Open RP post for Maggie Garcia

[talesuntold]

Because we chose to tell the truth
(The cool of age, the rage of youth)
And stand against the lies of old
(The whispers soft, the tales untold)
We find ourselves the walking dead
(The loves unkept, the words unsaid)
And in the crypt of all we've known
(The broken blade, the breaking stone)
We know that we were in the right
(The coming dawn, the ending night).
So here is where we stop the lies.
The time is come. We have to Rise.

—From Dandelion Mine, the blog of Magdalene Grace Garcia, August 7, 2041.

Bring me your plots, or send a message to tricia868 if you want to talk things out first!

Comments

[talesuntold]

It was a little while before Maggie answered, though she was listed as online. She had taken the time to watch one of Dorena's reviews before replying.

Maggie grinned at the free admission of past indiscretions. Another thing she rarely saw from certain circles. "It's true. I'm so much more productive these days." She had never been quite so far gone, at least when it came to drinking, as Dorena. Maggie liked drinking well enough, but she had other vices. She still indulged in one or two of them occasionally, though she'd settled down. "I've mostly given up getting into trouble."

Maggie pursed her lips for a moment when Dorena referenced her site's standards, then realized, "Ah, you read that editorial? Georgia's a bit judgmental when it comes to conveying the news. Those of us who write porn all day don't usually throw stones. You're lovely as well as witty. Why shouldn't you use that to your advantage?"

[notawaterfall]

"Never give it up entirely. It's part of your charm. Life's rather boring without risk and trouble, isn't it?" Dorena was relieved to see Maggie came back. She'd been bracing for rejection, though that was no reflection on Maggie.

"I am, aren't I? I'll admit I've been following your column since I realized it really was you. There's some wonderfully steamy pieces I have bookmarked." She preferred some of Maggie's sappier works but that wasn't something she was prepared to share right then.

"You guys look like you have a goo setup." She wasn't campaigning for a job. Dorena was excited for Maggie to have the opportunities presented by following the Masons' breakout.

[talesuntold]

Maggie laughed softly aloud, enjoying the flattery inherent in that comment as well as the implication that Dorena remembered how to have fun. "Of course not. Be careful which teas you drink if you ever stop in for a visit. You're welcome to, by the way. One of my movie nights, if you have any interest in classic horror."

Maggie's identity was very fully confirmed once she had started uploading videos. Dorena wasn't the first to doubt her identity initially. First meetings with all of Maggie's new rescues were uploaded on a personal blog tied to the same account her writing was published from. "You are. And I'm very glad you enjoy it. I love my job." Moreover, complimenting her work was Maggie's favorite kind of praise. Her writing was her one big accomplishment entirely separate from the Garcia name, which meant people reading it were much more likely to look at Maggie rather than her parents' fortune.

"I love writing, and I like all of our Fictionals, especially Buffy. There was never any question of turning down the job when she offered." Buffy alone would have been sufficient motivation, but Maggie agreed with Dorena. She had a good setup at After the End Times.

[notawaterfall]

"Now you've done it. You've invited me and I'll have to appear. I'm like Bloody Mary that way." Dorena joked but was also testing the sincerity of the offer.

Their feelings on compliments and work were very similar. Dorena's included her scientific endeavors but her reviews were also something she'd done herself. Her own ideas, her own choices. It meant a lot to her not to just be her father's accomplished daughter.

"I've seen Buffy's work. She has a flair." Dorena gave credit where it was due. "I've tried my hand at doing some of those filming techniques on my own. Results have been mixed. Her timing is astounded."

[talesuntold]

"Good. So long as you don't mind two dozen dogs underfoot, I'll be glad to see you. I'm on the outskirts of Weed, California, and you can stay awhile if you have a long drive to get here. Most people do."

Maggie liked her house full of people as often as possible, and she had wanted Dorena there for movie night the second she watched that video. She couldn't think of many more appealing ways to spend an evening than tucked on a couch listening to a quiet stream of similar commentary throughout the night. That Dorena was beautiful was a very nice plus, but not central to Maggie's desire to see her again.

"Buffy has a flair for just about everything," was Maggie's fond answer. "She's a genius. That sense of timing is innate, not learned."

[notawaterfall]

"I admit the yappers aren't my favorite beastie but then I can't think of one that is. I'm sure they're fine company." And she would certainly be visiting at some point if only out of a horrid combination of loneliness and boredom.

"I can believe it. That's one of the things I learned doing my blog, as stunning as my intellect is, I'm not a natural at everything and sometimes there's no substitute for talent." Which was why Dorena didn't interview people. She'd known from living with Felix that a top notch mind didn't always translate into brilliance at a chosen profession. She was convinced the whole world had lost out on a brilliant mathematician when he'd died.

[talesuntold]

"I love dogs." Obviously, Maggie. "I'm too close to town to have a large one, and my father would probably have a conniption if I tried, but all of my tiny rescues at least keep the house from getting too empty in between house guests. I try not to have many of those in between periods." She got lonely too. Maggie had never been at all fond of solitude.

Well, at least Dorena doesn't have any false modesty. Maggie grins. "No one's a natural at quite everything, not even you. You seem like you know how to play to your strengths, though."

[notawaterfall]

"Why dogs, if you don't mind the question?" Why not cats or rodents or lizards? "My mother insisted we keep some of the horses but I was never allowed within twenty feet of the oat munching monstrosities."

Truthfully, Dorena would like having a snake of she were ever in a place where that wouldn't be outside her price range.

"I'm glad you think so." Dorena couldn't help but smile at that. "Sometimes I think about taking stuff down from when I was first starting but I like to think it gives people a better appreciation for how my talents have matured." Possibly a double entendre but not one Dorena was ashamed of.

[talesuntold]

"Because I'm fond of them. I appreciate the affection, and most animals don't offer it quite so freely. I like other animals well enough. I've ridden horses a couple times, but that was as big a rebellion as my party phase. My father had fits when he found out." He had never found out about some of her other indiscretions, but that one had taken place on the property of someone he knew, and people gossiped.

Maggie chuckled in quiet approval of the comment. "No sense being embarrassed by anything you've shared. Change is worth appreciating."

[notawaterfall]

"That sounds very exciting. The part with the horses. I'm not sure I've ever been near that many dogs. It should be an adventure." Dorena said, definitely planning to visit now.

"I like to think so. And new is worth celebrating. Congratulations again on your success! You earned it."

[talesuntold]

"An adventure in over-excited friendly canines. I promise they'll calm down after a minute, though you may have to discourage cuddling if you don't want any of them climbing into your lap.

"Thank you again. Let me know when you feel like stopping by, Dorena."

[notawaterfall]

Dorena pulled up to the gate. Her rental car was a decent one but the driver's seat was on the wrong side and it had taken her hours longer than intended. "Well, you called. I came at a gallop," Dorena said into the speaker.

[talesuntold]

Dinner was waiting, and Maggie had kept it hot. Warmly, she replied, "I'm so glad to hear it. Are you ready for the flood of enthusiastic dogs, or should I keep them inside while I come out to meet you? A temporary reprieve."

[notawaterfall]

"Let's get the greeting over with. The sooner that happens, the sooner they'll calm down, yes?" Dorena knew very little about dogs though she had been doing some research. "Leave them as they are."

She prepared to drive in.

[talesuntold]

"Yes," Maggie promised. She waited until she heard the car stop, then opened the house door and let all of the dogs precede her out into the yard.

She grinned, ready to scold any who actually tried to jump on Dorena, and called out softly, "There's roasted chicken in the oven, and raspberry cheesecake for dessert, so I hope you're hungry." Dairy substitutes had gotten better and better. Her cheesecake was almost indistinguishable from the ones people had made before she was born. "It's so good to see you, Dorena."

[notawaterfall]

"Oh my God." Dorena said, eyes wide at the sight of the gamboling flock of bulldogs. She carefully got out of the car and knelt on the ground, waiting for the dogs to come to her.

"Sounds delicious." She smiled at Maggie. "It's been too long."

[talesuntold]

There was no keeping the dogs from coming to Dorena unless Maggie had left them shut in the house.

"That sounds more apprehensive than some of the 'oh my god's they've prompted," she teased lightly. "No one bites, I promise. Stoker, Kitty, Toast, down."

The three dogs in question dropped back and reluctantly put all four feet on the ground. Maggie gave all the dogs a minute to settle, then told Dorena, "Stand up so I can hug you."

[notawaterfall]

"There's so many of them," Dorena said, only mildly defensive. It had been years since she'd seen so many animals in one place.

"If you must." She obediently stood and held out her arms, trying not to let it show too badly that it had been years since she'd had more than a peck on the cheek with her clothes on. When Maggie hugged her, she hugged back more tightly than her verbal response would have suggested.

[talesuntold]

"Most people would say there are too many," Maggie agreed cheerfully. "I have enough space here, though, and the time to care for them, given I work from home."

She'd always been good at feeling out what people needed, and when Dorena's arms tightened around her, Maggie instinctively held on. She didn't cling quite so hard, but her grip was solid and the hug was anything but cursory. Maggie would pull back slowly as soon as Dorena showed signs of letting go. Not before.

[notawaterfall]

"It's just a lot." Dorena said, waving it away. "I'll likely get used to it Except maybe the slobber. That is so difficult to get out of clothes."

She let go in fairly short order, very aware of social boundaries. Living in a world where forceful or odd gestures could be misinterpreted as amplification, made her wary about crossing them. Still, she smiled, as she stepped back. "Well, if this is the outside, I can hardly wait for the inside." She was trying to skip past any potential awkwardness, assuming her hug spoke for her enthusiasm for seeing Maggie.

[talesuntold]

"My house has excellent laundry. I'm sure they'll survive, and I'll replace them if they don't." But really, Maggie's clothes are all in one piece. If slobber were enough to ruin them, she would have nothing left to wear.

Maggie has fewer social boundaries in that respect than most people from her generation. She'll be alert for small signs of discomfort, but she likes physical contact, and she does touch her friends. "Come on, then, before dinner gets cold."

[notawaterfall]

"Oh good. My clothing budget is somewhat more limited than it used to be." Meant mostly about Maggie having good laundry but the offer for replacements was very appreciated.

Dorena would take a few days to adjust and then she'd be a cuddle bug or at least more cuddly than average. She followed Maggie cheerfully. "Anyone else here, or....?"

[talesuntold]

"I only touch the interest from my trust fund, but that should cover a few things, even if the house laundry didn't take care of it." She does make most of her day to day living off of her writing now, which is... nice. It feels gratifyingly earned in a way that her parents' money doesn't. Maggie still allows herself some luxuries, though.

She shakes your head. "Just you. Everyone has finally finished trickling out from last week's movie night." It did take a week for the last straggler or two to leave, which is exactly how Maggie likes things.

[notawaterfall]

"More than fine." Dorena waved a hand. She probably wouldn't need anything if Maggie's laundry were that good.

"I'll keep you company, then. I'm told I can be quite entertaining when I put my mind to it." She gave Maggie a cheeky grin.

[talesuntold]

"I'll feed you in exchange for the entertainment," Maggie promised, grinning back. "I can always use more of that, and you're creative enough that I'm sure it will be interesting. It gets so quiet here without company."

She beckoned Dorena after her, into the house, which smelled like the promised dinner.