MAD WORLD.

A break from manning the door at Dungeon means Baz uses his free hour in the most relaxing way possible – perched at the bar working his way through a generous vodka measure he had poured himself. 

When he’s spoken to, he assumes he’s not the one being spoken to. Most locals knew he wasn’t the sort to invite chit chat, but he’s almost certain he had seen her moving her things into Oasis and so he indulges it purely because she was a new lamb to the slaughter. 

“No one is fun in this town, it’s populated by uggos and my name is Jimmy Shore.” 

“Jimmy Shore? C’mon, there’s no way that’s your real name.” Teagan narrowed her eyes at him skeptically --- as if his real name would suddenly appear in flashing red letters. “I’m getting more Nathaniel vibes... Maybe Ethan?” It was a stab in the dark, but what was the fun if you weren’t trying? “You look familiar... Wait- you live next to me, don’t you? I hope you’ve been enjoying the vinyl collection blasting at all hours of the night.” Teagan raised an eyebrow. “Uggos? Sounds like someone has high standards.”

Holly didn’t expect the person next to them to suddenly start an interrogation. They’d innocently taken a seat while they waited on their drink and found themselves being grilled —- it had definitely come out of nowhere. “I kind of think those are the type of things you need to find out for yourself,” they responded with a shake of their head and a gentle laugh. Everyone found different people fun because they considered different things fun, it was the same when it came to hotness really, definitely subjective. “You could start at the fire station, though.” A shrug. “And I’m Holly.”

“I’ll remember you said that when I try to find it out myself and end up in a serial killer’s basement,” Teagan deadpanned. She shot a smirk over at the blonde to convey she was joking ( mostly ). “Fire station. That’s clever. I’m a hazard in my kitchen, so I’m sure that’ll happen sooner rather than later. Nice to meet you, Holly. You here by yourself?”

•

“you want me to spend my time telling you about everyone here.” she exclaimed with a rise of her brow before smirking, sitting upright. “my favorite passtime. however, we’re going to have to narrow it down because we’ll be here all night. let’s pick an age group and whether you want to know about all the people or more so the guys or whomever else.” she paused, extending her hand. “myra.”

“Yep. That’s exactly what I want you to do. Something tells me you have all of the tea and none of the bullshit. Besides...” Teagan paused to purposely look around the stranger. “It doesn’t look like there’s much better to do. I’m gonna be here all night either way, but that’s fair enough. Let’s go with late twenties and ladies that are potentially friend material. I’m new here, and making friends as an adult is impossible.” Teagan extended her arm and covered Myra’s hand with her own. “Cool. I’m Teagan.”

Rafe was quietly rolling a cigarette when the person beside him spoke. “er..” He was probably not the best person to chat to about the life of silver lake. “ I don’t really know. I work a lot. I run the record studio so I only see people when they come in to work. I guess los globos and carousel are good and Dungeon is also pretty cool.” He shrugged. “Depends on what you like.”

“Damn. Look who’s fancy, rollin’ their own cigs,” Teagan teased. Most of her days at the dispensary were spent rolling joints when things were slow---rolling cigarettes remained uncharted territory for her. “There’s a recording studio in town?!” Teagan supposed she shouldn’t have been that surprised. But the music lover ( and her inner-child that never quite gave up on her dream of being a musician one day, as much as adult Teagan claimed ) glowed with excitement at the new information. “Well, listen, I don’t know what your process is... but I play electric guitar. If you’re ever looking for someone to come in and lay something down, I have a few demos I could play you.”

Jimmy: how long can somebody stay alive and sane without proper sleep? serious question I haven't slept properly in a week

“Specific, but not untrue,” he says at the woman’s reaction. Looking at the contents of the intricately-woven basket that doesn’t look like it comes cheap, either, he adds, “I don’t know. I might be touch-starved enough to cave in for the massage eventually.” He shrugs. “A joint sounds good right about now, though.”

“You’re touch starved?” The words slipped out with clear disbelief. “Dude, no offense, but how is that possible? You’re a catch! People in this town must be sleepin’ on you. Shame on them.” Teagan’s smile widened. “I’ve got a few in my bag if you wanna join me for a smoke? I just started working at the dispensary and the hookup is incredible.”

tierney: can you imagine if you could just text satan? it would be kinda cool

tierney: teagan, tierney, hello

tierney: going for less of a romance novel and more of a love song, but you know, will take whatever the universe wants to give me

tierney: oh, no, we're not together technically

Teagan: dude, it would be so fucking dope. he'd probably block me for spamming him with dumb memes.

Nic: Well the enthusiasm is overwhelming

Nic: But do you play?

Teagan: I'd like to think that works in my favor

it wasn’t out of the ordinary for vale to be at a nearby bar , downing cheap drinks and fluttering her lashes to get unsuspecting men to buy her a shot ( or three ) . turning to teagan , her lips pursed and she gazed over the crowd of drinkers , as if to sort through the diamonds within the rough . “ most fun .. well , me , obviously . hottest is up for debate , but there are some total cuties out here regardless of which way you’re swinging . as for me – “ she lifted her drink to clink the glass against the other’s , tipping back a mouthful , “ i’m vale . and if i’m not at a bar or a club , it’s best to assume you’re in the shitty end of town . “ 

“Why am I not surprised at all you’re the most fun?” Teagan mused with a gentle chuckle. She followed Vale’s line of sight around the other bar patrons---given the dim lighting and the fog of alcohol, it was hard to tell who was genuinely attractive. “I’ve definitely seen a lot of cuties around so far. But there’s always gonna be at least one cutie in the room if I’m in it. Eh- I swing all the ways. As long as someone’s down for a fun time and no drama, I’m chill. Salut!” Teagan clinked her glass against Vale’s. “So, are you a local?”

Hearing what Teagan had said, Mia jumped up from below the bar. Her grin was so big, you could almost see her back teeth. She spread her arms and yelled: “Holaa Senioritaaa.” Mia had to shot glasses in her hand, literally threw them in front of Teagan and began filling them with 90-year-old tequila. “Giirl, I am new in town too. I was looking for a bad bitch like you. Drink up and let’s burn the town. I get off in an hour,” said Mia smiling, “Drinks are on me!”

Teagan was almost a little startled seeing the shock of curls appear from behind the bar. Her energy was infectious---Teagan immediately found herself flashing a million watt grin back at the stranger. “Hey yourself, babe! I’m so fuckin’ glad to know I’m not the only newbie around here. Bad bitches have to stick together for life.” Teagan didn’t have to be told twice. She threw back the shot and slammed it back down on the bartop. “Hot damn, that’s smooth. We’re gonna get along just fine. Just as long as we get ice cream to eat while we watch the town burn.”

Carousel. Not his bar of choice, but he’d been told to meet here, and that he did. One rather unpleasant conversation later, he was on his own again, not quite ready to leave yet without a drink. The questions have him laughing. “Don’t tell me… Nevada? Arizona?” He tries to guess where she’s from, for whatever reason. The bartender has his attention and he orders a double whiskey on ice. “It’s Tyson. This town’s pretty big, but if you’re looking for fun, you’re looking right at ‘em. Ditto for hot.“ 

Teagan burst out laughing at his guesses. “Nope and nope. Who the hell would want to live in Arizona? Isn’t it hot as balls there?” She shook her head, one of her fingertips idly tracing the rim of her glass. “What’s up, Tyson? I’m Teagan. Yeah? Big words.” Though she didn’t exactly disagree. “Alright, Mr. Fun, then I dare you to keep me entertained for the rest of the night.”

“oh yeah?” romeo quirks a brow, swirling his drink in the glass, “with this information i give you, what do i get for it?” the male cocks his head and narrows his eyes, “i mean, i’ve been in and out of town so i’m not sure if you can trust my judgement. i’d only rave about my boys, they’re the only ones i can put up with. not that you’d want to remember them, if you’re forgetting me…i’m the best thing to happen to this town.” the male drunkenly gloats with a sheepish shrug.

“Hm...” Teagan glanced up at the ceiling in thought. It was a lot harder to think of ideas in her current state. “Every answer you give me, I’ll give you a digit of my phone number. Do with it what you will---if you’re up for it.” There’s almost a dare glistening in Teagan’s eyes, an eyebrow raising in challenge. “Do you hear that? Man, it almost sounds like... is that a huge ego I hear?” Teagan flashed a wide grin at him. “How’re you the best? Aside from being hot.”

Sat upon her own barstool with fingers wrapped around her straw, she lazily pushes the ice around her cocktail as she awaits the arrival of her cousin. Attention raises, glancing sideways at the woman who speaks, her head turning glance the other way, sincerely hoping that she isn’t being spoken at. 

( No such luck, apparently. )

Attention drawing back, she lifts her drink to take a prolonged sip as she eyes the woman. “Well, can’t say you picked wisely.” She remarks as she finally places her glass back down on the bar top. “Probably me, definitely me, and Orla.” She could ask for similar details, but her interest in going through formalities was somewhat lax. “Do you make habit of talking at unsuspecting strangers?” 

“Ah. I never pick wisely. The dumb option’s always the most fun in the long run, anyway,” Teagan joked. Mostly. If one were to look over the choices in her lifetime, 100% of Teagan’s choices were unwise. It’d just be weird if she changed this late in the game. “Probably, huh? I can work with that. You’re out here tonight so that’s a good indicator on fun.” At the bold answer, dark hues surveyed over the other woman’s appearance. It wasn’t hard to believe she was the hottest person in town. Or the entire universe. “Well, no arguments here. You’re stunning. You’ve also got the vibe that you could fuck up my life if you were bored enough, and I’m here for that.” Chuckling to herself, Teagan repeated the name a few times in her head. She was sure to forget again by morning, but at least she was trying, right? “Orla. Cool, I’m Teagan. Oh, God, no. Gross. Just didn’t wanna be a recluse which unfortunately requires talking at strangers.”

tierney: oh shit who is this

tierney: i mean powers of the universe are on my side i think because we made out for the first time on MY birthday so i have a good feeling on this one

Teagan: Satan.

Teagan: Just fucking with you, my name's Teagan 😝

Teagan: Yo, powers from the universe are no joke. You gotta listen when that shit comes along. That's what romance novels are made of. I think.

Nic: Giving away one upright piano, to a good home

Nic: Only trouble is how I'm going to transport it on a budget

Teagan: DIBS DIBS DIBS PLEASE DUDE FUCKING DIBS

Fallon: someone stop me from impulse buying a ferret

Fallon: or a hedgehog

Fallon: or a rat

Fallon: anything mildly fuzzy

Teagan: who in the absolute hell goes out and gets a ferret for a pet? that's a thing?