#starters:open

                     IT  WAS  NEARLY  TEN  AT  NIGHT  &&  viktor  had  gone  out  for  a  walk  with  his  dog  after  a  failed  attempt  at  falling  asleep.  considering  the  time,  viktor  decided  to  let  milo  off  his  leash,  figuring  no  one  would  be  around.  the  minute  viktor  let  go  of  the  leash  however,  milo  went  running.  "milo!"  viktor  shouts  &&  jogs  after  the  golden  retriever.  upon  getting  closer  to  the  dog,  he  notices  milo  sitting  atop  a  stranger  and  licking  their  face.  "shit,  milo!  i  am  so  sorry,"  with  that,  he  pulls  the  dog  off  the  other  person  &&  immediately  stick  his  hand  out  to  help  them  up.  "are  you  okay?"

                     CASSANDRA  SAT  WITH  HER  LEGS  CROSSED  on  the  park  bench,  an  opened  box  of  cookies  on  her  lap.  she  was  in  the  middle  of  devouring  her  third  one  when  she  noticed  someone  approaching  her.  "this  is  not  what  it  looks  like,"  she  says,  quickly  swallowing  the  rest  of  the  cookie.  "okay,  it's  exactly  what  it  looks  like.  there's  nothing  wrong  with  stress  eating,  though."  cassandra  shrugs,  holding  the  box  out  to  the  other.  "want  one?"

                     SMOKE  BILLOWS  FROM  HER  MOUTH  as  she  leans  against  the  wall  outside  the  diamond  club.  amelia's  mind  was  far  away,  her  eyes  glossed  over  as  she  stared  at  the  sky.  she'd  gone  outside  to  take  a  break  after  a  patron  tried  to  get  handsy  with  her.  her  job  was  to  serve  —  nothing  more,  nothing  less.  &&  after  all  she'd  been  through,  she  wasn't  going  to  let  a  stranger  disrespect  her.  amelia  might  have  thrown  his  drink  in  his  face  but  he  deserved  a  lot  worse  than  that.  she  was  lost  in  thought  when  a  voice  came  from  behind  her,  startling  her.  "jesus  fuck!"  she  takes  a  deep  breath  before  turning  to  face  the  person,  relaxing  when  she  sees  they're  harmless.  "maybe  don't  sneak  up  on  a  girl  and  scare  the  shit  out  of  her  at  twelve  in  the  morning."  she  takes  a  hit  from  the  peach  flavored  vape  in  her  hand,  blowing  away  from  the  person's  face  before  speaking  again.  "if  you're  here  to  tell  me  i  should  apologize  to  that  guy,  i  ain't  listening."