tell me, my dear

barkis bittern, a hell of a time.

[tearstoshcd]

bitternpill​:

Barkis had not, in fact, gone out of his way since arriving in Corona to find Emily. He hadn’t kept tabs on her, hadn’t asked around to find her most frequent haunts to make himself a presence, because quite frankly he had better things to do with his time. And anyway, this was much better, the call of fate or chance, finding her doing her shopping of all things, with the little one he knew absolutely nothing about, but he still hadn’t seen a father. Perhaps not surprising, but still curious. More curious still, Emily sent her away. All Barkis had uttered was a coy, “Fancy seeing you here,” and Emily responded with quite disproportionate rage, he thought. He wondered why.

His answer came easily, unruffled. “To say hello? There’s nothing wrong with greeting an old friend, last time I checked, but I can tell you disagree. It’s been a while since I’ve seen you, Emily.” His voice grew softer then, less haughty though there was always an air of privilege in his tone that he couldn’t shake if he tried. “I almost thought you’d run off again. It’s good to see you.”

Emily rolled her eyes at him. “I am not leaving Corona because of you. I have a life here. One that I made on my own, thank you.” And one that was perfect before he showed up. “Also, we are not friends. We aren’t anything to each other.” She hated how childish she always felt in comparison to him. He always dressed and talked so maturely and she felt like he was talking down on her even when he wasn’t trying. “It’s best if we pretend like we don’t know one another. It would make my lif-” she stopped herself the moment she felt Helena tugging at her dress. “Helena, darling, this isn’t the time..” she turned to look at her, gently taking the candy she had brought to her and placing it in their cart. “Okay, you can have that one…now please be a dear and go pick out some fruits for mommy.” She pressed a kiss to Helena’s head and watched her safely go over to the produce section before turning once more to Barkis. “Are we done here?”

[bitternpill]

Barkis shook his head, aghast at the accusations that Emily seemed quite content to level against him, and none with any basis. "I would never try to force you out of a life you built," he murmured, softer now, and that was true enough. He likes to play, to see what he could do, to see what sort of influence he had on people, especially those he'd loved or lost in one way or another, and Emily was the most innocent candidate for both realities in Barkis's life. He was listening to her, actively even, curious to see what she had left to fight him on, when the child came up to her again, and Barkis squinted. Smiled, of course - he wasn't a monster - but he was certainly curious. Emily sent her away just as quickly as she'd arrived, and Barkis, against his best instincts, cocked his head just slightly to the side. "How old?"

[oohlalaurette]

bitternpill​:

Barkis was hardly sure why he still tried this nonsense, going out to a new spot, however dingy it seemed by. At first it had been in the name of immersion, an easy way to figure out what exactly made the island tick. This time the curiosity was something more pure, and quite frankly, absurd by his own standards. The scenery, however, did make for a more optimistic start for the journey when the bright young blonde approached, and he considered her for a long moment with a careful smirk. “I suppose I’ll start with a Manhattan. Do they pay you extra for managing to stay so chipper this far into the night?”

Laurette wasted no time in preparing the man his drink. She looked eager but she didn’t care how stupid that looked for once. “You know they don’t,” she said, replying to his question. “But handsome men like yourself easily make up for the pay. It’s not like I really need the money anyways. Just a cure for my boredom.”

[bitternpill]

Barkis allowed himself a little pout, something soft and seemingly sincere, because she deserved something, some quiet compensation for being as delightfully quick and offering something pretty to enjoy with his drink. "That smile, Lord," he grinned easily. "They certainly should, but a pretty face like yours I'm sure they don't want anyone getting jealous." HIS voice lowered for a moment, something light and dangerous all at once. "At least a tip is between you and me." He watched her, thin wrist and bright locks as she mixed a cocktail he knew he'd enjoy simply for this ritual. "What's your name, love?"

[creatureofxthenight]

To say Sam loved music was an understatement. She did run and own a music shop after all. Sure, she was into the heavier stuff but that didn’t mean she didn’t appreciate music in all forms and styles. Battle of The Bands was right up her ally and though she didn’t sign up herself she was just as excited to be in the crowd. She felt at home at concerts and she knew she wouldn’t be as judged for the way she dress. (Not that she cared if she was.) “I am so pumped for this!” she exclaimed to whoever was closest that could hear her. “I mean, The Hex Girls are totally going to put everyone else to shame.”

[bitternpill]

Barkis wasn't going to stay away from a good time, no matter how much it didn't feel quite like his scene. He had his reasons for coming to Corona in the first place, but he'd stayed to put his finger on the pulse and figure out what made this place tick. And it had been entirely too long since he'd heard anything good come from just about anyone, as far as music went. Those reasons were wrapped up in a tight little bow when he turned to see the girl that had spoken, his eyes gleaming, and perhaps he was egged on by the few shots he'd downed so far to get into the mood. "I can't lie to a pretty face," he might have fibbed, "I have no idea who half of the people playing are. Care to catch me up?"

[bitternpill]

oohlalaurette​:

@bitternpill​

Laurette found a lot of people boring. Most of them were predictable, bland, and a huge waste of her time. Most of them ended up at Gaston’s Tavern and most of them got drunk, made a move or said something rude, and tipped poorly. Every night felt the same and she was so tired of it. And then he came in. He was dressed nicer than he should have been and the way he carried himself was a conference she rarely saw in those who deserved to walk that way. She was enchanted, for sure. Standing up straighter she was almost a little speechless but she was able to get out a “What can I get you?” with a bat of her eyes.

Barkis was hardly sure why he still tried this nonsense, going out to a new spot, however dingy it seemed by. At first it had been in the name of immersion, an easy way to figure out what exactly made the island tick. This time the curiosity was something more pure, and quite frankly, absurd by his own standards. The scenery, however, did make for a more optimistic start for the journey when the bright young blonde approached, and he considered her for a long moment with a careful smirk. "I suppose I'll start with a Manhattan. Do they pay you extra for managing to stay so chipper this far into the night?"

[tearstoshcd]

@bitternpill

emily had felt very lucky for not running into barkis in a long while. the island was bigger than it looked and she really was trying to keep to herself and her child and the few friends she made along the way to keep her sane. but she knew that there would be another time that she would run into him and have to deal with that heartbreak and that regret and rage and she was ready for it. but she also wasn’t. if helena wasn’t in the picture, she would have kicked his ass fully. but she had her and she couldn’t risk jail so she had to play nice. barkis was the type of man to get lawyers involved if she crossed a line. 

but right now she wasn’t sure how to not cross one. she had helena next to her, she was just trying to get some groceries, and she was mad that he had the nerve to approach her in public like this even though she saw it coming. “helena, sweetie, why don’t you go pick out some gummies? mommy will just be a moment,” she said sweetly, watching her child with her mess of hair walk down the aisle before emily sent daggers at barkis. “what? what do you want now?”

[bitternpill]

Barkis had not, in fact, gone out of his way since arriving in Corona to find Emily. He hadn't kept tabs on her, hadn't asked around to find her most frequent haunts to make himself a presence, because quite frankly he had better things to do with his time. And anyway, this was much better, the call of fate or chance, finding her doing her shopping of all things, with the little one he knew absolutely nothing about, but he still hadn't seen a father. Perhaps not surprising, but still curious. More curious still, Emily sent her away. All Barkis had uttered was a coy, "Fancy seeing you here," and Emily responded with quite disproportionate rage, he thought. He wondered why.

His answer came easily, unruffled. "To say hello? There's nothing wrong with greeting an old friend, last time I checked, but I can tell you disagree. It's been a while since I've seen you, Emily." His voice grew softer then, less haughty though there was always an air of privilege in his tone that he couldn't shake if he tried. "I almost thought you'd run off again. It's good to see you."

[bitternpill]

Biggest regret?

“I lost someone very dear to me, once upon a time. I was younger then, didn’t know how difficult those sorts of things were to find, but I’m working to make things right. You can’t live an entire lifetime of regret.”

[bitternpill]

Barkis Bittern while perhaps not a good man through and through was at the very least a man of good taste, and when he saw something he liked he had no problem with letting someone know. It was in a curious sort of bookshop that he saw the man, and it all made sense when he saw the affixed cuff links. “Those are immaculate,” he pointed out fondly, glancing around them before he leaned in and whispered conspiratorially, ”Not exactly the easiest thing to find around here, I’ve noticed. No accounting for taste, I suppose.” || @chaoticxcipher​

[bitternpill]

@misseverglot​

While Barkis would have appreciated it more had his move been calculated, for preparation’s sake if nothing else, walking into a woman as he strode down the sidewalk because he’d been too busy on the phone didn’t have to end badly. In fact, as he took a second look, and a third, more pointed, it didn’t have to be a bad thing at all. He rearranged his stance, his face, more apologetic now than it was, and fussed immediately over her. “My god, I’m so sorry,” he exclaimed, not flustered, but upset for causing her upset. He picked up the now mostly empty paper cup, nodding towards a trash can down the road a bit further. “I’ll take care of this, I am again, so sorry for that. I insist you allow me to buy you another - wherever you want it from, entirely on me.”

[bitternpill]

tearstoshcd‌:

@bitternpill​

Emily had never thought a moment that was supposed to be so pure be so tainted by the one man she never thought she would see again in her life. She was so thrown off, so confused and angry that all she could do was slap him hard across the face. It was so impulsive that she was shocked at herself. She hadn’t had a sip of wine, hadn’t been doing anything bad. Just enjoying a little holiday gathering with a coworker. Thank the gods Helena wasn’t there. “Y-You…..” she finally managed to say, looking at him like she had seen a ghost. “What are….This isn’t real……”

send  🌿  for  our  muses  to  be  caught  under  mistletoe .

Barkis should have expected her response. After all the time that had passed, he’d thought that when they did finally see each other again, when they did make their way back to the same space, perhaps the anger would have subsided and allowed for a peaceful reunion. He was ready, at least, so why wouldn’t she be as well? Still, as it stood, this wasn’t a dealbreaker by any means. She’d always been a passionate spirit, and if there was to be any indication that that hadn’t changed, this was it. He held his cheek for a moment, grateful at least that his cabernet hadn’t spilled with the jolt of the impact, and when she did gain her composure enough to speak, he indulged the conversation. “If the pain is anything to go by, I’d say it’s real enough.” He offered a smile, though what effect it had with his reddened cheek he couldn’t say. “Hello, Emily.”

[bitternpill]

notyourragdoll‌:

Sally had a moment of time to herself and wasn’t very sure what to do with it. It was a quiet moment early enough where there weren’t too many people around, and she took the moment to take the sights in. Winter Village always had a cute charm to it….one that made it feel like Christmas every day. She had always been enchanted by it, but never had much time to stroll through it. With the lights and tree up it really made everything feel more magical. And it was magical enough that she hadn’t realized someone was walking alongside her until she happened to glance by her side and jump a little bit. 

“Oh…Sorry. I know I’m walking slow. I hope I’m not keeping you from…wherever you’re going. Though I also hope you’re enjoying the scenery as much as I am.”

Barkis had done his best thus far to put his finger on the pulse of the island, to really see what made it tick, and just when he thought he was getting somewhere the holidays brought it to shift. People just weren’t the same around Christmas, and it was the same no matter where he’d been in the world, some people brighter, some more bitter. The same old thing. So it stood to reason when he was out bundled in his coat to enjoy the scenery, a distraction was more than welcome, and this one was stunning. “No, no, not at all, my dear,” he insisted, flashing a sideways smile as he held his hands up in surrender. “It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” It wasn’t. It was quaint. He’d seen better, plenty better, but if this was how they did it here, when in Rome...

[bitternpill]

tearstoshcd‌:

@bitternpill​

Emily had never thought a moment that was supposed to be so pure be so tainted by the one man she never thought she would see again in her life. She was so thrown off, so confused and angry that all she could do was slap him hard across the face. It was so impulsive that she was shocked at herself. She hadn’t had a sip of wine, hadn’t been doing anything bad. Just enjoying a little holiday gathering with a coworker. Thank the gods Helena wasn’t there. “Y-You…..” she finally managed to say, looking at him like she had seen a ghost. “What are….This isn’t real……”

send  🌿  for  our  muses  to  be  caught  under  mistletoe .

Barkis clutched the side of his face, if only for a moment, moving from shock to a warm bemusement much more quickly than any man should. It was all quite exciting, after all; it had been far too long since he’d seen the fire behind those dark, beautiful eyes, and really, who could blame him for trying to take advantage of this perfect moment that the holiday provided? Or had tried to provide, he supposed, still holding his cheek. “It’s a Christmas miracle,” he offered, smug grin firmly in place as he shook his head. He wasn’t one to look to the past and regret, and he certainly wasn’t changing his tune now when it was all coming to a head. “I’ve missed you, Emily. And for me to find you here of all places? How long has it been?”

[bitternpill]

blcndiegothel‌:

– “oh! oh yeah. i’ve had this for a few weeks now. you never noticed?” rapunzel held up her arm, twisting her forearm to face the other person. the moon that had been tattooed in her skin seemed to shimmer thanks to the bit of lotion she kept applying to it. it may have been weeks but she refused to let it dry out. “flynn has a sun on his arm. i know it’s cheezy to get matching tattoos but i’ve always wanted one and why not get one that means something special?”

Barkis assessed the small tattoo with a bemused smile, head tilting just off center as his eyes traced the lines. “It’s not all that big,” he shrugged. “I doubt many people would’ve noticed; if you were looking to make a statement I think you fell short.” It wasn’t impressive, was even less so when he heard that it was a matching tattoo. He forgot sometimes that children would be children, however stupid they acted because of it, and god this looked stupid. “I hope that’s a friend who’s not a partner,” he almost whispered, keeping the eye roll to a minimum as he tried to stay politically correct. “What’s the sun mean that’s so special?”

[bitternpill]

|| Get to know BARKIS BITTERN  who’s THIRTY-THREE years old and works as an UTP in town. He is from MASSACHUSETTS and is often times mistaken for FINN WITTROCK, while others say he reminds them of BARKIS from THE CORPSE BRIDE. ||

A general trigger warning applies. Viewer discretion is advised. Barkis Bittern is not a good man, has never been a good man, and doesn’t have any interest in being a good man.

ABOUT:

Barkis has never known struggle, has never had friends who have known struggle, and has absolutely no sympathy for people who do.

He has been handed the keys to his parents’ business, a large media conglomerate, and all of the wealth that comes with it, and still believes that people in need simply need to work harder.

A registered republican, born to a family of registered republicans.

Can’t be racist because he’s dated plenty of black girls.

Has a history of being a heartbreaker, has a history of breaking more than hearts but his lawyers are magicians.

Has never answered to any of his sins, but when he’s really not sure about his insurance with the man upstairs, he’ll go to church for a Sunday or two.

Is always seeking out his next high, be it emotional or physical or financial. He doesn’t like to slow down, especially in the business that he’s in. Media moves fast and so does he.

Can’t be a misogynist; he’s dated women his whole life.

Thinks accountability in the current era of cancel culture is inherently giving into demands of political correctness.

Subsequently stays wealthy without being too famous; the moment eyes are on him, he’s sure something is bound to get out, and keeping people quiet gets expensive fast.

Is far too educated to be as ignorant as he is, and yet

Probably an alumnus of the skull and bones society at Yale or a vastly similar organization yknow. Seems like he’d proudly call himself a bonesman and he happy to be in the same lil club as Bush god i need sleep

Can’t be homophobic; he once shook hands with a Gay™

This is devolving into nothing I hate him

Has no idea that he has a child at time of composition

Has probably been nearly engaged too many times to count

Is plenty transphobic and he will tell you exactly why and be loud about it

Absolute degenerate hmu for plots

[bitternpill]

charprinze‌:

In all honesty, Char hadn’t been planning on attending the masquerade. He knows very well the types that usually show up for things like this - the idle rich, and those wanting to sink their claws into them - and thinks he’s had enough of both to last him several lifetimes. But as he sat at home, his thoughts kept straying back to the party - in his current state of mind, the idea of a mask is an appealing one, an evening of anonymity too good to pass up.  

So here he is, sporting a cheap mask he picked up at the door and hoping to god it’s doing its job of concealing his identity. “I don’t know how people are getting around with these things on. I feel like I’m wearing blinkers,” Char says, half to himself.

Barkis was in his element here. Though it was undeniably clear to him that most of the people in attendance were out of their depth, he himself had been to many a masquerade, and was rather proud of the understated elegance with which he’d dressed and selected a mask for himself. It was best to keep a low profile as a new arrival, at least until he had a better handle on how people worked around the island. 

When he heard the man beside him musing about the masks, he turned to face him and... couldn’t be surprised by what he came to face. “Maybe if you’d brought one of your own,” he suggested, disdain hopefully veiled by a certain bemusement. “They never tend to invest much in handouts.”

[lovelycorpsebride]

[veneraxmars]