anita dearly.

At this point Minnie wasn’t sure what people from her, if she was offering and nice then she was too accommodating and if she wasn’t then she wasn’t enough and it was making her question everything about herself because usually in school, battering her eyelashes or looking pretty would usually get her what she wanted but she did both of those things and she still wasn’t satisfied, which is why when she was by Anita she felt like she had completely given up at this point, what more could people take from her? Her best friend wasn’t here and no amount of money could bring her back so if someone stole from her would it really be that much of a loss? “I mean is anyone really alright in life? Besides I should ask you the same thing, no one sits at a bar by themselves unless something was wrong or they were in dire need of company” looking over to what she was doing prior to her coming in here noticing the sketch pad; “may I?” asking to see it.

“ touché, ” had minnie not been one of her students, anita might’ve indulged her in her woes but instead she decided to focus on the younger. not commenting further on the fact that she herself was in a bar, alone, seeking company from strangers rather than talking to her friends. her friends who had helped her lose her mind slightly when it came to one handsome tall golden retriever of a man. it wasn’t precisely their fault that she had let him in, but they had helped into her ( once again ) painting up an image of something that clearly wasn’t happening.  “ i rarely show anyone my sketches, ” anita began before pausing and moving the sketchpad closer, opening it up and flipping through sketches.  “ ––– but, here you go. ” she pushed the sketchpad towards minnie. “ just don’t judge me too harshly. even professors have feelings. ”

Minnie had a lot of things happen to her in the past that were negative but fighting with Daisy had to come close to being the worst, the worst because she felt she didn’t know who to turn to now that the most important in her life was gone or well on the back burner because she didn’t know what was going to happen with them; her parents were not an option for her and she wasn’t close with too many people that she could just curl on a couch with someone and hug them so right now she was trying to trudge through and pretend this didn’t affect her but it a hundred percent did.

Taking her card out of her bag she placed it on the bench and slid it over to the brunette, she was so done with life she didn’t care who else took advantage of her right now; “What drink and how many?” she asked as she pressed her lips together lifting her own to her lips, she had to admit she hadn’t drunk as much alcohol as she did since the fight but it’s what helped numb the pain right now, it helped her sleep and it helped her feel something else other then the empty void that she felt whenever she thought of Daisy.

as the card slid over to her, anita lifted her gaze from her sketchpad and turned it towards the girl who had settled down next to her. there was something about what the girl had said and the action of sliding over her card to a stranger that caused anita to touch the card, only to slide it right back to her. “ let’s open a tab together, and split it later. ” she hadn’t wanted someone’s money, only a drink as payment for her time or as a conversation starter. gesturing to the bartender she quickly opened a tab and ordered two very specific and carefully instructed gin & tonics. “ giving your card to strangers could prove to be a rather reckless thing, you alright ? ” and for once anita asked someone else how they were and showed some care and as she spoke it dawned on her who the girl was. one of her students, none other than the very promising miss minnie mousington. 

Posey saw Anita in the window, she looked sad and she was worried because she didn’t like her friends being sad and especially not Anita, she carried her baby yoda with her because it was pop culture week at work and she wanted to bring him with her at least for the kids because she knew they would find him cute and adorable - who didn’t? “I would h-happily buy you a drink if I k-knew what you’d like but I m-mainly came here to see y-you because you looked so-… d-down and I don’t know how I k-knew that from 500 metres a-away but maybe it’s b-because we have been friends for a l-long time or maybe-… B-Baby Yoda told me b-because he is m-magical and he knows all and B-Baby Yoda-… he never l-lies” Posey wasn’t good with sad or negative emotions and so when she was around them or had people around her that were in the same mood she retreated to a state of escapism, a place where she didn’t have to feel it, because it hurt and Posey didn’t like to hurt.

surprised coloured anita’s features as she heard posey’s voice but the surprise soon settled into a warm smile, even if she was unsure if she had ever seen the blonde in a bar before. closing her sketchpad where nothing creative or good enough had been produced since sven’s departure, she turned her attention to posey entirely. a small, but kind, laugh escaping her as the blonde spoke about baby yoda. posey had always been endearing and lovely, someone soft and innocent seemingly living in a different world than the one anita found herself in. sometimes, she even wished she could have some of posey’s rose-coloured glasses to wear just to experience the world her way. “ i think you were the one who noticed but baby yoda might’ve played a part in it too. ” hand reaching out and tucking a blonde strand behind posey’s ear. “ don’t worry about me, m’lovely, i’ll be fine. i am fine. ”

Jake had just entered the establishment when he looked around and had the luck to spot an attractive brunette sitting alone at the bar. He sidled into the seat next to her and was about to say something get her attention when she beat him to it. “I was actually about to ask if I could, so that works out. What’s your poison?”

 “ gin & tonic, it needs to be hendrick’s gin. i prefer a few peppercorns and cucumber in it as well. no lime or lemon. ” assertive and demanding in what she liked. the smile on anita’s lips turning into a smirk as she turned to meet his gaze. she wouldn’t say no to a free drink, it was the least she could do when everything seemed to slip between her fingers ( as per usual ). plus, he wasn’t exactly hard on the eyes a n d she suspected this was the man bianca had mentioned before. what was his name –– john ? jacob ? closing the sketchpad and slipping it into her louis vuitton neverfull she turned her attention towards him. waiting for what he would say next.

it was a rarity when anita didn’t see bianca ( @detectivegabor​ ) for a couple of days. almost unheard of that they hadn’t seen each other for two weeks, but with busy schedules, interviews that led nowhere and other things grabbing both of the girl’s attention their friendship had to sit on the back-burner. only a few texts to check if the other was alright passing between them. always checking in, never being too overbearing, but being close enough to ensure that the other was fine. which is also why, the girls had swapped keys ( just in case, to check in on each other ) and with a text earlier, anita knew that bianca would be home and  bianca in turn knew that anita was coming over. so instead of knocking on the door, anita opened with her key, a bottle of chateauneuf du pape in hand ( her favourite ) and entered bianca’s apartment. closing the door with a loud thud. “ it’s me and i’ve got red wine, ” she called down the hallway as she moved towards the kitchen, her louboutins clicking against the floor as she moved. “ and once this bottle is finished, i expect you to have gin because you owe me at least that. ” filling up the glasses with the wine and propping the bottle under her arm as she stepped into the living room she met bianca’s gaze. a nod in acknowledgement as she put the glasses and wine down, and shimmed out of her burberry trenchcoat before she settle down on the sofa. “ because, you know, you keep telling me to go for men who prove themselves to be utter knobs. honestly, do you have something against me ? ”

weekday afternoons, before happy hour but after the lunch rush, was the fagin’s sweet spot. boring as hell, but with enough time to chat up lingering customers, swipe food from the kitchen, maybe play a game of counter hockey with the busboys. come while they were swamped and a person was more likely to get a growl than a greeting, so any and all friends of tito’s knew to stop bye during his afternoon lull.

he was handing off a beer to a regular when he noticed her ( @anitadearlys· ). “well if it isn’t the most beautiful woman in the world.” he paused for a second. “mend that, second most beautiful. sorry lovely, but you’ve been demoted.” leaning across the bar, he smacked a loud kiss on anita’s cheek before retreating, hands automatically moving to craft her favored drink. the habit as familiar to him as the lines of her face.

“whatever happened with that damn shower head of yours?” he inquired as he worked, remembering anita’s texting about the whole ordeal. “how did you even manage to break it? too much personal use?” he winked, unable to help himself. already laughing at his own joke as he ducked his head, half expecting her to chuck something at him.

anita hadn’t intended to stop by fagin’s for a drink after work, but as fatigue lingered in her bones and the smiles she’d been sharing more often than not lately had diminished as the day had carried on. blimey, she hated tuesdays. some said that monday’s was the worst but anita didn’t agree. it was the second day of the week that went by the slowest and felt farthest away from anything fun. fun, she hadn’t felt like anything was fun until very recently. the days disappearing slowly but, something had change. s o m e t h i n g, that caused that stone heart within to come alive again. beating hard against her rib cage when she let her thoughts think of a certain sven’s shirtless chest. shaking her head, smiling to herself she opened the door to fagin’s and within seconds she heard iggy’s voice addressing her. dark eyes looking up and meeting his as she settled down at the bar. the brush of his lips against her cheeks causing a smile even if he had just told her she wasn’t the most beautiful woman anymore, something she wouldn’t let go uncommented. “ second ? maybe i should demote you from friend to annoying acquaintance, hm? since you were never the most handsome man in the world, but only ranking 30th in the most endearing man in the world. ” 

studying his hands as he moved to craft her favourite drink, anita easily fell into step with their usual jargong. one that she appreciated after all these years where iggy had played an important part in her life. even when he broke her heart and they didn’t speak for a couple of years as university drove them apart. he had after all, been her first in many ways and connections like that aren’t easily forgotten. “ a girl has needs, iggy. ” she smirks secretively continuing the joke where she in any other situation would have denied. with him, she transformed, as she had always transformed in his presence. the weight on her shoulders lessening for each word passed between them. “ so, tell me. who is the most beautiful woman in the world ? i need to know who's my competition. ”

Nick took a few more sips, eyes scanning over Anita. Becoming mild drinking buddies hadn’t been his intentions when he ran into her. But considering they also shared a Judy along with a Crue, it was only a matter of time before they ended up spending time together. While Judy was great, she also tended to be too nice and went for comforting, rather than shady towards his employer. 

“Scheduled inventory, with shipment day, along with reworking the leather jacket display. I’ve been working for over 14 hours,” he deadpanned. That along with the entitled customers had made for a nightmare of a day. Taking another swing of his beer he shook his head, “She make you another offer?” 

“ sounds like a lovely day spent, ” small smile on ruby lips as she took a sip from her drink. “ who wouldn’t want to spend their day like that ? but as we are comparing days, i think i win.” turning to nick in her seat, knees touching his briefly with the movement the small smile grew slightly. “ i first had a morning lecture where one student turned up, then was accused of favoritism, followed by spilling yoghurt on my michael kors dress and then a shift at the library with screaming youths. ” she waved to the bartender to request two tequila shots. “ so, if we’re doing a competition of who’s got the most miserable day i think i win. shots on you, by the way. ” once the shots arrived she downed her own and nudged the other one towards nick. “ and no, i’ve not received another job offer from crue. which is a blessing. ”

“well I don’t think a lowly failing singer/songwriter from nashville can help much?” she said shaking her head “I love a good whiskey, all I do is drink it, nothing fruity for me, or too bitter you know?”

 “ mhm, ” she nods accepting that her comment clearly had fallen on deaf ears as she moves to take another sip from her drink. “ hopefully you drink some water too, only whisky can be awfully dehydrating. ” small smile offerred.

CLOSED STARTER FOR @anitadearlys·

Pages open, words half written, glance out the window and the time ticking by, it was how people usually found Priscilla, either studying, about to study or just finished studying because between working at Radcliffe Records and her schooling, she didn’t have much of a social life and she didn’t want one to be honest, she was happy with the end goal that one day she would be graduating and she would be qualified and all would be okay with the world. Love, relationships and all of that would just be a distraction to her and that is the last thing she wanted right now, she saw the same thing in terms of socialising; it was why the only times she left campus or her else was to get essentials and necessities or to see her sister.

Which is what she was basically doing only she was a couple of hours early but she did that on purpose, you see more then once or twice a week, Anita and Priscilla would meet, in the same cafe, the same spot at the same time - Pree insisted on this because it worked best with her schedule and she liked routine, she liked being able to be on time and feel like she was ticking things off whether it was mentally or physically she just liked being able to have that satisfaction of knowing that things were in order. It was how she was, strict and to the point, at least with herself. So many people would say she was a tad bit uptight but she didn’t think that was a problem. 

Just like clockwork, her eyes glanced up as she saw her sister walk in, Burberry trench coat, heels so high that she wondered how on earth the balls of her feet were doing or if her feet her practically deformed at this point - but she had to give it to her, she looked amazing - as she always did and she looked so expensive that all the designers around her were shrivelling in on themselves; “I’m so glad you’re here. I feel like I’m going insane with this upcoming test!” she stressed as she allowed the other to sit down closing up all the books and scattered pages that she had around her;  “I swear if this homework isn’t gonna drive me insane, I am trying to complete it-… how have you been?”

there was no one more important to anita than her younger sister, her baby sister. the one she had protected since the day priscilla was born. and there was nothing anita wouldn’t do for her sister. no limits and no ends to what she would do for her, and if she could give priscilla the world she would. anita often referred to her years before having a sister as an endless waiting to have a sibling and once her sister had been born, that’s when anita said her life begun. the two close and whispering secrets in the dead of night as they grew up, and even if anita kept some parts of her current life away from her sister there were still a lot of comfort that she felt when she walked into the coffee shop and spotted her sitting at a table. the smile on anita’s lips widening as she heard her sister’s outburst and with a nod towards the barista ( they knew both her and her order by this point ) she walked over, carefully undid her trenchcoat and placed it on a hanger, only to reveal a tight black jumpsuit underneath. “ pree, i promise you, you won’t go insane. ” she calmed as she sat down. one hand moving to close the other’s study books. “ we both know that there is no test you can’t ace. you’re a star. please don’t stress too much ? ”

she couldn’t help but worry about her sister. even when there was small, natural, worries anita would become vigilant and careful. her voice softer than with anyone else. it was the effect her sister had on her. they were one and the same. different but yet so similar. “ oh, i’ve been fine. same old same old. ” but the smile on her lip conveys a different tale and before her sister is able to query about it anita opens up. “ don’t get too excited, as my past is less than pristine. but i met this... man. he helped me with my shower and somehow now he’s also coming with me to check on perdy ? ” smile offerred to the barista as the coffee is placed in front of her but instead of sipping the double espresso anita leans slightly forward, head resting in her hand as she leans slightly on the table. “ enough about me, though. how are you, m’love ? ”

judy [16.23]: !!! you're sketching! that's great!

judy [16.24]: and omfg, what did you thank him for?

judy [16.26]: listen i'm just glad you replied bc i was about to change my plans for the evening to come over and smack you if you didn't text him back

luna [16.30]: I cannot remain calm. i have legit never seen you with any man in my life-... unless your vibrator is named 'man' then i probably have.

luna [16.32]: i just love how this guys comes into your life and suddenly you are smiling more, glowing more, sketching and apparently getting a puppy-... Oh but right you 'barely know him' and we should 'calm down'. 🙄

luna [16.34]: seconding judy, i would have made her come pick me up so we can come snack you together

luna [16.35]: smack-...i mean smack. but u a snack too.

anita [16.40] : let's not get ahead of ourselves. my sketching inspiration might come from the fine weather too. ain't no man having that much of an effect.

anita [16.41] : even if he is insanely hot without a shirt.

anita [16.41] : like. out of this world. is this even legal. kind of way.