Rowan

“It’s one thing to use it for yourself, but when you’re a semi-public figure, it might be taken for a publicity stunt, and that’s the last thing I want. Good for her, though. It’s hard for trans folks to stand up for ourselves sometimes - trans women in particular. We’re the ones that threaten people most, I think.” Susan smiles broadly at the intimation that they are part of the aforementioned ‘community’: it’s seldom she meets other polyamorous people outside the province of the internet.

“It is, at that. Poly representation is way behind the curve when it comes to our presence in the media. At best, we get shit like ‘Sister Wives’ or ‘Escaping Polygamy’ - which, I don’t need to tell you, is far from the same thing.”

“I suppose it is, especially if you aren’t cis or straight. Because god forbid we stand up for ourselves and not have it be taken as attention seeking when someone else can do the bare minimum and get praised for it” Rowan agreed, rolling their eyes, the topic one of the few that wasn’t affected by their seemingly eternal rose colored glasses. “But yes, luckily this was back in New York, so we had a solid community to support her and offer defense as well. One of the biggest things I miss about moving away really.” They sighed, before matching her smile, glad to have found someone beyond Kali who was able to understand at the same level.  “Ugh, don’t even mention those to me. Honestly, cable television is such trash with any identity that isn’t cishet. I mean, one trans person appears on a reality show, or they have a gay wedding on say yes to the dress, and everyone loses their minds. It’s so tiring, and a huge issue on how we’re seen” Rowan agreed, eyes rolling.

“Noted. One flower assassination coming up.”

“Thank you, just what I needed. I’m Rowan by the way, I don’t believe we’ve met before”

“Oh just some of those teenage assholes, it’s fine.” Jax shook his head. “I really don’t need someone getting me discounts. It’s a little odd. I can get by, it’s really good. Do you want a caricature or a portrait?”

“Damn hooligans” Rowan muttered, shaking their head before giving the other a serious look “ Are you sure? From what I know, Art supplies can get expensive very fast” They added, before shrugging. “A portrait, I’ve always found caricatures a bit... off putting”

“I can do your drawing sure, but someone stole my colored pens. Can you settle for a black and white drawing? Five bucks off.”

“Oh no, someone stole your supplies? Thats terrible! No, please, don’t worry about it.  There’s an art shop down the street, and the owner will give you a discount if I ask, if that helps you with replacing them any!”

“Does it have to be a drop kick, or can I get creative?” 

“Feel free to get creative as you like. Also feel free to smash the flowers, they were a hideous arrangement anyways. I only made it to get rid of ones from a wedding last week”

“Slow down - what? You can’t just mention someone having a shirt covered in blood and then gloss right over it to talk about flowers. Details, pal, details!”

“Oh, sorry. Probably should have clarified im an EMT on the weekends, my bad. Wasn’t my blood, I had just gotten off a call” Rowan was quick to explain, giving a guilty laugh. “No, but really, the flowers were the most important part. Although, really, I wonder why she was so okay with the blood? I forgot that freaks most people out if they don’t know me”

Susan listens with mild amusement to their suggestions, leaning down to smell one of the nearby flowers. “I don’t know about the threat thing - but I already do donate a good chunk of my royalties to various queer-support charities, and I’ve never made a secret of it. My latest series has the four narrating protagonists in a poly relationship, too, which was amazingly fun to write.” She shrugs. “People are always finding something to complain about with my books, it’s nothing new.”

“Had a friend who used that when she got a bunch of transphobes sending her shit after coming out, got rid of them at least” Rowan replied with a shrug, glancing over as she bent down to sniff the flowers. “Careful, those just released their stamens properly, they’re gonna be extra pollen loaded for a few days” They warned, before grinning. “Well, thats great. Always good to see some more representation of the community in media. And there’s always gonna be hate, yeah, but at least you know that you’re putting out characters that queer people can identify with, instead of more white bread dystopian teens for the hets to whitewash”

  “one of my kids gave me a dandelion she found in front of the studio today, and told me i could take it home and grow it in my house. i didn’t have the heart to tell her it would grow again … or i can’t keep a single plant alive for anything.”

“Thats so cute!” Rowan agreed, thrilled. “You know, dandelions weren’t actually considered weeds until the french monarchy began pleasure lawn culture shortly before they were over thrown. Before then, they were a source of nutrition for both people and livestock, and in some places were considered good luck when given to other people”

“Every time I get an email that one of my books has been challenged by some uppity cabal of soccer moms who don’t want their kids exposed to The Gays, I feel like they’re just asking me to make the next one even gayer. Is that too vindictive of me, d’you think?”

Rowan doesn’t even bother to look up from where their messing with the flowers, grinning brightly as they trim a sunflower, their sweet as honey tone a direct contrast to their words. “Not at all. Next time they complain, make it vividly clear that not a single character is cis or het, and make them end up in a delirously happy polycule. Then announce that for every hateful comment you get you’ll donate sales to planned parenthood and the trevor project. Either they’ll learn to shut their hateful mouths, or you’ll help kids they hurt. Or just bait them into making threats and then remind them that its a felony and you’ve been in contact with the police. Win win situation whichever you choose” If their words are punctuated by a particularly vicious snip of their scissors, well. Thats their own business.