porphyros

[porphyros]

A Letter to Three Wives (1949) dir. Joseph L. Mankiewicz

[porphyros]

                              her mouth opens to argue, but nothing comes out. ejike knows he has won this time around because he attacks with the truth, but that doesn't stop her from scowling at him, stewing in her seat for a moment. the mention of the duty of a grandparent does get to her — ejike may not be blood, but he's the only grandparent her children have ever known, and that always makes her feel her throat kinda funny — but olive ends up clicking her tongue anyways, before her attention zeroes in on the hot dog (she may be grown now, but that doesn't mean her ability to emote has gotten any better, definitely not voicing it out loud and hey, simon can grill). "wait, this a musical? and you like it?" desbelief covers her tone, but it is a mischievous one, clear on the way her face lightens up. for however much music inclined she was, the only musical films in her life were those in disney plus, so of course a girl in greece trying to find out who her dad is wasn't in the list. 

"we live so far 'part, man. and y'know, cars haven't been invented or anythin'." she waves around them, giving him a look, though the smile remains on her lips. "are there lots of outsiders in for tours around the winery?" usually, summer made for busier businesses around town, even in their less populated corner of the town. "that's like the picture perfect for old age. don't say that 'round your kids or they'll actually tease you." which is her way of saying she's being nice — debatable, but olive won't go back on her word. "'ve you thought to try audiobooks? they're plenty useful. you can do shit ‘round the house while they playin'." 

‘       (   ✶   )       a  good - natured  laugh  vibrates  right  from  ejike’s  belly ,  full  and  slightly  mocking  .  he  looks  at  olive  and  chuckles ,  shaking  his  head  .     "  please ,  don’t  talk  to  me  as  if  you  weren’t  the  one  crying  behind  a  closed  door  every  time  you  reprimand  her ,  "     he  teases ,  knowing  very  well  how  his  daughter’s  heart  work ,  especially  when  it  comes  to  iris  .     "  besides ,  it  is  my  job  to  spoil  her  rotten ,  that’s  what  grandparents  do  .  "     he’ll  never  forget  what  he  felt  the  first  time  he  took  iris  in  his  arms ,  the  warmth  that  spread  through  his  chest ,  the  promise  that  bloomed  in  him  without  him  noticing  .  i’ll  take  care  of  you  forever ,  i’ll  make  sure  there’s  always  a  smile  on  your  face  .  the  slight  emotion  he  felt  at  the  thought  quickly  disappeared ,  though ,  because  olive  was  there ,  ready  to  taunt  him  some  more  .     "  hey  !   it’s  not  any  movie ,  it’s  mamma  mia ! ,  meryl  streep  is  there ,  and  she  might  not  be  the  best  singer ,  but  damn ,  she  shines  as  the  brightest  star  .  you’ll  see ,  kid  .  just—just  pay  attention  .  "     he  assures ,  opening  his  hot  dog  to  season  it  a  bit  before  giving  it  a  good  bite  .  

"  one  week  can  be  an  eternity  with  you ,  "     it’s  dramatic ,  he  knows ,  but  he  truly  feels  that  way  .  he’s  not  used  to  being  away  for  too  long  from  his  kids ,  especially  considering  the  other  three  are  living  with  him  .  besides ,  he’s  pretty  sure  it’s  been  more  than  a  week  .  he  eyes  her  suspiciously  for  a  moment ,  then ,  because  she  looks  too  nonchalant  while  sharing ,  way  too  nonchalant ,  but  he  lets  it  pass    —    if  olive  has  something  to  share ,  she  will  do  in  due  time  .     "  ah ,  same  old ,  same  old  .  busy  with  the  winery ,  the  wife ,  the  life  .  i’ve  been  trying  to  read  a  bit  more ,  but  damn ,  i  always  try  at  night  and  i  fall  asleep  with  the  book  on  my  face ,  not  even  reaching  the  second  page  .  "     he  laughs  at  himself ,  thinking  maybe ,  just  maybe ,  he  could  set  a  different  time  for  his  reading  .

[porphyros]

                              serena's disbelief is barely noticed, but olive still offers her a shrug of the shoulders. "i don't like the taste. if i need'a time, i walk into the barn for a couple of hours or have a steamin' cup of hot chocolate." and she wasn't particularly worried that made her sound silly, because she knew her coping mechanisms were just a bit better than those who relied on vices instead — plus, when alcohol tastes so vile, why would she bother? as if on cue, she takes a long slurp of her milkshake. 

"is that meant'a be sexual? don't work on me, sorry." maybe serena was attractive and fit in the conventional sense, but olive has always had a hard time noticing all that, and dirty talk only worked when it was whispered by her husband. she does let out a chuckle at the muscles flex, bringing a hand to squeeze at serena's arm, though she does pull away quickly with another chuckle, not wanting to step in her friend's space too much. "i meant when you home! i ain't not rich enough to even think of ruinin' your clothes." she may not have a fashion sense, but she wasn't blind enough not to know brands names, and most of serena's stuff was that. 

olive's face twists into a grimace at the list — she didn't drink nor smoke, socialization made her skin crawl, and she would never be caught dancing in public. while the last option was something she could do, it just made her think on how different she was of her friend. "y'do all that there?" there's no judgment in her voice, more curiosity. "the teletubbies? do kids know that still?" with all the streaming and the internet and kids being more on their phones than anything else these days, she doubted. 

she does lean in to take a peek at serena's costume, and olive feels a rush of blood towards her cheeks. "ain't no way! in public?" automatically, she reaches forward to brush her thumb over serena's eyebrows. "you painted 'em back on? don't do that again!" black suited her friend much better, in olive's opinion. "i didn't take 'em home this time 'round. we're advertisin' it on the net to see if anyone wants one." she gives serena a look, as if she's sizing her up as a possible owner of a baby goat. 

" i could've had you fooled, liv... " no, serena never once through of deceiving olive or her family, perhaps she had gotten soft, weak, but there was no regret there. " fuck, you dumped by bottle of whiskey? " brows arched, dramatic, feigning hurt on the soft voice. " see, i don't fucking buy it, surely you have some secret stash... no person could go through raising children sober " iris was a sweet kid, but a kid nonetheless, and those often pushed you into a spiral.

dark eyes rolled and hyeon sipped her milkshake. " i try, but my lips are filthy, is part of the charm " those damned years in nova york had tainted serena, and losing a child, well, no good came out of that. without sebastian and the prospect of a future, she had become a rougher woman, one that sought only to have fun. " lucky her, autie serena goes to the gym and had great biceps " flexing her own muscles to olive, she let a giggle escape, silly. " walk on my back? shit, no, that'll ruin my jacket, liv. i love iris, but i also love my clothes " those expensive ones that somehow reminded serena of milan.

" dance, drink, smoke, talk to people... hell, take your man and make out with him " she teased, albeit a softness linger, aware olive wasn't fond of the lights and loud music. " more than i'd thought we'd get. a group of friends showed up dressed as the teletubbies, shit, wait, let me show you mine " scrambling for the phone inside her jacket pocket, serena opened a picture of her costume, a naughty nun. " another one? you might get a whole army of those one day. bet iris loves seeing them roam around. "

[porphyros]

                              evelyn couldn't not do some exercise daily — the various memberships she had around the state and the next were financial proof of that. usually, she much prefers to do them by herself, either be a jog, a work out or pilates, but she doesn't mind entirely to have iris accompanying her from time to time. her attention is definitely not one bit on the younger, not at least until the instructor dismisses them and iris' voice is heard by her side. evelyn gives her a look, though its bite is not as pronounced after all the endorphins release. "i think that's the point, locke. plus, do you want to ruin your muscles?" taking care of her body has always been paramount, especially with her history of playing during her school years. "i'm surprised you ever shut up, though." there is a note of light amusement in the jab, purposefully jestful — she may not have paid attention to iris' expressions during the class, but the girl is basically jittering now. dabbing at her neck and forehead with a towel, evelyn chokes on a laughter. "why would i be thinking of leonardo now? are you trying to tell me pilates makes you horny?"

closed starter for : @porphyros ( evelyn ) location : resilience room

as their pilates class was coming to an end, iris found it nearly impossible to sit still and focus on her breathing. she was far too busy fidgeting and stealing glances at evelyn, who sat perfectly poised, as graceful as a gazelle in ways iris could never be. there were a litany of things iris admired about her friend, but evelyn’s effortless grace neared the top of the list. when iris caught the instructor’s scornful gaze, she quickly shut her eyes and tried to look as if she were focused on every inhale and exhale — though all she really wanted to do was to lean over and whisper something to evelyn. the moment class was dismissed, iris sprang up like a flower, and took evelyn’s hand. “are cooldowns truly necessary?” she questioned with a grin, grabbing her things from a locker. “it’s far too quiet in there. doesn’t your mind just…race? i can't get mine to shut up.” she slammed the locker closed and applied a few layers of lip gloss, her eyes sparkling with playful mischief, “doesn’t your mind light up with thoughts of leonardo?”

[porphyros]

                              "not publically." and that is the key, isn't it? she can bitch and complain and be a hater as much as she wants, as long as she does it in company she trusts, away from people whose votes she actually needs — evelyn isn't quite sure if nari falls in such intimate category. "what will it be for you?" she means the gelatto flavors. "i'm between a few myself. hazelnut and chocolate is always a safe one, and i'm on team mint and chocolate isn't toothpaste, but i can also see the appeal of fruits of the forest." she's always been a sucker for fruit anything, and she knew this particular stand was good, as one of her favorites of town. 

"collective effort… you've got your politician down by now." she gives the other blonde a teasing smile. "then the goal was reached." not that evelyn cared about children; a glance towards nari showed her that maybe she was in the company of someone who thought similarly, and that was enough to make her smile grow just a smidge. "well, october will be full of things to do, certainly, and i know there's something in the plans for next month, too but i'm not sure if i should keep meddling. julien is too polite to tell me to fuck off because this is not my job, but i'm sure someone else wants to do it for him." the look she gives nari is half playful, half tell me if there's any tea around city hall that i should know about.

In   hopes   to   be   in   Evelyn’s   good   graces,   Nari   hoped   she   hadn’t   pissed   the   blonde   off   with   her   small   observation,   and   although   she   didn’t   say   that   out   loud,   Nari   was   probably   the   last   person   that   Evelyn   should   go   to   in   terms   of   being   a   good   reader   of   people.   If   she   were,   the   former   artist   sometimes   wondered   if   she   would   have   allowed   herself   to   get   caught   with   a   professor.   Or   if   Nari   would   have   allowed   them   to   twist,   turn   and   destroy   her   like   she   had.   Still,   the   assistant   shrugged   politely,   keeping   her   hands   behind   her   back   as   she   answered   the   other.    “   Still,   you’re   allowed   to   have   an   opinion   on   things.   ”    Again,   the   blonde   wasn’t   planning   on   letting   that   piece   of   information   out   anyways.   Now   that   she   had   been   working   with   Julien   for   a   year   and   had   been   around   politicians   for   even   longer,   she   understood   where   Evelyn   was   coming   from.   If   anyone   saw   her   dismissing   something   so   loved   by   people,   it   might   hinder   her   political   career. It   was   admirable   to   hear   Evelyn   cheer   her   up,   however.   God,   she   could   hear   her   heart   beating   in   her   ears   as   she   stepped   out   to   the   gelato   booth   along   with   the   blonde.    “   I–appreciate,   Ms.   Fairmont.   ”    Nari   nodded   in   appreciation.    “   And   this   is   not   me   trying   to   ignore   the   credit   I   have   in…   well,   all   of   this,   but   maybe   we   can   settle   on   being   a   collective   effort   on   both   our   parts?   ”    She   smiled,   tucking   a   strand   of   hair   behind   her   ear.    “   The   kids   are   definitely   enjoying   it.   ”    Nari   allowed   her   gaze   to   wander   to   where   lots   of   children   played   together.   Their   little   squeals   made   her   squint   a   little   in   annoyance,   but   oh   well,   what   could   anyone   do,   right?    “   If   you   have   plans   for   the   fall   and   need   an   extra   pair   of   hands,   you   know   where   to   find   me.   ”

[porphyros]

                              the whine is enough to draw a wide grin from evelyn's features, almost uncharacteristically so, except when it came to messing with her siblings — and elodie did like to make it easy for her to poke the wound, didn't she? "which you're going to just sweat off right away, tweety bird." she shakes her head, throws the coin once more and catches it in the air, before tossing it on the back of her hand so they can both see the result: heads. "ball's mine." as is the court, as is the win, but she will give elodie time to realize that. "i am focusing plenty on my wedding, sis. i have one to arrange, after all." and, as if on cue, evelyn removes the huge ring from her finger, but not before it catches the sunlight so it's another slap to elodie's face (with her choice of men, it's unlikely she will ever get one of those); once the ring is secure in her bag, she goes towards her place in the court. 

"sure!" she will not admit that every time she has lost to elodie — and that has happened before — still wounds her pride. instead, she fetches a ball and throws it in the air, before slapping it with her racket aiming towards elodie.

Elodie smacked her sister's hand away and groaned. "Evelyn!" She exclaimed, taking a step back. She felt like a child. "I just finished doing my makeup." The blonde told the other. She flipped her hair as an attempt to brush Evelyn off. Elodie knew her sister didn't care and she should have expected her to try and mess with her before the match.

"Tails." She mumbled as she crossed her arms. She knew there was a small chance she would win, but she hoped the gods were on her side a little today.

"My sleep schedule is none of your business. Shouldn't you be focusing on the wedding? Not whether or not I'm getting a solid eight hours." She asked, a little more pressure on the word wedding. Maybe the pressure of it would hold some value when mentioned. Almost like the Boogeyman. "Besides, I could come here on less than four hours and still hold my own against you. Maybe even win... You are aware I have won a number of times on this very court." She stated with a smirk.

Elodie twirled her racket and waited for her sister to announce the winner, although she had a feeling her sister had a trick coin. Sometimes Elodie wondered if it was a metaphor for the rest of their lives... Evelyn always wanted to win and she would stop at nothing to obtain it. Elodie knew that feeling, though. So she couldn't believe the older Fairmont. She wanted to beat her sister today as much as she did when they first started these games.

[porphyros]

                              she can see why her neighbor would be enamored by this poor excuse for a manchild. his quick response could have drawn a smirk from her if this was another situation, but evelyn refuses to be lumped with her cougar neighbor, so she gives him a raise of the eyebrows, paired with a nod of her head and soon she's ignoring him to trail further within the state. "do i want to know how you've managed to send over your toys over the fence?" no, she doesn't, but the question is between them before she can properly think on dialing back the attitude. due to leonardo's proud tutelage, it was not only their house that was big, but also the yard, with plenty of green space for a huge pool, besides the garden and some fruiting trees — evelyn's only time outside is when she is at the pool or doing yoga, so she doesn't pay that much attention to the surroundings, other than to try to notice anything certainly bright colored and plastic blown up, as she would expect of sutton's boytoy (ford? apparently. like she cares). 

she does stop momentarily at the sound of her government name. "if we're going to be neighbors, you don't need to use the full name, ford." that's painful for her to say it, truly, but she does give it to him with a smile that is almost neighbor-ly — almost. "have you been going into everyone else's yards, too? or am i a lucky woman?" the flippancy in the tone is enough to tell him that she does not think that, nor should he try his chances on her — again, she refuses to be coupled up with a woman like mrs. sutton, not when it comes to bad taste. "was the chart that extensive?" just as she was beginning to doubt its existence (though it shouldn't be hard to discover such an information, not with social media). "yes, in a few months." three to be exact, but she isn't going to be foolish to tell the exact date, just in case ford is still around to try to be invited (he won't be, in either case). she continues to walk, bringing a hand over her eyes to shield them from the sun as she catches a glimpse of something that fits the category of ford's toys on top of one of leo's trees. "can you tree climb?"

a blink. startled by the (presumably) tongue-in-cheek question, but ford's recovery was a smooth, lazy smile, head bobbing a few times over. "uh-huh. and sometimes, if i ask real nice, she even lets me drink from the hose." blue eyes were glittering and sharp, knowing. he got it. ford had heard it all, he was aware of what people said about him - that he was a glorified lapdog or just the boy toy of the season - and to them, he asked, what's so bad about that? he was proud of his looks, unbothered to coast by as a pretty face -- or 'adonis come to life' as he'd heard during a particularly fun fit of groping. he just didn't dwell on the negatives. refused to think of the expiration date that came with his desperation to be in a waning spotlight, or the discomfort that descended like a fog on the evenings that left him feeling used-up and alone. none of that existed! life is a party, silly!

"oh, uh -" evelyn stepping out onto the porch forced ford backwards, shuffling in retreat so as to not crowd her. he glanced one way and then the other, deciding to let her head off first before following her lead, trailing a step behind with his flip-flops slapping away. "just in your yard," he answered vaguely, as if he hadn't spent the majority of his morning trying to peer through the slats of the fence while debating if he should climb over to retrieve the lost pool toys. it'd been the half-deflated pineapple-shaped floatie stuck on a bush that made him realize he just needed to suck it up and go over. "i'm ford, by the way," he said suddenly, kicking a little more speed into his steps so he could catch up, glancing over at the other with a bright smile. "and you're evelyn fairmont. mrs. sutton left a very thoughtful chart of the neighborhood with everyone's names on the fridge for me." not really. ford was being facetious, eyebrows slowly climbing and curious to find out if evelyn would believe it simply to keep the peace. "i hear you've got wedding bells in your future."

[porphyros]

                              the words should be expected, yet they do their work in quietening some of evelyn's bluster. kaede wasn't wrong there — they had been compatible, and though passion had not burned through every aspect of the relationship, it had never smothered when it was just the two of them, in the bedroom or the living room or whatever corner of kaede's boston apartment they wanted each other on. "you only utter compliments when you mean it, if i recall correctly." of course, that was not the case for evelyn, who yielded deception like a sharpened knife; there is a question there, but evelyn doesn't know if it is quite necessary, not with the way kaede is measuring herself. evelyn hadn't expected her to be quite as resentful. hasn't it been over three years now?

she doesn't need to lower her eyes to her hand. the ring is as heavy as it is beautiful, and evelyn has never been shy to flaunter it, even when she knows that it wouldn't quite suit her political persona — it doesn't quite bring her shame now, but it doesn't make it any lighter either. "congratulations, kaede. i'm a happy bride." she even forces the widening of her lips then, because, despite the discomfort now, it is the truth. "he hasn't complained much himself, so i'd say it is also a happy event for him." she shrugs, trying to be nonchalant about who her fiancee was — she can't tell how in depth, if at all, kaede has stalked her in social media. "if i had known you were in town, i would have sent you a rsvp. i wasn't sure how démodé it would be to send it to your place in massachussets, but if you're in town, it's silly not to have you on the guests' roster. it's going to be here, and since you're apparently a member, that makes things easier, doesn't it?"

she weathered the laughter with an impassive façade. a cool, calm and collected smile that was anything but a smile playing out across her features. as if she didn't feel as though the very axis of the world hadn't just tilted the wrong way. as if she didn't feel the cold, bitterness coiling in her gut as evelyn had the audacity to simply stand there, looking posi-fucking-tively radiant. she always did. every angle, every line of her designer outfit, every strand of hair, always perfectly curated and always tailored for devastating effect. there was a certain amount of twisted irony that a woman that always knew how exactly to draw the eye of the room had perfected the art of simply vanishing when it suited her.  "i seem to recall making you weak in the knees plenty without the need for poetry." she recalled more than that. the taste of her salt, the raw, breathy sounds in the dark, the subtle way she would tremble with softness she yielded so rarely. memories kae thought and hoped she'd parted with, suddenly returning unbidden and with avengance. cold, sharp and unyielding. the smile-that-was-not-a-smile widened, becoming thin and strained as she kept herself in the realms of civility. a labour worthy of hercules himself. harder than the gemstone she couldn't help notice bejewelling evelyn's hand like some added layer of mockery. "i would offer a compliment in return, but i don't think you've changed a day." the day evelyn had walked out on her certainly seemed to spring to mind. throwing her aside and whatever relationship they might have had with barely a second thought. whatever love they'd had, or whatever twisted feeling that had passed as such, felt like a long dead, phantom limb at this point. numb. distant. dull to the point kae wondered if it had ever truly existed at all. perhaps it hadn't. perhaps evelyn's departure had done them both a favour. and yet… the casual discard, the silent, brutal erasure of their relationship from the narrative… it felt still felt as visceral now as it had then.  "i am also at a loss as to if to i offer you congratulations," she asked, head tilting towards the ring on her hand, "or my condolences to the poor soul you've managed to ensnare this time?"

[porphyros]

                              the likelihood of that was low. she may have been more immature by the time they dated the first time around, but evelyn had still been evelyn, and she wouldn't have let zayaan in enough to know all of her, not when he was always so sweet, and clara's grandson, to top it all off (she doesn't let herself think anymore that perhaps he could be the one marrying her; that's the past). "that's not being dramatic, that's the bare minimum!" yet, in the way her voice rises just a bit, perhaps he is right, but one thing everyone has always known about her is that she was a stickler for perfection.

she does ignore his insistence on trashy food, especially because it comes afterwards with allowance, and that's the way she liked him best. "i would rather see you on the field, zayaan crowley. i still have your jersey, you know." she doesn't mean to be flirty as much as she means to boast him up — it had been an essential part of their relationship, how she'd praise him and enjoy him as an athlete; she doesn't even consider how that may be wounding now, with how low he's fallen. "a smoothie is doable." the blonde all but repeats after him. "i have been pressing for healthier foods in schools around state. does that seem enough of a model to you?" she begins to walk away from the blasphemous stand of pork and beef, expecting zayaan to follow along (as he often did in the past).

“maybe i just know you better than others do,” zayaan hummed, a smirk on his lips, “in fact, i remember the dramatics you threw over your prom dress when i was your date.” his gaze remained steady on her, an amused look in his eyes, “when my tie didn’t match your dress. it was quite the ordeal if i remember correctly.” he’d be lying if he said his heart wasn’t still bruised by the heartbreak he’d succumbed to when evelyn had broken things off after she’d graduated. he’d naively thought that his profession would be enough to impress her, that the flings they’d shared in their early twenties would be enough to make her fall in love with him, that maybe high school sweethearts could truly last. but years had passed and she was to be married — and his heart was falling for someone, too. so, it was time to heal, time to continue getting under evelyn’s skin. “you’re depriving yourself of something truly, holy,” he scolded with a smirk.

“don’t act like you’re not happy to see me,” he spoke with a playful pout and puppy-dog eyes, “you wound me, evelyn fairmont.” his brown eyes couldn’t help but catch the glittering engagement ring on her finger — it was captivating, just like she was. he sighed dramatically before nodding his head, “smoothies it is, but only because l it’ll ease your conscious.” a brow raised in thought as his eyes flickered towards the team of small children, “you don’t need to comp me, if you promise to drink a smoothie with us. after all, they’ll need someone to model healthy behaviors.”

[porphyros]

                              her mind doesn't quite works like his does, but she does peep up with what seems suitable for the ranting. "gruntled is a word. it's the opposite of disgruntled." she's written many a papers and read sufficient legal work to know synonyms and other fancy words. the blonde tries her best not to act bewildered at the suggestion of deep fried chocolate. "i.. had no idea that was a thing. do people actually sell that?" she's trying to be respectful, even if this person appears to also be disgruntled about the delicacy. "you may be right on that. i guess you'll just have to go to an actual city to try it out and let me know." if they ever encountered one another, she wouldn't turn down the debate, however nonsensical it may be — as long as this person is a possible voting constituint, she has no reason to not try to curry the vote.

"you mean cambridge? yes, that's in massachussets. it's fifteen minutes from boston, if the traffic is good." which it hardly ever was, but she's not very opposite to driving; it gave her time to smoke, read, rehearse. the question almost makes her squint, but evelyn saves face, even at the offense of being a woman who follows a man anywhere. "the opposite, actually. i've converted him into a small town guy; i'm the one that's born and raised, like i said."

"Genius, ingenius. Flammable. Inflammable. D'you that gruntled is a real word? We ain't ever use it, right? We say disgruntled, but never gruntled. Huh." Beck wasn't one for the English language. He just about made do with regular conversation, had just about made the grades in school to get his high school diploma. "Well, I definitely ain't a genius. I think turkey wings wrapped in bacon hit both the genius and ingenius categories, though. How d'you feel about deep-fried Mars Bars and stuff like that? Y'ever heard of that? I'm open to trying just about anything, but I ain't sure I want my chocolate battered like a prize cod." The direction the conversation headed in was a perfect reflection of Beck's mind; curious, yet simple. "iPhone is definitely better than the deep fried Mars Bars."

He considered her next question. Damn, this lady questioned a lot. Beck didn't necessarily mind. Made him actually think for once, think about something other than a damn horse, his business plans, his training regimen. "Ain't bias favoring certain stuff over others? I dunno, if I had the Brazilian BBQ and it tasted better, I'd like it better. Guess I'm just partial to Texan 'cause it's what I'm used to." New England had it's fair share of BBQ joints, too, but they were more famous for their sea food. He wouldn't turn up his nose at a nice lobster, but it was hardly ever on the agenda for him.

"That the place in Massachusetts?" Beck's geography knowledge wasn't too great, and there were too many towns with the same names. He could find his way around Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona, at least to the big equine sales, shows and events, but for someone who'd lived in New England from his birth to his teenage years, he didn't know a bunch about the place. "Just know what they taught us in school, about the Revolution. D'you come back here for your man?"

[porphyros]

                              evelyn was unphased, but she finds it easily to mimick her sister-in-law's amusement; reaching forward for her glass of water, she takes a sip before offering a shrug. "you'd have to aim higher if you want to get kicked out of here. my father owns shares to the place, and the owner and i go way back. plus, do you really think some whiskey would intimidate me? come on." evelyn has been playing with boys since she was on her teens, forcing her way into her father's circle of finance bros, so she can get around heavy drinking just fine. does nathalia think of her as a light-weight just because she's not munching on trashy food and drinking her weight of alcohol? maybe there is some bridges that need to be rebuild there.

the performance comment is enough to make evelyn's expression finally shift — there's not annoyance on her features, not yet, but an eyebrow does raise. what a stupid world view. everything is a performance, she wants to say, but she knows she will not find a kind audience and this isn't about widening the gap between them. still, she can't hold back just one comment. "you know it will matter when you're on my bridal party, right? the right fork, the right plate, the right dress — which has been chosen." she doesn't feel guilty to carry nathalia as a party of her bridesmaids as if she's no better than a doll to dress up, no. it's all part of the non-aggression accord; once the ceremony is over, nathalia can go back to her ripped jeans and grease-covered hair, for all evelyn cares.

with a tilt of the head, the blonde lets out a chuckle, not at all pretense. she couldn't have planned this better — playing nathalia usually backfired, so she didn't really try, not this time around. "okay, nenêm. but you're choosing." she gives the younger a look that is more mischief than she is used to; the pet name comes accompanied by something that feels almost like nostalgia, when nathalia was a teenage girl still willing to fawn over her boyfriend's new gringa girlfriend. "and you won't regret it." with a lift of the hand, the waitress comes close and evelyn parrots their order, making sure to pick a wine that isn't too bitter, nor too expensive, just in case nathalia wanted to have a look at the price tag afterwards.

her laugh came low and surprised, slipping past her guard before she could stop it. she caught herself quick enough, though — leaning back in her chair, tilting her head as if to mask it with a smirk. “dangerous game, fairmont,” she said, her voice edged with amusement but softened enough not to sting. “give me the reins and i might just order us two plates of fries and a round of whiskey, see how fast they toss us out of here.” her hand smoothed along the edge of the menu, not really looking at it, more stalling than deciding. the dig about marta had landed — she’d felt that sharp little twist in her ribs — but she didn’t bite, didn’t let it drag her down the path it wanted to. not tonight. “you’re right, though,” tally admitted after a moment, tone quieter, more even, “i was taught all this. forks, plates, the right way to drink the right kind of wine… problem is, it never felt like eating. it felt like performing.” her brow arched as she flicked the menu open at last, eyes skating over the neat lines of words she barely bothered to translate. “guess i just got tired of pretending that mattered.” a beat passed before she looked up again, catching evelyn’s smile — sharp, sure, but not all shield. it shifted something in her, the old instinct to dig softening into something closer to curiosity. “but hey, since you’re trusting me—” she closed the menu with a snap and set it aside, leaning forward just slightly, as if letting her decision hang in the space between them before delivering it. “we’ll start with the fattoush salad, because you vouched for it, and then two orders of the risotto. if it’s as good as you say, then i’m willing to risk letting you be right.” her smirk tilted wider at that, equal parts teasing and offering. “and wine — nothing too fussy, just something red that doesn’t taste like it was bottled in a church basement. think we can handle that much?” the way she looked at evelyn then carried something unspoken — not just a challenge, not just a jab, but the fragile beginnings of meeting in the middle. tally was trying, in her own crooked way.

[porphyros]

                              evelyn can't help the way she rolls her eyes at the, in her opinion, exageration from violet's side. perhaps one point she'd never quite agree with anyone was on how her upbringing was messed up — no, in evelyn's eyes, it was only natural and, if anything, the high standarts and entitlement were something she'd pass on to her children. it's easier to focus on the obvious discomfort her friend shows at the mere mention of her own wedding which is insane, if evelyn has any say on it, but she's trying to bite her tongue about it. "because someone else's wedding is more important than yours." trying and failing is the keyword here, it seems, as irony spills from her mouth as a means to probe more out of violet's. "you don't have to have a date to think of details you want to see on your own cerimony." as forementioned, evelyn has had binders since before leonardo was ever in the picture.

"did you? should i switch?" the question is mostly out of affection for her friend than true consideration; turning down vera wang would be an insane thing to do. "though i suppose i could have vivenne design the party dress?" that's a true thought — since she will have a church wedding, following with a reception on the silverpond, it's the least expected that she has a wardrobe change, and she hadn't quite decided on what to wear for the club just yet, other than it would likely be golden. "you're so cheesy." it's not really an annoyance, never from violet, as it is clear by the way evelyn's grin remains up; it even breaks into a chuckle to accompany violet's. she wouldn't argue against herself being shown off, or being called the prettiest bride ever, however.

"first, you can never look ugly, ever. second, you're the second most important woman in this wedding—" she doesn't bother to look at her mother to know elizabeth sinclair would disagree with that, and perhaps, so would elodie. "you are going to look good. we've finally settled on a purple palette; i'm leaning towards something darker, like plum, but you can be the one with a lighter tone. would you rather something strapless?" evelyn's own gown would have a tight bust but straps; since none of her bridesmaids are particularly endowed, she doesn't mind them showing off a little something if violet is comfortable (as hers is the only opinion that matters).

violet relationship with leonardo was— strange, to put it lightly. there wasn't much space in her heart for resentment, it often involved too much energy on people she didn't care about enough and holding grudges in ways her stomach couldn't keep up with. and then, there was leonardo. perhaps if what had happened between evelyn and him had happened between anyone else in town her reaction would've been different, she wouldn't have a one-sided beef with someone that was very clearly not a bad person like the only two people she had ever harbour any feeling of resentment towards; her own parents. but it was evelyn, one of the only two people in town she had loved deeply her entire life. so, if for evelyn she could hold a grudge against someone, she could also learn to let it go for her friend's happiness. "i will ask him then and make sure you two have the wedding of your dreams" she vowed.

the artist hums in response, tilting her head to the side and shrugging. "i like me a challenge and you are forgetting i spent my whole life next to you, watching you go through life with your parents' vigilante gaze on your every move. i have this, trust me" she had much to say of the fairmonts and their ways of raising children, if ever needed. them she shifted her weight slightly, reaching for her glass of water and taking a sip to give herself chance to think of her next statement. she looked down at her ring-less hand and thought of the piece at home; too precious and heavy to bring around so she hid her right hand under her thigh. "does it? i don't know, i haven't really think about it too much. with summer bringing so much tourists and weddings i've been so focused on work" which, wasn't completely a lie so it made it easier to say, made her felt less guilty.

her mood completely shifts as evelyn speaks of her dress, the giddiness and excitement pouring out of the other instantly infectious. "i always saw you as a vivienne girl but who in their right mind could say no to a vera?" it was on the books they had made as kids and she was suddenly taken by an immense sense of joy for her friend, pride pouring out of her as her eyes studied both sketches, one hand stretching and falling onto evely's arm with a gentle squeeze "and i'm gonna frame at least three photos of you in that vera, maybe print thousands and hand them around town so everyone can see you. you're gonna be the most beautiful bride in the whole world! i can't wait to see you in it, i just hope you know i will cry like a baby" she was close to already, just thinking about it. then, came a chuckle. "you know for you i would dress like a very fluffy ugly cupcake, right? if that's what you wanted of me, i would. but i appreciate the vote of confidence and promise to help you make the braidsmaids and most importantly you, look amazing."

[porphyros]

when : whenever, around four pm

where : the patch of land allegedly called a garden at the murray - campbell home

with : simon murray @lov3shot

                              there is an unusual quiet now. it happens, now and then, when the kids' nap times happen at the same moment. even kiwi has quietened (melon stays in the nursery next to lindley, his companion) by the end of the makeshift garden, so olive can't be blamed for falling into the lull that allows her to slumber right there, amidst the dirt and the roots, hat keeping her from being bothered by the sun. it is only when excited barks resound that she awakes and, pushing the hat away from her face, she furrows to see the familiar frame of her husband. comfort is overwhelming, making her lazy like a house cat who stretches even against the soil, lips turning upwards at the arrival. "come here." groggy and rough from sleep, her voice beckons simon in as much as the arm she throws around his neck, bringing him down with her for a kiss. "good morning." nevermind it's three or four in the afternoon.

[porphyros]

𝚃𝙰𝚂𝙺 𝟶𝟷 :​         pinterest aesthetic.

                   ⤷ * — 𝒐𝒍𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒄 ( part one out of ? )

[porphyros]

𝚃𝙰𝚂𝙺 𝟶𝟷 :​         pinterest aesthetic.

                   ⤷ * — 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒚𝒏 𝒇 ( part one out of ? )

[porphyros]

[porphyros]

                              olive gives violet a look, furrowed brows and all. "ain't you in bed by 10? don't come." she'd loathe to make her friend do this sacrifice just because her eating habits are, like most doctors in the world, shit when she's at work; at least she made up for it by eating way too much when she was at home. violet's return is better greeted, though. her tummy does a summersault and the sound to go along with it, but olive tries to stay focused on the matter at hand. going around the room to fetch the equipament for the ultrasound keeps her occupied enough not to notice the worry etched on violet's face, too, not that she'd have an easy time decoding it anyways. "you ever go there? to the secret ruins?" olive only knows it from angelo's and serena's tales; the one time she tried it, when the friendship was still new, she couldn't sleep at night from the anxiety the overload of lights, sounds and people brought her. 

olive makes a sound akin to amused disbelief at the entire list of things her kids would bring from violet's place. "they goin' to haunt your b and b. are you enterin' summerween business too?" it would be good to get the kids out of the ranch soon, or by october — if simon's obssession with the holiday would let them. turning on the machine and spreading the gel on the puppy's leg, while holding him with the other hand, she crosses the leg with the transducer. "he does have an oedema, like a swellin'? can go away on its own." of course, there were pills for that, but olive didn't like doing too much prescribing if she could avoid it. "we could'a keep him overnigh'. won't charge ya, 'course. but if you wanna take him home…" she wipes at the dog's leg before he can try to lick the gel. 

"she's a great help 'round." she knows how violet feels about her sister; having one who was raised in a similar fashion does that to her, as it was the initial thing to bring the two older sisters together. of course, clem and sienna are very different individuals — yet, for all the love olive has for her sister, she can't help but to prefer having sienna around. "she's good, violet. serious."

violet makes a tsk sound at the other's statement, taking out one serving of the day's main course, including the braised chicken the b&b's chef had spent an hour on that morning. "don't make me come feed you a proper meal twice a week olive. you and i both know i will" she warns. it wouldn't be that much of a hassle either way, with sienna working alongside the vet, she could kill two birds with one stone by bringing them both a home cooked meal at least every three days. at the indication, violet nods and disappears out of the door, looking silently for a room with a microwave and returning about 5 minutes later with a hot plate of food for olive.

at the next piece of information, violet hums and grants the other a gentle smile that doesn't really reach her eyes. there's deep worry cemented on the pit of her stomach as olive mentions serena and she chews on her cheek to try and now show it. "yeah, you know how secret ruins runs, it's a full time job" she voices, making a mental note to text their mutual friend later in the day. "so whenever you need some babysitting, feel free to call me. she'll have fun at the b&b or at my house and i'll send her home with baked cookies and some handmade art for your home, maybe a little money laundry scheme but nothing past that" she smirks, playful.

violet winces after hearing the puppy whimper, holding onto the hot plate with one another and extending the other to pet the stray puppy. "i can bring him in the morning if you want, in case there's something actually wrong if you think it's okay for me to take him home. you know i'll take any excuse to see sienna and have her act like i'm a lunatic for even acknowledge her in public" a beat. "how are things with her? is she being a good employee?"