before the breakdown.

    it wasn’t EVERY DAY that lydia got into an argument with drunk patrons at a bar she wasn’t even attending , but today just so happened to be one of those days. it started with a catcall that she chose to ignore , followed by a few more that she decided she couldn’t ignore. it all happened so fast ; it started with her calmly yet aggressively telling him how stupid he sounded and somehow ended with him cornering her against the wall , spewing his misogynistic bullshit about how nice she should be to men who compliment her. her first instinct was to get herself out of the situation , kick him where the sun didn’t particularly  shine and haul ass the opposite direction. yet , her legs weren’t getting the memo and she just stood there , inhaling the alcohol on his breath as he raged on. 

one second he was yelling , the next he wasn’t. it didn’t process what had happened since it occurred all too quickly , but her brown hues landed on the younger girl a few yards away and then it all clicked. lydia watched the male stumble back into the bar , slurring a few explicits , her legs NOW getting the call to move. “ you saved my ass , “ she expressed to the girl as she reached her location , pushing her brunette tresses back out of habit. the alcohol scent still reeked in her nostrils , but it was registering as a phantom scent of the asshole’s breath. “ i…i don’t usually freeze up like that , but… “ she shrugged , looking at her with widened eyes. “ can i get you anything ?  food or something ?  “

farrah will admit that she did not think yelling at the man to leave would actually work, but she'd have been damned if she was just going to stand by and watch as the guy cornered the older girl into a wall. so even if she's definitely not in the state to have intervened   --  while she's not drunk, she's definitely not the face of sobriety   --  she would have done it again without any hesitation.   she's glad,  that in the end,  the guy was more bark than bite;   he had left with little much else.   farrah feels the tension leave her body as her shoulders deflate in relief.   good.   she looks back to the girl and feels pangs of sympathy rising.   that could have ended badly,  and she's just relieved that the girl is okay.

“ the library closed ten minutes ago , “ the young woman informed the visitor who remained where they were.  the library had its own twists and curves that you always have to be thorough before closing down. “ it must be pretty important for you to forget the timing like that , i’ve been there. “

    WALKING OUT OF THE LIGHTHOUSE CAFE , lydia shoved her cellphone into the front pocket of her dark denim jeans after changing the song in her playlist rotation. abruptly going from cocteau twins to the cure , she set on her merry way back home to finish editing her photos. however , she didn’t make it quite far. it didn’t take too long in her journey to collide with someone , the iced black coffee she purchased moments ago now stained and running down her shirt. “ oh my god , is your brain LEAKING ? “  she barked , the coldness of the caffeinated drink shocking her nerves , raising her skin. a harsh sigh slipped from her lips , brown hues meeting with the other. “ i’m sorry , i didn’t mean that. “ her apology was genuine , her tone sincere. “ could you please help me and get some napkins ?  “

barry usually doesn’t get stuck in his head a lot,  but he guesses today will have to be an exception.   he truly hadn’t meant to get so stuck in his thoughts,  but being in arcadia when he should be in the speedforce leaves him uncomfortable,  worried.   the fact that he hadn’t been immediately brought back had to mean something was wrong.   but it wasn’t as if he had lost his connection to his speed   --  he could still tap into his speed just fine.   so for him to just be stuck living a semblance of a normal life in arcadia...   he was understandably uneasy.  

                   To be fair, Blue’s reasoning made sense. Baklava might not be available in any other region aside from here—wherever Arcadia truly was. And, if he can be honest himself, Noel had not really known the existence of this decadent Turkish dessert till he started baking seriously. Being someone who didn’t have much food at their disposal, as said before, he was willing to try anything in this lifetime. Serah and Yeul must be so proud that he had taken the initiative to try something new. They were always encouraging him to try out new things—food and non-food wise. But that was a long time ago. Now, he cooks and bakes mainly because he found his passion in this lifetime; but it was also an easier way to forget.

Noel couldn’t help but crack a wider smile when his companion had said that he knew how to cook. It gave him more reassurance to teach him further about the joys of cooking. He’s just hoping that the socialite can catch up with him.

Letting out a laugh, Noel shakes his head and looks at Blue with a small smile—somewhere borderline joking and serious threat towards his friend.

❝  It’s not the fact that you’ll be making a mess. I’m more concerned about you starting a fire in my apartment. ❞

Noel washes his hands thoroughly, making sure every nook and cranny up to his elbows were cleaned. Cooking and baking were dirty work after all and his hands were the dirtiest kitchen utensil he had. Making his way towards the cupboards, he takes some measuring cups and bowls out.

❝  What do you cook in your spare time, man? You gotta let me try some, maybe I can host a get-together sometime. But, honestly…

He turns to his friend, slight confusion in his face.

❝  I thought socialites don’t cook. ❞

Noel admits: he still has a lot to learn about society.

“  i'm very responsible,  i would never start a fire  !  ”   while he's very honest about it,  blue still has a pleasant smile on his features regardless.

it’s been a while since he’s had someone he can call a new friend.   after having gotten to know all the gym leaders,  all the potential trainers,  well.   it’s nice to have a friend for the sole sake of having a friend.

he'll admit.   it doesn't take long for him after coming to a new place for him to grow homesick.   he figures it might have more to do with the fact that he misses the people,  as much as he doesn’t want to admit it   --  misses ethan,  leaf;   hell,  even misses red.   he's happy to still have his pokemon with him,  but he's only let them out in the safety of his apartment.   as pretty as arcadia is...   well.   he can't risk anything happening to them.   it helps,  being able to stay home often.   while it doesn't really help the dull loneliness,  it certainly makes it easier than having to explain what and how his pokemon exist. 

even if it does mean that eevee refuses to stay in her pokeball if she can help it.  he's lucky that he can get arcanine to stay in his most days,  after all.   here,  if not for his companions,  he can almost forget his past.   blue oak,  the viridian city gym leader,  the past kanto champion,  the son of professor oak...   it was weird to reconcile that blue with the blue here in arcadia   --  blue oak,  the private,  rich socialite who spends his time creating fundraiser events for charity.

“  mainly stir frys or soup dishes,  truthfully.   nothing too fancy really.   maybe after you show me how to make a baklava,  i can cook something for you.  ”

“  i thought socialites don't cook.  ”   at that,  blue doesn't hide his laugh,  amusement on his features.   the statement doesn't offend him in the slightest,  in fact:   it's oddly really funny.   he never thought that he'd ever be a socialite,  never thought he'd ever be able to sit still enough to be. he's always had to be productive,  after throwing himself into being a pokemon trainer, going back to school, becoming a pokemon gym leader, to helping out fellow regions... well. he never thought he'd get the luxury of a vacation.

“  perhaps some socialites don't,  ”  blue agrees,  before adding,  teasing a little,  “  i wasn't always a socialite,  though.  ”

                  He was more than thankful for a third party stepping in. It beats the other bystanders with some of them having their phones out. But it was still embarrassing to be a part of something like this. Nevertheless, he begins to relax himself just enough to feel calm but still alert in case something happens—which wouldn’t surprise Noel with how the man was being entitled. It was disgusting how a grown man can act like a child. It truly reminded him of someone, though not as entitled as he.

Just as he thought that the situation would blow over, he had seen the man raise his hand. His eyes widen and, with foolish blood in his bones, he finds himself gripping the man’s wrist—hard. With just enough force, Noel pushes him away from the small—yet mighty—woman.

❝  Don’t you think you’re being too much? ❞

His face projected a look of disbelief. How could someone perform a crude act in broad daylight? Or any time of day for that matter? Looking around, he had seen more bystanders with their phones out—but he was logical, using this at his advantage instead.

❝  There’s loads of people watching. Do you think what you’re doing is smart? ❞

Noel motions to the multiple phones on them, and it seemed that the stranger had taken notice of the consequences as well, opting to straighten himself out and spitting on Noel—muttering about how he was still a victim as he sped away from the scene. Despite the spit, Noel wouldn’t even be surprised if the trio were the talk of anything later on in the day.

Wiping his face in pure disgust, he turns to his companion as the crowd slowly disperses with hushed whispers. Looking over in concern, he rubs his neck—a sign of sheepishness from him.

❝  Hey—uh. Thanks for saving my ass back there. Don’t know what that guy was thinking, but you alright? ❞

usually farrah tries not to be violent.   for as vicious in words as she can get,  she's always tried to stay away from physical fights.   there are times when she finds it unavoidable.   this is one of those times,  or at least it looked like it would be.   that is,  until the accused ends up grabbing her near attacker's arm.   she flinches by instinct.

fuck,  she was better than this.   she usually never flinched from something as simple as someone raising an arm anymore.   but the aggression the guy had...   well.   it brought bad memories.   perhaps it was just the alcohol's effect.   she wasn't sure.

regardless,  she feels her heart racing,  especially as she looks around,  only now noticing the crowd of people they've garnered.   fuck.   fuck,  fuck,  fuck   --

going viral,  again,  huh  ?   she hunches her shoulders a little,  thinks about her life before arcadia,  but that reverie is broken quickly as the man leaves,  but not without spitting on the man-she-defended-turned-saviour as she winces.   gross.   a deepset frown on farrah's face,  she waits until mostly everyone’s left before looking up.   his words are enough,  thankfully to snap her out of it before she gets too into the thick of thinking about anything else.

farrah shakes her head,  “  it's fine. really. he was being an asshole, and you didn't do anything wrong.  ”   she smiles ruefully,  adding,  “  i probably went too far.   i mean,  he deserved everything i said,  but.  ”   she shrugs a little.

❝  So what you’re telling me is that you’ve never had a baklava? That’s kinda hard to believe.  ❞

                   Noel crosses his arms, disbelief coating his face; head tilted to match. Perhaps it was more or less his fault for listing so many sweets that his company can handle. He just gets excited about delicious food. After all, he’s never really had this much food at his disposal when he was living at the end of days. Even when he was on his journey with Serah, they didn’t eat much because they were always moving and doing tasks. There was never a true break.

He hums in recognition of his companion’s lack of pastry knowledge. Pursing his lips, he shrugs.

❝  Well, can’t be helped. Guess we’re just gonna have to make some. ❞

With a smile etched on his face, he motions the other to follow him.

❝  You’ve had some kitchen experience, right? ❞

The last thing that he wanted was a burnt kitchen. Nay, a burnt apartment. Of course, he doesn’t even want to think about how much that would damage his pockets. Say goodbye to his security deposit, that’s for sure. But, even if his company didn’t have the experience of baking; who’s to say Noel won’t teach them?

blue offers a tiny smile at the other male's excitement.   “  they don't really have baklava back home.  ”   well.   actually, he doesn’t know.   they might have baklava in the more concealed regions.   he’s not quite sure anymore. 

he'll be honest   --  he can't recall that there were much sweets or pastries back home in kanto,  anyways.   he never really had much of a sweet tooth,  not really,  that was more his sister than he.   it wasn’t until he had studied abroad in kalos where he’d develop an affinity for sweet things.   

he's grateful that he’s in a better state with food now.   a better one,  at least,  really.   he hasn't been in a bad enough situation where he's had to go hungry in a long time.   the last time he had was back when he was on his journey,  back when he didn't know how to properly ration his food.   back then,  he'd rather go starving for a night or longer if it meant being able to feed his pokemon.   having to learn how to cook his own food,  save up for ingredients and berries   --  it gave him a new found respect for chefs. 

luckily, that was a long time ago.   but thankfully,  he hasn't lost his ability to cook in the mean time.   even if his pokemon were thankfully not picky...   well.   he certainly had been growing up,  hadn't he  ?

“  i've had some experience,  ”  he agrees,  elaborating,  “  i cook more than i bake,  though. ”  

he never really thought he'd have someone he could call a friend,  but he's glad he does.   it's nice not feeling so lonely in a town he's all by himself in.

“If you don’t want me to drag you to hell myself then you better get your hands off my things” the demon hissed to the other with her jaw clench and her eyes turning red.

“I usually do it with my brother but since he’s not around. Do you wanna go on a sword training? Just a tip: I don’t play fair” Harriet smirked at it and point out to the swords. “Choose your weapon”.

Lorna  was stir up the coffee on the mug with her powers when she felt someone eyeing her and she look up to them with an sarcastic smile. “What? Never saw an green haired person before?”.

It’s nice to have a night off from his usual beat around the bay, but Tyrone still finds himself with restless energy. With his usual anchor nowhere to be found, he takes to walking the streets to familiarize himself even more with where he’s now based and to see if he can spot anything out of the ordinary. 

As it happens, Ty swears he spots a mugging going down as he walks past an alley. He frowns and backtracks, but there’s nothing there when he looks again. It must be his mind playing tricks on him, it’s dark and the light nearby isn’t for another few steps. He shrugs, ready to forget the whole thing when a flash of red makes him blink and then a guy is stepping out of the alleyway. His frown deepens and he can’t stop himself from speaking out loud, “What the hell?” Another person with powers? Possibly similar to his? Is he a Divine Pairing too? Suddenly, Tyrone has too many questions. “What did you just do?” He asks, calling loud enough so he’s certain the person can hear him.

fuck.   fuck,  fuck,  fuck   --  of course barry didn’t calculate that yes:   the person did see what happened.   usually,  he doesn’t leave a trace when he runs,  the spark of lightning air the only thing he leaves behind,  but he’s gotten too reckless with his powers.   he hasn’t used his powers in such a long time that now,  as he lives in a town that seems almost completely normal,  he’s forgotten what it’s like to have to hide them.   especially when he’s not in his suit. 

                   Out of all the things today had to offer, Noel didn’t foresee him being yelled at by a stranger over bumping into them. He was just minding his own business, having done a shift at the restaurant. He was tired and he needed sleep so terribly, and maybe it was his fault that he didn’t watch where he was going but mistakes happen all the time. Especially when everyone is out and about. But it seems that his small mistake of bumping into the stranger was misconstrued to be pickpocketing. Before he knew it, he was being yelled at and poked hard on the chest.

❝  Sir, I don’t know what you’re talking ab—. ❞

❝  Sir, plea—. ❞

He looked at the man pointing accusatory fingers and the bystanders walking their way. Noel felt nothing but embarrassment. He was exhausted, in chef’s uniform, and smelled like the kitchen and sweat. If anything, he should be the one accusing the guy for accusing him of being a pickpocket. In a chef’s uniform? Chefs get paid handsomely based on their tenure believe it or not, why would he need to pickpocket?

Just as he was about to speak once more, another voice rings out. Turning, he sees a woman standing there: ready to save him.

how obnoxious can this guy get  ?   farrah feels honestly angry that people as rude as this stranger exist in the same town as her.   she’s no angel in personality either,  but to randomly start accusing a guy of daylight thievery when the other man has clearly done nothing wrong  ?   god,  she’s so mad.   and that’s not even just the alcohol talking,  this just reminds her of how frustrating people can be.

the man is yelling about how he’s such a victim,  an attempted pickpocket out of nowhere,  and farrah scoffs,  unimpressed. 

“  stay out of this,  little girl,  ”  the stranger sneers,  and farrah glares angrily,  standing tall with all 165 cms of her,  placing herself between the rude man and the accused. 

“  excuse me,  you asshole,  ”   she spits hatefully,  swaying a little as she stomps her foot in righteous anger,  “  you’re the one who started this,  and i’m the one ending this because clearly you didn’t get the message the first time around.   

“  besides,  if he truly stole your wallet,  which he clearly didn’t,  it wouldn’t still be in your pocket.   but oh look,  it is  !   i’m not surprised though,  after all,  it’s not like you can detect anything besides your own ego   --  who just assumes they’re being robbed just because someone harmlessly bumps into them  ?  ”

always on top of her studies , it was an effortless feat – but she credited that to keeping her nose in the books. how she made time for hanging out with the guys is beyond her  , but she managed and it felt – uncomplicated. unlike with another guy that just — kept to the back of her mind like an open book that you couldn’t finish reading due to unfortunate circumstances. no closure came out of their relationship , and the fact that she found herself thinking about it — bothered her. but sticking around would only mean she would have to listen to what her mind is already telling her , they just weren’t on the same page.

she saw him and she began to retreat.

c’mon –

sam

fuck.

pulling back and managed a pretty smile in his direction.  “ chris , hey. “ trying to act as casual as she could – but sam has never been too good at feigning emotions. which made the attachment that much worse , but she couldn’t be mad at him – at least he was honest , right ? “ it’s good to see you too , it feels like we’re barely seeing much of each other . new schedule ? “ she asked , genuinely curious– she just hated that she made  it obvious that she noticed. real subtle , sam - but maybe it will fly over his head. maybe not.

of course chris runs into sam in the grocery store.   of all places to run into her,  he runs into her while he’s making an attempt to be healthy.   he’s missed her.   a lot,  more than he’d like to admit,  more than he would admit.   but thinking like that makes him more upset because his inability to admit things is what led to the downfall of their relationship in the first place.   just seeing her makes the guilt inside him grow,  the distance between them palpable.

when she smiles,  it makes his chest hurt,  something in his chest clench painfully as he offers a tiny smile back.   they had been good once,  hadn’t they  ?   

it feels like we’re barely seeing much of each other.   he tries not to wince.   fuck,  he hadn’t intended to avoid her after the break up.   but after the initial distance ruined their relationship,  it hadn’t been all too difficult to just avoid her completely afterwards,   shutting himself off from well...   everyone and throwing himself into other things to keep busy.   to avoid thinking about all the way he’s ruined the only good thing he’s ever had.

he misses his best friend.   because she was.   before their feelings.   before they dated.   at one point,  he had considered her his best friend,  and even as they dated:   she was still his best friend,  and they had been good once.   the feeling hits him like a truck,  like he’s been sucker punched.