𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚝 𝚜𝚘𝚞𝚕

𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: bear creek boardwalk.

sebastian walked with one hand tucked into his pocket, the other holding onto pollux's leash lose enough to give his dog freedom to explore as he prances side by side with briar and on one of his shoulders dangled a bag "everyone ready for a picnic?" he called out as the group walked closer to the end of the board, close to the seats many tourists and locals alike sit to take in the view and marvel over bear creek's beauty. it had become one of his favorite places in town from the moment he first move as a teen, somewhere to escape to when life got too difficult and the only thing that could put things into perspective was a body of water and the colorado mountains. "i packed everyone's favorites and some surprises for snacks" then, he turned to briar "i made some remy-safe versions of everything, went on a deep dive on children food now compared to ten years ago when jamie was a baby. who knew things could change so much in such short amount of time? i was flabbergasted."

"have at it, then," he smiles all the same, surrendering the vessel and preparing for the lecture that's coming. "the cook appears to have deserted his post. surely the pantry contains something edible. failing that, smokey’s delivers?" brows furrow. uninspiring options, admittedly, but not beyond hope. the slight tiredness behind her eyes does not go unnoticed, as he flings the main doors open for them. "love, you ever consider eating before you are starving?"

⸻ A manicured blonde brow raised when he gave in, handing his drink. And then, she sipped it, trying to flavor it, and took a bigger gulp. Contrary to popular belief, Briar isn't a snob; however, she could drink anything, really, but her brain never stops working properly. ❛ Hmm… Tastes heavily oak-chipped, definitely added sugar to mask the early-harvest acidity, and a hint of wet cardboard on the finish. It tastes good. ❜ Then she handed his drink back and followed him inside his place. ❛ It's a cheap wine, but it is good. ❜ She had her palate refined, and she could tell if any wine was cheap by its smell. Briar does buy as well, but only to cook. This would be the type; it'd be in her home, to bake something.

"yes, please show me what a bramble is," it is a safe flirting taunt as he follows her, because surely there isn't a universe in which she gives two shits about his handsome face with everything she's got going on. some days he just wants to help, truly; but mostly he's happy her bozo husband kicked rocks so they can hang out.

⸻ She slapped him on the shoulder jokingly when he repeated that ridiculous nickname that he always used to her. Part of her wanted to tell him that she had a crush on him, but alas, he was her ex-husband's business partner, or whatever Marcel was up to. And then she inhaled the smoke slowly, exhaling as if she was freeing all the stress she carried. ❛ You're not going to deny me this. ❜ She squinted her gaze at him when he said she couldn't know. Says the man who delivered the news that her husband, or ex, was dead.

"oh, hello, darling." her attention had been momentarily misplaced by the disappearance of her wife, and the very appearance of a cup of bourdeaux she was currently sampling. of course, she is quick to greet the blonde owner of the place as she comes into her line of view, putting down her glass after a small sip. "this is delicious, you know? is this what makes this tour special, or are we supposed to expect some surprise?" she had taken the tour of the place several times over the year, so the question seems justified enough for it to not be rude.

"You. You, come over here a second." Victor beckoned. He needed to work on his people skills, that was true, but he also needed a second opinion. "No, just, leave that, sit here, and try that. Go on. Seriously. It's stale, right?" He scoffed as he slide the small white plate of biscotti towards the stranger. "And it's not the kind of stale where it's been sitting in a display for a few hours, that's gotta be days old, right? I mean it taste like they went to a supermarket and bought it in bulk and now they just leave it there. Is this really what we've come to? I might as well gone to Starbucks."

lew's nursing a serving of wine in a thermos like an absolute heathen mostly because nobody's here to say much to him about it, are they? he's standing out in the driveway of the ski lodge, sun setting nice and picturesque over horizon. briar pulls up through half a city for what's surely a secret smoke on a veranda, he knows in advance by now. a pack of cigarette flies through the air in her direction. "bramble," the affectionate nickname slips out as the easiest habit. "you know what's mine is yours, but this is not at all time efficient for you."

⸻ And her mother decided to pop up at her place, out of the blue, simply because she can't resist seeing her grandson. Rémy was early with her at the Tangle Vine, helping "mama", and when she got home, her mother was there to spoil him. Annabelle, her Aussie mother, asked to let Rémy stay a night over with her, and it'd mean she could've a night free… Or at least for a few hours; knowing well her son, he'd cry and ask for her at some point. This is when she took advantage to cross the other side of the neighborhood, driving to see Lew. She re-touched her gloss on her rosy lips and fixed her silky blonde hair before getting into his place.

━━━he stepped out into the Rouge Room’s side corridor for a moment. having been halfway through a quiet, but also rather unpleasant conversation; the usual murmur of money and obligation behind closed doors. and that was when she nearly walked straight into him. he caught her elbow on reflex, steadying her before she could stumble back, grip firm but still gentle, careful. for a split second, his eyes flicked downward, cataloging her the way he did everything; posture, breath, the faint shimmer of sweat under stage lights, the way confidence sat on her like second skin. then recognition hit, familiar in a way that slipped past his defenses before he could stop it. 

Kaan stilled for the briefiest moment. of all the ghosts Vegas had thrown at him, this one had a different air; a different kind of a past that no longer seemed fit for how his life was now. her coy little greeting pulled the faintest reaction from him —not a smile, but something close. a shift. his grip loosened from her arm as he stepped back, giving her space but still staying close. "careful," he said, voice low, steady, as if she hadn’t just blindsided him with memory. "you never know who you can stumble upon."

his gaze lingered for half a second too long before he corrected it, eyes lifting to meet hers properly. Rouge Room lighting painted her in reds and shadows —fitting, considering the ownership. "I didn’t expect to see you here," he added, tone even, but not cold. "...of all places."

behind him, the muffled sound of voices from the backroom reminded him exactly why he was here —business, pressure, blood threats wrapped in velvet. still, he didn’t move asid yet. "you work here?" he asked, casual enough to pass for politeness, small talk. Could this be a coincidence?

⸻ She felt the familiar squeeze from his firm grip to steady her and prevent another fall. ❛ Kaan. Kan-Kan… ❜ She says teasingly, like she used to call once upon a time. Anouk looked at him, intrigued by his words. Careful? ❛ I can take care of myself. ❜ Hardly, but he does not need to know. She flipped her silky golden hair with the back of her hand. ❛ Well, I didn't expect to be here either. Then again, it's not much different from where I was. Just a different scenery. ❜ She shrugs her shoulders nonchalantly.

❛ Yeah, I just moved here, and that was the first job I got. Girls have got to eat. ❜ She replied. As long as they pay her, this is the only thing she needs. ⎯ ❛ Are you the owner of this place? ❜ She only assumed it by the clothes he wore, the way his posture… And between them, he seems to be the one who lives well. Financially speaking, whatever is it is that he does. He does look like an C.E.O in her point of view.

It was safe to say, she kind of ran away from the circus, literally. She wants to fulfill her dreams in the sin city. Kaan didn't look so different from the last time she remembers, except… He seemed more tired. Beautiful, she always thought he was the most beautiful man she ever met in her life. Apparently, from all those years apart, her thought hadn't changed.

it always seemed to boil down to that , figuring out what could be sold to the right person , to anyone willing to believe one water was somehow different from the next . if one of the signs advertised eternal life , osian was almost certain the line would be out the door , or whatever that arch they'd all walked through was supposed to be . ❝ be a hell of a way to get us all , ❞ he mused with a soft smirk , eyes dropping again to the bottle , one that probably didn't contain poison . hopefully .

❝ you know what ? flavor would make this much better , ❞ he conceded , lifting his gaze back to her . ❝ maybe you should offer them your services . overcharge them for ideas like that . ❞ it wasn't as if the company couldn't afford it , judging by the dramatic , over-the-top setup around them . ❝ well , i don't know the first thing about classical music , but i'm starting to think we're caught between the two . ❞

⸻ She tilts her head to Osian when he agrees with her that flavored water would be better. ❛ As long as they are willing to pay, I can give an idea or two. ❜ Seems like some people here do not really care how much they're paying until they get their problem fixed or whatever, this was the vibe she got from the city. Observing people around her.

❛ I know about music, and classical too. It's just… I don't even know how to explain… They should play a good Beethoven if they want to keep on these lines. At least, it's more… Exciting. ❜ Lively, that part goes unsaid. She knew a lot about music, not only because she was a singer, but also due to her life in the circus. There was much more than what the eyes can see on stage. There is a whole project behind the scenes, a lot of studies, and cooperation with everyone.