ollie-olliebaby

[ollie-olliebaby]

Ollie hummed in agreement. Life was nothing if not on ebig dream if they really thought about it. Popping a carrot into their mouth, Ollie let their mind wander once more. "I guess I am a romantic." They admitted after a second. "But, not a romantic for the cheesy red hearts and roses kind of love."

Pulling their knees up to their chest, Ollie let a warm genuine smile split their lips. "When I think about love, I think about what my last foster dad's have. They haven't gotten out of that cupcake phase and they've been married for twenty years. They surprised each other with little things like flowers and fresh veggies from the open air market sometimes. But, it was the little at home things. Like, rubbing each others shoulders if they could tell they were stressed or, just letting the house sit in a pleasant silence and exchanging words and lost phrases with just a glance. That's what I want. To communicate, without really 'communicating' you know?"

As Tiana listed of different traits of humans, Ollie chuckled a bit. It sometimes seemed to simple when you stated it like that. Wanting to craft your own person, in a sense, and then hoping someone out there checks those boxes. "I just...I think I want someone who makes me feel truly like myself. Someone that I don't have to hide from. Someone who feels like home."

"Me? On a date? I wish, I haven't met anyone worth asking out or worth me wanting to ask out. Which I think sounds so terrible and selfish when I say it out loud. I've always liked the idea of things just happening organically, without the pretence of what society deems right as a "date"."

Tiana said, “That’s a pretty comparison, Ollie. I feel like that every time I daydream. I feel like a bird flying all the way south, then coming back north to get to work and actually earn those dreams myself.” Tiana popped a banana into her mouth and added, “It helps that I like to work. But I like to daydream, too. I really am like one of those migrating birds.”

Tiana nodded seriously at Ollie’s own daydream. They said something quite poetic, and quite moving, when Tiana really thought about it. Could there be a version of Tiana that the current, real Tiana was making happy with every day she went to work at Enchanted Rose and Third Street? Could that Tiana be laughing with her friends and family, maybe with a boyfriend beside her, and thanking the current, real Tiana for everything she was doing now?

She had to believe that that version of Tiana was somewhere in the future. She simply had to.

Tiana beamed when Ollie said that they, too, hoped Tiana’s Palace would become a glorious reality someday. And Tiana nodded at Ollie’s other dreams: their dream to meet their birth father, their dream to have a family they could call theirs…and their dream to fall in love! Tiana had had an inkling that Ollie hoped for love!

“So you’re a romantic,” Tiana said with a growing smile. “Oh, I am a romantic for the ages. What kind of person are you looking for? I bet you want someone smart, so you don’t get bored hanging out with them. And someone kind, because you’re so kind yourself. But who do I want…? To be honest, I’m not even sure about the basic details—things like ‘assertive versus supportive’, or ‘masculine versus feminine’.” She sighed. “It’s all a mess when it comes to love for me. But I’ve gotta keep my eyes open. Somewhere, at some coffee shop or new job opportunity, is the person I’ve been waiting my whole life for. How do you look for love, Ollie? You been on any good dates recently?”

#Tiana | Bunny Date

[ollie-olliebaby]

"I'll keep that in mind." Ollie murmured. They didn't completely dislike Tina, but they were still wary about them. Thier past exchanges with each other hadn't left the most sweet taste in their mouth. Looking at the offered treat, Ollie shook their head. "Oh, uh, I've been in about fifteen? Maybe sixteen." It frankly was all a bit of a blur if Ollie was going to be honest. "The men from my last one are the ones I've kept in contact with the most. And then one of my first foster mom's she still keeps in contact with me as well."

"I unfortunately can't deny a challenge," Tina admitted, wiping some cream from the side of her lip. Sometimes she could be self-aware. (Rarely, but... you know.) She offered Ollie a pastry, secretly hoping they would decline.

She stilled slightly when Ollie mentioned their foster Dad. Not a single one of her friends had had much luck with the system, and she had narrowly avoided it herself. "One of?" she asked, rather invasively, even for Tina. "How many have you had?"

#Tina | Treat Thief

[ollie-olliebaby]

poeticsuggestion :

listen, i’m soft and anxious and i’m just trying not to get hurt.

#muse

[ollie-olliebaby]

"That's like asking why the birds fly south for the winter." Ollie said with a bit of a chuckle. "It's the want for a better life. That's not to say that the life I'm currently living isn't great. But, there's a reason they do it. The birds. They go to be able to take a break. To seek the warmth of a new spot, but they always come back. Which is why pretending and dreaming only lasts for so long." Munching on a carrot, Ollie let their mind wander for a moment to their latest dream.

They had always dreamed of what their life would be like if they hadn't been in the foster system. "I believe that in some universe, dream me is living their best life. They are happy with parents that love them. Maybe a sibling or two, obviously the bunnies." Scratching behind the ears of one of them as they spoke. "I believe that I make the choices that I do now, so that the version of me in my dreams can be happy."

Again, it wasn't that Ollie wasn't happy with their life. But, there were certainly things that could be different. "But, the more realistic dreams. Those, well, I dream those because I know they will become reality one day. I dream that one day, we will sit in Tiana's Palace, eating the most delectiable food in the world. I dream that one day I'll meet my birth father. I dream one day I'll have a family of my own." Leaning in toward Tiana, Ollie smiled. "I dream that one day I'll fall in love."

Tiana had to smile at Ollie’s attitude. Whenever their ideas struck Tiana as things Tiana would also think, Tiana figured they were being a tad cheeky. That was Ollie for you.

That comment Ollie mentioned from their previous foster parent, before Elsa had adopted them… It seemed to Tiana like what a ton of men expressed to women or nonbinary folk they didn’t understand. Though Ollie’s last foster father might have meant his words nicely, Tiana wished men didn’t refer to their foster children’s opinions as “rambling” or call their ideas “confusing.”

Now Ollie was asking after Tiana. She let Doris wrest a banana chunk from her fingers and replied: “You see, Ollie, Tia the Great is very busy with her huge dream for the future. And she’s not letting ordinary Tiana take a break. Normal Tia could sleep for a day straight and then call you up to gaze at the clouds. But this working world, it can wear you down if you need things from it. I imagine the day I get that final paycheck from my cooking job and cash it in for a space downtown. When I envision my eyes, in that daydream, they’re so exhausted. My mouth isn’t even smiling. But I somehow drive home, in the daydream, and at the end of the day, I fall in bed as the owner of Tiana’s Palace.” Tiana laughed a little. “And that is my favorite daydream.”

Tiana felt moved to ask, “Why do you dream what you do? Is there something you believe in that makes your dreams beautiful?”

#Tiana | Bunny Date

[ollie-olliebaby]

"Are you the text book image of someone who plays field hockey and lacrosse?" They asked with a very genuine tone. "Honestly, those aren't the sports I would have pegged you for. I would have said like soccer or maybe some type of like, ultimate frisbee. You know it's one of the largest leagues in the entire world?" Listening intently as Fig spoke, Ollie made mental notes to remember these facts for late. Just in case they came in handy for future conversations.

"Oh the bunnies are amazing!" Scrambling a bit to find their phone, Ollie pulled it out of the fanny pack on their waist. "Here they are, Wortel, Beans and Barley." Pointing out each of them as they listed them off. "And I uh...may be adding another one to the litter. I'm just not quite sure yet."

Fig gave a boyish, friendly smirk at Ollie. They certainly were kind, and very fun to talk with. The talking type could go one of two ways for Fig, and luckily Ollie was the type that was turning the rather unfortunate situation a bit lighter.

"I know I'm a walking stereotype, but Field Hockey and Lacrosse." Fig said. "Did 'em in high school and was captain of the varsity teams then, now I'm a senior at the university and captain of both those teams there too. Used to play soccer growing up too, and did dance lessons, which I still do more casually, but Field Hockey and Lacrosse are where it's at."

"My cat's a bit of a devil too. He's pretty needy and always wants to be my baby. If he's not the center of attention he acts like he's been left out starving on the streets-from his expensive cat bed with all of his favorite toys. What are your rabbits like?"

#Fig | 0001

[ollie-olliebaby]

"To be fair. I never doubted you could do it." They pointed out. "I just didn't think you would want to." Happily sitting down on the ground, not really caring if they dirtied their dress, Ollie popped a few of the mints into their mouth. Groaning slightly in contant as the sweet confection melted on their tounge. "I haven't had these in forever, one of my foster Dad's used to make them all the time as a little pick me up." Looking at them a bit sadly for a moment, Ollie made a mental note to call them when they had the chance.

Tina, content with her her haul, was already stuffing profiteroles in her mouth as Ollie arrived. "IfoldfouIcfulddfit," Tina said, as confidently as someone with a mouth not completely full of cream and pastry. She would not elaborate or clarify further.

She did scootch over slightly, however, to allow room for Ollie and their massive dress. Finally, with the profiterole scoffed, she spoke again. "You were alright." With that, she gave Ollie the little collection of mints.

#Tina | Sweet Theif

[ollie-olliebaby]

"I've done that. I still do that sometimes." Ollie admitted. "Pretend that I'm someone different. I just call it playing pretend. I make up a story about who I am. Change my name, my attitude, even how I walk, and just for a little while I'm someone I'm not." Chewing at their bottom lip, Ollie looked up at Tiana with a bit of a cheeky grin. "You know, playing pretend isn't always bad. As long as you remember that you gotta be in the real world sometimes."

Furrowing their brow a bit, Ollie couldn't help but laugh. "I'm not that wise. At least I don't think I am. My last foster dad's always said I had a nack for rambling. That sometimes it would be the most profound things they would have heard, and then others it was just very confusing." They admitted with a giggle.

Shaking their head after a brief moment of thought, clearing the cobwebs, as they liked to say, their smile turned back to Tiana. "But enough about me, please how has life been for you? Anything new happening in the world of Tia the Great?"

Tiana beamed as Ollie played with and fed their rabbits. She made sure to memorize which rabbit had which features, and she took a banana chunk from Ollie’s container and fed it to a pleased Doris.

When Ollie spoke on what Tiana had said, about wanting a bad thing to have never happened, Tiana knew they were smarter than they let on. What Ollie described was a concept Tiana had grappled with for years after her father’s passing: pain changing who you were, eventually for the better. And Tiana had to hand it to Kelly Clarkson—the singer clearly knew that strength could be earned.

Tiana said to Ollie, “You’re wise. I could learn from you.” As the rabbits munched, Tiana thought about how to use her own pain for good. “What if I told you that I used to wish I were different? Not just different in one way, but a completely different person? I had the worst self-esteem you could imagine. It wasn’t until I came to terms with something else in my life that I realized I liked myself. So you’re right. Pain makes you who you are, and it made me proud of myself for the first time ever. I wouldn’t trade that for nothing.”

#Tiana | Bunny Date

[ollie-olliebaby]

Ollie chuckled a bit as they opened up some of the containers. "Well, they are rabbit friendly. I only really eat rabbit safe foods for snacks in my home because they tend to hop up in my lap when ever I eat. Or at the very least Beans does." Reaching out to scratch at the long floppy ears of the brown and white rabbit. "He really likes bananas." They informed Tiana, laughing a bit as the bunny in question quickly hopped their way over when they realized a treat was being held out to him.

"As for who is who, Beans is the one who loves bananas and he's brown and white. He's got a little spot just on the back of his head that's kind of in the shape of a mushroom, that's how you know who he is." Reaching out to pickup a little pure white rabbit, they pressed a quick kiss to the temple of the creature. "This is Barely. And then little orange short eared one over there is Wortel. His name is the Dutch word for carrot."

"You know, sometimes I wish it hadn't happened too. But, then at the end of the day I wouldn't be who I am now, you know?" Ollie shrugged, poping another slice of banana into their mouth. "Isn't there someone out there who said at one point that: what doesn't kill you makes you stronger? I mean it couldn't all of come from Kelly Clarkson's mind right?"

A good thing about Ollie was that they spoke from their heart. Tiana liked that about them. This was why Tiana felt sad when Ollie said they’d come close to a bad place—she knew they meant it. Tiana stared at the fruits and vegetables Ollie had unpacked from their giant picnic basket and wondered what she should say.

Could she confess that she, too, had been there? That she’d felt that despair not too long ago? No, Tiana wanted the focus to be on Ollie right now. Could she ask them to tell her more? No, Tiana wouldn’t press them that way. Could she tell them about how she felt about them?

“I wish that hadn’t happened,” Tiana started slowly. “That’s tough. But listen, I know how cool you are. How much you deserve good days instead of bad ones. And everyone needs to remember that when times are hard.”

She turned to face the bunnies. “Okay, now help me out: which of your rabbits is which? Also, which of these foods is their favorite? So we know what to start with.”

#Tiana | Bunny Date

[ollie-olliebaby]

"Oh I can assure you it is not just for the rabbits. This is as much a day for you to relax and have fun as well as them." Plopping themselves back down into the grass, Ollie reached to grab the large picnic basket they had packed. "Now, I have plenty of snacks for you and for Doris so I hope you brought your appitites."

Ollie, involuntairly, twitched a bit at the question. They couldn't pin point when they stopped liking being asked how they were. It was a harmless question if they really thought it about. Just a friend or concerned party questioning if you were okay. Asking if you were well enough to do basic functions for the remainder of that day. "Life? Funny thing life." They stated as they started unpacking little containers of various bunny friendly fruits and veggies.

"One minute you could be riding on high life being great, and then the next you're sliding close to rock bottom. But I guess it waasn't completely rock bottom, but it certainly was pretty close to it. Not that I've ever personally been there, but maybe I've been close?" Ollie had mostly recovered from the disappointment that it was meeting their birth mother. But, they hadn't seemed to have learn their lesson and were starting down the path to find their father. "It's uh...it's been interesting." Ollie finally said after a breath.

The spring air soothed Tiana as she followed the park path, bunny carrier in hand. She’d been looking forward to today all week; for whatever reason, almost all of Tiana’s pursuits had her holed up indoors. That was the cool thing about Ollie—they valued outdoor time, as most people should. Tiana was sure Doris, her lop-eared rabbit, would love the fresh air, too!

At the sound of Ollie’s voice, Tiana looked to see Ollie jumping to their feet and grinning. “Hey there, Ollie!” she called back. She lifted the bunny carrier a little, as if to show Ollie to Doris. “Thank God for this bunny playdate,” she added as she got closer. “I know this is about the rabbits and all, but I feel like the one who needs this most. Would you believe I haven’t spent more than ten minutes outside this whole week?”

Kneeling, Tiana opened up Doris’s carrier and gently removed Doris. The rabbit was about two years old, white with brown patches, and always the best part of Tiana’s morning when she got to pet her. Tiana placed Doris in the grass and found herself examining Barley, Wortel, and Beans, wondering which was which.

Suddenly, Tiana was struck with a powerful feeling of peace. She smiled and said, “I feel better than I have in days, Ollie.” Glancing over at them, she added, “How about you? How’s life been treating you lately? I want to know everything.”

[ollie-olliebaby]

This was Ollie's all time favorite thing about the spring time. The cool breezes that carried the scent of blooming flowers across the park. The sound of little woodland friends finally waking up from the winter slumbers. But the number one thing Ollie loved, was the sun. Laying out in the warm sun on some newly grown grass. It tickled that sweet spot in their brain. Even more so when they could bring their bunnies out with them. And that was exactly what they had done that afternoon. Sitting inside a fairly large fenced in circle, Ollie happily soaked up the spring rays as their rabbits hopped around them munching on the grass. At the sound of footsteps coming up the park path, Ollie's smile grew wide. "Tiana!" They called out before hopping up to their feet. "Welcome to a Bunny Playdate!"

@tianarpowell

#Tiana | Bunny Date

[ollie-olliebaby]

DARA RENEÉ in HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL, THE MUSICAL, THE SERIES

#muse #mirror

[ollie-olliebaby]

Ecusing themselves from the conversation, Ollie made a beeline out of the tent and into the garden. Eyes darting around quickly, they spotted Tina sitting under a tree. Picking up their skirts, so as not to trip, they quickly made their way over to the pixie. "Not to bad Baby Bell." They joked reaching out to grab the little bowl of mints.

Tina sucked this way and that, slinking her way between the crowd toward the deserts. She acted as unsuspiciously as possible, smiling here and there just to really sell that she was not up to anything, at all, whatsoever. She took a moments pause by the profiteroles, popping one straight in her mouth while she waited for Ollie's distraction. Someone was maybe a bit too close, until Oliie worked their charm, and that's when Tina sprang.

Well, subtly picked up the tray and butter mints, slowly backed away, and then made a run for it as best she could. (Running and chewing on a mouthful of pastry and cream was harder than it looked.) There was a very near spill as a couple twirled into her escape route, but she finally made it to a very excellent hiding place by a big sparkly tree.

#Tina | Candy Theif

[ollie-olliebaby]

Ollie had always loved going to the movies. It was always the highlight of just about every foster home they had been part of. Just a few hours of sitting the dark to imagine they were part of the movie. Even though their situation had managed to get a lot better after they had gotten adopted, they still liked to pretend. Which was what brought them to the theater that afternoon.

A large popcorn in hand, a slushee and a box of candy all set to go, Ollie started to make the short walk to their assigned theater, when a familiar voice and visage caught their eye. "Anna! Hi! Yeah I am, I got tickets to watch one of the old 60s musicals they like to run here. And yeah, I often go to the movies by myself. What are you here to see?"

Anna woke up feeling excited and happy. She had been looking forward to watching a movie with Elsa for days and had finally convinced her to come along. However, just as Anna was about to leave her house, she received a call from Elsa, who apologized for not being able to make it. Anna was disappointed, but decided to make the most of it by treating herself to a bag of buttery popcorn and watching the movie alone.

As she waited for the movie to start, Anna began to feel a bit lonely. She looked around the theater and saw that most people were with their friends or families. She wondered if there was anyone else who was also watching the same movie as her. So, she decided to strike up a conversation with a passerby who was walking by. She asked them: "Are you also watching a movie, which one is it, and are you also alone?" Although her many questions may have annoyed some people, Anna only meant well and was simply trying to make a connection with someone.

@happieststarters

#Anna | 001

[ollie-olliebaby]

Pastel summer bi moodboard 💗💜💙

#muse

[ollie-olliebaby]

Ollie's cheeks were bright pink, eyes slightly glazed and a happy giggle spilled from their lips. "Oh that one was good." They said with another chuckle. "But, I swear that can't be the best pick-up line you've had said to you...or were we trying to figure out the worst one?"

"Hey, are you a magician? 'Cause when I'm looking at you, you make everyone else disappear-," Rita grinned at them before poorly suppressing a laugh. "I'm sorry, I've had way too much pink wine." @happieststarters

#Rita |

[ollie-olliebaby]

Ollie rocked carefully on the balls of their feet, watching as Fig inspected their mini bus. "Oh those are amazing seasons too, personally, aside from snow, I really love the summer. The warm breezes, the gorgeous sunsets, all the big fluffy clouds in floating in the sky." A sort of dream like haze crossed their features as they started to recount all their favorite things about summer.

"What sports did you play? Or I guess do you play? Are you still active like that? I was never a sports person, frankly I'm just a bit too clumsy." At the mention of another animal, Ollie's eyes got brighter. "You have a kitten! Oh cats are so sweet, well at least most of the cats I've met have been sweet. I knew of this one cat, their owner called him Lucy, I swear the little thing was the devil."

Fig looked over the car. It was certainly......a car. A beautiful one, Fig thought. She had an appreciate for style, and retro had been back in for a while. Of course, Fig loved those styles regardless of if they were "in" or not.

The battery nearly looked like it was also from the 1960s, however, despite the fact that realistically it could not have been too too old.

"Not usually a fan of snow, specially not driving in it. Or being stuck out in it. Big fall and spring person. Those are when my sports seasons are, and nothing beats the classic shorts and a hoodie."

Fig kept working on the car.

"Oh word? Rabbits are dope." Fig said. "I have a kitten."

#Fig | 001

[ollie-olliebaby]

thee people’s princess. that is MY sharpay evans. 🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼🫶🏼

#muse