Rita Saluki

NAME: Vivianna Giada Sykes AGE: 18 MAGICK STATUS: Mundus OCCUPATION: professional daddy's girl CURRENT LOCATION: Resides in New York City, visiting Swynlake with her fam RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Single CHILDREN: N/A FC: Lauren Jauregui BIOGRAPHY:

Even though she was born in Swynlake, Vivianna remembers virtually nothing from her time there; after all, she was only five when Roscoe and Rita moved back to New York.

To Vivi, New York was home. No matter what her birth certificate said. She might have inherited her looks from her mother but the rest of her lived and breathed the city. From the strong accent to the self confident strut her Zio Desi taught her, there's no mistaking that the youngest of the Saluki-Sykes children was a product of her city.

Used to extravagant vacations to Italy, Vivi doesn't fully understand just why her mom decided that they absolutely had to visit Swynlake. Regardless, she remains excited to get to see her aunties and uncles on the other side of the pond. Not to mention she gets to explore the town where her parents really fell in love.

NAME: Rita Saluki-Sykes AGE: 47 MAGICK STATUS: Mundus OCCUPATION: lounge singer, wife, mom, does it all CURRENT LOCATION: Resides in New York City, visiting Swynlake with her fam RELATIONSHIP STATUS: Married to Roscoe Sykes CHILDREN: Oliver Saluki, Mason Sykes, Vivianna Sykes FC: Lana Del Ray BIOGRAPHY:

Rita hadn't thought about moving back to the States. She'd gotten comfortable in Swynlake. It had easily become home once things in her personal life began to slot together nicely. She had things there that she hadn't ever thought she'd ever have. A husband she loved, three happy and healthy children, friends and family that stood by her side no matter what.

Moving Forward {The Saluki-Sykes}​

roscoesykes​:​

Roscoe smiled, genuinely even, as Oliver spotted the small puppy waiting for him. It had been…an obvious gift from the start. Rita and himself hadn’t missed the way he seemed to want a dog of his own but resisted, if only because they already had three here and a toddler. It wasn’t exactly the best to bring another dog in, right? Oliver had just been thinking responsibly. 

But with Oliver graduating and already speaking about moving to his own apartment with a friend in the same building as the idiots - well, Roscoe knew he’d need someone to keep him company. Keep him safe too. 

“…Can’t help but think yous was all but asking for one, ain’t?” Roscoe said with a small huff and a shrug of his shoulders. “…She needed a home.. Thought you might be the perfect match.” 

@oliversaluki​ @singingonthese-streetsofgold​​

“Pupppy.” Ollie grinned taking her from Rita with a big smile and cuddling the puppy to his chest. She was so precious and Ollie already loved her. “Yeah I mean I was thinking about but I didn’t know if I should.” There was always an excuse, the fact they had three dogs already, Ollie was in the dorms, he was moving in with Eric soon and that would be new.

Then it would be a new job and so many other things that Ollie knew he would keep putting it off. But how could he say no to her.

“Does she have a name yet?” Ollie’s big eyes matching the pups.

@singingonthese-streetsofgold​ @roscoesykes​

Roscoe was more than right. Ollie... always thought of others before he thought of himself. She liked to blame it on his upbringing. It’s how everyone in their family was. Always doing things for the others or not doing things for themselves for the sake of the others. There’d been so many conversations about him wanting a dog but they were always met with some sort of reason why he couldn’t. Even if Rita tried to convince him that they would make it work out.

But him moving out permanently and not having the chaos that they were so accustomed to just seemed wrong. And when they’d come across this adorable little girl while picking up their dogs from Greg, well, there was no way they could say no to her. She was absolutely perfect for their boy.

“We didn’t put one on her adoption papers. We figured you’d want t’do the honors of giving her a name,” she smiled, her heart melting even more as she watched him with his puppy.

Jessica shook her head as she stood back up and made her way over to Rita. The woman had never failed to have a quick come back to any comment, which was part of what made their conversations so much fun.

“All right. I suppose I can admit I’m enjoying myself.” As much as she loved performing on the stage, she loved even more these moments that was just their small family getting to spend time with each other. So it was easy to admit and its true. 

“Any requests when I’m up there?”

“Of course you are,” Rita returned easily, a slight air of smugness in her voice (though it was more playful than anything). “Again, yous act like I don’t know yous.” The saying that the Court was like a second family was one that was repeated often but it was true. They knew each other, knew things that others didn’t. 

As they swapped spaces, Rita sitting in one of the booths while Jessica made her way to the stage, she thought. It was all subterfuge, a way to keep Jess waiting and on her toes. All she really could request of the other woman was to have fun. After all, that was what this photo-shoot was about. The Court workers having fun in their element. Performing and doing what they loved. 

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Where Has The Time Gone? || Roscita

Honestly - Roscoe didn’t really think he was ever going to have to touch on this again. Thought he could have just put it behind him and never think about it again but… here they were. Back in this situation and all Roscoe could do was sigh and glance back down at his brother with another frown. 

God damn it. 

“…The uh -…That shitty Hunger Games one.” He said hesitantly, knowing it had…honestly messed Rita up for a while. Messed them all up honestly but.. given she’d been the most involved it’d been pretty hard for her. 

“..I guess it uh - it happened again is all.” Though he regretted his words almost immediately, having meant to make them more confident. I guess insinuated he didn’t know. Which he should have. He should have known. 

The Hunger Games dream. That dream hadn’t been brought up in the longest time. Since she had first found out she was pregnant with Mason. It was... It was almost like taboo. It had been horrible. She’d died. Her family had had to watch her perish from an infection; delirious and out stumbling around. She’d had to live with the fact that she had killed people that she saw around town in that dream. 

It was... not something she ever wanted to relive. And so she couldn’t understand why all of the sudden it was affecting DeSoto like this and why her husband was being so cryptic about it.

As Jessica sat there, she leaned forward against the table with her chin in her hand, basking in the song and in watching. Rita was stunning to watch. Even in this quiet environment, she sang with her whole body in a way that brought the stage to life. It was no wonder she always drew every eye. She could be singing from the phone book, and the energy in her voice would stop the room. 

Vaguely, Jessica was aware of the way the photographer moved around, catching all of the angles of the song, along with the sassy smirk that Rita seemed to exude. The pictures were bound to be stunning. 

When Rita finished, Jessica applauded heartily, giving a small whistle. “Absolutely stunning. Why do you need me again?” she teased. 

As the music ended there was a calm that came over Rita. It was the same one she got right before she zoned back in to the crowd’s applause. It was peaceful, a place where nothing existed except for herself and the afterglow of a performance. 

Jessica brought her out of that little space this time and she couldn’t help but laugh a little. 

Moving Forward {The Saluki-Sykes}

roscoesykes​:​

Dodger tried his best to look a little bashful when Fagin patted him against his back and lightly chided them for their excitement. Which…was fair. he was sure they were incredibly loud but…at the same - Tito was right. They were celebrating a once in a lifetime opportunity. Probably the last one in the family until Mason grew up too. 

It wasn’t like Tito or himself were going to be in school, after all. 

Einstein just rolled his eyes fondly, slipping a hand around Fagin’s waist with a look that clearly said he tried his best but there would be no reasoning with these kids and their exuberant excitement. 

“Aww c’mon Reets! Yous can’t make the kid work on his special day!” Dodger complained with a laugh, giving Oliver another squeeze before he let him go with another too annoying mess up of his hair. Roscoe - who’d just been observing the chaos with a raise of his brow spoke up then. “..Go help your mother, kid.” He commanded softly with a nod towards the kitchen - though his lips turned up in a gentle smile a moment later as he peeked through the archway towards Rita with a quick wink. 

There would be no complaints about what he was going to help with, Roscoe was sure. 

@oliversaluki​ @singingonthese-streetsofgold​

Ollie was curious and confused on what Rita might be needing his help with? Maybe bringing in something, food for the group? That would make the most sense considering just how much they ate.

Glancing just briefly at Roscoe, Ollie pulled himself away from everyone’s hugs and squeezes and pokes heading into the kitchen. When he did get in, Ollie’s eyes immediately widen looking at the Puppy and then to Rita, even throwing a glance back to Roscoe.

“Is she for me?”

@singingonthese-streetsofgold​ @roscoesykes​

The puppy yipped and Rita couldn’t help the slight giggle that escaped her lips. She was honestly an adorable puppy and she knew that she would be perfect for Ollie. Scooping her up gently, Rita moved over to Ollie and gently handed her to him.

“Of course she is,” she smiled as she scratched gently behind the pup’s ears. “We figured now was the perfect time. Since you’ve graduated and all.”

Where Has The Time Gone? || Roscita

DeSoto coming to him had startled the hell out of him. It was rare to see his brother so worked up over anything much less something stupid Swynlake had put them through but… when Rita had finally left the room and DeSoto had explained what exactly had happened - Roscoe finally realized what the issue was.

He’d done his best to comfort his brother with quiet words but more so just his presence - and eventually the other man had passed back out beside him as Roscoe rested a hand against his back with a heavy sigh. He could only hope that the whole thing would just blow over and his brother would.. wake up later and punch him and go about his business. 

However he’d forgotten about how Rita might feel about the whole thing. Forgotten about how it probably looked. 

After all - it made sense that Rita hadn’t experienced the dream. But Roscoe should have. Or at the very least… his brother coming in sobbing to him would have been the biggest red flag a person could get. 

“Uh—.. Just that stupid dream is all.” He tried, glancing up at his wife with a shrug. Though he knew it wouldn’t be enough of an answer. Wouldn’t be satisfactory or remotely good enough for her. 

No, Roscoe’s answer was not satisfactory. In fact, it was the opposite of satisfactory. She knew there was more to it, more to whatever that was in their bedroom. After all, she’d never seen DeSoto show any sort of emotion in his life. Except anger. He was good at that one. But crying? Being so distraught that Rita was made aware of the fact he was a human? That was new to her. That was worrying to her.

It was made even worse by the fact that Rita had no idea what had happened. As far as she was concerned last night was just another night. She’d slept peacefully. Mason hadn’t woken up and the dogs hadn’t felt the need to jump into the bed. Roscoe hadn’t stirred. Everything was.... nice.

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Jessica was never able to truly forget when there was someone watching her, and it was a sense she’d had since she was a teenager. But here in the Court, she was able to get the closest she ever could to forgetting because it became so much less important as she relaxed and had fun with the performance. 

But at the photographer’s question, Jessica reached over and gave Rita’s hand a squeeze. “In that case, you should start with the lady of the house. After all, this has been her show.” She winked, and before Rita could respond, she had stepped away and back off stage so that she could be in the audience. It only seemed fair considering the way Rita had surprised her with this in the first place. 

The whole purpose of this photo shoot was to get shots of Jess. Not herself. So she scowled, only lightly, at her friend as she left the stage to sit in one of the booths. Jess was a sneaky one, that was for sure. But Rita adored her so her pouting ceased as the band started up one of her songs.

Approaching the mic once more, Rita clasped it in both hands as she began to sing to Jess, her personal audience of one.

Three years. That’s how long it had been since Rita had died in the Hunger Games. Three years since she had completely shut down and closed herself off from everything. And now, apparently, that dream had come back. Except, Rita hadn’t had it. How could she? She was dead in that world. And why had Swynlake decided they needed to go back to that crazy world? There were so many questions that swirled around her head in the wake of it.

But what had really confused her was DeSoto barging into their home frantic and scared. While she didn’t like him, she couldn’t deny that there was something strange and terrifying in seeing him clutch Roscoe so tightly and sob against him. She’d left after that but it had still shaken her. 

Tending to Mason kept her busy while her husband did whatever he needed to in order to calm down DeSoto. Gave her something to distract her thoughts with. Every day Mason was getting older and smarter. Finding more ways to get into trouble and coming up with more ways to keep Rita on her toes. But she loved every minute of it. Loved her little boy more than anything in the world.

It wasn’t until nap time that she ventured into their bedroom to see if everything was okay. Her brow raised when she saw DeSoto sleeping next to Roscoe who was still awake. It was... the most peaceful she’d ever seen her husband’s twin and it was beyond strange and concerning.

“Something yous need t’tell me, Ros?”

Jessica could feel the subtle shift when Rita and the photographer came back in and started to take pictures. However, it wasn’t particularly intrusive and she put it aside as she continued to perform to the club, letting the music itself be her focus. As the song continued, she relaxed and began to move with it, a hint of a smile creeping onto her features. 

But as soon as Rita joined her and began to sing along with her, Jessica slipped into a harmony that intertwined easily with Rita. She also shifted so that she could sing directly to her friend, as if it was a song that was all about her.

You are the angel glow that lights the star The dearest things that I know are what you are Someday my happy arms will hold you And someday I’ll know that moment divine When all the things you are, are mine

There was a reason that when Jessica and Rita performed together they often put the crowd in a trance. They could captivate an audience easily and they enjoyed doing so. And there was something about performing with Jessica that Rita absolutely loved. Even if it was to a quiet club with no patrons. It was like the stage was their own and like there was a power between the two of them that nobody could withstand. 

She became oblivious to the photographer clicking away with his camera as the music played and the song went on. The words flowed seamlessly from her lips and her body swayed just slightly to the gentle music. 

Moving Forward {The Saluki-Sykes}

roscoesykes​:

The graduation ceremony itself was… exactly what Roscoe kind of expected it would be. A lot of people giving a lot of speeches that were… probably meant to be inspirational. Students, and guest speakers and faculty talking about pursuing dreams and not forgetting the friends they made along the way and all that. Silly stupid things that Roscoe was sure none of the graduates were actually listening to.

Roscoe wouldn’t admit that there was something… different about watching Oliver walk though. For as much as that frown remained upon his features during the entire ceremony, there was definitely a much different feeling that slipped through the cracks the second he heard them announce Oliver’s name. Honestly, he hadn’t even been annoyed at the eruption of chaotic noise from beside him (from the respectful cheering from the adults, to the downright screaming from Dodger, Tito and yes, even Mason). Instead, though he kept his cheering to a solid dad-like golf clap, Ros managed the slightest smile as he watched Ollie walk across the stage to accept his ‘diploma’. Again, he’d never admit it - but he was damn proud of Oliver. 

Dodger would admit it several times over - actually didn’t even have to admit it given he wore his emotions on his sleeve and he was all but screaming how proud he was of the kid as he walked. Still, somehow he managed to bring it back in to let the other kids graduate in peace too - instead going back to elbowing Tito and being a general quiet nuisance until the ceremony was over. 

Which - once it was and the entire group had managed to find their way back home, Dodger definitely didn’t bother holding back from once again nearly smothering the poor kid in a hug as he completely ruined that neat hair of his (and hey - ceremony was over so he couldn’t be mad). “Shit - I can’t believe theys make yous sit through all that talkin’ before they get to the good stuff man.” 

@oliversaluki  @singingonthese-streetsofgold

Walking that stage even with what should have been embarrassment from the loud cheers of his family was nothing less than spectacular. This was as much of their achievement as it was his. After all he wouldn’t be here without them and being the first to graduate with a degree it was a great feeling.

He only spoke to his grandparents for a moment before being ushered to go join his family but he promised to take them out for dinner later in the week. Either way the grin never faded. Not even when Dodger messed up his hair or the boys crowded him into hugs and general squeezes. He was full of laughter.

At this point he was sure Mason was just laughing at Ollie’s laughter.

“It’s important feel good speeches. Gotta make sure we all know how lucky we are and how important the journey was.” Ollie joked not even batting away anyone who came close.

@singingonthese-streetsofgold​ @roscoexsykes​

Everyone was floating as they got back to the house. Rita was just so goddamn proud of her kid it wasn’t funny. She wanted nothing more than to join in the ruckus and commotion of everything but there were surprises that needed to be dealt with. And with Tito and Dodger taking turns tackling and hugging and messing with Ollie, she had the perfect chance to sneak away to the Eeyore’s for the biggest surprise of them all.

Tito couldn’t help the wide grin as he jumped into the hug with Ollie and Dodger, exclaiming in a flurry of Spanish and English, unable to contain his excitement. “Ayyy! We ain’t care about all that feel good shit, man! We just wanna see yous walk across that stage!” He wasn’t truly aware of how loud he was being considering all of the commotion that was going on coupled with Mason’s high pitched babbling. “Boys... Why don’t we calm down just a bit? So we don’t worry everyone on the street,” Fagin chuckled, patting Dodger on the back. “C’mon pops, we’s celebratin’ the graduate. Gotta shout it from the roof tops so everyone knows. They can join the party too. More the merrier!” Again Fagin just shook his head at them and laughed. How could he deny his kids what they wanted? Especially when he was just as proud and excited for the youngest member of their family.

Rita was thankful for the ruckus, however, as it masked the sounds of her coming through the back door with Ollie’s graduation present. “Ollie! Can yous come t’the kitchen? I need your help with something.”

“Now that’s a stunning dress. Are you trying to make me weep?” Red was a color she had always loved when she was looking to stand out, and looking at Rita proved exactly why that was one of her go to moves. But if the two of them were going to be together in the photos, they were bound to blow up their Instagram and all of their online marketing. But more importantly for her, it would be a lot more fun and a lot more relaxing to focus on her friend over a photographer so she let go of the small piece of internal resistance. 

“If I say that you never cease to amaze, does that cover all my bases?” Standing up, she walked with Rita back towards the front of the house. As Rita walked away to summon whatever photographer she had gathered for her dark and nefarious purposes, she walked over to the mic that was set up on the stage. 

You are the promised kiss of springtime That makes the lonely winter seem long You are the breathless hush of evening That trembles on the brink of a lovely song.

Jessica’s voice echoed through the empty club and, as usual, Rita was enamored by it. All the girls that performed had beautiful voices, were real talents. Rita was constantly in awe of all of them when she watched them perform. It distracted her just slightly as she stepped outside to grab the photographer she’d booked for the afternoon.

Without thought she motioned for him to start taking pictures. She knew without a doubt that they would get good ones. Jessica was a performer, even to an empty club. And Rita had all intentions of joining her up there. In fact, as the photographer began snapping away, she was already making her way to the stage. Grinning at Jessica, she gave teasing smile as she eased her way next to her friend.

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I’m A Potato || Run

.

Aish! Kids. 

This was a thought that Jun had many times while working at the Moon Market. And Jun liked kids, actually! Remember, he had gotten a license to be a family doctor, and many of his first patients were rather small children like Mason. But when it came to running a market… the reality of kids was much different. You didn’t get sniffling, sad, uncomfortable, injured children. You got children with curious hands. You got children whose parents weren’t looking after them properly!

That was what he should revise this thought to: aish. Parents. 

And truthfully, he was not mad at Mason. Mason was just a little toddler, and so he didn’t know better, truly. If Jun was going to swear vengeance against any young folk, he’d definitely choose the 12 and 13 year olds, who were old enough to come to his market by themselves (according to their parents) and cause havoc on purpose, not because they were eager and curious and wanting to explore the world around him.

So Jun was exasperated as he heard the crash, but as he came over, he was not furious, at least. There would be no yelling. Things could truly be worse. 

Jun waved a hand, eyes darting from the toddler to his mother. He saw the beginning of tears, and desperately did not want those tears to become wailing. That would make the day drastically worse.

And so he bit down on his tongue. The part that wanted to lecture Rita, not Mason…

“No, no, it’s fine. I can clean this up,” he said somewhat stiffly, as he barely contained his annoyance. “Just keep an eye on him in the future, eh? He could hurt himself.”

Okay, so he couldn’t resist one comment. But it was true! What if the melons came tumbling down?! 

.

For a brief moment Rita felt hopeless. Mason’s bottom lip quivered and those dark brown eyes of his (that so resembled his father’s) welled with tears and one tiny fist curled in her shirt as she picked him up. Even two years into the game she was still so easily affected by the sight of her son like this. It was the equivalent of Ollie sneaking into her bed when he was upset and in need of comfort. Her kids would forever be her biggest weakness.

But she was brought from that as Mr. Moon’s voice slipped through. The annoyance was evident, contained if only because Mason was a child. It was a tone that she’d adopted once or twice in her life as well. 

“I took my eyes off of him for but a moment. He’s a wily child and an escape artist,” she spoke easily, trying to keep the edge from her voice. There was no reason to get angry with Mr. Moon. This was his store, after all, and Mason had made a mess. Even if it was unintentional. But the last thing she needed was reprimanding on how to take care of her own child. She knew very well how to take care of him.