Sweet Like A Piece of Candy

     The womans enthusiasm towards her hairdresser of choice was confusing, she wondered if it was simply flattery, or if the woman was just in herself… simple. She winced at her high pitched tone and rubbed her ear delicately, already regretting getting into this conversation. “Red hair is nice.” she replied, not understanding why the other would be so offended by the idea of having her hair dyed that colour “it’s a salon that’s near my apartment for convenience” she replied once more, not really wanting to give the exact location lest this woman follow her and pester her there too. Looking down at her nails that for once were actually quite long, she had a bad habit of biting them and thus never really cared much for getting manicures, before looking back to the woman once more. “No thank you.” she replied, shaking her head. She couldn’t think of anything worse.      The offer of coffee was tempting, although she didn’t exactly want to spend any more unnecessary time with this stranger, she knew that it would be rude of her to decline. And so with a surge of discontent, she nodded and offered a flat smile. “Sure.”

Frieda turned back and looked at the other. “Maybe on others but on me it makes look like Ronald Mcdonald with straighter hair.” She replied with a chuckle. The sugar hero raised her eyebrows but nodded in understanding. Maybe it’s a long shot anyway just asking someone she vaguely acquinanted with. “Maybe another time.” She replied with a shrug. It was more a hypothetical situation. 

Frieda clapped her hands in delight. “That’s great.” Frieda replied with a smile. “We should hurry up-before the line gets hella long.” She flipped her hair back and popped in a piece of bubblegum. “Let’s go.” 

“I took my card out and it just toppled over,” she replied, slowly turning around to look at her, sighing as she wondered if she was the cause of this or not.

“Did you touch the glass?” She asked her eyes still in surprise. “Are you sure that’s all that happened?” Frieda brushed her hair back. “I won’t tell on anyone but I really want some wasabi chips and coconut milk so you should really explain before I take these snacks.” 

“Scooping ice cream? You don’t say? I suppose it’d be hard to keep that hand steady with a frozen cold spoon. Unless technology’s so far advanced now they have a lever for these things.”

“It’s a shame you’d have to risk freezer burn, but gaining a cat-eye at that expense?” He’d carefully point at her make-up. “Is that what that’s called–?” He supposed he could see the artistry mimic that of a cat’s eye. 

He’d hold out his hand, palm face down and fingers spread slightly. He was trying to depict his own steady hand. Though the action, she would soon realize, was to try to make her feel better about herself, “That’s about as steady as I can get. I’ve got this tremble– if you can call that a special talent– but I think it’s mostly caffeine jitters.” 

Frieda for the first time this conversation finally looked up. What was this man saying? She made her job sound hazardous-and beyond a few broken nails-it wasn’t that risky. 

“It’s actually not that risky.” She paused. “I never got freezer burn scooping ice cream.” She gave the other a Hannah Ann eye like stare. “But that’s what it called to resembles a cat’s eyes.” Man, this guy was a bit obtuse. 

Night Out - Open

Sure some people might think it was tacky for a bartender to patronize the bar they worked at, but there was a reason Vincent liked coming to Knight Life on his days off: the bartenders knew how to make what he liked.  Granted he’d had to teach some of them, but it was worth it in the end.  “Strawberry tequila sunrise,” he called over his shoulder as he let his gaze pass over the crowd that had gathered that night.  Smirking to himself, he turned to look at the person next to him.  “What’s your poison darling?”

@wotnastarters​

The reason why Frieda was there was to enjoy herself. What’s the point of you can’t have some fun. She turned her head slowly to see the very eccentric male in besides her. She couldn’t believe she had to explain someone but-

“Don’t call me darling,” Frieda said. “But if you got a Malibu Sunset maybe I’ll fiorgive you.” She replied batting her eyelashes. 

“Oh this isn’t good,” she said as she viewed the knocked over vending machine, “maybe if I ju-” she attempted to pick it up to no avail “- yup, nope, great.” Huffing, she ran a hand through her hair and slowly began to back up, deliberating what to do next before feeling herself bump into something. “Please tell me I bumped into a wall,” she quietly said, hoping to not hear a reply

“Excuse me,” Miranda turned slowly as her eyes took in her surroundings. Everything up until this moment was a blur and it was terrifying. Like a dream of running through the city on a rampage of booze. It could not have been real. Miranda was normally so composed, but now she was frazzled. Her clothing, usually a crisp blouse or pantsuit was dressed down to jeans and a sweater. Her shoes were flat and her surroundings were entirely unfamiliar. She turned to the first person she saw. “Sorry– where are we? This is… Pansaw, right?” she looked for signs, but the alley gave away nothing. She could hear music, but this was a city that meant nothing! “Please it’s important!”

@wotnastarters​

She turned hearing the first excuse me. Frieda assumed this was another out of towner or whatever they’re called, poor fellas. But this one shocked her by her appearance. Frieda actually took a step back before replying. “This is Pansaw.” Her shock turned to concern.”I’m sorry but are you okay?” Frieda asked. “Do you need medical attention?” 

     The presence of the flying demons had already raised Jia’s hackles, god how she hated bugs, but she ignored the other as much as she could as she ducked down to grab a drink herself, her dry throat exulted at the cascade of moisture that flowed down and soothed it’s rasping self. At the compliment towards her hair. she glanced across at the other, frowning slightly as she swept the blonde ponytail from her shoulder.      “She’s called Sarah.” she replied, not offering any more detail than that. The woman who cut her hair for her had been someone she’d been going to for a while now, knowing the importance of self-care, despite her personality. It had been Sarah, in fact, who had insisted Jia go blonde, gushing for 15 whole minutes how it would suit her complexion so much and she would look so good. Jia had eventually agreed, simply to shut her up, but enjoyed the colour on herself regardless.

Frieda clapped her hands in delight. It wasn’t the best answer but she felt like she was going somewhere. Frieda pushed her hair back/ “Sarah has great taste.” Frieda squealed in delight. “The color suits you so well- my last colorist made me a literal redhead.” Frieda rolled her eyes at herself. “But which salon you go to? We can get hair and manicures.” She singed songs. 

She swatted another fly away. “It’s hot as hell out here-” Frieda started. “You want to get some coffee- I know a place across the street.” She offered. “To make up for sneaking up on you.”

they’d apparently share a bus ride home. the seat next to her would be occupied as he sunk on the bench and, once again, shut that phone off from its incessant ringing. there would be no more 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐫𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐨 𝐫𝐚 𝐭𝐨𝐨 𝐫𝐚 𝐥𝐨𝐨 𝐫𝐲𝐞 𝐚𝐲𝐞'𝐬, not if he could silence the nursing home that was calling him about his mother. 

“Sure. Like those youtubers, whatever makes your cat eye purr—”

he’d wait a moment for the comment to settle in. “I think it looks nice. I mean, I’m not an expert on cat-eyes and probably the last person to ask about whatever it is you’re trying to achieve, but you don’t look like an entire clown out here. Also, your hand is pretty steady, that must mean your practice is paying off?” 

Frieda had to stop half way through her inner lid to look up. “Purr.” She chuckled. “I like the way you think.” If only most men could recognize her talent. She was surprised to her ego stroked. 

It wasn’t exactly clear who had started the fight inside the bar – though honestly, it probably was Jaxon – but there was no question who had ended it. Managing to get the last hit in, Jax grinned victoriously as he was grabbed by the bouncers and dragged out of the bar, blood seeping down his chin from where the other guy had split his lip when he’d landed a punch. That had just been pure luck. Jax was drunk, though he would completely deny it if asked.

“Yeah, yeah, alright. Get the fuck off me,” he muttered, pulling his arms out of the bouncers’ grasps, straightening up his jacket as he stumbled a couple of paces before bumping right into someone – though he would swear they bumped into him.

@wotnastarters​

She was minding her own business. Frieda didn’t bar jump on a weeknight-a strange moral but one she stuck to. She was just walking to the nearest bus stop. Once again, the buses failed her. There was a sudden bump that snapped to the sudden reverie. 

She turned around and gasped. 

“Holy cannoli.” She shrieked. She found herself taking several steps back. “What the frick happened to you.” Frieda took out her embroidered handkerchief and handed to him. “Please wipe your mouth-it’s grossing me out.” 

The sound of chatter was faint to him, even though the entire diner was filled with it and then some. There was a plate of fries in front of him, barely touched. Alessandro was caught up in his walk down memory lane, reminiscing about his time with Nephilim and the grim contrast of his life now. To not be able to use his power in fear of getting on C.A.R.M.A.’s radar was stressful. The anger and hate within him was a living thing and it wanted to get out. He needed to find a way to blow off some related steam, before that genie wouldn’t be getting back in that bottle so easy. 

The saltshaker falling off his table snapped him back to present time. Someone passed his booth, which was probably why it fell anyway. Alessandro sat up straight and shot a glare at the person’s direction. “Hey, watch it.” He grunted, his iris slowly turning red as his anger rose.

@wotnastarters​

        Frieda had her fair share of memories. Her times as a petty thief/mercenary thief for hire were good ones. But at the same time, she wanted to live in the present. To feel the luxury of not evading cops unless she needed to. Tonight she just wanted to try her luck and maybe get a cute girl’s phone number. 

        She didn’t intentionally knock the salt shaker, Frieda’s tote bag was just a bit on the larger size. Frieda was going to apologize,, after all, it was an accident. But the moment she saw his eyes- she felt like this was not her typical angry customer. She raised her hand lightly. 

     “Come on now.” She reassured as she grabbed a napkin. “There’s no point getting angry over some spilled salt.” Frieda gave a tight smile. “I can teach you my hot yoga breathing techniques if you like.” 

     It was a warm day, and even though the sun was detrimental to her ability, she still enjoyed the fresh air and sweet fragrant scents from the flowers that were in full bloom in the park. Wearing her workout gear, she was running laps around the grassy expanse, getting in her cardio for the day outside for once, rather than being stuffed up inside a gym on a treadmill. Long blonde hair swished behind her as she ran, her steps thudding gently on the gravelly pathway that encircled the main park area, where people were enjoying the relaxing warmth of the day, sunbathing or sharing a picnic with their friends and families. Jia had never had a picnic before, she wondered what joy they could possibly get from eating food whilst being swarmed by bugs, she shuddered at the thought. She hated bugs.      After her twelfth or so lap, she slowed to a jog as she neared the water fountain, stopping just short of it as she made to pause for a drink. Her quest for hydration was cut short, however, when someone ducked in front of her to use the fountain first. She stopped in her tracks, and waited patiently for them to finish up, wiping the sweat from her forehead with an impatient hand. Finally, when they stepped away, she moved forwards to have a drink herself, although surely they caught the irritated scowl on her face as they turned around.

       It was Frieda’s day off. Finally, a good day to start on her weekly routine. She’s literally surrounded by sugar all day. She should visit the park. Smell the flowers and most importantly get out of work. There was a giggle as she began to sing the tacky pop song playing on her iPhone. Her goal was to run 2 miles. She was going to do it.         Two hours in, she was always tracking some flies. Frieda cursed herself under her breath. She only brought one packet of powdered Lipton tea. She tried to outrun the bugs trying to find something wet. She looked at the water foundation. Finally. She ducked towards the water fountain. Finally sweet sweet moisture. Several obnoxious gulps later she looked up at the other. She brushed her back.    “Sorry girlfriend.” She replied in her valley girl accent. There was a small giggle as she raised her sunglasses. “But I love your hair-whose your stylist?” She asked with excitement.

𝐟𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐞 & @wotnastarters​

fitting in was always a bit of a challenge for 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐤𝐢𝐞 𝐃𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐲. the bullies in grade school had fun with him up until high school in southern California. when he moved cities for college, he’d already lost faith in friendships. Pansaw was going to be no different, he was certain of that. of course, further 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 and rifts in ideologies would hinder his efforts in meeting new people. then came C.A.R.M.A. then the rebel armies, and he was 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐚 forced into interactions beyond his control. luckily he made it out alive. 

the district of 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐬 was no place for a 40 year old. it was typically ripe with younger adults looking to network and build their knowledge. he’d watch rather awkwardly as a couple strolled hand in hand with smiles on their faces. 

the way he stared wasn’t appropriate— if one looked close enough they could perhaps sense the envy in blue irises. putting himself out there was hard, but he had plenty to share given his experiences.

““ —well, now who looks like an asshole? ”

𝐡𝐢𝐦𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟. that was the appropriate answer since he was caught red-hand and still staring after a couple. “ I’m not crazy, and no I don’t have the hots for one of them. I just have trouble believing two people can stand to be around each other for too long.”

he’d silence the phone in his hand once more as the ringer would sound another round of Come on Eileen.  

“I know it’s a little out there, but what’s your story?” he needed a distraction from another phone call from the insurance company. 

Her problem wasn’t blending in. It was talking to others. She was always overshadowed by her siblings-all seven of them. Frieda was decided not to strive to make hundreds of conversion. Besides being an ice cream parlor worker meat conversations with weirdos. 

She turned to hear his voice. There was something about him seem strange. Not because of his uneven eyebrows, or the sudden question. It was just him in general. Frieda pretended to do her makeup. She had to stay here until her bus showed up