Latest Posts by leyla-tehrani - Page 2

When Leyla saw there would be horseback rides at Creek Fest, she knew there would be no needing to convince her to step away from her booth to do that. She had been volunteering at Harmony Healers for just a little while, but she hadn't gotten near enough time to ride herself. At the sound of a voice, she looked over to see the question was directed to her. "Who could resist, right?" She replied, "look at these beauties. I'm almost surprised people are doing anything else when this is an option."

Elise could never resist the siren's call of the chance to ride a horse. She'd been going on trail rides with Livvy over the past few months when she could, but she didn't have as much time for it as she'd liked. Now, though, all but ousted from her stand for a few hours, she found herself with the time to do just that. She was captivated for a few moments by the chestnut she'd chosen before she even noticed anyone else near by. "Oh, hello! Are you going for a ride as well?"

@leyla-tehrani

Leyla only thought she was going to leave her employees in charge of the booth for a little while to take a quick break, but here she was still on the phone as she browsed through various pumpkins to maybe add something with a design to the booth. As she hung up, her phone was knocked from her hand. "That's what I get for not putting work away," she joked, waving her hand to assure him he didn't need to apologize as she bent down to pick her phone up. "I've lived in New York, I've been whacked with stranger things." Well, maybe not, but still... "And maybe I walked into your pumpkin."

Who: Vince & open!! @merrock

What: Creek Fest

Capping at 6 (0/6)

Vince was walking through the lines of pumpkins. Every year they seemed to just be getting bigger and bigger, strange as that was. He picked up a rather large one and held the thing in his arms, and before realizing there was someone next to him, he turned his body. "Oh my god, I'm sorry!" he gasped. "I can't believe I just whacked you with a pumpkin!"

She still hadn't quite gotten used to running into Dr. Lane, and every time she half-expected him to yell 'hey, I know you from therapy!' Which was ridiculous because he was a professional as all her many therapists had been, and this only had to be weird if she made it weird. "The Autumn Spice is probably my favorite. The cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg really make it taste like the holidays," she suggested, "but we're also doing a special for Creek Fest. It's a flight I've curated, it's just $5 and has that one, our Pumpkin Pie, Apple Cider Mule, and Ginger Pear mocktails. And we're actually donating those proceeds to Harmony Healers this week."

WHO: Josh & @leyla-tehrani

WHERE: Creek Fest

WHEN: September, 2023

"So, what do you recommend?" Josh asked as he looked over the menu, eyes scanning the drinks. Not much of an alcohol guy, Josh had to admit that he was pretty excited to see the Mawk Tales set-up, liking the idea of having something booze-free to drink, but still feel fancy about. Other than the eighteen million hot apple ciders he planned on drinking that week, on top of the hot chocolate, coffee and tea, since they were bound to find their way to him, too. "Honestly all of them sound good, I'm not sure where to start!"

Creek Fest Sept. 16-23

Mawk Tales welcomes you to come by and try our newest Fall flavors during this year's Creek Fest! Our Creek Fest mocktail flight special is $5 and includes our Apple Cider Mule, Autumn Spice, Pumpkin Pie Martini, and Ginger Pear. All proceeds from the sales of these specials will go to Merrock's local therapeutic riding program, Harmony Healers! Then feel free to grab a full size version to go while you explore the rest of the event!

WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING (2022) dir. Olivia Newman

Leyla had decided to set up a booth at Creek Fest to let the town sample some Fall flavors she'd created. It was a great way to get some good publicity and feedback for her drinks. Stopping into the Supply Sack to grab a few things for the signs she needed for the booth, she tried to be in and out but she was a bit dazzled by all the options in here. It was truly a hobby paradise. A voice she recognized caused her to pause, but this time the familarity didn't make her what to take a running leap into the ocean. "Mills?!" She exclaimed as she turned around.

who: cemile & open (1/3) [ @merrock ]

where: the supply shack

Cemile wasn't artistic in any way. But she'd begrudgingly go to the craft store to pick up some paints for her students. They'd been excited about their upcoming performance and wanted to make posters, and she had a bit of a soft spot for them, so she found herself here. Unfortunately, she didn't know what kind of paint to buy. After all, if she brought something that stained, she'd be hearing from their parents, and that was the last thing she wanted. So she stood in the aisle, glancing at her options, when she noticed someone nearby. "Excuse me?" she spoke up, hoping to catch their attention. "Do you think puffy paint would work for posters, or is there a better option?"

"I think picking it up counts," she said with a laugh, "or talking about it." Leyla then nodded, "it's not mine either. I'll stay for part of the bonfire and then see if I can sneak away before one of my roommates sees me."

"Well, the best intentions means you read at least an occasion book on the list, or at least the back of the book." Aleja shook her head at the mention of camping. "No, no. That's not my style at all, but I'll be out until it's time to sleep."

If you're forgetting that iconic moment, then you definitely should. Oh, those are good too, I'm not sure there's a bad favorite to have. Except Cathy, and I don't think anyone liked her. You need better friends if they don't jump at the idea to go as a The Office ensemble, I'm kidding. I still say it's a good idea. It would, but maybe not red blood because bananas wouldn't bleed red, would they? Maybe get some freeze-dried bananas and put little pieces over your costume and maybe a yellow-er food coloring for the 'blood'.

Ahh, how could I forget about Kevin with the chili?! Now I feel like I should rewatch the whole show. Think that it’s a tie between Creed and Michael. Can never decide between the two! But yours are pretty great. Stanley is really underrated. It’ll be tough to try and get a group to help me out, but I’ll give it a shot. I mean, it’ll be a unique horror costume, no? Add a little of blood paint on me, and I will win any contest. 

"Yeah, simple switch for that one," she said. Being self-taught in the most of the ways of mixology in the last couple of years when she decided on her business idea, she was happy to share the knowledge. "I'd be happy to teach you," she offered, "which is probably terrible as a business model, but if you're wanting the alcohol version, it's not direct competition." The flight option was one of her personal favorites, but she liked the ability to sample a menu. "There's no alcohol, not a drop in the whole place," she assured, "we are fully non-alcoholic, so no back up plans needed, no hangovers the next day, just a great time."

"Oh, that's easy enough to remember." Ryn nodded, listening at the comment of replacing the syrup with the liquor. She wasn't the most knowledgeable when it came to alcohol or mixing things together, but the other seemed to be much more knowledgeable and Ryn was thankful she'd gotten to listen to her. "I'll have to see if I can find the stuff and make my own at home." she spoke. "Though, I'm thinking you'd just be much better at it then I would, so, maybe I just need to come out there anytime I want something fancy." she laughed. At the mention of the flight option, Ryn inhaled in excitement. "Ooh, yeah. Definitely have to come out and try that. Though, I need to ask, do you do flights of mixed non-alcoholic and alcoholic there? Because if not, I may need to be sure I have a backup plan." she laughed. "I haven't drank anything alcohol related in awhile, so, I can't promise I won't be a lightweight."

"I've heard that about pregnancy," Leyla said, "but I can't say I blame you on the French Toast. I don't have the biggest sweet tooth, but I will cave for some of that, especially with a raspberry compote on top."

It was important to her that everyone have a place where they can feel safe. Though it seemed like the small town provided a lot of that already, she still wanted to be adding to that, not taking away. "Exactly, depending on what I'm looking for in a day, and I'm always trying to create new flavors and ideas. After seeing how much the town loves a bonfire, I'm hoping to create something that tastes like s'more."

"I don't know if it's really weird, but my sweet tooth has gotten much worse since," Alice giggled. "So I always want something like ice cream at random hours of the day. I don't know how much of that would be considered to be normal," she grinned. "Well, last week I really wanted some French Toast after dinner..."

Alice smiled. She knew that different people had different reasons for not drinking, and she could respect that. And when she was younger, she could have used that thinking as well. If there were more places like Mawk Tales, she'd probably still have had a lot of fun. She nodded, listening to Leyla list off her different favorite drinks. "Understandable. I get that completely. So you'd say that you'd probably have a different favorite everyday? Nothing wrong with some variety!"

Leyla had spent years, before and after him, trying to believe that, and it was one thing she still struggled to accept. She would hear her parents sigh when they had to pay for another treatment, even when her mother had always been the first to comment when she looked comfortable. She was a lot of work. But at the end of the day, it was love that wasn't enough. Love: the invisible concept that was supposed to make the world better. But it didn't. It was empty. Empty words, empty hopes, empty rooms. "Only you could say that after what you've done and I still believe you," she mused. When he said it, she felt a strange sense of comfort as if it were true. As if she weren't difficult or exhausting, as if she were worth loving...

It was good while it lasted, from go, he was magnetic. He was her hero, swooping in to save her at the right moment. Back then, when she had believed in love, she used to love with every part of her being. Like an electric current that kept her alive. Even through all their troubles, they felt possible to overcome. Because they were together. She may not have survived without him, and she was almost surprised she did when she lost him. Her anorexia fueled anew by spite, and it was almost a blaze that consumed her entirely. The memory made her weak, fragile heart start to pound in her chest. No one could save her that time, she had to learn to save herself. Maybe he deserved some thanks for that.

Suddenly, she was hyperaware of the busy world around them: laughing children, people splashing in the water, running around, happily chatting about how great the day was. It was hardly the place for this, especially by the exhausted looks of him, so she nodded, "okay. Maybe you can come to Mawk Tales after closing sometime--I don't live alone." She looked over at him, not sure what to say, "enjoy the rest of your day, Vitus." Then she paused and added, "I think I mean that."

"No. It was never exhausting," he said, his voice sturdier despite his lingering tears. This was one truth that hadn't changed in all the years that had passed between them: "Loving you was the easy part."

It was true—he'd tripped over his clumsy feet and fallen straight into her when they met. Some nights were more difficult than others, certainly, but Vitus attributed that to their circumstances more than any personal faults. His love for Leyla had known no limits in its intensity. It had burned through him like wildfire, scorching every inch and edge of his skin, dizzying him with head-smoke. That all-consuming heat had lit him up during a time in his life when everything else inside him felt wholly, horribly dark. Vitus had fled to California after he lost her, searching for anything else that burned like she did, and what he found in Los Angeles almost killed him. It would be a lie, to say he didn't utterly regret losing Leyla the way he did.

"I'm sorry, I'm just—" At a loss for an appropriate adjective, Vitus gestured at the all of himself. Sleep still dragged at his eyelids. He was battling a weed-and-liquor hangover, and his hands had begun to twitch in search of a cigarette, any kind of reprieve from discomfort. Vitus rubbed his face and sniffled again, grateful the tears had begun to slow, at least. "Can we—if it's not too much to ask. Can we meet somewhere else, please? Somewhere private. And I can answer every question you have then." No way would he be able to give her anything close to satisfaction, caught off guard on the middle of a beach like this.

"Great," she said excitedly, looking forward to the opportunity this would provide her business. "I can do that, and then once you give it a listen, we can set up a more formal meeting to work out all the details," she offered, before with a small smile, adding, "so you can enjoy the rest of your visit sans business." She beamed, rather proud of her drinks despite not being much of a non-alcoholic mixologist before deciding on the business idea. She was largely self-taught, and she liked to see good feedback to her products.

"I can make that work.." he thought over options in his mind, "maybe but together a playlist, send it over, I can put something together." Sure, they would have to discuss details, contracts and the like but overall, he was in. As Leyla set the fight of drinks down in front of him, Alec took a moment to inspect each of the drink as he debated which to try first. He picked up the watermelon lime to start, taking a sip to taste, then another. "Mmm.. not bad," he nodded.

Leyla sighed, knowing that was very much true. One of the reasons she preferred the company of women far more, it was hard to know which men you could really trust. "I'm doing my part, I guess," she said, wanting to put the good in the world that she had needed growing up.

"You're welcome, you seem like the horse whisperer type," she complimented. She nodded as the woman mentioned it taking her back, scents were usually very strongly attached to memory. Unfortunately, not all could be good. This one was though. It represented healing. "Uh, not really. Not as much as I would have liked. I was in New York before this, and there's less opportunity. I would like to get into it more again."

"They're everywhere," she scrunched her nose, knowing that there wasn't a single woman on the planet who hadn't, at some point in their life, dealt with that exact kind of man. Unfortunately. "I think that's really admirable. We need more good in the world, less of the bad stuff." And if Leyla was here, trying to volunteer with the program, than Livvy already believed that she was heading in the right direction.

"Thank you," she laughed, reaching up to touch her hair, no longer in a braid, but still pulled back loosely at the back of her neck. Some habits died hard, after all. She had changed a lot since high school and the younger years, but there were some parts of her that she knew would never actually change, and she was grateful for that. "Oh, me too," an eager nod, "the smell of hay, or leather… takes me back, you know? Outside of what you mentioned earlier, do you ride horses a lot?"

theboldtypetv everything the light touches is our kingdom. happy 20th anniversary @thelionking broadway. 🦁 #lionking20

That actually may not be a bad idea, test them on how they think on their feet. As long as you sprinkle in some professional questions too. Yeah, I was the nerdy kid in school who liked doing her homework so I could do the math for you. That would be great! I would love to work with you to expand the options. I'm a big fan of paint and sips myself, so I'll be coming by to one of your sessions.

Oh that'll be fun. I can ask the most random, jarring questions and--I'm kidding, I'm a professional, I promise! Yeah, it would be so much easier if someone else had to worry about the math for me, ugh. I'm gonna stop by some time and try a drink or two. I'm also trying to expand options for our paint and sip sessions. Something that is more exciting than apple cider! Perfect, I got you!

Leyla knew she wasn't the only one who ever had bad life circumstances or a far from dream relationship with parents or family, so it was sort of an innate learning one had to do: find the good. It just wasn't always so innate. "Exactly, like riding a bike, I guess," she mused. As she suspected, he could go when he wanted. "Do you think you'd ever go back and live there or are you here to stay?" It was a question she asked herself a lot, especially with the idea of being known in such a small town. It made her want to run. "That's the dream, though, to have something that large that you can call your own. I used to watch Shark Tank all the time when I was younger, just wishing I could be in one of those seats someday."

Rafael's smile was lopsided, but sincere. He knew what she was talking about; if you could take one good thing out of a bad situation, it hadn't been for nothing. And sometimes even those bad situations had their reasoning for happening, whether or not you realized it at the time. But that was neither here nor there, and his thoughts shifted seamlessly to the idea of languages, nodding his head, "I can understand that, sort of all comes back to you." Listening to his mother talk to herself in Italian, or his father speaking Spanish on the phone, sometimes shifted things in his brain, as well. "Sometimes," he nodded. "But I'm lucky enough that I can take the trip when I like to, and there is the beach here, even if it's not quite the same," he grinned, at that thought. Different worlds, really. "By now, I'm used to it. But about the time that I got into real estate and realized that I had really, actually created something quite… large, it absolutely felt surreal."

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? 

"We have the best intentions, don't we?" She agreed with a giggle. "Keep things exciting." She wasn't sure if that sounded pathetic or not because that was true. She read way more than she actually went out for things, even if she was sure her roommates were planning on changing that. "Are you going to be camping tonight?"

"That's about my whole bookshelf," she said with a laugh and a grin. "It's good to have something light as a palate cleanser, or to just keep the genres in a good variety rotation."

"You're welcome," she replied with a warm smile, enjoying the glimpses she got into the joy of others. "Do you have any weird cravings? Things you're sending your boyfriend out for at all hours?"

"Exactly," she said as Alice understood the concept perfectly. "No one has to explain why they do or don't want, they can just enjoy the experience." Then she laughed and added, "and no fake IDs needed." How many kids would benefit from not dipping their toes into vices well before they should? She wasn't under the delusion it would stop that completely, but maybe it would help. "My favorite depends on my mood, the strawberry basil went I'm looking for refreshing, the lavender lemonade when it's been a long day, the Galaxy when I'm feeling fun...it's sort of like picking a favorite child. Can't seem to do it."

“You’re so sweet, thank you!” Alice gushed. She was blushing a bit. “I feel pretty good, actually. I’m happy that things have gone smoothly, and aside from the swollen ankles and being hungry all the time, I really am happy!”

She nodded. “You’re welcome, and I’m always happy to help!” Alice said with a smile. “It’s a nice concept,” she said, and sipped her drink as she listened to Leyla. “That’s a good way of thinking,” she told her. “And people choose to drink or not to drink for different reasons. So it opens up opportunities for more people to have that kind of experience. “Or if someone is under 21, and they want to have a fancy night out, right? Give them fun atmosphere and some good mocktails and they’ll feel right at home,” she hummed. She knew when she was younger she could use a place like this instead of trying to sneak into bars with her friends. Some nights they didn’t even drink, they just wanted to have fun. “Do you have a favorite item on the menu or is that a secret?” She grinned.

FIONA PALOMO as SOFIA outer banks season 3

Since the moment of his confession, she had wanted something to make it better. Some word, some revenge, some idea...anything that would just make it better. He could offer her none of it. She knew he was sorry, but it wasn't a word that made it go away. It didn't bring the trust back or make her feel less unworthy; it didn't take the carefully crafted walls down or ease the self-talk that plagued her.

She couldn't leave him like this, even after everything. If any of the old Leyla was still alive, she had to care. She hated him, that was still true, but she loved him too. Not in the same way, that was long in the rearview, but people who made it to her heart never really left. Wiping quickly at her own tear, she started to reach for him but pulled her hand away like a flame that would burn. "You'll be okay," she murmured instead.

More of that poison-laced truth. If he wanted it, then why didn't he? That elusive why continued to taunt and torment her. "I'm having trouble believing that," she confessed honestly because it was all she could say. It still felt like her fault. You're too difficult, Leyla... "Maybe you're still just looking for something." Something not in her.

Her heart caved in as that question struck her with a million memories. Hands shaking, fork nervously tapping the plate, 'it's not the food' she would sob as if he didn't already know that. He was a great cook, and he never took any offense when she struggled to eat whatever he made. What do you need from me? When she looked too long in the mirror, counting every flaw. What do you need from me? When her mother called and made some fleeting jab of a remark. What do you need from me? "We're adults, there's no need to avoid each other, it's a small town," she said, leaving all emotion out of her voice. Her questions seemed pointless, and she wasn't sure if he had any more answers. But it came out anyway. "Was it...exhausting to love me? Was it too dark? Did you just need light?"

It was on the tip of his tongue again—another apology, trying to flee his parted lips and find her. Apologizing for apologizing too much was one of Vitus's most stubborn habits, formed over the last few years. He swallowed the rest of his I'm sorry's, forcing the horde of them back down into the core of his body. Leyla didn't want them anymore. Maybe she never had.

Here they were, both crying because Vitus hurt her ten years ago, and yet. Leyla was the one being patient with him. Guiding him back to some semblance of calm, the same way she used to. Deep breaths. She'd told him that when he stumbled home and splintered into a thousand sharp pieces after seeing his mother for the first time in years. As he had back then, Vitus followed her voice, drawing and releasing each breath one at a time. It helped. Of course it helped. And the fact that he'd burdened her with caretaking here, now, with him of all people, only drove the guilt deeper into his chest.

"I know, how it made you feel. How it made you doubt. But I did want to be faithful to you. I swear, I did. I've always wanted to be that guy." The one who could leave home for days at a time and think only of the connection waiting for him there. The one who didn't become excited, in some small part, whenever he cheated on someone. Vitus wanted the happily-ever-after kind of love, just never knew how to hold onto it long enough to make it last. She was right—he needed to figure it out, for the sake of every partner he'd ever hurt and every one he might still hurt down the line.

"What do you need from me?" He had asked her this question before. Intermittently throughout their relationship, as she struggled to look at the food on her plate or keep the future she wanted within sight. Back then it had been a matter of supporting her through personal troubles. This time, it was a matter of yielding to her amid the mess he made. "I can... answer any questions you have. I can steer clear of you around town." Intentional avoidance would heap more pain atop his shoulders, but this wasn't about him. "Whatever you need, Leyla."

She meant it when she said she wanted Mawk Tales to be for everyone. It was safe. "Good, I'm going to be putting on some events, trivia, live music, things like that, over time." She wanted to have more reasons to bring people in to have fun and enjoy some non-alcoholic drinks. She smiled in understanding as he said it depended on the day. "Yeah, I can see that. It's the kind of day for friends not dads," she remarked with a small laugh.

He nodded in understanding as Leyla encouraged stopping by Mawk Tales with Ary. "I'll have to make sure I stop by and check it out," he agreed. It was always nice checking out new spots around town anyway. Wes couldn't help but chuckle at the question of whether his daughter was outright ignoring him or if she still thought he was cool. "Depends on the day," he shook his head. Pre-teens were interesting to navigate parenthood with. "Right now, she'd rather be out with her friends," he added as he looked back out at his daughter, then back at Leyla. At least that was the case in that present moment.

"Maybe a bit of a variety. Like an 80's, 90's and today sort of experience?" She suggested, thinking then everyone would experience some songs that they liked. Setting the flight down in front of him, she listed them off, "blackberry, strawberry basil, blue lagoon, watermelon lime." She then laughed as she addressed his previous statement, "I'm more than fine with no country."

"That's gonna be based on who you asked. I say, your business, you set the vibe." Alec could make just about anything work, as long as it only required his voice and a guitar, it would work. "Just no country, we already have a western bar in town."

"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.

"Yeah, there's usually some good in every experience," Leyla regurgitated some therapist's advice, though she was still working on that as a consistent mindset. "I met some really great people while I was there," she admitted. Nodding, she said, "if I spend too much time with my parents, I do." She was actually enjoying having this conversation with someone who also had the experience of not being born in America. It was so different sometimes. "Do you ever miss it?" Then again, with the business he owned, he could probably go home whenever he wanted. A quick and easy jump on a plane. Smiling, she agreed, "go us. Does it ever start feeling real? Or do you still sometimes wake up thinking 'there's no way this business is mine'?"

"Then that's all that matters, is that you found something enjoyable out of the whole experience," he knew not to push past that, understanding that family could be a tricky subject, especially when discussing with a stranger at a beach party. But discovering more about where you came from and your history was never a bad thing, either, that was for sure. "Do you ever find yourself thinking in one language over another?" he aksed curiously. "It took me a long time to realize I had started thinking in English, since I grew up speaking Italian and then Spanish," and then moved to the States and everything changed. "It's beautiful," he smied, a wistful expression. Rafael got to visit 'home' every now and then, but it was still a dream when the opportunity arose and he loved every moment of it. "I have," he nodded thoughtfully. "And now you have, too. Go us, right?"

Well, if Instagram says so...who are we to argue? I don't keep up with trends, unfortunately, but I'm sure those ideas are going to be big. You can always go with someone from The Office, it's classic and pretty timeless. If you don't want to look like everyone else, you can go even more obscure...like a strawberry banana smoothie.

@merrock

Right, so, I'm taking recommendations for my Halloween costume. Before you say "Oh, Miles, it's too early-" blah, blah, blah. No, it isn't. Why not? Because the first Halloween edit came on my Instagram recommended page just now. Anyway, what's the trend this year? Barbie? Ken? Queen Charlotte and George? Farmer George? That's all the ideas I have. Any suggestions will do or I will have to result in dressing like a banana for the third year in a row. Costume is starting to wear down.

"Thank you," Leyla replied, still beaming. It was maybe her favorite thing about the business she decided to open: the creativity. She hadn't previously considered herself a very creative person, but this had brought beautiful new challenges. "Easy peasy," she laughed. "Oh, blue curaçao is a liqueur, the syrup substitutes for that to make it non-alcoholic, so you'd just take out that syrup and add the liqueur. Voila, mocktail becomes cocktail." She believed in their being a time for everything, so she didn't have any problem making the suggestion. Especially since the woman did confirm she'd also like to check her place out. "I would love to have you stop by. I offer flight options as well, so you can sample a bit of different things. I can pick out my prettiest ones for you. We'll eventually have some live music nights too, so that'll be something to come enjoy."

"Well, I have to say this is probably the most beautiful drink I've ever seen." Ryn admitted, taking a look at it, trying to really get an idea for how beautiful the drink was. "Oh that's some simple stuff that people just have laying around a lot anyways." she smiled. "It looks delicious. In the chance someone wanted the alcoholic version, what would you suggest they put int it? Though, you did such a good job I may have to just come down to Mawk Tales a lot and get some of these."

"Some of these comments sound like high school all over again," Leyla joked, though she liked seeing everyone in town get so into the competition. Like a really big family. "Please do," she offered, "I guarantee atmosphere." She smiled as the other woman undersold her job a bit. She was not the most tech-savvy, so she admired people who were. "My business relies a lot on technology, so I'd say it's a very sexy job and now I know who to call if my systems go down," she teased.

"Can I? Sure, but I think it makes for a lot messier of a situation." Which was true, but obviously they couldn't control who drank or didn't. Most people could handle it okay but obviously it only took one person going too far. "I would love to stop by sometime, see what it's like and honestly it sounds like a perfect atmosphere , I like quiet sometimes." she said. "Oh." she cleared her throat, it wasn't something she could explain being a hacker, "I work in IT security, an analyst." she shrugged, "Not a very sexy job."

Leyla wasn't sure kids would be in her future, not now, not after everything, but she loved watching others experience that joy. Especially mothers and daughters, there was a special bond with them--or there was supposed to be. "Beautiful," she complimented, "she looks like you. Are you two very close?"

Lara nodded in agreement. She was pretty proud of how adventurous Lily had become. And moreso in the past few years. She liked to see her daughter take on different interests. "She's..." Lara looked around. "Ah... there she is," she nodded towards a lanky girl with curly hair in a ponytail in shorts and a tank top talking to other kids who looked like young teens.