VV - Tumblr Posts

I think the videos from this era (particularly the video for the title track) have been a step up from a lot of HIM’s music videos.

favourite music videos (21/?)

–dance the neon noir with me

NEON NOIR – VV [x] NEON NOIR (2023)

I have been so absent from tumblr! In my defense, I just got home from a whirlwind almost two weeks in Finland, where I initially traveled to fulfill a long-held dream of mine to see Ville Valo perform at Tavastia on New Year’s.

On that note, I present to you The Finland Chronicles Part 1: New Year’s Eve

Scoping out the area the day before we queued up.

Looking back, I really don’t know how we were in line for as long as we were in those temperatures, even with food and bathroom breaks, and the occasional escape into Kamppi station (right across the street) when the cold got to be too much. But I couldn’t have asked for better people to queue up with and look, we even met Sampo and Juho, who were as sweet as could be.

Had a nice time hanging out once we were inside the club (despite the occasional belligerent in the crowd). Mandatory pics of the famous ceiling Heartagram and hey, what’s that on my ring finger?

One of the ways Ville has most impacted me outside of his own music, has been his impeccable taste and willingness to dispense valuable knowledge to us all. Zetra is one of those discoveries. I first heard their cover of “Beauty Has Her Way” at the Lisbon show in February 2023, as part of a playlist Ville compiled in the break between Kælan Mikla’s set and his, and it made me feel like my soul was leaving my body (and now it's my blog's header, haha). So getting to see them live almost a year after the fact felt like a full circle moment. After the Tavastia show, I’d have to say my current favorite song by them is “Float.”

Then the owner of Tavastia gave a very emotional speech (someone in the crowd told us he is retiring this year) counted down to 2024 with us, and sprayed the audience with champagne. Followed by The Man, The Myth, The Legend. There’s really not too much I can say, other than the usual. Ville and the band were perfect that night, they gave us two encores, and we got to hear Gone With The Sin and Killing Loneliness live once more (due to Tumblr’s limits on videos I had a difficult choice to make, so here’s a snippet of Killing Loneliness).

And then, just like that, the show and the year of Neon Noir were over. My voice was already going when I got to Finland, but I happily sacrificed what was left of it at the altar of Tavastia. I realize how immensely lucky I am for scoring tickets to a gig like this, which I know is a dream for so many. Here’s to hoping the tradition continues (it’s been more than hinted that it will) and thank you Ville for starting and ending the year with us 🩷

Stay tuned for more.

I arrived late in Helsinki on the 5th of January. During the last leg of my 11 hour bus ride I remembered that January 6th is a public holiday in many countries; it is not in Portugal, while it is for our neighbors Spain, so it really varies from place to place and is never a date that's at the forefront of my mind. Nevertheless, my flight back home was on the 7th so I decided to check and sure enough, the 6th is a public holiday in Finland. Since my number one mission during my last days in Helsinki was to visit Aikuisten Lelukauppa, Kari Valo's famous shop, I DM'd their instagram account asking whether it would be open the next day.

Thus began the saga that leads us to the concluding chapter of our story, The Finland Chronicles Part 3: Aikuisten Lelukauppa Oy, and Finland Moi Moi

I got a response from the person who runs the shop’s instagram account the next morning, while I was getting ready, saying that they weren’t sure whether Kari would be coming in. I decided to risk it anyway and headed over there, only to find that, alas, the shop was indeed closed.

Feeling a bit deflated, I decided to just walk into the restaurant next door and the events that unfolded upon me stepping inside were heartwarming. The place was a very small and simple Thai restaurant, run by just one man, who I at the time assumed was Finnish. I made casual conversation with him and informed him of what had just happened, to which he replied that he had seen Kari lock up not long ago and head to the cafe down the road…so I had just missed him! I proceeded to order food, since I hadn’t really had breakfast, and he made me a dish of fried salmon, rice, and pickled vegetables. It was delicious, and I'm pretty sure the blurry corner in the picture above is from my lens fogging up with how hot it was.

After bringing me the food, this sweet man proceeded to turn the entire restaurant upside down looking for Kari's phone number, which he had written down on a slip of paper; he did in fact have a smartphone but informed me he didn't have time to be saving people's numbers in it, dontcha know. 😂 He said there was a possibility Kari could come back but it wasn't looking likely. Eventually, a girl who worked at the café next door came over, since she helps write the signs and menus for the restaurant due to her impeccable calligraphy, and gave him the number. He dialed it, hit call and a few seconds later we heard a voice identical to Ville’s say (I assume), "Kari Valo speaking." The restaurant owner explained that someone had come *all* the way from Portugal just to see him and handed me the phone. So I got to talk to Kari a bit. He told me he'd locked up for the day and asked me why I hadn't come earlier, and when I said I was considering extending my trip a bit he responded, "I'll be waiting for you every day." Ville wasn't kidding when he said he got his verbal acrobatics from his dad, huh. Sidenote: I thought I'd headed out pretty early, all things considered, but now you know, the early bird gets the Kari, especially if it’s a public holiday.

Heartened, I hung up and got on my own phone to make the arrangements to extend my trip, intending to return to the shop without fail on Monday the 8th. A part of me felt a little silly, but that was overridden by the feeling that my time in Finland wouldn’t really have been complete without a visit to Aikuisten Lelukauppa. Luckily, it was pretty cheap and dealing with that left me with time to relax, enjoy the rest of my meal, and talk to the man who had gone out of his way to make sure I got to speak to Kari. It turned out his name was Pedro, he was originally from Spain but had been living in Finland for 45 years, and had learned to cook Thai food from his second wife. Upon finding out he was from Spain, the conversation promptly switched from English to Portuñol, and he told me all about his family over Thai coffee after I'd finished my meal. I left the place after some time, feeling warm and fuzzy at the fact that complete strangers had gone above and beyond for me, but not before laughing at the fact that as quickly as Pedro had reobtained Kari's number, he then proceeded to lose it for a second time and was once again turning the place upside down looking for it as I headed out the door.

In all seriousness, if you're planning on including Aikuisten Lelukauppa in your Helsinki itinerary, consider stopping by Pedro's place as well. It's literally right next door, so it's impossible to miss, the food is great, and the hospitality, well...if you've read this far then you've probably figured out it's second to none.

Afterwards I took the time to explore the city a little more and went to see Helsinki Cathedral and check out the other sights around Senate Square. Extending my trip also allowed me shop more leisurely for family and friends before heading home for the evening.

Sunday was a day dedicated to doing absolutely nothing, which I felt I had earned, and fun fact: my Airbnb hosts were the proud owners of eleven (11!) cats, including the four kittens pictured above. All this while having a spotless home with almost exclusively white furniture. Why would you want to leave the house? I only realized long after the fact that I could have used my Sunday to take the ferry from Finland to Estonia and spend the day in Tallinn's old town, but I think the fact that it didn't even cross my mind just shows it wasn't meant to be. You can't fit everything in on one trip and you have to stop to rest at some point. All in all, a Sunday well spent.

Then the fateful day arrived! I got up, got ready, headed out the door, and took the bus to the stop nearest to the street where Aikuisten Lelukauppa is located. In the few minutes left where I was walking up to the shop, my heart started pounding and I was pretty sure I was gonna act completely starstruck but...it was fine. More than fine. There was only one other customer there when I walked in, and they left almost the minute I entered. I said hello and told Kari that I was the person he'd spoken to on the phone the other day, and he apologetically explained that he'd had responsibilities other than the shop to attend to that day which resulted in him leaving early. What followed was me getting almost 2 hours of his time just chatting, as it had been over a week since Helldone and there weren't many fans flocking to the shop. He truly is a gem of a person, he seemed more than happy (and I hope he truly was!) to discuss his interest in cars, the movie Taxi Driver, how he acquired a lot of the memorabilia around the shop, how he got involved in this particular line of work, the state of taxi drivers these days (NOT good, he’ll have you know!), some of the shows he'd seen on the Neon Noir tour, and asked me about myself as well. Thanks to Kari I learned about Aki Kaurismäki, a Finnish director who has lived in Portugal for over 30 years, and now have some new films on my to-watch list. He also provided me with some tips for things to do around the city, including enthusiastically telling me I should go swimming (eherm, maybe next time) and to visit Temppeliaukion kirkko, a Lutheran church that was excavated directly from solid rock.

I would be remiss not to point out a significant moment in my visit. Kari received quite a few phone calls while we were chatting, and most of the time the phone ringing would prompt him to cry out, "Perkele!" One of the calls, however, he simply answered without any fuss. I could hear a man's voice but since the conversation was in Finnish, I distracted myself with my phone. Once he'd hung up, Kari turned to me and asked, "Do you know who that was?" to which I replied, "Who?" and he exclaimed, "Ville!" then burst out laughing and grabbed my shoulders as my jaw dropped. Then he told me that Ville had called to ask a question about Kari's car (the famous Checker Taxi, I believe) and implied it was being used for some sort of project? We shall have to wait and see. It was a very cool moment anyhow. I got a photo with him as well and asked him to sign my Neon Noir CD booklet, which he decorated with his famous doodles and catchphrases, most notably "Kari Valo, Boy's Father."

A visit to Aikuisten Lelukauppa naturally demands that you buy some merch so I bought a new tshirt for myself with the alternative design (as a friend had gotten me the more well-known version during her visit a few months prior), merch for friends, and stickers, but also left armed with several Finland/Helsinki guides that Kari provided me with, and a map where he wrote down the name of the rock church. Cutest of all, he just up and gave me some vintage Moomins stamps, which I will cherish forever. After all this, I said I’d be heading out as I did not want to take up any more of Kari’s time but it was a highly memorable first visit, and while I seriously doubt he will ever come across this post I nevertheless feel like I have to express my gratitude to him for his time, his ear, and his generosity. Kiitos paljon Kari! ❤️

.

This was the rest of my afternoon: a visit to the famous Cafe Regatta, which was very cozy, following Kari's advice and visiting the beautiful, peaceful Temppeliaukio Church, and finishing my visit off with an early dinner at a traditional Finnish restaurant, where I had the piniest tasting G and T of my life (I love the smell of pines, not so sure how I feel about drinking them). Couldn't have asked for a better last day in Finland.

The next morning I had to be up at 5 to catch a flight to Frankfurt and then Lisbon, but the discomfort of a super early flight paled in comparison to the happy, floaty feeling of discovering a new place to love and come back to. Thank you so much Finland, you were a dream! I hope to come back sooner rather than later and potentially write another Finland Chronicles, maybe in warmer temperatures! Moi moi for now, though!

And to finish this off, here's a little Aikuisten Lelukauppa haul with all the things I mentioned above, as well as a small Helsinki/Helldone haul, since I didn't think to do one for the very first instalment of this series. It includes a VVgram beanie, an eyebrow pencil and two eyeliners from Finnish brand Lumene (conspicuously absent was their Nordic Noir range, I wonder if Ville bought it all up lmao), and face wipes. Yes, face wipes, because they saved me multiple times when the snow settling then melting on my eyelashes would cause my mascara to melt and smudge all around my eyes. Pro-tip ladies: have some wipes in your bag when experiencing Finnish winter, or just snowy winters in general. Or maybe just wear a more resistant mascara than the one I use.

Thanks to anyone who read through these posts, and apologies for how much longer they got with each update. Nevertheless, I hope it was an enjoyable read and maybe even useful to those of you considering visiting Finland. Much love and here's to hoping 2024 brings many more adventures! 💙🤍

Fuck it, here’s a solo post of my pic with Kari. Because it deserves one 😼

I’ve been depriving people. When I saw Ville performing Killing Loneliness at Helldone I made the original video shorter to make it more insta-friendly and saved it as a new video. That’s the version I’ve been running with and used in my Helldone post, until I was reminded that I have the uncut original while scrolling through my camera roll this past weekend . So here’s the intro, entire first verse, and chorus of Killing Loneliness in all its majesty.

My view did get slightly obstructed at certain points because it was packed in there…but I hope everyone enjoys 🩷

A little something I shared on instagram almost two weeks ago that I figured I should finally share here, albeit slightly modified since tumblr allows us to post more pics. I was very fortunate to have been able to see Ville perform on the Neon Noir Tour 5 different times, so here are some moments from all of those concerts, plus a little ode to the end of the tour. 💕

So it’s now been a little over a week since the end of the Neon Noir tour, and while this may be a topic I’ve beaten to death on my socials, it wouldn’t feel like a proper goodbye without one last post. HIM and Ville have been a part of my life since I was 12 (a few weeks shy of 13) and even while there was a period of years in my twenties where I was less involved with all things relating to that universe, the mark Ville’s music leaves on you is like a first love; indelible, and in many cases, you have no choice but to return“home.” ⁣ ⁣ The pandemic was a turning point in me delving back into that world, and shortly thereafter Ville came out of hiding to announce a new project and world tour. It felt like fate. And more so due to the fact that at a certain point in the tour, I was grappling with some things after being deeply disappointed by someone I thought cared about me. Being able to meet so many people through the fandom and the tour, people I laughed with, vented to, weathered sub-zero temperatures with, who gave me rides home, really gave me some perspective at a time where I was questioning a lot of things about myself. And the times I traveled to see Ville also gave me the opportunity to see places I’d dreamed of for years and subsequently meet even more special people outside of the HIMverse. ⁣I really truly love you all, even if I couldn’t include everyone here, and you have no idea how much you’ve done for me. ⁣ And that’s what it really comes down to, and part of why I continue to have this strong emotional attachment to Ville and his music, especially in the “second act” of my time as a fan. Maybe it didn’t need to be him, but in this case it was, to impart that lesson to me: there will always be friends, old and new, places and things to discover, and most of all: there will always be music. So until we meet again, Ville. Don’t be too long. ⁣ ⁣ Forever Villin’ Time 🖤

When there is mass panic in the Zetra realm over shipping delays and like clockwork the VV store swoops in like “Zetra album didn’t ship? How about another shirt to dry your tears?”

Or in this case another album/vinyl, to add to the irony of it all.

Are you ready to hear about my stories? Bc I'm about to start gushing about them. Info dump beneath the "read more".

Ok, like I said in the re-introduction, this will be an ongoing series of action/thriller romance stories. It'll start off m/f, but I'm willing to branch into other pairings if there's interest (I'm either bi or pan, myself, so I don't mind, I'm just trying to figure out what my audience is into and m/f is a good place to start).

I consider these stories dark, but not "dark romance" dark, if that makes sense. Think... Soft yandere - her health and happiness is always his highest priority, and he's happy to destroy anything that might get in the way of either of those. Lots of stalking, invasion of privacy, making decisions about her life without consulting her, but no violence towards her and little, if any, kidnapping of her. Plenty of violence regarding anyone deemed a threat to her, though.

For those who didn't catch the re-introduction, a small percentage of the world's population has superpowers. Think One Piece-style: if you have a power, you only get the one and it's up to you how you use it. No one else has your exact power, but it doesn't mean they can't do some of the things you can do (for example, flying bc you can control your personal gravity, vs flying bc you can control your personal density).

In the USA, the government says you must register your powers if you want to be able to use them legally. If you do this, you're called a sanctioned and everything's good. If you don't do this (no matter the reasoning), you're labeled "non-sanctioned", classified a criminal (if they catch you), and face imprisonment or worse if they catch you using your powers. Anyone with no powers is called a civilian.

All my male leads will be non-sanctioned. Some will be criminals/villains and others will be vigilantes - expect a lot of grey morality with some genuine evil thrown in sometimes, just to keep things fresh. All of my female leads will be either sanctioned or civilian. (Obviously, this set up will change if I start branching out of the m/f dynamic).

My city that I'll set everything in is San Padua! Definitely not based on San Antonio, TX, I don't know where you would even get the idea to ask that, how oddly specific and random! I take creative liberties often, but I'm trying to keep the details organized as I create them to minimize confusion and loop holes later.

My criminal underworld is going to be more similar to the John Wick stuff than it will be to anything in the DC or MCU and it's growing slowly as I get ideas for different couples. There's not so much a Justice League or Avengers group, as there is a Sanctioned Supers Division of San Padua's police department.

I'm excited because it's starting to feel real - like a place I could actually go to myself, so please feel free to ask questions! And it's ok to call me out if I give conflicting info! I'm serious about making this as realistic as I can, so staying consistent with what I've already established is important to me.

MASTER LIST

The point of this list is to help folks find whatever aspect of my stuff that they like, but faster (bc sometimes we don't have the time to doom scroll forever to find that one scene you want to show your friend).

Villains & Vigilantes

Assorted

First ramble (soft yandere romances in a One Piece meets John Wick setting)

Opposite genre (wtf is the opposite of romance?)

Commercial break (for the series, bc I wasn't thinking)

Characters

Antagonists

Viper (this corpsefucker, right here), (more details)

Mains

Mia (main details)

Nico (main details)

Cora (main details), (speech patterns)

Diesel (main details), (speech patterns)

Supports

The Edge (Dana), (Buck)

Marek (main details), (speech patterns)

Jai (main details), (friendship dynamics), (speech patterns)

Lore

Settings

San Padua (legit side), (criminal underworld)

The Edge

Stories

Mia's Arrival (exploratory, learning Mia's voice)

Timelines

Fan Fiction

MCU

Overwatch

Website Shenanigans

Best practices

Copy (words for website)

Site specific

And so on...

Asks

The Golden Comet (from months ago, I cry pardon)

Updates

Reintroduction

No sacrificing of toddlers to the old gods

Bc none of my hooligans told me not to

Writeblr Things

Emotions don't want to logic

So many details to share

How to find player characters

Intimidating myself

Hacks for being social when you forget how

I am weak

I'll try to add to this every time I add a post, but consistency is troublesome, so please be patient.

Villains & Vigilantes is an action/thriller, romance series! I think it technically counts as a fantasy series, if we're looking at actual pre-established romance sub-categories??? Like, urban fantasy? I'm not sure - Superpowered Romance is not it's own subcategory (yet), but I'm working on it. Mostly, I'm addicted to the idea of being in love with a dangerous person who's so gentle with you/me/the mc, while also being more than willing to destroy whole worlds to keep you/me/the mc happy and healthy.

Opposite genre... that's tricky. Opposite of superpowered would be... contemporary? Like, normal and mundane, everyday life, right? And opposite of action/thriller would be... slice of life? Maybe? And opposite of romance would be... not romance? So, if V&V were suddenly Opposited, it would look something like:

Contemporary (ie, no superpowers)

Slice of life (ie, not action/thriller)

... Not romance? (wtf would qualify as "not romance" genre?)

Oh! So maybe it would be about a community of individuals who navigate various non-romantic relationships, each book focusing on the everyday lives of a single character or two at a time? It sounds fun and cozy, but definitely not my style to write (consistently, anyway)

Let's learn a bit more about your story. Let's learn a bit more about your story is NOT.

Share the genre of your story here. Tell everyone why you picked that genre. What part makes you most excited?

Then take a moment and think about what your story would look like if it was the complete OPPOSITE genre, and share a few thoughts about it!

OMG, so now we're going to talk about Viper. (this corpsefucker right here)

So, the first story I'm writing is (planned to be) a little 40k word novella about Mia (no powers) and Nico (echolocation). Mia has been on the run from Viper for nearly a decade now (our girl is resourceful af!).

Viper is bad news. He's the chief enforcer for the Fayetteville, NC, crime syndicate (no hate, it's just that my husband lived there for a while before we met, so if I have questions about the location, I can ask him) and he's known for his cruel and ruthless tactics. He has no super powers of his own, but will often lead teams of non-sanctioned supers, which is pretty impressive in the underworld.

Mia's parents owed the Fayetteville syndicate big time, and ended up promising Mia to the syndicate to help pay off their debt. Mia caught word of this right before she was "collected" and thus started her life on the run. Viper took this as a personal insult, of course, and has been obsessively hunting for Songbird (his "affectionate" nickname for Mia) ever since. Word is that he'll pay really well for accurate information that will help him track his Songbird down.

Let’s take a moment and talk about the villain in your story! Is it a person? An obstacle that needs to be overcome? A big fat CLOSING SOON sign on the front of your favorite video store?

Tobias "Viper" Maretti

Backstory:

Tobias Maretti grew up on the rough streets of Fayetteville, and became involved in the city's powerful crime syndicate at a young age. With a natural talent for cruelty and viciousness, he rapidly rose through the ranks, earning the nickname "Viper" for his venomous tactics and ruthless ability to eliminate any opposition.

At 42 years old, Viper is now the syndicate's most feared enforcer, tasked with handling their most difficult jobs and retrieving high-value targets. He takes a sadistic pleasure in hunting down those who have crossed the syndicate, relishing the opportunity to make them suffer.

When Mia's parents failed to pay back their gambling debt, the syndicate leader ordered Viper to take their daughter as collateral. However, Mia managed to escape before he could apprehend her. This infuriated Viper, who sees her act of defiance as a personal insult to his prowess.

As Viper searches for Mia, he refers to her as Songbird. His search is quiet and subtle, but he does offer a significant reward for accurate information about her.

For years, he patiently followed her trail, expanding his network and influence until he could pick up any crumb of knowledge about her, no matter how small. Recently, he uncovered a lead on her whereabouts in San Padua, Texas, and has been dispatched to retrieve her at all costs. Not only is it a matter of pride for both himself and the Fayetteville syndicate, but Viper also intends to make an example out of Mia to reinforce the syndicate's unforgiving stance on disloyalty.

Personality:

Viper is an obsessive and vicious man who revels in inflicting pain and suffering. He is cunning, patient, and views his targets as nothing more than prey to be toyed with before the kill. Arrogant and cruel, he believes himself to be untouchable and unstoppable.

In contrast to his brutal nature, Viper maintains an outward appearance of refinement - always impeccably dressed in fine suits with slicked-back hair and a bemused smile. This superficial charm adds an unsettling element, as it's never clear when his façade will slip to reveal the monster lurking beneath.

While not a super himself, Viper employs a small team of non-sanctioned mercenaries with various abilities to augment his ruthless tactics. He is an expert at exploiting others' powers for his own gain through manipulation, coercion or brute force. His crew's fear of crossing him is only eclipsed by the thrill they get from the vicious jobs he assigns.

With each new assignment, Viper seeks to outdo himself, making his revenge on Mia a priority that will surely live up to his blood-soaked reputation. Her continued evasion has become an obsession that he will stop at nothing to resolve, no matter how many bodies he has to leave in his wake.

Physical Description:

Viper is a study in contrasts - outwardly impeccably dressed in bespoke suits with slicked-back silver hair, but his cold, lifeless eyes hint at the vicious monster lurking underneath. At 6 feet tall and solidly built, he moves with a deliberate, coiled menace like a serpent about to strike its prey. Viper's ageless face is locked in a perpetual bemused smirk that's more unsettling than comforting.

Mia Brooks

(Sleepsong by Bastille)

Mia is a young woman, about 29 years old, with no superpowers. She has lived in San Padua for about six months when "Mia's Echo" begins, working as a bartender at The Edge, a run-down dive bar in the Old Quarter.

Her appearance is striking but understated. She has olive skin, a light dusting of freckles across her nose and cheekbones, and dark mahogany hair that falls in waves past her shoulders, which is kept tied back while she's working.

Physically, Mia stands at 5'6" and is lean and toned from years of hard work and constant motion. She fidgets subtly when she's still and moves with a quiet determination, her gait purposeful but unobtrusive. She carries herself with a quiet, weary grace, and her posture is often slightly hunched as if ready to duck into the shadows. Her amber-brown eyes are alert and calculating, constantly scanning her surroundings. The dark circles underneath them hint at years of interrupted sleep and constant vigilance. Her hands are slightly rough, with short, clean nails, and littered with faded scars from rough living.

Mia's face bears the soft lines of youth, but her eyes tell a story of hardship and wariness. There's an underlying attractiveness to her features, and yet she's adept at blending into the background, at not drawing attention to herself. Her clothing is practical and unremarkable, chosen for durability and ease of movement rather than style.

Emotionally, Mia is guarded and keeps people at arm's length. She struggles to form deep connections with others, fearing that letting anyone get too close could lead to heartbreak or danger. Years of being on the run have made her incredibly resourceful and quick to adapt to new situations, but they've also left her constantly looking over her shoulder and given her a fear of staying in one place for too long.

Mia lives in a sparse, unfurnished efficiency apartment near The Edge. Her living space reflects her readiness to flee at a moment's notice - she sleeps on an inflatable mattress, keeps her clothing and personal items neatly stacked on the ground, and has a backpack always at hand, packed with necessities. Her food supply is minimal and consists mostly of items requiring little preparation.

To avoid drawing attention to herself, Mia strives to be the perfect employee, often taking on extra shifts or tasks to please her bosses. She carries unresolved guilt about leaving her parents behind, even though she had to for her survival, and has a cynical worldview, always expecting the worst from people and situations. Despite her hardened exterior, Mia has a soft spot for those who are struggling or downtrodden. She also has a hidden love of singing, which she only allows herself to indulge in when she's sure she's alone. She often unconsciously hums to herself when she's stressed as a way to self-soothe. This talent becomes a pivotal element in the story, as it first draws Nico's attention to her.

Mia grew up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, where her parents' chronic gambling addiction brought her into contact with the city's powerful crime syndicate at an early age. Her mother was a beautiful woman who fell into a spiral of depression and alcohol abuse after a difficult childbirth. Her father worked multiple jobs, but could never resist the siren call of the underground card rooms and racetracks run by the syndicate's associates. As Mia grew older, she took on more and more responsibility caring for herself and her parents' home, watching her childhood slip away. The syndicate frequently sent thugs to collect on her father's mounting debts through intimidation and violence. As her 19th birthday neared, Mia's parents made a desperate deal - she would become collateral, forced to work for the syndicate until their debt was repaid through her labor. Mia spent months planning an escape, realizing her parents were too enslaved by their vices to ever break free. On her 19th birthday, she slipped out in the dead of night with little more than the clothes on her back. For years, she drifted across the country, taking odd jobs and constantly looking over her shoulder, the nightmares about being dragged back to that life always looming over her. Finally, she found herself bartending at The Edge in San Padua's Old Quarter six months ago.

Mia's biggest regret about her life on the run is losing touch with Emma Tanner, her childhood best friend. Emma's life wasn't easy either, with a single mother who worked too many jobs just to keep the two of them afloat, but she was bright and cheerful, stubborn in a way that kept hope alive in Mia's heart. No matter how bleak Mia's home life became, Emma never quit believing that Mia would find a way out and make a better life for herself. Whenever the bleak realities of spending too much time on the run threaten to overwhelm Mia, she turns to her memories of Emma, finding refuge in the friend who never let her give up.

Mia's sharp observation skills mean she's aware that Nick, a newer regular at The Edge, watches her sometimes. Although she was wary when she first realized it, his calm, quiet presence and respectful demeanor have slowly won her over. She appreciates that he tips well, too. The fact that he's handsome, with sharp features and intense eyes, doesn't hurt, either.

At the beginning of "Mia's Echo," Mia's central flaw is her belief that she doesn't deserve happiness or stability and that caring for others (or letting others care for her) is dangerous. She's convinced herself that she can only rely on herself and that letting anyone get close will only lead to pain and betrayal.

At the story's start, Mia is unaware that her past is catching up with her. She's still haunted by nightmares and the fear of being found by the Fayetteville crime syndicate she escaped from nearly a decade ago. She's also oblivious to Nico's growing obsession with her, setting the stage for the dramatic events to unfold.

Nico "Echo" Silva

(The Hunter Gets Captured by the Game by Massive Attack)

Nico "Echo" Silva is a 32-year-old non-sanctioned super living on the fringes of San Padua's underworld. He's a solitary figure known for his work as a shadow operative - a man who can get things done efficiently and discreetly, no questions asked.

Nico's most defining feature is his unique power of echolocation. This ability allows him to navigate and "see" using reflected sound, creating a constant overlay of sensory information that blends with his normal vision. This power has shaped both his professional life and how he perceives and interacts with the world around him. This power is always active, providing a constant stream of sensory information, appearing as a translucent, shifting web of lines and shapes that outlines objects and people in his environment. The echolocation imagery becomes more pronounced in noisy environments, obscuring his normal vision. In busy streets or crowded places, Nico sees a chaotic, pulsing landscape of sound-generated shapes overlaying the visual world. In quiet environments, the echolocation overlay becomes subtler, allowing Nico to see the world more normally. This leads him to prefer quiet spaces and times of day when there's less ambient noise. Nico's perception is a blend of sight and sound; his unique powers no longer allow him to separate the two senses fully. Still, they compensate for this by giving him an acute awareness of his surroundings, including objects and people out of his line of sight. This is how he "feels" the space around him, even with his eyes closed. In particularly noisy environments, Nico experiences sensory overload - the cacophony of visual noise, making it difficult for him to focus or navigate. Over time, though, Nico has developed control over his power, learning to focus on specific sounds or filter out others. He refers to this as "tuning" his perception, like adjusting the dial on a radio. In his work, Nico uses his echolocation to navigate in complete darkness, detect hidden threats, or eavesdrop on conversations from afar. Nico's unique way of perceiving the world contributes to his feelings of isolation. He also perceives people differently based on their voices or the sounds they make. A person's laugh and the cadence of their speech create distinct, recognizable patterns in his echolocation overlay. These two factors help explain his attraction to Mia's voice - her singing creates beautiful and soothing patterns in his echolocation vision.

Physically, Nico is an imposing presence at 6'2" with an athletic frame honed by years of combat and survival. His olive-toned, sun-weathered skin bears the marks of his dangerous lifestyle, with various scars crisscrossing his arms and torso. His face is strikingly handsome, with sharp cheekbones and a strong jawline, though a crooked nose hints at a violent past. His chestnut brown eyes are always alert and wary, constantly scanning his surroundings. His black hair is kept short. His hands are calloused and scarred, with long, dexterous fingers equally adept at wielding a weapon or picking a lock. His movements are fluid and purposeful, every step calculated and nearly silent. Despite his attractive features, an air of danger about him tends to keep others at a distance. His default expression is guarded, bordering on grim, with a tension in his jaw and shoulders that speaks of constant vigilance.

Born to Brazilian immigrants, Nico Silva's unique echolocation abilities manifested during a traumatic household accident when he was 8 years old. During a season of heavy rains, a flash flood hit the community of South American immigrants where Nico's family lived with a powerful rush of water that destroyed both properties and lives. Nico's powers allowed him to navigate through the murky water and find an escape route, while his parents and neighbors struggled in the fast-moving currents. His ability to "see" using reflected sound undoubtedly saved his life that day, but it came at a steep cost - his parents were gravely injured and never looked at their son the same way again. As a child, Nico was shunned, called a freak, and treated as an outcast in his neighborhood. The isolation and anger bred a fierce self-reliance and combative nature that landed him in juvie repeatedly as a teenager living on the streets. It was there that he first learned how to weaponize his powers for personal gain and protection.

Before encountering Mia, Nico lived a life of detached professionalism. He prided himself on his ability to remain emotionally uninvolved in his work, viewing attachments as dangerous liabilities. His reputation in the criminal underworld was that of a reliable, efficient operative who could be trusted to get the job done without unnecessary complications.

Nico's personal life was sparse and transient. He indulged only in fleeting physical pleasures, never allowing anyone to get close enough to breach the walls he'd built around himself. His apartment, while comfortable, was more of a base of operations than a home, reflecting his nomadic and guarded lifestyle.

Despite his hardened exterior, Nico adhered to a personal code of ethics. He avoided jobs that involved harming children and had a particular distaste for those who preyed on the vulnerable. This moral compass, however subtle, set him apart from many of his peers in the criminal world.

Professionally, Nico was at the top of his game. His unique abilities made him an asset to various factions in San Padua's underworld, allowing him to choose his jobs carefully and maintain a degree of independence rare in his line of work.

However, beneath his carefully constructed facade of detachment and control, Nico carried deep-seated emotional scars. Years of isolation and the nature of his work had left him feeling disconnected from the world around him. He had long since resigned himself to a life lived in the shadows, never expecting to find any form of genuine connection or emotional fulfillment.

Nico notices Mia when he overhears her singing one night as she's cleaning up The Edge after closing. He's enchanted by her voice and quickly develops intensely obsessive and possessive feelings for her. This obsession starts three months before the start of the story.

While he would never harm her, and he considers her health and happiness his highest priority, he has become jealous and protective of her to an alarming extent. When the story begins, he's comfortable, sometimes even eager, to violently punish those he deems a threat to Mia. He hasn't revealed his feelings to Mia yet, but he has been following her, protecting her, and otherwise discreetly invading her privacy. He's also become a regular at The Edge to get closer to her, and Mia knows him as Nick when he's there. In Mia, Nico hears the tenderness and beauty he's been so starved of - a resonance that echoes into the dark crevices of his calloused heart. For the first time in a long while, he feels genuinely compelled to use his gifts for something other than self-preservation. Mia represents light in his perpetual darkness; he'll risk everything to keep her safe.

Nico's central flaw is his belief that love and connection require control and invasion of privacy. He believes the only way to keep someone safe and show love is through constant surveillance and intervention, without their knowledge or consent. This stems from his own trauma and isolation, but it's ultimately harmful and unsustainable.

San Padua, Texas

A fictional city based on San Antonio, Texas. This city exists in a world where a small fraction of the human population has superpowers. San Padua is exceptional in that it has a larger concentration of people with superpowers than many other areas of the country.

Overview

San Padua is a sprawling metropolitan city, known for its vibrant culture, diverse population, and thriving economy. However, it’s also a city where unpredictability reigns due to the presence of individuals with superpowers, often referred to as "supers."

Social Dynamics

Sanctioned Supers: 

Those who have registered their powers with the government. They are allowed to use their abilities legally and often work in law enforcement, private security, or as corporate operatives.

Public Perception: Generally viewed as protectors, though some civilians fear their power and the potential for abuse.

Corporate Roles: Many sanctioned supers work as private security or corporate operatives, often blurring the lines between public duty and private interest.

Non-Sanctioned Supers: 

Those who refuse or fail to register their powers. They are considered criminals and face arrest or worse if caught using their abilities. Many operate in the city's underworld.

Underground Communities: Many non-sanctioned supers live in close-knit groups, offering mutual protection and support.

Public Sentiment: Seen as a threat to public order by some, while others view them as freedom fighters resisting oppressive government control.

Civilians: 

Regular people without superpowers. They navigate a city where the extraordinary is commonplace and often view both sanctioned and non-sanctioned supers with a mix of awe and apprehension.

Superpower Adaptation: Civilians have developed ways to coexist with supers, including superpower insurance and emergency protocols for super-related incidents.

Community Leaders: Influential civilians often mediate between supers and the general public, advocating for safety and cooperation.

City Layout

Downtown District: 

The heart of San Padua, filled with skyscrapers, corporate headquarters, and high-end boutiques. This area is heavily patrolled and monitored to maintain order.

Skyward Plaza: The tallest skyscraper housing various corporate headquarters, including tech giants and financial firms. It's a symbol of the city's economic power.

Riverwalk Promenade: A scenic area by the river with upscale restaurants and shops, frequented by both tourists and business professionals.

Old Quarter: 

A historic part of the city with cobblestone streets, antique shops, and old architecture. It’s a popular tourist spot but also a haven for non-sanctioned supers due to its labyrinthine alleys.

Heritage Square: A central plaza surrounded by historic buildings, often hosting cultural festivals and markets.

Alchemist’s Alley: A narrow street known for its mysterious shops selling rare artifacts and potions, often frequented by both supers and curious civilians.

Catacombs: An underground network below the Old Quarter, rumored to be used by non-sanctioned supers for secret meetings.

Tech Hub: 

An area dedicated to tech companies, startups, and research facilities. It's where cutting-edge technology meets superpower research and development.

Innovation Park: A sprawling campus housing leading tech companies and startups, fostering an atmosphere of creativity and competition.

GenTech Labs: A premier research facility focused on the study and development of superpower technologies and enhancements.

Cyber Nexus: A central hub for tech enthusiasts, featuring co-working spaces, cafes, and event venues for tech meetups and hackathons.

Industrial Zone: 

Located on the outskirts, this area contains factories, warehouses, and shipping yards. It's gritty and often the scene of underground activities.

Ironworks Foundry: A massive, defunct factory repurposed by the Syndicate for illegal activities and storage.

Docklands: The bustling shipping yards where legal and illegal goods flow in and out of the city, often under the watchful eye of both law enforcement and criminals.

Scrap Town: An area filled with junkyards and makeshift settlements, often home to those who live off the grid or engage in underground dealings.

Suburbs: 

Residential areas where middle-class families live. These neighborhoods are relatively peaceful but have their own share of secrets.

Maple Grove: A serene neighborhood known for its tree-lined streets and family-friendly atmosphere.

Whispering Pines: A gated community with luxurious homes and high security, often housing influential figures and wealthy individuals.

Edgewood: A more modest, working-class neighborhood where community ties are strong, and secrets are carefully guarded.

Government and Law Enforcement

Superpower Registration Bureau (SRB): 

A government agency responsible for the registration and monitoring of supers. They conduct background checks, issue licenses, and enforce regulations.

Central Command: The nerve center for monitoring super activities, equipped with state-of-the-art technology for tracking and analyzing superpower use.

Public Relations Office: Manages the bureau’s image and communicates with the public regarding super-related incidents and regulations.

Sanctioned Supers Division (SSD): 

A special unit within the police force made up of sanctioned supers. They handle super-related crimes and conflicts.

Training Grounds: A specialized facility where sanctioned supers undergo rigorous training and simulations to hone their abilities.

Tactical Response Units: Elite teams equipped to handle high-threat situations involving rogue supers.

Surveillance Network: 

Advanced surveillance technology is deployed throughout the city, monitoring for unauthorized superpower use.

Eye of San Padua: A comprehensive network of drones and cameras providing real-time data and analytics to law enforcement agencies.

Control Centers: Strategically located throughout the city, these centers manage the flow of surveillance data and coordinate responses to super-related incidents.

Key Locations

The Registry: 

The headquarters of the SRB, a fortified building in downtown where supers must go to register their powers.

Intake Facility: Where new supers are processed, undergo background checks, and receive their licenses.

Security Wing: Houses high-risk individuals temporarily detained for unauthorized superpower use.

Sentinel Tower: 

The SSD's headquarters, located in downtown, heavily fortified and equipped with advanced surveillance and training facilities.

Armory: Stocked with advanced weaponry and gear tailored for combating rogue supers.

Interrogation Rooms: High-security rooms designed to neutralize superpowers, used for extracting information from captured non-sanctioned supers.

The Black Market: 

An illicit market located in the Industrial Zone, where non-sanctioned supers can buy and sell illegal goods, including power-enhancing substances.

Shadow Bazaar: A clandestine market where illegal goods and services are exchanged, protected by layers of security and secrecy.

Auction House: A hidden venue for bidding on rare and powerful items, often attracting the city's most notorious figures.

Important Characters

Mayor Evelyn Cortez: 

The charismatic and tough mayor of San Padua, known for her strict policies on superpower registration and public safety.

Policy Initiatives: Known for implementing strict superpower regulations and advocating for advanced surveillance measures.

Public Image: A polarizing figure admired for her leadership and criticized for her harsh stance on non-sanctioned supers.

Director Marcus Kane: 

Head of the SRB, a former superpower enforcer with a no-nonsense attitude towards non-sanctioned supers.

Background: A former elite enforcer with a reputation for being uncompromising and efficient.

Leadership Style: Demands discipline and loyalty, often seen as ruthless in his pursuit of law and order.

Detective Lila Santos: 

A top agent in the SSD, known for her strategic mind and ability to neutralize rogue supers.

Reputation: Respected for her tactical prowess and ability to outthink even the most cunning adversaries.

Personal Code: Believes in justice and often struggles with the moral ambiguities of her role in the SSD.

San Padua's Underworld

Overview

The criminal underworld of San Padua is a shadowy and intricate network where the rules of the surface world don't apply. Here, power and influence are the ultimate currencies, and the existence of superpowers adds an unpredictable element to the already volatile mix.

Key Factions

The Syndicate: 

A powerful and organized crime group that operates with military precision. They control large portions of the city's illegal activities, including arms trafficking, drug smuggling, and high-profile heists.

Leader: Victor "The Collector" Moreno, a ruthless tactician with the power to manipulate shadows, making him a master of stealth and assassination.

Operations: Engage in high-stakes heists, arms trafficking, and exert control over various criminal enterprises.

Strengths: Highly organized with a strict hierarchy and a focus on strategic, large-scale operations.

The Obsidian Circle: 

An elite group of mercenaries for hire, known for their discretion and deadly efficiency. They employ both sanctioned and non-sanctioned supers.

Leader: Zara "The Wraith" Thorne, who can phase through solid objects and become intangible, making her almost impossible to capture.

Services: Provide elite mercenaries for covert missions, often operating in legal gray areas.

Tactics: Known for their precision and ability to complete missions without leaving traces.

The Hive: 

A network of information brokers and hackers who deal in secrets. They have eyes and ears everywhere, making them invaluable for espionage and blackmail.

Leader: Cassandra "Queen Bee" Lin, who possesses telepathic abilities, allowing her to gather and disseminate information effortlessly.

Capabilities: Specialize in cyber espionage, information brokering, and digital sabotage.

Network: Extensive web of informants and hackers, capable of infiltrating nearly any system.

The Underground Market: 

A black market that deals in illegal goods, from superpower-enhancing drugs to forbidden technologies and rare artifacts.

Leader: Elias "The Broker" Castillo, a former sanctioned super with the power to enhance or suppress other supers' abilities temporarily.

Trade: Deals in superpower-enhancing drugs, forbidden technologies, and other contraband.

Influence: Acts as a central hub for the city's black market, with connections to various criminal factions.

The Vanguard: 

A rebellious faction of non-sanctioned supers fighting against government control and for the rights of supers to live freely.

Leader: Darius Blake, who can generate energy blasts and has a charismatic presence that inspires loyalty among his followers.

Mission: Fight against government oppression and advocate for super rights and freedoms.

Methods: Employ guerrilla tactics, protests, and direct actions to challenge the status quo.

Key Locations

The Sanctuary: 

A luxurious underground club that serves as neutral ground for all factions. Here, deals are brokered, alliances are formed, and a strict code of conduct is maintained.

Owner: Madeline "Maddie" Rivers, a former syndicate member with the power of precognition, making her an exceptional arbitrator and negotiator.

Rules of Engagement: Strictly neutral ground where any violence is met with severe consequences, enforced by Maddie's powerful enforcers.

Main Hall: A lavish space where supers from all factions can mingle under strict neutrality rules.

Private Rooms: Secluded areas for discreet negotiations and secret meetings, monitored to ensure no violence occurs.

VIP Lounge: Reserved for high-profile guests and leaders of the underworld factions.

The Labyrinth: 

A maze-like section of the old sewers where the Hive operates. It's filled with high-tech surveillance equipment and hidden entrances, making it nearly impossible to infiltrate without inside help.

Security Measures: Equipped with traps, surveillance devices, and safe rooms, making it a fortress for the Hive.

Meeting Halls: Secret rooms used for clandestine meetings and negotiations among information brokers.

The Boneyard: 

An abandoned industrial complex in the Industrial Zone used by the Syndicate for covert meetings, weapon storage, and as a training ground for their operatives.

Activities: Used for training new recruits, storing illicit goods, and planning operations.

Defenses: Fortified with guards and advanced security systems to prevent infiltration.

The Vault: 

The Obsidian Circle's secure headquarters, hidden beneath a seemingly innocuous warehouse. It's equipped with cutting-edge technology and fortified to withstand even the most powerful attacks.

Design: Hidden beneath an innocuous facade, the Vault is a high-tech facility with secure rooms and training areas.

Protocol: Only accessible to trusted members, with biometric security measures ensuring no unauthorized entry.

Freedom Square: 

A hidden enclave within the Old Quarter where the Vanguard meets. It's protected by a network of loyal civilians and non-sanctioned supers who share their ideals.

Protection: Guarded by a network of loyalists and non-sanctioned supers, making it a safe haven for the Vanguard.

Community Hub: A place where civilians and supers alike come together to support the Vanguard’s cause.

Economy and Operations

Black Market Deals: 

The underground market is bustling with transactions involving rare and illegal items, from superpower-enhancing drugs to exotic weapons and stolen technology.

Supply Chains: Managed by the Underground Market, ensuring a steady flow of illegal goods and services.

Clientele: Includes both criminal factions and desperate civilians seeking superpower enhancements or forbidden tech.

Information Trade: 

The Hive's information brokers sell secrets to the highest bidder, making them a crucial resource for anyone seeking an edge in the underworld.

Market Value: Secrets are highly valuable, and the Hive capitalizes on this by selling critical information to the highest bidder.

Intelligence Gathering: Constantly expanding their network of spies and informants to stay ahead of competitors.

Mercenary Contracts: 

The Obsidian Circle takes on high-risk assignments, from assassinations to corporate espionage, for substantial fees.

Scope: Ranges from high-profile assassinations to corporate espionage, with a reputation for success and discretion.

Payment: Often involves substantial fees, rare items, or favors from powerful individuals.

Revolutionary Activities: 

The Vanguard orchestrates protests, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare against government facilities and sanctioned supers to promote their cause.

Tactics: Include sabotage of government facilities, organizing protests, and direct confrontations with sanctioned supers.

Support Network: Relies on sympathetic civilians and non-sanctioned supers for resources and shelter.

Code and Ethics

The Code: 

An unspoken set of rules governs the underworld. Key tenets include respect for neutral ground (like the Sanctuary), honoring contracts, and avenging betrayal.

The Currency of Favor: 

Trust and reputation are vital. A favor owed or granted can be more valuable than money, and breaking one's word can lead to severe consequences.

Character Dynamics

Mayor Evelyn Cortez and Director Marcus Kane: 

These two powerful figures share a tense alliance, each with their own vision for the city's future. Cortez’s charisma and public-facing role often clash with Kane’s rigid enforcement tactics.

Detective Lila Santos and The Vanguard: 

Santos finds herself conflicted as she empathizes with some of the Vanguard’s ideals despite her duty to uphold the law. Her interactions with Darius Blake could add layers of personal and professional conflict.

Madeline "Maddie" Rivers and Victor "The Collector" Moreno: 

Their shared past within the Syndicate complicates their present. Maddie’s neutrality in The Sanctuary is constantly tested by The Collector’s underhanded tactics and their unresolved history.

Zara "The Wraith" Thorne and Cassandra "Queen Bee" Lin: 

These two leaders, despite their different methods, form an unlikely partnership to achieve a common goal. Their relationship can evolve from mutual distrust to a powerful alliance, blending Thorne’s physical prowess with Lin’s mental acuity.

The Edge

The Edge is a rundown dive bar in the Old Quarter of San Padua. Its flickering neon sign out front declares its name in red glowing letters, and it's definitely seen better days. Tim "Buck" Buchanan, a grizzled 56-year-old man, has owned the place for the past twenty-five years and runs it with a steady mix of apathy and minimal effort.

Inside, the atmosphere is dim and musty. The air is thick with the smell of stale beer and cigarette smoke that seems to have soaked into every surface. The bar is long and scarred, its surface bearing the marks of countless drinks, brawls, and late-night confessions. Mismatched bar stools line the counter, some wobbling precariously on uneven legs.

The floor is sticky in places, a testament to Buck's lax cleaning standards. Old posters and faded photographs line the walls, their edges curling with age and humidity. A few ancient ceiling fans spin lazily overhead, doing little to circulate the stagnant air.

In one corner, a jukebox that's probably older than most of the patrons is stocked with an eclectic mix of classic rock and country tunes. Near the back, you might find a pool table with worn felt and a set of cues that have seen better days.

The clientele is a mix of regulars who've been coming for years and the occasional newcomer drawn in by the promise of cheap drinks and anonymity. It's the kind of place where people come to forget their troubles or to hide from the world outside.

Despite its rough appearance, The Edge has a certain charm for those who appreciate a no-frills drinking establishment. It's a place where the beer is cold, the music is loud enough to drown out your thoughts, and the bartenders don't ask too many questions.

Tim "Buck" Buchanan

Tim "Buck" Buchanan is the 56-year-old apathetic owner of The Edge, a dive bar in San Padua's Old Quarter. Grizzled, unshaven, and permanently smelling of stale beer, Buck has owned the run-down bar for over 25 years.

When he was younger, Buck dreamed of owning a lively local hangout. However, years of dealing with deadbeats, drunks, and deteriorating conditions drained his enthusiasm. He now runs The Edge with a bare minimum of effort, staffing it with cheap labor and ignoring anything he deems 'not his problem. ' He lives in the rooms above the bar, making it easy for him to keep an eye on business.

Buck is crude, misogynistic, and openly discriminates against anyone he sees as an "other" - be it supers, different races, etc. He has a hair-trigger temper and isn't afraid to get verbally abusive with staff or patrons who challenge his run-down fiefdom.

This apathy means Buck mostly leaves Mia alone, though, as long as she does her job making drinks and doesn't cause trouble. He hired her because of her keep-your-head-down attitude and doesn't pry into her past. To him, bartenders are disposable labor, meant to be worked as hard as he can work them until they inevitably burn out or find another gig.

Despite his crusty demeanor, Buck has one minor soft spot - a sweet tooth for the baked goods Dana, Mia's co-worker, brings in. As long as she keeps bringing in sweets, he'll keep putting up with her antics when anyone else would be fired.

Buck's appearance reflects his personality - paunchy with greasy gray hair shaven close to help hide his bald spot. His stained band T-shirts and weather-beaten jeans reflect the apathy with which he runs The Edge. Buck's squinting eyes and the deep grooves in his leathery face reinforce the permanently sour expression he always wears.

Dana Valentine

Dana Valentine is the definition of a Valley Girl bartender - an entitled, self-absorbed 26-year-old who skates through life on her looks. With bleached blonde hair, heavy makeup, and a wardrobe that pushes the limits of The Edge's lax dress code, Dana fancies herself an influencer just biding her time until she hits it big. 

While able to mix a decent drink, Dana puts minimum effort into her bartending job, constantly distracted by her phone, vlogging, or chatting up (read: shamelessly flirting with) any male patrons who catch her eye. She has an over-inflated ego and will happily go on and on about her dreams of Instagram fame, reality TV stardom, and landing a sugar daddy. 

Dana prides herself on a "no filter" attitude, which translates to saying and doing insensitive things without a shred of self-awareness. She makes cutting remarks about Mia's appearance and reserved demeanor, leaving a trail of backhanded "just kidding" insults. Her relentless vapid chatter and obvious attempts to one-up Mia for the sake of male attention create a hostile dynamic. 

The one reason Dana hasn't been fired is her side hustle baking dopamine-laced desserts and pastries that are a surprise hit with The Edge's patrons. She's allowed to hawk her sugary wares to bring in extra income that Buck skims off the top as her "rent" for keeping her job. 

Dana represents the exact sort of self-involved, social media-obsessed person that keeps Mia's guard up and her jaded view of people intact. Their polar opposite personalities are a constant source of friction. 

At first glance, Dana appears to be a prototypical Valley Girl - bleached blonde hair, heavy eye makeup, tight crop tops, and shorts that leave little to the imagination. But a closer look reveals that her overcompensating sex appeal mask can't quite conceal the insecurity and hunger for validation in her eyes. Barely 5'3" in her towering heels, Dana's girlish, high-pitched voice and perpetual pout clash with the overinflated ego she lugs around.

I need someone to please tell me to NOT write the scenes that are of the couple that's NOT supposed to even be together, in the story I have no plot for bc it's NOT Mia's Echo, which is what I SHOULD be currently working on.

Please.

I am weak.

And "Riddick's Diesel's possessive obsession with pushing me Cora into the becoming the best, most powerful version of myself herself while building up my her confidence because he sees the true potential in me her" has my knees weak

But Thomas Shelby Marek has been best friends with me Cora since high school and cooks like nobody's business and dotes on me Cora because I'm she's the only innocent thing in his life not tainted by San Padua's criminal world and he's got a naturally dominant personality and a voice that does things (like setting all panties in the tri-state area on fire at once) when he uses it the right way, but he only uses it for the powers of good, like making sure I Cora eats regularly and gets enough sleep.

Have I mentioned that I'm weak, yet?