“Oh, yeah. Definitely. I get chills every time I watch that final scene. It’s got to be one of the best endings to a movie of all time. Hell, that entire series is iconic. So are you into gangster films? Or better yet, what kind of movies are you into?”

“Right? When the door closes, and you know he’s past the point of return. Ugh, it’s so good! I think the first will always be my favorite though, even if people say the second is better. Well, I’m definitely into gangster movies thanks to my mom. Honestly, it’s a mix. I’ll watch any genre if the story is good. If the story’s good, then the rest doesn’t matter. At least, in my opinion. What about you?”

“But that’s the thing, I don’t want to put myself first. I’m not sure if that’s like me from before speaking out, but I know the me now just feels like I.. I don’t know. Maybe I’l just being weird. It’s easier to just focus on others. Does that make sense? I probably sound like an idiot right now. I mean, I see your point and you’re right, I won’t have one, but.. maybe I’ll find who I am through the people around me or something? —To be honest, I’d help the neighbor first. Ha.. yeah I don’t know how well that’ll go over. But don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me.”

“You don’t sound like an idiot. Really, I shouldn’t have said anything. Everyone has their own way to cope with big things like this, but I just don’t want you to feel like you have to find someone--find your old self. I sincerely hope that you get your memories back someday, but it might also be good to prepare for what happens if that day never comes. I’ll stop ‘momming’ you now, I promise.”

Stopping by Waverly to grab some food to bring home, Lita was pleasantly surprised to see Charlotte. It was a sort of odd seeing her here only because she was used to seeing the brunette somewhere less...cheery. “Nothing. Just thought I’d say ‘hi.’” Lalita gave her friend a gentle smile, “Are you okay? You seem a little out of it.”

Emilia smiled, brightly and nodded. “I can see that in you, in your eyes. You seem like such a strong woman.” She complimented, nodding. “Well, thank you. I’d like to think so. The first part of my life seemed so…closed in, almost. Now I just want to be free. I’ve always wanted to just be free and…be who I am. It’s great to be in a city where that’s possible.” Emilia said, a pretty smile resting on her face as she listened to Lalita. “Oh, I’m sure it takes quite the toll, but it must be the best feeling when you help someone else. That’s such a great accomplishment, to help others. I’m sure it is so rewarding.” She said, completely intrigued. “Have you always wanted to be a firefighter?” 

“Oh...thank you.” Lita knew she was a strong woman, but it was different hearing it from a stranger like that. It was...kind of nice. “You know, you seem like a strong woman too. It takes a lot of guts to move to another continent to live the life you wanna live. I know we just met and all, but I’m really happy for you that you did this for yourself.” Lita chuckled at the question put before her, not because it was humorous, but as almost an involuntary response to how far from the truth it was that she’d always wanted to be a firefighter. “Believe it or not, no. When I was younger, I wanted to be so many things. A doctor, a president, a rockstar. Never a fire fighter, I don’t think that was something that even crossed my mind. What about you, how long have you loved art?”

Gabi gave her eyes another roll. “Just shut up.” She took one step, then the line was stopped again. “Hmmm… meet me in the middle?” She gave Lita a smile. “I’ll do your hair pro-bono, and then you take me adventuring. And buy me dinner.” The idea of spending the day with the girl was fantastic, and she was suddenly glad she’d gotten stuck in this stupid line.

Gabi just got it. Whatever ‘it’ was, she got it. She was one of those friends who Lita didn’t have to explain anything to because she understood, and that was invaluable. “Are you serious? That not only sounds better than what I had in mind. But treating you to dinner too? You are truly brilliant, Gabriela Luisa Jimenez.”

☾ cute character questions ☽

the basics:

habits:

family:

what they prefer:

favorites:

“Isn’t that the story of our lives, though? We’re either together, married, or living in sin, depending on who we talk to. Don’t get me wrong, I love it. It’s extremely funny, specially with the older ones whose eyes go round and big like… plates, and they just stare at me as if they wanted me to take a shower in holy water. It’s amazing, and I’m very surprised with the quality of that plastic ring. We were really lucky it was one with a transparent fake gem – imagine if we had gotten an orange one?” He examined the item on his body, realizing his idea of how it was supposed to be worn wasn’t too far from reality. “Oh, I totally see it now. Yeah, I’m pretty sure it will fit, what do you think?” He said, his smile still on, as he held the kurta up on his body. “Wait, what? Really? Why in the world would he think that? That’s strange, but still pretty nice… Yeah, I’m definitely going to call him then. Wait… You can’t be blaming me for that! I’m not precisely setting any examples if I’m in another country, am I? I… Yeah, and it’s not like I can actually give him the talk or anything, because it would be the most hypocritical thing I could do, don’t you think?” Talking about the women he slept with or drank with was perhaps the one subject Jackson did not enjoy sharing with his roommate, for a reason he couldn’t understand. He knew she held no judgement, but it still felt as if he was disrespecting her. Why? He had no idea. But the idea of Maple wearing her very own saree made him chuckle and shake his head. Sometimes it felt like they were anything but adults. “Okay, deal. Maple?” He knelt down and touched the side of his face to the dog’s mouth, instantly receiving a good and wet dog kiss. He pursed his lips in so the dog’s tongue couldn’t get to them and closed his eyes as a reflex. “Okay, she says it’s a deal, too. So I’ll be right back, then. You better have that on when I come back.”

“If that happened, then I think you would’ve had to go to the jewelry store and to get me a real ring. It’s enough that I’m married to a white boy, but an orange gem? Fuhgeddaboudit!” Lita did her best Donnie Brasco impression. There was a bit of truth to that though. While the world has gotten a tiny bit better about interracial relationships, it’s still taboo in many communities. There are many people in Lita’s circle who wouldn’t understand the relationship between her and Jackson. The fake relationship, that is. “I think it’ll look great.” She smiled, happy to see that he was receiving the garment well. “It wouldn’t be hypocritical if you changed your ways, but I digress! Have as much sex as you want just as long as it’s protected. If anything, you should give Ravi that talk. Goodness knows my father hasn’t!” Her family tended to avoid uncomfortable talks like that. They’d gotten better since both her and her dad’s recoveries, but there were certain things that crossed the line, and sex was one. “Hey you two, get a room!” Lita laughed at the public display of affection shared between man and his dog. This wasn’t the first time she’d seen something like this, and she was 110% sure it wouldn’t be the last. That was one of the characteristics she liked most about Jackson. He may have had trouble with committing to people, but he definitely loved his dog. “All right, all right, now get out!” Lita practically pushed him out of her room and closed the door behind so she could put on the saree. It was absolutely beautiful. A sheer gold swath of fabric draped across to make up the bodice with a border of red and gold beading. Looking down, the skirt was comprised of a magenta floral print that was also bookended by that same ornate beadwork. “You did good, Mama.” Taking a moment to look at it in the mirror, Lita had to prevent herself from getting teary. At this point in time, she saw the woman she’d always dreamt of being: confident, strong, brave. It took forever to get here, but more than anytime else, in this saree, Lita saw someone she was proud of. Shaking it off, she yelled over to the room next door, “Jack! You can come in whenever you’re ready!” 

“I have no idea, but I would love to see how these guys do in Jersey.”

“They’d either die from trusting the wrong person or live out a situation that would make good meat for an indie comedy.”

“Advice? Uh yeah… I’ll take anything right now, really. I mean, I don’t know what else to think, clearly. It’s not like there’s a guide book on how to act or what to do in a situation like this. —Ha.. well that’s good. Still crazy that happened to begin with. Guess it’s just a fun story to tell now. Oh, I can see how that could be an issue. At least they weren’t big ones, right? I’ll be sure to keep the secret safe with us. Promise.”

“Exactly. There’s no guidebook. Who says that things should be about everyone else right now? What you are going through right now is huge. You should be putting yourself first! The only way that things are going to get better is if you focus on yourself and the life you are living. Or else you don’t have an identity because you’re just worrying about all those other people. It’s like when an airplane is crashing. Put your mask on and then help your neighbor. And I appreciate it. Can’t let the general public go crazy knowing favoritism runs rampant in the fire department.”

[ beginnings.

She could instantly feel the concern in the other woman’s voice as she approached her. It was the kind of warmth that she wasn’t used to on her every day, unless it came directly from her mother and sometimes from her father when he was out of the medication enough to pay some attention in his daughter or even recognize her. The warmth made Lucy instantly feel more comfortable even in the middle of those strong walls of concrete, that place begged for no vulnerability, it was weird and she couldn’t help but to feel misplaced. 

“I am fine, I am fine, I promise,” Lucy informed after she had walked in on Lita’s hug and parted with an even wider smile. “I have been staying out of the kitchen for now, my husband got a hold of the accident and says that he’s going to hire a chef, even though I’m perfectly able to eat out of the house for the time being, it’s nice actually, it’s kind of like being on the search for the perfect restaurant.” A small giggle left her lips as the blush crept up to her cheeks, both because she was embarrassed due to almost smoking her baby out of her belly, but also because she didn’t like to comment on her wealthiness in front of strangers, but it was something so natural to her that in any way she meant to do it to be in a bragging position.

“I actually came here wondering if you were free? I kind of have this thing where I feel the need to thank the person who saved my life and my baby’s in more ways than a hug or a tap on the shoulder. I am wanting to include you on my perfect restaurant search route, and we can go out to grab a bite to eat maybe? I am starving and I can only imagine that you are too…” Hopefully that wouldn’t be too much intrusion into her day and Lucy would completely understand if she didn’t want to go, or couldn’t go, she wasn’t sure if other people she saved were that thankful. 

Lita released the hug, relieved to hear that her acquaintance was all right. “Oh, thank god! I was worried something had happened.” As Lucy went on to talk about the events that had occurred after their first meeting, Lita noticed that there wasn’t an air of superiority about her. In a way, it was quite the opposite and she seemed...embarrassed. It was actually endearing to see her care like that. “I mean, I definitely wouldn’t mind having someone come to my place and cook every night, but a restaurant search does sound a hell of a lot more fun.”  

What came out of her mouth next was not something the firefighter had expected. Gratitude from the people they’d saved was common, materializing itself in cards, fruit baskets, and drawings by little kids. However, rarely did they come to the fire department and invite you to go eat with them. While it was a new experience, it didn’t feel uncomfortable. There was something about the blonde that was easy, and Lita could tell this was a truly genuine effort. I mean, she drove from Lachine to the fire department just to do this. 

“Hmm...well, I have to say that this day has definitely got me working up an appetite.” Sure, she hadn’t really done anything worth noting, but it was a lot of mindless busy work that can be just as exhausting as saving someone from a burning building. Well, maybe not exactly, but it was still pretty tiring, and she hadn’t eaten since breakfast so this was great. Confirming her delight in the plan, “I’d love to join you on your ‘perfect restaurant search route’! Have you already looked up some places or are we pulling a Lewis and Clark?”

“I’ll have to add it to my ever-growing list of movies to watch. So what would you say is an iconic movie I have to watch? And please don’t say Mean Girls. As many references as I’ve heard to that movie, I’m not sure I can classify it as iconic.” 

“Good. I wasn’t going to say that, however, it has had an enormous impact on a generation. We may have skipped over it, but you can’t deny the influence it’s had. Personally, I think everyone should watch The Godfather. The final scene alone is worth it.”

“It does, but he’s my older protective brother. He’s mostly here for business, but I know it’s just an excuse to watch over me.” Emilia rolled her eyes playfully. “He’s graduated from university and all. Well, it’s such an amazing career you have. I could never do that. Does it get difficult for you at times to do it? It must be so demanding!” 

“I don’t blame him, I’d be exactly the same way with my younger brothers.” Lita laughed. If either of them came to Montreal, they wouldn’t be able to get rid of her. “I’m betting you’re easier to handle though, you seem like someone who can take care of herself. Sometimes. When it’s rough, it’s really rough. Life or death situations can take a toll on you emotionally, but you have to learn to disassociate yourself.  It’s like with doctors, they have to be able to get the job done. Although, when things work out well, that’s the best feeling. You really see a different side of people after you help them through a tough situation.”

“You’re just a pussy,” she shot back, cracking a smile. God, she was glad Lita had showed up. She cocked an eyebrow, curious what the woman was up to. “Okay, shoot. What did you have in mind?”

“You know, that’s not such a bad thing to be,” she grinned. The line appeared to shift forward, and Lita took teeny tiny baby steps, fitting the pace while sticking next to her friend. “I thought we could go on an adventure. Explore the city, get lost. Or I could pay for you to do my hair all day, that way you won’t get in trouble at work, and you’ll get to spend the day with me.”

“Tell me about it! Back in Jersey people are suspicious if you’re too nice. In Jersey, you just go into a store, get your shit, pay and leave. Minimal conversation. But here people ask you about your day and I’m just. I’m not used to it.”

“Small talk can be nice sometimes, but you’d think that since this is a major city, people would be more down to business. It just strikes me as very odd, like how did it get this way?”