𝒔𝒌𝒚 𝒇𝒖𝒍𝒍 𝒐𝒇 𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒈.

[beccabartleys]

     ( victoria pedretti. cis female. she/her. sky full of song & florence + the machine. ) i heard REBECCA “BECCA” BARTLEY singing the other night, though it didn’t sound like english. it’s so admirable that someone who’s only TWENTY-SIX can sing latin so fluently! i hear they hang out with the NOCTIS coven, but they’re also a SEAMSTRESS at ANDROMEDA’S ALTERATIONS. when dusk falls, you can usually find them heading home to BROOKLYN by BICYCLE. ( bonnie. 21. she/her. est. )

INTRO / PINTEREST / PLAYLIST.

[beccabartleys]

BECCA.

A SEAMSTRESS MAKES SENSE, seeing as rosamie worked in fashion. not like he knows much about the fashion industry to begin with. roger nods, offering her a smile.   “ i’ll keep that in mind, ”   he lets out a laugh. he can’t remember the last time he got any of his clothes altered , mostly because he doesn’t own nice things. roger excuses himself and puts in her order, returning ten minutes later with the food.   “ here you are. anything else i can get you ? ”

     BECCA ONLY SMILES, knowing that it’s more of a niche industry, and roger doesn’t strike her as someone who would be in that niche. no offense to him, but most of the time she gets uppity people from manhattan, and he seems to be the opposite of most of her clientele. her stomach grumbles as the food is brought to her, and she shakes her head at the question. “i think this is it for me for now,” she tells him before looking up at him. “thank you.”

[beccabartleys]

CIAN.

open // closed for @duskstart​

location: outside some bar/lounge

     Cian couldn’t figure out which was worse in his mind. A permanent label of destruction on his father’s business or the fact that the family name was tarnished. Of course, everyone knew this business was the true pride and joy in the O’Riley household. It was Killarney’s way to escape the disappointment he held in regards to his family. But to Cian it was just a cruel reminder of how much his father didn’t care for him and what a sick joke to be now in charge of the business. He’d let the place rot if it wasn’t for the regulars who Cian had grown used to having around. 

     Instead of figuring out what to do next as he should be doing, the idea of drinking away into a decently sized stupor sounded much more entertaining. He was bitter, angry, and looking for a way to not be reminded of anything. His steps were out of line as he walked back to his truck, keys jingling his hand before they fell to the ground. Before he could pick them up, someone else already did. “Hey! What the fuck you doing?”

     BECCA ALMOST DROPS THE KEYS at the sound of the other’s voice, her eyes going wide. she had meant to just help the other, but now she isn’t too sure if she should give them back. “i was just going to pick them up for you,” becca says in a soft voice, the hand with the keys falling to her side. “are you alright?”

[beccabartleys]

SABINA​.

PEOPLE LOVE PHYSICAL ATTENTION, especially when they’re vulnerable, so Sabina makes sure she provides Becca with that as it helps her with opening up. Besides the obvious that it builds up their relationship, further getting it where she wants. She can tell she’s thrown her off guard with the way she touched her chin, and naturally she doesn’t stop, no, she lets her thumb gently trace the hand she’s still holding. “I find that hard to believe,” she says with a light scoff. “No one ever told you you’re the cutest person they ever met? How rude.”

     BECCA LOOKS DOWN, gaze settling on their joined hands. sabina has to just be feeling sorry for becca, she tells herself, but even then, she enjoys her attention too much. maybe this is just one thing she’ll let herself enjoy. “now, you’re just being ridiculous,” she says with a genuine laugh, eyes meeting the other’s once again. “i guess i do feel better, so thank you for that.” because she’s just assuming that’s been her plan all along.

[beccabartleys]

SABINA​.

SHE GIVES BECCA’S HANDS A GENTLE SQUEEZE, letting her thumbs trace her skin up and down, up and down. When she reveals the cause of her sadness, she can’t say she’s totally surprised. Emotions always make people vulnerable, it’s a primary reason she doesn’t go there. It’s not worth it, and it’s a waste of time. “How idiotic of them,” she says with a small smile. “The problem is clearly with them. It’s their loss, really.” She moves to brush a loose strand of Becca’s hair gently behind her ear, hand going below her chin so she looks straight at her, her other hand still holding Becca’s. “If you ask me, anyone who spends a short amount of time in your presence will automatically want more of it.“

     GOOSEBUMPS FOLLOW WHEREVER SABINA’S TOUCH GOES, and she already feels embarrassed for having that reaction. sabina and her are friends, or at least, that’s what becca believes. becca lets out a bitter laugh, shaking her head. “i appreciate the effort, but-” and she’s caught off when sabina touches her chin, mouth going dry. she clears her throat, but even then she doesn’t know where she was going with that anymore. “i think you’re the first person to ever really say anything like that to me before.”

[beccabartleys]

SIMONE.

“ WE’LL GET YOU DRUNK AFTER YOU MAKE DINNER, ”   simone smiles, grabbing two glasses to pour them drinks.   “ and i can’t remember the last time i’ve had any kind of potsticker, so i’m not sure i’ll notice the difference. ”   after passing becca a drink, she grabs the bottle of wine to put in the fridge.   “ how was your day ? ”

     SHE NODS, “sounds like a plan to me.” becca says as she begins to get all of the things needed to start cooking, practically making herself at home in simone’s apartment. “then just tell me they’re the best potstickers you’ve ever had,” she tells her friend with a laugh before shrugging her shoulders. “it was pretty alright. had someone come in with their wedding dress, and the mother was an absolute nightmare.”

[beccabartleys]

NICOLAS.

nicolas nodded, his expression one of fake-seriousness as he looked down at the ground, as if he was contemplating all the options. “that sounds fair,” he said, looking up at her with a smirk on his face. “coffee i can do. you pick the place, i’ll pay.” nic gestured to her with a nod. “ladies choice, always.” 

     BECCA’S LIPS SPREAD INTO A WIDE SMILE, and she knows at this point, nicolas is just humoring her. but she doesn’t necessarily mind it; she’s getting free coffee out of it. “i don’t work until around noon tomorrow, maybe we can do something then if you’re available.”

[beccabartleys]

ROGER​.

“ OH ? ”   ROGER’S NOT EXPECTING THAT, for it to be some kind of work related connection. seems like he misjudged her.   “ what do you do for work ? ”

     “I’M A SEAMSTRESS,” becca answers, surprised that he seems to be interested in her work. or he’s just being polite. “it’s not a lot, but i really enjoy it. and now you know where to go if you ever need anything altered or anything.” 

[beccabartleys]

SABINA​.

SHE’S NOT USED TO SEEING BECCA IN DISTRESS. Sabina wants to know for purely selfish reasons, and having someone confide in you and helping them through it is a big step to bringing someone closer to you. There’s something cute in the way she’s cradling her face. She moves closer to the brunette, taking both her hands in her own, and holds them. “I’m sure you’re being too harsh on yourself, cutie. What happened?”

     BECCA’S CAUGHT OFF GUARD AS SHE FEELS THE OTHER’S HANDS, and her cheeks are already flushed at the contact. she hesitates for a moment, but she finds solace in holding the other’s hands, grasping onto them tighter than before. “i like someone.” she begins to say, and she knows it’s ridiculous to still have feelings for jude, especially after she’s made it known that she’s not interested. “and it just kinda sucks not having them feel the same way.”

[beccabartleys]

RACHEL​.

RACHEL GRINS, excited at the idea that not only she convinced someone, but she also seems to have made a new friend. Maybe they’re not yet friends, but as far as she’s concerned, they are. Besides, they’ll be going to workout together - that’s something friends do together! “I’m sure that’s not true. We’ll enjoy it. And I won’t let you quit!” she reassures her. “Oh? Where? The shop I take my clothes to close down like last week, I’ve been on the search for a better place.” What impeccable timing! “The most important, if you ask me.”

     BECCA LAUGHS, and there’s a small sense of dread since becca doesn’t make a habit of working out, but if she comes out with a new friend because of this, she won’t be too upset about it. “you’ll have to hold me to it. probably send me an obnoxious amount of texts too so i don’t forget.” because she wouldn’t put it past herself. “it’s called andromeda’s alterations in brooklyn. you should come by! not trying to brag or anything, but we have a pretty good staff there.” 

[beccabartleys]

SIMONE​.

“ WELL I’LL TAKE THAT. ”   simone snatches the first bottle she can find, amused to find it’s margarita mix. it’s been awhile since she’s had one of those, but she’ll take it.   “ i don’t think i’ve ever had homemade potstickers, but by all means, the kitchen is yours. i hope you know you’re not leaving tonight until you’re totally trashed. ”   because THAT’S the level of drunk simone needs right now.

     BECCA LETS OUT A LAUGH, figuring that was going to be simone’s response to booze. they’ve had a rough few weeks, and the least she could do was give her friend this. “i’ll take care of everything,” she tells simone, taking out all the ingredients and a bottle of wine. “sounds like a good idea to me. i just can’t promise how good these are going to be by the end of the night if i’m drinking.”

[beccabartleys]

ROGER​.

“ DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT, ”   he smiles back, grateful for a name. the name becca is a familiar one, and it takes him a moment to realize it’s because this was the friend who went with ollie to new year’s eve. recognition flickers in his eyes, trying to assess her now for something else :   if she wasn’t human. she doesn’t smell like a vampire or werewolf, which is both comforting and nerve-wrecking. if she’s not one of those, is she something else entirely ?   or is roger being crazy, and assuming the worst ?   for all he knows, she could be someone who worked in fashion with rosamie.   “ well i hope so, ”   he nods, trying to get himself back to the conversation at hand.   “ ah, you were with ollie on new year’s, right ?   did you know, um… ”   it feels weird to even speak rosamie’s name aloud, especially since he doesn’t know her.

     IF THERE’S A PAUSE IN THE CONVERSATION, becca doesn’t notice, comfortable with the silence. she busies herself by looking around the diner, and she’s been here plenty of times to visit ollie, but she’s normally talking to her friend then. roger’s voice brings her back to the conversation, and she nods her head. “i was, yeah.” becca had fun with ollie then, until she realized that it was her best friend kissing the woman she’s had a crush on for awhile now. but becca’s already drank her sorrows away for that, so she thinks she’s fine now. becca just hopes it isn’t obvious on her face. “not personally. i mostly would work with her models and designers under her.” 

[beccabartleys]

BECK​.

he shrugs his shoulders, leaning back in his place, looking at the surface of the tea with great concentration. “i'm not,” it's said at last, and cup is raised up to his lips again. “but ...it'll get better.” if he told himself enough, eventually it would. just as james lin had said, pulling himself together was the only way to go.

“i just need to know it actually does get easier, i suppose.”

     BECCA WONDERS WHAT’S WEIGHING BECK DOWN SO MUCH, but she can’t even imagine what it’d be like to lead a pack right now. becca nods her head, offering a weak smile to the werewolf. “it does,” becca says, her voice soft and soothing. “i’ve been down bad before too,” she begins to explain, referencing growing up in the south before moving ( more like running away ) to new york. “and i’ve never been better than i am now.”

[beccabartleys]

RACHEL​.

“WE CAN GO TOGETHER? I mean, technically I’m an instructor, so if you sign up with me, we’ll go together?” she offers. It’s a nice opportunity to make a new friend, too! “Or maybe we can work out together outside class times so it fits your schedule.” Rachel’s pretty flexible, and she has no idea if the girl is just humoring her or if she really wants to try yoga out, but she’ll make it easier if it’s the latter. “What do you work?” she wonders. “Oh gosh, hardly anything stresses me out, but having no tea at home? That stresses me out.” She laughs lightly.

     THE IDEA SOUNDS ENTICING, and becca doesn’t seem the harm in it. “okay,” she agrees with an enthusiastic nod. there’s really no harm in yoga. “oh, you do not want to work out with me. i’m no fun and would want to quit within ten minutes.” becca can’t even remember the last time she worked out for real. she doesn’t want to subject the other to that. “i’m a seamstress, so i work at an alteration shop.” it’s certainly nothing glamorous, but she has fun, and really, that’s all that matters to her. becca lets out a laugh, knowing exactly where the other one is coming from. “so many people don’t get it, but tea is such an important part of my day.” 

[beccabartleys]

NICOLAS.

“and what can i do to make it better?” he asked, placing a hand on his chest, right over his heart, giving her a fake pout while trying to express sincerity. “med school only casually mentions the different plagues. i, unfortunately, did not deem it interesting enough to go beyond just basic knowledge of it.” 

     BECCA PRETENDS TO CONSIDER, lips pursed and brow furrowed as she looks over to nicolas. “well,” she says with a huff, acting as if she’s come to a decision. “i think the only logical solution is for you to go back so you can tell me.” becca shrugs her shoulders before breaking out into laughter. “or maybe you can just buy me a coffee. that’ll work too.”

[beccabartleys]

SIMONE​.

“ YOU THOUGHT THAT, DID YOU ? ”   simone can’t help but snort. if this was anyone else—anyone that wasn’t family—she’d find their intrusion presumptuous. but with becca she only shakes her head, putting down the bag of groceries on her counter.   “ that depends, ”   she tells her,   “ what did you plan on making ? ”

     BECCA DOESN’T SAY ANYTHING IN RETURN, but she’s glad to see her friend smiling. simone’s the type to not let any of her cards show, so even becca can’t really tell with her. but that doesn’t stop her from doing things like this when they are all going through something like rosamie. “i figured we could make some potstickers. i got all the ingredients for it on the way here. plus,” she pauses, reaching into the bag she had just set on the counter. “i have alcohol.” 

[beccabartleys]

ROGER​.

ROGER OPENS HIS MOUTH TO SPEAK, but the woman is apparently still not done talking, so he closes it and lets her finish her thought. or thoughts. she seems to have a few of them, but he doesn’t mind, a smile flickering onto his lips. maybe it’s naive of him, but he gets a good vibe from her.   “ yeah, that’s me. it’s nice to meet you. though i’m sorry, i don’t think i caught your name ? ”   nodding at the order, he scribbles it down quickly.   “ i’ll get that right in for you. if you don’t like it, it’s on me. ”   the least he could do for one of ollie’s friends.

     “NICE TO MEET YOU TOO,” becca tells him with a wide smile. she’s seen him around before, but it is nice to finally talk to him. “i’m becca. sorry, i didn’t even realize that i didn’t introduce myself.” because how could she when she was rambling? she waves a hand, dismissing the idea. “no, you don’t have to do that. i’m sure it’s going to be great. i hear a lot of different people come here, and they all love it.” besides, becca is the type to always act like she likes something, even if it’s bad.