would forget about her the next day but that didn’t happen. A few days later, he was still watching her with the same intensity. Fine. It was nothing she couldn’t handle. But she hadn’t prepared for that, so now she was improvising.

Just as she had improvised an excuse to pick up her mail that morning. Hatter had just asked her, well, he had told her to come to that night’s party. Had she heard right? She had been eagerly awaiting the party because then the house (and his office) would be empty and she could take a look at his files. Maybe he was getting suspicious. 

Airi had smiled sweetly at him and told him she couldn’t attend the party because she didn’t have any fancy evening wear, which was true. His response? To bark an order into his phone for someone to take her shopping. And that was that, no point arguing further. 

The only silver lining was that she had managed to convince the two goons following her around from one upscale boutique to the next that she needed something from her apartment, ‘just makeup,’ she’d told them. Airi wasn’t sure if she had any important letters but she had to check. And there it was, a note pushed under her door: We're watching. Get out of there and come home at once. The note was unsigned but Airi knew who had sent it. 

At the party, Airi smoothed her new dress and thought about her sister. How she’d love to heed her words and get out of this place where nobody liked her, where everyone thought she was just another brainless gold digger, but she was so close she couldn’t just leave now. 

She pretended to take a sip from her drink and looked around. The overwhelming extravagance was not to her taste. The fake smiles and voices of most of the guests… matching hers. Airi caught sight of Andrómeda and she couldn’t help but wonder why Takeru slept around. That woman was a goddess. Airi certainly didn’t want to make an enemy of his wife. She would have to talk to Andrómeda sooner rather than later. 

Airi took a turn around the room, she was starting to get bored. She’d lost sight of Andrómeda a few minutes ago so she wasn’t expecting to run into her as she entered the restroom. And she certainly wasn’t expecting the cold words Andrómeda threw at her. She watched her exit the bathroom thinking that wasn’t the first meeting she’d had in mind but it was done.

‘Fuck you, Tak,’ Airi mumbled under her breath as she washed her hands. Surely he had intended for this to happen. Probably he wanted an even more public display. The motive? She couldn’t possibly guess.

Hadn’t he said they didn’t give a fuck about each other? Hatter’s words, not Airi’s. Had he lied to her about that? Airi rolled her eyes. She wouldn’t be surprised. 

Airi walked out of the party and looked for the chauffeur that had driven her. And she ran into Andrómeda again. Alone, maybe getting some fresh air. Airi didn’t know if she would have another chance so she spoke in a measured tone, all emotion absent from her voice.

‘I do get tested regularly. Does he? Because like you said, I think both of us are smart enough to know that we’re not the only ones he sleeps with.’

She couldn’t quite make out Andrómeda’s expression in the dark so Airi wasn’t sure if she’d even listened to her. She wasn’t about to explain everything to Andrómeda, there was no time, someone could come out and overhear them. All the same, she had one more thing to say. 

‘I’m not here to take him from you, it’s just in my best interest to make it look that way. In order to get into his head I had to get into his bed. But don’t worry. You’ll be a beautiful widow soon enough.’

Airi gave a curt nod and left.

You'll be a beautiful widow soon enough.

Alone in her bed, twisting and turning, Andrómeda thought about those words. About the day she had gotten married, how she had pretended to be the perfect bride, feeling a little bit like another one of those exotic animals Takeru had bought for the event just because he could. Merely another beautiful object to show, in that white dress that made her feel as if she was attending a costume party, instead of her own wedding.

What she had said to Aguni, "our lives should be big enough to contain a multitude of romances", and how she was sure, for him, there had been no one else after that. Just as there hadn't been for her.

Maybe, a part of Andrómeda had secretly been hoping to fall in love with Takeru eventually. To feel something other than disdain for him. It hadn't quite been his fault, either, this whole thing. He had accepted, yes, but her father had been the one to propose the deal.

Now they both did what they had to. Sleep together, sometimes, and try to have a baby that would secure both of their futures. A heir. The rest of the time? They were left to their own devices. Him? Sleeping around, attending parties, getting drunk on both liquor and power. Her? Cheating was out of the question. Her husband was, maybe, not an evil man, but he was a jealous one and she was his property, after all. So she filled that void by being with her siblings, tending to her garden, and, more superficially, taking care of herself and getting along with the wives of other powerful families in the business.

The death of El Sombrero Loco would solve all of her problems. Nobody would expect her to get revenge; she was just a woman, after all. She could disappear, after some time, after dressing in black for weeks, maybe even a month, and crying, and saying things like he left us too early, I don't know what I will do now and why did it have to be him?

And then, what? Marry Aguni? Finally, have her biggest wish come true?

As much as she claimed to hate Takeru, she didn't wish for his death. She didn't wish for anyone's death, that was the thing. But she was not about to go and tell him that his favorite lover was planning his demise, she wasn't that stupid.

Biting her lower lip, she got out of the bed. Covering herself up with a simple satin robe, a blue one, she made her way to the part of the villa where she knew her husband kept his mistresses. She encountered security during the way, but no one questioned her, a scornful look as the answer to any unraised questions.

Guessing — hoping, that she was right and that Takeru had indeed given Airi the best room available in this side of the mansion, she knocked on the door, demanding entrance. 'We need to talk.'

This was her house. Her kingdom. And, as the queen, everybody was expected to follow her rules. And if not? She'd make them.

For the Drug Cartel AU @cheshire-shuntaro created. A little interaction between Andro and @airi-of-hearts

Flash. Laugh and nod, act like you heard them.

Flash. Oh, yes, we're trying for a baby. But we are still young, you know...

Flash. Look at Takeru as if you were deadly enamored.

Flash. I really can't do this anymore.

'I need a second, love, I'll be back soon.' Andrómeda excused herself, curving her lips upwards. It wasn't a smile — her dark eyes showed nothing behind them. Absolute void. But her full, perfectly painted red lips knew the deal. And so, she made her way towards the bathroom, waving and blowing kisses to people before her hands were busy furiously grabbing a drink from one of the waiters going around with trays full of them. Swallowing the contents of it in mere seconds, giving it to some other man in some stupid uniform. If this was real life, why did it seem like a scene from a movie?

Even the bathrooms of the club were extravagant. Everywhere she looked, Andrómeda saw her husband's hand; the sinks were made out of gold, for starters. Apparently, white porcelain didn't satisfy him. Just like she, or his many different whores, didn't. Couldn't. He always wanted more. He craved whatever it was he couldn't have. Playing with people as if there were toys, interesting as long as they were new, throwing them to the side once they started showing signs of wear.

Speaking about...

Takeru's latest obsession entered the bathroom. A pretty little thing, Andrómeda had to admit. A cute face, a nice body. Looked younger than she probably was, something enticing to any man. The boldness, bringing her to a party he knew his wife would attend. The disrespect. A concoction of sadness and anger inside of her, the feeling that she was about to explode. Suddenly, in her hand, the pin of the grenade and an event coming to motion. There was no stopping it, now.

'Are you getting tested for sexually transmitted diseases?'

Andrómeda's tone the same one she would have used to ask about the weather, as she rummaged through her bag, searching for powder to set her makeup with. When she found it, was also when she finally laid eyes on her. Airi. The spirit everybody pretended not to believe in, but absolutely everyone had seen.

'I don't know what he tells you. But he still sleeps with me. And with many others. I don't think you're stupid enough to believe you're the only one, yes?' What was she trying to do? Hurt her, destroy her? Let her know which was her place? She went back to looking in the mirror. To doing what she had been hired to do; be the most beautiful woman in the place. The envy of everybody else; men wanted her. Women hated her. She, also, wasn't stupid enough to believe her marriage was anything other than a business contract. 'I would be a lot more calm knowing you're clean.'

'Look, Airi...' her name, pronounced as an insult. 'There's no love between us. If there was, he wouldn't be fucking you. I don't know what it is that you want, but you're not taking my place. I would gladly hand it to you, if it was up to me, but it's not so... just leave. Go home. To your little apartment. Come when he needs you to, fuck his brains out, tire him enough so that he never touches me again, I beg of you. But I won't tolerate you here, or anywhere else, when I'm around. Understood?'

If words had been knives, the blonde woman would have one sticking out her throat.

'Now, if you'll excuse me.'

Wrote this for the Drug Cartel AU @cheshire-shuntaro created. Imagined Andro as Hatter's wife who is secretly in love with Aguni, and only married him because it was arranged by her father. Hope you like this.

Gridded plots of flowers and herbs, hothouses she or any of the men or women who worked for her cared for around the clock, terrariums with the most exotic plants and insects. Andrómeda's favorite hobby had taken over the garden of the ridiculously big villa, property of her husband, El Sombrerero Loco. Her presence, however, had not taken over the drug cartel he led.

There was only a particular part of the garden that showed the hand of somebody other than the raven-haired Spanish woman. Here, different flowers grew; blue, cobalt, aquamarine, sapphire, periwinkle orchids, poppies, peonies. Blue, just what she was feeling. Blue. Like the dress she had been wearing the last time she had seen him. His favorite color, as well.

'Tienes que hacerlo.' You have to do it, had been her father's last words before passing away from the cancer that had consumed him from the inside in six stupid months, before softening the iron grip on her hand. A way to guarantee hers, and her siblings safety. Marry Takeru Danma.

She had complied, of course. Like any good daughter would. Submissive, yielding, malleable, with a smile plastered on her face. Knowing she would be nothing other than a trophy wife, a pretty little thing to show around in parties, arm candy. Knowing her heart belonged to someone else. She did her best to fit the role: workouts, expensive creams, hairdressers, manicures, pedicures. The best and tightest clothes money could buy, high heels that gave her vertigo.

Looking at this floral sea gave her an itch in the lower part of the back of her neck she couldn't shake off, no matter what way she moved her shoulders. A lump in her throat that wouldn't disappear, no matter how many times or how hard she swallowed. A pain in her stomach that wouldn't pass, no matter how many remedies she looked for. Hot tears filling her dark, brown eyes, as she remembered the nights shared, how he had helped when she had presented to her newly-appointed husband her plans for a beautiful garden. He had dismissed her, of course. 'That's why we have gardeners for.' 'Yes, but I want something of my own...' she had insisted. And again, and again, and again. And Takeru's answer had always been no, until Aguni had intervened.

'Let her have this. She'll be happier. And you know what they say, happy wife...'

Oh, I'll only be happy in your arms.

They both knew that. They both kept that like a secret, like an oath.

Since Andrómeda and Takeru had married, Aguni and her had never been alone in the same room. Which made it all the more surprising when he had approached her as she had been working on her garden one afternoon. Dirty with mud, hair unbrushed, skin red and full of freckles, kissed by the sun.

'Why don't you make that corner blue?'

'Blue? How many flowers do you know that are naturally blue?'

'You have the money. Your brother could engineer them...'

'He's a chemist. Not a biologist.'

She wanted to say more. She didn't want him to leave. But she knew she had to answer like that, with a hard edge coming into her voice. Not to give him any hope. Not to give it to herself.

Weeks later, she had found the first blue flower growing there. She hadn't planted it. He had. A secret message. Unspoken words. I still love you. I always will. As long as this garden is alive.

From that day onwards, she had made sure of one thing. Always wearing something of that same color. An answer, written in a language only lovers doomed by destiny understood. Your feelings are reciprocated.

Even now, that he had gone away, she still did it. Because the flowers kept growing. And as long as the garden lived, she'd keep watering it.

Ooohhh— heyyy Andro.. I was perfectly content with it being dormat— now I’m actually starting to think about all the possibilities and I was not expecting it!! I mean— it’s Orión! My boss!

… so does that mean if I’m Prince Eric, that Orión is Ariel? Pfft… still no— by the way.

Jordyn, Jordyn, Jordyn... why does your no sounds like a yes?

You should declare your love to your little Ariel before she has to go back to the sea.

His slightly forced indifferent approach towards Andro did not seem to bother her in any way. The crooked, smug grin was still plastered upon her visage, and it came paired with the casual tone of voice in which she begun to greet the other passangers approaching their assigned vehicle. All 3 people earned a passing, empty glance from Chishiya who, wanting to avoid further conversation about esotericism with Andro, removed the plastic panel beneath the steering wheel and de-gutted all of the colorful cables.

When he briefly emerged, wanting to give his back a break, he noticed that the tall woman busied herself with chit-chating with a teenage girl, who initially nervous now seemed to calm herself down a considerable bit. Chishiya let out air through his nose and shook his head lightly. Even though he believed that "somewhat caring" about his teammates for tonight is pointless because they are most certainly going to die, he would be lying to himself if he said that Andromeda didn't have a spark of a natural born leader in her. She was gorgeous, yes, but what is a beautiful face good for if it lacks a swift tongue and sharp mind behind it?

He ducked underneath the steering wheel again, finally being certain that connecting these two specific cables would indeed start the car, not prematurely kill him. The old engine gasped for petrol coursing through the machinery, letting out a few shuddered breaths before finally starting.

"It is time to head off" Chishiya announced looking ahead, waiting for all the passangers to gather. Soon, the doors to their vehicle for tonight closed and they were swerving through overgrown streets of Tokyo, zigzaging in-between no longer functioning cars. They were headed into Chiba district, an industrial area quite a distance away from their current location. 20 minutes into their trip 2 out of 3 additional passengers were sleeping and the teenage girl busied herself with listening to music from an old-school walkman. Muffled sounds of drums and electric guitar spread through the vehicle.

Chishiya briefly looked over at the tall woman to his right before he spoke in English.

"I may not share the same philosophy as you when it comes to fraternizing with people before these games, but I can certainly appreciate the way in which u briefly united them before their death," the blonde man spoke in a matter-of-fact tone, keeping his eyes on the road. "It also seems your prediction was right, the arena we are heading towards is located within a larger complex of industrial buildings. Large open space? Clubs game. I do hope they..." He raised his right hand and pointed to the backseat, "... stay on the same team. It would be a shame if after these inspirational talks they had to kill each other, no?"

Testing the waters, pushing the buttons.

She had read somewhere, a long time ago, that if you were ever attacked by someone who wanted to kill you, put a knife to your throat or a gun to your head, you should start talking about personal things, like your family. Oh, I have a younger brother who used to love going to the beach and making sandcastles or my grandma is so old, she lives alone, but she loves when I go to visit her and she enjoys watching TV in the summer afternoons, when it's too hot to go out...

Andrómeda wasn't sure if that was science-based or just a random person giving their opinion on the internet. However, she was willing to try. And it seemed to work; their teammates were calmer now, opening up like blooming flowers. Lips shaping into tentative smiles, fear abandoning their features, bodies adopting more relaxed postures. She really hoped whatever they would be playing wouldn't set them up against each other. She had heard the most horrible stories from other Beach residents, games in which there was only one survivor...

After shaking her head to dissipate those thoughts and choosing to focus on the animated conversation taking place before her, she got in the car when Chishiya informed them it was time to leave, repressing a shiver at the uncertainty. Will we ever come back? All of us? Feigning as much normalcy as she could, she got into the vehicle, occupying her seat as the copilot, but kept silent. She didn't know how much the trip would last, but she had played a fair amount of games. Enough to know people usually kept to their own devices on the way there.

Bobbing her head distractedly to the music the teenager was listening to, which she faintly recognized as something she had heard ages ago but didn't know the words to, her dark eyes only stopped looking through the window when the blonde man spoke again. His words brought with them that uneven smile, cheeky and bold, if only a bit less confident than before. But she had to keep believing, she couldn't allow herself any doubts. If she admitted to one of them, they would flood her entirely.

'I'm sorry to say you'll be disappointed. They're not going to die.' Just like Hércules and Cass, these people are going to be alright. She added that part only to herself. She also didn't voice the next questions, that hung between like a body balancing from a rope, what has happened for Chishiya to be like this? Is it his personality or just an organic effect of spending so much time in the Borderlands? Will it eventually happen to me? Relief at hearing the game was most likely Clubs. Heart-wrenching worry about the possibility of them having to kill each other, which had already occurred to her... but spoken out loud became much more real, tangible.

'I don't know yet how, but they're all getting home. We are all getting home.' Words said with conviction she wasn't feeling, but she knew how to fake. 'If the game turns out to be like that, we'll find a way. I don't expect you to understand, but just trust me on this one, yeah? Also, the talks weren't meant to be inspirational, just... give everybody a fair chance, I guess. There's a reason why children recover from most illnesses as bad as the prognosis is. And it has to do with attitude.'

A promise: I will keep on supporting others for as long as I can.

A plea: Let me be strong until we all get out of here.

what color does your love feel like?

deep staining red

Ripped out confessions, warm velvety whispers and a heart like an open wound. Your love flows out like dripping blood, beautiful, flawed and twisted. It's gut wrenching, the type of painfully dramatic feeling that makes you clutch your chest, picturing dramatic monologues about love and loving and big screen over the top scenes of sobbing into your pillow until you fall asleep. It rips out of you, clawing it's way up your throat more so than tumbling out. Sticky words that just need to be let out, feelings so big they don't fit inside you. Your love isn't easy, it's a true bloody mess, dripping and staining everything it touches in a desperate attempt to be seen, to be felt, to be loved back. And you, you love so hard, so deeply, so much for someone who carries all that pain. Atlas holding up the world, how are you? Is your love still flowing? Is your heart still open? Still pumping and bleeding and dripping with blood and tears? Still painting your beautiful pictures and writing your love letters in deeply personal red ink? Because I see them, I read them, I love them and you, you, you, you. Clench your chest, scream your love, cry it out. Spill your words of loving, keep your heart beating, keep your love coming and paint the entire world red with it. Make it in your image, keep going, it's okay. Maybe one day the whole world can be red and loved and beautiful just like you.

tagged by: @prosopagn0sis

tagging: whoever wants to do it!

Anonymous asked:

OUT OF EVERYONE TO HAVE A CRUSH ON YOU CHOOSE YOUR BOSS?! Your actually so real for that tbh

.. I didn’t exactly CHOOSE to have this crush.. I didn’t even know I had it until I got here!!! And Andro’s like I swear you got one— and wouldn’t stop until I admitted it so.. yeah I’ve got one. Again, he cannot know.

Avatar

Oh, oh, oh. Don't blame it on me, Jordyn, the crush was there from the very beginning. I just... gave it a little push!

What was that song from The Little Mermaid? Looks like the boy's too shy, ain't gonna kiss the girl... sha-la-la-la-la-la ~

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The soft laughter that fell was almost warm enough to thaw Kuina's numbed heart. It had become one of her favorite sounds, the melody of it changing depending on the circumstance. A song Kuina found herself singing along to. Usually. She wasn't quite sure what it was about this Hearts game in particular that had left her so closed off--perhaps the uneasiness of the unknown that lay between them. Far more vast than the cozy space of the driver and passenger seats. A cliff Kuina teetered alone along the edge of friendship and...something more? Was that possible?

As she listened to Meda's story, Kuina realized how much about her she didn't know, and in this moment now...realized how much Meda was actually trying to share. Absent parents. The caregiver of herself and her two siblings, forced to mature at whatever age and with it the driving maternal instinct. A story any Hearts game master would have a field day with. Kuina almost wished Meda hadn't breathed the words to life, not knowing if they were constantly mic'd or if there was someone watching. It didn't seem appropriate to chime in with her own family history, sensing it would be interpreted as a comparison between who had it worse. Instead, Kuina listened, clinging to every word, allowing Meda to take her on the journey to the past.

Margaritas were easily accessible back at the Beach, but sharing a drink alone together wasn't. Even if they escaped to their rooms, without locks, it didn't allow the two of them much privacy. As though their bubble could be interrupted at any given moment by Meda's siblings or anyone that was looking for Kuina. She eyed the bar, one she'd recognized from driving by or in passing, her preferred one on the other side of the city closer to where she'd lived. Kuina could easily visualize walking in as though they were in the real world, greeted by the white noise of a small crowded space, someone singing along to their favorite song full of emotion and not giving a damn about carrying a tune.

Again, Kuina was reminded how upside down both of their worlds were, and she craved that drink to wash it all away. "So where did you usually sit?" She mused, perking up again ever so slightly while she attempted to place the real world Meda in the bar. "Perched at the bar?" Leaning against it for emphasis, and holding a pretend drink, Kuina surveyed the room as though it were full. "At one of those tables? Not the front...maybe near the middle, off to the side so you'd have access to the bar?" Manicured nails drummed on the bar counter thoughtfully. "Front and center singing your heart out?" Like a siren.

Tugging at her heart was fear at opening herself to someone other than her siblings. Fully trusting another person, giving them enough information so that they had a certain power over her. So that they could destroy her, if that was what they wanted. She was good at Clubs, at Spades... Hell, she hated Diamonds, but she could survive those games if it came to it, it would just require her to rack her brains. But matters of the heart... that's where the real danger laid. People could use those against you, make you doubt yourself, your feelings, your loyalties. That was the reason why this was important. She needed to show Kuina, someway, somehow, that her loyalties laid with her. Wherever she may go. Whatever she would do. It was them against the world. Together as one, against all others, if it came to it.

The empty room felt both like a warm hug and like a blow to the stomach. She could fall to her knees and cry, and wouldn't know if the tears running down her cheeks were due to happiness or sadness. How many nights she had spent here. A safe haven, a second home. These walls had seen her go from a party-going university student to a slightly more responsible preschool teacher. Had seen stolen kisses, tragic faces when singing a particularly sad song. Heard rants about how Tinder dates sucked, and how she was never going to have one again... only for her to swipe right a few hours later on her next victim, once alcohol had entered her system.

'Depended on the mood.' She replied, with a smile. Kuina's words had that immediate effect on Meda. As long as what she was saying wasn't I'm extremely sad today or something of the sort, the Spanish woman's lips curved immediately upwards at the sound of her voice. All her troubles forgotten. All her problems resolved. 'Sometimes I was by the bar,' she sat on a stool, placing her elbows on the wooden surface of it, her chin cupped with the palm of her right hand. A pretend pout, as if she had been waiting to order a bit too long. 'Other times I sat by the front, when I was really feeling the music.' She stood up and moved to her preferred table; center right, first row.

Meda felt better. Slowly, but surely. Baby steps. Like earning a wild animal's trust. She went behind the bar, looking at what they had to work with. Tequila of various types. Lime juice, orange liquor, salt. No fresh limes, but she wasn't expecting them, either. It was fine, it would do. The drink would be nice, to wash out whatever troubles they were experiencing, to get rid of the knot on their throats. But the important thing was to have the other woman around. Dark brown eyes on Kuina's face for a moment too long, lingering, as she mixed the ingredients of the cocktail as well as she could. Which was. Not great.

Meda wasn't dumb. She knew what she was feeling, which was very different from a friendship, from a sibling-like relationship. But, while in real life she would have just walked up the other woman and... kissed her, that wasn't the case here. And the fact that she hadn't acted on it, revealed an important detail about all this, a whisper in the back of her head: you care. Whether you call it love, or not. You care.

Different aspects of a relationship: love, sex, breakups... the potential damages of unequal love...

I wish I could answer that question. I couldn't quite believe myself that Cass liked me. If she tells me one day I will share the answer with you... unless she tells me not to. I would respect her wishes first.

Back in the real world I was a scholar. I traveled, I studied, I was looking for a way to help my parents after conventional medicine failed. My purpose in the Borderlands... I see it as an experiment still focused toward that end. Cass is in no way a pastime; she's not 'a way to have fun between games', she's a reason to keep playing... to pray there is a way for both of us to go back, do you have a similar reason, Andro?

-V

Ah, so you've had plenty of relationships or...?

Not a bad answer. 7/10. Still don't really know why she likes you but I think I can start to see some redeeming qualities.

A scholar? That's... okay, I wasn't expecting that answer. I'm sorry about your parents. I won't intrude, but... anyway, I'm sorry. I can't really be the mean older sister anymore if you tell me your tragic backstory. Joder.

I do have a similar reason: Cass and Hércules. And a dog, Goliath. Also, Airi. That's about it. You seem nice and somehow, devoted? To my sister. But believe me, the moment I hear something other than "ohhh this guy's the love of my life, I'm so in love"... I don't really care you're a spades specialist, hm? Let's leave it at that.

Don't hurt her.

-Andro ☆

As he listened to Andro speak, he watched as she sighed. The question clearly giving her a headache from all the complicated thoughts and relationships they had with Orión. It wasn’t as simple as a yes or no for her— not that Jordyn had expected it to be. But he was curious.

“He always talked about you guys, you know. This business trip.. it partly was because of that but— he knew you guys would be here.” He muttered, taking the sip of his coffee. He basically knew the Garcia siblings as his own at this point. He didn’t have siblings of his own— but hearing Orión talk about them… it made him wish he had some. Even if his Boss wasn’t on the best terms with them “I think he was a little hopeful. Just doesn’t know the right away to show it.”

For a moment, his cheeks reddened as he covered his mouth— choking on his spit. But that made him think.. could he? Truly help Orión change for the better? Would he let him? He only recently came into the realization that he actually had feelings for his boss. “I- I don’t know.. maybe.” Was all he said on that matter. But Jordyn was glad Andro was smiling again— worried that his question had ruined the mood. “But if he tries.. you know. To be better. There would be a chance?”

'Yeah... I'm not surprised. He always came to visit when he was in Tokyo.' Bearing expensive gifts, like a cocaine-addicted version of Santa Claus, with blood-shot eyes and erratic behavior. She usually tore whatever she got from him to shreds. She'd have donated it, or sold it, to at least get something out of it, but she had always thought destruction had a better effect; a more-shocking one, at the very least.

'I know he loves us. I know he wants it to work. But...' surprisingly enough, Cass, that was the one showing the most hatred out of all of them, would be the quickest to forgive. She had brought the topic a few times. Hércules and Andro hadn't agreed, nor disagreed. They had disregarded what she had said, completely. 'It's difficult. I know things haven't been only his fault.' She conceded him that much.

She kept her lips curved into that teasing smile as she thought about his question, while she chewed on her lower lip. 'I think there would be. But I don't think I'm the right person to start with. Maybe Cass?' She suggested. Cass would forgive him, anxious as she was to be truly loved, to be cared for. And her little sister... only had to smile and pout and look at them with those big brown eyes of her for the other two to do whatever it was that she wanted.

I mean— I dunno. I kinda teased Orión about the possibility of it when I first came here. But I’d still like to meet him anyways—

He— does? And you’re not just like.. fuckin with me here. Right? Sorry it’s just.. feels very unreal that there would be any possibility. I’ve worked with him for a few years now and he’s mostly pissed me off during it. Only now I realize that I’m.. actually starting to like him. And being in the borderlands.. I’m starting to get to know him.

….but I don’t think I could just walk up and kiss him. Would never hear the end of it. I’d probably have to be drunk to even consider it.

Uh.. I mean. Kind of. I remember being very sad to be leaving my friends behind. I didn’t have much family so there wasn’t really any sadness for that. I had my mom and that was enough.. well at first anyways. I adapted prettt quickly. It’s home, to me. Can’t imagine myself anywhere else at the moment

I get it. It’s still so surreal to me that this was even possible. Like— I take classes for writing and creative writing but.. never thought that it was possible to like.. be in another world. Or whatever the hell this place is. I think I’m managing myself good enough..

Is it nice? Having siblings that is— excluding or including Orión if you will. I’m an only child. But I always wanted siblings.

Don't worry, that can be arranged. ~ I'll convince him to stay sober when you do!

I'm not fucking with you. I may be wrong, yes, but something tells me I am right. My delusions of grandeur, maybe, but. Take it with a grain of salt, just in case, but believe me: there's something between you, guys. Like the fizzling sound just as you pop open a bottle of champagne... I don't know, just something!

So, when shall we get you drunk to try and go for that smooch?

I'm glad you managed to make it home. And hey, worst case scenario, it'll be when we return to the real world. I don't live there all the time, since I have a job in Tokyo, but I'll for sure go visit! The entire summer! Cass and Hérc would love to join as well, I'm sure.

What did you write about, Jordyn? Was it more... fantasy-based? Magic, fairies, elves? Would love to read something at some point!

It is nice. Especially when the rest of your family is... hm, shitty. I love Cass and Hércules with my entire being, and I would give my life for them if it ever came to it. And I know they'd do the same thing, for me. We are also pretty close in age so... it's a mix, between being family and being best friends. I don't think my words can make it justice.

bold which habits your muse has

nail biting | throat clearing | lying | interrupting | chewing the ends of pens | smoking | swearing | knuckle cracking | thumb sucking | muttering under their breath | talking to themselves | nose picking | binge drinking | oversleeping | snacking between meals | skipping meals | picking at skin | impulse buying | talking with their mouth full | humming/singing to themselves | chewing gum | leg jiggling | foot tapping | hair twirling | whistling | eye rolling | licking lips | sniffing | squinting | rubbing hands together | jaw clenching | gesturing while talking | putting feet up on tables | tucking hair behind ears | chewing lips | crossing arms over chest | putting hands on hips | rubbing the back or their neck | being late | procrastinating | doodling | shredding paper | peeling off bottle labels | forgetfulness | running hands through hair | overreacting | teeth grinding | nostril flaring | slouching | pacing | drumming fingers | fist clenching | pinching bridge of nose | rubbing temples | rolling shoulders

🍴 - for mun’s favorite foods

-🦋

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I already told you this but...

I LOVE biryani!!!! The best one I ever had was made by my friend in uni. Still searching for one that compares ~

Other than that: pizza and pasta. And MEATBALLS. Especially Swedish style.

😎 - for 5 facts about mun

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  • Liquorice is my favorite candy
  • I don't like ice cream too much, only if it is lemon and strawberry
  • I'm not much of a believer, but I love religious undertones in movies, series, and literature. Same with mythology, particularly Greek and Nordic
  • I love love love singing
  • My favorite movie is Shrek

😎 - for 5 facts about mun!! — softie.

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I'm trying to think about SOMETHING you don't know about me...

  • My favorite animals are gorillas
  • I like to wear a silver necklace with an ankh sign (key of life) most days
  • If I could only listen to one (1) song for the rest of my life it would be NFWMB by Hozier
  • I was a sleepwalker as a kid and I would wake up in the bathroom floor, on top of the kitchen table, at my parent's bed...
  • I'm hopefully going to Poland next year ~