That Actually May Not Be A Bad Idea, Test Them On How They Think On Their Feet. As Long As You Sprinkle

There was a peace in a small town life, but Leyla wasn't sure that meant she had to be out in the crowd. It let people too close to her, and while it was important for her business that people like her, she wasn't sure she wanted people close enough to see her. She saved herself in the end, and she didn't need anyone trying to help anymore: she didn't need friends, she didn't need saviors, she didn't need anyone.

A book kept some away and others to nothing more than a brief exchange of pleasantries, so she kept it on her like a shield. Maybe that's why she immediately held it to her chest when she heard that voice. It sounded so casual--like the first she'd heard it--she thought she might hurl right here. "No, for you, I don't," she finally managed, feeling that old familiar rage she was sure she'd already worked through rise again like a phoenix from ashes. "You have no business in a small town, Vitus." Hasn't he broken enough people?

@leyla-tehrani Beach Bash: August 26, 2023

A life powered by caffeinated beverages and nightlife meant Vitus had no trouble staying up late into the evening, which was exactly what he'd done after setting up his tent last night. The downside, however, was that he often stirred around 11 or noon, and missed most of the morning's festivities. He popped out to discover the sun already blazed high overhead. It bathed the whole beach in dazzling yellow-white, the sand glowing like small embers beneath his feet. The water reflected the light, too, shimmering and sharp against his unadjusted eyes. The circumstances were enough to disorient him, leaving him standing there like a sleepy, stranded sailor.

Luckily, though, there was someone sitting only a few feet off from his tent, her nose buried in a book. "Hey, sorry to bug you, but do you have the time?" Yawning, Vitus rubbed his eyes free of sea salt and blinked, trying to clear his vision.

"It's one of my mocktails," Leyla explained giddily. Talking about her business and the drinks she made always brightened her day, "it's sort of space-themed. I call it our Galaxy Mocktail. It's got a blue curaçao syrup, grenadine, lemonade, and an orange & sweet lime simple syrup. You make it in two layers, so the purple and blue can sort of swirl together like a galaxy, hence the name. We serve it at Mawk Tales if you ever want to stop by and enjoy one while you read a book or something. What did you bring to read?"

"I'm not sure what you're drinking but it looks absolutely delicious!" She'd been eyeballing the drink in the other person's hand for the majority of the time they'd been sitting next to each other. "Did you make it? And if you didn't do you know what's in it because I wouldn't mind remaking a batch of that. It's almost too pretty to drink." @leyla-tehrani

"And you wonder how he ever got that idea? Because absolutely no one could ever have told him that," Leyla joked, before her smile softened at the compliment, "there's enough negativity in the world, I wanted a place where that...wasn't."

"I can see it," she said, "you look like the kind of girl I'd imagine doing that sort of thing." She meant that in the best way. The girl just radiated sunshine and love for animals, like the people who were popular in high school but you couldn't possibly hate them for it because they were so genuinely kind. She laughed, "no one's favorite smell, but it comes with the territory. I find all the smells comforting in a weird way, good and bad, it's just...like a core memory or something."

"Oh God, yeah!" she scoffed, shaking her head, "and it's always one of those men who thinks that he's god's gift to women, and he just cannot understand why you don't want anything to do with him," she rolled her eyes, "kind of sad. But having a safe space, a happy space, that's great. So kudos to you for creatig it!"

"Always," she smiled, gesturing around the barn, "I grew up riding here. I did dressage and jumping for most of my childhood." A real, proper equestrian, with her blonde hair braided neatly down her neck, boots polished and shined. As a kid and teenager, Livvy had just always been known as a horse girl. "Every now and then, you see someone wandering around who thought they wanted a farm experience… until they smelled the manure," she laughed.

WHO: Leyla & @chvndlr WHERE: Pause for Paws WHEN: September 29, at some point in the day

Leyla was starting to wonder if the guy who worked here was going to think she was aiming for his job for the amount of time she spent in here. She had seen him in her shop with his blonde friend, so they were sort of even. In a not at all way. He had a few more visits needed to catch up on work place visits. Her laptop bag slung over her shoulder, she gave him a little smile as she approached, offering a "me again." She also wondered if she said the usual if he'd even remember what that was or if he didn't pay that much attention to what guests ordered. He didn't exactly scream 'customer service is what I live for'. "Cinnamon latte," she said, looking around before asking, "hey, this is probably a stupid question, but are the cats here adoptable?"

Leyla was happy for the enthusiastic feedback to the idea, hoping the rest of town was as into the idea and it brought increased business in the way she hoped. "That's amazing, congratulations! You look great, how do you feel?"

"That's the goal," she said, warmly. People loving it and wanting to come often was all she wanted to see, to know she could make this successful. "That would be an absolute dream, thank you. The people who've come in so far have seemed to enjoy it, but word of mouth is the true testament to a successful place. The more people who hear about it, the better." As she asked her about what led her to open Mawk Tales, Leyla paused, thinking it over a moment. "I've always wanted to open a business, as far back as I can remember. Life got in the way a bit, but I finally got my Master's a couple years ago and decided it was time. I wanted a place that was safe, comfortable for everyone. Like Cheers. I don't believe you have to drink to have a good time, and some people can't or don't want to. This way, everyone can experience the warmth built with bartenders and friends in bars without the alcohol."

“I’d love to come by and check it out!” Alice said enthusiastically. She loved discovering new things in town, and making new friends. She smiled again. “December,” Alice said happily. “So we are about halfway there, which is really exciting!” She nodded.

“Likewise,” Alice grinned. “I hope so too! I’m going to really love it here,” she told her. “Absolutely. I’m always looking for new stories and new places for townspeople to visit. Shake things up a bit with some variety. I know a lot of folks will appreciate a good mocktail,” she nodded. “Thank you,” She said as she took a sip of her drink, pleasantly surprised at how refreshing it tasted. “This is quite tasty. What led you to open up a place like this?”

WHO: Leyla & @docolives WHERE: Harmony Ranch

At one of the treatment centers, Leyla had gone through some equine therapy, and she found so much progress and help in it. When she learned that Merrock had a similar sort of program largely geared toward kids, it was all she could do not to run all the way from the coast to the countryside to see if there were any opportunities for her to do something.

"Excuse me," she asked the blonde she spotted, knowing she'd seen her around before, "do you have any spots for a volunteer? Like an application or something I could fill out?"

"It is! Once I'm done, I'm happy to let you borrow it if you would like," she offered, "even if you don't own your own business, I think any woman can benefit from some of the lessons." Anything female empowerment should be shared in Leyla's opinion. "Aren't those quite spicy or is the show overselling? I would think that's very exciting," she quipped.

"Oh, that sounds interesting," she commented. She loved anything about empowerment and that sort of thing, and loved how readily available. "That's very bold of you. I'm reading through the Bridgerton books, not very exciting at all, but I enjoy it for what it is."

See, solved your problem. Kevin with the chili, Bob Vance, Vance Refrigeration, Identity Theft!Jim, the possibilities are pretty endless. Oh, that's a tough one...Dwight, probably, or Stanley. Who's yours? You just get a bunch of friends to do it with you, all as various characters, and you'll win all the costume contests as a group. I mean, you could, but I think that's cannibalism, so your costume might have to be classified as horror.

I do love the Office. That’s always been one of my biggest comfort shows to watch when I need a fast pick-me-up. Who’s your favorite character in the show? I can’t be the only one going as someone from the Office, though. I’d be out of place. Ooh, that is quite the idea. Not sure how I’d dress like a strawberry banana smoothie. Can I be a banana drinking a strawberry/banana smoothie? 

The sun felt warm and amazing, and though some might be counting down until the kids went home and they could drink, Leyla happily sipped her refreshing mocktail. It was way better than anything they were waiting for, the perfect blend of hydrating and delicious. She could get used to this beach life if this became her routine. "I say that all the time!" She agreed, happy to hear the woman next to her affirm her philosophy on it. Beaming as she mentioned her cup, she proudly proclaimed with near the enthusiasm of a mother about her baby, "it's mine. I couldn't resist a little free advertisement."

for @leyla-tehrani

It was relatively early in the day and for Fallon, that meant it was far too early for her to dive right into drinks. As much as she loved a good fruity drink, sometimes it was better to go the non-alcoholic way if she was going to be spending time in the sun and sand. She was old enough to know that being in the sun could make the effects stronger so instead she went for a mocktail of her favorite pineapple mai tai before heading out to a spot on the beach and dropping down onto a towel laid out, taking a long sip. "Mmm." she hummed. "You know people should really try more mocktails they taste so close to the real thing I almost don't miss the alcohol." she said out loud as she turned to see the person next to her and spot the tumblr in her hand of the relatively new place in town. "Oh speaking of places to get a mocktail." Gesturing, to the cup.