The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Welldrinker Cult
A shadowy group is gaining power, drawing in people who are curious, vulnerable, or malicious, and turning them into Mystics. They are recruiting people into their ranks to spread the influence of magic in the world, but for what end goal?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
The Metation Guild The Spellsword Guild Mansion English Teacher
Witchblade
palegreen
Bisexual
Married to Mirror
1,797
299
Apr 26, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -6
Aly
Rebecca knew the big red button she was handing over in her texts. The most destructive forces of man all rested at the end a big red button, and this one could destroy a connection she had always had for years; even when the two drifted apart, Agnes was not cut from her life. As much as a logical part of Rebecca’s mind knew they would be better off learning to live apart, her heart dreaded the idea that she may have exchanged her last words with Agnes. In some ways, it always felt like her life began when she found that girl in the garden. Now, the reality of that chapter in her life closing was growing more tangible with each passing second waiting for—
Hey, Listen!
k.
She knew it was coming, but Rebecca still found herself choking, as if all the air had been sucked from her apartment. Was one letter and one mark of punctuation mark enough to end everything they once had and everything she thought they might have left? Maybe she was expecting too much; their relationship was over and had been over for years. Before her return to New York, they were already living lives without one another, and while Rebecca’s stalled, Agnes’s flourished. If the violinist was wise, she might have realized she was nothing more than a Scottish omen of misfortune. She probably felt her thumb pricking at Gotham’s Lost Lady that night before Rebecca approached her.
It was over. They gave up. Years ago, Rebecca thought there was no force in the world that would make them give up; even when they broke up, she assumed Agnes would be around. Now, she knew better. They were toxic to one another; Rebecca stopped progressing without Agnes, and Agnes let Rebecca drag her backward. Maybe knowing, once and for all, that the door to her past was closed was the only way she could let herself move forward.
Rebecca closed out of the message, choosing instead to reply to Nessa.
It’s a really shit night. I would be shit company.
But… if you could deal with that, I’d love if you came by for a drink.
Maybe help me get my mind off that.
So you need a shoulder to cry on again?
To cry on or to bite, I’m still figuring that out.
OMW.
Rebecca got to her feet and dug through her closet, looking for something presentable to wear. It was unfair for her to be pulling another person into her night, but Nessa was the perfect candidate. Her relationship with Nessa was casual but fun, and she knew not to expect much from her. Serena was a great friend—too good a friend to not ask her to talk about what happened, and she was not ready for that yet. Juliette was nice, but frankly, had a boyfriend, and Rebecca wanted to flirt and charm and kiss someone who was as free and untethered as she was.
There was no string left connecting Rebecca to Agnes. She had been cut free, and it was time to let go of everything she was hanging on to since she left for England.
Dreamless and yet full of nightmares, that was how Agnes’ night went. When she would awaken, she wouldn’t remember any of the dreams that had plagued her grief-addled mind, but she would wake up in a slight panic, feeling as if she had been pursued, judged, and found guilty by a monstrous entity throughout the dreamscape. She woke up feeling choked and suffocated under the weight of her own misdeeds and it was the most horrendous sensation in the world. It was no wonder that a tiny gasp of air flew from the violinist’s lips as she sat up. She didn’t want to do any of that again.
Shakily and still groggy, Agnes tried to shake off the terrified jitters that rolled just underneath her skin and pulled off her now overly warm fleece blanket. As she sat up, she cupped her face in her hands, briefly catching the scent of the night upon her skin. In the darkness of that fleshy goblet, Agnes could heart the thunder of her heartbeat in her ears and breathed in slowly, calmly, trying to ease the harsh beat that pounded throughout her core. A few steady breathes and counting down to herself and she finally managed to quiet the drum…if only for a little bit.
Tired, puffy eyes surveyed the room around her and she found herself falling upon the idle phone that was situated on the coffee table. It had been turned off but she could still clearly see all the text messages that she had sent last night. She had been talking to the last person in the world that she should be talking to and it ended…well…it ended.
Agnes still had a hard time wrapping her mind around everything that was said last night. She had confessed to Rebecca what had been going on between her and River and the first thing Rebecca could think of to do was to sacrifice herself and the friendship that they had both wanted to recreate. Deep down the violinist knew that it was probably the better choice because it just seemed that ever since the two of them connected that issues were arising, i.e., the kiss that the two of them had shared. Maybe it was best that they didn’t try to pursue a friendship any further but the truth of that still stung Agnes deeply; it wasn’t fair.
Shaking the thoughts away, Agnes proceeded to move onto her feet and felt just a little too wobbly. She was clearly overly tired, even though she had just awoken. Rubbing her hands over her eyes, she turned and blindly headed to the bedroom, out of habit, and pushed open the door. However, what she saw there was a cold a shower as Agnes would ever need.
If there was one thing that Agnes knew about River Red Fish was that she wasn’t an early riser. The majority of the time Agnes was the first one to wake up and River tended to rely on her to be her alarm clock. I never bothered her because the young insect queen would simply provide her with a kiss to get her started in the morning, like Snow White. But what she found now was far different than what she ever could have expected. Not only was River already up but she was freshly showered, dressed, and in the process of packing a pair of suitcases. Agnes had never felt her heart stop before, but this time she certainly did.
”River?” she whispered in a barely audible volume.
River stopped, looked down, gulped as she folded up some more clothes and adverted her eyes as she placed more in her bags. A few heavy moments passed between them as River continued to pack a few belongings; it wasn’t everything she owned but it was clear that she was packing enough to be gone for awhile. When finally did speak to Agnes, she straightened up and took a shaky breath.
”The Traveling Symphony contacted me yesterday,” she said. ”Offered a temporary job with them for the next three months…”
Agnes shook her head, slowly walking towards her. ”River…”
The young Sioux continued nonplussed. ”I said yes.” Ziiiiiiiiiip! went we duffle bag as she finished packing it. Hand on her jean-clad hip, she turned to face her fiancée (ex, at this point?). A heavy sigh and she went on. ’You’re right…okay? I’m…I’m not happy here. So I’m going to where I last remember being happy and…figure some things.”
Agnes sniffled, her eyes welling up she tugged her sleeves down to her palms and rubbed her eyes. Nibbling on her lip, her wings drooped sadly as she turned away, looking down at the ground. One question still rolled through her mind, even through her closed eyes and the sadness that enveloped her. In a mouse-like squeak of a voice she asked the most important question she could stomach to ask.
”What about us?”
River gulped. She stared hard at Agnes for the longest time. There wasn’t malice or anger but more just confusion and pain; even her own eyes were starting to twinkle with tears. Moistening her lips, she stepped forward, looming above the violinist, and then leaned down to kiss her salty cheek. Softly she bumped her forehead into her lover’s and responded in just as low a whisper.
”That’s what I need to figure out.”
The rest of the day went agonizingly slow for Agnes. She tried to keep busy but wherever she was in the apartment, all she could see and hear were the sounds of River gathering her things and milling about as she waited for her ride to show up. When they finally did, the two of them could say nothing comforting or meaningful to one another. All that occurred as an awkward and brief hug before the harpist disappeared out the door, leaving Agnes a puddle of tears on the couch.
ONE WEEK LATER
Agnes wasn’t sure how time had passed the for the last couple days. Without another body in the apartment, her home felt alien and distant from her. It wasn’t her home anymore, it was just a tomb of a relationship that she didn’t know was still going or not. Additionally, it was the place that she didn’t feel comfortable any more. Every square inch of the space reminded her of River and only caused a resurgence of the whirlwind of emotions that swirled inside her mind. That first day was spent in utter grief but as the time ticked away, she moved into other emotions – including anger.
She was mad. At everyone. At no one. At herself. Nothing was safe from the anger that chaotically pulsed inside the young woman’s chest. While at first she was saddened by River’s decisions, she then started to grow angry at her. She had been problematic ever since they moved and then flipped her lid because she thought she was having an affair. It didn’t escape Agnes’ mind that, yes, she did kiss her ex, but that was hardly carrying on an illicit affair!
Oh how these thoughts just fed into Agnes’ anger that she was near constantly buzzing inside of her own chest. Her nest of insects were riled up, ready to lash out at anything she commanded them to but she held them back. It was on the second day of this road trip of emotional damage that Agnes finally realized that she needed to get out of the house.
This was how a jean-clad, beige coat-wearing Agnes Nicholas found herself sitting in Central Park, her legs crossed and staring, but not seeing, anything before her. She needed space, she needed to breath, and most importantly, she needed to not be home. Pulling her phone from her pocket, she idly started to flip through her contacts, wishing that there was someone she could call. Gina wasn’t around and she really didn’t know anyone at the mansion anymore, and her classmates from Julliard are all on their own lives. She was about to give up when she paused on the one name that she had neglected to delete from her contacts – a single name with a little heart next to it.
She shook her head. It was supposed to be done between them, finished. They were bad for one another. But at this point, needing any kind of distraction, even the ghost of a former life, Agnes did what she never should have done. She tapped the message button.
I know we decided to stop but…can we talk? I’m sorry to bug you.
[SEND]
She paused, looked over the message she sent and rolled her eyes. Quickly she followed it up.
The Metation Guild The Spellsword Guild Mansion English Teacher
Witchblade
palegreen
Bisexual
Married to Mirror
1,797
299
Apr 26, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -6
Aly
”Just because there is no class today is no excuse to stay in bed forever, you lazy lump.”
The words broke through the wall Rebecca’s dreams placed between her and reality, and consciousness started taking hold. She rolled over in her bed, her eyes still closed, but her arm found an empty space. Finally allowing her eyes to flutter open so she could get a handle on the situation she was in, she propped herself up, her elbows sinking into the soft mattress.
Looking around the room as her eyes adjusted to the brightness of the space, she noticed Nessa shimmying herself back into her jeans. This was not the first time she got to watch that bottom squeeze its way into denim in the morning. Nessa had come to her place a week earlier to take her mind off the truth that she and Agnes were done. Nessa was great for keeping Rebecca from overthinking with nights of pizza and Chinese food, alcohol, video games, and… other activities that involved less clothing.
Nessa had been over every night since the concert, and she had to keep reminding Rebecca that she was doing nothing wrong. Rebecca had been single for years, and she had to stop thinking that moving on meant cheating on Agnes. The accidental kiss was a mistake on both of their parts, but it was their last mistake.
It was not easy trying to cut herself off from Agnes, because it went against her basic instincts. Nessa actually helped for the first two nights by keeping Rebecca’s phone out of her hands, (and keeping her hands otherwise occupied.) By the third and fourth days, Rebecca was able to take her phone back and only look over her contact list a few times each day.
The more she understood she was single and free to pursue whatever interested her, she had to start contemplating what she was doing with Nessa. She was fun, hot, and incredibly easy-going. They spent an obsessive amount of time together and Rebecca was not getting tired of her, but was there a future there? Rebecca was not the type of girl who entered into “casual relationships,” yet it was feeling more like Nessa was her friends with benefits. If Nessa wanted something more from her, she was not giving anything away, evidently content with their situation.
”Wa nae?” she asked in a whiny voice, sitting up with the bedsheet wrapped around her bare body. ”We can spend th' whole day in bed; that's whit Saturdays ur fur.”
Nessa approached the bed, still bare from the waist up, allowing herself to reenter touching range. Rebecca promptly took advantage, hooking her fingers into the belt loops of Nessa’s jeans and pulling her in. ”Come back tae yer sexy lump.”
The cheeky comment earned a chuckle, but Nessa shook her head as her fingers ran through Rebecca’s hair, smoothing out the mess left behind by a night of sleep. ”So you’re my lump now?”
Rebecca pouted and batted her eyelashes. ”Ah’m mah ain lump. But yoo're th' one Ah loch tae shaur wi'.”
Trying to win the argument and keep Nessa from walking out, Rebecca started leaving kisses across Nessa’s shoulder, collarbone, and chest. The brunette stifled a moan or two before laughing to keep the redhead from taking control of the situation. ”You are super tempting, hun… but I have to get to a meeting with my production network.”
It was a good argument, and one Nessa knew Rebecca, as a fellow content creator, had to begrudgingly respect. Accepting a small kiss on the lips from the winner of the dispute, Rebecca meekly whimpered an, ”Okaaaay,” and watched as Nessa gathered her shirt from the ceiling fan. The gamer girl gave one last goodbye kiss, confirmed their plans for a movie that night, and departed for her meeting.
Rebecca held true to her word, only extending her body just far enough off the bed to grab the laptop on a nearby nightstand. The clock on the screen confirmed it was indeed afternoon. She could be a responsible adult and use the remains of the day to run errands, but before thinking of anything responsible, she wanted to laugh at silly internet videos for an hour or two. Right now, that was all she wanted out of life: Uncomplicated.
Hey, Listen!
Assuming Nessa forgot something, Rebecca grabbed the phone from under her pillow and checked the new message icon from her lock screen.
I know we decided to stop but…can we talk? I’m sorry to bug you. Pun not intended.
Rebecca might have laughed if her heart had not stopped at the sight of Agnes’s name in her phone. She already decided two nights earlier that if she received a text like this, the best choice would be to politely refuse the conversation and remind Agnes that their decision was for the best. She was so committed to the idea, and told Nessa she could be her support system if she could not bring herself to hit send.
It was the hypothetical moment people concocted in their heads where an ex-lover reached back out to rebuild a burnt bridge, and like every concoctor before her, Rebecca was convinced she had the conviction to be the “stronger” one.
Except Nessa had left, and it was hard to think about her when Agnes was peeking through the keyhole, asking to be let in.
You’re not bugging me, but the jury is still out on your pun.
She sent the first message, staring at her phone, thinking of what else she could say. Mutation based, pun based humor, go!
I guess you can’t escape my magnetic pull drawing you in.
The second message went through, but she doubted it hit Agnes’s phone before Rebecca was regretting making a remark like that, especially given their recent history.
That was lame. And inappropriate. Sorry. Anyway, what’s up?
Rebecca set aside her laptop and fell back so she could rest her head on a pillow while smothering her face in the other, (not failing to notice the lingering scent of Nessa’s wildberry shampoo.) ”Whit ur ye daein’, Becca?” she asked herself, her voice muffled by the pillow.
In all honesty, despite their background and the horrendous way in which things ended the last time that they talked, she wasn’t expecting a reply. The last night that the two of them conversed, Agnes found herself having the absolute worst night. River was mad at her, she was feeling worthless, and the only person that she could even think to contact was the last person that she should have. The night had gone terrible and now, about a week later, Agnes found herself once again in a situation that she very much shouldn’t have.
Sitting on the park bench and letting her crystalline eyes survey the world around her, Agnes tried to keep herself busy. The way her fingers pulled and played with the edge of her sleeves, how she shifted from side to side on the hard bench, even the manner with how she looked and peered through the park around her. It was clear that the woman was looking for a distraction, anything to keep her from thinking about everything that had occurred. Sadly, her mind kept drifting back to her empty apartment, the side of the closet that was now bare, and of course the heaviness of the ring that was still sitting on her finger.
When Agnes eyes locked onto her engagement ring, the young woman found herself staring at it longer than she wanted to. The rose gold with the sparkling solitaire diamond twinkled refracted light directly into her eyes. Anyone else in her situation may have just decided to leave the ring back in its body, to take a little vacation from wearing it, but for Agnes that was seemingly quite impossible. It was such habit now to slip that ring on her finger that by the time she left the house this afternoon, even after all the tears and anger that swelled within her, she slipped it on without a second thought.
She really hoped it wouldn’t be like this for the next six months.
The thought of that alone sent Agnes into a bit of a whirlwind. How were those next six months supposed to play out? Was she just supposed to bury herself in work? Pick up a hobby? She couldn’t think of anything that could quell the anxiety that dwelled in her heart so Agnes did what she usually did in these situations – she contacted the one person she knew could help her; the last person she should be turning to.
It wasn’t until after Agnes had set the message that she regretted it. Things had ended and there was no need to bring anything back up, why couldn’t she just let it go? The Scot had been gone from her life for so long there she owed her nothing. She had moved on herself and found a beautiful and sweet girl! But the second she came across trouble, who did she turn to but the redheaded Scot. No, she will figure this out on her own. Besides, it wasn’t as if Rebecca would actually text her back. It was her idea that they stop talking and would be pretty stupid if she had repl—
A quick and gentle violin solo played on her phone. Glancing down to the screen, she found that there was a new text message waiting for her, from Rebecca. She gulped as she stared at the unread message. She shouldn’t jump to conclusions, maybe Rebecca was just responding to tell her off? That seemed incredibly likely. With a swipe of her finger she unlocked her screen and read.
You’re not bugging me, but the jury is still out on your pun. I guess you can’t escape my magnetic pull drawing you in.
For the first time in the last week, Agnes actually smiled. It wasn’t a big smile, more of just a grin or a smirk at reading Rebecca’s chastising remark about her bad pun. Puns were swiftly met with such words ever since they were friends, it warmed her heart to gaze upon that familiarity. However, the rest of the message, about the magnetic pull of the Scot had struck a little deeper to home than Agnes would have liked. She tucked her lip in, chewing in thought as she closed her eyes and set her phone down on the bench next to her. This was a mistake. She knew that it was just a harmless comment but there was so much weight to the words, so much that had tossed Agnes’ life into a whirlwind that she could scarcely catch her breath.
Shakily her fingers hovered over the phone’s screen. She was going to respond with a simple “LOL” and some vague comment about being suddenly busy and needing to go. However, before she could begin to write that all out, another message came through. Her head tilted in curiosity, she read the message to herself.
That was lame. And inappropriate. Sorry. Anyway, what’s up?
Thank goodness Rebecca was self-aware enough to realize how her comment could have been misunderstood. With a small breath of relief, Agnes took a second to stare at her phone. How much should she really say to the young Scot? They were supposed to not be on speaking terms anymore and yet here they were, engaging yet again. But should Agnes tell her everything? At this point, why hide it? But still, there was something that didn’t seem all-together kosher about it. In the meantime, she took a breath and replied.
It’s all good. I Just, you know…I don’t want to go home, right now. River…she moved out.?
The Metation Guild The Spellsword Guild Mansion English Teacher
Witchblade
palegreen
Bisexual
Married to Mirror
1,797
299
Apr 26, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -6
Aly
Now that Rebecca was officially back in communication with Agnes, something compelled her to get out of bed and locate clothes to wear. She was suddenly hyper-aware of her nakedness, and something about it felt dirty. She had shared her body with Nessa, and no sooner was her lover out the door that she started talking to the ex-girlfriend she had committed to staying away from. Now her guilt was coming from two angles: she felt guilty for talking to Agnes while Nessa was away, and she felt the same guilty feeling that her time with Nessa was somehow a betrayal to Agnes.
Both thoughts were absurd. Rebecca and Nessa had yet to have “the talk,” so to the best of her knowledge, the redhead had not yet entered a committed, monogamous relationship. Just because Nessa was spending all her nights in Rebecca’s bed did not mean no one else could make a move and find a spot under those sheets to claim. Beyond that, Rebecca was not sexting an ex, she was initiating a conversation with Agnes, someone she cared about, despite her best efforts.
It was equally crazy to feel dirty talking to Agnes because Rebecca had just been with another woman, because Nessa was not another woman. To be the other woman, there had to be an implication that one was “the woman,” and Agnes did not have that role—not with Rebecca anyway. Agnes had long since moved on with her life, and one momentary indiscretion was not enough to warrant a refreshed mourning period.
Rebecca found a pair of jean mini-shorts and a tank top, which she was in the process of being entangled by when her text alert went off once again. Forcing the top down her body and smoothing it out, she returned to the bed where her phone was laying on a pillow with an open message.
It’s all good. I Just, you know…I don’t want to go home, right now. River…she moved out.?
…
Rebecca felt ill. What was she doing? What was Agnes doing? Processing the contents of the message, she had to resort to taking deep breaths to calm herself. River left? Had things gotten that bad? Or did Rebecca make things that bad?
The thought made Rebecca want to throw up, but the desire not to see pad thai noodles and tequila splattered across the hardwood forced her to keep control of her stomach. The last thing Rebecca wanted to do in her return from New York was ruin Agnes’s life. Of course she was envious of River, and it was tough to see Agnes happy with a new woman, but she never meant to undo an engagement with one misplaced kiss.
How did Rebecca respond to that?
Oh no, what happened? Did she move out for
[DELETE]
She could not ask if River was gone for good; at best, it was not her place to ask, and at worst, it made her intentions seem selfish.
Oh no, what happened? Was it m
[DELETE]
Definitely not. Asking if it was her fault was selfish, and this was not a moment for Rebecca to take the spotlight. Agnes was the one hurting, and she needed support.
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m here to talk, if you need to
She almost added “come over,” but a voice in the back of her head told her to tread cautiously. For all she knew, River and Agnes were at a low, but might work things out. Agnes accepting an invite over to her ex-girlfriend’s apartment could be the final nail in their coffin—from all available evidence, it was the nail that started this fight in the first place.
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m here to talk, if you need to keep texting. My phone is fully charged and here for you.
Finally ready to accept that the text was not going to get any better, but should not cause trouble, Rebecca hit send and got to work cleaning her apartment—a nervous habit she only ever did when there was something troubling her.
The problem here was that Agnes didn’t have any one else to turn to. If her self-adopted sister, Gina, were about, then she could turn to her for advice, or maybe even Sveta. Sadly, she had lost touch with a lot of people when she joined the traveling orchestra and she had chalked it up to it just being one of those things that happen when you get older. After all, making friends in school and trying to maintain them as you grow up is a difficult thing to do. It was difficult for communication-inept Agnes so it was a little wonder that she had any friends in this world. The only other people she had were a part of the traveling company that River was running off with. That meant there was only one person, one person with which she desperately wanted to make things work.
Agnes didn’t know why she kept turning back to Rebecca. It was clear that the two of them had their own issues to work out. The kiss the two of them shared during their drunken meeting was wrong, especially since they had already done this kind of thing before when Agnes was with Jasmine. And yes, she said some things that she probably shouldn’t have when she had left, but now she was running back to her because she needed to vent? Agnes just felt disgusted with herself that she kept doing this, not only to her, but to Rebecca too. Then again, it wasn’t as if Rebecca was fully blameless either.
She sighed as she sat back against her bench and rolled over the thoughts of the recent events in her head. She knew that Rebecca was drunk but she heard, as clear as day, that Rebecca was upset that she had seemingly given up on her. What was Agnes supposed to do with that? The two of them had broken up and it wasn’t as if the very next day the violinist jumped into bed with someone. It took a year and a half before she had her first official date and even then that ended terribly. Suddenly Agnes wanted to start being angry at the redhead but she knew that she couldn’t focus on those thoughts too much as the young woman was just a whirlwind of emotional baggage. She needed to focus on one thing at a time.
Taking a slow, deep breath, Agnes tried to just focus in on the world around her until she heard the buzz of her phone in her hand. Hefting it up, she swiped and tapped until she pulled up the latest message from the Scot:
Oh no, I’m sorry to hear that. I’m here to talk, if you need to keep texting. My phone is fully charged and here for you.
Agnes read the message twice over. She didn’t know why but she was expecting something a little more. An invite over, maybe? Even to actually talk voice-to-voice on the phone? She wasn’t offended but she did find it rather odd. In no way did it occur to her that it was safest for the two of them to communicate in this manner. Rolling her neck in a vain attempt to shake off the tension, Agnes uncrossed and recrossed her slender legs as she held the phone up and stared at the message. Where would she even begin?
Agnes tried to start a message but found herself deleting it and restarting and deleting it again. For whatever reason she just could not get the right words out so she sat there, staring at the grass and trees around her, like a poet looking for inspiration. Despite her distaste for poetry, she wished that that was indeed the case right now. But she would take things slow and start with one word, then again, and another after that, writing through the blurry tears in her eyes. Before long, she had a message that she could send out.
Thank you. She left a few days ago. Rejoined the traveling orchestra we were a part of for a three month job. Admitted that she wasn’t happy and that she needed to ‘figure things out’.
[SEND]
She sniffled, staring at the jeweled ring upon her finger. She should have left it home but habit betrayed her. Now she was stuck carrying this massive and unsure weight upon her finger, with no idea as to whether it still means anything or now. With a steadying breath she pushed on and followed up her text with another before Rebecca could respond.
This is the first time out of the house since she left. I couldn’t stay there anymore. I just…I don’t want to go back in there.
[SEND]
Reaching up she wiped the tears from her cheek as she shook her head. She needed to stop…again. Rebecca wasn’t the answer to her problems and she needed to stop interjecting into her life like that. Another quick text was sent.
I’m sorry to be a pest. You wanted out and I understand. I’ll stop messaging you. Thank you for listening as much as you have. I’ll figure this out. Bye.
[SEND]
She wasn’t trying to come off as cross; that wasn’t her intention. Truthfully Agnes was just done feeling so sad and sorry and tugging at Rebecca for attention. That clearly wasn’t her place anymore and Rebecca pretty much told her that they needed to stay away from one another. She could respect that honesty at least. However she didn’t turn off her phone and instead just set it down upon her lap and tried to figure out a plan. Maybe she could check into a hotel for the day and figure out what to do later. All she knew was that wherever she ended up, she didn’t want to go back to that apartment. Not yet.
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Apr 26, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -6
Aly
SLAM!
Rebecca hit a series of buttons on the now-loaded dishwasher to begin the wash cycle. She liked starting her cleaning with the dishes because it was quick to rinse plates and glasses before tossing them into a machine and leaving them alone. Moving on to her next self-imposed task, she grabbed a broom from her closet, ready to work on any lingering dust and cat hair littering the wooden flooring of her apartment.
She wanted to be available for Agnes while she was under such emotional duress, of course, but Rebecca was still learning what being there for Agnes meant now. Her emotional support had to be carefully measured, lest she do more harm than good.
Hey, Listen!
The phone had migrated with her, sitting on the kitchen counter so she could keep it within an arm’s reach as she cleaned. Rebecca wasted no time opening up to the newest message.
Thank you. She left a few days ago. Rejoined the traveling orchestra we were a part of for a three month job. Admitted that she wasn’t happy and that she needed to ‘figure things out’.
Not only was River gone, she had been gone for days. She finally came clean with how she had been feeling since the couple came to New York, which Rebecca remembered Agnes admitting, under the influence of some wine, she wished her fiancée would do. Of course, there was no way Agnes wanted that truth to come out as River was on her way out the door; she wanted to communicate so they could work on their issues.
Before Rebecca could contemplate a response, another message came through.
This is the first time out of the house since she left. I couldn’t stay there anymore. I just…I don’t want to go back in there.
Rebecca felt guilty knowing Agnes was stuck alone in an empty apartment dealing with the departure of the woman she loved. The guilt was multi-tiered. She felt useless for spending her nights avoiding her feelings and conflicts, burying herself in Nessa’s bosom to hide from messy reality, meanwhile Agnes was genuinely hurting. How could she claim to care about Agnes if she was unable to be there for her through her worst times?
How could she claim to care about Agnes when she caused her worst times? There was the kiss and her role in destabilizing Agnes’s relationship, but even worse, she could not stop drawing parallels to her own parting years earlier. Was this what she did to Agnes when she left? She left behind a beautiful young woman, sitting in a once shared apartment, dealing with that loss alone.
It was hard to understand why Agnes would still return to her for comfort, not because Rebecca wanted to withhold it, but because she had no right to stay in the woman’s life if all she could do was cause ruin.
Hey, Listen!
I’m sorry to be a pest. You wanted out and I understand. I’ll stop messaging you. Thank you for listening as much as you have. I’ll figure this out. Bye.
It only took one reading of Agnes’s last message to get Rebecca typing. There was a pang in her heart and she needed to explain herself.
That’s not true. I didn’t want out. I just didn’t think I could offer you anything good. I’m sorry. I felt guilty that I might be responsible for this. I thought you’d be better off without me, not the other way around. Aggie, there’s no way I could close my door to you. If you need me, you know where to find me.
The idea of Agnes being a pest was absurd. She needed to know that Rebecca never saw her as the problem, and if she truly wanted to seek solace in the redhead, she would oblige.
I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this alone. But it’s three months; maybe it’ll help give River some perspective? I can tell you know, it won’t be more than a month before she starts realizing how special the girl she’s missing in New York is.
No one could related to River’s situation more than Rebecca, as the only other woman who made a career-based choice to walk away from a girl like Agnes. From experience, much of her first months in England were spent regretting her decision. Of course, Rebecca was not engaged to Agnes, and River had not called off her relationship when she left. As Agnes’s friend, she wanted to keep optimism and hope alive. As hard as it would be for the heart-broken violinist to accept, some time and distance could do wonders for returning clarity to a difficult situation.
Rebecca returned to sweeping, but did not bother setting her phone down right away. She slipped it in her back pocket, where it poked half out given the unjust flaws in women’s clothing.
That was that. Her last message to Rebecca should have been enough to close the door, for good. Deep down that wasn’t what she wanted, she wanted her friend back, for at least some sliver of what they used to have so that she could hold onto something happy in this time of crisis. But it was toxic now, whatever they had was not good for them and she needed to recognize that; she had to accept that. Still, the violinist found it difficult every day to convince herself of that fact. The day after River had left, when Agnes was little more than a crying heap in bed, the thought occurred to her to call the young redhead but she couldn’t bring herself to do it. As much as she wanted this to work out, maybe it just wasn’t supposed to.
With the sobering thought of their friendship coming to an end, Agnes stood up from her bench and carefully set the phone in her pocket. She was tired of being outside and she was tired of crying. That was it, she was going to check into a hotel room and hopefully get a restful night’s sleep. However, Agnes didn’t get two steps before she stopped at the sensation of buzzing in her pocket. Pulling the phone out, she face the screen a glance, expecting an official good-bye from Rebecca and instead finding a small, digital novella from her.
That’s not true. I didn’t want out. I just didn’t think I could offer you anything good. I’m sorry. I felt guilty that I might be responsible for this. I thought you’d be better off without me, not the other way around. Aggie, there’s no way I could close my door to you. If you need me, you know where to find me.
She didn’t know why but that actually made the brunette smile a tiny bit. As much as she knew that this was toxic, that it couldn’t be good for them, she was somewhat thankful that the door wasn’t fully closed to her. Rebecca would always occupy a place in her heart, no matter how hard she tried to hardened that portion and seal her away. The young Scot would forever be a part of the violinist’s psyche and part of her was glad for that. With a steady, calming breath, Agnes nodded but halted her response when a second message came through.
I’m so sorry you’ve had to go through this alone. But it’s three months; maybe it’ll help give River some perspective? I can tell you know, it won’t be more than a month before she starts realizing how special the girl she’s missing in New York is.
Hope was something that Agnes was in short supply of these days. After everything she wasn’t quite sure that a pleasant ending was in store for River and herself. She wanted to believe it was true, she really did, but in the pit of her stomach there was a ever-growing void that seemed to suck in any thoughts of a reunion or that River would come to her senses. Agnes wasn’t faultless in this, but the two of them had played their parts in screwing this relationship up. That was why, hearing someone else cheer for them, a third party, actually made the young violinist smile.
Taking a deep breath she felt some of the tension lift off of her shoulders as she stood to her full height, stretched her lower back and started on a path through the park. Silent footfalls led her on across the old, cracked pavement, winding through the park and moving towards the border where greenery ended and steel and glass began. As she walked, her thumbs flew as she typed up a quick response.
Thank you. I appreciate that. I’m going to check into a hotel. Maybe sleep for a few…days. I’ll text you later, ok?
With that handled, Agnes pulled up her location app and started a search for local hotels with high ratings in her price range. If she was going to wallow, then she was going to at least try to wallow in luxury.
As luck would have it, the fist and affordable option that would present itself to Agnes was the 1 Hotel Central Park located just on the outskirts of her location – and they had a room available. Now Agnes would have been happy with just a regular room but there was a last minute cancellation on a City Suite that was available at an extremely low price – how could she say no? With a destination in mind, Agnes purchased the room for a few nights and made a beeline for it. The rest of her stuff was back in her apartment but she was going to fine with picking up just a few odds and ends for the next few days. It wouldn’t kill her bank account to do so. Besides, this was in most respects a break-up, correct? She deserved to splurge a little.
The rest of the day moved fast for Agnes. After she had received her confirmation that she would be staying in the hotel, she detoured into a local string of shops to purchase some clothing. Of course it wouldn’t be an easy task considering the wings on her back but Agnes made do, finding some cheap sleepwear, toiletries, and some clothing to wear throughout her days. It was a waste considering she had plenty of clothes back home, but, again, she was willing to ignore that for the time being.
Once that chore had been eliminated, Agnes found herself sitting in a fancy suite, freshly showered, her eyes still red from a fresh set of crying that she had participated in. It sucked but she hoped that she was at least getting all the bile out. For the next couple hours, Agnes laid in bed, dressed in a fluffy bathrobe, curled up under her blankets with the curtains drawn. Though she sought to escape this kind of behavior, she was thankful that at least she wasn’t at home doing this – it took the sting out of it somewhat.
After a restful nap, another long, hot shower, and snacking on a complimentary apple, Agnes was sitting in an overly cushiony chair, reading a book on her fully charged phone. The crisp red apple was delicious but it wasn’t really doing much to quench her hunger; and that was when a thought occurred to her. Backing out of her book, she flipped into her recent messages and pulled up the last one that Rebecca had sent. The Scot did say that she wanted to be there for her – maybe she’d be open to hanging out a little bit?
A deep sigh and Agnes convinced herself to write the next message she would sent to her. Taking a big bite of her apple and holding it between her teeth, Agnes tapped to start a message but squeaked when her phone suddenly snapped a picture. Her fingers were overly sticky and Agnes had never been good with devices. She figured it was just a picture of the room (not realizing the picture was pointed towards her) and proceeded with typing out a message to send:
Hey. Um…I know it sounds weird but you want to have dinner? I kind of don’t want to be alone. I can bring a pizza if you want? Spicy buffalo wings? The milk of a virgin goat?
[SEND]
Agnes was so enthralled in her message that she didn’t notice that her sticky fingers had accidentally hit a button that would attach a photo to her text message, a photo that would show a rather candid Agnes with an apple in her mouth, wearing an oversized bathrobe that hung off one shoulder and exposed her pale skin. Agnes noticed none of this and figured that the length of time it was taking to send the message was just a reflection of the internet quality provided by the room. Maybe this place wasn’t as fancy as she thought.
The Metation Guild The Spellsword Guild Mansion English Teacher
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Apr 26, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -6
Aly
Rebecca was grabbing the pan to brush the collective of dust and hair into so she could toss it, feeling the mental comfort of knowing her floors were clean. She was able to rationalize her choice to go on a cleaning spree, figuring Nessa might appreciate that her... whatever Rebecca was… cleaned the house to prepare for her. It was important for her to remember how much she was enjoying her time with Nessa so she didn’t fall completely into old habits.
Still, when the phone alerted her from her pocket, Rebecca was quick to reach for it.
Thank you. I appreciate that. I’m going to check into a hotel. Maybe sleep for a few…days. I’ll text you later, ok?
Rebecca understood the feeling Agnes was dealing with, and could only offer her sympathy. It was refreshing to know that Agnes understood her intention was to be a friend if one was needed. Heartbreak was hard to go through alone.
Do that, and whenever you wake up from hibernating, let me know. Enjoy the hotel! #treatyoself2017
Content with her message and the effort she was putting into getting things right, Rebecca set aside her phone again, but used the momentum she had already built to continue tidying up the apartment. If she was already up and out of bed, it might have been worth milking this productive mood for all it was worth.
What she expected would be a lazy weekend afternoon had led to her floors being wiped clean and shiny, her stray clothes washed and put away, her furniture vacuumed of cat hair, and despite her failing to see the point of the act itself, her bed made. It was refreshing to let the cool air filter in through the window, swirling around the lemon scent of cleaners, but Rebecca felt exhausted after her nonstop cleaning and organizing. She took a long, steamy shower, washing the sweat and dirt from her skin and only left the water when she felt as cleansed as her apartment.
When she returned to her room, she toweled her body off and wrapped her hair before looking at her now folded and cleaned clothes. Her hand hovered over a tank top before she assessed her day. She was alone in her apartment, set to relax for the rest of the evening, with her likely company for the night being Nessa. Nothing about that evening summary required actual clothing, so Rebecca grabbed a comfortable but lacy bra and a pair of underthings that complimented them and lounged on her cat-hairless loveseat, (while Domino sought to undo her work, curled up on the armchair.)
Content to flip through a comic book on her tablet, Rebecca heard the familiar Hey, Listen! of her phone harken from her coffee table twice. Much to the woman’s surprise, the messages came from two senders.
Finally done for the day. Praise your friendly neighborhood deity of choice. Still wanted me to come by?
Hey. Um…I know it sounds weird but you want to have dinner? I kind of don’t want to be alone. I can bring a pizza if you want? Spicy buffalo wings? The milk of a virgin goat?
Life was just like that sometimes. Rebecca had a nice quiet day alone while Agnes and Nessa went about their own activities for the day, however different they may be, and yet everything converged as both girls vied for her attention at once.
Making a choice was not simple. It was not that she was choosing between Nessa and Agnes, (she kept reminding herself vehemently.) The situations were different: Nessa was a fledging romantic endeavor she had seen every day for a week, and Agnes was a friend (now) who was going through a challenging time, and who Rebecca had just that day offered to be available when she needed support. As much as her plans with Nessa existed first, that was an unfair basis to make a choice on since all plans with Nessa had thus far been made as one woman left the other’s apartment in the morning.
She was not choosing Agnes over Nessa. She was choosing to help a friend in need rather than hang out with the girl she was interested in, and that was the right choice.
I’m so sorry Nessa, a friend of mine reached out and is having a really rough go of it. I think she needs someone around for support tonight.
Rebecca did feel bad sending a text that was intentionally vague, but she saw no good coming from naming Agnes as the friend in need given all Nessa knew about their history.
When Rebecca opened Agnes’s message properly, she noticed something that was hidden when the message was living in her notification: an attachment. It took a moment for the phone to load the image, but when it did, she could not help but laugh out loud, startling Domino. Agnes had never been tech savvy, and while some might have seen the bathrobe-clad photo as an attempt at seduction or teasing, Rebecca knew that the apple-munching musician was completely unaware she was taking a photo of herself.
Rebecca had to respond with a picture of her own, but she had to do so tactfully, keeping the camera high. She was not going to put on a shirt just for this picture, but she did not want to send a shirtless picture to a technically engaged woman. The shot only caught the tops of her shoulders upward, betraying only the smallest amount of bra strap which, in the image, could have been passed off as a tank top strap. Her hair was still wrapped in a towel and she scrunched her nose and stuck her tongue out at the camera.
Aggie, I’m so glad I’m back because someone needs to teach you how to handle your phone.
Really though, come over, pizza sounds divine. And there is nothing wrong with goats who make the choice to embrace their sexuality! #nogoatslutshaming
Both texts were sent in quick succession, and Rebecca bounced off the couch to go pick out clothes. While answering the door in her lingerie would be a great way to greet Nessa, it would likely just cause more problems with Agnes.
As the minutes ticked away, Agnes was feeling less and less guilty about contacting Rebecca. The two of them had been honest with one another, they felt bad about where they were in their lives and while they both recognize that there was still a lot of baggage to be had, and it didn’t make relationships the safest space, the both of them were still willing to try and work things out together. Any chance of romance was seeming gone so that meant that friendship was what was in the works for them. It was a far cry from what they had, but Agnes was willing to try to get themselves back to that point of friendship, before they were lovers. It was going to be tough but considering that River was now gone, and for three months, Agnes knew she needed someone to talk to.
Setting her phone down on a table, Agnes stood up and walked across her roo m in the fluffy bathrobe and the oversized slippers. The bits of apple she munched on echoed loud in her ears as she made her way over to her bags of new clothing and began to dig around for something to wear. Even if Rebecca had decided against wanting to have dinner with her, Agnes could still treat herself to a meal outside of this room. Today was the day that she was just going to leave to herself and she would deal with all the heartache and problems tomorrow.
After pulling out a glossy, peach-colored halter top, Agnes tossed it onto her bed as she also pulled out a pair of faded, chic blue jeans, and tossed them over as well when she heard the tell-tale sound of her phone buzzing on the coffee table. Apple once again in mouth, Agnes walked over and plucked her phone up from the surface and swiped. She jumped and had to giggle at the strange image that met her.
There was a new picture on her phone, one of Rebecca from the shoulders up, sticking her tongue out at her. That make the young violinist snort and giggle a little through the apple in her mouth. It was a stilly picture, one that reminded the young woman of better days, days when the two of them were other. They would send pictures like this all the time. But as lovely as that memory was, the brunette had to wonder what had prompted Rebecca to send it. That was when she had scrolled back and saw that she had sent her a rather embarrassing candid picture of her own.
She cursed to herself. She really needed to learn how to use this blasted device, especially since the last thing she wanted as to send off pictures that made her look like some pig getting ready to be roasted. She shook her head, irritated and embarrassed with herself, as she read the next message that the redhead had sent.
Aggie, I’m so glad I’m back because someone needs to teach you how to handle your phone. Really though, come over, pizza sounds divine. And there is nothing wrong with goats who make the choice to embrace their sexuality! #nogoatslutshaming
She snorted again as she read the message and shook her head. It didn’t occur to her how strange it was that the woman had such power over here. She had spent the last week wallowing in pity and self-loathing and here the young woman had already managed to pluck up her spirits. Maybe if Agnes had been in a better state of mind she would have noticed the change in her behavior, however it seemed that she was too swept up in actually feeling good for a change to comment on it.
Her cheeks flushed, she responded:
God. I look like I’m ready to be put in the ground at a luau. You delete that right away, Rebecca Grey. Otherwise I’m sure my career will be in jeopardy.
[SEND]
Pizza it is. I will drop my Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom on my way over. Give me about an hour, okay?
She was glad that Rebecca didn’t have plans for the evening. It was very well that she could have and simply didn’t inform the ex-runaway, but for all she knew Rebecca had a clear schedule. Of course she had her back-up plan of going out by herself to get a bite to eat, but she was actually very happy to spend the evening with someone else, even in a chatting, friendly capacity. She needed to feel good again after this last week. However, this time she was going to make sure to stay as far away from the alcohol as possible. No need to repeat that kind of mistake.
As Agnes started to get ready, she stopped and held up her phone as she sent off one last reply to Rebecca before dressing.
#hashtaggingdoesnotmakeyouright
The hour would pass sooner than was expected. After Agnes got dressed in her new clothing, a halter top with a peach sheen, jeans, and wedged shoes, the young woman showed up outside Rebecca’s door wearing her camel-haired coated with purse in one hand and two large boxes filled with steaming hot pizza in the other. This felt oddly good, and normal for a change. She had even put on make-up for the occasion but nowhere near glamorous as when she performed, just some light touch-up to her features and nothing more than that. After all, this was just a meal with a friend and nothing beyond that.
And, as if to counter-act any invitation of alcohol, in her purse sat two bottles, one a regular soda and the other orange soda. Agnes was here and fully prepared to just bond as friend. So, steeling herself up, she knocked lightly upon the door and called out.
”Immigration here! We have report of a Scot without papers in residence! Let us in!” she shoutd yet silently snickered.
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Apr 26, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -6
Aly
After the last time she invited Agnes over to her apartment, Rebecca would have expected herself to be in a fit of anxiousness knowing her ex-girlfriend was going to come back. Much to her surprise, she was awaiting the reply to her phone with excited anticipation. She knew none of their old sexy shenanigans would be taking place that night, but that was not what Rebecca was thrilled by this time. Something felt so normal about Agnes and Rebecca spending the night eating pizza, hanging out, and just being there for one another.
The phone barely got to start with its Hey, Li— before Rebecca opened up the message eagerly.
God. I look like I’m ready to be put in the ground at a luau. You delete that right away, Rebecca Grey. Otherwise I’m sure my career will be in jeopardy.
Pizza it is. I will drop my Mario’s Mushroom Kingdom on my way over. Give me about an hour, okay?
Laughing at Agnes’s first message, Rebecca scrolled back up to the image, vividly picturing what she was talking about with the apple wedged in her mouth. She might delete the picture later, but she had to let Agnes sweat it out first.
I’m sorry, are you talking about my new contact photo for you? And wallpaper for my phone? And the picture on my new favorite t-shirt?
An hour and not a minute more, young lass! I’ve started the clock.
Rebecca returned to her outfit selection process, trying to decide where the line was between being too nicely dressed and too much like a slob, but as she was weighing the options between a tank top or a t-shirt, her phone called out to her once last time.
#hashtaggingdoesnotmakeyouright
Rebecca snorted, glad Agnes was willing to roll with her millennial sense of humor despite her technical aversions.
The hour would pass more slowly than Rebecca anticipated. Once she picked out a ruffled purple camisole, a pair of relaxed jeans, and her flats, the soon-to-be hostess had surprisingly little to do. After spending most of her day cleaning her apartment, there was nothing to tidy up for company. Agnes was bringing the food, so that was one less thing for her to take care of, and after their last get-together, Rebecca knew better than to prepare wine for the evening.
Rebecca was watching one of Nessa’s most recent videos on her phone, thinking about her… whatever Nessa was to her. She did not feel guilty, because she had done a good job convincing herself there was no reason for guilt. When she saw Nessa in person, she would explain that Agnes was the friend in need. Over text, it might get misinterpreted, so she wanted to have the power to provide context.
Finally, through the door, she heard the shouting of a familiar voice claiming to be immigration. Like a snarky jerk.
Rebecca opened the door and delicately grabbed Agnes by the arm, pulling her into the living room, laughing and shaking her head. ”Ha ha, yoo're hilarioos, Aggie. Lest hin' Ah need is mah neighbors questionin' wa bonnie immigration officers ur bringin' food tae mah flat.”
Gesturing inward, she invited Agnes to make herself comfortable, taking the pizza boxes from her and leading the way into the kitchen area. She set the box down and grabbed plates, directing Agnes to the drawer where glasses were for the pop.
Opening one of the pizza boxes, Rebecca was hit by a satisfying, familiar scent. The pizza was covered in pepperoni and banana peppers, cooked well done so the pepperoni was slightly crispy. Smiling, she turned and looked back to her friend. ”Aww, ye remembered mah favorite pizza.” It was comforting having a friend around who had put in the time and effort to know the little things about her. However this was going to work, she was sure having Agnes in her life would make it better.
She didn’t know why but this was the first time in awhile that Agnes was actually thankful for a bit of silliness. River was always good at that from time to time, but lately, especially after moving to New York, those times occurred less and less. It was tragic, to say the least, to be devoid of those small little moments of levity, those instances where for just a moment you forget the troubles of the world and just smile and laugh at the inherent goofishness that lies within the hearts of every man, woman, and child. Though tragedy was the predecessor, right now Agnes wasn’t thinking of that. She was just thinking of smiling.
The door opened quickly and a pale, freckled hand grabbed her by the arm, pulling her inside with a giggle. Agnes smirked, a small surprised squeak falling from her lips as the redheaded Scot pulled her in and admonished her for bringing suspicion about “bonnie immigration officers” appearing in front of her home. Agnes merely shrugged her shoulders innocently as Rebecca took the pizzas from her arms and gestured for her to step deeper into the apartment.
There was a moment, just one, where Agnes’ eyes drifted over to the couch, the same couch where, several nights ago, the two of them had shared a drunken kiss. It was comfortable and familiar, but at the same time it was one of those moments that helped to define what led up to her recent separation. The sight of it made Agnes’ heart beat a little faster, a little harder, but she stopped herself from letting her mind swirl on the carousal of guilt. That was the past and that wasn’t what this night was about. It was about just hanging out with an old friend. Nothing more.
Heading inside, seemingly already knew her way around. She peeled off her camel hair coat and set it upon a coat rack near the door and removed both fizzy drinks from her bag. As Rebecca busied herself with opening the pizza boxes, she was tasked with grabbing glasses for the soda. Agnes’ iridescent wings picked up the light in the kitchen, reflecting an array of rainbow colors into the eyes of whomever looked upon them. But Agnes was too busy to notice such things as she grabbed glasses and gave them a quick rinse and drying before returning to Rebecca’s side.
The look of satisfaction on Rebecca’s face was all that Agnes needed to smile in return. She knew her ex-girlfriend far too well and while the years had passed and some details forgotten, just a few moments in the woman’s presence brought back all the minute details that she used to remember.
Agnes smirked as she pulled out a bottle of Rebecca’s favorite soda, cracked open the top and poured it into one of the glasses and then proceeded to do the same with her own soda. The scent of the pizza wafted throughout the entire kitchen, involuntarily making the young violinist salivate. It was probably the first time in the last few days where she felt anything akin to hunger.
At Rebecca’s comment about remembering her favorite, Agnes gave an innocent shrug. ”Some things are hard to forget.” Picking up the glasses of their drinks, Agnes retreated back into the living room. After all, when was the last time either of them had ever used a kitchen for dining? As she did so, she continued to talk. ”Funny enough, Mr. Mario and his wife Peaches are still running the place. They recognized me. I barely started to talk before they already had the order baking.” She snickered as she set the glasses down on the coffee table and slowly returned to the kitchen, hands in her back pockets as she returned to her friend’s side. ”They asked how you were.” she tilted her head curiously. ”Is it a bad sign that after so long they remember our order? Did we really eat that much pizza?”
The Metation Guild The Spellsword Guild Mansion English Teacher
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Apr 26, 2024 19:08:16 GMT -6
Aly
The scent of the pizza wafting through her apartment was enough to get Rebecca salivating. When she was an American, she spent time experimenting with her pizza orders until she found the right order for her. Pepperoni satisfied her primal need to have an animal-based toping that added spice to the pizza, and the banana pepper added a flavorful, tangy taste. There were other good pizza toppings she might occasionally switch to, but this was, in her opinion, the God-Tier Pizza Combination.
When she was not adoring the pizza, Rebecca was sneaking glances at her guest. There was no ill-intent in her peeking; she wanted to be sure Agnes seemed comfortable being back in her apartment. Both women were aware of what transpired the last time Agnes came over, and if she was not careful., she may just ruin the apartment permanently. It would be easier having Agnes as a friend if she could come by when the mood hit her, so making her feel unsafe there was not an option.
Agnes made it clear that she did not foresee forgetting the redhead’s pizza order anytime soon, and it was hard to argue. Rebecca still had an encyclopedic knowledge of Agnes’s favorite foods, preferred shampoo, and guilty pleasure shows. They had too many memories to forget the little details that were such an innate part of their relationship.
Details like Mr. Mario and his wife. It was the pizza place the girls relied on through their last years of college. They were walking home from a date to the movies, and a rainstorm hit. Giggling, they ran under a nearby red-and-white stripped overhang to escape the rain, and were hit with the tantalizing scents coming from within. A nice older Italian couple, they let Rebecca and Agnes hang out in the shop until the rain calmed down, and they in turn bought two delicious large pizzas, (accompanied by an order of Peaches’s cappuccino cake on the house.) Fans of kind people and delicious food, the spot became their regular destination whenever a craving hit.
Rebecca was glad they had not forgotten her, even if they were curious what Agnes might have told them. Secretly, she hoped they would have felt disappointed to hear Agnes was engaged to someone that was not her. It was petty, but she liked the parts of their past to remain theirs.
Watching as Agnes returned from the living room where she left their sodas, (including Rebecca’s cherry cola, another favorite,) Rebecca smiled at her question. She grabbed the pizzas she plated and reminisced about the slightly less healthy aspects of their old diet. ”We waur tois gals in college. It's a requirement 'at ye mair ur less bide oan pizza, Chinese food, an' late nicht drife thru runs.”
Rebecca handed Agnes her plate and stepped toward her armchair in the living room. ”Nae ‘at Ah minded.” Of course, there were nights where one of them would cook, but they were both so busy, most nights it was easier to bring food in to the apartment, so they could save as much valuable time for one another.
She was relaxing, which was good. But there was still a heavy weariness in the violinist eyes as she looked after her ex-girlfriend finish preparing their meal. She was thankful to be out with anyone, to be honest, even if it was just to share a pizza and watch a stupid movie or stupid ViewTube videos. But she couldn’t help just the smallest pang of guilt that still nestled in the corner of her heart. She was tired, clearly, emotionally bone-weary from the past week. Losing River and the uncertainly of her relationship with her fiancé (ex-fiancé maybe?) was weighing heavily on the young woman and there wasn’t much more she could take.
But tonight would be innocent enough. Sure the last time that the two of them had been here they had succumbed to the drunken allure of one another’s lips, but right now, at this moment, Agnes was vowed that such an incident wouldn’t happen again. They were friends and they were going to make it work, they had to. There was comfort in the familiar and at the moment Agnes could use all the comforting that was offered.
Continuing their playful discussion, Agnes left the sodas and commented on the disturbing fact that the owners of their favorite pizza place still remembered their orders. Throughout their time in college, both Agnes and Rebecca had developed their own personal tastes, especially when it came to the cheese and tomato covered concoction. For Rebecca, her favorite (after some experimentation) had been pepperoni with banana peppers; tasty for sure. But for Agnes her favorite was a little more uncommon – Canadian bacon with pineapple. Oh how her roommates would skew up their faces whenever they ordered pizza together. But it was her favorite so who were they to judge. Rebecca never did, not even the Mr. Mario or his wife Peaches. She was always thankful for that little nest of acceptance.
Thankfully her fears that they ordered too much in their time in college were seemingly unfounded. Rebecca dismissed Agnes’ concern, stating that they were in college and apparently that is just the requirement for a starving college student. Agnes could see that. Pizza was cheap, affordable, and could fill you up. Not to mention many places are open into the late-late hours when students are still up and studying. It seemed like a pretty lucrative business, especially in this day and age.
Agnes snorted as she took her plate in hand and returned to the living room. As Rebecca settled into her comfy armchair (no place to be sat next to until Agnes wanted to straddle her lap, which was good), Agnes claimed a spot on the sofa, nearest to Rebecca but separated by flooring and opposing armrests, and a comforting gap of open air.
”I didn’t mind either,” she smirked. ”I’m also wondering if maybe I chose to go into the wrong business. Seems like they make some good money, especially in this town.”
Agnes gave a little shrug of her shoulders but smirked as she picked up her glass and took a sip of her fizzy orange soda. She sighed with satisfaction as she set it back down and reclined back into her seat, plate with pizza in hand, and closed her eyes. It was good to feel some of the weight lift off of her shoulders but she guessed until she actually heard from River that there would always be some there. She had checked her phone obsessively in the past few days but no news from her fiancée had managed to find its way to her. She knew that she was safe, though. The traveling company always made sure everyone was safe. However, with that in mind and clearly nothing bad having happened to River, that could only mean that she was fine and actively ignoring her -- that alone made Agnes sigh.
But she shook those thoughts away as she took a bite from her pizza and chewed a bit thoughtfully. She didn’t want to think about that kind of stuff right now. There was no point obsessing about what she had no control over. All she could do was live her life and let the cards fall where they may. So, with such a mindset in mind, she turned back to Rebecca and gave her a shy smile. She hoped she wasn’t being quiet for too long.
”So! What do we have on the agenda?” she asked. ”I’m pretty much a blank slate. I haven’t seen or watched much in the last year. Traveling with the orchestra means limited TV access and I’ve been too busy here in New York. So, what do you think? Some ViewTube? Maybe try to binge some Chess of Crowns? Beautiful Big Fibbers? Maybe nothing from the W.C., though. I hear their superhero shows are kinda campy and suck. I mean, who can make a series based on Crimson Crossbow and The Blur? Seems silly. But I here Paranormal is good.”
The Metation Guild The Spellsword Guild Mansion English Teacher
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Aly
Rebecca handed Agnes her pizza and did her best not to make a face. While they were dating, she never judged Agnes for her love of pineapple on her pizzas. Out loud. It was something the woman she loved really enjoyed, and she did not have the heart to call her out for her terrible taste in pizza toppings. If anything, she was an amazing girlfriend for occasionally accepting a bite offered to her by the enthusiastic pizza heretic. Her father told her, (in a piece of advice he probably did not expect to be sharing with his daughter,) that the key to a good life was keeping her woman happy and appreciated. Rebecca appreciated Agnes, terrible taste and all.
”At leest ye hae a plan B,” she responded with a smirk to Agnes rethinking her career choice. ”if ‘famoos, talented violinist’ gits borin', Ah'll happily help ye open a pizza shop.” Rebecca would just be in charge of vendors and inventory, so she could conveniently miss certain orders so she could spare more poor college students from the tragedy of overly sweet fruit ruining their late night meals.
Rebecca took a sip of her cherry cola, feeling the bubbles popping on the surface of the liquid filling her glass to the brim. She could feel the popping and fizzing tickling her nose, making it scrunch up as she drained enough out of the glass to make it safe from accidental spilling. She followed it up with her first bite of pizza, letting out a soft, ”Mmm,” at the satisfying, nostalgic taste taking her back to college.
Yes, they were no longer together, but even when they were romantically involved and living together, Agnes was Rebecca’s best friend. Not every night involved intimate cuddling and steamy sex. Well, most nights did, but there were plenty of nights where those things were not the focus of the night. With all the rigors of work and school, it was most important to take the time to relax and do nothing with Agnes so they could recharge their batteries and enjoy each other’s company as they watched some silly comedy or trashy telly drama.
Things felt familiar, but she knew they were not the same. Looking past the delicious pizza in front of her, she found herself watching Agnes as she looked ahead of her, unfocused and troubled. It was clear what was on Agnes’s mind; River was away, but in a way, she was there with them that night. It was a sad thought, but not because Rebecca wanted Agnes unfettered by her ties to her fiancée. She wanted to be there for her friend to keep her mind off of her struggles. ”Aggie…”
Fortunately, Agnes finally came out of her trance and asked about the evening itinerary. She was behind on television, but thankfully Rebecca was equipped with a WebFlix account and a Wuhu account for optimal catching up. (Both services were sponsors of her channel now, so she got to enjoy the perk of free membership, not that she would brag about that.)
Rebecca decided to sidestep the comments about the superhero shows on The W.C. because, for any of their flaws, she was addicted to them. ”Ah pure mean, they micht nae be everybody's cuppae tea... but, Ah mean, some fowk jist hae bad taste in tea.” And pizza.
”Sae ye’ll choose.” Rebecca grabbed the remote for her Smart TV, (which, to her, felt like a justifiable expensive purchase,) selecting the shows Agnes mentioned so they would pull up a background image and a short description. Of course, Rebecca knew the shows well enough to provide what she felt was a more accurate description.
”Chess ay Crowns. Medieval fantasy politics an' dick measuring—sometimes literally, wi' plenty ay drama an' death an’ plot twists and… weel. lots ay sex.” Rebecca glanced over at her ex-girlfriend, trying to picture what it would be like to get through gratuitous sex scenes involving all combinations of men and women. They could die of embarrassment or die of laughter; it was a coin toss. ”Next!”
“Beautiful Big Fibbers. Hink mystery suspense story ay high skale girls bein' manipulated by a nameless stranger, wi' plenty ay relationship drama, cattiness, an' betrayal. Probably th' pinnacle ay guilty pleasure trashy telly.” It was Becca’s guilty pleasure show, but she wondered if Agnes would be helped or hurt watching relationship troubles and breakups play out on screen. It could possibly make it easier to distance herself from the reality of what was happening to her by watching cliché, overly dramatic characters go through it.
”Paranormal… We’re nae watching Paranormal.” Rebecca considered it, but the show did not appeal to her, despite having so many elements that, separately, sounded like it should. The fanbase did not help; she still remembered losing a small group of followers when she voiced her opinions online.
”Ur we can watch ViewTube. As lang as it's nae mah videos. Eh'd spend th' whole nicht anxioosly watchin' ye watch me,” which was specifically the situation the wanted to avoid that night. ”Pick yer poison, Aggie.”