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[sup]⭐   [color=cc99cc][b]LOCATION[/b][/color] ⭐  [/sup] 143 Miner Street → Main Street → Caldwell Family Practice
[sup]⭐   [color=cc99cc][b]OUTFIT[/b][/color]   ⭐[url=https://celebmafia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/eiza-gonzalez-in-denim-shorts-at-kings-road-cafe-in-los-angeles-may-2014_1.jpg]comfy casual[/url] [/sup]
[sup]⭐   [color=cc99cc][b]INTERACTING WITH[/b][/color]   ⭐ [/sup] Her grandparents (NPCs), The Good Doctor [@Apoalo]; mentioned: Silvester [@Pumpkin Jackdaw] 
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[color=ccccff][indent][indent][indent]Estrella Vega was constantly reminded of reasons why she preferred the comfort of New York. Of course, the summer heat up there might’ve not been so different than it was in the south but she rarely encountered the frequent amount of blackouts as she did in the comfort of her apartment in Manhattan. There were other reasons for it but she held such bitter feelings for Pines. Did she try and focus on what she could control with those feelings? Of course she did. She always had to keep control because people were counting on her.

But those moments of control seemed to go out of the window when the blackout hit. Stella wasn’t certain if she was happy that it happened when it was still morning or if that was just another omen that would spell disaster for the day.

There was a part of Stella that wondered what the cause for the blackout was, but then she reminded herself that she didn’t have the time nor mental energy to worry about such things. Her grandparents needed her to be strong and to be focused. And perhaps, in the smallest of silver-linings, it was terribly hot outside to the point where they would be in hell without electricity. How long that would last remained to be seen,b ut Stella knew she had to throw a few prayers out there just in case the big guy upstairs was listening. Until then, it was business as usual.

Stella was up early and she was making use of the non-parishables in the pantry. She put together a simple breakfast for both her abuelo and abuela. A bowl of cereal and some fruit. Enough to fill them up. There was still cold water that was in the fridge that hadn’t gone too warm, so she made sure they had that. Of course, there were their pills too. She made sure they were all ready for them after they had breakfast. Her abuelo loved puzzles and her abuela loved to read and with enough light, they could have enough to keep them occupied.

[color=cc99cc]“I’m going into town for a bit. See exactly what is up. Silvester should still be around, so if you need anything, use that hand radio that we got for you. It’s battery-operated so you’ll be able to communicate.”[/color] Stella told them as she was putting on her shoes. [color=cc99cc]“I won’t be long, I promise.”[/color]

They both looked at her sweetly but it was Alejandro that waved her concern away. “Nieta, you worry too much. We’ll be fine. [abbr=We’ve survived worse]Nosotras hemos sobrevivido peo[/abbr].”

Stella sighed but allowed herself to laugh. [color=cc99cc]“If you say so, abuelo.”[/color] She gave him a kiss and hugged him. She did the same to her abuela who hugged her tightly, whispering “be safe, mi amor.” in her ear before Stella smiled at her and nodded.

Before emotions would take control, she was out the door. Given the heat, Stella was wearing a pair of blue denim shorts and a purple tank top. She got into her Durango and paused for a minute, letting everything out as the music of Pink blared in her SUV. She screamed and felt every emotion coming out. She may have been back for a few years but situations like today tested her resolve to just say fuck it and put her grandparents in a home. But then she reminded herself that she would rather kill herself than ever do that to them. She couldn’t stand to break their hearts or disappoint them and that was exactly why she had come back when she did.

Stella loved her family. She loved them so damned much that duty took priority over her dreams. The dreams she was just a few years away from probably realizing. She often wondered about that life and where she would’ve been by now. Maybe leading her own sitcom writer’s room. An introspective look on someone who lost all but is trying to chase their dreams and with a dramedy twist. Somewhere between Friends and This is Us.

[color=cc99cc]“Beyond the Pine Grove,”[/color] she muttered to herself quietly. That was the name she’d give it. Beyond the Pine Grove. It was paying homage to where she came from but also that she was moving past it. Leaving her home in her past and embracing a future, no matter how long she might have to wait.

Stella let herself daydream as she drove. Imagining her life while paying attention to the road. There were a decent amount of people around and out but it wasn’t entirely unsafe to drive. The police were out directing traffic and even some volunteers from the Black Dogs and other groups were lending hands to help people get from one corner to the other. She would find herself aimlessly drive for a few blocks until she reached Ellie’s practice. Part of her did want to find out what was happening, but there was another reason why she was driving out in town.

Her grandparents needed their pills refilled and she hoped it wouldn’t be [i]too[/i] busy at Ellie’s practice that she might be able to get it done aptly.

She was about a block and a half away when a thought occurred to her: [i]What if Ellie doesn’t have power?[/i] That thought immediately faded when she remembered Ellie was a doctor. She wasn’t stupid and she was bound to have a backup generator or two on hand just in case the worst did happen and this blackout was just about as worse-case scenario as life in North Carolina could get.

Easing her own mind, she parked in front of Ellie’s practice. She let out a sigh of relief when there didn’t seem to be many out and about or at least not near the practice, so she might be able to do two things she wanted to before it got terribly hot.

The door opened with a ring and Stella spotted Ellie. She was as focused as ever and that warmed her heart. And made Stella just a little jealous. Here she was freaking out internally and then Ellie was calm, collected, and focused. All of her efforts seemed attuned to her job. [color=cc99cc]“Hey, Ellie,”[/color] Stella greeted the doctor with a wave. [color=cc99cc]“You don’t seem to be too busy yet. That’s good.”[/color] Stella didn’t know Ellie well. She crossed paths with her a few times but mostly, it’s been on a doctor and patient basis. She’d been a lifesaver for her grandparents and her knowledge of the right drugs and what they needed for their pain and other ailments took a load off her and Luna’s backs. [color=cc99cc]“I can’t believe the monthly appointment of refilling these fell on today of all days.”[/color] Stella could vent right now and feel no shame, but she didn’t want to do that. Not now and not in a way that would seem selfish.
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