when, when, when?

i think i’ve had enough !

( jessie mei li, nonbinary, she/they ) i just saw phoenix chen walking down the cobbled roads of skopelos the other day playing townie by mitski out loud. aren’t they supposed to be in los angeles ? rumor has it that the twenty eight year old is + earnest, but can also be - impulsive — overall they’re the malingerer. they remind me of taking buzzfeed quizzes to determine your future, black coffee and a cigarette for breakfast, wanting to call your mom, chipped nail polish, thunderstorms.

if there was one thing that skopelos had proven to nate was that this place wasn’t an uneventful one by any means. so hearing a voice at the distance complain about ‘their eggs’ followed by some threats about spanking an innocent cat didn’t phase him much: but laughter soon followed when turning to find out who it was all coming from. nate should have guessed from their voice tone, but he was too invested jamming to i brought you my bullets on his airpods at first to notice. taking said airpods off and approaching phoenix, he flashed a a cheeky smile before speaking. “well… you don’t fool us, you don’t fool him”, he teased, pointing at the tiny gecko chilling on his shoulder. “and honestly… being busted by ringo is always worse than being busted by me, so we have no option but to rat you out to animal control now”

She's feeling defensive at first before reminding herself to take a breath. It was just Nate and contrary to what he said they were relieved the cat ended up being his anyway. "Sorry? I didn't think Ringo was a fucking narc." Phoenix shakes their head. "I'm just saying calling the authorities isn't very punk of you. Unless you've been a poser this whole time." They raise an eyebrow up skeptically as if the two of them hadn't spent time together in Greenwich going to as many punk basement shows as they could. It takes them a moment to acknowledge the gecko and suddenly it is all they can pay attention to. "Is that yours? Or are you just some weird emo Disney princess and you have a rat friend too hidden in your shirt pocket?" It didn't sound like it but they did mean it in a somewhat positive way. Of course she was also half convinced that he was some sort of witch anyway and he's keeping his magic a secret.

       elise was making her way back to her favorite table on the patio, hands full with a plate of bagels and having the time of her life watching phoenix’s interaction. “ Could’ve fooled me love with the threats you were making to missy. Oh my gosh were you actually the cat spanker in college? I could’ve sworn that they were only a legend.” she teases with a sly smile. elli wasn’t sure if the cat was actually named missy or not, but that’s what she had taken to calling the creature that had wondered to the hotel. “ Don’t worry phe, I’ll make sure your secrets safe with me and my bagels though I’d might be up for sharing if you want ? .” 

Raising both of their hands up defensively, they take a step away from the cat to help ensure their own innocence. "You have no proof! Innocent until proven guilty. I plead the fifth." That may have been Phoenix's only takeaway from American politics after living there for five years. Well, that and that they really did not want their people to have healthcare. "You know what? Maybe if Missy wasn't a little shit I could have shared with her." Doubtful. She was more the kind of person to eat it without much of a second thought of a begging animal. "If I'm going to have a reputation I'm glad it's for something kinky." And they meant it. Their eyes light up as Elli offers some of her food and they waste no time grabbing a bagel off of the plate. "You're a godsend. My very own guardian angel. Truly a gift to the people."

              William approaches with a groggy look about him and extreme bed hair.   He’s holding an unlit cigarette in his hand along with a cup of coffee–   clearly,   he’s just woken up as well.   He’s squinting at the general brightness of the afternoon,   but he doesn’t change trajectory when he hears Phoenix make aggressive and violent threats toward a cat in the near distance.   He thinks about it,    though,   he does–   yet he finds enough force of will within himself to tolerate their presence so soon after an otherwise peaceful rest.   When he witnesses the full scene before him,   William only glances at the furry creature as it makes a beeline for their dropped eggs and hastily attempts to clomp one between its jaw to make off with it.   It makes him smirk a little. 

       “Wow,   Phoenix.   Real nice.”   He croaks,    sarcastic and dry.   William begins taking a seat,   momentarily distracted by getting his wits about him.   After a sip of coffee,   he looks at them again.   “Abusing children  and  animals?”   He clicks his tongue,   “Just when I think you can’t get any worse,   you aim to go even lower.”

"Cat bastard." They mutter under their breath, eyes narrowing in at the embittered feline. Not that her breakfast would have been salvageable in the first place and she should have expected a cat of all animals the rub salt in the wound. "Hey now. You aren't judging a hardworking parent, are you? For all you know those eggs could be for my children and now they'll starve without breakfast. Lunch. Whatever. What time is it? My phone died in the middle of the night." A pause. "I mean, who's the asshole now? Kicking somebody while they're down? Shame on you." They give him a look of disappointment, milking every last bit. If she was known for anything it was her theatrics. Perhaps if Phoenix had channeled that energy elsewhere they would be in a different place in their life. "A real friend would make me new food that I can bring home to my family." Her eyes flutter as she plops right down in the chair next to Will. "Or at the very least they'd take some pity and give me a cigarette. I don't like to smoke in front of the kids."

SUSIE: BECUASE IT'S URRRGEENNTNTT

SUSIE: oh cmon if u dont reply i'm gonna start banging at your door

SUSIE: and then i'll bite you

PHOENIX: nothing urgent happens before 9 am

PHOENIX: nvm it's 2

PHOENIX: that edible i took ate me back i think

Phoenix loved animals even if their parents never allowed them and their brother to have any pets growing up. They still believe that somebody had to be heartless, downright evil even, to not melt at the sight of a baby puppy. It was only when they tended to be meddlesome did she find them to be much less charming. She wasn't sure if the cat that weaved between her legs belonged to someone or was one of the few strays. Either way it gives them a start and the hearty plate of breakfast they had made for themselves (nevermind the fact it was well into the afternoon and they had a late start, like always) falls out of their hands. "Fuck! My eggs." She calls out helplessly before directly addressing the animal. “Listen up. I'm going to spank you. I am going to spank you so hard that your great, great, great grandma kitty will feel it. And then— " By the time Phoenix sees another person it's too late. "I don't...I don't actually spank cats."

SUSIE: HELLO PHEEEE

SUSIE: TELL ME UR AWAKE PLSSSSS

SUSIE: IF U DONT ANSWER IN 1 MIN A SCARY MAN IS GONNA POP UP IN UR ROOM WHIEL UR SLEEPING

PHOENIX: babygirl why are we yelling???? is the scary man in the room with us?

PHOENIX: nope sorry i'm sleeping rn

Truth be told Phoenix had only been paying half attention when Elli had delegated a task to them. She knew she should have listened to people more but she never really, genuinely felt bad about it. Both easily distracted and bored they found an isolated spot to light up, whatever other responsibilities they had for the day swiftly forgotten about. She was more focused on the perfect nap spot. What? No one would miss them if they were gone for an hour or two. It isn't until they hear footsteps that they put the joint out and wave their hand in an attempt to clear the smoke. So much for privacy. "Mhm, yup this window looks good. Everything is good here. Oh my god, Ted? I didn't even notice you come up."