aparedes

[aparedes]

"One of?" Angelia's brow nearly shot as high as her jaw dropped low. Mock offense began to color her features and a hand draped over the Peruvian woman's broken heart.

How could she be special if she was one of few?

"I suppose I should feel lucky one of tennis' biggest stars remembers the likes of me at all." There was so much of the artist's life that she'd blocked out at that time in her life, and yet so much she couldn't forget in those transformative years.

The sweet blond with long looks who'd gone on to make Wilmington proud was one of them.

"Could be because I work too much and am busy with mom otherwise, or Wilmington really isn't that small."

Frankly, from the bits she'd followed of Amos' career, Angelia considered that she might've been too boring for him in all his visits back home. He was likely at the clubs and bars and that scene had grown a little old for her.

"Are you just here visiting or are you in town for a while?"

Amos smiled widely at her antics. He was around town so often that he felt as if people really barely cared about his existence. These days when he wasn't bringing in new trophies or titles, it felt like his stardom was slowly coming down. Maybe it was just him being dramatic though, his dads had always told him that he was incredible at causing a scene, after all.

"Me? Forget one of my first unattainable crushes? I'd recognize those eyes anywhere." He joked with a warm smile on his lips. He was just a teen when he'd met her and he remember swearing to his friends, he would ask her out at some point, even if she was older. Age differences were such a big deal back then. "I didn't know you still lived in town, it's been a while."

#01 › amos de leon.

[aparedes]

Never had she really been a coffee girl. If Angelia stopped into a coffeeshop or bakery it was strictly for the pastries. That was her true vice.

Nothing beat homemade, but the artist's life was often a little too busy and on the go for something that demanded proper time and attention.

Or, maybe, the brunette took her baking a little too seriously.

A notification of a new email from one of her authors she was working with had caught her attention and had her reading on her phone when the person in front of her turned and addressed her with Sophie's Choice.

"That's tricky," Angelia answered and casually slipped her phone back into her pocket. "My opinion would be danishes, especially if you got an assortment. Then again, you could also add a few muffins to that."

People appreciated options.

Well, at least, she always had. As an artist she supposed she could be moody when it came to her choices, and perhaps not everyone was like that, and it all depended what she felt. Like when it would be her turn to walk up to the glass display cases, Angelia would look lovingly at all the options and then point to the one that moved her the most.

"What kind of business is it? I don't think any choice would be bad, I think being treated regardless is the fun part." / @pcvrlys

closed starter @aparedes

The bell chimed as Axel walked into Tasty Treats, intent on grabbing some pastries and coffee for the office. His team had just closed on a deal for a large plot of land midtown that would be perfect for some new luxury condos. Or so that was the plan. The acquisition was a big win for Cityscape Ventures and he wanted to thank his team for all their hard work. He knew they'd appreciate the treats. Glancing over the glass cases filled with fresh baked goods, he was impressed by the quality and variety the bakery offered. This local bakery really was a gem. But as he looked up at the bakery's menu board trying to decide what to get, he felt a little confused. Turning to the person behind him in line, he asked. "In your opinion, which would be better for the office—muffins or danishes?" 

#01 › axel hughes.

[aparedes]

The former waitress and now well sought after artist was not one of the world's caffeine and coffee addicted. Of course that didn't mean the often hedonistic woman was without her vices, but Angelia's stroll into The Cozy Cup was for a pastry rather than a drink.

As usual the svelte brunette was a bit oblivious to her surroundings and was off in her head working out the inspiration that was piecing together. She'd made her order and stepped aside, said hello to someone she crossed paths with often when she'd do her morning beach yoga, and then found herself face to handsome face with a man she'd never expected to see again.

Immediately, happy surprise took command of her features and as she blinked at tall, dark, and too good-looking— "technically I'm not."

Semantics.

Still, the gleam in her eyes was playful as memory recounted just how she knew this man. Angelia shifted and her fingers lightly touched the sun kissed skin of her chest, "though I suppose I have lived here long enough to consider it my hometown. Do people usually lie to you about where they're from?"

One pastry was snatched up, along with a napkin, when the barista behind the counter had said 'here you go, Angelia'. Always good with names, and she knew his would come back to her, the artist let her gaze roam a little.

"What brings you here?" / @rhysbradley

LOCATION: The Cozy Cup

WITH: @aparedes

Rhys had always prided himself as one of the many few not addicted to his phone or social media, and found no shame in sitting at the counter in the coffee shop perusing over a newspaper. But a nearby voice lulled him from his caffeinated slumber, and he found himself searching for her. He watched for a moment, as it hit him slowly then all at once. She reminded him of the ocean's waves and birds singing in the mornings... Amongst other things, too.

"I never thought you were serious when you told me you were from Wilmington." Rhys commented, his eyes watching her over the rim of his coffee cup.

#01 › rhys bradley.

[aparedes]

Most people would look at Angelia and never assume that she was a regular visitor at the hardware store. The sometime ultra feminine artist just did nothing to project those vibes, especially when she stepped into the store dressed up with her hair done and a coat on her lashes and lips.

The stop ins were for a few specific items, however, as she made her own frames for painting. Occasionally the brunette had to stop in for fresh supplies, like today.

Only, she nearly ran into nostalgia in the process. "Wait," playfully she squinted and looked a little closer at the professional athlete in front of her, "is that really Amos de Leon in front of me? I don't even have my camera ready." Nothing more than a tease, she grinned at the tennis player. "You remember little ol' me?" / @amosdeleon

closed starter for @aparedes

location: finishing touches

Amos paid anyone, any kind of money to avoid lifting a finger in his hand. But Finishing Touches was and always wold be a regular stop in his schedule, simply because Kian owned the place. He visited often, even if it was just to pester his best friend for five minutes or to spend the whole day just talking his ear off until the other man kicked him out. Today, he'd only stopped to have lunch with Kian and on his way out, Amos had run into a familiar face that he hadn't seen in a long time. "Angelia Paredes, is that you?" He smiled widely at the sight of her. "Wow, it's been a while."

#01 › amos de leon.

[aparedes]

It was something she considered a blessing; the whole nature of being adaptable to differing personality types. Maybe it was tribute to the social childhood she'd had with both parents having worked at a resort. Or perhaps it was the brunette's immigrant status. Having to assimilate into a new culture as a teenager demanded malleability.

"The whiskey should have a nice effect by then," the artist suggested with a slight raise of her brows. It almost begged to be pointed out that the people who acted like they cared the least often cared the most.

With her tequila in front of her Angelia sipped and nodded. "I suppose in your line of work that's very true." Something the brunette knew she couldn't do. There wasn't much skill she possessed in walling away her emotions, nor did she believe she could take the mental toll either.

A stolen glance at the detective in the spot next to her, a minuscule smile edged her lips. Curiosity always killed the cat. "I'm sure nothing on the scale of what you cross on a daily basis. Just trying to find a decent auto body shop to repair my mother's car after her little— fender bender. Someone that isn't going scam on costs." / @ezekielmercer

"It's when I might think about caring." He responded, although, aware that while he sounded like he didn't give a shit. He usually did, depending on the situation, that is.

He set like stone as she sat beside him, bringing the glass of whiskey to his lips, "Every day is a rough day." He muttered, before taking a sip. "Sounds wise." He added, while he set the glass down. "Although, I am only slightly curious if you got anything worth hearing about."

#01 › ezekiel mercer.

[aparedes]

"Why— are you on the clock in an hour? Or is that when you start caring?" Technically Angelia had no problem but she had to ask anyway, if only to humor herself. Which was why a little grin formed.

Since it was the latter for her, the artist sat. There was no problem and she hadn't been coming to him anyway. All she wanted was a drink.

"Someone's had a rough day, huh? I'm not going to ask about it because then I'll start talking about mine and I don't want to do that."

She ordered tequila. It was one of those days.

LOCATION: Somewhere public

AVAILABILITY: OPEN

"If you're coming to me about some problem you have, I am off the clock, and I do not care. Check back in an hour. If you're not coming to me about some problem, and would like a shot. Then you can sit."

#01 › ezekiel mercer.

[aparedes]

— characters: angelia & matteo — setting: morales' body shop & co. — tagging: @matteomorales

Even after all these years, some quarter century after immigrating to the United States, Angelia's mother still had no confidence in driving here. Wilmington was nowhere near as bad as some of the places she'd traveled either. Yet, nine times out of ten, whenever Sonia got behind the wheel something happened.

This time it was a fender bender. Just a bump at a stoplight. From the pictures the voice actress had seen of the incident, the damage was minor. Cosmetic, mostly. Just a dent in a bumper.

When Angelia had gotten out of her car she paused and sighed as her dark eyes panned around for the familiar tall, dark, and handsome owner. Maybe she needed to think about other means of transportation for her mother?

Or maybe she just needed to be more available to assist her when needed.

It wasn't even that Sonia was too old— her reflexes were fine. She could see well, too. The woman just way too much anxiety and got frazzled too easily.

"Your favorite frequent flyer is here," the artist chimed in a sing-song tone. "I was in the area so I figured we could do the estimate face to face. Gotta make sure you're not trying to scam the pretty, dumb brunette," Angelia teased. "You'll have to look me in the eyes to do it, Matty."

#01 › matteo morales. #i hope this is okay!

[aparedes]

❝ I have this disease late at night sometimes, involving alcohol and the telephone. ❞

Age: 40

Gender identification: Cis female, she/her

Residential area: Masonboro

Occupation: Book cover artist & voice actor

Two positive traits: Independent & compassionate

Two negative traits: Hedonistic & aloof

Length of time in Wilmington: 25 years

Faceclaim: Nathalie Kelley

sunset gazing from the porch, wine drunk late night texts and calls to ghosts, paint stained fingers, always remembers your name, a wild spark that devours from within, an ipad pro and sketchbook weighing down her bag, a faint accent from a distant life, and eyes that can't hide the pain of unfulfillment

Trigger warnings: death

Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Angelia’s earliest memories are of running around the resort hotel both of her parents worked at. Her mother was a desk clerk and her father was a groundskeeper. They were a small but happy family that loved smiling and the company of each other. It was Angelia’s childhood where she remembers feeling the most love in her life. Even before she could walk her body was in motion trying to dance and wiggle around. So once she’d taken those first steps and elated her parents, Angelia was enrolled in dance class with what little money they could set aside for it. Sometimes each of her parents worked overtime and extra shifts just so that they could afford things for her, and their sacrifices and hard work has never been forgotten. Passionate, competitive, and a bit of a perfectionist, Angelia excelled in dance and began performing with a dance team all over the city. No matter how tough the schedules her parents had they always made it to her recitals and performances. Even more, they always expressed just how proud they were of her..

When Angelia was 15 there was an incident at the hotel resort and her father ended up as collateral damage in trying to intervene and deescalate a terrible situation. The sudden loss was devastating to that small, close-knit family. Angelia and her mother ended up moving not long following her father’s funeral to Wilmington, North Carolina where her mother had obtained a job transfer. There was a lot to work through when it came to immigration, but seeing as Angelia’s aunt and her mother’s sister had made the move some near 10 years earlier she helped the grieving pair through the process. The loss had tormented Angelia’s mother so much that home didn’t feel like home anymore. Without her father her mother couldn’t stay in Lima and be reminded of him everywhere. Plus, she needed to be close to her sister.

For the teenager the move was difficult. Not just because of losing her father but also due to transitioning to an American school system where her strong Peruvian accent proved to be a challenge. Angelia had always been fluent in English, she’d been raised speaking both languages, but Spanish had always been the preferred and most spoken in her household. Too often, out of habit, she would slip into Spanish when speaking. Angelia struggled in school but that led her to discover an unknown talent— she could draw and draw quite well. She began filling up notebooks of sketches and doodles, at first not really thinking anything of it, until she came across an ad placed by a local publishing company. They were looking for a book cover artist. Out of curiosity Angelia applied and interviewed, showing her notebooks full of her abilities. They tested her, gave her a book synopsis and a note from an author and told her to return it in a week with mock covers. Angelia blew the executives away with her creations and she was hired immediately. They loved her interpretations but the job didn’t pay the best and the then 20 year old had to take up work at a local bar as a waitress and then eventually a bartender.

It was tough juggling everything at times, especially since she also liked to travel and see a bit of the world, but Angelia actually really loved her life. She loved being an artist and loved the social aspect of working in a bar. Eventually her talents would be snagged by a bigger publishing house and a much better paycheck would come her way because of it. At that time Angelia came upon yet another job opportunity on a whim. Audiobooks were on the rise and the publishing firm had just begun devotinga department to that medium. After overhearing talk of needing narrators and voice actors she offered herself up despite having zero experience. How hard could it be narrating a book?

It turned out to be very tough and required a lot of patience and skill. But, like everything else, Angelia was determined to become good at it. Now, she’s sought out by authors by name. For two reasons.

#wnc.intro #introduction. #biography. #character study.

[aparedes]

#likeness.