marsdenlee

[marsdenlee]

"I want to be reincarnated as me, so that I live on forever. Exactly me. Like everything about me, but I'll be able to grow facial hair in this one."

↳ Andy Biersack in Black Veil Brides solve their fans' problems

[marsdenlee]

Mars feigned shame, lifting his glass to hide behind the bubbly orange drink in the fluted glass, a silly little giggle leaving his lips and the plastered grin all obvious indications the shame was pure pretend and the alcohol was starting to get to him. It was so easy to drink keep drinking when the drink was conveniently in hand and a server was always prompt to replace his empty drink with a fresh one. Perhaps the only occasion where prompt service was doing more harm than good.

In a voice and gesture of exaggeration far off from his usual behavior, Mars let out a gasp of surprise, his mouth falling open comically while he leaned in on an elbow against the table to whisper loudly in her direction, "Scandal! Who is he? Do I know him?" He rested his chin in his palm, fingers curling up to his lips, tapping his lower lip while he sucked on the inside where his piercing was -- sometimes he put it back in now that his daughter was old enough not to grab at it -- metal warm against his tongue.

"oh please, what's funnier than potentially committing bigamy in the future? it's such a dumb word, bigamy," ophelia giggled in response to mars bringing up potentially being an adulterer, another word that inspired scandal and hilarity. they just sounded so old fashioned to her alcohol addled brain. "an adulterer and not an honest man, the shame mars!"

she too, wished she hadn't gotten married, wished that she'd been strong enough to say no but - a charming older man with money and parents that were keen to form a connection. there had been so few people to sit her down and make ophelia really think about the actions she was taking.

perhaps that's why hal had been so irresistible to her. he was kind when nobody else had been.

thinking about left a bitter taste in her mouth - or, was that the tonic in the drink? both. mars' questioned came next, asking why she was bringing it up. someone might as well know her messy past. "i'm bringing it up -" ophelia paused for another sip of drink, dutch courage and all that. "because my husband was a real bastard, and in a...in a secret 'fuck you' to him, i started sleeping with his brother,"

she'd seduced hal, didn't realize how attached she would become, and how much it'd hurt when after everything, he hadn't been there. it still hurt. "the brother's now here. in greywood,"

[marsdenlee]

Mars kept a careful eye on the other man, slowly lifting one finger from where his hand rested against the flat of the door before he let it drop down again in a muted tap, then repeated with the next finger, in careful consideration as he appraised the other. Soon he let out a soft hum, the only indication of his otherwise concealed thoughts before he pushed away from the door completely, withdrawing his hand and keys into the pocket of his leather jacket. "No. I don't," not revealing that he knew someone who did.

"Yer not gonna rip my throat out 'er nothing' are ya?" Mars asked suddenly.

"The den?" Virgil repeated, breathing out a sigh of relief. "I know where that is. Thank you."

He'd been to the Den enough times. He didn't drink, but he'd dropped off plenty of drugs there. He could most likely find his way home from here. He'd done it before. And yet, the thought of wandering back into the inky darkness of the night made him hesitate. He felt like maybe reality would dissolve away under his feet if he left the light.

"I was in bed. I can remember having a strange dream. And then, I woke up here." He tried not to let on how unsettled he was. This man was clearly closing up his shop, and Virgil didn't want to intrude on him when he was going home. But he couldn't quite make himself leave. "I was sleepwalking. That must be it. Do you ever sleepwalk?"

[marsdenlee]

"Both, if ya please," he said as he perused the rest of the display case because knowing his love, just one or just two muffins would not be enough. "I keep forgettin' ya work here," he commented casually, still glancing through the display case and not looking at Naia. He leaned his tall figure to the side, trying not to get in the way of someone else who was looking at the display case as well, muttering out a quiet, "Pardon," to that person beside him as he took a slight small sidestep closer. "Seems like business is boomin'," now he did glance back up toward Naia, "Selling out all my fave flavours. Ya got any recommendations fer me?"

Immediately it was busy. Not too many patrons, but that didn't mean that there wasn't going to be a constant flow of caffeinated drinks, bakery goods, & sandwiches. Naia helped out, of course. Taking orders, making orders, handing orders out. It was a routine she was used to. She enjoyed the rush. It felt as if she was swimming through currents. She was always so focused on her work that she never knew who came in until she saw their face. She recognized regulars like the back of her tail & spotted newbies in an instant.

"Pistachio muffins?" Naia repeated. A popular item, she glanced over at the spot in the case where they should. "Two left." She turned to look at the gentleman. "Want both or just one?"

[marsdenlee]

Greywood Pride

mars takes pride events as an opportunity to treat the world as the stage, will wear pieces he would normally reserve for performing at the club out in public. leather harnesses tightly hugging his body and while he wouldn't wear loose drapey pearl necklaces while performing, pride is the perfect opportunity for him to embrace his appreciation for a typically feminine accessory. he will also enjoy experimenting with makeup styles, liking glitter on his lids and bold eyeliner. he may even decide on some black lip gloss last minute.

[marsdenlee]

@wolfontheloose

Demons become angels to some

[marsdenlee]

@wolfontheloose

But his heart –– can feel deeply && pure. Clear as crystal –– certain && sure.

[marsdenlee]

Mars pulled up one of his more favorite pictures of Ryden, which he had actually an entire folder on his phone dedicated to all of his favorite pictures of Ryden which was more like all of the pictures he had of him but this one was top of the list and let Hal take a look, he could even scroll through the album if he saw fit. The first picture being a photo of Ryden smiling at something Mars had said while they'd been hanging out by the pool. "There he is, looking hot as fuck," his heart already doing little flippy swoons as he too glanced at the picture and saw the smile that never failed to make him melt even through a cell phone screen.

The siren wore the particular warm smile that he had whenever he spoke about his love and his family, the kind of smile that gushed out without reservation. "Thanks," he replied, turning his phone back to himself so he could slip a better glance at the picture on his phone before he locked the screen and set it back down again, "I'm happy too. It's been a long time coming, eh?" Hal would know, as when they'd met, he had been far less happy and now the siren felt like he had finally come into himself, into who he was meant to be and it felt incredible. "Well, now, tell me all about you! What have ya been up to? What brings ya here really? What sort of article headline are ya chasing after now?"

Unbeknownst to Hal, the most obvious change would be the easiest to follow.

The little girl paid Hal no mind. "Maria Elena looks like the happiest of accidents to me." While he never once imagined Marsden Lee as a father, he seemed suited to it. He looked content with himself in a way many people never would be, in a way that Hal didn't recognize at all. Something—among other things about his old friend—to envy.

Dead? Dead tired, maybe, Hal supposed. He didn't exactly envy all the work childcare entailed, although he respected it. He might be doing the same thing if he was lucky.

But that was a looming if. "I don't feel human lately, but somehow I am," Hal admitted, uncomprehending. He brought suitcases and furniture and everything he owned to Greywood, but the iceberg-sized guilt came too and could not be abandoned at his new apartment. It sat in his stomach like sludge as the years wore on, no matter how determined or cheery or determinedly cheery he could be. "I do miss the old days."

Hal nodded, brightening over the Frosmo now. That was one story he witnessed without a tragic end. (He'd need to start writing lighter pieces again for his own sanity.) He followed along, letting the tones and tells of Mars's accent become familiar to his ear again, but the news that his old friend delivered was not familiar. Hal grew more and more surprised as one thing after another settled into understanding. Gay and in love with his best friend. Ryden. Stripping. Special performance. Bombshell after bombshell after bombshell. Still nodding, eyes going as wide as saucers, Hal finished his drink, considering and taking it all in, until he declared, "let's see the picture!"

Combining the Mars of his memory to the Mars of today, upbeat and fulfilled and entirely new, Hal almost went cross-eyed to keep the phone in sight and his thoughts in order. Life was funny that way. The only thing to count on was its changes, ready for them or not. "This is seven years overdue," said Hal, recovering, "but I'm happy for you."

[marsdenlee]

sweetie

[marsdenlee]

Location: Tattoo Parlor With: @torinotvictoria

It hadn't been all too long since getting his most recent tattoo, a pen, that held a lot of personal and sentimental meaning to himself and his love, but it was during that session that Marsden noticed that quite a few of the tattoos he had around it were looking exceptionally dull and in need of a touch up. He waited until the newly added pen tattoo was mostly healed before booking his next appointment for a touch up and maybe also consultation for another new tattoo but that would all depend on how he was feeling.

"Check what I found at da dollar market," were the first things out of his mouth as he strode inside the tattoo parlor, he wore just a plain black tank top that exposed his arms to make the whole process a lot easier and he wouldn't need to fuss around with a stray jacket, but from his pocket produced a small colorful box that looked incredibly small in the long slim of his tattooed and silver ring clad fingers, "It's da littlest box of Mike & Ikes," a box of gummy candies. He gave it a little shake so the candies rattled around inside, "Ya want some?"

[marsdenlee]

Mars did as he was told, if only because he didn't have the strength to do anything else. Sat there on the ground surrounded by the broken glass of the mirror, he could already feel himself being drawn to sleep, too dizzy to move and exhausted to keep his eyes open. His lips and throat so dry already from using some of his siren abilities but he was too tired to really notice the discomfort that came from it. He'd already passed out slightly so by the time Ryden came to him, touching his arms to lift him up, the siren jolted back into awareness sluggishly, giving out a soft hum at being maneuvered and lifted. The question Ryden asked came with no answer from the siren, who only leaned his head against Ryden's shoulder, though a slight shift of his head could be considered a nod, however minute the movement was.

Later when he was restored and cognizant, he'd probably wonder at the strange phenomena that had confined his beloved to that space in the shoe shop. Something to do with the mirror since breaking it had resolved the issue and freed the werewolf, but for now, the siren could only sleep, lulled into darkness by the warm arms and solid body he was held against.

END.

|| Marsden & Ryden ||

[marsdenlee]

"Salut," greeted Marsden in return as he entered, already shrugging off his leather jacket now he was indoors. The weather outside had been growing moderately warmer during the days but the nights were still crisp and cool being just at the foothills of the forested mountains. "Don't rush me," he groaned but still held out with his hand the bottle of wine that he'd acquired, "I never had dis one before but da lady at the counter said it was aces," he pinched his fingers together to make a gesture in the air before he continued removing his jacket. The shirt he wore beneath was comically large on him, one of those tank tops with the excessively large arm holes on the side so it revealed a majority of his tattooed abdomen on either side, and long enough that it just to about the middle of his black jean clad thighs. "Smells like food," he sniffed the air, already salivating. "I haven't eaten since... I dunno. Da bebe gave me no rest," he pushed back the longish strands of his jet black hair. Suffice it to say, moments like these where he got to be an adult that didn't have a baby attached to his hip at all times were rare and appreciated.

@marsdenlee

Naia rarely had guests over for longer than a couple of hours. The meaningless hookups got a maximum of two and a half hours before the siren was kicking out her nightly companion. She didn't like nightly guests. On this occasion, it was to see an old friend. A friend that barely three years ago, around her arrival, that she became reacquainted with. Before that, he'd been one of the first humans she'd come in true contact with & she'd learned quite a bit. Out of nostalgia, she wanted to say hello & relive their old days. So she invited him over for a night of watching movies, pasta, & wine. I promise to cook your food thoroughly if you bring the wine. Of course, she'd had wine supplied but she'd only bring that out if the other siren's choices were less than subpar in her definition.

"Bonjour mon ami," Naia greeted as she opened the door, the smells of chicken alfredo & chicken parmesan wafting through the air. She guided him in, shutting the door behind him. "Hurry on with it. What goods did you bring?"

[marsdenlee]

I need you to tell me everything will be alright, to chase away the voices in the night when they call my name.

@marsdenlee

[marsdenlee]

Mars returned the wry joke with a half snorted laugh paired with a nod. The only regrets he had regarding the ending of his marriage was that he hadn't done something about it sooner. It should have been him doing the leaving, not the other way around.

He was taking his time with his current drink, wanting to get tipsy but not entirely too drunk, but he'd never been all too good at regulating his drinking habits once he started. "I'm also not still married," he almost laughed again, "Could ya imagine? Ry'd have a fit if I still were, ranting about how I've made an adulterer outta him." The siren recalled when he'd told Ry that he was still married in the first place, back when their relationship was still fresh. For a very brief moment, before the calm and understanding came in, Mars had been very very close to terrified that he was about to lose him over it.

"Why'd ya bring it up?" Mars asked, tipping his glass to watch the liquid slant to the side.

she had listened to the gossip at the club but, had never approached mars about it. ophelia was a divorcee herself, and knew that such things were never straightforwards or easy to talk about. the blonde woman shook her head instead, taking a sip of her drink and listening to mars talk. "oh, so we're both like, sloppy seconds when it comes to the whole marriage thing," she joked to take the edge off the sting she felt.

ophelia finished her own glass soon afterwards, reaching for another filled one and shaking her head far too fast, a clear sign of the amount of alcohol in her body. "haven't been in like...nearly 3 years," had it been that long? it felt both the far past and a recent happening, especially with hal now hovering around town like a ghost she couldn't escape.

"i'm guessing you aren't either?"

[marsdenlee]

Mars usually shared the same work schedule as Ryden, at least when it came to shifts at The Den, but every so often the siren would work nights there on his own so that Ryden could get some much deserved and needed family time with their daughter. This was one such night and Mars was swirling the keyring for the pub on the long of his tattooed finger as he shut the door behind him, being the last one out as the pub had officially just closed. He slid the key into the lock as the pajama clad individual approached him.

It was a slow look that followed, as ice blue eyes drifted to the other, taking in the lost look and vacant expression, the bed clothes. "Hm," the siren turned the key and locked the door, fingers shifting to give the handle a firm tug to ensure it was locked securely, especially important now that the odd ones were apparently on the loose. "Dis The Den but we closed," he gestured with his thumb before shoving the keys safely into the pocket of his well worn leather jacket, studded out and decorated with some red paint splotches to mimic blood splatter. Smudged black eyeliner settled into the crease beneath his eyes and glitter bespeckled the tops of his lids, catching the streetlight as he blinked, shoulder length black hair tucked neatly behind his ear.

"Yer looking like ya ready fer a nap tho, not a pint," the deep of his voice hinting strongly at a Chicagoan accent, if the other was able to place the location, "So whadd'erya want?" He planted the flat of his palm, silver rings clacking against the front of the door.

Location: Somewhere in town

For: Anyone

Virgil was dreaming about fire. He was on fire, but not being burned. The smell of burning flesh and wood accosted him. He could hear someone screaming, but he didn't care. He could feel flames like the embrace of an old friend. But he couldn't see anything. His world was black.

Virgil woke up with a start. He wasn't in his bed. He swayed on his feet, disoriented, looking around. He was outside somewhere- he didn't know where. It was the middle of the night. The healed burns on his body felt strange. He felt strange, too. Out of place and upside down. Like he was missing something, or someone.

He sucked in a breath. Peered around to try and get his bearings, but he didn't know where he was. The feeling of alienation was too great for him to ignore. But there were people around. He could go and ask them.

Virgil tried not to let on how odd he felt being in his pajamas in the middle of the night. He walked up to someone. "Excuse me. Where is this place?"

[marsdenlee]

It's one of those rare mornings where Ryden doesn't need to open the auto shop and that task is delegated to one of the other trustworthy staff members which means that he gets to spend the morning hours with his most beloved. Normally, Mars wouldn't have left the apartment so that the two of them could spend every precious waking moment together but he also wanted to treat his love to breakfast in bed and that meant going to pick up some breakfast because Mars simply didn't feel like cooking. Certainly he could do it and for Ryden, the siren who had a firm and resolute disdain for the arduous task of cooking, would do anything and that included cooking, but he had a craving and he couldn't rightly make the thing he was craving which brought him now to wait outside the Blue Frog Cafe before they even opened.

There were a few others hanging around outside and Mars internally frowned at himself for being counted among the eager busybodies who waited outside for an opening cafe, but he figured the earlier he got there then the sooner he could get back home and thus he'd have more time to spend with his love.

Mars leaned with his hips against the back of a bench, chewing on the side of his fingernail as the front door opened and a cheery greeting was given to all who loitered in front. He didn't move yet, still chewing on his fingernail, glacial eyes choosing to watch as the small crowd of waiting peoples filtered into the building and he waited until he was the only one left outside before he moved, catching the door before it shut and stepping through. At a staggering height of six feet four and clad in all black with his currently shoulder length black hair smoothed back into a neat and tidy little ponytail at the back of his head, a bleached blond streak on the left side, and visible tattoos on his neck and hands, he had a tendency to stand out even when he stood with his shoulders hunched to appear shorter than he was.

"Hey," his voice a surprising deep baritone laced with the hints of a Chicagoan accent as he spoke, "Ya guys still got dem pistachio muffins?"

open starter | location: blue frog cafe | time: 8am

Naia couldn't have been more late than she'd like. Sleeping in wasn't intentional but it's what had happened. She woke up at 7am, leaving her barely 15-25 minutes to get ready, then hurry to the cafe & set up to open. She was the only one with a key to allow anyone in, including the employees. Trust issues, still at her big age. She hadn't given a single employee a key because she didn't have anyone assigned as anything close to a manager. Lead baristas, yes, but she would remind them that doesn't mean they have any manager privileges, just a title. It meant they knew the ins & outs of the shop, but that was all. The siren ran it all by herself.

By now, she'd unlocked the door for her employees & they all began setting up the cafe for another day as fast as they could. Naia couldn't move fast enough, setting up for coffee beans to be ground up, espresso machines turned on, & lights being plugged in. She had three minutes to spare before they opened, which she spent in the bathroom, hurryingly cleaning herself up to look more presentable.

A minute to spare. Naia is at the front door, fiddling with the keys to unlock it. She pushes it open, plastering a wide smile on her face. "Good morning everyone! Come on in. We're excited to serve you today!"

[marsdenlee]

"Yea, yea, what's yer favorite pan dulce," he prodded the young toddler in her side, nudging a few more giggles out from the little one who batted her father's hand away playfully. Mars was usually an entirely different person around his daughter, the version Maia was probably more used to seeing was the very serious and particular choreographer who didn't hesitate to immediately tell someone when they were fucking up a routine or if they danced like a newborn giraffe, all legs and no coordination. Around Maria Elena though, he was all smiles and silly jokes, at least when she was in a good mood anyway. Luckily, the little girl was in a wonderful mood, her giggles blossomed into beautiful laughter that warmed his soul to hear and she didn't seem at all deterred about the stranger named Maia hanging around them now, so much so that she gurgled out, "Chocclate!"

This response earned a playful groan from the siren, who threw his head back in surprise, "Chocolate! Ya favorite food can't be chocolate baby, pick something else," he prodded her again. This went on for a few more rounds, Maria Elena taking great delight in Mars' exaggerated responses and his grumblings that chocolate was not a good answer until finally she switched it up and announced instead that, "Cheese shamich" was her favorite. This resulted in a different response from Mars, who let out a low, "Oooooh, okey, okey, I hear ya, baby, good choice. Don't tell me though, tell Maia, she's da one who asked ya," so Maria Elena repeated herself again though in a considerably quieter tone of voice and with her fingers pushed against the front of her mouth so what came out ended up very mumbly but Mars praised her afterward anyway with a quiet, "Yay, ya did it!" Followed by cheering sounds.

"Harley's?" He asked in his normal voice to Maia, the American burger diner-esque establishment probably the best choice to acquire a cheese sandwich. "Ya wanna meet us there 'er I can drive? We got dis like, magic cooler, heh, keeps da groceries at da perfect temp fer a coupla hours." He used it quite a lot since he often would go to the auto shop after a grocery run to give Ryden a visit and sometimes those visits took an hour or two.

She smiled slightly when she saw Mars interact with his daughter. Maia thought it was sweet seeing this side of him. She raised her hand, knowing better than to not continue a bit that a toddler wants. "I can definitely go for something now! What's your favorite food?" Maia asked as she looked at Maria Elena, hoping to get an answer even if she was a stranger.