risen from the ashes

Malia: ...fair...

Malia: YESSSSSS!!!! This is why I LOVE YOU!!! You can be the life of the party and I'll go hide somewhere and listen to the ocean or play Candy Crush on my phone. I'm still pissed I didn't think of that damn game 😡

Malia: Well, I know it has to be something white so it'll reflect the black lights and I'll be neonish. I'm debating wearing a bathing suit underneath because you know I get hot when I start drinking and I may want to jump in the ocean and swim or something. If it's a dress, it has to have a high slit so I can move around. I hate being in dresses I can't move around in.

Malia: I just did ❤️ He mumbled something about popsicles and macaroni and cheese lol. I think he's dreaming about food now. There's no doubting he's my son now lol.

Malia: When do you come back here anyway?

Maddie: You'll come up with something better than Candy Crush. Your mind is brilliant

Maddie: Hmm...Okay I'll see what I can do. I am my mother's daughter in some respects and inherited some of the fashion genes.

Maddie: Ugh that's my Tahj - I have the stupidest smile on my face.

Malia: A me question? If it's about eating your quesadilla that night when we got drunk before you left...yeah, I did it. I'll buy you another one when you come back okay?

Malia: Oh shit...Mads, I don't know. You to come to my party?!?!? Isn't that a gift enough?

Malia: Lucky for you, I'm awake ;) Tahj had a bad dream and wanted to snuggle.

Malia: Maybe you can help me with my birthday party outfit? It's going to be on the beach in tents. Black lights, neon paints and lights, basically a glow up party. You think you can help me?

Maddie: I'm taking a screenshot of that offer just so you know.

Maddie: Well no shit I'm coming to your party - I'd crash it to liven it up a bit if I wasn't invited

Maddie: I can definitely help you with that. What are you thinking outfit wise? Dress? Power suit? Something else? Let's get you something custom made.

as per usual, the sounds of a roaring engine triggered roxelana into talking about the first time she watched the grease movies, with all the leather jackets and big cars, and motorcycles. jasmine barely paid attention to what her mother was saying, something about defending the sequel despite all the terrible reviews, when she noticed that the engine suddenly stopped. it could only mean two things: either someone lost their way and spotted the balloons so they thought they could join the party, or maddie lost her way and wanted to join the party too. she was pleasantly surprised to note it was the second option.

in the hopes of cutting her mom’s story, she pointed towards the bike, that did not clash as much as it normally did with the colourful surroundings. minnie could not hold her excitement, visibly pouting until her mother decided to speak to other guests. in a blink of an eye, the brunette was throwing herself in her friends’ arms. “maddie!” she called out, taking her voice down when she realized she basically yelled in her ears. “before i tell you how happy i am to see you, you need to tell me…” she nodded in the direction of the adorable helmet left on the seat of the bike. “what is that? are you okay? do you have a fever? did you get hit by a rainbow?!”

–

The surprise was really what Maddie was hoping to draw from Jasmine. The bubbly brunette had extended her birthday party invitation to her, before quickly admitting that the dress code may not be exactly Maddie’s cup of tea. She’d be the first to admit that the thought of a tea party dress was hardly her idea of a good time. Garden parties had been plentiful growing up, especially when she had little choice in the matter as a minor. Her sisters had loved them naturally, but Maddie could still vividly remember making it a point to try and muss up the outfit somehow to make it suit her. 

But this was Jasmine. And when it came to her, Maddie bent her own rules. She lets out a laugh at the waterfall of questions. “Weirdly enough a rainbow did puke on me on the way here. This dress was black when I left the house.” As soon as the words are out of her mouth though she reaches out to pull Jasmine into a hug. “The invite said garden party so this was the closest thing I had. I drew the line at the floppy hat. Hopefully that doesn’t get me kicked out.”

Maddie: I know I sent you those photos of those really cute clothes for the twins but this is a you question

Maddie: What do you want for your birthday?

Maddie: Also I realize this is probably late your time so don't feel like you have to reply urgently

“I think it was one of the twins and whether or not being able to steal someone’s nose was actually possible or not. Tahj won me over in the end. You can definitely steal someone’s nose when they aren’t paying attention.”

@maliaplayer1

“I think it really depends on what we’re considering ‘the worst’. I tend to have a different definition than other people. Will you take ruining someone’s life the worst thing ever? My sister claims often and frequently that I ruined hers all because she had to ‘raise’ me during her second trimester when I was practically self functional. Dramatics run in the family.” 

Of all the businesses Maddie had expected to try dabbling in in her lifetime, a small independent bookstore had not been at the top of her list. And yet here she was. One impulsive move and she was the owner of one. There had been growing pains; she wasn’t nearly as well versed into literature as most people assumed the owner of a bookstore would be. She’d also had to get used to running a much smaller operation. Sure, she could hire people to do this work for her but Maddie loved a challenge at the end of the day. 

Although it had started as a challenge, she’d found herself committing more and more to the role of a bookstore owner. She was starting to become familiar with their stock, could speak more to the books. Dare she say it, Maddie was becoming a fixture in her own damn bookstore. It was bound to happen. Catalina was small so it stood to reason that she’d get to know the faces coming in and out on a regular basis. Case in point, the blonde woman she’d found standing in one of the aisles, leafing through a book she couldn’t see the title of. Maddie was returning several misplaced ones to where they belonged, and she pauses as she enters the aisle, giving the woman a small nod. “You’re here again,” she starts with a bit of a laugh, “Don’t tell me you finished reading the stack that you bought last time.”

The roar of Maddie’s motorbike riding into the quieter neighbourhood definitely draws some stares, but true to her nature, she hardly pays them any mind as she kills the engine. There was probably more reason for Maddie to draw some stares as she removes her helmet. What she was wearing wasn’t exactly your typical motorbike fashion. In fact, it didn’t look like something that she would have worn on a regular day at all. It was the colour and the print (mauve and smaller white flowers respectfully) that signalled to anyone that knew her intimately enough that this was definitely something she never wore. The leather jacket and sneakers at the very least made it look more like her, but any onlookers wouldn’t have known the difference as she strode up towards the house where Jasmine’s birthday party was being held. 

“Guess who,” Maddie all but calls as soon as she’s near enough to the brunette who’s flittering around the yard like she suspected she would be.

Maddie, to Flynn, had always seemed like a woman that was destined for bigger things. Or perhaps bigger things in secret. He could never quite picture her growing old with someone at her side, sitting together on their white front porch and drinking homemade lemonade. She was brighter than that. She was a strategy of a woman which is what made Flynn intrigued by her in the first place and equally as shocked to see her here in Catalina, of all places. 

“Well, shit,” He muses then, placing his hands on his hips in astonishment. “I thought you’d be traveling the world by now or something. Taking names.” Laughter weaves through his words. He’s quick to shrug at her next question, “Yeah, right. London spat me out a long while ago. I’ve been here working for my father on his film sets. He’d love to see you again, actually.” He turns to Maddie fully now, “What about you, then? Where are you working now?”

–

“Who says I’m not doing that on the side?” Maddie’s flattered to think that Flynn thought so highly of her. But then again, she had met him at one of her more ambitious times in her life; that’s what probably gave him that impression. School had never been her favourite, but her ambitions had run high and what had started out as an argument with her sisters laughing at the idea of her receiving an MBA had turned into her actually running off to London to get one. 

She’s still surprised at the boxer’s presence here in Catalina even after his explanation as to why. “Would he? He’s not worried I’m going to give him more grey hairs?” No doubt though it would have only made the man look more distinguished. Flynn’s looks and genes had to come from somewhere. “I’m still running Sok Enterprises,” she starts, shifting her gym bag on her shoulder. “But I also bought Little Bird Books.” A cheeky grin flits to her face. “I’ve been reading a lot since we’ve last seen each other. I thought I’d buy a bookshop just to solidify that fact.” 

Teddy snorts. It doesn’t feel like a concrete threat, and if it had been, Maddie would’ve punched him a long time ago — he’d certainly given her enough reasons to. He doesn’t strike her as someone who would exercise restraint, least of all with him. Still, the idea of being in Madelyn Sok’s good side gives him a bit of an ego boost, and unable to help himself, he returns her quip with one of his own. “Anywhere but the face, please. That’s kind of the money-maker.”  

The retort would’ve been duly accompanied with a smirk, but as Maddie coldly takes the slice off his hands, his lips instead form a scowl. Taking another slice from the box, he turns to correct himself, “Ah, right. Gromit. I remember now. So, does that make you Wallace?” He continues, quickly grabbing a bite before Maddie can commit another pizza theft in retaliation to his words. Head tilting to the side to meet the cat’s gaze, he shakes his head. “She’s a stray, actually. Was wandering around the Carlson estate until Holly asked me to get rid of it. Not in that way, but like, bring her back into an adoption center, or something. But I took her in instead,” he explains. With a shrug, he notes, “What can I say? I’ve got a huge heart.” 

–

Maddie can’t help but roll her eyes. She’d never admit it to his face, but Teddy had always been a cute kid. Cherubic looking if you didn’t look close enough or get on his bad side. That hadn’t changed, except now he’d turned into a handsome guy instead of a kid. 

“Wallace would be lucky to be compared to me,” she bats back just as easily, not rising to the taunt and taking her own bite of her pizza. That was the dynamic of their relationship. One always biting but never too hard to draw blood and only because they knew the other could take it in stride. “I assumed it would be to take her to a shelter. The last thing I’d take you for is a killer. Especially with that huge heart of yours.” It still amazes her how she can talk about something like that so blithely. She’s never killed anyone herself of course, but Maddie knows that it’s the best way to throw people off the scent of things that she could potentially do. After moment of pause and chewing, she speaks up again, eyeing the cat. “We could call her Wallace so that she and Gromit can be a pair.”

A subtle smile graces Jack’s expression, one he tries to fight. That had become a routine while in Maddie’s presence. She had a particular way about her. She was charming and outright, something Jack wasn’t entirely used to. Either way, the attributes she possesses come as a sort of weakness for him. He couldn’t turn her away nor does he think he ever will. Hence the smile as he shuts the door behind her. “That’s just not possible for someone like me.” Jack says, turning on his heels, heading back to his living room. “I’m all weakness. It’s kinda my thing.”

With that, Jack plops back down onto the couch, patting the spot next to him, signaling for Maddie to sit. His eyes wander in thought, lips pursing into a tight line. A hum tears from his throat. He recalls their last outing, one where Jack cited that they should have an evening of chaos after discovering their ex-parents were also ex-partners. It was a bit of a full circle situation, really, and one that still makes Jack want to either burst into tears or laugh until he couldn’t anymore. “I don’t know. What’re you feeling?” He says, eyes still facing forward. “I did offer the idea of fucking with Marion and Arthur but now that just seems cruel.” The singer states with a laugh, “But perhaps some innocent TPing isn’t entirely off the table..” His light eyes avert to her again, eyebrows arching in amusement. “What do you suggest?”

–

“I know,” Maddie sighs noisily to Jack’s turned back. “It’s a blessing and a curse for people like me.” Half of it is said as a joke but in reality, there was a track record there for ruining soft, kind things even if she didn’t mean to. Maddie had made a point to stay away from people like Jack mostly because her younger years were littered with inadvertently getting involved with people who didn’t have the same level of detachment as she did. She had come to the conclusion it was best to live her life as detached as possible for the sake of the Jack Adler’s in the world. “You could at least try though to build a thicker skin, right? For the sake of our friendship?” 

Following the singer’s lead she deposits herself onto the couch beside him, looking over at him with her dark eyes. There seems to be something off about him that night but she can’t claim to know Jack Adler inside and out when they’ve barely known each other several months. It would have been too presumptuous. So she lets whatever hunch she has sit for now, attention captured by the lure of mischief. A thoughtful look passes her face for a moment. Others may have scoffed - two almost 40 year old’s talking about TPing a house is juvenile in so many ways - and yet she replies with, “Do you have enough toilet paper? Or do we need to get more?” 

LOCATION: marion’s apartment DATE AND TIME: apr 10, sunday / dinner

That night Marion feels more sleepless than she ever has been in a long time. Eight p.m. is hardly late on most accounts. Already, though, she knows it is bound to be a restless night. Her brain feels foggy, as if someone had sawed and split wood against it and left behind a thick pile of sawdust, effectively weighing her down. A part of her would say alcohol is to blame. But the more honest part, the one still damningly sober, knows the likeliest culprit. 

Before Marion can overthink it, she’s pulled up her phone and dialed Maddie’s number. I know it’s late, read the text, but there’s a bunch more wine left over, my dogs are at my brother’s you can bring Gromit if you want. 

It isn’t long after that once she hears a series of knocks against wood, Maddie apparently having heeded her request. Holding the door open for the brunette to enter, she says in greeting, “did you bring Gromit?” Marion says, scanning the hallway in search of the dog. “I wouldn’t mind if it’s just us, of course,” she says, attempting a reassuring grin. Once again, she catches herself lying; without their dogs to talk about and distract them, there’s only one thread that had bound her and Maddie together. 

–

Maddie for once was having a quieter night than she’d be allowed to have lately. When she’d bought Little Bird Books, she’d half expected to step away from a lot of the day-to-day operations with Sok Enterprises, but that hadn’t been entirely the case as of late. Tonight had been one of the first nights in a while where she wasn’t glued to her phone either trying to help solve a problem or talk someone down from starting a problem. 

She was curled up with Gromit on the couch unsuccessfully reading a book when her phone chimes. Seeing Marion’s name is surprising, and a slight curve of her lips appears despite her initial confusion. Only the universe knew that she loved a good mystery, especially at night. Kissing her sweet boy goodnight, Maddie pulls her leather jacket, grabs a few things and heads out the door. 

It’s hard for Maddie not to speculate why Marion is sending her a text on a Sunday. But curiosity had always been Maddie’s great calling. It kept things interesting. “Nope, it’s just us,” she says in greeting to the blonde as she steps through the door, removing her boots out of courtesy. With a pleasant enough smile she lifts her tote bag where a baguette peaks out from the top. “And I brought some bread and cheese to go with the wine. Hope you’re peckish.”

LOCATION: teddy’s apartment / ventura  DATE AND TIME: mar 27, saturday / dinnertime

“You know, I’ve still got to decide on a name for her,” Teddy says, pointing towards the cat sitting by kitchen entryway, a few yards away from the couch where he and Maddie now sat. He suspects that the cat fancies himself as a guard while she glares at the brunette, treating his visitor in the same degree as one would a suspect of a heinous crime. Teddy can’t resist the chuckle that escapes his lips. It’s all one classic miscalculation, and if the cat were all the better at detecting villainhood, she’d failed in her task a long time ago, the moment Teddy had let the little feline wander inside his apartment. 

“I think she’s clocked in on you being a dog person, though,” he says, before taking another slice of pizza from the box laid out perfectly symmetrically by the coffee table. “Say, what’s your dog’s name again?” Teddy knows Gromit’s name, of course. Still, he can’t resist articulating his lame pun: “Gremlin?” A poor attempt at wordplay, to be certain, though Teddy has never been much for words anyways.

–

“It’s like you’re asking me to punch you in the face.” She’d never actually follow up on that threat though. At least not for pretending to forget her dog’s name. There were a handful of scenarios that she could conjure where she might actually punch Teddy in the face, but they would also have to involve her being incredibly pissed off with him and that idea alone was incredibly far fetched.

Instead she opts for snatching the piece of pizza that he’s taken from the box, promptly taking a bite out of it. There’s no cheeky smile that accompanies it. Maddie knows that the act alone is enough of a signal to Teddy that he wouldn’t dare ever call her beloved pet that name. “Maybe you could call that cat Gremlin instead,” she offers, casting a glance at the cat that’s stationed herself just within eye range of her. “She has enough of a stink eye when she looks at me to warrant the name. How long have you had her for anyway?” 

To say that the twins were excited whenever Auntie Maddie came over was an understatement. They adored her and Malia couldn’t blame them. She was awesome and Malia felt lucky every day to call the woman her best friend. She’d always been there to help her out when she needed it. No questions asked. An easy smile settled on Malia’s face as the twins ran to her and tackled Maddie’s legs, talking a mile a minute and asking about the presents she always seemed to bring them. They were spoiled children, but they weren’t brats and there was a clear distinction between the two for Malia. 

Tahj and Tahlia nodded their heads excitedly to their aunt and Malia shrugged. “They haven’t taken over the asylum so I believe that’s in their favor.” she chuckled. “Okay, munchkins. Let Auntie Maddie breathe and you can open your presents after dinner.” she winked to her children who cheered before running back over to the playhouse and playing. Malia came over and helped her friend with the bags she had moving them to the table that was in the center of the patio chairs and couches. “Did you buy the whole damn store?…Wait, don’t answer that.” Malia grinned. “My most important question is what’s for dinner?” 

–

“Not the whole store. That wouldn’t be fair to everyone else, would it?” Maddie watches fondly as the twins run off to raise hell in their little corner of the world before following Malia over to the patio table to help her unpack the food that she’d brought over. “I picked up some Mexican food. I figured it’d be fun to have a little build your own taco, burrito or whatever you want want bowl.” But there was something else that she’d stuffed into the back of her pocket and hadn’t forgotten yet. “So funny story. On my way here, I saw this magazine at the news stand...” With the twins lost once again in their own world, Maddie casually slides the tabloid she’d asked (okay, more like demanded) the news stand guy to give her. With it being an old issue, there hadn’t been too much of a problem with just handing the stack over to her.  

With the magazine on the table, it now clearly showed a paparazzi photo of both Malia and Jack and the headline declaring their break-up dated back from several weeks ago. “I’m not mad that you didn’t tell me who it was,” Maddie prefaces. She had always been respectful of Malia’s life and never pressed for details unless she wanted to share them with her. “But you should know that I have a whole stack in my car that we can burn if you want.” The harm was already done, and there was nothing Maddie could do to help shield her friend from the public eye, but if there was anything she could to help Malia soothe the wound, she would. “It could be symbolic. A fresh start. But also a bit of a fuck you to the tabloids. Whatever you want.”

ღ

TIME SKIP.

Just like that, Ava found a new companion to accompany her to the local bar. While beer was not exactly the healthiest choice of drink to consume after a heavy workout, she supposed she ought to deserve a drink after that fiasco. If anything, Maddie probably deserved it more than she did, which was exactly why the brunette was definitely paying for their rounds tonight. “So, what are you drinking? It’s my treat, at least, considering what you’ve just gone through.” A smile formed upon her features, taking a seat on one of the empty bar stool before turning to the woman again. “I definitely need a beer, and what Evelyn just pulled? Shocking to say, but it’s just another normal day in my family.” She shook her head. “While I’m not here to drink to forget tonight, let me at least make up for dragging you into that mess.”

–

“Seriously,” Maddie starts with a laugh at the brunette’s insistence, “In the grand scheme of things, it’s not that big of a deal. It could have been way worse.” She knew how emotions could get the best of people; she’d seen it play out in and outside of a fighting ring. Emotions usually won out over logic at the end of the day and Maddie was no exception to that rule even though she did her best to reel it all in. In the past, being brash had gotten her in trouble more times than she could count. “Whatever sour they’ve got is fine with me. But the next round is on me.” She smiles settling into her seat at the bar. “Like you said, you’re the one that’s related to her. How long have you been on Catalina?”

STARTER FOR: @madelynsok LOCATION: Jack’s home in Ventura. SETTING: Early evening.

The last few days consisted of Jack sulking, as much as he’d hate to admit it. His parents have gone back to Boston, leaving behind their biggest hugs, and a promise to call every single day. Jack has just hung up the phone moments ago after a quick call with his mother, who was still a tad worried for her son. Rightfully so, of course. Which alone makes a pang of guilt to surge through Jack. He had no right to feel smothered, not now. He had been so reckless over the years and borderline hard to reach. That he understood well enough. Yet, the feeling persists. 

After he sets his phone down, he slumps down in his couch, running his hands over his tired face. The day was coming to a close and Jack still feels as though his mind was reeling. He thinks maybe he could clean his home or maybe go for a walk. Perhaps he can head over to the grocery store before it closes and get something to make for a late dinner. But just as he thinks of these options, his motivation hits a new low. That’s when there’s a knock at his door and the singer looks to the source. A breath is released before he stands, “Coming!” He calls out before jogging over to the door, opening it. When he sees Maddie there, an instant smile cascades across his mouth. But it soon falls, realizing that he had forgotten that they made plans to hang out. “Wait, shit, I totally forgot you were coming over. I’m so sorry.” He says apologetically, one hand reaching up to touch his forehead. “God, I sound like a total douche, don’t I?”

–

Treading the line between being a close friend to Malia and her fondness for Jack was certainly an interesting one. Then again, most of her life has been spent treading the line between ‘mostly law-abiding citizen’ and ‘this might be questionable in the eyes of the law/state/society’ so all things considered, this dynamic was easier and far more pleasant. When the door opens revealing her very tall, new friend, her eyebrow raises. “I wasn’t going to say it, but if you’re going to then I might take advantage of the guilt. And because I’m a good friend, I’m going to tell you now to avoid showing any sign of weakness because I’ve been known to ruin soft things like you.” 

It’s mostly true with some exceptions, but her mischievous nature shines through in the end. “I accept your apology. But I’ve always been more of an actions speak louder than words type of person so...What do you have planned for tonight?” Last they had seen each other, Jack had planted the seed of an idea of causing a little havoc and chaos. Both those things just happened to be Maddie’s kryptonite.