Force of Nature

“Hmm…You know, strangely, I agree.”  he replied with a grin as his eyes followed her form as she wandered through their flat, looking for the hammer.  He loved to watch her move, regardless of what she was doing; dancing, walking, gesturing as she spoke to others.  All her actions shined with this undeniable amount of confidence.  It was hard to describe, but other people’s confidence seemed heavy handed to him, whereas hers seemed light, and bright.  “To be fair, i do have many other attributes.” he argued playfully.  “What woman doesn’t want a starving artist, after all?” he jested, although he was far from starving.  Business was good, after all.  — He dodged playfully as she gestured, hammer in hand, before gently grabbing her wrist and prying it from her grip.  “I’m sorry, but you’ve proven you can no longer be trusted with tools.” he grinned.  “But feel free to give my poor vanity arms a break and hold up the painting, will you?”

“I wouldn’t say there was anything strange about my being right.” If there was one thing she loved most about him ( an impossible decision really when there was so much ) it was that he had never once tried to dim her confidence to light up his own. He didn’t fall into the trap that so many others had in being intimidated instead of embracing it. There was only mutual respect and endless support. Perhaps the second thing she loved the most was watching him work and the endless amounts of talent that flowed into his designs. As much as she could and would wax lyrical about him, now wasn’t the time when they were rallying playful words back and forth. A tennis match far more entertaining to her than any at Wimbledon. “I suppose that does have a certain charm to it. It’s a shame you’re a successful one.” 

Smug grin spread over her features as he plucked the hammer from her hands when she’d had no intention of being the one to put the nail in the wall. “Now that was too easy.” With a gentle pull of her arm towards her, his hand still gently wrapped around it, she closed the space between them. Kiss was pressed against his lips quickly before she twirled away to pick up the painting. For once she was thankful that she had been to the gym that week, the weight of it taking her somewhat by surprised. But that didn’t stop her from hefting it up and flashing him a grin over her shoulder as though it weighed nothing.  “You really need to work on those arms, babe. This isn’t that bad.”

Val probably shouldn’t have been spending so much time at the bar. But he got his meetings done early, met with his assistant, and by the evening, he was usually bored- and available. So he ended up having his driver drop him off at a nice bar, and he’d walk in. By now, the bartender knew his face, always helped him get to a seat, asked him what he needed. So tonight, Val was seated with a leg crossed, sipping on white wine and listening to the music. He had offered a friend to come out for a fun night, but hadn’t heard back yet, when he heard someone speak to him. “Hm? Oh, my phone’s kinda difficult for people t’use.” He explained. His phone had a lot of accessibility features turned on, and the screen stayed dark even as he lifted it to punctuate the point. “D’you need a charger, though? I’ve got an iphone charger in my bag.” He explained, feeling around in the messenger bag hanging off his chair.

The hopeful, winning smile that had been on her features wavered slightly when it seemed as though her newly made plan had been foiled. But moments later the offer of a charger caused both her expression and tone to brighten once more. “Ah, well contrary to what I just said, I’m not all that much of a tech wizard so I’ll take the easy option.” Self deprecation was heavy in her voice, light amount of laughter bubbling up at her own expense before she shifted to something more genuine and grateful once more. “A charger would be wonderful, thank you.” With a bit of luck her phone would only take a few minutes to light back up again so she could get her message sent. True to her word having grown up to value you the importance of them, Cressida kept her offer of something in return. “What drink can I get you?”

“That shirt isn’t your color.” Katarina spoke from behind the person, she took a couple steps forward to make her presence known. “While everyone thinks yellow is coming back and is there color it’s honestly no ones.” She rambled on before she started to scan through the colorful racks, she eyed the person closely to match their color platte to them. “Here try this.” Pulling the shirt out in what she assumed would be the right size given the fact she was eyeing measurements. “It’ll make your eyes pop more than the one you have in your hand. Trust me.” She told him, held out the shirt with a tight cool smile on her face. 

Brow raised at the unfamiliar voice as she did her best not to press her lips together in displeasure at the notion that she was unable to pick out clothes for herself. If there was one thing her mother had been sure to pass on, it was her dress sense. “I have five dresses that say otherwise.” Tone was still cordial enough, well practised in keeping things even both in and out of the courtroom. “But this isn’t actually for me. I can assure you my fiancé looks wonderful in yellow.” Small amount of guilt crept in when she knew she’d departed from her usual easy going self - but she had never much liked being told she was wrong. Glance was given to the garment that had been thrust her way, small smile making its way onto her lips. “This, however, is a nice pick.” 

Brooke nodded. “Been there, done that. I mean I could offer you that instead but using my phone will probably just be faster.” she grinned, handing her the phone. “Are you sure? I mean you really don’t have to do that.” To be truthfully, Brooke was wanting to take of offer. “But okay if you want too.” A chuckled escaped her lips. “Well then, I’ll try whatever you recommended. I love cocktails.”

“It probably will be.” A small nod was given when she knew her message was somewhat time sensitive. “Although I have to say you’re tempting me to be greedy and ask if I can do both - I’ll up my price to two cocktails.” Laughter bubbled up before she gave a firm nod to the other woman’s question, fully prepared to repay the favour in whatever way was suitable. “Positive. Are you someone who likes to taste the alcohol or who prefers their drinks a little more fruity and light?”

The blonde kept her eyes focused on her phone, not wanting to read as she was typing, rather making sure she didn’t went around to check on her texts or other important things her phone held. She finally smiled again getting her phone back.“Oh, if I drink more than this, I won’t be able to drive back home”, she joked, partially being serious as she wasn’t the drinking type, but assured she could handle another glass of wine. “Any advise in a particular taste of wine?”, she asked to both the bartender and the lady next to her.

Despite feeling eyes on her as she typed, the brunette remained unbothered. After all, she had nothing to hide in her message and in truth she couldn’t blame the blonde for keeping an eye on her property. Brow raised at the joke, quick to follow it with a dry one of her own. “You know, you almost had me fooled there but then I remembered no one drives in London.” Soft hum of contemplation was given to the question, thankful that she was something of a regular in the bar so she could make an accurate recommendation. “That depends if you’re a white or red drinker. The reds here I know quite extensively, the whites less so.” 

who: @cressidawu​ where: cress’ office when: midday

In the week since she’d arrived in London, Adeline had been almost constantly bored. With Quentin at work - and possibly avoiding her; she still wasn’t too sure her husband was happy to see her - and rehearsals with the Royal Ballet still a few days away, Adeline had taken to wandering her new home. Soon enough, even that had grown tiresome, and so she found herself dropping in on one of the few friends she had in the city. After a little bit of a tiff, Adeline waltzed into Cressida’s office, knocking on the door as an afterthought. “Mon cœur, please tell me you have time to take a lunch break with me. This city is so dreadfully boring on your own.”

Gaze flickered up from her work only to be greeted my a familiar face. “Well then you simply haven’t been going to the right places, mon petit chou.” The French term of endearment slipped off her tongue usually perfect accent playfully askew, solely for the amusement of both herself and her friend. Rising to her feet she was quickly resolved to making sure Adeline could come to love the city she now considered home as much as she did. “Come on, I have an hour or two to show you my favourite haunts.” 

it wasn’t a busy night - not by any means, the place was almost deserted - so cameron had witnessed the stranger’s entire journey from furious texting to the phone finally giving up once and for all; caught between letting the woman be and whipping out a portable charger to help. ( but that would have looked creepy and like they’d been overhearing - which they had been, fine, whatever. ) “ oh, yeah - ” fishing their battered old phone out of their pocket, cameron punched in the passcode and slid it across the bar with an accomplished little smile. “ just ignore the background, um. ” they scrubbed a hand across their face in vague embarrassment, the tips of their ears already red. it was a picture of them hunched over the toilet after a particularly long night out. “ my flatmate thinks he’s hilarious, but i’ll definitely take that drink. ”

Bright smile of gratitude was sent their way. “Thank you.” Expression shifted to one of amused bemusement as she took the phone and glanced down at the screen, preparing to type. “Hmm he would be right.” Part of her found it funny when it was not dissimilar to something she would have done to Hugh in her much younger years. “If you had the sense of humour of a seventeen year old.” Smirk played over her lips as she spoke before she looked up at them once more, brow raised. “Was it at least a good night?” Question was posed lightly as she set about writing out her text to Félix, glancing back up once she was finished. “What can I get you? Maybe it should be a soft drink if that picture is any indication of how you handle your alcohol?”

The woman’s words that she whispered had been indiscernible, but since she wasn’t talking to Cass, she figured there was no reason to try and suss out what they were. Considering she was looking at her phone while saying whatever it was, she imagined it had to do something with whatever she was looking at on it. Glancing up when the woman spoke louder and cast her gaze in her direction, Cass snorted a laugh at the comment. With a shrug of her shoulders as she dug her own phone out of her pocket, she unlocked it before handing it to the woman. “Happens to the best of us,” she replied with a smile. Lord knew she’d ended up in that situation before, no matter how hard she’d tried to conserve her battery. “So long as you’re not texting someone that’s gonna cost me loads of money, you go right ahead. No drink necessary, though if you need company while you wait for him, I’m more than happy to sit with you,” she added in a friendly manner. 

Grateful smile flashed over her lips, both for the phone and the comment that made her feel that little less unprepared. “Glad to know I’m not the only one.” Head had shaken at the other woman’s words, light laughter bubbling up. “No, no. He’s only a couple of tube stops away. If I wasn’t in heels I’d maybe go and tell him myself.” The message was typed out quickly and within moments she as handing the phone back to the other woman. “You are a life saver, thank you.” The offer caused her to raise a brow when most in London liked to be left alone - much to her disappointment when she loved the unexpected and had a knack of finding something interesting in everyone.  “Who am I to turn down some company? Especially when you’ve been so generous.” They barely knew one another but she could already tell that there were worse people to pass half an hour with. “If we’re passing the time together we ought to introduce ourselves - I’m Cressida. Now, how about that drink?” Despite the claim that it wasn’t necessary, she was determined to make her gratitude known.

Brooke went straight to the bar and took seat. She was about to track down the bartender when she heard a women next to her. “No worries, that happens to me all the time,she went into her bag to dig for her phone. “Thankfully portable chargers were invented.” she grinned before handing her phone. “Don’t worry about the drink, I’m not even sure what I want yet and really it’s no big deal.” 

She nodded as the brunette spoke, knowing that there was more than a little logic behind her mention of portable chargers. “Well being the tech savvy individual I am, do have one. Definitely useful - I just always forget to bring it with me.” Head shook at her own expense before a smile sprung to her lips once more. “I don’t mind waiting for you to decide when I appreciate this so much. If you want any help though the cocktails here are great.” 

Several group and single texts had been sent out to Amira’s friends, with texts containing apologies for lack of contact, words like ‘hey girl hey!’ and even promises to pay for everyone’s drinks if just someone, anyone would come out with her that evening.  Most texts went unanswered, a few got half assed replies with half assed excuses, and as Amira sat at the bar, phone in hands, staring at the texts, she knew she deserved it.  She had been such a horrible friend the past six years, but was only realizing it now.  Contact had been minimal on her end, but when she did reach out, so excited to share her own experiences in this crazy new world she was living in, she had rarely asked her friends about what was going on in their own lives.  She sipped on a nearly empty drink (mostly just melted ice mixed with small traces of liquor at this point) as she mindlessly scrolled through their social medias, unsurprised to find a few of the people she had texted all out together that very night.  She was interrupted mid pity party sigh by a somewhat desperate voice and it took her a moment to fully register the request.  “Oh, uh—No problem.  But try and steal it, and I will tackle you.”  What could she say? She had been burned before.

Engaging with others when she wanted something had always been a talent of hers - engaging with people in general whether or not she had any ulterior motive or not. She knew how to charm people and had learnt to find other ways to get her own way that didn’t just involve flashing the cash. But for all their interaction had started as a simple means to an end, she found her lips curving up into a smile at the brunette’s words. Gaze flickered over her as though she was sizing her up before coming to the natural conclusion. “I don’t doubt it.” There was of amusement in her voice at the image of her being tackled that betrayed the sincerity of her tone. “You have my word that I won’t steal it.” Playfully she drew a cross over her heart, just as she always had as a child to try to convince Hugh that whatever she said wasn’t some kind of joke or prank. With him she usually backtracked but on this occasion she had no intention of making a run for it. There was no fun in that when her new companion was piquing her interest. “But don’t just take my word for it, one look at these should tell you that i have no intention of making a dash for it.” She extended one leg, gesturing to the heeled boots she had on. “So, what’s your poison?”

“ I’m unfortunately not that surprised, ” Juliette retorted, her eyes on her own phone. “ You can use mine… ” The words were drawn out as she all but dangled the phone in the air. “ On the condition that after you send this final message, you pull that love-struck arrow out of your chest and spend actual time with me. I already forwarded all my end-of-the day reports and there’s nothing particularly entertaining about watching you stare longingly at a device for the foreseeable future. I’d also like to order an appetizer before the kitchen closes and the next century begins. ” 

Brow raised at her friend, words heavy with sarcasm slipping from her lips in retort. “Your faith in me is astounding.” She knew that relationships weren’t exactly a favourite subject but there was something of a stubborn refusal to stop talking about Félix all together. He was a huge part of her life and she had no intention of censoring that, any bitterness that came would be met with an equally tart reply of her own. “Seeing as the text is to accommodate spending some quality time with you I’m quite sure I can manage it. But you have to promise that I get your full undivided attention too - at least until the food comes.” Lips curved upwards into a smile, light laughter bubbling up. “Oh please do go ahead, far be it for me to deprive you of food. We can’t have you getting anymore hangry.”

When you work from home, any reason why one could be outside is a valid one. For weeks, Lorelei has been working on a new book after a surprising good wave of inspiration, a good wave that started to make her feel stuck between the walls of her studio. So after a class at the University, she decided to go to a nice place with a bar and get a glass of red wine to relax and enjoy herself. Getting her out off her mind zone, she looked to the woman by her side, after clearly approaching her with a request. “Uumm, sure. I guess we all been there”, she proclaimed with a smile, closing the apps she had open to make sure the stranger couldn’t mess with anything. “If it asks for password again, let me know”.

Bright, grateful smile sprung easily onto her lips when the other woman consented to her using the phone. “You are an absolute saint. Thank you, I really shouldn’t be that long though.” She started to type out her message, this time including the reason as to why it was coming from a strange number. True to her word, she was done in no time at all and handed the phone back to the blonde. With a smile on her lips she kept up her side of the bargain, catching the bartender’s attention as she posed her question. “Now, what can I get you as a thank you?”

Celeste stood at the bar waiting on her drink when she heard a voice next to her, she smiled at the familiar face. Giving a soft laugh at her words before she nodded. “Sure, I’m just more impressed that you remember his number off hand.” She told her as she handed over her cellphone, she made sure it was unlocked. “It’s okay I’ll pass on the drink considering I’m waiting on one, but you look like you could use one. Want to order something and drink while we wait for you fiance to text you back?”

“Well it’s just eleven numbers in the correct order.” She shrugged slightly. “Besides, I only bother with his and my hairdresser’s.” Grin spread over her features, amused at her own joke. “Then I’ll have to get the next one.” Lips pressed together slightly, hum escaping them as they did while she considered the brunette’s offer. She was feeling far too indecisive to pick her own order on the spot so providing the other woman’s was something that sounded good there was a temptation to simply double up. “What are you having?”

“Oh no, I’m listening. Keep going – - please.”

Sarcasm dripped from every word, thick and heavy on her tongue while her fingers worked aimlessly against random letters to create an auto-corrected mess. The drone of potential conversation could be successfully blocked out with minimal work, but there was no way to avoid the huff of a waitress as she shuffled away from the bar. Far be it from Selena to care; she hadn’t exactly invited anyone for conversation, and she definitely didn’t ask for anyone to sit next to her just as she thought she was safely alone.

Instead of taking the usual approach of ‘if I ignore them, they’ll go away’, Audrey made the mistake of scanning the person who apparently had enough social grace to leave a seat between them. Her typing resumed, a lengthy chain sent off to a friend’s number. The familiar sound of an outgoing message came before her cup of coffee was placed in front of her, leaving Selena to mentally reprimand herself for making sure the waitress hadn’t spit in it or something equally disgusting. But still, coffee was coffee and Selena was exhausted – - a long drink revealed that the coffee was ice cold and, judging by the taste, had been left over from the previous day or was simply a particularly shitty, store-bought brand.

“– - My god.” She shuddered, repulsed and suddenly in the mood for speaking to strangers. The kitsch neon sign above the coffee-pots was indicated with a nod of disdain, yet she still took another long drink. “I really hope this isn’t ‘the best coffee in town’.

Laid back had always been her default setting outside of work, taking life as it came when she had spent most of her twenties attempting to seize life in both hands. But it always inevitably slipped from her grasp and so she had settled for taking her career as the one thing that she actively tried to steer. Fate doing the rest of the work for her. For the most part it had worked, happiness and enjoyment restored to her life as well as her dream job eventually being achieved. 

The new perspective she’d gained years ago mean that she could spend her time in cafes without feeling too guilty, favourites developing over the years. She had slid into her usual seat without thinking, barely paying attention to those around her until one women decided take issue with something. Cressida had grown up privileged, surrounded by countless people who thought money made them better somehow. An attitude she had grown to despise. 

Brow had raised at the woman a few moments earlier, the temptation to speak out building up inside her as she inwardly debated. Then the blonde turned to her and provided her with the perfect opportunity to right what she considered a wrong. “It happens to be one of my favourites.” Expression was strangely neutral for her, subdued when she never usually bothered hiding her emotions. Despite the positive nature of her words, there was nothing warm or even remotely cordial about them, clipped tone making her disapproval known. She knew that in that moment she had never looked more like her grandmother. “If there’s something wrong with your order I’m sure they’d be happy to rectify it.”

“It really is your achilles heel.  Except it seems to disproportionately affect others…”  He responded, but as he turned to look over his shoulder he shot her a grin, to let her know that he was only teasing.  “I’m sorry you had to find out this way.  I completely understand if you need to leave.  You can keep the ring and everything.”  he played along.  But as he felt the strain in his arms as she continued to toy with him, Félix realized he definitely needed to hit the gym.  He used to say having to keep a steady hand and arm position during long sessions kept him tight enough, but that didn’t seem to be the case anymore.  Or he had been deluding himself.  “Oh thank God.”  He said with a loud huff before putting his under their chosen place.  “Alright, get that hammer.  But we only have one shot at this.  You nail it in off center or at an angle and we’re just gonna have to tell people we did that purposefully as an artful decision because my arms are done.”

“Well no one’s perfect. Though I come pretty close.” Hair was tossed in playful vanity before she couldn’t help but press another kiss against him, this time catching his check as he turned to flash her a grin. Reluctantly she moved away from him, hands trailing along his sides as she stepped back. She continued to speak as she wandered through to where she was certain she had left the hammer, voice filled with faux heartbreak as she did. “It’s such a shock, I’m still processing. Here was me thinking you reached my level of almost perfection -” She paused her search to peer around the doorway at him once more. “- now it all feels like a lie.” Eventually she found the hammer, returning triumphantly with it. As she spoke she waved it around slightly, using it to help animate her words. “You have a deal. And if anyone questions it we’ll just make out like they don’t have enough of an artistic eye to ‘get it’.”

being an only child, hugh had plenty of time to fuck about and be a general pain in the arse - plenty of stodgy dinners where he was forced into a dinner jacket tailored to his exact measurements and still so fucking uncomfortable. obvious grounds to fuck about, in his opinion, thanks. but those dinners would have been a lot worse ( a lot ) if cressida hadn’t been right around the corner at every one of them, ready to put him in his place. “ and deprive you of your favourite hobby? ” hugh singsonged, offering his childhood friend the cheekiest smile he possibly could. especially since he knew he’d lost this fight before it’d ever started. “ fine, ” he added, all faux exasperation even as a laugh trailed his words. “ but make sure it’s not strawberry flavoured anything - you know i pretend i’m allergic. ”

There seemed little point in denying that Hugh had been the highlight of any supposedly high society events for as long as she could remember. Their rapport had gotten her through countless dry evenings but that didn’t mean she was about to let him get away with assuming he held such a high place. ( he did of course but admitting to it would take away all the fun ) “You over estimate how much I enjoy it. It’s my fourth favourite at best.” Voice was deadpan, almost entirely convincing in her delivery if it hadn’t been for the smile beginning to tug at the corner of her mouth. “There goes my daiquiri idea.” Pout settled itself onto her lips, all to happy to play as though he’d ruined her evening by denying her plan. But she knew him well enough to have the perfect suggestion up her sleeve, delivering it alongside a little jab at his ego with a smirk dancing over her lips. “How about an Old Fashioned? I think you and it have a lot in common.”