Perfect Isn't Easy

🗡️ ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────    liam   smiled   slightly   as   he   felt   amira’s   hand   touch   his   head.   “i’m   always   entirely   humble.”   he   teased.   while   he   could   be   humble   he   was   related   to   seth   who   often   was   anything   but.      “   i   just   don’t   see   the   interest   of   it   all.   i’m   just   a   regular   guy-   ”      he   paused   clearing   his   throat.      “   a   guy   with   a   castle.   regardless,   i   try   to   be   normal   or   as   normal   as   life   will   allow.   moments   like   that   remind   me   i’m   anything   but.   ”

“   i’m  a   terrible   fake   boyfriend   i   fear.   i’ll   brave   the   crowd   and   get   you   your   usual.   ”      liam   smiled.   there   was   always   a   sense   of   ease   with   amira.   it   was   the   same   ease   he   only   ever   felt   around   arthur.   they   were   both   people   who   allowed   liam   to   exhale   for   once.      “   she   should   have   but   what’s   done   is   done.   as   long   as   my   ear   is   intact   i’ll   be   alright.   ”

*

“Of course you are. “ Amira doubled down on Liam’s claim with a grin. “Granted, a few well-earned brags every now and then won’t hurt anyone...” She let her hand fall to her lap, turning his words over in her mind. “Her reaction to you does not change anything about you. You’re you, and if you want to be regular, normal Liam, she does not have the power to change that. Castle or no.” She passed a reassuring smile between them. “That is my bit of advice from the gender who has to deal with unwanted touching and attention more than we would like.”

She laughed. “The fact that you even know my usual puts you a few steps ahead of most of my actual boyfriends.” Amira had originally volunteered to help Liam find a fake girlfriend. The problem was that she thought the world of Liam, that she believed he deserved the best things, and the original applicants were anything but that. She had yet to tell her mother anything about that. It wasn’t that Georgette would be disappointed it wasn’t real - more the opposite. Amira knew the conclusion that would be drawn and hoped to avoid the lecture about how a Foxworth does not need a king to be special. “Good... now, do I need to fight her? I don’t know the rules but surely I must defend the honor of my fake boyfriend.” She laughed.

status: open location: literally the street somewhere

        davu wasn’t sure exactly how this whole event was going to come together, considering how last minute the planning was ( even for him ) - but as the night went on he kept getting surprised. see - he hadn’t been the only one planning, his friends getting things together behind the scenes, and what was once going to be a get together with friends had turned into a citywide party complete with bands and a parade. dude even had shirts with his fucking face on them.

        that was what he was wearing now - after taking some scissors to the bottom and bedazzling it with the help of abby. he didn’t know who made these or where they came from - but he was gonna make sure every single one got worn. “ hey you ! ” he called out to a random passerby, holding up a shirt that looked like the one he was wearing, pre alteration. “ in the market for a new shirt ? ten bucks and i’ll even customize it. ”

*

“The number one rule of the Foxworth home - no one over the age of 10 should wear a shirt with a face on it - including their own.” Hadrian stepped up next to Davu and the newcomer with a smirk. “For one, they’re tacky. For two, why distract from your actual face?” He paid little to no attention to the guy Davu had been talking to before, using it simply as an entryway to the conversation. “And before you say it, no, not even for your birthday.”

status : open location : seven of swords tattoo parlor

       “ alright, here’s the deal, ” frankie began, voice soft as he leaned over the counter. “ eighty bucks gets you a coin to that machine. ” his hand pointed in the direction of a contraption in the corner of the room that mimicked a gumball machine. “ whatever comes out is what you get. no exceptions. what do you think ? ”

*

Hadrian folded his hands down in front of his face, taking a soft inhale as Frankie’s words registered in his head. “Okay, but hear me out, why, pray tell, the fuck would anyone do that? Do people actually agree to that deal?” His face registered a seriousness that the man did not feel as he urged, “If you have ever got a gumball tattoo, Frankie, I will disown you.”

🗡️ ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────   “   right   ,   when   did   people   start   becoming   obsessed   with   any   royal   families   ?   i   just   tried   to   get   a   drink   and   my   ear   almost   got   torn   off   by   some   random   girl.   this   is   rockstar   treatment   and   i’m   certainly   anything   but   that.   ”      the   prince   sighed   rubbing   the   ear   he   had   almost   lost.

*

“Careful...” Amira teased, “You’re leaning dangerously close to humble bragging.” But she kissed her hand and softly patted his ear all the same. “All better... as far as your question, since forever. The fact that you are just now learning about it, that is the part that shocks me.”

The House of Foxworth

Hadrian Foxworth --

Cause these words are knives that often leave scars And truth be told I never was yours ----- This Is Gospel, Panic at the Disco

Hadrian needed a fresh start, something new to hold his attention. No one would have guessed for a man who happily used other’s money to play his way through life that a business would be that thing. If you had the right amount of money, there was nothing that could stop you from doing whatever you wanted, and he had spent a small fortunes over the years against people who thought otherwise. What if people were paying him instead? Oh, he never got his own hands dirty, but he started to hire men to work under him, men who were willing to take on any job sent their way - and Black Knight Securities was born. 

Wanted Connections --

Friends : His charm allows him to hide his dark deeds from anyone who does not need to know.  Clients/Victims : Have you been personally victimized by Hadrian Foxworth? Paid off? Had him rid you of a problem of your own? Employees : People he might have hired to work at Black Knight Securities, doing either legitimate or shady business.

Amira Foxworth --

Just close your eyes, the sun is going down You’ll be alright, no one can hurt you now ----- Safe and Sound, Taylor Swift

Scrubs by day, gowns by night, Amira has long since found the balance between who she was meant to be and who she truly is. Love evading her another time, she has happily put her time back into her work, her friends, her family. In the comfort of her own nest, life has been moving fairly smoothly for the young woman - but how long can a good thing last?

Wanted Connections --

        things with georgette happened unexpectedly and all at once. there was a chance ir wouldn’t have happened at all had they had not been locked away together during the monster attacks. the intention was always casual - and yet here they were on the pier doing coupley shit. not that he was complaining, of course - alejandro would be lying if he were to say he wasn’t enjoying her company. it was nice to still have a piece of home here in elias. one day, when things had settled down a bit more, he’d invite her back with him - but he didn’t think introducing dani was appropriate yet. besides, george didn’t even know about her yet. 

        that would change soon. they were almost serious enough to where keeping it from her would cause problems - but, to be fair, he was still trying to figure it all out for himself. it was still new for him, too. while he had been waiting for the right time, he was starting to think there wouldn’t be one. he was going to have to bite the bullet and just … tell her. today. …just not yet.

        for now, he was focused on her. it had been awhile since they were able to hang out with work and all. and honestly it was the first time they had done anything like this, typically spending most of their time together at her place. he looked over at the necklace she was referring to, a laugh passing his lips when he saw it. of course it would look good on her, but he couldn’t say he thought it was something she would wear. he picked up a similar one. but blue.

        “ this color looks nice with your eyes, ” he said sincerely, setting it down as she pulled them to the mirror. “ my ugly mug ? nah. that’s all you. ” he smirked.

*

To be fair, Georgette could be told how nice she looks all day. It sounded heavenly actually. Perhaps for her next birthday. In lieu of a party, a line of passersby telling her she was gorgeous and passing over their gift. They could have a nice slice of cake at the end. A silly daydream, and despite what she was certain some people believed about her, she was aware it was a silly daydream. There was something special in hearing Alejandro tell her, though. He might have been telling her how good she looked from the moment they met - and yet it still felt like she had earned something important every time.

“You are not insinuating I would settle for anything but the most attractive, are you?” She tore her eyes away from her reflection to glance up his direction with a smile, placing a soft kiss against his jaw. “Really, considering you passed the test with my incredibly high and warranted standards? I would never doubt myself again.”

She laughed as she stood back up straight, setting the butterfly beside the blue. “They are rather pretty... well, some of them.” Georgette looked up in the artist’s direction and asked curiously, “You said you made these? Where did you learn?” The woman told her she had simply taught herself, something the younger had not even give much thought was possible. It was certainly something worth supporting whether she ever wore the necklace again or not. “I’ll take this one.” She handed over the blue to be wrapped up and turned back Alejandro’s way. “And then a bite to eat maybe, while I am feeling brave?”

Making port in this small town, Jarrah was possibly the right direction to getting back is beloved Black Pearl. His compass was going crazy the moment he stepped on land which doubted his hopes. His frustration was clear as clapped the compass closed. He needed to clear his mind and focus on his goal. And was that was with a glass of rum. “Oy.” He caught the attention of the nearest by passer. “Where is a man to get a drink at this hour?”

*

Georgette was torn. It was a rare occurrence. This man obviously deserved all of her judgment, and judging him she was - it was always a shame when pretty people showed so little ambition. The question was not, if she should judge, but if it was better this time to judge out loud or to send them Alejandro’s way. Deny the very nature of what it meant to be Georgette... or be a good girlfriend. “I am fairly certain Snake Eyes serves drinks at all hours.” She decided with a smile and a flick of her cigarette. “That would be my first stop... at least if I was ever looking to waste my day drinking that is.”

who: georgette foxworth ( @a-gorgeous-george· ) where: the pier

        this was one of the first times alejandro and georgette had gone out to just … chill. before they sort of got together, there was some ulterior motive - a ride that was needed here or there that he had been paid for - but this time was a chance of pace most welcome at the current moment, the situation back home being enough to keep his head spinning if he thought about it too long. he was going to have to tell her eventually - especially because daniela could possibly be here for a week come april. 

        would she want to meet her ? would the idea of him being a dad freak her out ? or, worst case scenario: would she be fuckin’ pissed that he didn’t tell her sooner ?

        that was what he was thinking about now as they wanted through this beachfront shop, hand in hand as they looked at jewelry and other trinkets across card tables, all made by the woman sitting behind them. while he’d probably have to catch her up on everything like … today, he was still holding out for the right moment. this wasn’t it.

        “ i think you should get this one, ” he said with a smirk, carefully pointing out a pendant in the middle of the table that had a giant badger - entirely out of her taste and, of course, a joke. “ nah, but seriously - this butterfly one is kinda dope. ”

*

Georgette’s thoughts swirled in her brain as she looked over the jewelry - the first question, of course, was that she had never even looked at a necklace that only cost 30 dollars before. The second then was about who was actually buying jewelry with animals or bugs on the end. She certainly owned zero pieces - and the whole scene was wholly unfamiliar -

And then Alejandro’s voice broke through her thoughts. 

The setting had been his idea, and she had been happy to (tentatively) go along with it. The reality was that the woman was just happy to be out with him, to be shown off by him, to explore the world through his eyes for a bit instead of simply hearing about it and trying to envision what bits she was given as they hid out at her house. She had fallen so hard so quickly and so stealthily in those long days and nights of conversation that it still took her off guard. All disparaging thoughts about the necklaces seemed to flutter away themselves as she lifted up the butterfly to hold to her neck. “What do we think? Does it suit me?” She laughed, a joke since they both knew everything suited her. 

⚔️ ⠀  ⠀ ⠀  ⠀ ───────────  elizabeth   hummed   in   agreement   -   a   slight   node   of   her   head   as   she   looked   out   to   the   sea   for   a   moment.      “   i   suppose   you   are   correct.   there   is   nothing   wrong   with   knowing   what   you   want.   ”      but   elizabeth   wondered   was   it   right   to   know   what   you   want   if   could   be   at   the   expense   of   others.   she   turned   her   head   to   look   at   georgette   as   she   sat   down.   a   hint   of   a   smile   graced   her   features   for   a   moment.      “   it   is   a   shame   that   the   snow   never   seems   to   reach   califorina.   well,   except   for   the   time   it   snowed   in   july.   ”      as   kind   as   georgette’s   offer   was   elizabeth   was   still   a   closed   book   to   most   except   for   her   husband.   although,   it   felt   as   though   even   he   didn’t   have   access   to   certain   pages   either.      “   i   just   came   out   here   to   enjoy   the   view.   the   sea   brings   me   comfort.   ”      she   shrugged.

*

“Nothing at all. The world does its best to promote this idea of unity, of how we’re all in this together - but really, all you have to count on is yourself, so you have to take care of yourself and follow your own way first.” They were words Georgette had lived by and sworn on for her entire life, but as she watched the water, the woman could not help but feel how the sentiment clung awkwardly to her, an ill-fitting garment that once had been worn so comfortably. “It did snow in July...” She remembered with a shake of her head. “This place is so damn weird.” She laughed. “But I suppose it rarely gets boring. I might be put out of business if that were the case. You don’t happen to have anyone in mind that needs some matchmaking? I have accumulated quite the track record of success.” She gloated before her eyes traced Elizabeth’s gaze back to the water. “Did you know there is treasure out there? In the 1500′s, a Spanish galleon carrying gold sunk in this area. They say it was never fully recovered - just lying in wait out there to prick at our imaginations.”

Adam snarled “get out of my way” through sharp teeth as he made his way through the crowd of people on the sidewalk. he was in an extra cheerful mood. particularly enraged by the slow approach of a full moon. it didn’t help that the people in this city seemed to walk through the streets as if they owned the place.

patience was thining now that he was stuck behind a stranger who appeared to have no sense of direction. frustration and rage seething through his fingers tips. “can’t keep to one side of the street.” he muttered as he hurried in front to face the stranger “merde! walking is so simple yet you somehow can’t even do that right” 

*

Georgette had taken Monroe out for a walk, taken back by the amount of people out on the streets that day. As such, she had stopped to pick the dog up the first moment she could and kept on, taking her time in the sunny spring of the day.

It was too lovely a moment for someone not to destroy. She was forced to take a step back as the man appeared in front of her, a snarl on her lips that had in truth not been there in a long while. No one dared to speak to her that way anymore and she felt a bit of a thrill up her spine as she tilted her head and took him in with a scoff. “You,” She began slowly, “Mean nothing to me. I don’t care what you want, I don’t care that you’re angry. I do find it laughable that your solution to not going quickly enough was to completely stop the flow the traffic. It really highlights what a joke you and your argument are.”

𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐇   𝐖𝐀𝐒   𝐓𝐀𝐊𝐄𝐍   aback   by   the   small   furry   creature   that   came   running   her   way.   she   looked   at   the   dog   for   a   moment   then   looked   up   to   see   who   the   owner   was.      “   i   suppose   monroe   and   i   share   that.   ”      she   said   looking   to   the   small   dog.   perhaps   stubbornness   is   how   she   ended   up   where   she   was.   elizabeth   only   knew   of   georgette   from   her   blog.   her   opinions   spread   fast   around   elias.   it   would   be   unfair   of   her   to   write   the   woman   off   because   of   what   she   chose   to   post.  although   with   her.  and   monty   being   the   topic  of   scrutiny   many   times   elizabeth   wasn’t   entirely   fond   of   her. it. did   not   sit   well   with   her   with   how   protective   she   was   of   montgomery  and   her   family.   she   eyed   monroe   for   a   moment.   elizabeth   wasn’t   a   fan   of   small   dogs   but   she   was   cute.      “   uh   ,   sure.   ”      she   replied.      “   what   bring   you   out,   georgette   ?   ”

*

Despite how some might take it, Georgette had no issue with the McQueen family. Montgomery seemed nice enough and Elizabeth had proven herself to be strong and capable on more than one occasion - but she was in the business of gossip and the couples’ choices had created a bit of a mess at times. It was always business, never personal. She took a graceful seat down, hand running over Monroe’s fur. “There is nothing wrong with being headstrong. It simply means you know what you want and you are prepared to stand your ground for it. Quite the positive trait, in my opinion.” Despite sitting, Georgette did not fully settle in until it was clear she was not going to be sent off and that realization was accompanied by a happy smile as she crossed her legs. “Just wanted to enjoy the weather. Now that Christmas sentimentality is over, I remember that the cold in the city was awful and the snow usually dirty. This is much better... and you? I promise, I don’t post everything that I know, if you would like to talk. Part out of respect, but mostly I just like to know things other people don’t.” She added with a chuckle. It was true - but she was certain they both knew that.

𝐄𝐋𝐈𝐙𝐀𝐁𝐄𝐓𝐇   𝐇𝐀𝐃   𝐁𝐄𝐄𝐍   restless   as   of   late.   she   had   come   to   elias   to   help   jarrah   with   his   beloved   ship.   over   the   past   two   years   she   had   set   sail   on   a   new   course.   one   she   had   never   anticipated   on   taking.   she   was   tired   and   it   showed.   her   porcelain   skin   was   never   forgiving.   it   gave   away   how   she   felt   before   her   expression   ever   could.   she   was   sat   by   the   pier   -   she   had   always   found   solace   by   the   ocean,   a   peace   of   mind.   it’s   what   she   needed   after   a   long   night.   she   had   become   entranced   by   the   constant   moving   waves   that   she   didn’t   notice   the   stranger   beside   her.      “   oh.   pardon   me.   ”      she   spoke   ,   looking   up.      “   If   you’re   looking   for   company   I   don’t   think   i’m   the   best   candidate.   ”

*

Monroe had yet to learn that Georgette was not particularly keen to seek out other people’s company. She was a Foxworth now, she had to be picky... but still the moment the puppy managed to escape her collar, she was making a beeline to some stranger.

She had barely caught the dog, cuddling it up into her arms, when the woman looked up. Elizabeth McQueen... maybe Monroe had better taste than she thought. Georgette should not have doubted her pet would have impeccable taste in company. “I am afraid Monroe begs to disagree and she is quite headstrong.” Aware enough that the woman needed a shoulder, and even more aware that she would most definitely not be the one she spilled her woes to, she gave a smile and offered the puppy over. “Would you like to hold her? Despite my sternest warnings about strangers, she is quite sweet.” She smiled.

        admittedly, he wasn’t sure how he felt about all of this - because he could take it two ways. either one, she thought he was a fuckin’ dumbass that needed to go back to school or two, she thought he was more capable than he did. trying to open doors or whatever he would otherwise have bolted shut. that was what he was thinking about as he stared at the envelope, hesitance still lingering in the air.

        “ you really think i could pull this shit off ? maaan, i dunno about that. ” regardless of how she was looking at it, he was used to being perceived of the least intelligent in the collection of misfits that was his family. comic relief, if they wanted to be nice. so it made sense that he wondered if he could even do well in school. it wasn’t like his track record was good at fifteen. “ how pissed are you gonna be when i end up flunking out ? ”

*

Soft hands cupped his cheeks, softer lips kissed his, as Georgette replied, “Very.”

“But only because if you flunk out, it will be because you gave up, not because you couldn’t do it.” Since Orion had decided to abandon all, Georgette had had the luxury of watching Alejandro step up to the plate. Watching him take charge and make decisions was... honestly a massive turn on... but also inspiring. Before that, though, she had spent her time talking with him, learning about him. Rarely a day went by where they did not speak, and she knew how much deeper the well of his person went. “And it does not have to be business. I chose that for the paperwork after dreamily watching you bring Snake Eyes under your thumb... but you could insert whatever goal you like into this.” She held the envelope back out to him. “You are smart and you are capable, and of my many honors I have and will receive in my life, if I can have any part in helping you see that, that one will remain near the top.”

        “ yeah, that’s the one, ” alejandro said with a chuckle. he had asked miss minnie more than once what they were, only to forget again before he even got to her loft. instinctively, he squeezed her hand as he headed inside and shut the door behind him. “ it was good. got my shit taken care of, got to see the gang. glad to be back, though. ” granted, he didn’t see them for very long. the majority of the time had been spent with daniela, but no one had to know about that yet. besides wally, of course. “ come here, ” he told her as he gently pulled her closer to him. with a hand reaching for the back of her neck and another resting at her side, he pressed his lips against hers. as he pulled away, he reached for the necklace in his back pocket. “ here. i got this too. ”

        when georgette handed him the envelope, he froze as he saw what it contained.. “ how the fuck did you manage this? i didn’t even graduate high school. ” that wasn’t something he admitted every day, but having to leave home at sixteen meant he stopped going to school. getting his equivalent was just not something that ever crossed his mind, considering he was getting by just fine without it. while he was appreciative of this, knowing that she meant well, one look at the check had him shaking his head. it cost thousands of dollars to go to college - he couldn’t do that. “ thank you, ” he said, hesitant in his words as he attempted to hand the envelope back. “ but i can’t accept this. ”

*

The arm with the flowers still hung loose over Alejandro’s shoulder as she opened the necklace with the other, eyes soft as she took it in. “You spoil me.” Georgette had necklaces, diamonds. Her Sweet Sixteen had been Tiffany’s-themed. And they were bought by herself, or a parent attempting to buy her love, or silence, or slipped into a goody bag for some event. A soft finger ran over the chain, enamored with the piece far beyond any high end label deserved, simply because it had been picked with her in mind, given to her by someone that actually gave a damn. Carefully she lifted it, passing it into his hand as she twisted and pulled her hair to the side. “Let us see how radiant I will look in it.” She smiled, glancing back at him over her shoulder.

When picking out what to get for Alejandro, the woman had been aware her choice was unconventional. She stood nervously as he took it in, shrugging away his question, “Let’s say I had to pull some strings because it was a real Full House.” She winked, but most of what she felt was the uncertainty, a feeling that lingered in the air. Georgette could only shake her head as he tried to hand it back her way, clasping her fingers around where he held the envelope and stepping in close to him, letting his present press between them. “Hear me out. I know it is a lot but there is one thing I need you to understand...” She leaned her forehead against his, her voice picking up confidence as she relayed, “I was an amazing beauty queen. Over-alls, talent, formalwear, interview... I took zero prisoners... and do you know what they give young beauty queens that win?” She whispered, “Scholarships... and do you know who barely dipped her toes into higher education?” Georgette pointed at herself as she finally pulled back.

"See, it isn’t really my money so you can take it.”

        an extremely long talk with fagin over the holiday had originally kept alejandro questioning whether it made sense to go even travel back to california. he had his job, sure - and with the boss going awol he couldn’t leave everyone hanging for very long. but he could very well make sure they’re good and find an equal paying job back home. closer to his family and to daniela. but the money, his friends, the very woman in front of him - it all helped. he had security here and he wasn’t ready to give it up yet.

          “ thought sadie might kill beck if i stayed away too long, ” he joked, smirk on his face. he could say some corny shit, but he refrained. “ or vice versa, can never tell with those two. ” his hand reached for the small of her back as he slipped by her through the door, taking her to lead her back inside as he held the door open. “ yeah, you like those ? miss minnie added some fuckin’ … what is this ? ” he pointed to the tiny white flowers mixed in with the roses. “ some baby shit. ”

*

“Baby’s breath.” Georgette informed, her smile still wide across her face. “And I love them. I am a basic girl with basic loves - roses, specifically pink, put together with an eye for detail only acquired through years of practice - and handsome men who remember that.” Heaven help the person who brought her wildflowers from the side of the road. A second kiss to his cheek and she reached to her back, taking his hand in hers to pull him further into her house.

“How was the city?” She asked wistfully. “The weather here has not broke 60. I have been waiting for it to start to feel like the holidays, and now it’s January, and I have just about given up hope.” Georgette laughed softly as she kneeled down by the tree, fetching an envelope that she passed his way. “Merry Christmas.” The envelope was thick, folded up inside a nearly filled out college application, an acceptance letter, and a check written out for the amount of two semesters tuition. “To help with your new business empire. Now when you are all powerful and successful, I can say he only made it because of me.” She laughed.