#⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚ sydney ✧ thread

[cherriesfm]

CLOSED STARTER: utp @dreamerfms LOCATION: gingerbread house contest

"yes,  this  is  my  final  gingerbread  house,  thank  you,"  sydney  bowed  as  she  gestured  toward  her,  rather  plain,  gingerbread  house.  it  wasn't  so  much  as  she  didn't  try  her  best  to  decorate  it  but  more  so,  that  she  kept  eating  the  decoration  before  it  could  stay  on.  "i  like  to  take  a  more  simplistic  approach,"  she  joked,  a  hint  of  a  smile  on  their  face.  "a  new  take  on  minimalism,  if  you  will.."

[cherriesfm]

sydney  was  sure  if  she'd been  caught  at  the  door,  she wouldn't  have  been  allowed  inside  but  she'd just  about  managed  to  slip  through.  there  was  something  satisfying  about  messing  with  the  people she  knew  in  her  own  community,  but  the  real  pot  of  gold  was  messing  with  the  ritzy  people  of  palmview.  nothing  got  sydney  feeling  accomplished  more  than  ruining  their  day  and  as  she  scanned  the  bistro,  her eyes  landed  on  the  perfect  target.  before  she  could  even  get  a  word  in,  the  mere  proximity  provoked  a  reaction  and  it  was  then  that  sydney  thought,  this  is  going  to  be  so  much  fun.  "oh,  god,  i  would  hope  not,"  they  gasped,  looking  around  frantically.  "how  boring  would  that  be?  i'm  just  here  for  the  breadbasket but don't worry, your majesty. i'll be sure to courtsey on the way out."

open starter !! (@palmviewstarters)

location: pearl's seafood bistro

the dim lighting of pearl’s seafood bistro cast an elegant glow over serin as she delicately twirled the stem of her wine glass between manicured fingers. seated at a prime table near the window, she looked every bit the queen surveying her kingdom. but this wasn’t a kingdom yet — it was a stepping stone, albeit one polished to perfection. she glanced toward the maître d’ with a raised brow, her gaze as cutting as a diamond blade. her request for a quiet corner table had been ignored, and now she was stuck near the bustle of the main dining room — a rookie mistake she wouldn’t let slide next time. the murmur of the crowd buzzed in her ears as she leaned slightly forward, a hint of impatience glinting in her eyes. with the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips, she glanced up at the figure who had just approached her table, uninvited. “you don't strike me as someone from around here." she said, her voice smooth and cool as the restaurant’s chilled oysters. “it’s in the way you carry yourself. and, well…” her eyes flicked over them in a way that felt both appraising and dismissive. “you don’t exactly blend in.” serin leaned back in her chair, folding her arms with the grace of someone who knew she was in control — or at least, knew how to fake it flawlessly. “so, go ahead. make your pitch or your plea or whatever it is that brought you over here. i don’t have all night.”

[cherriesfm]

CLOSED STARTER: celeste! @astralfms LOCATION: friendship bracelet making

"i'm  so  serious,  letty,  hear  me  out,"  sydney  started,  pulling  at  the  sleeve  of  their  jacket  to  reveal  their  wrist.  "isn't  it  a  little  fucked  up  that  we  don't  have  matching  bracelets  yet?"  there  was  a  lot  that  charlotte  and  sydney  shared,  yet  friendship  bracelets  was  not  one  of  those  things.  "how  are  people  supposed  to  know  you're  the  other  half  of  my  brain?"

[cherriesfm]

starter for @hecticlife

sydney  was  never  the  musical  type.  in  fact,  those  who'd  witnessed  her  best  attempts  at  making  music,  whether  it  was  through  singing  or  picking  up  a  new  instrument,  often  argued  she  did  not  have  a  single  musical  bone  in  her  body.  yet,  curious  as  they  were,  that  never  stopped  them.  playlists,  however,  were  easier  for  her  to  curate.  she  had  one  for  every  mood,  every  situation  and  she  was  arguably  the  best  person  to  hand  the  aux  too.  she  was  self  aware,  though,  yet  that  did  not  stop  her  from  pitching  her  latest,  most  impulsive  idea  to  leon.  "it's  the  thing  now,  don't  you  get  it?"  she  pleaded,  seating  herself  before  a  set  of  drums.  "people  love  to  hate  on  influencers  turning  to  music  so  think  about  it..  a  song,  maybe  a  diss  track?  and  a  sick music  video!  it'll  be  a  hit.  you  can  fix  my  voice..  or  i'll  just  look  really  hot  behind  the  drums  and  i  can  pretend  to  play,"  she  wasn't  joking.  "or  i  could  learn,  i  mean..  how  hard  can  it  be?  you  just  smash  the  stick  things,  right?"  in  one  swift  movement,  sydney  struck  the  sticks  on  either  side  of  her  while  pressing  down  on  the  pedal.

[cherriesfm]

CLOSED STARTER: utp! @dreamerfms LOCATION: light displays

sydney  held  a  tightly  shut  container  in  hand  as  they  walked  to  the  light  display,  eager  to  find  their  first  taste  tester.  or  victim,  depending  on  how  the  homemade  cupcakes  inside  the  container  would  taste  like.  truthfully,  she  hadn't  even  tried  them  herself  and  was  curious  to  find  out.  "in  the  spirit  of  the  holidays,  i'm  letting  you  try  my  special  homemade  cupcakes.  baked  and  decorated  by  yours  truly  and  probably  a  lot  better  than  whatever  crap  you  find  around  here,"  they  spoke  with  an  air  of  confidence  that  concealed  the  simple  fact  that  they'd  never  baked  anything  in  their  life  before.  "be  honest,  though.  like..  do  not  spare  me.  i  can  take  it."

[cherriesfm]

sydney  always  wondered  why  they'd  never  crossed  the  invisible  barrier  between  them  and  yet,  it  was  the  thrill  of  it  all  that  instantly  awoke  her  whenever  emma  was  around.  it  was  a  constant  push  and  pull  of  equal  parts  attraction  and  frustration  and  sydney  enjoyed  not  knowing  how  far  it  would  go,  always  on  the  edge  of  her  seat  until  the  end  of  the  night.  "i  love  when  you  get  all  bossy  on  me.  do  it  more,"  they  challenged,  a  hint  of  a  smirk  all  over  her  features.  "you,  for  starters.  among  other  things  but  you  didn't  need  me  to  tell  you  that,  did  you?"  some  days  they  were  more  forward  than  others,  testing  to  see  how  far  they  could  push.  "but  if  i'm  honest?  i'm  more  of  a  show,  don't  tell,  kind  of  person  and  i  think  my  case  would  be  more  appealing  that  way."

it’s no secret that sydney is into her too, that much she could tell by the look in their eyes, and yet she wonders why they haven’t crossed the line between friends and something more by now. maybe she’s just doing it on purpose, wants to take her time with sydney and see how much longer it would take until one of them would give in.    “  not an invitation. you’re coming with me no matter what,  ”    emma says, a teasing smile on her lips. with her gaze still on sydney, she tilts her head to the side, feigning innocence with her tone.    “  what is it that you’d rather be doing, sydney? tell me.  ”    granted, she already knows, but it’s much more fun like this anyways.    “  maybe we could ditch the lights display if i like it more.  ”

[cherriesfm]

sydney  paused,  taken  aback  by  the  words  coming  from  behind  the  computer.  they  checked  their  watch  again,  scanned  their  surroundings  and  determined  they  would've  noticed  if  there  was  a  closed  sign  at  the  door.  or,  if  they'd  forced  their  way  in.  granted,  it  was  a  little  bit  too  early  to  be  going  but  after  a  restless  night  of  sleep,  sydney  could  not  wait  any  longer  to  get  the  day  started.  "i  would've  assumed  you  had  your  days  confused  but  time,  too?  rough  year  already,  huh?"  she  joked,  offering  a  small  smile.  "what's  got  you  distracted  this  early?"

location: mango bay records // @palmviewstarters

“ we're closed , ” milo declared as the person walked in , barely looking up from his computer . except , the time did read 10 am , which meant that mango bay records was very much supposed to be open at this time , “ i lied . we are open , ” he got up from his seat , making up for his initial remark with an attempt at a smile , “ how are you doing today ? ” swiveling around , milo flicks a switch and the sound system turns on with a hum , filling the store with the soft tunes of hailu mergia . “ so sorry for the confusion , 2025 has got me all out of sorts . �� 

[cherriesfm]

"this  is  how  it  starts,"  the  games  were  always  tempting  to  sydney,  the  competitive  nature  inside  them  awakening  with  their  presence.  "they  hook  you  in  and  it's  downhill  from  there  because  they  design  these  games  specifically  for  you  to  lose  them."  though,  that  never  stopped  sydney  from  participating.  the  regret  would  always  follow  but  in  the  moment,  nothing  mattered  more  than  winning.  never  mind  the  actual  prize,  the  win  alone  would  be  satisfaction  enough.  "i've  considered  my  own  booth  actually.  maybe  next  year."  they  eye  the  game  for  just  a  second  too  long,  temptation  drawing  them  in  further.  "that  said..  i  think  we'd  be  better  than  most  people  who  have  tried  to  win  this  today  so  maybe..  just  maybe..  we're  the  exception?"

closed : @cherriesfm nova ft. up to player ! location : game stalls.

she's stood by the games stalls, watching in amusement as others try their best to win big prizes. and she's tempted, she really is, if only to prove to herself if she's capable. " i'm trying to decide if my bank account would hate me for giving this a go, " she motions towards what appears to be simple game of knocking down some fake PRESENTS with a ball that resembles a snowball, and yet no one seems to have claimed a prize thus far. " i've got competitive genes, i know i wouldn't be able to stop until i won. " there's a soft chuckle, shake of her head before she glances across at them with a soft smile. " just how rigged do you think these things are ? "

[cherriesfm]

truthfully,  sydney  had  no  clue  when it came to  anything  related  to  jewelery  making.  it  was  blind  optimisim  keeping  her  going,  for  most  things,  and  especially  for  this.  there  was  a  vision  in  mind,  though  whether  it  would  be  achieved to perfection  was  questionable.  she  started  collecting  the  pieces  she  would  need,  laying  them  out  as  closely  to  the  pattern  in  her  head  as  possible.  "you  always  know  what  to  say  to  keep  my  head  big,"  sydney  joked,  getting  to  work  on  her  bracelet  as  she  spoke.  "no,  we  need  to  get  you  better  snacks,  babe.  what,  with  all  the  free  samples  going  around,"  were  they  actually  free  samples?  sydney  wasn't  sure.  "what  vibe  are  you  going  for  for  mine?  give  me  a  hint."

“i  fully  trust  that  you'll  make  me  the  most  fashionable  friendship  bracelet  anyone  has  ever  seen,”  she  assures  sydney,  leaning  toward  her  to  bump  shoulders.  even  if  the  bracelet  wasn't,  celeste  would  wear  and  show  it  off  as  if  it  were.  a  sentimental  person  at  heart,  she  was  sure  that  anything  sydney  gave  her  would  be  a  prized  possession.  “who  said  i  wanted  to  get  rid  of  the  gum  on  the  bottom  of  my  shoe  ?  i  was  actually  saving  it  for  later,  in  case  i  get  hungry  during  all  the  festivities,  you  know  ?”  laughs  at  herself,  collecting  various  different  beads  and  laying  out  the  design  in  her  head.  “no  getting  rid  of  me,  baby,  we're  locked  in  for  life  !”

[cherriesfm]

everyone  who  worked  with  emma  and  sydney,  or  had  the  chance  to  encounter  them  at  the  bar,  knew  these  two  had  a  hard  time  getting  anything  done  when  they  were  together.  though  it  never  led  anywhere,  sydney  never  hid  the  fact  that  they  were  attracted  to  emma  and  would,  if  given  the  opportunity  to,  cross  the  hidden  line  between  them.  one  thing  she  always  knew  for  sure  was  there  would  never  be  a  dull  moment  with  her  around.  "is  that  an  invitation?  because  i  don't  think  'no'  would  ever  be  in  my  vocabulary  with  you  around,"  she  teased,  eyes  scanning  her  features.  "you  know  what  i'd  rather  be  doing,  actually,  and  it's  nowhere  near  the  lights  but  i  guess  we  could  go  check  them  out  for  a  bit."

never been the one to shy away from showing her interest in someone, there is no secret that she finds sydney attractive, and the fact that they spend so much time together slacking off at work makes it easier for emma to enjoy her company. truthfully, she hasn’t really been looking for sydney, but she’s glad to see her nonetheless, evident by the grin on her face.    “  so that shit was on purpose, huh? could’ve just asked if you want me to hold you that bad.  ”    emma teases again, head shaking slightly as she chuckles.    “  been searching the whole town for you, actually. we could go see the lights display together if you want? unless you would rather see my pretty face for the rest of the night, that is.  ”    sure, she’s already seen the lights, but who said she only has to see it once?

[cherriesfm]

"there's  a  metaphor  somewhere  in  that,"  they  joked  before  glancing  over  at  the  massacre  in  question,  a  loud  laugh  involuntarily  escaping  their  lips.  they  hoped  it  hadn't  come  off  as  mockery,  though  they  couldn't  hide  their  reaction.  "sorry,"  they  choked  in  between  their  laughter.  it  was  comforting  to  find  someone  else  struggling  as  well,  while  everyone  else  in  the  room  had  made  it  look  so  easy.  "personality  over  looks  and  all  that,  right?  like  it  might  be  a  little  bit  rough  appearance  wise  but  it's  really  sweet  once  you  get  to  know  it  on  the  inside,"  in  reality,  they  both  hadn't  done  much  and  they  couldn't  owe  the  taste  to  themselves  considering  everything  had  been  premade  for  them  but  at  least  they  could  enjoy  eating  their  mess  together.  "i  would've  given  you  my  vote  if  they'd  let  me  be  a  judge."

he'd given up on his own creation moments ago, after the roof had fallen off for what felt like the tenth time. now he's slouched back in his seat, eyes half-lidded, mind somewhere else as he picks at stray pieces of his shattered GINGERBREAD HOUSE. a voice pulls him from his thoughts, amusement clear as he glances from them, to the house in question. " ah, amazin', " he retorts, accent thick as sarcasm seeps in. " ten out of then for the fact it's actually in one piece. mines more of a gingerbread massacre, but it tastes pretty decent. " not that he has anything to do with that, it'd simply come that way. still, he shrugs, pops another corner into his mouth.

[cherriesfm]

as  much  as  sydney  enjoyed  getting  crafty  and  simply  participating,  she  had  to  admit  it  was  definitely  not  her  calling.  one  of  three  things  often  happened;  she  would  get  distracted  and  jump  to  the  next  exciting  task  in  mind,  she  would  come  to  the  sad  realization  that  she  could  not  perfect  a  new  skill  in  a  day  and  give  up  or  finally,  she,  very  rarely,  would  actually  pull  it  off.  though  she  never  knew  which  scenario  would  take  place.  "come  on,  no  one  knows  your  taste  better  than  i  do,"  sydney  countered,  taking  it  on  as  a  personal  challenge  now.  "you  can  try  to  breakup  with  me  all  you  want  but i'm like the piece of gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe.  good  luck  trying to get rid of me!"

“no,  it's  actually  a  CRIME  that  we  don't  have  any  yet.”  friendship  bracelets  were  a  staple  in  her  tween  years,  solidifying  her  relationships  and  working  her  knuckles  to  bits.  the  station  has  more  beads  to  choose  from  than  she'd  ever  had,  and  she  isn't  quite  sure  where  to  start.  “you  make  mine  and  i  make  yours  ?  it's  the  only  way  to  do  friendship  bracelets.�� really  shows  that  you  trust  me  to  know  your  taste,  unless  you  don't  in  which  case  we're  friendship  breaking  up.”

[cherriesfm]

sydney,  focused  entirely  on  where  she  was  off  to  next,  crashed  into  someone  on  her  way  and  only  realized  she  was  about  to  stumble  over  when  she  felt  their  hands  steady  her  in  place.  their  hands  instinctively  wrapped  around  the  stranger's  own,  only  letting  go  when  they  were  able  to  find  their  footing  again.  she  didn't  have  to  look  up  to  recognize  who  it  was,  her  sweet  scent  a  giveaway  with  their  proximity  and  almost  like  a  reflex,  her  lips  pulled  into  a  smirk.  "my  savior,"  she  exclaimed  playfully,  gaze  lingering.  "who  knew  all  i  had  to  do  was  dramatically  fall  into  you  and  you  would  catch  me?"  voice  laced  with  amusement  as  they  spoke,  shoulders  shrugging  in  relief  at  having  found  her.  "were  you  looking  around  for  me?  well,  i  was  about  to  head  to  the  lights  display  because  i  heard  the  view  was  amazing  but  i'm  thinking  the  view's  better  over  here."

@cherriesfm  (  winter wonderland  )

too busy looking around for her friend, emma hasn’t been looking where she was going when she suddenly crashes into somebody, hands quick to grab the other so neither of them would fall down.  “   shit, my bad. i wasn't–  ”  words stop abruptly upon recognizing the familiar face, one corner of her mouth pulled into a smirk, keeping sydney close for a moment longer.  “   look at you falling right into my arms,  ”  comes the teasing before she lets go of her, eyes never leaving theirs.  “  thought i’d never see you around. what are you up to, hot stuff?  ”