LetsFly

Lovely, Terrible Things [Arista & LetsFly]

As Ana spoke, the clouds outside darkened the skies, and a flash of lightning briefly illuminated the space. People on the sidewalk outdoors rushed for cover as the rain began to fall. Rain in southern California was a welcome sight in theory, but it didn't mean any of these Hollywood-types wanted water on their suede jackets or leather Birkin bags. Car accidents also tended to follow -- as if everyone forgot how to drive, when a bit of water was on the ground. Cal made a mental note to himself to be extra careful on the drive home. When the crack of thunder sounded outside, dull against the sound of the restaurant's activity, Stella whined a bit, tucking herself closer to Cal as if she could climb into his skin to hide. He reached down and stroked her head reassuringly while he listened to Ana.

"Support, eh? Well, I'm not sure if you're aware, but I'm a bit of a businessman myself. Perhaps I can help. What industry is your father in?"

The question was genuine, and Cal wasn't bragging. Somehow, this woman didn't seem to know who he was, and he found that to be a bit of a relief. Many of the women he encountered clamored for him, money signs in their eyes. It was nice to know that perhaps this woman had no ulterior motives for meeting with him -- in fact, he got the feeling she felt nonchalant, at best, toward him.

He could work with that.

She ordered a sweet tea just as Cal had been about to suggest they get a bottle of nice wine for the table, but he hesitated. Normally, he would go all out in a situation like this -- shower the woman in luxury, compliment her, make her melt in his hands. He got the feeling that Ana wasn't going to be that easy.

She asked what it was that Cal did, and he smiled. "I'm a bit of a jack of all trades. Real estate -- mostly hotel and Senior Living properties --, a few production factories, even some agriculture, orchards and wineries and the like." He sipped from his water, waving off his own answer with a flick of his hand. "I'm not particularly passionate about any of them. I'm just glad they afford me the opportunities to try and make a difference. Like the gala last night."

The waiter returned to take their orders, and Cal asked for a Saumon fumé, and a plate of calamari to share, nodding to Ana when she was asked for her own order. He'd normally attempt some power move of impressing whatever lady accompanied him by ordering for them, surprising them with his impeccable taste. He got the feeling that such things were unlikely to earn him any points here.

He didn't feel the need to go into his other enterprises. Not many would take too kindly to the idea of a man who held a tight grip on every drug and gun that entered the city limits. Maybe he would tell a woman, one day, maybe he'd be able to explain it -- that he'd witnessed his own parents, murdered at the hands of a man much like he himself was now. That he'd sworn from a young age he would work his way to the top of his own criminal empire, taking down every evil piece of shit that only cared for themselves -- or their bottom line -- along the way. That he was, honestly, making the world a better place in ways that transcended charity events and big checks to nonprofit organizations.

He was making LA and the surrounding area safer. By knocking off one murderous, reckless, evil scumbag at a time.

Oathbreakers [Skyrim RP] [LoadedGuns & LetsFly]

Lyra grinned as she began to prepare their breakfast. With practiced ease, she set to work skinning and gutting the rabbits, her movements swift and efficient.

As she worked, Lyra fashioned a makeshift spit out of sturdy sticks, carefully skewering the cleaned rabbits and positioning them over the flames. The aroma of roasting meat filled the air, mingling with the scent of wood smoke.

At Finrod's question about her hunting skills, Lyra paused for a moment, her mind racing as she searched for an answer. She was still hesitant to divulge too much about her past, especially to someone she had really only just met. She kept her answer simple.

"Oh, I learned from my father," she replied, her tone casual as she turned the rabbits to ensure they cooked evenly. "He used to take me out when I was younger."

It wasn't entirely a lie -- her father had taken her hunting once or twice when she was a child. But most of her skills had been acquired through trial and error, honed through years of necessity and survival.

Lyra pulled the skewers from the fire once they were ready, handing one to Finrod. "So, where are we off to today?"

Oathbreakers [Skyrim RP] [LoadedGuns & LetsFly]

Lyra ventured into the surrounding trees, her bow in hand and her senses keenly attuned to her surroundings. The cool morning air brushed against her skin, invigorating her senses as she set out in search of breakfast.

With practiced precision, Lyra stalked through the underbrush, her footsteps silent as she scanned the forest floor for signs of prey. A pair of rabbits nibbling on tender shoots caught her eye, and she crouched low, her muscles coiled like springs as she took aim.

With a steady hand, she drew her bowstring taut, her focus narrowing to a singular point as she lined up her shot. In one fluid motion, she released the arrow, watching with satisfaction as it sailed through the air and struck its target. The rabbit fell with a soft thud, its companion darting away into the undergrowth.

As she retrieved her kill, Lyra felt a small surge of pride at her skill with the bow. Hunting was becoming a second nature to her, honed in her weeks of surviving alone. She'd been pleased to find that stealth and archery came rather easily to her.

With her prize in hand, Lyra made her way back to the campsite, mind refreshed, her footsteps light as she approached the sound of the crackling fire. As she drew closer, a grin tugged at the corners of her lips, an idea forming in her mind.

With a playful twinkle in her eye, Lyra crept closer to where Finrod lay, his peaceful slumber evident in the rise and fall of his chest. Gathering a handful of fallen twigs, she waited for the perfect moment before letting out a sudden, sharp snap.

The sound echoed through the clearing, breaking the stillness of the morning and startling her companion awake. As he jolted upright, his eyes wide with surprise, Lyra couldn't contain her laughter, her mirth bubbling over.

"Gotcha!" she called out, her grin widening as she revealed herself from her hiding spot behind a nearby tree. "A bit jumpy this morning, are we?"

With a playful flick of her wrist, Lyra tossed the rabbits she had caught onto the ground beside the fire, pulling a blade from her belt with ease and sitting on the log before them to remove the hides. She flashed Finrod a teasing smile.

Lovely, Terrible Things [Arista & LetsFly]

When Cal extended his palm to Mishka, the shepherd gave it a cursory sniff before decidedly turning up her nose. He let out a small chuckle, unfazed by the dog's apparent disinterest. "Can't win them all," he remarked with a smoothness that belied his slight disappointment, but he was no stranger to an initial rejection.

"You mean three," Ana had corrected him, referencing Mishka alongside Stella and herself.

"Quite right, three! My sincerest apologies, Mishka, I meant no offense," Cal replied, lighthearted as he offered a polite nod in the dog's direction, acknowledging his oversight.

Ana's reminder of the promised meal brought Cal back to his feet, his grin broadening. "Indeed, you were! And I always follow through on my promises. Right this way," he said, leading the way to the bistro with a confident stride, Stella falling into step contentedly beside them.

The restaurant they arrived at was pleasant, its high ceilings and pristine white tablecloths setting the stage for a more elevated dining experience. Cal greeted the host by name, who grinned wide, welcoming them and leading them to a carefully chosen table. Opting for the indoor seating to avoid the looming threat of rain, a rarity in LA, the smell of fresh bread filled the building, warm and inviting.

Cal pulled out Ana's chair for her before taking his own seat across from her. His usual tactility was restrained today -- he'd normally insert a quick "accidental" brush here, a polite kiss on the hand there, but something told him it would be better to refrain from touching Ana. He didn't mind. Stella settled beside him.

Cal broke off a piece of bread from the basket at their table, feeding it to Stella before turning his attention fully to Ana, his expression curious. "So, Ana," he began, his voice earnest in interest, "What is it that you do? Other than outshining everyone at charity galas." His gaze, while appreciative, lingered not only on her physical attributes, but searched her for some sign of who she was beyond a timeless beauty. He found himself simply wanting to know her, what made her tick, what kind of food she liked. For once, the interest didn't feel driven by any sort of hidden agenda, fueled by finding the most efficient path to get her into his bed.

Though, he thought as he gratefully accepted a glass of ice water from the waiter, he certainly wouldn't be opposed.

Lovely, Terrible Things [Arista & LetsFly]

As Cal walked Stella, the sudden buzz of his phone against his thigh was an unwelcome distraction. With a grimace, he pulled it out, noting that it was coming from an unknown number. He considered ignoring it, his thumb hesitating over the "answer" button. Work, whether legitimate or not, was supposed to be off the table for the day. Yet, as he was about to answer, movement caught his eye, and he looked up to see Ana approaching, her hand raised in greeting, with a grin on her face.

The sight of her, walking towards him instead of disappearing through a back exit, was met with a mix of surprise and relief.

"And who's this gorgeous one?" Ana asked, addressing Stella.

"This," Cal replied, "is the lovely Stella." He crouched beside the dog, scratching her chest affectionately. "We just met today, but I knew I couldn't leave without her." His heart skipped as he drew a parallel between his immediate connection with Stella, and the magnetic pull he'd felt to Ana the night before.

Turning his attention to Ana's dog, Cal extended a palm gently, allowing the German shepherd to get acquainted with his scent. "And what's this gorgeous girl's name?" he inquired, his gaze lifting to meet Ana's, a flicker of disbelief in his eyes at their serendipitous meeting.

As the moment hung between them, Cal's natural charm found its footing once again. "This must be my lucky day," he crooned, "Stumbling upon two beautiful girls in the same hour. What are the chances?"

Stella was approaching the shepherd with curiosity, going nose-to-nose with the new potential friend, her tail wagging tentatively as they had their own silent conversation.

Sum up your week in roleplaying in just 3 words

Back to it!

Lettie's Feeling Romantic [1x1, plots, pairings, fandoms, etc!]

Opening this back up, as I feel I'll have time for more. Would love an FxF dynamic if anyone is open to it!

Lovely, Terrible Things [Arista & LetsFly]

Ana's suggestion that she would meet him at the bistro set a flutter in Cal's chest that he hadn't felt in a long time. He felt like a schoolboy with a crush, painfully vulnerable, filled with anticipation and nerves, yet the stakes felt even higher. His usual smooth demeanor faltered a bit as he struggled to maintain his composure. "Sure," he managed to reply, his voice a mask of cool detachment, "I've got some paperwork to fill out. I'll be seeing you very soon." He chided himself internally for how anxious he felt, a sensation both alien and slightly vexing given his track record with women.

With a final glance cast to Ana, as if cementing her image in his mind for the final time before she vanished into thin air, he finally followed the manager to a table near the front desk, watching her disappear briefly into an office before emerging with the necessary paperwork. Cal filled out the forms with a haste that betrayed his eagerness, his normally neat penmanship turning sloppy. When prompted for his address, he hesitated. His life, divided among various locales, hardly lent itself to the simplicity of a primary residence -- his time was divided between his private hotel suite, an apartment uptown, a cabin in the mountains, and a house outside the city, in Orange County. Ultimately, he opted for the apartment, scribbling it down along with the rest of his information.

Handing the completed forms back to the manager, she beamed. "Just another moment and I'll go retrieve your new family member. Congratulations, Mr. Crawford!"

When Stella was brought to him, newly adorned with a little bow that was both adorable and slightly impractical, Cal's heart swelled. He made a mental note to remove the bow later when they were out of sight, to spare Stella any discomfort. She made a beeline for him, greeting him with enthusiastic licks to the face, her whole body wiggling with each wag of her tail. He paid the adoption fee and stepped outside with his new companion.

"We've got quite the day ahead of us, Stella," he spoke to her, smiling as he watched her sniff around a patch of grass in search of a suitable place to go to the bathroom. "You're my good luck charm; you led me right back to Ana. You're already making my life better, and I haven't even gotten you home yet." Stella's happy grunting noises in response lifted Cal's spirits further.

As they walked the block so she could stretch her legs, Cal kept an eye on the humane society's entrance, determined not to miss Ana's departure. The French bistro he had mentioned was just around the corner and he was adamant that he wouldn't be stood up this time. Today felt like a turning point, with everything aligning in ways he couldn't have anticipated when he'd woken up this morning. With Stella by his side and the possibility of getting to speak more than three words to Ana, Cal couldn't help but feel like perhaps his chaotic life was taking a turn for the better.

Lovely, Terrible Things [Arista & LetsFly]

Cal was seated on the concrete floor of the kennel, Stella's head resting comfortably in his lap. He stroked her velvety ears, admiring the sheen of her coarse silver fur. It was clear what needed to be done. Pulling out his phone, he dispatched a quick message to Marcus, instructing him to clear his schedule for the day. Work could wait; there were essentials to be bought: dog food, toys, a water dispenser, treats, and everything else Stella could possibly want or need. He was putty in her paws.

The manager's return broke their quiet communion. "Well, that didn't take long!" she observed with a fond smile, "Should I draw up the adoption papers?"

Standing, Cal's response was immediate. "Absolutely. I'm not leaving until I can take her with me." The manager's smile broadened, pleased by the swift decision. She motioned for him to follow her to the front for the necessary paperwork, and to provide a leash for Stella.

As he turned to leave, a soft whine echoed in the kennel. Cal paused, turning back to offer one more reassuring scratch under Stella's chin. "I'm sorry, old girl," he said warmly, "I'll be right back. And then no one will be walking out on you, ever again."

With that, he made his way with the manager back through the kennels. "We have a customer in the grooming station," she warned him, "So you may end up getting sprayed with some water, watch out." Cal didn't mind at all. Pristine as his attire may appear, he'd never been opposed to getting his hands dirty. There were far worse things than a bit of water. How many bloodstains had he scrubbed from white dress-shirts over the years?

Passing through the grooming station, his attention was captured by a soap-covered, sable-coated German shepherd, receiving a thorough grooming. "Well, hello," he gushed, momentarily distracted by the beauty of the animal. Perhaps he'd already found a friend for Stella. He turned toward the nearby couch, where the owner sat. It was a young woman, with light hair and--

Oh, my God.

"Ana," he blurted, the name falling from his lips before he could catch it. The groomer made a confused face. The room was still with awkward tension. He cleared his throat, regaining his composure with a soft chuckle, his eyes moving between the dog and the woman. "German shepherd, Russian woman. Let me guess, you drive an Italian car?" He grinned at his own joke, his usual charisma restored. "How about a French lunch? There's a lovely little bistro nearby that's dog-friendly. We could make a playdate of it." He restrained the urge to allow his gaze to rake over Ana, who was somehow even more gorgeous in casual attire. His eyes held her gaze firmly, his expression earnest -- if not a bit pleading. This may be his only chance. Two chance encounters in a row, there wasn't a way in hell he could count on a third. "My treat, of course," he added, not trying to hide the tinge of desperation in his voice.

The manager, momentarily forgotten, watched the exchange with a mix of curiosity and confusion, a silent observer.

Cal's thoughts drifted to Stella, waiting for him, but this small detour was worth the delay. Juggling the attention between two pretty girls was nothing new to him, despite how urgently he wanted to get Stella out of this place.

Cal Crawford was not a man to let an opportunity pass him by.

Oathbreakers [Skyrim RP] [LoadedGuns & LetsFly]

As Lyra stirred from the depths of her slumber, she found herself ensnared in the clutches of a nightmare. Images of an ancient ruins bathed in moonlight flickered before her mind's eye, the same ones from the vision -- accompanied by the elusive symbols that danced in the darkness, taunting her with their incomprehensibility.

But the true terror came when Finrod's visage contorted into a mask of rage, his eyes ablaze with an unfathomable fury. "Traitor!" he hissed to her, the venom in his voice sending shivers down her spine, before he lunged at her, blade drawn, and plunged it into her chest.

With a strangled gasp, Lyra jolted awake, her heart pounding against her ribcage like a frantic drumbeat. The soft hues of dawn cast a soothing glow over the campsite, but the remnants of her nightmare lingered like a sinister shadow, refusing to be banished by the light of day.

Her eyes darted around in search of Finrod, and upon spotting him, she let out a frustrated grunt and hurled a pebble in his direction, striking him squarely on the arm. "You were supposed to wake me up for second watch," she growled, her anger genuine. What good would they be if they couldn't even keep to a simple watch schedule?

Scrambling out of her bedroll, Lyra rubbed the sleep from her eyes, her expression etched with frustration and lingering fear. She hastily fathered her bow, her fingers trembling slightly as she checked its string for tension.

"I need to clear my head," she muttered, "And kill us some breakfast while I'm at it." With that, she set off into the surrounding trees, her steps heavy with unresolved emotions. Though the campsite was small and confined, and she couldn't get far without going back down the mountain, she needed the space to distance herself from the remnants of her dream and the disconcerting image of Finrod's wrathful gaze.