Love In The City Of Storms (DISCONTINUED)
The Rain
*texting in the group chat *
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Where are you??📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
walking....and trying not to get soaked📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
*pulls umbrella down over her head*📲
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
NYC rain, or your luck? 📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
both. definitely both. *sighs*📲
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
don't tell me you're gonna be late for hot chocolate AGAIN 📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
*checks watch* I'll be there. eventually 📲
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
eventually = 30 mins = drowing in your umbrella📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
Funny. Very funny. (laughs quietly)📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
(Just need to survive today...)
Elara walks past crowded streets, taxi honking, and people running. she pulls her coat tighter, watching puddles form around her shoes.
Elara Whitford (FL)
why is the city so loud today?📲
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Thought you liked NYC chaos.📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
I do... sometimes. *pauses* Sometimes it just... wears me out.📲
she ducks into a small coffee shop to escape the rain. Jasper and Mia are already there.
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Finally! I was about to send a search party
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
*teasing* Did you fight a taxi or just hug a puddle?
Elara Whitford (FL)
Almost hugged a puddle. Not my proudest moments *rolls eyes*
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
You deserve chocolate for surviving that. *slides a cup to her*
Elara Whitford (FL)
*smiles softly* Thanks. Needed this.
Meanwhile, somewhere above the city, Kael Draven sits in a glass office tower, over looking the streets. Damien enters
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
sir... the fleet street project is finalized.
Kael Draven (ML)
*cold, unreadable* good. prepare the next move❄️❄️
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
That'll affect the neighbourhood... a lot of locals.
Kael Draven (ML)
*leans back, expression unreadable* That's business. Nothing personal
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Understood.
Kael watches the street through the window. people moving, aware of the decisions that will shape their lives.
He doesn't know her yet. But his action will ripple into Elara's world eventually.
Elara Whitford (FL)
*mutters* Why is everything today... heavy?📲
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Drama queen much? 📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
*laugh softly* ...Maybe📲
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
At least you survived the rain, puddles, and chaos. That's a win.📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
*nods* True... small victories.📲
She stirs her coffee, watching raindrops hit the window. NYC is alive , busy, and indifferent. She thinks about her apartment, bills, and the endless struggle to keep going.
Elara Whitford (FL)
(I just... wish things were easier...)
* Later that night, Jasper and Elara texting each other*
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
Seriously, you need a break. you can't keep running on fumes forever. 📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
I don't have time for breaks... bills won't wait. *takes a sip of her coffee*📲
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
That's why we're here. Don't drowned alone.📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
Thanks Jas... *smiles faintly* You always know what to say.📲
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
someone has to keep your soft heart from crumbling.
Meanwhile, Kael’s influence continues silently. Decisions in his tower shape streets, rents, buildings, projects… all without anyone realizing, including Elara.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Sir, one of the neighbourhood shops might close due to rent increase.
Kael Draven (ML)
*expression cold* Let it happen. *pauses, looks at the city* Results matter, nothing else.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Yes, sir.
Elara walks home, umbrella dripping, tired but resilient. She thinks of her small victories today - coffee, friends, and surviving the rain.
Elara Whitford (FL)
(One day, maybe... things will feel lighter.)
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
You better not get hit by another puddle.📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
*laughs quietly* No promises.📲
Unseen Changes
A week later. late afternoon. Elara is working her shift at the small bookstore where she works part-time.
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
*sorting books beside her* Your quiet today.
Elara Whitford (FL)
*shrugs* Just tired. *pauses* and broke.
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
*laughs* thats called being alive in New York.
Elara Whitford (FL)
*smiles faintly* I'm basically a professional at surviving.
The bell above the door rings. Mia walks in holding iced coffee.
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
I come bearing emotional support *hands Elara a drink*
Elara Whitford (FL)
*soft smile* You're a lifesaver.
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
*teasing* We know. Also-are you guys free tonight? We need a mental detox.
Jasper Lane (FL's coworker/BFF)
Why do i feel like you're about to drag us somewhere questionable?
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Because I am. *smirks*
Meanwhile, across the city—Kael Draven’s corporate headquarters. Private top floor. Damian steps inside the office.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Fleet Street expansion reports came in.
Kael Draven (ML)
Continue.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Several local businesses are being forced to recolate.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Some of them cant afford to. There are... complaints
Kael Draven (ML)
*experession, cold, voice flat* Complaints dont concern me. Results do.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Understood.
Kael signs a contract. Another neighbourhood will change.
At evening. Elara walks home after closing the bookstore. She passes by the small café down the street—now closing permanently. A handwritten sign is taped to the door: “THANK YOU FOR EVERYTHING.”
Elara Whitford (FL)
*stops walking, frowns* They closed? Already?
She stands there for a moment, staring. That was someone’s dream… gone just like that.
Her phone buzzes - a message from Mia.
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
You alive?
Elara Whitford (FL)
Yeah. Just thinking.
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Just thinking or straing-at-a-wall thinking?
Elara Whitford (FL)
The second one.
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Knew it. I'm calling you.
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Don't "hey" me. You sound like a sad Victorian orphan again.📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
*laughs softly* im fine. Just... the café closed. It feels weird.📲
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Welcome to New York. Nothing stays. Everything changes. 📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
Thats... depressing.📲
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Thats why you have us. We're not going anywhere.📲
Elara Whitford (FL)
*smiles faintly* Promise?📲
Mia Brooks (Fl's BFF)
Promise.📲
Meanwhile, back at Kael’s office. Damian hesitates before leaving.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
Sir... Do you ever wonder what happens to the people affected by these changes?
Kael Draven (ML)
*cold stare* Weak people complain about change. Strong people adapt to it.
Damian Royce (ML's right hand)
...
Kael returns to his paperwork-emotionless.
Emotion slows people down. Attachment destroys focus. Control everything or lose everything.
Elara reaches her tiny apartment. It was raining lightly outside.
Elara Whitford (FL)
*sets her phone down, sighs* Another day survived. *soft smile*
Elara Whitford (FL)
(But something tells me... Change is coming.)
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