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 Posted: Wed Mar 16, 2022 7:33 pm
This was it! Vaani was going on a date! She could barely believe it was happening. In all honesty it was a lot to think about and the anxiety of the whole thing threatened to consume her at times. At moments she wanted to do nothing more than throw up, but then a rush of excitement would come over her. Who would have imagined that clients would be inclined to set her up on a blind date? It was nice, but she also couldn't help wondering why. Was there something wrong with her date? Was there something wrong with her?
Well, she'd find out tonight. They were supposed to meet in the evening by the front of her shop and Vaani did her best to look nice. It would be hard to explain her eyes, though...She'd been asked so many times if she was a hybid because of the seafoam green color but it was so much more complicated than that. With a final adjustment to her braids she stepped outside to wait.
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Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2022 2:14 pm
Alfina had a spring in her step and a picnic basket hooked to her arm. The basket was heavy with homemade goodies that she had prepared herself. After all, food was the best way to break the ice with a new acquaintance. This wasn't any normal acquaintance either. It was a date. A blind date! Her excitement outweighed her nerves, despite the warning she had gotten from the matchmaker... Something was different about her date... While she had shared the news of the blind date with her family, she had kept the warning to herself. Her mother would probably have sat on her to keep her from going if she'd known there were possible curses involved! Meanwhile, it just made Alfina curious. When she approached the shop, the other's "difference" was easily visible. A cyan glow to her eyes... A hybrid? "You must be Vaani," she said lightly, reaching out her hand in greeting without hesitation. "I am Alfina."
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Posted: Tue Mar 22, 2022 2:08 pm
Would the matchmaker even agree to help you if they knew of your curse? It was fortunate enough that such a client even stopped by their shop, but Vaani wasn't about to ruin her chances by talking about it. Her eyes were enough of a deterrent these days, though enough people knew her before to be able to vouch for her pure blood. So maybe things would go well? She certainly hoped so. "Ah, yes, that's me." She hesitated on instinct, taken aback by the abrupt hand being held out to her, but after a moment Vaani took it with a shy smile. "Lovely to meet you, Alfina. Sorry if I seem a little out of sorts...this is the first time I've been on a date and the first one with a stranger."
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2022 11:27 am
Alfina shook her head lightly. "It's okay. This is actually my first date, too." If the girl was an Elarian hybrid... times were different now. It was nothing to worry over. Besides, Vaani lived and worked in an earthling town. How bad could it be? "So, I was thinking we could have a picnic. I hope you're hungry." She held up the basket and cracked open the lid for a peek inside. "I made everything myself special for today."
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Posted: Wed Mar 23, 2022 1:46 pm
Vaani's eyes widened and she couldn't help leaning over for a peek inside the basket. "Oh, really? That's really kind of you." A sudden rush of shame overcame the yaeli and her cheeks darkened sheepishly. "Sorry; I didn't prepare anything, but I could pick up some fruit juice before we leave town?" It wasn't nearly as romantic as a homemade picnic, but at least Vaani wouldn't be a complete bum. "It all smells so nice; do you cook often?"
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Posted: Fri Mar 25, 2022 10:18 am
She shook her head again with a smile. "You don't have to apologize. We didn't have anything planned, after all. We could use something to drink if you're able to." Her own cheeks warmed with pride at the praise of the smell. "I do, actually. I really love cooking and baking. I work at the bakery at the south end of the city, but I want to own my own some day!" Alfina pointed to the shop they stood outside of. "You work here?"
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Posted: Sun Mar 27, 2022 1:20 pm
With that in mind, Vaani started to walk toward the vendor with a lighter step. Under normal circumstances she would have hustled from one place to the next, keen on not spending too much time in public as possible, but around others it was a little better. The anxiety wasn't nearly as strong when she wasn't alone. "Do you really? I've heard wonderful things about it, but I haven't been able to make it out myself yet. I'm new to the area so I've been mainly focusing on work to build up a reputation." Maybe she could visit the bakery Alfina worked at the next time one of her sister's visited? Or before, even, since she couldn't help dabbling in more sweet puffs than she should... "I'm an apprentice lens crafter. The shop owner is friends with my parents and he saw I had some talent so he asked if I'd like to come work for him. I never expected to be this far from home, but I'd be lying if I didn't say it wasn't exciting." Looking over to Alfina, she asked, "What about you? Do you live close?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 04, 2022 10:07 pm
Alfina giggled lightly and shrugged. "Well, I would tell you that the shop is indeed wonderful, but I might be a bit biased." She raised her chin with a little pride. "We do make some tasty food there though." Even if she hadn't been employed there, she would have been ready to praise the treats created at that bakery. If they were heading to the vendor that she suspected they were heading to, then she had little doubt in Vaani's tastes. "You must be quite smart. Lens crafting seems like such a delicate and detailed job, though I admit I know almost nothing about it." She considered herself lucky for not needing lenses herself, but she would probably need them one day! "I do agree that getting away from home has a bit of a thrill. My family's home is not too far from town. I would like a place of my own.. but I still need to save up a lot more before I can do that. As long as my mother doesn't mind me being around, I'm content to stay there until I'm able to move out."
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Posted: Thu Apr 07, 2022 11:26 am
Vaani couldn't help it; looking at the way Alfina beamed with pride and spoke with so much love for her craft made her heart speed up. There was just something about seeing someone so at home in their element that made her think it was utterly adorable. "Ah- I don't know about smart." She flushed a little, awkwardly avoided her gaze and took a slight left. The vendor was within sight then and she was happy to see there wasn't a line. A simple covered cart with an older, happy couple selling wines and juices; a charming sight. "I tend to get stuck in my head a lot so it helps me to calm down. I can focus on my work and tune out everything else."The Marelli's had a nice little vineyard just south of the city and every time they came around with their wares Vaani made excuses to check it out. Of course, this time around they really did need something to drink, but honestly she would have come anyway. "I think my own mother would have preferred if I stayed home for a little longer, but getting here would have been too rough. I still visit as often as I can, though." As they neared the cart, she turned back to Alfina, "Do you think sweet drinks or something bitter?"
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Posted: Mon Apr 11, 2022 2:46 pm
Alfina spotted the cart and was already spinning the possible drinks through her mind. She wouldn't call herself a connoisseur of drinks, but she knew how important it was for the drink to go with the meal! "I don't think I get stuck in my head? I get how working tunes out everything else though. When I'm measuring and mixing and all that, I easily get lost in the process. It's a nice break from everything else." She was quiet for a moment after the mention of mothers. She couldn't help thinking about how much her own mother would prefer all of her children around, but... "Definitely something on the bitter side," she decided with wave greeting to the couple behind the cart. "I know my mother would like the same. I have two older sister who aren't home anymore. We get letters, but it's not the same."
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Posted: Tue Apr 19, 2022 12:49 pm
When Vaani brought up their flavor pallet of choice, the older gentlemen behind the cart smiled. "Oh, I have just the thing." He held up a finger and moved off to a set of crates behind him. After a bit of digging he came back with a bottle of a pinkish liquid, "Perfect for such a lovely day." With an obvious look between the two of them, he held his hand out for payment and happily exchanged the goods for Vaani's coin. "I have four sisters of my own so I can sympathize. We write to each other frequently, but it's never the same." Thinking on it, though, as they walked away she asked, "So you have two sisters? Are you close?"
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Posted: Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:19 pm
Alfina giggled lightly and waved a playful hand at the vendor. "Come on, Vaani. I know the perfect spot for a picnic. It's just on the edge of town." Not too public, and not too private, so hopefully comfortable enough for two strangers to sit and enjoy a meal. "Four! Wow. I do have a brother as well, but he still lives here. I see him all the time." She couldn't imagine Caolan moving away! Anything could happen though. Vaani's question made Alfina slump the slightest bit. "I don't think I would say we're close. They're both much older than me and my brother, and a lot of time has passed since they left... especially Xenia. She left when I was still really little." She raised her free hand to her chest to gently touch over her heart until her smile warmed again. "Still, they are both very dear to me."
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Posted: Mon May 02, 2022 1:39 pm
She neglected to mention that they were quintuplets, but that always came with it's own drawbacks. So many on the island viewed multiples as a spreading of the soul or a creation of bodies without souls so she kept the information close to her chest. If things with Alfina progressed and she felt comfortable sharing it then she would but for now....for now this was for the best. "So long as you still care for them I'm sure some day you'll get to spend more time with your sisters. The spirits are usually giving like that." As cruel as they could be Vaani knew that so long as you tried your hardest there was usually some light. "It's clear that you love your sisters dearly, as well as your brother, so hold onto that."She wasn't entirely sure what she was supposed to 'feel' going into this date, but Vaani found herself having a nice time. They were just getting started, but she found herself enjoying Alfina's company all the same. "Would you want to meet again after this? Not necessarily for a second date, just to talk."
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Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 6:34 pm
Alfina gave her date an appreciative smile. "I certainly hope so. I am eager to hear about their travels right from them instead of on paper." Would she even recognize her sisters if she bumped into them again? Would they know her? It was an intimidating thought.. but Vaani was helping her keep up the good mood. When Vaani asked about meeting again already, Alfina gave an initial look of surprise. Quickly though, it morphed into pleasure and she nodded eagerly. "Sure! I feel like that would be fun."
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