Long Live the King

@sunnysidestarters

❝ IT’S LIKE, SOMETHING OUT OF SHAKESPEARE,❞ perrie decided, her knuckles resting thoughtfully against her chin, her teeth worrying her lower lip. she’d been making a conscious effort to visit more art galleries, after realizing that she couldn’t just drop off her business card, with her personal phone number, and not know anything about who she was giving it to. she turned from the painting, then– a massive oil one, housed in a gilt frame, with strokes so thick the paint seemed to stand up off the canvas– to regard her sudden company– heedless to whether or not they wanted to share in conversation. ❝ what do you think? ❞

Oscar rolled his eyes. “You’re just jealous because I’m prettier than you, please.” He smiled at Seth’s addition to the pot, organizing his cards in his hand. “Do you enjoy a challenge? Well, then playing here must be very fun for you sometimes.” He chuckles. 

He snorts at Seth’s dig towards the SPD. “If that isn’t the truth.” He grows quiet as Seth talks, thinking over their relationship. He gave a thoughtful hum, “You’re not wrong about that, really. That is what brought us together. But it’s not what kept us together, is it? Be honest, you like spending time with me, don’t you?” He teased quietly, leaning to elbow him slightly, giving him a smirk. He had to put a playful twist on it, feeling…emotions coming up in the conversation. He swallowed at Seth’s confession, nodding. “Yeah…you too, Seth.”

“No one is arguing your beauty, Oz, though the state of your nose is offsetting your looks for the time being.” He pointed out with a wink. “Playing anything with you would be a challenge, my friend. I don’t think you can help yourself at any level of competition.” It wasn’t a criticism, in fact, Seth rather admired the tenacity.

“I guess you could say that. But, the person I had planned on marrying is now marrying my younger brother, so I am going to be stuck seeing them at any family event I deem fit to actually show up to.”  She wasn’t bitter. At least she tried not to be. The weeks previous visit from her brother had left a taste in her mouth she’d yet to get rid of. Looking up to meet his gaze, or at least try to, Meg chuckled. “Well, if you ever need someone to play the part, I wouldn’t mind filling in.” She said with a bit of a joking tone.

    Seth is extra uptight today, and Peter wants to know why. But, Seth will not tell him anything. As usual. “That’s an urban myth, and its complete bull.” He countered, suppressing a chuckle. This a serious conversation… about curly fries. “Is it because you’re against fried food or re-use of vegetable oil?” He wondered, eating another curly fry albeit with grace this time. “Probably like your steak rare, eh?” He added, grinning.

“I would ever so appreciate it, Seth. Tack on whatever extra you like, you know I’m good for it, darling.” Oscar put a bit of a posh twist to his accent as he reached and gave Seth’s shoulder a squeeze. He rolled his eyes as Seth called out his cheating, dropping the changed voice. “Oh, please. You know I’m like this, yet you keep playing with me. I don’t think you hate it as much as you like to complain.” He nods as Seth agrees to help with the O’Malley situation, quietly rearranging his hand. “Good, good. Yes, that’s why I wanted to go after him. Especially considering he’s somehow found his way into Bonfamille’s bed. Having him in that neighborhood will be very nice, I think.”

He chuckled as Seth mentioned why he called him there. “It was a big part of it. It was also a sort of…check in? See how things are going with you, if there’s anything interesting happening. Any new things to drink about, either good or bad. Can I not just want to hang out with you from time to time, Seth? We are friends, aren’t we? I think that’s what friends do, if my memory is right.”

Seth chuckled at Oscar’s dramatics. “Maybe I just don’t want to see you come pouting. You look about ten years younger when you do that.” He admitted with an eye roll. Seth glanced down at the pitiful cards in his own hand, not too concerned about losing to the con man. “I’ll do what I can, Oz. I do enjoy a challenge every now and again.” He added to the pot, knowing he was going to lose but also making the mental note of what he’d charge his friend as a fee later.

Scoffing abit, Meg lifted her drink to her lips once more. Watching the dark liquid swirl around her glass, the woman shrugged. “I don’t know, I did at one point. Wanted to settle down, do the whole marriage have kids and a house in the suburbs. But, there were some things that happened that have now permanently changed that idea for me. So no, until someone manages to change my mind, I’m not about to settle down.” Eyes flicking up to meet his, she let a smirk paint her lips. “What about you? I’m sure you get applications on the daily to be your spouse.” 

Tulip: For your birthday, what kind of cake do you ask for?

“Marble.”

Myrtle: Do you like going on airplanes?

“Yes, I usually sleep through the whole flight. It’s refreshing.”

Hibiscus: Did you ever play an instrument? If so what?

“I used to play violin in high school. I haven’t touched it in years.”

Daisy: How old were you when you had your first kiss?

Carnation: If I handed you a concert ticket right now, who would you want to be the performer?

Jasmine: What color looks best on you?

foxglove: Name three facts about your family?

Allium: What's the best thing you can cook?

Orange Blossom: If you could pick the gender and appearance of your child, would you?

Calla Lily: If you died right now, what song would you want to play at your funeral?

Poinsettia: Favorite holiday dish?

Oxlip: Would you ever get into a long distance relationship?

Primrose: Favorite kind of soup?

Daffodil: What's the most thoughtful present you've ever received?

Rose: Are you currently in love with someone?

Amsonia: Would you ever become a vegan?

Peony: What's your favorite hot beverage?

Tulip: For your birthday, what kind of cake do you ask for?

Myrtle: Do you like going on airplanes?

Hibiscus: Did you ever play an instrument? If so what?

Zinnia: Who was your best friend when you were six years old?

Poppy: What color was your childhood home?

Hydrangea: Starbucks order?

Violet: Do you like where you're from?

Locust: What was your favorite book as a child?

Rhododendron: What's the scariest dream you've ever had?

Queen Anne's Lace: Would you rather carve pumpkins or wrap presents?

Magnolia: Favorite kind of candy?

Aster: Would you rather be cold or hot?

Marigold: Do you listen to what's on the radio?

Heliconia: Do you like when it rains?

Azalea: What's a movie you cried while watching?

    Unless it was with Tink or Nick, Peter was never one to just stuff his face with food. But this man, somehow, encouraged him to do so. Seth’s reaction? It was exactly what he was expecting. Booyakasha! “Okay, I take full offense on that,” he countered, still holding the container of curly fries; “There’s no age range when it comes to curly fries.” Holy molly, Seth can’t be this uptight—all the time? Is this a lawyer thing?? “Not even one curly fry?” He egged on, grinning. “Dude, its extra crispy.”

“If that’s what helps you sleep at night,” Lock muttered with a shrug, though he couldn’t stop a genuine smile from creeping onto his face when he said he’d know more about what Oscar did. He turned his back on him for a moment, letting his gaze drift over the side of the office - some stuff hung up he didn’t care enough about to be bothered getting closer to read, books that all looked about as dull as the people he’d passed on the way in - but he turned his head back towards him when he raised the question of his priorities. For a couple seconds, he seemed almost lost for words, but he quickly plastered a smile onto his face, turning around and leaning forward over the chair he was supposed to be seated in, resting his envelope arm over the top and putting his other hand on his chest. “My priorities?” he asked, taking a moment to mock clear his throat and prepare his best worst imitation of a vaguely southern housewife, “Why, my priorities are taking care of my beautiful family, my loving husband, and holding true to the values of this beautiful country we have here sir,” he half-drawled, adding in an “amen,” for good luck and trying his hardest not to burst out laughing.

Oscar rolled his eyes at Seth’s pride joke, laughing quietly as he took a sip from his drink. “Yes, yes. I’m fully aware that I fucked up with O’Malley. I threatened his pretty little girlfriend and his hackles went up before you could say ‘meow’.” He smirked at his own joke, giving Seth a look before reaching an arm over to rest across his shoulders.

“A game it certainly is, and a game you’re much better at playing, my dear.” He gave Seth’s shoulder a small pat. “I should have left it to you in the first place, but I figured I’d try my hand at the alley cat myself. It was worth a shot, at least.” He glanced back at his suits, giving one of them a smile before turning his attention back to Seth, the game in front of them completely forgotten by this point. “I am quite fond of keeping my hands clean, yes. They’ve been quite useful.” He took a deep breath, scooting his chair a bit closer and lowering his voice. “I do think dear Thomas could be of some use to us, keeping him under our belts. An ace in the sleeve, if you will.” He gives Seth a small smile as he lifts his other arm, giving him a glimpse of an ace hiding in the sleeve of his suit.

“I can certainly attempt to do some damage control, though it’ll cost ya extra for the extra effort,” he teased. He glanced at Oscar’s cheating schemes in the form of the ace in his sleeve. “Y’know, this is why I hate playing with you,” Seth laughed. “I’ll do my best to persuade our new friend. I know it’ll be beneficial, somehow he manages to get himself all the way around the whole of Sunnyside.”

Seth didn’t understand those who socialized with everyone they met, it seemed exhausting to say the least. He preferred the quiet, especially since he was working so closely with The Pride Corporation now behind the scenes while his good-for-nothing nephew lollygagged around town as though he had no responsibilities like a child. Spoiled rotten and deserving of nothing. Seth couldn’t help but be bitter.

╰ · ☆ › WENDY LET HER crossed leg bounce, blue eyes looking up at the man while he read it. she wasn’t nervous, however; no, she was confident in her writing. still, she wanted him to like it. “ i am in college, yes, ” the girl smiled proudly, “ in creative writing, actually. but… ” she trailed off for a second, not entirely sure how to say she didn’t need the money without sounding arrogant. “ it’s no big deal, i just like to write for the fun of it, or maybe to brighten someone’s day. money’s just not a motivator for me, i suppose, ” she finished with a shrug. “ thanks !! i’ll try to keep that in mind, just in case you happen to ever want another one. ”

“Tired of me taking your food?” She questioned with a smirk. Reaching over toward an empty table, Meg plucked a menu off to peruse what else was on the menu. Lifting her hand to signal the waitress once more, she ordered herself a different style of pasta dish. “I’ve never been to fond of children over the age of 6. They learn how to talk back at the point, then they are just burden until they are 18.” 

It was another beautiful sunny afternoon in Sunnyside, and it didn’t take a rocket scientist to guess how Simon Bankole was spending it; after all, it was the way  he spent pretty much all of his days, sunny or not. “Yes! You see, now this? This is why I keep coming back to this fine establishment! Didn’t even have to ask!” Simon enthused as he was handed another mojito cocktail by one of the wait staff, whilst he lounged on a patio chair with his midriff exposed under the warm rays of the sun. Seeing someone walking by on the street, he waved. “Hey! Why don’t you come under the umbrella and get out of the sun for a minute! Have a cocktail! It’s on me!”