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rei. that one syllable nickname proved time and time again that reina was irreversibly smitten with marisol mcduffie. sure, it was what many referred to her as, particularly her family, but no one said it in the precious cadence that marisol possessed. despite wielding witchy powers, reina hadn't known in the very beginning that she'd fall so hard and so deeply for her; it was blindsighting, but not unpleasantly so—more like, she was immensely relieved to find that love was not a lost art after all. it had been too long without that kind of affection and care present in her life, and she would be eternally indebted to marisol for breathing it back into her humble existence. and even more so, she was grateful that marisol provided the same adoration towards her daughter. it'd impacted reina so greatly that she often lost herself in the thought of tulip one day being their daughter, written on a piece of paper that she would frame front and center in their cozy abode. "only the best day of the year. valentine's day," she wiggled her eyebrows playfully at her beloved roommate, peeling away the comforter so that she could wake up easier. "i'm thinking french toast, with some eggs and a fruit bowl on the side. we're going big this morning." a chuckle fluttered from her lips as she found her head cocking sideways, admiring marisol's morning profile. instinctively, she reached out and tucked a few curly strands of hair behind her ear. "did you sleep well? you nearly passed out on the couch last night. i think that three hour long fraggle rock sesh tuckered us all out. tully's still sound asleep." then, she ousted herself from her seat on the edge of the bed and opened her palms for marisol. "figured you and i could have some alone time before she wakes up. how's that sound, solly?" the line between friendship and something more complex was blurred; and yet, reina couldn't summon the courage to define it precisely.

marisol liked to think she was a family-oriented person. she cherished love and the closeness that came with being with people she adored. she also loved love itself, what a shocker, huh? she was always searching for a bit of love in the world, whether that be something as simple as helping someone on the street, to elaborate romantic gestures like getting everyone in the building to help ask out your crush to the prom ( which, she did. it was a bit of a success, not to brag ). when it came to love, marisol had to admit, valentine’s day was her holiday. valentine’s day was a holiday that she routinely celebrated, even if that meant getting her grandma lou some flowers and taking her out to dinner. but this was the first time in a while that marisol had someone to actually spend the day with. the lines between friendship and something more were a bit blurry when it came to reina. marisol didn’t know if they were just friends who fell into bed together, or of they were something more. the lines had only become even blurrier with the addition of tulip into the picture.  she loved that little flower bud, and marisol knew that she would be around in tulip’s life for the long haul. she didn’t know in what capacity, but she wasn’t going anywhere. after a long night of trying ( and failing ) to get tulip to fall asleep, marisol was completely and utterly exhausted. so, after setting about fifty alarms to make sure she got up on time, she went to sleep. in the morning, after not hearing any of her alams, marisol felt something against her cheek. even though she was still half asleep, she knew who it was. “rei,” she mumbled, her voice hoarse from sleep, “i don’t mind at all.. i.. what day is it?”  at the mention of surprises, she perked up a bit. “oh, surprises huh? i can’t wait to see.” slowly, she shifts in an attempt to get up. “what’s for breakfast?”

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whatever illusion the two weaved for the onlooking populace of anchorage worked fucking excellent. in saylor's eyes, there wasn't a more picture perfect pair; mostly due to the fact there were zero strings attached, which meant that their noncommittal heart could roam freely, though, of course, they maintained the facade as long as their arms were linked. "you think so?" a devilish grin painted their lips, which sported a bloody crimson sheen that glimmered underneath the near extinct sun. "of course you do. i only dress up for you, doll," — a laughable statement, the very idea of saylor impressing anyone besides themselves purely hysterical. "oh, i can make certain of that. there isn't anything in this life i excel more at than ruining someone else's day." there shouldn't have existed any modicum of pride in that veritable truth; and yet, they couldn't quite swallow it at the mere thought of ripping someone to shreds for endangering their beloved vehicle. "and if they don't, we can always sue. i know a couple good lawyers that are currently indebted to me. i keep a pocketful of blackmail material in my fur coats in case they come in handy some day." bringing an arm around bandit's shoulders and supplying an exaggerated sigh, they rested their head heavy with concern on the other. "this is technically a hate crime. we could always pin that on them."

The part-time dancer always tried to put on her best face ( and makeup ) for the other whose arm she dutifully pretended to be interlinked with in public, if to — in the terms made to be understood by her routinely payment — placate the donut maker from eating alone. ( Did she have any fucking clue how a donut maker could afford a hot piece of ass like Bandit Vaddhana? Hell fucking no. But as her momma used to say, you didn't ask questions if someone made ya blush. ) They weren't schedule to meet today — thus, their collision was serendipitous, as her lips were already curling into a Cheshire grin when the other agreed to march up with them and demand compensation for this shitshow and a dull-looking vintage car left to rot in the waxing sunshine of Anchorage. "You are a total cunt," Bandit agreed with a boast of pride, and a once-over of Saylor's outfit before winking, "Even better to eat." What? No one said she couldn't roll a little extra on top, and didn't mind at all when the other was reasonably pleasant to cruise. "Really, I mean, how hard it is to slath'a a little oil on top and get to it? I'm not askin' for a miracle to fall outta the sky or anythin', ya'know? Maybe they'll throw yours in for free if we make a big'a enough stink about it." As if there wasn't enough drama in this town with the whole Halloween shindig — now they couldn't even hire people who felt like doing their jobs, either?

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saylor couldn't claim they were entirely detached from the current events that'd transpired around them, though they sorely wished that they had that luxury. despite residing in an area of elevated living and finer establishments, they felt the seismic waves that washed below their very feet every time they wandered anywhere besides their cottage or workplace. pumps clicking against the iced pavement, they hadn't harbored a desire to check the news until an inquiry was shot towards them and they froze in place. sweeping a glance over each shoulder that was bundled in a cheetah print fur coat, they blinked twice before choosing to indulge dustin. "good to see you as well, graves-seong," they greeted, reminiscing in that moment of their shared childhoods in the beating heart of appalachia. they couldn't deny a softness nestled within them for the astronomer, even if they had lorded their status over the heads of all their schoolmates and neighbors from the tender age of eleven. "um, i don't have a fucking clue, honestly. surely they wouldn't fuck us all over by closing it, but i've kind of stopped believing that anyone in this shithole would choose to do the right thing for the betterment of others," they scoffed, as if they'd ever contributed anything besides venom and sarcasm toward people they couldn't have cared less about. "deckard and i here would have to leave, if that's the case." eyes flickering down, a halfhearted smile shined at their sweet akita, whose response was to pant happily with drool dripping from his open mouth.

@anchoragestarters at a local news stand in downtown anchorage, february 10th

Dustin had been following the headlines, at least, from a distance — and somewhat through his association with Zeliha, their tenuous familial friendship lending his hand to boosting their tread when the podcast hit the radio once the whole world had become... internet-less. ( Really, it was still strange to click-clack at his keyboard, knowing his Word Document could only print shit out without actually going anywhere. ) Still, even his child's godparent wasn't first to the punchline of an incredibly sour joke, the screaming caps staring back at him with the announcement of Rosalind's arrest. "People have been acting so surprised, but it's still statistically proven that crimes like this come from loved ones. Like family of a significant other," he commented morosely to the company beside him, sounding his thoughts outside the realm of his own head. "We just don't know what goes on behind closed doors." Perhaps, the irony of those statistics were the same reason that he pondered often over the culprits of his parents' double homicide. Someone out there was an ordinary face among the crowd, unbeknownst to anyone for their sins. He turned a blind eye, decidedly, on what that said about himself. "Do you think they'll close down the practice, or look for someone else to be the local veterinarian?"

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relieved would be a gross understatement. when everything else in knives' life was upended and reduced to ashes, she would've at least liked enjoying a simple meal. if even that was stolen from her, she surely would have spiraled. she stepped over the threshold, drinking in the sight of the interior restaurant before she swallowed and glanced to the stranger. "spinach, yes. no bacon, i do not like it," she answered truthfully, twinkling eyes flickering around and admiring the design. "okay. um—thank you, again. what is your name?" before she was given the chance to reply, knives awkwardly stuck her hand out in greeting. "i am knives, but you may call me nini if you like." of course, if she'd faced a foe rather than a kind stranger, knives would not have offered a nickname; she found that she had stumbled upon a trustworthy enough individual, which prompted more kindness from within her typically stoic disposition.

Thank fucking fuck. The blonde couldn't help but chuckle at her exclamation. Holding the door open for the stranger, it was clear that English wasn't her first language but she understood what she was trying to say. Besides, just like so many other things in the world of cooking and fine dining, the word 'omelet' was a weird French word. "An omelet? Got it, coming right up." After all, it wouldn't kill her to crack some eggs and brew a pot of coffee, nor would it take very long. She could get to prepping afterwards. "Do you want anything special in the omelet? Like, spinach, bacon...anything like that? Or, more importantly, is there anything you're allergic to?" Um, thank you. "No problem," the blonde said with the faintest of smiles on her face. See, Romi may pretend to be a selfish asshole twenty-four-seven but she wasn't actually--not really, not deep, deep down. "Uh, just...make yourself comfortable, this will take me, like, five minutes or so."

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INSIDE NADINE'S PHONE - PRE-OUTAGE: 3/6

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there was nothing that could've prepared lyonet for this encounter. seriously, how lucky was she to have stumbled across someone as enthralling as addison on accident? suddenly, she felt the presence of something bigger than her looming; shit, maybe her family might've been ahead of the curve in attending synagogue each week. she'd skipped out on the last couple of services since the hanukkah blowout, but this was inspiring something unheard of within her: faith. "you've got total golden retriever energy. it's refreshing in a dull place like this. cute might've not been the word — relentlessly adorable, more like," shooting him a sparkling smile, slowly unraveling with each word spoken between them. her flirtatious demeanor was waning. not because she was suddenly disinterested, although that was normally par for the course with the young guitarist, but because this felt much more real than the thoughtless interactions she had with others whom she found attractive but cared not for their actual personalities. "well, only on the condition that we get hitched in my beloved hometown of las vegas, nevada." unexpectedly, she felt her stomach flutter at the suggestion of a date. uh, fuck yes! she almost thought to exclaim before regaining her composure. "i think i could make that work. just have to check my schedule," teasingly, she held her watch up as if it were a calendar, then scrunched her nose up before shrugging. "lucky you. looks like i'm free for the foreseeable future." whenever the idea of slipping out of the diner had come, lyonet was experiencing difficulty containing herself. "you know, i do need some fresh air, now that you mention it."

sure, he knew snacks but didn’t understand what he was feeling right now. what was this feeling? they clicked. what more does he have to understand? addison genuinely enjoyed ellie’s company, and that’s all they knew. they were known for living in the moment, so they didn’t believe in destiny... or did they? a hopeless romantic, maybe, but he didn’t think much of it either. their smile still evident on their features. “sounds like a lovely idea,” he nodded a few times as his stomach did a cartwheel and a flip or two—just the thought of having matching bracelets with ellie felt like his inner child was being healed. “oh, so i’m cute?” addy’s gaze was lingering on her a lot longer than he realized, dismissing her statement about love languages. not to be self-centered, but they liked being told they were cute... or pretty. “whoa, a proposal? —maybe,” he teased. “wow, a milkshake and a proposal? that’s a two-for-one deal. you sure you’d be up for that?” he shamelessly quirked a brow and continued, a giggle escaping its way to be heard. “a strawberry shake it is, then... and maybe i’ll take you up on that too, and a date... or two.” addy was quick with presenting the idea but quietly. his smile never faltered; not even once. he wants to know ellie—the good, the bad, and the ugly. addy raised his hand to hopefully catch a waiter’s attention to order, staring doe-eyed at ellie. “anything else?” he curiously inquired, “maybe we can escape to the park after this...”

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indulging in a form of acting that didn't take place in a traditional theatre was a small reprieve for hermione. as much as they adored absorbing the spotlight that was cast upon them when gracing the stage with their presence, they treasured the times wherein they could unwind and worry not about the scrutiny of an audience. once a week, they ventured down to maiden alley and selected a movie at random; spending far too much of their paycheck on concessions, never once learning that the smarter move was always to smuggle in your own treats. it was the tradition of it all that warmed hermione's heart, and although they often enjoyed the peace and quiet of an empty theatre, the idea of sharing a bucket of popcorn with a stranger and befriending them was much more enticing. "oh!" they exclaimed at first, a shining smile painting their expression as they jumped in place. the excitement was palpable, and they didn't once consider whether or not it would overwhelm the stranger inquiring them. "absolutely you should. i was just about to see that new horror flick, we could always watch it together. i'm never usually one for that kind of stuff, but i like exploring outside my comfort zone." with a hum, they surveyed the movie schedule inside the box office and then returned their gaze to the other. "you have a cat? so do i! if i could, i'd take her in with me, but she's very particular, you see. she much prefers staying in bed," they giggled. "nothing better than some gory entertainment for relaxation, i say. it'll be a good distraction from the next catastrophe that's bound to strike." it was unfortunate, they thought, that anchorage was now such a dangerous place. their family had called incessantly practically begging them to return to vancouver, but not in good conscience could they flee when they had developed such steadfast friendships — and, of course, a romance in full force. “so, whaddya say? snacks are on me.”

who : @anchoragestarters where : maiden alley cinema when : february 20th  cap : 0/4

ROBIN’S TOP PRIORITY WOULD ALWAYS BE THEIR WORK.  it was the very thing that defined them and who they were. they were a medical examiner, first and foremost, and they took pride in that. the few people they allowed close to them would say that they were too rigid, but they didn’t know any other way to be. work was their life, outside of a few friends here and there. their routine was monotonous, and for the most part, they liked it that way. come to work, examine a few bodies, get lemon bars from puggy’s and relax on the couch with their cat, mindy. it was simple, but it worked for them. on some days, however, the routine changed. instead of going straight to their house to watch a movie at home, robin sometimes preferred the atmosphere of a movie theater. they didn’t care much for the messiness of the people there. usually, they saved internal comments of their chaos and unruliness to mindy, but having others around that relished in the same pleasure as they did? that brought them joy, even if only for a few hours. currently, they were outside of the cinema, looking up at the marquees for the films they would be showing. usually, robin was meticulous, and pretty good at making decisions, having researched the movies beforehand to pick one they liked. today, however, they were stuck in a loop. they kept comparing all of the options, and while a few of them seemed like something robin would like, they couldn’t quite pick just one. spotting someone nearby, they quickly made their way over to them. “excuse me?” they said, clearing their throat. they shifted awkwardly, trying to think of something to do with their hands. “I hate to have to ask this, but could you pick a movie for me to see? or if i should see a movie at all?” ( they hated having to ask for help, it was beneath them.) “i’m torn between this and just staying home with my cat. it’s a tense time, and i know we’re all trying to find some way to relax.”

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shit, nadine thought as she shook her head and indulged in a lengthy drag off her lit cigarette. she contemplated warning cyrek ahead of time, but the stranger had provided some comfort that stalled her from spiraling head first into panic. she blew the smoke out from between her teeth, securing her cigarette in place as she tucked her frigid hands inside her warm jacket pockets. "of-fucking-course. it's always something in this place," she scoffed, scorning whatever god was looming in the skies that found such amusement in grinding the populace down until nothing but ash remained of their sanity. "... actually, i think i drove past a couple of them earlier. nearly ran 'em down, for big dogs they're pretty fuckin' quick. they were a couple streets over, if i'm not mistaken," she puffed out her cheeks as her cigarette dampened, reaching into her pockets for her lighter so she could reignite it. "right, yeah. 'course. i can help, then. if you want, that is. i don't have anything to do until tonight." good samaritan nadine was a rare iteration of herself that hardly manifested in real life circumstances; yet, that day, she felt particularly generous. or maybe she was just bored. did it matter, ultimately?

Eyes wide at the realization that hunting down the animals lost during this incident would prove to be a lot more difficult than she'd originally imagined, Bernadette heaved a beleaguered sigh. But what else could she do, even in the face of insurmountable odds such as these? As usual, the only way out was through (as much as it pained her to admit). "All kinds of animals were set loose," she lamented dryly, trying not to let it show in her posture just how defeated she felt inside. Plastering on her best imitation of an easy-going smile, the brunette took a steadying breath and stood as tall as she could manage. Bernie was well accustomed to faking it until she eventually made it, and this scenario was certainly no exception. "But if we stand any chance of finding them, I guess I should work from the biggest animals down to the smaller ones. The odds might be better that way. A few big dogs got loose. Have you seen any stray dogs wandering around this morning?" At the mention of chickens being in danger, the illustrator's eyes widened. She hadn't considered this possibility before. "I don't think they'd pose a threat to any local livestock. But on the off chance that they are on the prowl... it'd be better to have them back at the vet's office sooner rather than later."

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'cause I know he wants all of you there. that warmed reina's still-beating heart, her stomach fluttering with relief. it was reaffirming to hear that not all hope was lost for her sister; who, by all intents and purposes, was working toward bettering herself. even if it'd taken outside force to propel her into action. "oh, she absolutely will," she gave a full belly laugh. "inappropriate speeches would be her specialty. i actually had to buy a swear jar, since tully started repeating her. i had to ban jeopardy, she kept throwing so many curse words i didn't even know existed at the tv when she got a question wrong." regardless of lyonet's erratic nature, reina was grateful she could serve as her guide during the trials their family faced. the idea of soomi visiting had, of course, inspired an excited smile on the green witch's face. she adored her nieces, treasuring their unique personalities and the sisterhood they'd forged with young tully, who would, as reina promised herself, forever remain an only child. in colorado, in that place, she once thought that no child should spend their youth in lonesome, but now she couldn't fathom a world where she didn't dedicate every second of her spare time to spoiling her one and only blessing. "i would love that. so would ellie, you know how much those girls mean to her. but, i agree. it'll be less confusing for everyone if we wait. give the girls all their aunt rei rei's love, though. i've been so preoccupied with work and el and tully—it's been a lot, and i wish i could visit more." reaching out, she scooped stella's hands up in her own. "sounds like a good time. i know you've waited way too long to make things, y'know, really official. and you know how happy i am for you. i, um, actually—i actually think i know exactly how you feel, as a matter-of-fact." reina hadn't spoken much on her tumultuous relationship with her roommate; she wasn't certain if marisol was comfortable with her divulging the gory details to anyone, even if they were trustworthy. "oh, i thought you'd never ask," a string of giggles escaped her as she nodded along, squeezing stella's hands lovingly. "i'd love to. us mommas need a break."

THE CASUAL SMILE ON HER FACE DIPPED A BIT, the topic at hand not being an easy one nor one that could probably be discussed without some sort of mess. And mess, there was plenty of, as seen how the dinner celebrating the December holiday couldn't even resume once it all began, Stella collecting confused daughters who didn't understand what happened to dessert being eaten with everyone together but otherwise contented enough that they could eat as many Sufganiyots as they wanted when they were back at the trailer. "Just hope it can all be worked out before the wedding. 'Cause I know he wants all of you there, no matter how many plates've been thrown. And I want El there, as terrified as I am that she's gonna somehow steal the mic and spew the wackiest shit I've ever heard at the reception." One of her fingers tapped against the top of the booth, noticing it really should've been cleaned, if only it was someone's job to do that. "You work on her, I'll work on him. I've been wanting to come see her, though, so that ain't out of the question at all. Lemme work out my schedule here and at the bar, and I'll let y'know. I'd say, sounds like maybe I should bring Soomi with me if come see her, though, 'cause I know that lil' troublemaker is missing her favorite troublemaking aunt, 'specially if the little ones help, but...maybe until everything has chilled the fuck out is better for that." And considering she had already entered their trailer while using, it was a bound not cross without consideration. At the topic of the trip, her hand waved. "Nowhere super fancy or interesting, just down to Baraboo in Wisconsin. We've been doing this thing where we pretend we're already married when we get there. Think it might be 'nother reason despite everything, the wedding's not being pushed back. I can't make myself wait to marry him any longer than I have." It was a true confession that probably didn't need to be spoken to be proven as true. "Breakfast is a start," she agreed, though the way she spoke it was too exhausted than any twenty four should've been. Then again, at the same age, Stella found herself facing a jury who gave her the big ol' verdict of guilty. She wouldn't wish any kind of comparable pressure on Reina's shoulder's, nor what she was dealing with now. Eyes dropping a bit, hazel hues recentered on the younger one's face once an idea arose on how it would be possible to treat her, using the excuse of the wedding. "Gotta say though, was kinda thinking that some chipped nail polish wasn't gonna really cut it when it comes to being a bride. You think you might be available to go for a lil' manicure just to humor your future sister-in-law?"

[othcrside]

mozie has never heralded herself as a political individual. she cared little for the messiness that transpired in that realm, but upon arriving in anchorage at the tender age of seventeen, she realized that it was practically impossible to escape. which may have been for the better, even at times she felt so utterly without control thanks to the frequent happenings in town. "i don't know, really," she returned, sipping the boba she acquired from a nearby shop as she lazed about in the town square. it was peaceful, she found, when it wasn't bustling with life and general chaos. "i think i lost hope in them to make the right decision a while ago."

she noticed the laughter and began mimicking it poorly, unsure why they were amused all the sudden. hardly acknowledging that she sounded more like a parrot than a human, she cleared her throat, redirecting her gaze away from her friend. she didn't have many, but those who could match her lackadaisical energy were deeply treasured. hell, even those who couldn't had held true to her heart. she seemed to enjoy disappointment.

her nose twitched at the stench of smoke. she didn't comment, however, as it was an open space. she could vividly remember feeling so caged in when she lived with her father, a devout chainsmoker that often supplemented rent money for exotic cigars that would permeate in the yellowed wallpaper. at the very least she had the fresh air to restore her stifled breathing.

"me too," she admitted, a frown cresting on her glittery lips as she reached out and placed a tentative hand on the middle of angelique's back. she offered a wry smile."it'll get better, i think. things can't possibly get any worse than this. something's gotta give, you know? you just... have to believe." a childish idealization, but one that mozie clung to with every thread in her body.

@anchoragestarters♡ ˚₊‧⁺ જ⁀➴

who: acquaintances or friends ( assume connections + connections page ! ) where: anywhere ( you choose the setting ! ) when: sometime before the emergency council meeting ( slain by rosemary's baby event ! ) cap: 0 / 4 ( please be fair to muns i don't have threads with and refrain from replying if we have threads here ! )

“you think they’ll vote in favor?” the question drifts lazily from angelique’s lips, weighed down by the bitter smoke curling from the remains of her cigarette. the ember flickers weakly, eating away at the paper, dwindling down to its last desperate quarter as she takes another drag. the smoke coils in the air above her, swirling like a serpent poised to strike, though she only watches it with detached amusement—like a cat watching a wounded bird twitch its final movements.

then comes the laughter, soft and hollow, a sound as brittle as the ash clinging to the filter. fuck, of course they will. the council had long since made their intentions clear, wielding bureaucracy like a cudgel to grind down those who dared to live outside the pristine, curated image they wanted the city to uphold. their rulings were less about governance and more about suffocation—a slow, deliberate squeeze designed to remind the people that they would never truly own anything here. not their homes. not their safety. certainly not their futures.

“it's not all bad—” she exhales smoke through her nose, the words a half-hearted concession to a game rigged from the start. the alert systems had already marked her home at delilah’s den as a casualty, despite the fact that she legally owned the damn place. apparently, her money wasn’t quite the right kind—never enough to keep the hoa from getting in bed with the city, ensuring that compliance was mandatory, not optional. the message was clear: she may as well put a ‘for sale’ sign on the front lawn now and save herself the trouble, get out while she can.

“i mean,” she tries again, but the words hold no conviction. her shoulders hunch as she folds in on herself, arms wrapped around her knees, cheek resting against the fabric of her jeans at her kneecaps. a pathetic shrug, the kind that speaks more of exhaustion than apathy. “i’m just kind of sick of the bullshit,” she mutters, voice flattened by resignation.

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❀ *◦ courtney eaten. cis woman. she/her. homosexual homoromantic. ⇝ hey, isn’t that mozelle 'mozie' chiu? i think that the twenty - eight year old from melbourne, australia works as a cosmetology student at coyote hair salon, but outside of that people describe them as a soft breeze from an incoming storm blowing your hair, the first sign of hope, summer rain, pretending to be brave, the echoes in holy places, notes of candied lemon and white flowers in the air. i hear they are absentminded & self-conscious, but they are also known to be virtuous & contemplative. consider giving them a visit at their home in the marionette and get to know why they’re called the heart shaped box.

╰ * STATS + PLAYLIST.

i don’t know who i am, but now i know who i’m not.

tw: abuse, incarceration + murder

in the australian countryside, a little girl was born in a barn. her mother scooped her out of the birth canal and ripped the cord and called the thing that came out of her mozelle. then, she would slump over, eyes fluttered shut and face flushed white, and never awake again. mozelle had always figured it was her fault, though, her father tried somewhat to insist that she was innocent. she was exactly that in more ways than one; she was kindhearted, with a sweetness that metastasized all throughout her body, naive as she child she was and braver than she had the right to be, all because she knew nothing of the world or its consequences.

her father gradually began deteriorating, which had only exacerbated the resentment that resided within his heart. he stopped paying attention to mozelle, instead spending his spare time drinking himself into oblivion and blasting music downstairs. nothing she said or did could prevent him from slowing down; so, she made a ritual out of waiting for him to pass out in his recliner before she escaped the house and high-tailed it for the barn.

a homeschooled child, she couldn't avoid her father forever. after her mother passed, he took it upon himself to collect a library worth of books for his daughter's proper education. however, a liver failure diagnosis resulting in him being admitted to the hospital for three months, had stalled her entire life. after his recovery, he was deader in the eyes than before, and started to entrust mozelle with her own schooling.

of course, she tried her best. but without any set routine, it was difficult for her to keep up, so one day, she just stopped. whatever else she needed to learn, she'd rely on the god she prayed to only on sundays to teach her as she navigated her way through the small world right outside melbourne.

she began looking after her father full-time. in between that and working the farm, she was perpetually exhausted and utterly fed up with the deck she was handed by life. her irritation manifested in self-harm and the occasional burst at her father, who was always too weak to engage. it wasn't until he started to slowly improve that mozelle senses a shift in their household. more of a tyrant than ever, her father made certain it was difficult for her to escape, what with tripwires set out around the property to alert him of her whereabouts.

rather than submit, she plucked up all her courage and shoved half her clothes in a pillowcase, leaving everything else behind. she'd find new favorite things, wherever it was she ended up going. ultimately, she'd recall her grandmother having moved to anchorage to escape the memories of her dead daughter on the other side of the globe. so, she bought a plane ticket with the cash she stole from his wallet and nightstand, and was on alaskan soil within twelve hours.

her grandmother, ever so relieved to finally see her again, offered her guest bedroom for mozelle to decorate as she liked. it was strange, feeling so considered. her father may have spared her feelings once, but he had more than changed his mind now that she grew up and looked exactly like her mother. maybe he isn't really mad at me, she would think. maybe he's mad at her for dying at all.

three months into living with her grandmother, they were awoken in the middle of the night to the sound of loud rapping on the front door. when mozelle rushed out of her room, shattering glass reverberated in her eardrums as she stumbled down the hallway and beheld her father, wielding a baseball bat, charging straight at her.

the words 'you're still a child' were uttered, which did nothing except for stroke the fires within her as she wrestled the bat out of his hands and began whaling on him. it didn't end for some time, and when she finally opened her eyes again she could not recognize her father. she disposed of his body rather sloppily, which consequently would lead to her eventual arrest and transfer to juvenile hall. it was her sixteenth birthday.

she served just four months in juvie before going to court and facing a not guilty verdict with reason for insanity as well as self-defense. after she was released, she resumed living with her grandmother and decided to pick up a trade to help with the piling bills. she chose cosmetology school, something less taxing than a full degree so she could continue looking after her grandmother.

—— tidbits !!

still very much so a country girl at heart and has smuggled two foxes into her grandmother's apartment. their names are butters and scotch.

has a childlike innocence still somehow and some arrested development that makes it difficult for her to have empathy in her later years; she lacks a lot of social skills that prohibits her from knowing how to act, let alone how to be remorseful

is a little bit afraid of men. prefers feminine energy / company

main colors are plum & green

accepts bribes in the form of thrifted items ( specifically vintage cloths ) as well as country food

can experience random outbursts of anger as a result of her tendency to suppress her emotions

knows all the hairstyles. will subject her friends to impromptu hair styling sessions in her living room just for practice. is getting better at mixing dye. still would not trust her with manic panic

has a strange relationship with religion but still partially identifies as catholic and goes to church every other sunday

a sabrina carpenter girl living in an ethel cain world

[othcrside]

@unwritcns knives + diego : february 25, late afternoon @ the milk bar

the rush was starting early, propelling knives into a never-ending spiral as she desperately vied for keeping a steady pace behind the bar. she didn't understand — she used to be good at this job, it was almost like chemistry, the way she mixed drinks and made precise measurements to ensure a worthy product, and now she couldn't focus worth a shit. every time she would spin around in search of a shaker, that apparition would hold precedence in her peripheral, disrupting her rhythm. she was unraveling quick, feeling sweat gather on her brow as she worked hastily to prepare a spiked eggnog (who fucking orders those in february?), some faith restored when she hadn't spilled a drop as she tossed it around in both hands with an irritated vigor. however, the fortune was short-lived, as when she slid the glass across the polished countertops, the velocity had instead sent it over the edge entirely. shattering ensued, to which knives flinched on instinct and apologized to the patron before hurrying around the counter to collect the shards. after equipping a broom and a towel, she knelt halfway before noticing her husband pass the threshold. "diggy?" she spoke up, a smile that cast shadows of relief and delight appearing on her face. "what is it you are doing here? my shift only began an hour ago. are you here to save?" hope glimmered in her amber eyes as she pouted at diego. "or is it that you want a drink? i can make them at home, you know. when i am not cleaning up glass," she huffed, kicking aside the glass and watching it scatter, much to the dismay of the other patrons. "it has not been good day."

[othcrside]

@unwritcns reina + marisol : february 14, mid-morning @ their apartment

reina liked to think she wasn't too presumptuous. which is why she also wasn't entirely sure if celebrating valentine's day with her roommate would be appropriate. okay, their relationship was a little more complicated than that; marisol was her roommate who she occasionally fell into bed with, typically on the later nights wherein they're equally exhausted after wrestling tulip to bed, and who ruled reina's every thought while having a vice grip on the ventricles of her heart. a hopeless romantic, it was proving difficult for her to pretend like she was a casual girl. she absolutely was not. she felt everything so deeply and so much all the time, what kind of chance did she ever think she stood? perhaps she was hoping that she could become that person, a girl that didn't care, that indulged in something without committing fully, but it wasn't going to happen so long as she had marisol in her life. she tried to reason it in her mind; all while browsing a selection of luscious bouquets at the flower basket, selecting the best aged wine they sold at giant, and purchasing a box of varied chocolates. by the time she returned to her beloved yellow-painted beetle, she had decided fuck it. after arranging the gifts on the kitchen isle, she tiptoed into the guest bedroom and gently sat beside marisol's sleeping form. "sol," she whispered, reaching her fingers out and brushing them against the other's cheek. "morning. i let you sleep in some, hope you don't mind." there was a smile ever-present on her lips whenever she was around marisol, something she never encountered with anyone else. "got some surprises for you in the kitchen. wanna come see while i make us breakfast?"

[othcrside]

unsure whether or not they should entrust the other with their own safety, saylor decided that a good samaritan would linger a bit longer before departing from the situation. it was strange, doing the right thing for once. but they were in the process of becoming more of a person and less of a machine, so, it was a necessary sacrifice; as much as they'd rather continue on their merry way and indulge in their joint until it was ashen and they could return home. "... if you say so," they replied tentatively, dark set eyes giving the other a once over. a tinge of concern could be felt in their stomach, which they quickly doused with another hit off their joint. clearing their throat, they moved to press a shoulder up against the wall. "guess i'll hang here for a sec. make sure you don't succumb to the forces of nature or whatever."

feeling amusement stir in their stomach, they shrugged in return and allowed a chuckle to leave their lips. "yeah, guess you're right there," they submitted. "still, though. i'd fucking kill someone if they did that to me. literally." shaking their head, they continued rapidly inhaling their joint as the cold had begun seeping through their pores. god, they couldn't wait for summer, as even spring in the sprawling tundra didn't promise enough warmth for its inhabitants. "maybe it's good you got here on your home. now you won't have to become homicidal and enact revenge on that hypothetical driver." honestly, this was kind of more interesting than the walks they normally divulged in. who knew that interacting with others in a way that didn't serve them would've provided so much entertainment?

"... that's fucking terrifying." saylor was quick to deadpan. because i'm a vampire, that's why. well, that was enough to summon a chuckle out of them. nodding along, they blew out a tendril of smoke and thought on their response for a moment before shooting bryn a wicked grin. "you know, funny you say that, because i'm actually a zombie," they returned. that weed was doing wonders for their imagination as well as their sociability. "which is why i take night walks. prey is much easier to track, what with my night vision and all. and most people i stumble across don't stand a chance." none of which was false ( minus the night vision ), but it was fun to pretend like it was with someone who had no idea how truthful their words rung.

laughter emerged from saylor's chest. "god, dude. you're fucking funny." they couldn't help but say, shaking their head in amusement as they realized they'd reached the tail end of their joint. huffing, they eyed the door to the dance hall before clearing their throat. "how could you have stamina in weather like this? it's miserable. last thing i want to do is exert myself."

Watching them, Bryn glanced the other over before giving a small laugh and moving his attention away from them, looking amused before shaking his head, “No. I don't. I work here. I-” He looked around, glancing toward the sky before looking back to them again, “-Probably will just go inside and stay till the sun gets higher.” By then he figured he would be on a work break and could sneak home to put on something better than his nighttime clothing. As they smoked, he glanced at the ground, turning a bit to see where he had come from exactly, then turned toward them again, “Thank you for your concern. But! I am going to be good.” Even if he wasn't, he would work his way through it, somehow. He always did.

Bryn blinks as Saylor hums, raising an eyebrow at them as they move to now circle him. Standing still, he pat his hands to his sides, listening to their feet crunch on the snow on the ground, his eyes shifted to follow this circling. Meeting Saylor when they had come back around to be seen, he offered a grin for them, “I'm sure! But I guess I've been moving pretty well if I haven't already.” He looked down, thinking about it. But decided to disregard it for now, resigning to it just being that he was lucky and moving enough to stay frostbite-free so far, “If someone dropped me off here-” Pausing, he considered the scenarios here, “Then I don't think it was too malicious of them. It's my work, so if that were true, the person knows me enough to know where I work.” He pointed out, then gave a few nods of his head, pursing his lips slightly.

Then he continued on, “But they don't know me enough to know where I live. Which would have been the best alternative.” But this was a weird conversation if he wasn't going to even mention that he had, to his knowledge, only sleepwalked here, “Nope. I just walked here, by myself.” Bryn nodded at this, staring at them for a moment, before turning his head away, looking at nothing in particular. However, their next question, he looked back and held a hand out, leaning onto the window. Bryn narrowed his eyes, “Because. I'm a vampire. That's why.” He lied, giving a nod as he stared Saylor down with absolute seriousness on his face. Then, he shook his head slowly, “I'm a hybrid vampire. I walk in the daylight, and stakes do nothing to me. Also, I can eat normal food. I've evolved to be the ultimate supernatural predator.”

Then he pat his hand against the glass of the building and gave a nod, “Yep. I work here. And I can run super fast. Not because I work here. But. Because I'm a vampire. That's part of my superpowers.” He bared his teeth then, showing off his normal-sized canines, briefly before he moved toward the door, finally allowing himself to cough from the smoke, reaching into his pocket he dug out his keys unclipping them from what was keeping them from falling out inside his pocket, he brought it to the door, “-It's cold out here though, so I'm going to go inside-” Turning then he eyed them over, then asked, “Why don't you have the stamina in winter?”

[othcrside]

waiting on reina to complete her list of errands, lyonet was relentlessly bored as she dawdled in the town square. it felt like that leash she was put on had tightened overnight, suffocating her slowly. she could feel her vocal cords being crushed and her throat collapsing in on itself; it was fucking insufferable, but at least there was some entertainment to behold while she sat toiling. "damiar, not to seem like a prick or whatever, but it's anchorage," she pointed out, eyes narrowed with brows raised knowingly. "but i bet it's pretty fucking disorienting when you've left for a while. i haven't been out of the state in, like, three years. so it's just another day for me." that wasn't entirely true. the recent events that were beginning to conglomerate had negatively effected her already unbalanced mental health, starting with hanukkah and ending in the so-called death lottery that her sibling spoke of. "oh, it's already been me, if you fail to recall." she chose to inform, a wry grin on her face before she considered the offer. she did love ice cream ( what girl didn't? ), but she was expressly told by reina that she wasn't to wander from the town square. "sure, fuck it. as long as you don't have a problem being seen with the local fugly slut." quoting from the discarded yearbook that she assumed everyone had seen, considering cyrek and stella were already making a fuss about it. she appreciated it, deep down. it was nice to know they hadn't surrendered all hope for her.

open starter: @anchoragestarters where: town square when: february 20th, 2024, evening

“ y'know, whenever i leave this place, i always come back to some more shit, ” musings of the guitarist rolled off the tongue without much thought, thick with indifference, the ash of their cigarette tipping off into the breeze. “ nothin' like a good ol' homecoming, huh? welcome back, we don't got balloons or confetti, but here's a little fuckin' tragedy for you! ” would it be outlandish to say that the town seemed to have some sinister rhythm of its own; a clock ticking away, counting down—always counting down—to the next casualty? how many had it been, now? who kept count? a breath of resignation left him as he sat up from where he'd been lounging on his back, swinging his legs over the edge of the concrete and taking a long, slow drag, the smoke curling up around his face. “ 's like a damn death lottery here, 'n stevie mc-creepy-crawlies is always waitin' to call your number on the six o'clock news. hell, could be me next. 'course i wouldn't be around to see the punchline, would i? ” the butt was flicked aside and grinded out, a cynical grin tugging at the edges of his mouth, just enough to show that he didn't quite consider the weight of his words ( surprising? not really ). “ could be me. could be you. musical chairs? never been good at it, personally, ” he slowly rose to his feet, arms stretching above his head, a loud, unbothered yawn escaping as he craned his neck. “ anyway. y'wanna get some ice cream? ”