shyneknight

[shyneknight]

a chuckle left him at these words before giving a smile and a little nod of his head. "alright, i'll do it for this little one for an early birthday gift then." with that, shyne stepped aside, spoke to the person briefly before he had a ball in hand and his blue eyes locked on the target. for a moment he just focused before he threw each ball, hitting a target, dead on. after he turned on his heel towards the mother and daughter duo, giving a small cheer of his own before grabbing the desired prize and handing it off. "i hope she's really happy with it. i haven't played sports in a while so i didn't know i still had it in me."

Mei Lian quite visibly perked up when the man told her of his sports past, her smile growing by the second, "Sounds like you're a shoe-in to win then." She replied before nodding, "It's for her, yes. I can even sweeten the pot and say her birthday is next month? So it could be an early gift."

[shyneknight]

Shyne: You're definitely not wrong there and I experienced burnout a couple times in my work. Shyne: My life - mainly those in it. I recently got inspired by someone I met at a coffee shop. Certainly unexpected.

Dallas: That's understandable at least. Doesn't matter the line of work, burnout's no joke. Dallas: Makes sense. Dallas: Who or what's been your biggest source of inspiration so far? @shyneknight

[shyneknight]

the worst thing for shyne was watching his family break apart in an unexpected way. they all held love and grew up together well back in manchester, even sharing some secrets of their own. however small things lead to fall out, illnesses and different career paths. for him home became small things then, like texting his brother, getting something from her mother or trying to make her seasonal and festive baked goods. otherwise he was personally just lost in writing to get through it all. "it does sound like a good place to be and safer is nice. i believe you are doing the right thing and maybe doing more than you or others might even know."

the bright smile that came to him as shyne was a bit more passionate about his book work then journalism just didn't make a career or name for any of it yet. "um - well, it's one of those loosely based off one's life type, but i'm also working on a couple others when i hit a rock with the main project. which there's a murder investigation one and some fantasy one just mostly for fun." ideas came at the craziest of times so he didn't mind slowly working on two other books, while having one he focused on the most. "that definitely happens a lot in so many work places. sometimes one mistake or one person and ruin the whole team even."

When Gabe was younger he had been the kind of person who always wanted to do the right thing. He had an unsteady homelife and just wanted to go into his adult years helping others. Somewhere along the way he got sucked into undercover work because he believed it would be helpful and it only got himself and the woman he loved into trouble. It nearly ended them. He had to admit that he was wrong and that being on desk duty was better. He also had to admit that being back in his home town and being able to just be a detective was better than anything he’d done in the past. At least he actually did get to help out. “ yeah I’m more in the investigative side now of things. It’s a lot safer which I’m a fan of but also I just feel for once like I’m doing the right thing “

Gabe didn’t have an opinion about connections or nepotism. The work would always speak for itself at the end of the day. And if he had the way to make some solid connections work wise Shyne should definitely use them. Especially if what he was doing was something he loved so much. “ honestly it can’t be bad to have connections if it’s something you genuinely love doing. What kind of a book?” He asked out of curiosity. “ yeah I know that one. I think a lot of mistakes have happened in my life because of the team behind it “ @shyneknight

[shyneknight]

shyne gave a nod in full agreement of the words shared. "it does and i'm always hopeful one day, i'll find someone, but for now, it's not too bad being married to work. maybe i'll just have friends over dating as well, we'll see." who didn't dream to find someone to settle down with? just as he thought more on it, sometimes he thought he'd be fine just with some good friends having fun if finding love didn't place on his bingo card for life. "i can imagine. where as my job celebs aren't thrilled to see me entirely unless they're placing something in the news themselves." this is why shyne took pity sometimes and didn't always help with the stories as he originally agreed. sometimes people needed to be given a break. "i try. i'll get you a new one now then. perfect, so you go ahead and sit, get comfortable, i'll replace your drink and flex a secret skill of mine upon my return." giving a wink, a smile on his face before he walked towards the counter to order a new drink for the other man.

Lucas felt himself smile as he listened to the other. "Glad to find someone else who gets it. I'm sure it has made dating harder for me since my job is always at the forefront of my mind." It wasn't like he tried too much but he liked the thought of getting to date. "It's pretty fun. I've met some interesting people and I do love getting to give celebs tattoos. It can be good exposure as well." He hadn't experienced a bad client yet which he was grateful for at the end of the day. "You are too kind. I would appreciate it honestly. I'm all for getting to know you more. I don't have any clients today so we don't have to worry about work getting in the way."

[shyneknight]

Shyne: I just couldn't that day, plus I was drained, though - between us, I know sometimes that saying is said to keep some on edge as well.

Shyne: Haha, it's all good but thanks. I just enjoy writing, creating and making material for people to read and enjoy.

Shyne: I'd say both. Just depends on what's going on with me and around me. Life gives so many ideas and so much inspiration.

Dallas: Oh? How come you let it slip? Or is that something you can't say? 🤐 Dallas: Poems are cool. I can't say I've read many and I've never definitely never written any but props for the talent. Dallas: Are they about anything specific or do you draw inspo from anywhere? @shyneknight

[shyneknight]

"it's not too bad actually. i played a lot of soft ball growing up and a bit of rugby. i was always asked to pitch for my team or swing and won a few games." shyne shared with a grin, blue eyes looking to the woman beside him. hearing the request after he looked from her to the young girl then back. "oh, win for her?" he asked, pointing to the small girl with ice cream in her hand. "i could definitely give it a go."

open - @aurorabaystarter

where - carnival, by the games

"How good is your hand-eye coordination?" Mei asked the person beside her, her daughter Luna too engrossed in her ice cream cone to fully hear the conversation "And if it's any better than mine" which was atrocious "would you by chance be willing to put it to the test to potentially win her that stuffed duck on the right?"

[shyneknight]

of course shyne would be at the bookstore, and especially during pride. reading helped him discover his own bisexuality when he was confused on certain feelings and questioning. over coming out, he'd then go to pride sometimes but to him, he didn't see a need to come out. who he was with and loved was his thing, not the worlds, he just was there to be seen as himself.

"i've read a few actually," he admitted with a slight grin. he read a lot to figure out himself - between being possibly gay, bisexual, pansexual, etc. he was curious. a few even made their way to his home library. "a lovely idea. so - are you looking for some intros then to different parts of pride like sexual orientation and gender identity then? maybe even more on pride and the beginnings of it as a whole?"

OPEN STARTER — @aurorabaystarter

Oceania Bookstore

“Have you read any of these?”

Conrad was stood outside Oceania Bookstore, brow furrowed in concentration as he furiously read through the new books on display. Now that Pride celebrations were fully underway, the store had picked out their favourite pride books and had them displayed at the front of the store — and Conrad was reading the blurbs of all of them intensely.

“I’m trying to bring in some more diversity to my reading lists in class, and thought here would be a good place to find some new books — but I’m not quite sure where to start myself. You got any recommendations?”

[shyneknight]

NICHOLAS HOULT as THOMAS HUTTER ↬ NOSFERATU (2024) | Dir. Robert Eggers

[shyneknight]

"you're not wrong on that. i've seen it a lot in my experiences with people." shyne always watched how much his parents would not say as much and how they built themselves up. he even saw it from his brother, who tended to be quite calculated as well.

"no, it doesn't. i only like living comfortably and working for myself. maybe if i have some serious relationship and kids, that'd also be something." he let out a sigh definitely agreeing with what was being said. "some people see money and having the expensive shit as part of life over really living it and enjoying it."

"The people who talk less always have more. Or almost always," Aiden remarks. He's watched his mother make moves in the background, between taking all she could from his father, and working to get a leg up in her career, but she is the only example he can fall back on.

"Money doesn't mean much after you're dead, though. So I don't get why any of those dumb fucks would rather struggle while alive just to have something that looks nice."

@shynenotshane

[shyneknight]

"oh um - i'm sorry to hear that. i always try to be nice and careful with what i say as to not bother anyone. i've um, also had my job at risk a few times not wanting to invade too much." shyne admitted shyly, as he didn't want anyone to really hate him. though maybe apart of him hoped his english accent and sweetness could help him most. "i've been in town for about 4 almost 5 years, but i'm from manchester, england before that. what about you?"

"Honestly, here? Depends on who you come across. I know a lot of people in Aurora Bay, not sure they'd replace my coffee but they might replace yours." He seemed nice enough not to have burned any bridges, though he could have been a townie in the exact same position as she was. "Sounds good," she mused, picking her iced coffee up from the counter and turning on her feet to head out the door. "You from round here or new to town?" @shynenotshane

[shyneknight]

shyne chuckled and gave a nod in agreement, knowing the exact feeling very well himself. "i feel that. i've been married to my work since probably the beginning of getting into writing and journalism." probably should live more outside work, but also it was something he enjoyed doing, so he almost saw no reason to. "oh, wow. that's very interesting. i'm sure you have quite the clients then." shyne's met a few celebs and big names with his journalism job, some nicer that others - some just in bad moods, but he understood with his line of work. "i'm glad. w-would you like a new one? i can buy you one and we can just chat and get to know each other. i'm probably going to call in sick or something. i'm in need of a day off anyway."

Lucas nodded as he listened. "I mean I get that. I get overworked a lot. I enjoy my job a ton so you can say I'm married to it in a way." he laughed a bit since he knew it got in the way at times. "Yeah, been a bit of a long day. I'm a tattoo artist. I mostly work with celebrities and other big names." Lucas answered, hoping he didn't sound like he was bragging. "Nope, none at all. Seems the coffee dodged me."

[shyneknight]

chuckling slightly, giving a small nod of his head. shyne was interested in such different things from some, considering he did work for the local paper and also being quite the bookworm. "yeah, recovery is a process," he spoke softly. listening with a nod of his head as a smile came to him. "i can understand that. i think that's the coolest part too. investigating and solving things - always had me interested in it all myself. even though it's not the work i went with." right now, shyne was still convincing himself that writing and publishing a book wasn't too bad an idea.

all the english man wanted to do was write, be thought to be an author, but it was a process to write - quite longer than one might think. he needed a job and didn't want to just live off family wealth, so he ended up working at the paper due to past journalism type work and it went rather well for him currently even though he did more the illustrating role over the writing as he'd preferred, but he helped, so it was still nice. "yeah, i might have had a family with some connections and a decent name. we weren't super well known but pretty locally know. it's been pretty nice actually, and helped me get writing again so maybe i'll still publish a book one day." shyne said with a bright smile. "i mean, i think we've made some errors as well - we all make mistakes, but not as often with having a good team on the job."

“ At least you’re being honest about that reaction “‘Gabe replied giving the other man a small smile. He couldn’t fault him for there being a certain level of appeal. He’d thought the same thing himself way back when. “ yeah it kind of is. It took a very long time to recover with everything so I understand that “ Gabe admitted before the question reached his ears. That was the real question wasn’t it? The complicated answer to his life now that there was a sense of monotony there. “Bored. But i know me being on the field is a risk now; aside from more investigative work which I actually do prefer that. The more solving things aspect was why I had gotten into this line of work”

That was the truth. He’d wanted to be a detective to try to help others. He’d somehow ended up being undercover in the process. The world was funny that way. “ sounds like it’s a pretty great use of having a good connection. I think journalism would be hard, but still pretty fulfilling. “ he offered before giving a small smile. “ Don’t ever get anything wrong despite it?” @shynenotshane

[shyneknight]

It’s just that I find it all very moving. It’s all so beautiful. I just… It’s almost too beautiful to eat.

NICHOLAS HOULT as TYLER THE MENU 2022 | dir. Mark Mylod

[shyneknight]

shyne wanted to ask him what he wanted to do, he wanted to get to know the guy, and more so when he mentioned a passion project he didn't want to share and then leaving the shop suddenly went from a like drained man, to fearful, then untrusting but relaxing, then kinda sweet but hesitant to this cold and dismissive person. it showed so many layers of one person and just made him curious. if anything - he wasn't interested in a story on the guy, he was interested in writing him as a character in his own book if he was interested. letting out a sigh after being basically snapped at, shyne looked away from the other male, blue eyes looking around the outside world as if looking for something.

"no, i just - i can leave you, be. i just, i mean if you want could offer you food, drinks and we could hang and be friendly. trust me, i'm very much off work and don't want to write about you." 'i'd write you as character if you let me' he thought to add, but didn't. he didn't want to push the guy more than he seemed to somehow. though he was drained coming in so maybe he just wasn't in the best mood. shyne was being understanding as best he could. "you can say no and i'll go and we can just pass each other and not say a word - even though you have my name and i'm not sure i know yours just looking at you." he looked a bit familiar, but the name wasn't clicking.

——- The massive breath he let out that he wasn't even aware he was holding before he looked towards the other, hazel greens giving a almost pleading thanks as he was pretty grateful — but still wasn't fully trusting of someone who worked at a news outlet. however, maybe he wasn't a huge deal around here somehow and honestly ? he was thankful for it. all roman wanted was to live anyway. ❝ yes — it's quite demanding actually — just it's also kinda a dream come true. i mean, it's not exactly what i wanted to do, but it's something i'm glad i got the chance to do. ❞ he spoke with a soft smile reaching across his full lips and a more relaxed look taking over him despite still generally feeling done with today and rather drained. it's just been a long one as he'd normally never get a coffee this late anyhow. looking towards the other walking with him out of the bathroom before letting out a sound, very much sounding like a laugh as he shook his head. his smile still resting delicately on his lips. ❝ sorry — not here and not sure that's what i share with those i just met. however, i appreciate the off the record promise — but forgive me for still being unsure. ❞ he was filled with trust issues from head to toe and now all roman wanted to do was focus on something else. heading out the coffee shop he turned on his heel to face the other briefly. ❝ alright, shyne knight — are you planning to follow me all the way home or something ? ❞ he snapped a bit almost, as his smile was replaced with a thin line of his lips pursed together. his tone a bit harsher suddenly as if he torn off a nice mask and showing a ruder one hidden underneath. ( @shyneknight )

[shyneknight]

shyne wasn't not too far from the woman, and gently walked over to her with a soft friendly grin. "what's up, darling? also, i could buy you a drink, if you'd like." he was a nice soul, so he had to offer it to her, plus they weren't too far from a bar anyway. "i mean, the bar isn't too far, so maybe we could head over?"

who: open for @aurorabaystarter where: anywhere - left this short so yall can make up whatever ya want & assume connects!!

"Am I reading this right? I can't be reading this right." Monique stared at the phone with her mouth open ajar and her eyebrows pulled together. "I need a drink after that."

[shyneknight]

shyne smiled softly thinking on his mom's little crafts and cookings and gave a little nod of his head. "yeah - she was definitely that way. food was a love language for her and my father - brought them together even if it's not what they did work wise." his brows furrowed some with worry at her words. "oh, was your childhood not so ideal, darling?" he asked in a curious and sad sounding tone. however, he'd not push freyja to say anything she wasn't comfortable with.

"well, still sweet though, thank you." he was happy she thought of him enough to get it for him. thinking he'd cross her mind warmed his heart. "a nice though and for me. reminds me how glad i am to have you in my life." shyne didn't always get many gifts so when he did he was truly grateful for them.

⸻ Freyja smiled at his reaction, watching the way he opened the box with a kind of quiet reverence that reminded her of something softer, more nostalgic. ❛ She sounds like someone who put a lot of love into the little things. ❜ Her tone was gentle, thoughtful. ❛ I didn’t grow up with that, exactly… but I think I’ve always admired it. The way someone can make something simple feel like home. ❜ She paused for a moment, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.

❛ I’m glad you liked it. I didn’t bake it. But I made sure it was the good kind. ❜ She gave him a small, teasing smile, the kind that lingered at the corners of her mouth. ❛ Figured you deserved something nice. ❜ Her gaze lingered on his hands holding the box — and maybe just a little on his face — before she glanced away, feigning casual.

[shyneknight]

“Nicholas Hoult amongst the statues in The Studio at Burberry Makers House.”