tomorrow's dust

It had been a long time since she had gotten her last tattoo, something she used to do frequently back in New York. The pain of the needle helped sober her up from time to time when she needed it the most. But most of her tattoos were bad decisions fueled by a drunken stupor. And many of the drawings she had on her body were mere surprises the morning after when she’d come to. 

As the bell jingled upon her entrance into the shop, she was taken aback by the one behind the counter. Up until then she figured she’d left all of her demons back in the city, not realizing they could have been right around the corner.

“Bren?” It was a question she clearly already knew the question to, by the way her eyes locked onto his features. It was a shock to her that she never once spotted him at Los Globos; since she was sure he would have been a regular patron by now. But her main concern was wondering how he was, considering the last time she had seen him wasn’t exactly the best for the both of them. Regardless of it all, she sent a small smile his way, “H-how are you?”

For the past hour and a half, Shoshana had been shuffling throughout the numerous comic filled shelves towards the back of the shop, in search of the next volume in the series she had been completely obsessing over for the past week. Beginning to lose all hope in her endeavor, her fingers moved quickly towards the beginning of the stack yet again, hoping in her excitement she must’ve brushed right past it. 

An audible gasp escaped her, and she brought her cupped fist up towards her mouth, before calling out for her cashier of a friend, “Duncan!” She shouted, hoping he had been close by enough to hear her excitement. “I found it!” 

On Saturday afternoon, after another week of too much sitting with all the back pain that brought on, Ronit finally decided she was in bad need of a run again. The weather was good for this time of year, a sunny sky only dotted with clouds, and she thanked her earlier anxious self for already having figured out that the Meadows was neither too far away nor too swamped with creepy slash annoying people. After about a twenty minute run, the sight of college students lounging on the lawns either studying or procrastinating on their studies served as a painful reminder to a nerve in her left inner thigh that definitely had not felt like this ten years ago, and Ronit came to a stop close to a bench that was already occupied by an elderly couple. Somewhat set off from the bench, a young woman was sitting and engaged in what Ronit first thought was writing. However, the longer she watched, still stretching her left leg, the more it seemed like sketching. Trying to get a better view, she had moved so close she would have to say something now: “Hey, sorry! Didn’t want to creep you out. I was just curious what you’re drawing.” She pointed at the woman’s paper, slightly bending down now: “Can I see?”

━━

As of late the Meadows had become a sort of hideaway for Shoshana. Between working late nights at Los Globos and volunteering down at the animal shelter, there hadn't been much time to slow down; which was purposefully done to keep her mind preoccupied with issues outside of her own. 

After her release from an inpatient stay some years ago, her doctor recommended finding new ways to occupy her time and essentially calm her in the process. It was then that she began sketching portraits of people she found to have unique-like features, and she found beauty in them. Painting had become the finality of it all -- the ability to mix colors and make the sketches come alive was thrilling all on its own. 

It was the elderly couple that caught her eye, the comfort they shared in each other’s embrace was a gesture that had become so far out of reach for Shosh since she left New York. But the adoration they held in each other’s eyes was enough for her to want to put to paper. 

👪 …someone in my muse’s family.

True Seymore ( or best known as just Tru in the mid 80s ) was a household name and one of the youngest top R&B singers of her time. True’s start was thanks to her own father, famed music producer Ray Seymore, who helped produce her first album, as well as manage his daughter’s career. Loving Lines was her last known single, which charted at number one for five straight weeks. Unfortunately, her career was cut short, due to an unexpected pregnancy that left her shying away from the spotlight in New York to raise her children in Aberdeen, Washington. She tried her best to incorporate music into both of her daughters lives, but her husband discouraged it completely; wanting his children to find stability in a more realistic career choice. 

After relocating to Silver Lake for her husband’s own career, she threw herself back into music and started recording music with a local music producer in hopes of getting her name back on the map. Unfortunately that was all cut short after the news of her eldest daughter’s passing. This drove her into a deep depressive state, where she relied heavily on alcohol and opioids to relieve the pain of losing her first born; which ultimately damaged her marriage and her relationship with Shoshana. 

Sadly, True still struggles to this day and has yet to recover from her addictions.

😉 …someone my muse has had sex with.

“Oh! Uh -- sorry. That’s sort of like a private matter. I don’t really feel right blasting that sort of thing out, ya know. So mum’s the word.“

💘 …someone my muse has a crush on.

“A crush? Wow, what a throwback. Haven’t gotten asked something like this since high school! But, umm, yeah -- no one. Not exactly the best at crushes, dating and all that. Just a lone wolf for the time being.”

“Like a simple attraction? Like: "Aww, she's beautiful!", then, yes. I find all women very beautiful. I mean, who doesn’t? We’re all goddesses, am I right? But -- uh -- I’m a celebrator of that March 14th holiday. Soo...”

"I think I do a lot of gravitating towards a person who appreciates the full aspect of life. Not only the ups, but the downs as well -- someone who is continually growing. I don’t believe in regrets because I see those good decisions as great and fantastic, and those bad decisions as lessons. I enjoy laughter, and finding a way to relieve the soul of unnecessary toxins, and sometimes you need to do that in life. I do a lot of resonating to those looking to make the most out of their time in this lifetime, and someone who admires the simpler things life has to offer, that others may just pass on by, you know? Someone filled with passion! Someone who gets excited over a simple sidewalk chalk drawing, or like, I don’t know, their favorite cup of coffee. I get excited to hear about another's excitement -- it’s beautiful.”

Nic: Oh yeah those

Nic: I didn't actually look them up so I don't know which would be better

Nic: Extra points if you open both in front of you and literally read them simultaneously

Shoshana: You're no help. :P

Shoshana: Hmm..wonder if there's a world record for that?

Shoshana: But I definitely won't be getting those extra points....I have shit eyes... ://

Korra laughed seeing the other with her bat, “Oh are we going for a stranger things vibe here? Might see if I have some nails in the cupboard if you want, would make a mean weapon” the female grinned raising her brows. 

“Okay then” Korra nodded at the other, her own stomach clenched at the mere mention of food. “How do you feel about pizza? There’s a new place round the corner and they do free pizza and beer in their courtyard. I kind became a regular there over the past couple weeks” the brunette’s lips stretched into a smile as she remember the first couple of times she went in for the free slices, and how kind some of the employees there were to her. She sat down next to her friend with a sigh. “I don’t think we can get it free here, but I can call a person up in there and see if I can work us out a deal?” Korra looked at Shoshana hoping she’d answer that she loves pizza.

The smile on her face turned into a grin that turned into a laugh as the other mentioned movie choices. “I absolutely, love Tangled!” Korra nodded her head happily at the idea of watching it, “But, really, if you do wanna watch a scary film we can have a go.” the brunette said, determined that no movie would scare her, even though Shoshana being here now is a proof that it can.

━━

Shoshana let out a small chuckle, actually understanding the bat reference, regardless of the fact that she had yet to see the show. “I’ve never seen it --” she admitted, tossing a handful of braided hair over her shoulders, “-- doesn’t exactly scream “watch alone” vibes, ya know?” Deciding that she’d be sticking around for a little while longer, Shosh shuffled her shoes off to sit cross-cross on the couch. 

“Oh -- I’ve been there!” If there was one thing that excited Shoshana more than anything, it was food. Sure, options were sometimes limited in the vegan world if you didn’t know what the heck you were doing, but for Shosh, it was always an adventure to try new restaurants around town that catered towards her lifestyle. “Yeah, they have an amazing vegan deep dish there.” Her mouth practically began watering just by mentioning it, “Ugh, it’s so good.”After smiling towards her friend, she chimed in, “Well I’m chipping in regardless of the deal or not.” 

“No, yeah, Tangled is cute -- yet very underrated, which I don’t understand at all.” Annoyance was clear over that fact, as she slapped her hands against her knees.