#( ch. sage franklin. )

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

📜𝙰𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙵𝚊𝚑𝚛𝚒-𝙱𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚢 & 𝚂𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚕𝚒𝚗

The moment she heard about the charity event, she instantly talked with Eli and her parents about attending. For as long as she could remember, the Baileys were ardent philanthropists. Ready to donate to any charity and organization, especially those that helped the greater good. So it'd been a no-brainer when they all enthusiastically agreed to attend. Plus, it was nice to have a night with Elijah while his parents watched after the girls. Donned in a royal blue dress with some gold and pearl accessories and her hair curled and slightly pinned up, even taking advantage to wear heels to add some more height to her otherwise shorter stature, the woman had equally been spending time with her partner while also making sure to mingle. Going around the room and chatting with other guests, including some of the museum's biggest patrons and benefactors. At some point in the night, she had noticed her cousin and made sure to find a time to see her. However, what she hadn't expected was for Yasemin to be with Sage. Granted, the blonde had informed her about their shared connection through Asher. However... This certainly seemed like more than just two people who were mutually connected through the same person, and that took her back a tiny bit. Aslihan had been trying to wrap her mind around it all when she ended up spotting Sage again, sans her cousin. "Sage, hi," she said. Smiling warmly at the other, though her mind still running with questions and confusion. "You look really lovely."

𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛: 𝚙𝚎𝚊𝚔 𝚜𝚎𝚊𝚜𝚘𝚗'𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚒𝚍𝚊𝚢 𝚌𝚑𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝, 𝚍𝚘𝚠𝚗𝚝𝚘𝚠𝚗 ; 𝚍𝚎𝚌𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟸𝚗𝚍, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹 || @sagefranklin

[zeynepxturkmen]

Lips pressing together, all she could do was nod. "Okay," she said. Of course, she had hoped her answer would be different. That maybe the blonde would be all for trying, that they could find a way to be in each other's lives without Ruby but still trying to honour her in some way. She knew that the twins would be happy to have her back around. But she can't force her. Especially not after spending six years not talking. "I'll... I'll text you, yeah. I hope we can talk again soon." Maybe she'll give her a moment. Wait a few weeks, give her some time. She just hoped that at some point, they can work on this together. Looking back towards the theater, she pointed at it with her thumb before looking at Sage. "I'll, um, I better go to my kids. I hope you guys have a fun time." Looking at the blonde's mini-me, she smiled warmly. Waving a little before saying, "Bye-bye, Maggie. Make sure the movie doesn't scare your mama too much, 'kay?" ||👾@sagefranklin

She couldn't think of anything she wanted to do less than revisit a friendship that had grown from the interaction of the other's daughters and one that she no longer had. At least, that was how she felt in that moment, cornered by the questions and curiosity of children who didn't know any better and the offer of someone who was trying to do better. Almost six years and somehow, she felt like she was right back there, dealing with the loss again. "I, um, I think I need a moment to just..." To not spiral again? To keep herself together in a way that wouldn't lead to her falling apart and losing herself? "I just..." Her words kept faltering and her hold on Maggie tightened just a little, feeling comfort in the form of her youngest daughter who was still there, still needed her. "My number's the same, you can always message me and maybe... you know, we can talk sometime."

@zeynepxturkmen

[missionlameturtle]

post 2008 dS rec list (F/K focused)

All fics are F/K unless otherwise indicated! I tried to consolidate the non-F/K fics at the bottom of the list.

Arch To The Sky, sl-walker & kalijean. A long, Turnbull-focused series. Primarily gen but with flashes of F/K in some of the fics. Technically unfinished but can be read as-is.

The Train Goes Slow, atrata. Ray is patience fucking personified, and he hasn’t wanted to punch Fraser in days.

Why I Lied To You, Garonne. It’s 1930, and Ray Kowalski is undercover. Contains bootleggers, Al Capone, adventures on the frozen river Detroit… and a rather unusual Canadian Customs Officer.

The Way the World is, Garonne. Vecchio's POV, Fraser/Kowalski established relationship. Two years post-COTW, Ray Vecchio is back at the 2-7. Then the consequences of a murder inquiry make RayV start to wonder whether Fraser's keeping secrets from him. This one delves into institutional homophobia, fair warning.

Contentment, Garonne & Andeincascade. A fic about boys, and cars, and communication.

The Reaching Out One, Alex51324.  Every year they take their vacation time together and look for the hand of Franklin, the reaching out one, and when they run out of time they put a pin in the map and the next year they pick up where they left off. It all falls apart when Diefenbaker dies.

horseshoes and handgrenades, omphale23. A midcentury AU, in which there are photographs, parachute troops, invasions, exploding trees, foxholes, misunderstandings, bullets, letters from home, smokejumpers, roommates, and more exploding trees.

Can’t Even Focus On A Cup Of Coffee, helens78. life goes on in Chicago. Ray’s new partner keeps an eye on him as he tries to find a new sun to orbit.

Sweet Confessions Under His Tongue, thehoyden. It was like a car wreck, really. You just couldn’t look away. And Fraser looked up at Ray, with his expression like the cold fury of God.

Chasing Smoke, hazelwho. Benton Fraser is a Canadian smokejumper who finds himself in Arizona cross-training with a wildland fire crew led by Ray Kowalski, a veteran structural firefighter from Chicago who headed west after his divorce.

Ajax Fassbender’s Amateur Guide To Zombie Wrangling, brigantine. After Ray Vecchio disappears undercover into the wilds of Las Vegas, Fraser decides it’s high time to quit moping, and get on with life. Diefenbaker puts in his two cents, which is pretty much where the trouble starts.

Ch-ch-changes, mizface. Ray Kowalski thought he had an okay existence: he had a place to call home, didn't have to worry about a job, and nobody bothered him. If it wasn't for the fact that he was a zombie, things would have been pretty good. Then he met very much alive Benton Fraser, and his whole world was turned upside down.

Katabasis, aria. “I talked to your dad, I went through this place called the Borderland, I had a boat ride, I fed a wolf a doughnut, and I told stories for your soul,” Ray interrupted. “This does not mean you are not insane.”

Calm & The Black-Stained Sky, sageness. Two years post-COTW, Fraser is promoted to corporal & RayK becomes a volunteer firefighter in a small town in Yukon Territory—a small town with a spot of arson on its hands. Warning for child neglect.

The Love Song Of S. Raymond Kowalski, aria. Ray dared to smush his experimental hair down in hats in Canada, dared to eat everything Fraser gave him including the freaky bark tea, dared… dared to let Fraser turn his world inside out and meet his eyes afterward.

Academic Punk, thehoyden. The academia AU you never knew you needed.

Planes, Submarines and Snowmobiles: a case study in international policing, deputychairman. A post-COTW conference fic.

Many miles and city blocks, deputychairman. Stella happens to encounter Ray & Fraser at the grocery store.

Life In Freefall, feroxargentea. Coming out & the great maple syrup heist. This fic also deals with homophobia.

Long Way Down, feroxargentea. Eight years after a car crash left him with amnesia, Fraser has rebuilt his life, looking after his sister’s kids. Then unsettling memories start to surface and he starts to wonder whether the people around him have been lying to him all this time.

The Northwest Passage, crystalshard. A young man, lost in the snow in the far north, encounters two men who help him out. Warning for implied character death.

Not Quite Such A Bad Day, wagnetic. Ray is stuck with Turnbull during the events of Asylum but maybe it's not totally unbearable.

1500 Kilometers (& A Caboose), aria. For reasons that don't need exploring at this juncture, Benton Fraser is in a caboose, playing table hockey and being soundly beaten by a twelve-year-old boy. My Life As A Dog crossover but perfectly understandable without having seen it. 

A House Is Not A Home, justbreathe80. They were up to their knees in snow and holy shit it was cold, but Fraser had a smile on his face that Ray had never, ever seen, and he knew, in his gut, that Fraser wasn't coming back to Chicago. Ever.

moments in the snow, tigrrmilk. Daemon AU. Ray combs his fingers through the patch of fur worst hit, and although he’s not looking at Fraser, he can feel him stand to attention.

Locked Room Puzzle, speranza. Although I don’t usually include speranza’s fics on rec lists on the assumption that most people already know about her, this one is from 2013 and I don’t know if you would have read it!

Birds Of A Feather, julia_here. Gen, SGA crossover.

The Mis-Adventures of Renfield Turnbull, Canadian Private Eye, daughtershade. Gen. AU Film Noir tale of the worst private detective in Chicago.

Not in Front of the Kid, catwalksalone. K/V. The one thing Ray and Ray weren't expecting? The Spanish Inquisition. That, and to become fathers overnight.

How The Ray Was Won, catwalksalone. K/V. One name, two men, three tasks and a motif. Or several.

Scenes From A Marriage, elementalv. K/V, Sentinel AU. This is the fic that persuaded me to give K/V fic a chance, so if you read one K/V fic from this list make it this one!

please feel free to reblog & add on your own recs!

[surrealismdrama]

Surrealism and Experimental Drama

CL 140 Winter 2019

MM116 2-3:20pm; Office hr. 3:30-4:30 at HIB 275.

 Beginning around the late nineteenth century, avant-garde art set out to decenter the human mind--from conscious to unconscious thought, from waking to dreaming, from belief to performance.   What happened is not an exchange of one set for the other, but a destabilization of the relation between real and imagined life which the “surreal” object and surreal experience exemplified.  Yoda’s advice, “there is no try,” is the practical result of this destabilization: any act is potentially art and any art can transform us and the world.  Surrealist painting and film, experimental poetry and drama, avant-garde photography, and early newspaper comics were part of this movement.  Artists and writers responded around the world to the political and imaginative potential of the movement.  We will study fiction, memoir, poetry, drama, photography, painting, video art, sculpture, newspaper comics, and film, together with theories of relation to the object, to explore surrealist ideas. 

Assignments: 3 short response papers (readings or interpretations of a work from the course), 1 in-class presentation, and a final project (about a secret object), or five total, each counted as 20% of the grade). Attendance is required; 4 absences are allowed, after which the course grade is negatively affected.  

 CL140 is a safe space for LGBTQ students.  Comp Lit and the UC support and protect students without documents.

Syllabus

[W] indicates the reading is in the EEE dropbox for the class.

T  JAN 8  Introduction: body, thing, shadow.  Lee Miller, photography (web), Constantin Brancusi sculpture, Pablo Picasso mask paintings; Edward James gardens (web); Aleia object art and here; Kay Sage paintings; Georges Bataille, “The Lugubrious Game” (from Visions of Excess).

Th  10  André Breton, "Surrealist Manifesto" (1924); "Declaration" of 1925; Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dali, Un Chien Andalou (short film, 1929).

Optional: Breton, "What is Surrealism?" (1934).

  T  15  Charles Baudelaire, “To the Reader,” “Spleen,” and “Heautontimoroumenos,” from Flowers of Evil; see the French text with alternative translations; Sigmund Freud, “The Manifest Content of Dreams,” Introductory Lectures on Psycho-analysis, lecture VII (esp. 149-153) [W]; Walt Disney/Savador Dali, Destino.

Optional: Freud, Interpretation of Dreams ch. 5 (esp. “Dream of the Botanical Monograph”) [W].

Th  17  Jean-Joseph Rabearivelos, poems (“The Black Glassmaker Whose Countless Eyeballs None Has Ever Seen,” “Pomegranate,” and “All Seasons” quoted in the essay linked); Hong-An Truong, “Explosions in the Sky (Điện Biên Phủ 1954)” interview; Remedios Varo, painting (in class).

  T  22  Leonora Carrington, Down Below [W].  FIRST RESPONSE DUE.

Th  24  Leonora Carrington, Down Below [W].

 T  29  Edward­ Lear, limericks (any 10); Meret Oppenheim, sculpture (web); Antonin Artaud, radio plays (audio in class).

Optional: Gilles Deleuze, The Logic of Sense (selections) [W].  

Th  31  Samuel Beckett, “Not I”: performed by Billie Whitelaw and by Julianne Moore (compare).

  T  FEB 5   Aimé Césaire, “A Return to the Native Land” (English translation given with the French original) [W], esp. sections 1-31, 96-109; Lautréamont, The Song of Maldoror 1.1-1.8 [W].

Th  7  George Herriman, Krazy Kat (newspaper cartoons) [W].  SECOND RESPONSE DUE.

  T  12   Gertrude Stein, Tender Buttons (”Objects”).

Th  14  Gertrude Stein, Tender Buttons (”Food”). Gertrude Stein, “Interview” (1934).  

Optional: Stein, Tender Buttons, “Rooms.”

  T  19   Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Mysterious Object at Noon (film).

Th  21   Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Mysterious Object at Noon (film); Freud, “Mourning and Melancholia” (1917).

  T  26 �� Yayoi Kusama/Jud Yarkut, “Kusama’s Self-Obliteration” (video); William Pope.L, “Personal History of Curation” (drama).

Th  28  Gertrude Stein, “Four Saints in Three Acts” (opera, 1934), especially Act I minutes 12:30-20 and Act III min. 4-6 and 20-24.  About the original performance, with footage.  Video of “Four Saints” Overture.

  T  MARCH 5  Francis Ponge, “Soap” (poems).  THIRD RESPONSE DUE.

Th  7  Satoshi Kon, Paprika (film).

  T  12  Satoshi Kon, Paprika (film).

Th  14  final projects

  -------------------------------------------------------------------------

Suggested further reading:

 Christopher Bollas, The Shadow of the Object ch.1.  

 André Breton, Nadja (about the play Les Detraquées, pp.40-49, 51-54; about Nadja pp.63-144, 157-160) [W].

 Leonora Carrington, The Hearing Trumpet.

Maya Deren, “Meshes of the Afternoon” (short film).  Online.

Bob Dylan, “Visions of Johanna”; “Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat”

 Sigmund Freud, “The Uncanny.”  Standard Edition, Trans. Strachey. London: Hogarth Press.

 Lautréamont (Isidore Ducasse), The Song of Maldoror 1.9, 2.13, 4.1, 4.5, 4.6, 4.8 [W].

Also: Maldoror 5.2, 5.5, 5.7, 6. 2, 6.6, 6.7 [W]; Maldoror read in English: audio; French original text.

 Clarice Lispector, The Chandelier (novel).

 Franklin Rosemont and Robin D.G. Kelly, eds., Black, Brown, & Beige: Surrealist Writings from Africa and the Diaspora. Austin: University of Texas, 2009.

 Hortense Spillers, “All Things You Could Be” (essay).

 “SpungeBob SquarePants” episode S12E01 (or other episodes).

 D.W. Winnicott, “Transitional Objects and Transitional Phenomena,” “The Use of an Object” [W].

 Jim Woodring, "Frank" (comic).

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

📜𝙰𝚜𝚕𝚒𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝙵𝚊𝚑𝚛𝚒-𝙱𝚊𝚒𝚕𝚎𝚢 & 𝚂𝚊𝚐𝚎 𝙵𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚔𝚕𝚒𝚗

With Asli's parents watching over the girls for the night, it was nice to spend time alone with Eli and their friends. To spend time around the fire, eating some food and enjoying some drinks. Well, hot chocolate and pumpkin spice chai for her, that is. Getting to reflect on not only the summer, but the past year as well. At the last bonfire, her and Eli were still about a month into their relationship. Taking things easy and slow while they enjoyed themselves. Never would she imagine how much has happened, yet she was grateful nonetheless. And with Rosh Hashanah recently and Yom Kippur starting tomorrow, she was ready to start fresh. Not only with autumn, but 5784 as well. Noticing Sage nearby, she took a deep breath. Counted to five, tuck some hair behind her ear, and let it go. Grabbing some food she and Eli brought with them as she headed over to the blonde. "Hey," she said, her smile soft while she remained cautious. "Are you hungry? I may or may not have overpacked."

𝚌𝚕𝚘𝚜𝚎𝚍 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚛: 𝚎𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚜𝚞𝚖𝚖𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚘𝚗𝚏𝚒𝚛𝚎, 𝚋𝚒𝚐𝚑𝚘𝚛𝚗 𝚑𝚒𝚕𝚕𝚜 ; 𝚜𝚎𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚖𝚋𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟹𝚛𝚍, 𝟸𝟶𝟸𝟹 || @sagefranklin

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

Ever since learning about the blonde being her best friend's ex-wife, she knew that things were going to be different. That things would change—or, rather, go back to before the holiday gala. How that conversation with Sage had been a walk in the park compared to the stiff air between them. Now, all she knew was that Gia had stopped by Sage's and panicked over seeing Maggie. Yet now seeing the bar owner and how different the air was between them, a thought crossed her mind: what else happened? Did Sage know that her and Gia were close? She thought about Yas, which only added more questions. Questions that she desperately wished she could have answered. Questions that she needed to push to the far back of her mind, especially so that Maggie could continue having a fun day with her mother. "That's awesome! Though I absolutely envy you on that—I think I'm destined to fit in the kiddie rides with my girls until Rhia's big enough to not need me in one with her," she said the latter bit jokingly, though it did rang with some truth. Between her petite stature and how slender she was, she could still fit with Alex in most of the rides. And with Rhia still young, she got more years of kiddie rides. Looking back at Maggie, her features softened at the tiny blonde. How identical she was to Sage, yet she could see parts of Atlas there. "I still can't believe how big she's getting. I feel like she's going to be taller than me in a few years." ||📜@sagefranklin

Holding a conversation with Aslihan seemed to be a lot easier at the holiday ball — she supposed it was because she wasn't stuck on wondering just how much the other knew, not caring at all if she'd known about her and Yasemin at the ball. Now she cared, because it involved breaking Yas' heart instead. Maggie, however, didn't seem to sense her mom's tension and instead fell into the interaction, completely enthralled by the woman who'd greeted them in return. "That sounds nice," Sage finally mentioned with a nod, her hand settling on the top of Maggie's head for a split second, wild blonde curls tamed and pulled into a ponytail for the day. "We're having tons of fun, isn't that right, Mags? It's a girl's day for us. She's finally big enough to ride a lot of the kids' rides by herself, so she's been all about independence and honestly, I'm just a little glad that I don't have to squeeze into tiny helicopters and bumper cars anymore."

@draslihanxfahri-bailey

[zeynepxturkmen]

"I'm happy to hear that," they mused genuinely. After everything, Hero could only hope for good things to happen to her old friend and her family. Even though part of them wish that they could be in her life still. They've lost too many friendships over the course of their life and it was something that they were sick of. Sage was someone that they'd like to regain their friendship, but it was a feat that they couldn't do by themself. "If he could, he'd buy everything in my shop. Nah, I'm not too pressed. I just like giving him shit every now and then." Though, admittedly, they were avoiding the older man due to their and Jaiden's breakup. With how much Atlas had encouraged them to go for it in the first place, they weren't sure they could handle seeing him and potentially talking with him after things failed. "A couple years now, I wanna say. I use to be the manager of the Comic Lab before I took ownership of it, so I use to see him in and out before we became friends. He's a good dude." ||👾@sagefranklin

The reason why Sage never reached out to her old friend dragged on, displaying itself in the memories of their kids playing together, the mention of her own father fulfilling his grandfather duties... duties that the man once had taken away from him so abruptly. It felt like no matter what they talked about, or didn't, it all led back to Ruby, the loss somehow still lingering between them, the glue that once held them together. "Yeah, it's been awhile so... he's happy to spend as much time as he can get with her," the older blonde suggested hesitantly, though she was glad to talk about something not related to her older daughter. "Not sure how good of a customer he is, but that's the one." She nodded definitely. "In his defense we don't really have much of a chance to talk anymore. We barely get in a few words during pick ups and drop offs, if it's even me doing them. Things have just been... busy, I guess. But I'm sure he would've mentioned you eventually. How, uh, how long have you known him?"

@zeynepxturkmen

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

Smiling softly, she began to relax a little more. Asli had first been hopeful that Sage would agree to her little plan, especially after learning what position she used to play. However, as the blonde continued, she found herself becoming shock and confused. "Wait, what?" Face falling and brows furrowing, she glanced back down at Maggie to make sure she was okay before getting up and walking over to Sage. Her hands in the back pockets of her joggers as she processed the information. "I thought she knew you. I mean, I... I suppose I thought you've been in her life whenever Atlas had her and Maggie." The realization that Sage wasn't in Alex's life left her uneasy. Asli hardly knew Maggie; Sage hardly knew Alex. How was this going to affect the girls' in the future as they got older? Did Alex even know that Sage was Maggie's mum? Family was everything. Whether you were born into it or adopted or a found family through a group of friends who loved each other deeply, all Asli wanted for Alex was for her to have a family. Learning about Sage and Maggie, she assumed that Sage was going to be a part of that. Yet realizing how divided everything was... She found herself scared for the future and what could happen once the baby got here. "Um, yeah," she said, clearing her throat as she tried to focus. "It was... definitely unique. It hadn't been until I was fourteen when I joined a more traditional form of school and living. Well, sort of." As traditional as a fourteen year old in university could be, that is. Asli smiled slightly. "It's been an adventure, that's for sure. But... I suppose I like having roots now. I mean, I do intend to travel still whenever I can, but it's nice having a permanent place to return to at the end of each journey." Brows furrowing, she didn't recognize that name. "Ruby?" she asked softly before realizing she might be overstepping. "Sorry, um. I just, wasn't sure who that is and asked before thinking. But, yeah, I'm really lucky to have them here. My parents and brother moved here back in late summer of 2021 and my cousin's been living here for a couple of years now. We've only known about each other for a short awhile."

Sage shook her head with the other's offer for a place to sit. "It's okay, I spend half of my day on the floor. These old bones need the workout." A soft chuckle fell from her lips, though she wasn't quite at the old bones creaking the day away territory, she was sure it wouldn't be long. The blonde liked to think she did her best at staying fit, between being on her feet at the bar and the running and hiking she did on the trails above the city in Bighorn, she'd always enjoyed being in nature more than not and keeping in shape was a routine she'd kept from her days as a paramedic. "I was a midfield wing. I'd be more than willing to, but I doubt she even knows who I am. Playing with some old lady would probably be enough to weird a kid out." The only interactions she'd had with the little girl were at Atlas' during Maggie trade outs and she always tried as much as she could not to overstep when it came to Atlas' other daughter. She was Maggie's sister, but hardly anything to herself and that was never really going to change, as odd of a dynamic she found herself in. Did she really want to add another baby to it? The question she'd asked Atlas ringing in her ears, coming back to haunt her at the most unfortunate time. Thankfully, Aslihan's story gave her something else to focus on and she listened to it intently while the tiny blonde played at their feet with the toys the other had offered. "That sounds... amazing. Maybe not the orphanage part, but the traveling? That must have been something else to grow up while doing." She paused before nodding. "Providence Peak has a habit of doing that, hm? Growing on you. It's a hard city to shake off too. I've always loved the idea of traveling, but this is home. It's where I want to be at the end of the day, where my family is, like you said. Except my dad moved to Florida before I had Ruby, so it's really just my sister and me as far as family goes. Kind of the opposite of what you ended up with. Both parents, your brother, and a cousin? Wow."

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

The brunette nodded before smiling cheekily. "Well, now that you mention it..." She looked at her thoughtfully before giggling. While she loved the colour blue, especially the royal blue that was associated with the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, such as the Ishtar Gates, and the blue colour of the Red, Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas, there were some blues that she didn't gravitate much to. Then again, there were certain shades of many colours that didn't speak to her. Or, if they did, it was based during certain parts of the year and the season they were in. "It'd be pretty ironic if she turns out to be a complete lover for blue. I guess it's one of those things where we have to wait and see. Alex keeps changing her mind over which colours she loves, though she's currently in her rainbow era, which has been nice to work on considering the weather." All the bright pops of colours seemed to make everything better, especially the days when the skies are gray with clouds and snowing. She chuckled softly before saying, "Thank you. And I suppose you're right." After all, she's grown a lot since the woman she was seven years ago. It was only natural that that could be another factor as well.

Nodding, her smile grew more at the memory. "I still wonder how she was able to collect them all without anyone noticing for so long. Maybe she will. She's so passionate about many things that I truly have no idea what she might choose when she's older. Though one constant love of hers the past few years has been her jiujitsu lessons she's been taking. Maybe she'll do something with that when she's older." It has proven to remain one of Alex's most favourite things in the world. The woman knew she wouldn't be surprised if that ended up being her daughter's calling. Yet, we never knew what the future held. Sage's words brought a quick shake of her head. "You two wouldn't be intruding; You're family. And it would mean a lot to have you two over. Alex would be so happy to see you both over and to spend more time with Maggie." The woman wanted Alex to have good, strong relationship with her sisters. Both of them. The curators eyes looked behind Sage, the corners of her lips turning up as she giggled once she noticed Elijah, her poor partner trying his best to fend off an older woman very keen on flirting with him. "Sorry, but if you may excuse me, I have some competition," she joked, nodding towards her partner as his eyes caught hers, silently pleading for help. "It was really nice seeing you. I hope you'll consider coming over. It'd mean a lot to us." ||📜@sagefranklin

At least it wasn't blue. Anything but blue, she couldn't help but think. Not like she had any vendetta against the color, but it seemed that everyone's go-to suggestion for a color that would look fantastic on her was always blue (and they weren't wrong, but there's only so much blue a person could have in their closet before growing utterly bored of it). "At one point, I think I had more blue than anything in my closet, everything everyone bought for me was blue, every outfit they told me I looked good in was blue," Sage offered a lighthearted shrug. "I'm pretty sure it's the eyes, but I've made sure to spare Maggie from the same fate." There was some blue in the toddler's closet, though it mostly consisted of more toned down neutrals and other colors. "Well, you look fabulous now and that's really all that matters, right?"

She couldn't deny that Aslihan was pretty and she could see why Atlas had spent time with her, despite the woman being the complete opposite of what currently seemed to be the man's type. Sometimes types changed and that was okay, but regardless, the woman in front of her was gorgeous to a fault. "Buttons?" Sage couldn't help but laugh at the other's story, knowing just how weird of phases kids can go through from her time with Ruby. "Who knows, maybe she'll have a thing for fashion and save us all the headache of picking out outfits and colors in the future." The older blonde didn't know too much about Alex, but she did know enough to know whatever the little girl wanted to do in the future, she'd certainly accomplish it. "Oh, we would hate to intrude. Your time with her is important and the last thing you need is a rambunctious toddler taking up all of it."

@draslihanxfahri-bailey

[zeynepxturkmen]

Pressing her lips together, she tried not to show that she was hurt by Sage's words. Granted, them being in each other's lives was due to the children. How the twins and Ruby became close together, wanting to see each other as much as possible. It was only natural that their parents would spend time together as well because of those three. But, during that time, it had felt like a genuine friendship was brewing between her and Sage. She swallowed what felt like a thick ball down, trying to remember to breathe. To speak. "I know that," she started off. "And... you're right. Things are different and can't continue as like before. But that doesn't mean we have to stop being friends and in each other's lives, that we can't find a way to keep being there for each other. You're still Auntie Sage. That hasn't changed one single bit." Shaking her head, Zeynep continued, "We love ya, Sage. We always will." ||👾@sagefranklin

The moment officially growing too overwhelming in the definitely going to stop breathing sometime soon which is going to lead to inevitable panic-way, Sage was looking for a way to immediately exit it without looking back, yet the moment the other uttered the word wait, she paused, faltered, stilled in her steps though her chest still ached to be anywhere but there. "You don't... you don't have to do that," She reassured the other quicker than she intended, voice barely above the sounds of excited movie goers coming from all around them. "It's weird, we both know that. With... what happened... without... I know that. We don't have to pretend that things can just continue from what they were."

@zeynepxturkmen

[zeynepxturkmen]

It was hard to believe that just a mere handful of years ago, their families had practically been close. How their children had been close and how much they loved each other, wanting to be near each other as much as possible. She missed those days. She missed seeing the twins and Ruby together, laughing while they played whereas Zeynep and Sage caught up and spent time together as well. Now, the blonde was nearly a stranger to her. A factor that she wished could be changed. Their children were suppose to be talking about homecoming and prom. Talking about what colleges they're interested in attending in a few short years. Talking about dreams for trips, whether in the country or in another foreign country. Was Sage having those realizations as well? Was there anything that she could say or do that could help her in some form or way? No, she realized. No, there wouldn't be. Because how do you comfort someone after they've experienced one of the worst, most horrific ways to lose someone? If not the most horrific way?

"Guys, please," she pleaded softly. Trying to get them to stop the best she could. They had questions, she knows this. And usually would support them asking their questions. But now, however, wasn't the time for that. Not when it could risk hurting Sage even more. Meg pouted softly at the blonde's answer. Running her fingers through her hair, Zeyno said gently, "Hey, go on, you guys. Maybe try and grab us some good seats, okay? But don't you dare sneak into the other theater; Your sister's still too young for that movie." Stalling for a moment, her children soon nodded. Waving and saying their goodbyes to Sage and Maggie before taking off. Sighing softly, she looked back at the other. "Wait—" She tried to be quick. Pressing her lips together and gathering her thoughts. "Look... I really would like for us to catch up at some point. It can be just the two of us, if that would make you more comfortable. I miss you, Sage. I miss our friendship." ||👾@sagefranklin

Overwhelmed was the least of what Sage was feeling in that moment, confronted head on by a past she'd worked so hard to run from in the years that followed it, the most unexpected of moments after having gone so long without doing so. The only thing that was on her mind was the daughter she'd lost, realization flooding her thoughts that the little girl she once knew would be almost as tall as the twins were in that moment. She joked about them being whole adults, but that would have been her daughter too — an almost-whole-adult. The whole moment threatened to throw her into a spiral and she found herself barely hanging on to reality, the toddler's presence nearby the only thing keeping her grounded, her head no longer spinning as Maggie had been doing just moments earlier. She breathed and internally insisted that she could get through it and maybe, just maybe, she could go on avoiding the others.

She wasn't sure how realistic that would be, now that the kids were reminded of her presence, but she hoped for it all the same. The feelings of suffocating from the loss she'd experienced weren't something she could handle spiraling into again. "No, it's uh, it's..." Sage trailed off, her reassurance directed at Zeynep until the question of why she didn't see them anymore came into play. It wasn't a simple one to answer and the thought alone caused a slight heat to prick behind her eyelids. Between the memory of Ruby and the crowd growing in size in the theater, Sage shook her head and took Maggie's hand. "It's um, maybe best if she stays here with the adults. I'm sorry, kiddo." Despite feeling bad, she knew she would feel worse if anything happened to Maggie that night. Turning to Zeynep, she mumbled another quiet, "I'm sorry. We should... get going. I'm sure the movie's about to start."

@zeynepxturkmen

[zeynepxturkmen]

Looking between Sage and Meg, a realization came to her. Her face dropping. Memories of Ruby holding Meg flooded her mind, how careful the girl had been and just so sweet with then-baby Megara. It was hard realizing that her youngest daughter had been only a few months old when the tragedy struck. And, admittedly, it was hard to see Sage and Meg near each other and knowing that this must be hard for the blonde as well. Yet, what could she say or do to make this better? The only thing that would make this better was if Ruby was still here. And, unfortunately, that wasn't something that anyone would be able to make a reality. No matter how hard one might try.

'Getting close to it, yeah. But, dude, where have you been?' Zeyno's eyes widened at Leia's words. Shaking her head, she quickly tried to say, "Hey, guys, maybe cool it with the quest—" However, her words were completely ignored by her children. Luke had been happy to join in, soon asking, 'Whatcha been up to? Why don't you hang out with us anymore?' His twin nodded in agreement. Frowning slightly before saying, 'We've missed you, Auntie Sage.' The businessowner shut her eyes for a moment. Taking in a deep breath before letting it go. Opening her eyes, she suggested, "Hey, why don't you guys check out the games? See if you can best that claw machine? Give me and Sage a moment to catch up?" Meg had been the most excited, reaching out her hand to Maggie before looking up at Sage to ask, 'Can Maggie come, too, please?' Zeyno glanced over at the blonde. Waiting quietly for a moment. ||👾@sagefranklin

Maggie waved back toward the little girl that Sage didn't recognize, at least not at first. It wasn't until she did the math in her head, assuming the smaller child was around six years old, an age she had once known well, that the realization hit her. When she last saw Meg, she was barely more than a newborn; memories of them both helping Ruby cuddle the tiny human in her arms, something she mourned not getting to experience when Maggie was born. The breath had been knocked out of her lungs; hard, and collecting herself was more difficult than she could have ever imagined in the face of a big part of her past. Somehow, even jumping the hurdle into friendship with Olivia hadn't been enough to alleviate all of the sadness that still lingered from the loss of her daughter.

She had no choice but to continue with the interaction now that Maggie was successfully attempting to entertain the little girl in front of her with some twirls of her tiny witch costume, paying no attention to the heartbreak that was ripping apart her mom's chest. "Yeah, hey," Sage responded softly, nodding toward the twins. There was an inkling of guilt at the label auntie, the twins likely the closest she'll ever get to the semblance of being an aunt. "I'm, uh, I'm good." She nodded, motioning to the blissfully unaware toddler beside her. "This is Maggie. And that's..." Sage's attention drifted toward Meg as she trailed off, a certain heat pricking beneath her eyelids. "Wow. And you two." Her gaze shifted to the twins. "Whole adults in college with your license, right?"

@zeynepxturkmen

[zeynepxturkmen]

Zeynep never really liked it when friendships ended up falling apart. Considering that the only biological family that she had in her life are her kids, any friendship she ends up developing becomes precious to her. In her mind, at least, she considers her friends to be her family. When something happened to them, whether good or bad, she felt it. Whenever they are happy or sad, she could tell. So when Sage and Olivia lost Ruby all those years ago, part of her heart was with them. After all, the girl had been close with the twins and it'd been a challenge to explain to them as to why they wouldn't be able to see their friend again in the future. However, deep down, she'd hope that her mothers' would still be a part of their lives. Yet hearing that Olivia left and then Sage ghosting them, that became a pipe dream.

Now, Zeyno hasn't been living under a rock. She knew that the blonde was still around. She knew about Maggie. Yet after all her attempts of contacting the bar owner proved to be useless, she didn't try anymore to continue reaching out and reconnecting. So imagine her shock when seeing the woman and her toddler at the movie theater. Okay, obviously, it shouldn't be too shaking; A whole bunch of families were seeing Hocus Pocus. Yet, still, it left her pausing for a moment. "H-Hey," she said back. The twins and Meg confused for a moment, looking between the two—well, the twins were. Meg was waving at Maggie. "We, uh... We've been good. How're you, Sage?" Finally, a light switch in the twins' head. 'Wait—Auntie Sage?' Leia asked, looking back at the woman. 'Holy shit!' exclaimed Luke, ignoring the look and his name being hissed out by his obi. 'We almost didn't recognize you!' Meg began to pounce happily, repeating after her siblings, 'Auntie Sage, Auntie Sage!' However, she paused. Whispering loudly, 'Who's Auntie Sage?' ||👾@sagefranklin

— zeynep turkmen hocus pocus showing, cinematic.

In a city full of a few hundred thousand, running into people she'd met before wasn't out of the ordinary for Sage Franklin. In fact, it happened more often than not, ironically. Yet there was one person she'd gone years without accidentally running into, at least as far as she knew. Maybe the other had seen her out and about, but avoided her because what does a person say to someone who used to be a fellow mom friend and then just... was no longer a mom? Their connection had been with their kids, just a few years apart, and practically inseparable whenever they'd end up at the park together. Without that connection, she wouldn't know what to say either. It only took five years, and some change, to run into Zeynep again, a little older than the blonde remembered, but still familiar. Near her was a smaller child and two similar-looking teens... the twins. Her heart dropped, knowing the last time she saw them was when they were barely nine. If they hadn't made eye contact at just the right time, Sage wasn't sure she ever would have said anything to Zeynep, but by the time their attention connected, it was already too late. Closing the distance, Maggie's tiny hand in her own as the toddler swirled around in her witchy replica of Dani's Halloween costume, Sage smiled softly in greeting. "Hey, it's uh... been awhile. How have you been?"

@zeynepxturkmen

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

Nodding, she could possibly see why red was a colour the other would gravitate more around this time of year. From autumn bursting with reds, oranges, and yellows, and then red being associated to Christmas thanks to Santa Clause, though she wouldn't be surprised if the blonde simply enjoyed the colour as well and how it looked on her. Red felt very fitting for Sage. While the curator didn't know the bar owner as much as she had originally hoped she would, she knew enough to know that the colour of strength was a good choice for her. "I'll admit, I'm not surprise. Red's also a good colour for you. Though adding more green will certainly be fun. I've discovered that I like trying different colours and styles out, especially if it's fitting with the season and whether I have work, am at home, or out and about. I was sort of hopeless ten years ago; I tried to look presentable and my best, but I didn't want to stand out either, especially not in uni." Though, unfortunately, she hadn't been successful in that endeavor. No matter how hard she tried.

Eyes widening, a laugh burst out before she could stop herself. Her hand automatically reaching up to cover her lips. However, she couldn't stop giggling as she imagined the toddler hiding as many cookies as she possibly could. It was just too adorable. "I'm so sorry," she said, finally pulling her hand down and get herself together. Only for a smile to keep tugging at her lips, betraying her completely. "It's just... Alex was the same way at Maggie's age. Though instead of cookies, she was obsessed with buttons. I still remember how surprised I was finding this heavy shoebox beneath her bed just full of buttons. She just gave me the exact same smile Atlas has when he knows he's in trouble but is trying to get out of it. Unfortunately for me, it worked. She's grown out of her button-stealing phase, but I still wonder how on earth she collected all of them." It'd been one of those moments in parenthood that she hadn't been expecting. Though, in many ways, she should have. With Asli having a variety of her own collections and Atlas having his record collection, suppose it was only natural that Alex, too, would be a collector in her own right. Nodding, she chuckled. "At this point, I don't even consider them guilty pleasures. Why feel guilty over something that brings me happiness, even if only for a moment?" One never knew what life would send their way, after all. And with as many times as she has facing death yet escaping, she refused to feel any guilt when it comes to her happiness now. "Of course, you're all good." Thinking about her words for a moment, she glanced up at Sage. Smiling warmly before saying, "You know, um... I work at home Wednesday afternoons and all day Thursdays and Fridays. During my weeks with Alex, I pick her up early on Fridays from school. If you and Maggie ever wanted to stop by so that the girls can spend some time together and if you would like to join us for Shabbat on Friday nights, our door is always open. We'd be happy to have you over." ||📜@sagefranklin

While there wasn't a particular reason that green didn't exist in her closet more, she did know for a fact what did exist in her closet, and that was a whole lot of vintage bands tees, jeans, and a leather jacket that she'd loved to practical death since she was in high school. During seasonal months, like autumn or winter, she did have a few knit sweaters and leggings laying around for a more appropriate look, but even those tended to include more orange and red tones than green. Talking fashion with Aslihan was never something she expected to do and something she assumed the other didn't expect to sign up for either, so Sage gave a shortened explanation of it all instead, "No reason, funny enough. I usually tend to lean more toward red in my seasonal wear." Red, like the color of Yasemin's skirt in the distance, somehow standing out in the sea of season colors surrounding her. "I'll have to make an effort to add more green in the future though."

And she bookmarked the thought for a later date, most likely when she was out scrambling to procure the last of Maggie's 'most wanted' list before Christmas in the holiday rush. She'd quite possibly pick up a green sweater to add to her closet and, maybe, a matching red one for someone else's. "I can't tell you how many times I've dropped her off after she's stolen half a dozen cookies while we were baking. We should probably be worried about how good she is at thievery." Sage softly chuckled, not really worried at all about Maggie ending up as some burglar or, worse, an evil villainy. Even at just two and a half, the toddler was more well-behaved than most others, and the older blonde was already prepared to handle an Asher-esque teenager when the time came, no amount of cookie stealing could be worse than that. She offered a smile to the brunette, "I guess everyone has their guilty pleasure, right?" Food for some, but for her, well... she happened to show up with hers that night. "Oh good, I definitely didn't want to step on any toes. Maggie has about as hard of head as her father, though. Changing her mind once it's already set is impossible. She absolutely loves anything that has to do with Alex."

@draslihanxfahri-bailey

[draslihanxfahri-bailey]

"Is there a reason why you don't do so more often? Or is a more so a colour for special occasions? I know that I have some colours and items that I feel more drawn to wear for events like these." Yet, either way, the blonde would incredible. Though, after the two not really haven spoken much since Sage told her about Maggie years ago, it did feel a little strange to be having a rather casual, almost small-talk-like conversation. But, admittedly, she liked it. She liked getting to talk with her and she found herself hoping that maybe they would be able to slowly work on talking to each other more. Even though she was still a little confused about her and Yasemin, she was hoping for the best. And maybe, potentially, a fresh start leading into the new year.

Asli laughed slightly before rubbing the back of her neck. With the line of work she's had throughout her life and with how she was raised, the curator has always tried to look her best, even when it came to casual wear. She liked being able to have some form of control, especially with how wired her mind was and how easily she can get lost into her work. She also had Jasmine to thank for, always noticing how put-together her mother was throughout her life when it came to her style, her work ethic, and even with being a parent; Her mother always seemed to know the right thing to do or the right way to go about something, all the while never having a single hair out of place. It was one of the many things she learned from her. "Or you can give her as many cookies as possible and then send her right off to Atlas to enjoy the sugar-induced zoomies," she joked. Imagining the man trying his best to stay caught up with a toddler hyped up on sugar. "Yeah, of course! She completely devoured them, it really made her happy to see those treats. Part of me is still bewildered over how obsessed she is with those lollipops, but the other part of me shouldn't be surprised; I could live off of Paprika Pringles from Egypt like she could with her lollies." In so many ways, Alex was so much like her. While it was something she knew she should've expected, part of her still couldn't help but to become emotional over this fact. It only made her even more curious as to what else Alex inherited from her and what traits Rhia could possess that she got from her as well. Noticing Sage looking at Yasemin again, her questions from before came back. Yet, before she could gain the courage to ask any of them, the blonde looked back at her. And her words caused her to smile a little. "Please, no need to apologize. Alex has celebrated Christmas with Atlas the past few years and now with Rhia, we're planning on celebrating Christmas with Hanukkah this year since Eli and his family does. The reindeers were really cute and Alex loved them! Maggie's got excellent taste. But, I promise, the wrapping paper was more than okay." ||📜@sagefranklin

A few sips of champagne into the moment left her with the confidence to continue the conversation that fate (or maybe irony) had set up for them, a gracious nod at the woman’s compliments, a light flush to the tips of her ears thankfully hidden beneath the delicate curls of her blonde hair. “I’m always grateful for a chance to add some green to my wardrobe,” Sage agreed, her free hand that wasn’t holding on tightly to the champagne flute plucked at the pleating in her skirt, lifting it slightly before letting the silken material fall, the dark green shimmering in the crystal lights of the ballroom. It wasn’t her usual go-to style, that was always more leather jackets and band tees than silk skirts, but she enjoyed the opportunity to dress up when it arose, even if that opportunity was messy and confusing and left her unsure of anything, awkwardly dangling in a conversation with her daughter’s father’s ex.

As though her feelings for Yasemin weren’t messy enough with Asher involved, the memory of learning that the brunette was also Aslihan’s cousin surfaced and Sage’s stomach turned at the realization of just how messy her feelings could make things. If they weren’t just friends, that is. “Please, you’re always so put together every time I see you. I’d hardly believe you were a mother if I didn’t know the proof myself,” the older blonde teased with a gentle wink tossed in Aslihan’s direction. The proof, of course, was her own daughter’s technical half-sister. “Oh, Maggie’s absolutely obsessed with the holidays after this week, but I think she’s overdue for a cookie cooldown now.” A soft laugh tumbled from her lips. Another sip of champagne to quell the awkwardness turning inside her. “I’m assuming you came with Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome, but if I don’t get a chance to, can you thank him for helping me pick out the treats Maggie gave to Alex? I hope she liked them, he had some good suggestions when we ran into him at the shop.” She offered another smile of appreciation to Aslihan before her gaze flitted over the ballroom behind the woman, wondering if there were a possibility of Yasemin popping up at a convenient time. Alas, the other woman was deep in a conversation across the room and Sage eventually let her gaze fall away and back to the moment she was in. “Sorry about the reindeer wrapping paper. We weren’t sure if Alex celebrates Christmas with Atlas and we even picked up neutral paper, but Maggie insisted she would love it and it’s really hard to say no when she has her heart set on something.”

[zeynepxturkmen]

"Oh," they mused. Admittedly feeling their heart ache as she mentioned her father. Over the past fourteen years, Hero's tried to reach out to their parents. Tried to burry the hatchet and see if maybe, just maybe, they'd be interested in being in their grandchildren's lives. Yet every single time, they rebuffed them. Until, finally, Hero had been blocked from them through all sorts of communications. While it was one of the things that they joked about and tried to appear as if it didn't hurt them, it was all a lie. They were happy that Sage and Maggie got to have this with the older Franklin, thought part of Hero wished that they could've had something like that too. "I bet they're having a lot of fun together. Looks like he's fulfilling his grandpa duties to a T." However, with the change of topics, it was easy to move past how hard it was to talk about parents and them easily fitting into being the role of a grandparent. At least, they can get back into jokester mode concerning Atlas. "The giant doucehbag with the weird hair and beard? He's my second best customer and my favourite person to pick on. I love the guy." And he's buddies with my recent ex. Though Sage didn't need to know that part. "I see him at my shops a lot and we always mess with each other. I'm hurt he didn't tell you about me being his tormentor," they joked. ||👾@sagefranklin

There was no denying that Sage hadn't held up her end of the promise made when they'd run into each other during the Halloween season almost two months prior. She said she'd text and, low and behold, never did. Though she never planned to, if she was being honest, but what was she supposed to say? That she wasn't sure she could handle talking with a friend she'd made through her now-dead daughter and trust that she wouldn't end up spiraling ten fold again? People didn't want to hear about that when all they were trying to do was be friendly in an otherwise awkward situation. "Uh, she's with my dad, actually. He's in town for the holidays and wanted some grandpa time with her... which is just code for letting her watch Christmas movies all night and stuff herself full of cookies and milk." A soft chuckle fell from her lips, a whisper that was barely there. Her brow furrowed when she realized what the other said. "Wait, you know Atlas?" She hadn't remembered mentioning who Maggie's father was during their last run in and, while there was a very real chance that Hero may have snooped on the fairly few social media posts that she was tagged in, she couldn't help but wonder if the other happened to know the man in question.

@zeynepxturkmen