InsaneJournal

Who: Padme and Caroline
What: Bonding over event planning and their love of shopping
Where: A workshop on flower arrangements
When: Late February
Ratings/warnings: None
Status: Complete


Tyler finally turned his humanity back on. Caroline no longer had to worry about her ex-boyfriend going around killing innocent people. Now she just had to live with the knowledge of all that he had done. She could never look at him the same way again. As much as she still loved him, she would not allow herself to be with him. Not just because of what he had done to others, but what he had put her through as well. Caroline couldn’t go through any of that again.

The blonde had been focussing on her work. Taking on more events than she really had the time for. Attending networking events, workshops and conferences. It kept her busy and more importantly it kept her mind off Tyler. Today she was at a workshop about flower arrangements. Caroline was pretty sure she already knew how to pick out the right flower arrangements but it couldn’t hurt to learn more.

Caroline scanned the room for empty seats, she made her way over to one of the few she spotted. “Anyone sitting here?” she asked the woman sitting next to it.

Padmé didn’t often attend these things, seeing as she usually kept her hands out of the more creative pieces of her weddings. Her job was usually to take the pieces together and make it one coherent goal, so this? This was something fun to do and something a bit different.

Besides, it made her laugh that she was a queen in her Dreams, and yet here she was, learning about flower arrangements. It was just another way she was saying ‘suck it’ to her Dream self. “Go for it,” she said to the other woman, moving her chair over a little bit. With a smile, she extended her hand. “Padmé Naberrie. I own Storr Weddings.”

“Caroline Forbes,” Caroline replied reaching out to shake Padmé’s hand. “One of the event coordinators at Any Occasion.” Though she hoped one day to run her own business, right now she liked working for someone else. Not having to worry about going out and getting clients but simply being put on events for clients her company already had. Less stressful for the 24 year old still building her reputation.

“You come to a lot of these things?” she asked as they waited for the workshop to begin. Might as well make some small talk. Caroline was pretty outgoing and enjoyed making new friends wherever she went.

Padmé shook her head with a laugh. “Honestly? Not really.” And she didn’t actually know why she was there either. Maybe to expand her horizons? Or maybe because she really did think she needed to learn more about flower arrangements. “My assistant suggested it, and it fit in my schedule, so here I am.” She gazed around the room before returning her eyes to Caroline. “It also seemed like a great networking opportunity. I don’t see why we have to all be so cut-throat about clients, and trying to ‘out do’ each other. Some people are a better fit for others, and vice versa.”

“I totally agree,” Caroline replied with bright smile. “Every client needs a planner that matches their style, their personality,” she agreed. Technically that was why her boss had multiple event coordinators working for her but that still didn’t mean Caroline couldn’t be friendly with people outside the company. “Just don’t tell my boss I said that,” she added only half joking.

“Lips sealed.” Padmé pantomimed a key locking her lips and grinned. “Since it’s just me, knowing other planners helps me refer them on to someone who hopefully is a better fit. Part of me hopes that if said client DOES need someone of my type, well … here I am!”

Someone was walking by handing out papers, which Padmé took for both of them. Glancing at it, she tilted her head. “And I’m already lost. Sometimes, I worry I’m not creative enough for this business,” she confessed. “I like to take other people’s ideas and mold them into what’s needed but starting from scratch? Scary.”

“I feel the exact same way,” Caroline agreed. But again there were multiple coordinators at her company and her boss usually matched them up to the right event. However that didn’t mean Caroline couldn’t socialize with people outside the company. They all had the same passion after all.

“Oh,” Caroline said as she looked over the papers. “I love starting from scratch. Helping to pick a theme and create it. But sometimes it’s hard to find the right theme if the client isn’t sure what they want.”

“I’m lucky in the sense that my clientele are usually very particular, so they almost always have a plan. Or several plans. And sometimes more plans within those plans plus backup plans, and I have to talk them down to one central idea, or one main focus point and branch off from there. But brides are very opinionated.” Padmé let herself roll her eyes. “So opinionated. Do you do many weddings?”

“Well it is their special day.” Caroline replied only half joking. She had a feeling if she ever got married she’d be a total bridezilla, but she would also be planning the whole thing herself. However, given everything that had recently happened with Tyler marriage was an impossible idea at the moment. “A few,” Caroline replied honestly. “I do a lot of charity events. Galas and fundraisers. They can be particular but not half as bad as brides.

“I love a good charity event, but galas -- oh, they’re my favourite.” There was something about dressing up that made Padmé happy, one of the few interests she could share with her mother. “People watching is one of my favourite things to do, and the people that attend galas … you can learn a lot about someone from how they behave at one of those events.”

“Besides,” she added with a twinkle in her eye, “any excuse to buy a new pair of shoes.” Sneaking her foot out of the table, she showed off her light pastel pink slingback heels with a pointy toe. “I just got these and I love them….until the next shoe catches my eye,” she grinned.

Caroline’s eyes lit up when she saw Padme’s shoes. “Those, are gorgeous,” she practically squealed before remembering where she was. “Galas are fun to plan and to attend.” Because of course she went to every event she worked on. You kind of had to keep things running smoothly. “However not so fun for my wardrobe budget.” Granted if Caroline really wanted to she could always compel herself all the free shoes and dresses she wanted. But the blonde vampire didn’t believe in that. Everything she had she worked for fair and square.

Padme had to agree with that. “Well, if you ever want a shopping partner, I do love a good bargain. These were 50% off because they’re last year’s style but really -- do shoes ever go out of style?” There was merriment flashing in her eyes. “Sorry, I think I could go on and on about my clothes. It’s just nice to talk to someone else who gets it.”

“Seriously?” Caroline asked her eyes brightening, smile widening. “I would love that!” She was dying for a shopping buddy that loved shopping as much as she did. Of course she loved going with Elena, but it was always clear that she was having much more fun than her best friend. “What are you doing after this?”

The teacher started clearing their throat, but this was too good. “Depends on if you’re free or not,” she said, loudly whispering as the session began. “Because I have a car, a credit card, and a wedding next week if you want to go shopping.”

“I’m so in,” Caroline agreed with a large smile. Doing her best not to get too excited and talk over the teacher. She gave Padme one last smile before turning her attention to the teacher. This was turning out to be a much better day than she thought.