my lilac dawn.

[incomparcble]

─── ⋆⋅ incomparcble - a multi-muse page for magnoliafm penned by di.

nadine charlemagne: intro • replies: max, cezanne, thomas rhys davies: intro • replies: savannah sydney hollinger: intro • replies: -

[arabesq]

she   didn't   think   she   had   ever   heard   that   before;   the   profession   of   law   being   called   chic.   maybe   there   was   an   influx   of   that   after   legally   blonde   had   come   out,   but   lucky   actually   adored   that   movie,   so.   she   would   take   chic.   it   was   better   than   stuffy,   or   the   idea   that   all   lawyers   were   good   liars.   she   was   a   good   liar,   but   she   didn't   lie   very   often.   "it   depends   on   what   tv   show   you're   watching,   but   yes.   they   typically   get   a   lot   of   things   wrong,"   she   admitted.   she   had   watched   her   own   fair   of   police   procedurals,   but   not   enough   that   she   actually   paid   attention   to   how   they   played   out.   "i'm   not   old,   but   i   feel   it   sometimes.   i   swear   it   feels   like   i've   lived   fifty   years   instead   of   thirty,   somehow.   do   you   ever   feel   that   way?"

[incomparcble]

"Ummm..." Sydney started, genuinely thinking about whether she wanted to answer truthfully or not. Because, at the end of the day, who hadn't had those feelings before? That everything was so exhausting and overwhelming that it had aged you a million years but only emotionally. "Yeah. Yeah, I've felt that way before. Like somehow every day feels like a week or a month and at some point, you tell yourself it'll go back to normal and then it doesn't, and you realize that's how life is and that's how it's always going to be, so you better get used to it...something like that?"

[lvnderhxze-deactivated20250916]

"Ooh, veggie chili honestly sounds perfect. I just forget which place had that." Ishita opened her mouth to question more, but then the other's words caught her so off guard that only a very un-ladylike laugh passed her lips for a moment until she recovered. "Oh my god, Syd! You can't just say stuff like that so casually." And yet, she was grinning. "You're totally right, though. Anything green is dead. We can get one of each and split it?" she suggested. "Today is officially a cheat day, so I don't care what I eat until I'm already regretting it and it's too late."

[incomparcble]

"What? You know I'm right and someone should say it. The salad is never a good option at these things unless it's being refrigerated the whole time." Eating anything that was out in the sun all day was just asking for some kind of food poisoning, especially salad or seafood. "That's the spirit! We should just enjoy it and go back to the usual routine tomorrow." Sydney was determined to have a good time and if that meant eating or drinking whatever she wanted, she wasn't going to feel badly about it. "Do you want the veggie chili and I get the fries? I think we could get them without any of the spicy stuff added because you know I'm no good with that."

[trcilerpcrk]

" SHE SAID NOT INTERESTED , YOU DUMB FUCK , " came darien's clipped words , spoken around a tooth pick ( that had just been speared through a lime ) clenched between her teeth . when the man hadn't taken her seriously , using her knock-off handbag as a weapon , darien swung the faux leather at the pervert getting too comfortable putting his hands on sydney , a look flashing in her eyes that instilled the fear of god in him as it struck his outstretched bicep — sending the geriatric shithead retreating with his hands up and tail tucked between his legs .

with a disgruntled huff , darien turned her head to the other , withdrawing the toothpick only to point it at sydney as if it were a poison dart . " you needa stop bein' so nice to strangers . or quit talkin' to 'em period . " rolling her eyes , darien finally took the whiskey shot she had ordered , only to crush the plastic cup unceremoniously on the bar top afterwards ( earning her a hard glare from the bartender ) . swiping her thumb along her lower lip , the blonde huffed . " you're too pretty for that shit , syd . you and your brother , swear to christ — gimme nothin' but a headache . "

a 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐫 for 𝘚𝘠𝘋𝘕𝘌𝘠 𝘏𝘖𝘓𝘓𝘐𝘕𝘎𝘌𝘙 set at 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐮𝐥𝐬𝐞 ( @incomparcble )

[incomparcble]

Sydney was only human. She loved attention and there were times when wanting attention and being nice was a horrific combination. Like when a man wouldn't take a hint at the bar. She wasn't a violent person, didn't like causing a scene ( unlike her brother ), so it wasn't a surprise that she hadn't managed to shake him off before Darien intervened. "What do you mean?" Sydney asked as though she hadn't been in the middle of that whole conversation, resulting in him scurrying away like a puppy...or a rat. Like she was completely innocent. "How are you supposed to meet anyone new if you never talk to strangers?"

[arabesq]

she   raised   her   eyebrows,   trying   to   imagine   the   man   in   front   of   her   ice   skating   at   any   point.   not   that   it   was   impossible;   rather   it   surprised   her   more   than   anything   else.   "that's   rough.   i   couldn't   imagine   working   twelve-hour   shifts.   i   mean,   i   could,   so   i   guess   that's   why   i   haven't   chosen   a   profession   with   such   long   hours,"   she   said,   admiring   anyone   who   could   dedicate   that   much   time   to   working   for   any   reason.   she   had   a   good   work   ethic   herself,   but   not   so   much   that   she   would   volunteer   literally   half   of   her   day   to   her   job.   a   good   work/life   balance   was   important.   "i'm   here   alone,   yeah.   i'm   now   obligated   to   ask   you   if   you're   a   serial   killer   for   asking   a   question   like   that,   ya   know.   so,   are   you?"   she   grinned.

[incomparcble]

Rhys couldn't help but laugh at that. "Smart of you to avoid it. Honestly, it's not that bad unless you've got three scheduled in a row." He still wasn't entirely sure how he survived working over the twelve, but it had happened a handful of times. When it really came down to it, he didn't mind. He really loved what he did, even the horribly stressful parts of it which happened way more often than you would want when taking care of people, but it was a hospital. What could you do? Stress came with the job. "Ah, no. But I guess that is what a serial killer would say, isn't it? So, I'm not entirely sure how to defend myself here without sounding like I'm lying." Rhys admitted, laughing at the hypothetical pickle he was in. "Although, I could ask you the same thing. You could be scoping out victims. Why else would you be here alone?"

[arabesq]

cez   was   all   too   happy   to   help   out,   especially   if   it   meant   that   nadine   could   get   something   for   margot   that   she   appeared   to   really   want.   she   pointed   toward   a   box   of   smaller   gemstones.   "it   usually   looks   like   that.   small   and   circular   or   cylindrical,   with   various   shades   of   milky   blue   lines   running   through   it.   i   used   to   have   a   necklace   with   a   blue   lace   agate   charm   hanging   off   of   it,   and   that's   probably   the   only   reason   i   know   from   memory,"   she   explained,   picking   up   one   of   the   stones   for   herself.   she   couldn't   remember   what   had   happened   to   the   necklace,   but   she   thought   the   coloring   was   still   very   pretty.   “are   you   going   to   get   one?   i   think   i   might.”

[incomparcble]

"Oh, like the lighter blue ones. The only blue I know is sapphire but that's normally darker." Reaching out, she pushed around a few of the gemstones before finding one that matched the woman's description. "What do you think, Margot?" Nadine looked down at their daughter, her eyes lit up already at the pretty stone that had been revealed. "I'm not so sure about getting one myself but I think we're going to be leaving here with a few in tow." Trying to keep Margot down to just a couple might be the challenge. "How have you been liking the event? This is only my third time helping plan it, I always get so nervous it won't go over well."

[spi-ltmilk]

[flcwerblooms]

matteo scratched the back of his neck like it itched just thinking about it. yoga at eight in the damn morning? on a saturday? when he was off from the station. he gave syd a look like she’d just asked him to climb everest barefoot.

“eight a.m. sounds like a crime,” he muttered.

he wasn’t trying to be rude—he liked syd, genuinely—but he also liked sleeping in, and more importantly, not bending his body into shapes it had no business being in. he took a slow sip of coffee that had gone cold a long time ago and pretended to think about it.

“i mean, i got that thing… with the truck,” he said vaguely, gesturing to nowhere. “starter’s been actin’ up again. probably needs lookin’ at.”

he nodded like that settled it, then added, “plus, y’know, i’m more of a... sit still and suffer in silence kind of guy. seems like it’d clash with the whole peaceful breathing vibe.”

but syd was still grinning, already tapping at her phone like she hadn’t heard a word he said. matteo sighed. real quiet. like a man resigned to his fate.

[incomparcble]

"There are other classes, ones that aren't at eight a.m if that's really what's stopping you, but I will say, getting your workout in during the morning helps set the whole tone for the day." At least from her experience. And Sydney always felt more on top of things and more put together the earlier she started her day. She got her workout in and then went into her classes - it was a dream. Glancing up from her phone, she tilted her head at him, the first signs of a pout on her lips. "You know you still need to breath while you suffer in silence. It won't even be that bad. And whatever is going on with your truck can wait like an hour, can't it?" Not that she believed there was anything going on with his truck, just another excuse to try and get out of it. "If you hate it that much, you can leave, and I won't even make you pay for it."

[arabesq]

at   first,   lucky   wasn't   sure   how   to   answer   the   question.   wasn't   it   sort   of   obvious   what   one   would   be   doing   up   so   early?   "well.   i   shower,   get   dressed,   drink   a   cup   of   coffee,   contemplate   eating   more   than   a   bagel   for   breakfast   before   deciding   that   i   really   do   only   want   a   bagel.   then   i   drive   to   work,   get   started   on   case   notes...god,   this   must   sound   so   boring   to   you,"   she   said   with   a   laugh,   shaking   her   head.   "ignore   me.   i'm   a   lawyer   and   it   really   can   be   as   dull   as   i'm   making   it   sound."   she   didn't   exactly   know   what   vibe   she   gave   off   that   said   she   would   be   good   at   early   morning   yoga,   but   she   hoped   that   it   was   a   good   one.   was   sydney   one   of   those   people   that   claimed   to   see   auras?   knowing   magnolia...probably.   "if   i   have   to   quit   a   beginner   yoga   class   because   i   can't   handle   it,   that's   how   i'm   going   to   know   i've   officially   turned   old."

[incomparcble]

"You're a lawyer? That's so stressful but so fucking chic. I bet everything we see on those TV shows is completely wrong, isn't it?" The blonde had never debated going into law or anything like that, the whole industry just didn't mesh well with her vibe, but she completely respected the people who did do it. Especially when it meant extra years of school. "Trust me, you aren't going to have to quit but I will say, no pressure to stay if you really hate it." Laughing softly, Syd gave her a look. "Please. You are not old. I hate when young people say they're old, it's like, why are we rushing towards death?"

[bulldose]

open. capping at five! location. the pulse when. late night

A shove and Ford was stumbling out a side entrance of Pulse, tripping over his own feet and twisting around, mouth opening wide to make an undoubtedly clever retort at the bouncer who was unceremoniously ejecting him from the club, but the door had already swung shut. Well. He scoffed, plucking at the sticky front of his shirt -- cherry red daquiri was all over him, still dripping, even from his hair. Turning, Ford stopped short when he caught sight of someone else loitering in the alley as well, a bubbling, manic sort of chuckle rising up in his throat. "You should see the other guy," he quipped with a slanting grin. This was not his finest moment.

[incomparcble]

"And what, apologize for you?" Sydney asked, giving her brother a look. It wasn't surprising behavior, and she always gave him shit for it, but she also always showed up to make sure he got home and didn't get into too much trouble. "What the hell even happened?" There was a big part of her that knew it was probably nothing that resulted in him being covered in what she presumed was daquiri, but maybe there actually had been some kind of wrong committed.

[fcreverandever-deactivated20250]

❝ don’t you? ❞ amul countered, bewildered. they weren’t lying - you really learn some new shit everyday. ❝ that’s a relief. i was the kid walking the mile in gym class back in the day. ❞ straggling behind the rest of the group, enjoying the scenery and bracing the sweltering heat. really, NOT MUCH had changed. he admired, anyway, the passion in her voice as she spoke about the skillset. any less and he’d probably brush off the offer … politely. ❝ it sounds like you’ve been at it a long time. ❞

[incomparcble]

"Trust me, I am not a fast runner." She did still go for a run every day, usually in the evening when it wasn't so hot, but cardio was not her forte. Everyone had their thing, but she knew that doing something didn't mean that you had to be the best at it. "You could say that. I started doing yoga when I was in high school as a way to get some time to myself in the house and then just kept doing it in college; making a career out of it made sense." And she loved it. Yoga felt like such a way to connect with yourself and the earth. A way to keep yourself grounded.

[bulldose]

There was an innocent widening of Ford's eyes when he was caught staring, shrugging and shaking his head a little. "Nuh-uh," he answered, "I work here, brother." He chuckled lightly as he approached, clapping a hand on the other's shoulder and squeezing. He nodded at the table, pointing out, "I was looking at that -" A dark, sticky stain on the surface of the wood, only visible when the light hit it just right. Damp rag already in hand, Ford began wiping it down with a thoughtful scrunch of his nose. Was it a spilled drink? Or something worse? "You'd never guess a bachelorette party was sitting here before you," he joked. "Took the whole staff to get them to stop trying to set their cocktails on fire."

[incomparcble]

"You do?" Rhys asked, shocked at himself for not having recognized him. "Fucks sake mate, it's been a long day. Sorry 'bout that." Chuckling, he finished off his beer and set the bottle on the bar. "At what point do you think it's fine to leave a casual afterwork hang, 'cause I really don't think I've got more in me." He never wanted to miss out on hanging out with people after work but considering his shift had just ended, Rhys was running on fumes. "Wait, a bachelorette? Those girls get wild, haven't you heard?"

[sersh]

MILLY ALCOCK Photographed by Holly Gibson for ELLE Australia's June 2025 issue

[gentlencss-deactivated20260221]

“Aw, I thought you were asking about me,” he joked. “But hell yeah, we need to change that.” He glanced around, taking in his surroundings. “I’m stumped on ideas, honestly, but I want to do something super fun. Liven this shit up a little, you know? It might piss the mayor off though, but who cares?” Emmy didn’t particularly care nor have much respect for the new mayor, though he didn’t have a clear answer as to why.

“You know, I’ll have to google what high school kids do as pranks nowadays and see if that inspires me.” He shrugged, unlocked his phone, and started to Google. “Nothing particularly awful, you know? I’ve had enough run-ins with the law in my lifetime, I think.” He started to silently read the results. “Nothing interesting, for fuck’s sake. We might just have to go down the awful route, Syd. It might piss the mayor off, but we’ll have fun, won’t we?”

[incomparcble]

"I already know far too much about you to need a daily update. The nightly recaps are more than enough." Sydney teased with a laugh, sarcasm on the tip of her tongue. To be fair, they had been extremely close growing up and some distance had formed during college but ever since she'd moved back, it had felt like no time had passed at all. "We've been demoted to seeing what the high school kids are doing for pranks these days? Thats...so pathetic. It's so sad." A laugh bubbled from her at the very thought of it but waited none-the-less for him to check what was popular, sipping on her drink and mentally making a note to grab another one soon. Her eyebrows rose at his words, turning to give him a questioning look. "And what, pray tell, is this awful thing you have in mind?"

[gentlencss-deactivated20260221]

“I don’t know why I’m so worried,” Reza chuckled. “I’m used to being the one instructing and not the one being instructed, you know? That’s practically a whole new ballgame.” He pondered for a moment, “You know what? Sign me up, actually. I’ll just cower in the back where it’ll feel less judgy. It might be good before the barbecue too. Speaking of that, are you going?”

[incomparcble]

"I can understand that but sometimes you need the chance to take a step back and let someone else take the lead." Sydney smiled, knowing that some people out there who were in charge were exactly the ones that needed help relaxing the most. The smile turned into a full-on grin when he said to sign him up, hands clapping together in giddy excitement. "Really? Yes! I promise you won't regret it." A tough promise to make to him since she couldn't see the future, but how bad could it be. "Of course! I go every year; I wouldn't miss it. Plus, the movies are always good ones that I've never seen."

[arabesq]

she   squinted,   though   she   allowed   him   to   return   her   chair   to   the   table   she'd   been   sitting   at.   she   had   been   sitting   alone,   and   had   taken   everything   she   had   with   her   to   the   bathroom,   so   she   couldn't   have   actually   expected   him   to   know   that   someone   had   been   sitting   there.   "you're   forgiven,   but   you're   on   thin   ice,"   she   relented,   a   flicker   of   a   smile   crossing   her   face   as   she   looked   around.   it   was   busy,   but   she   wouldn't   know   if   it   was   more   busy   than   it   usually   was.   "it   is   pretty   lively   in   here.   maybe   you   should   be   finding   something   to   celebrate,   hm?   like...being   alive,"   she   snorted.

[incomparcble]

"I'll take it. I used to be quite the ice skater back in the day." If you counted a frozen pond in the middle of a field in Cardiff as an ice rink. "I know how to make it across thin ice in one piece." Rhys smirked, taking another sip of his drink as she agreed with his observation. "Me? Getting through another twelve-hour shift is celebration enough, I think. Plus, I couldn't cancel on these guys again or they'd start to think I was losing my touch." And that was the last thing Rhys wanted. He loved getting a drink with his co-workers and if you wanted to keep getting invited, you had to keep showing up. "Are you here by yourself? I'm not judging if you are, by the way." He added with an innocent raise of his hands.

[andersonfisher]

The smile that had plastered on his face from the moment that the little girl had walked up to the booth he was eyeballing didn't go unnoticed. He always lit up a little when kids were in his presence, usually followed by the sinking feeling in his chest at the reminder of what he'd lost, but, one thing Calder had noticed early on was that kids would always hold a warm spot in his heart. So he turned, extending his hand that was full of crystals the same color as the one she'd picked up and looked at her. "It's no problem at all." The booth wasn't his so he really had no right to say anything, however, kids were innocent until proven guilty and he was a sucker for a child with a smile as wide as hers had been. "If it's alright with -" a pause as he realized he didn't even know the other's status to the child, raising an eyebrow in question. "Mom?" he asked, before proceeding to talk to the child. "If it's alright with her, I'd love to buy you all the crystals that will fit in this little bag here." he pointed towards the smallest bag that he could see. "If it's not overstepping that is."

[incomparcble]

Nadine smiled and nodded at the question, it was rare for anyone to think that they were sisters or cousins, but it did happen. "That's alright but, Margot, only pick one if you really want it. We don't want to take things just because we can." She reminded her in a soft tone. It wasn't a rule, per se, but one lesson they were working on at home. You didn't need to take things if you didn't really want them. She had a feeling that he wasn't the one in charge of the booth which made it even more important that Margot was sure she wanted something, Nadine would feel badly for a stranger to buy something for it to go to waste. "Are you a regular customer at this shop? You seem to know what you're doing."