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Daniel Hawthorne:
The night was relatively young and the bar was hopping for a Tuesday night, although one table in particular seemed to be there for business rather than pleasure. The conversation between the two young ladies of equal age and Daniel seemed to be going well enough, although the pallor that the Haunt's curse cast over them was clear enough to spot if one knew what to look for. Eventually the pair excused themselves and headed for the door, leaving him at the table alone with most of a drink still in hand. Rather than head out himself he took a sip from his glass, watching the mortals around him as they enjoyed themselves.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
Val held the door for the ladies on the way out, not really looking around the room and just going right for the bar. She waved off the bartender, then on second thought got a water while she looked for another drink. As she was sitting there, she started looking a bit guilty, worrying at her lip.
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel's eyebrow arched a touch as Val made her way into the bar, watching her make a bee-line for the bar and then seem to change her mind. After a moment he pulled his phone and sent her a quick text of "care for some company?", giving her a small smile when she eventually spotted him.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She looks down as her phone buzzes, opening it and texting.
"Huh?"
Then the realization hits and she looks around, spotting the Haunt and nodding, waving him over.
Daniel Hawthorne:
Daniel grabbed his drink and moved from the table to the bar, sitting on the side farthest from the other patrons so as to give them space from the effects of his presence. "'s been a bit. How's it going on your end?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Has it? Hasn't felt like that long?"
Her own aura is more...intimidating anyway. 'Dont fuck with me' vibes oozing, kinda like her Regnant.
"Eh...not great the past few days?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Been a week or so, at least." He nodded, looking her over as she continued. "Oh? Something up?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Yeah thats fair. Doesn't feel all that long."
She shrugs.
"Haven't met with Guy in the past few days...antsy. Ya know?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Ah hah." He gave an understanding nod. "Know how that goes. Have you reached out to him?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Yeah...I can live, I know I can. Just...he's busy, I'm busy. Time's havent lined up...and its been 4 days since...hm...trying to word it right...dunno how."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Since you've had to use what you've been given?" He offered, watching her quietly. "I know it can be rough pushing through that. If there's anything I can do to help - other than that - I'm more than willing."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Yeahhh...we'll go with that. I'm trying to be patient...I know its not even that dire anyway."
She shakes her head.
"Any advice cause...yeah not asking for that."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Finding something else to distract myself with helped some of the time. Was usually work projects for me, could see extra training sessions or the like for you."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"I've been doing more training but...problem is it doesn't tire me out........enough."
The last word is forced.
"Walked by...went fuck it, I'll drink something...then felt like shit about that as soon as I sat down. Been trying to get off that one too."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Right." He nodded, mulling a moment. "Something less physical, maybe, that'll challenge you in a different way?"
"Good on you for recognizing it, at least." He eyed his own half-full drink briefly before sliding it farther down the bar for the bartender to collect. "That takes some dedication in itself."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods, worrying at her lip again.
"Maybe. Could be nice."
A slow nod.
"Went through 6ish months of rehab for all the stuff I got into." A pause. "Ylva, Vin, and Vin's sister were three of my biggest supporters through that."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Glad you were able to get that help. I know that couldn't have been easy."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She shakes her head.
"Was not. At all."
She frowns.
"Almost glad all that happened now and now a year ago cause I'd be so much worse off."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Most likely, yeah." He nodded, smirking a touch. "For what it's worth I was never able to quit smoking before things happened, so you're a couple steps up on me on that front."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Smoking...didn't like that one. Only did it a few times and moved on to things that felt better and didn't smell as bad."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I picked it up while I was at design school, helped with the nerves and whatnot. I was able to cut it back a good bit but never fully stepped away from it. Fair point about the smell, though; had to be careful about not letting it get into the fabric and whatnot while I worked."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Yeah...pain meds were the gateway for me. Never really one for uh...holding back. Rehab helped."
Daniel Hawthorne:
He nodded in return, shaking his head when the bartender asked if he needed anything before looking bac to Val. "The knee still doing well after the work you had done on it?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She swings the knee to show.
"Mhmm, I'd gotten so used to the pain...I feel brand new!"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"That's great to hear." He replied with a smile. "I felt similarly when I had the scar removal work done; it was a big weight off my shoulders."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Now I'm just like...trying to play catch-up for the Olympics. I dunno how much of this is me and how much is..." She gestures between them.
"Ya know?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Most of it, I would say. You've gotten some strength and resistance training from Guy, but the flexibility and the skill to use it is all you."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Yeah...I guess so. All of that sorta ties into itself though. I got way more resistance training than strength training from Guy though. Just don't wanna be winded when it matters."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Definitely understandable. I pursued that same training for similar reasons, although I'm not quite as physically active as you. Being able to push through longer projects without having to take as many breaks helps when you only have so many hours in the day."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Yeah, makes sense. I've always been a more physical person, and can chat someone's ear off. Just like...crafts and research...my mind wanders too much a lotta the time."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I have the opposite problem, honestly; get me started on a task and you usually have to pull me away from it." He chuckled, sitting back in his seat. "What happened knocked the wind out of my sails on the social front for a long while, but I've been able to work on that as of late. Always been more of a studious sort, though; the only real sport that I did was fencing lessons with my father."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She smiles.
"Takes all sorts...glad you can get out ans socialize more."
She taps the table absentmindedly.
"I started gymnastics when I was...5ish. My parents are both busy people so...baby Val got to have fun and my parents could take a break. I was a gremlin of a child."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"My sister was the same way. She's a wicked tennis player these days because of it." He smiled warmly at the thought of his younger sibling. "I fell into sewing pretty early as well, thanks to my great-grandmother. Turned out I had a knack for it and I was able to make a career out of it."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"You have a sister??" She looks over.
"Is she..." she gestures to him. "In the area or somewhere else?"
A nod.
"Glad you could do that, always nice to have something like that. Uh...I have always been a veritable jack of all trades. Decent at anything I put my mind too, too damn competitive for my own good...but impatient and a lotta the time swept off to something else before I get real good at that thing."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I do, yeah. Her name's Victoria." He took a moment to fish out his phone and scrolled through it, showing a picture of a blond-haired woman of similar enough features to note they were related. "Younger by about ten years, but we've always been close. More so nowadays, as she's the only one who really stuck by me after what happened; I doubt I would have made it as long as I have without her."
"Gotcha. Being able to pick up things quickly is always a plus, though."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Vinny and Alice are about the only people I'll consider siblings. He's got 3 and a half years on me, I got 3 years on her. Suddenly I became the middle child instead of the only one."
A slow nod.
"Glad she stuck by you, and glad she was there for you. Honestly...hoping to be that persona bit for Vinny. He definetly needs it."
A half smile at his praise.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I had an older brother as well, but the less said about him the better." While there was no anger or the like behind his words Val would get the impression that it was a conversation for a very different place.
"I'm...inclined to agree. He's doing better from what I've seen, but he still needs some help staying afloat."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"I feel that one. Well...not all the way but I can relate."
She sips her water.
"It doesn't help that he thinks he's better than he is. Like me he's always been great at picking up new things...but he's way more cocky about it. Never really bothered me before but...we are...we are...adults now. Now there's consequences."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Indeed. I imagine he'll get a rude awakening at some point, although hopefully it won't be overly painful for him."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"He's already had 2 or 3...that I know of. I really just hope he shapes up, 'specially for that partner he gushes so much about. Still haven't met them, so can't say much."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"I've met Avery once, maybe twice. They seem pretty solid." He gave a small nod. "I hope so too. The first year or so is always touch and go, even if you have a proper support system around you."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"That's good to hear. Don't want anyone hurting him... a much of a dumbass as he is...although from what I...hm...from what I know about Avery and those like them...not gonna be an issue there."
A slow nod.
"Its a lotta changes. I've noticed a lotta them in him. I don't like it but...I feel like im not allowed to say I don't. 'Specially cause uh... different parts of the job we took on."
A pause.
"How do you think I'm doing in that front?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"So it seems." He nodded, thinking a moment as she continued. "That's an understandable concern. Even with the different job roles, though, I don't see any harm in talking with him about them. By nature certain facets of him will have changed, but if you think he's falling too far off the path then it's worth bringing up."
"Good, from what I've seen." He offered with a smile.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"If I'm honest...its those by nature ones I'm annoyed with. I'm not saying my annoyance isn't valid, just feel like it would be asking him to not be...him."
A nod and a small "Yay." She finishes her water and gets a coke. No rum.
"I'm glad I'm doing well. Trying not to step on toes if nothing else. Still a newbie and all."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Ah...that could be more difficult, yeah." He nodded quietly, asking for a water for himself when the bartender got Val her soda. "As new as he is, he's likely leaning into those facets pretty hard without realizing it. May still be worth bringing up, even if it's just a 'hey, I'm concerned for you' sort of thing."
"We all were new at some point, so no worries. You'll find your niche and settle in over time."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She sighs.
"I already did that once and now I feel like I shouldn't. Plus I'm not sure I'm the one he'll listen to anymore. He's got it in his head that he's gonna be the very best, like no one ever was. But look, even Ash took 25 years!"
She sighs and nods.
"Yeah...my niche can't be world class athlete for forever."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Right. Arrogance does tend to be the strong suit for the folks he runs with these days." Spoken from experience? No, never...
"There are definitely ways you can branch out from that, though. Teaching others, maybe, or looking into it on a medical front to help people who get hurt like you were. You've got a bit yet before you need to worry about that, though."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Ya don't say...I hate that it fits him so well, too. Although I'm sure he thinks the same about me."
A shrug.
"Thats a...year or two problem I think? Vin did point out I could run a parkour school or something." She sweeps her hand dramatically. "Be trained by the Philly Gymnast who made it to the Olympics."
A smirk and a joking look at him. "Patent pending. Side effects may include." And she trails off into a snicker
Daniel Hawthorne:
"The line between ambition and arrogance is a fine one that's easy to overstep, and if Vincent has anything he has ambition. He also needs to take the time to think through his choices, otherwise he's going to throw himself into something he's not able to get out of in one piece."
He chuckled, giving a little nod. "I'd bet people would be up for that. Lord knows there's enough boxing gyms set up by former fighters, why not a gymnast?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Waiting is not his strong suit...winging it is. Improv is one of his better skills."
A nod.
"Eh thats fair. Could be cool, and I got plenty of time to get good at teaching that stuff."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"That's bitten him in the ass at least once that I know of, and I imagine there are more instances that I don't." He paused, smirking a touch as a realization hit. "I guess on some front I can see myself in him, having gone through a similar situation, and I worry that he won't pull through if he's not more careful."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Way more than once. I said better skills, not perfected skill."
She sighs.
"He's caring at least...his heart is in...at least the right city? Maybe right street on a good day. Close enough place."
An eyebrow raise.
"Story time? But yeah, definetly worried."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"That's something, at least." He nodded quietly, smirking a touch. "We were inducted in a similar fashion, I'll say that much."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"Right...we talked about that...what did you end up doing? Finding uh...someone that's been around longer for some pointers?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"My former employer took point on that and was considerably more hands-on than the folks here, since his reputation was on the line for my behavior. Having grown up in the culture I had a good head start as well compared to someone coming in blind." He took a sip of his water, wishing briefly for a moment it was something a little stronger before pushing that thought aside. "I still had a rough time with parts of it, though, what with how I came into it and how it was 'supposed' to be."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Mmm...yeah that tracks. I'm hoping all of...this now helps if that......" she searches for a word. "Job change? Promotion? Do we count it as a promotion? Anyway...if that ever happens..."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Promotion works, although you're not in a lesser position now, at least here anyway." He nodded quietly. "If it does, I think you would handle it alright. Nothing you need to rush into, though, and the choice is ultimately yours."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Going from front of house to back of house." A snap. "Position change. Tada. Nailed it."
A small chuckle. "But uh...yeah. Guy and I talked about that. Not unless a uh...repeat of that incident in December happens...if you feel me."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Perfect." He nodded with a small smirk. "I do, yeah. Hopefully that won't be an issue again." Cue a knock on the wooden bar top for good measure.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She knocks as well.
"Parta why I... appreciate the resistance training Guy's given me. And some defense classes to boot."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Makes sense. Every little bit helps."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"I'm uh... that whole talk still hits weird, won't lie."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"It did for me too, which it was first broached. It's a big step to take that changes everything, and it's a lot to wrap your mind around."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"I think the uh...position is cool. Just also...really don't think I'm ready for that. Too much responsibility elsewhere right now."
She nods.
"Plus like, Summer is coming up. Gotta get that tan."
A teasing wink.
Daniel Hawthorne:
He nodded, chuckling at the tan comment. "Yeah, feel you there. I'm lucky I'd just gotten a haircut a week or so before things happened or I'd have to deal with that every night."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She winces a bit at that last comment, weighing it and making a quick glance to the groups nearby.
"Yeah...definetly. I should definetly talk about like...hair and stuff....but like at some other point. Don't think the bar is the best place for that one."
She was still a bit twitchy about that sorta stuff.
Daniel Hawthorne:
It took a moment for Daniel to notice the slight slip-up, giving her a nod when she pointed it out. "True enough. Mea culpa."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
A nod.
"Better places for that and everything. Not to be paranoid or anything."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Nothing wrong with being vigilant on that front." He nodded, taking a small sip of his water.
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Except being too vigilant. That can be too much too."
She sips at her coke.
"Anywho. Why were you here? I realized I never asked? Just the vibes or...?" She bites her pinky gently.
Daniel Hawthorne:
"True. Need to find the right balance or you look like a kook."
"I was meeting with a client about dresses they wanted made for a wedding in June, talking general ideas and whatnot."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Can't have that fucking up my tough gal image, ya know."
A nod.
"That's adorable. I'm glad you do that, I think its really cute."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"It's just fabric in the end. As long as they like how they look in it the actual style of the clothing doesn't really matter. I've done suits, dresses, everything in between, and it's always worth it to see the smiles on their faces when they try it on for the first time."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
A few nods as she finishes off her drink.
"The smiles are what you're in it for then? If and when Vinny does decide to marry Avery...because he seems to have his heart set on that, I do hope they go to you. If they don't I may have to roll my eyes at him."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"That and helping people to express themselves in their own way." He nodded. "We'll see, although I'm more than willing. I've talked with Avery about getting clothes made for general wear although they haven't come by for measurements and whatnot."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"I know they are like...having some work trouble, so may just be that."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Most likely. Won't bother them about it if they're busy."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"I'm trying not to share their business, ya know? To be honest, thought did cross my mind but I dunno how much your tailoring costs?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
"It depends on what you're wanting made, although I do offer friends and family discounts." He sisd with a small smile. "Can also do alterations if you're needing something you already have adjusted."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Mayyybe. Not sure about alterations."
A nod.
"Paris Olympics are coming up and everything, and presentation is a lot too. Just something to wear for like...all the formal bits to just wow people, ya know?"
A pause.
"Like uh...Cinna from The Hunger Games. Although I would ask you not set me on fire. I don't want that much attention."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Yeah, that might be a little much." He nodded with a chuckle. "We can definitely work something out. How many outfits would you need, you think?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"Uhh...like 4? Well I already have 2, but something like...new and exciting. Ya know?"
A nod.
"I also don't wanna put pressure on you cause uh...no pressure but this will be on international television."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Like I could say no to that." He replied with a smirk. "I think we could handle it, though. We've been getting our name out there slowly but surely, and that sort of jab in the arm would help. I'll talk with Victoria about it, but I wager she'll be behind it too."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods, smiling.
"Sweet, I definitely hope so. I think that would be awesome and I'd definitely wanna help ya out if I could there. I'm definitely not a dress person though, more suit if ya feel me."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Had a feeling. Can definitely come up with something that'll fit you and your style."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She nods.
"I'd like that, definitely. What sorta price range are we looking at though?"
Daniel Hawthorne:
He thought a moment before offering a total sufficient for a woman of her Resources. "Will that work?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She thinks for a moment.
"Yeah...I think that would be good. Don't wanna undercut ya too much though. I could scrounge up more if you really needed."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"No worries, although I appreciate the thought. This is a big event for you and if I can help you look your best I'm all for it."
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
"I appreciate that a ton. Like a ton a ton. Woohoo something off my to-do list too!"
She chuckles.
"When do you want me to come by for measurements and stuff? Heck, I am free tonight if you really wanted. Way healthier than getting wasted."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"Sounds like a plan. I need to swing by the studio anyway, so two birds with one stone." He polished off his water and stood up, leaving money for the bartender before looking to Val with a smile. "Shall we?"
Valeria Rolan-Ruiz:
She left her own money, a wave to the bartender.
"Absolutely. Mind texting me the address? I drove here."
Daniel Hawthorne:
"You got it." He pulled his phone and did just that, leading the way to the door and hold it for her all gentlemanly like.
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