placebo feelings

Ｉ'ＶＥ ＢＥＥＮ ＴＨＥ ＡＲＣＨＥＲ 𝒊'𝒗𝒆 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒚 KALANI ❛ KAL ❜ BERNAL policer officer daughter. sister. friend. thirty two years old ＷＨＯ ＣＯＵＬＤ ＬＥＡＶＥ ＭＥ 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒚﹖

[kalbernal]

TEO .

LOCATION: Alibi

WITH: @elisabethstarters​

For most people, a day off was something to be enjoyed, something to be indulged in. For Teo, it was just another 24 hours he wasn’t earning money doing his craft and that annoyed the shit out of him. The daytime seemed to drag but Teo always managed to fill it with some menial task or another. His evenings, however, were usually spent in a bar - or just anywhere that served alcohol. “The fuck is this?” Teo grumbled as he returned from the bathroom, newspaper in one hand and a fresh beer in the other. “Would you jump in my grave as fast? Move your ass.” he flicked the seat thief on the shoulder with the newspaper, his expression soft despite his assertive tone.

Kal saw him as soon as she entered the bar, on his merry way to the restroom. Greeting some familiar faces, she eventually settled down in the same chair she saw Teo abandon, waiting for him to return as she checked her phone. It was only after she heard the familiar grumble that Kalani looked up, a chuckle shaking her shoulders. “On the off chance that you kick it before I do, you can be sure as shit I’ll jump into your grave. I’ll pet cemetery your ass so fast, you won’t even know you bit the bullet.” Her tone was a mix of amusement and mockery. Grabbing the newspaper from his hand, she skimmed it over with a quick glance. “Oh, would you look at that.” Her eyes darted up at the man once again, a grin now very much present on her face. “News says you’re still a prick.” Her hand shot out as she returned the favor, softly swatting his hip with the paper before placing it on the table. “Come on, stop getting overly attached to chairs and buy me a beer instead. You’ll get more out of it.”

[fyeahfahriyeevcen]

[kalbernal]

ELENA .

( @elisabethstarters​​ )

Busy nights at Shooters tended to be the best nights in Elena’s opinions. Granted it’d start to get a little hectic every now and then, but as long as she could keep up, it wasn’t a problem. Not when the tips were good and the time went by fast enough. “–Okay, let me guess what you’re having tonight,” turning up in front of one of the patrons, the rush now seemingly dying out for the time-being. “Whiskey? Tequila? No, no .. vodka. You look like a clear liquor kind of person.” A teasing grin highlighting her features as both hands rested on the counter. “Did I get it right?”

“Well, you got the clear part right.” Kal mused with a friendly smile. “I’ll have water. I’m starting my night shift in about an hour but I couldn’t catch any shut-eyes before that. So -” Her hand gently tapped the surface of the bar. “- here I am.” It wasn’t unusual for Kal to barely get any sleep. The perks of insomnia. She couldn’t remember the last time she was well-rested, it sort of became a natural state and bars became her favorite spots to ignore that little problem. Nothing chased aways those demons that haunted her at night than good liquor. “I had some fries though. Does that make it less pathetic?” She asked, her eyes squinted before straightening in her seat. 

[kalbernal]

JUSTIN . 

where: whitview market when: early afternoon who: all, @elisabethstarters​

“I don’t know what I was thinking that if I would go to the market I might have an idea as to what to make for dinner but …. Nothing.” Justin said out loud after he had noticed that someone had been standing next to him after so many people already had, he was certain the stall owner was about to think he was losing it or something over a bunch of fruits and vegetables. “Throw some ideas at me, come on. I’ll even have you come over for dinner, what do you say?” 

Hovering. That’s what she was doing for several minutes after spotting Justin at the market. At some point in her life, his name was plastered all over her phone. Missed calls. Ignored texts. A feeling of guilt. She knew he meant well, that he cared. They proved that to each other when her friend - his fiance - dipped out of their lives. Maybe that’s why she couldn’t stand talking to him after the incident. Kal knew that he would forgive her, it just seemed to be something Justin was good at - forgiveness.  But she didn’t need it then and wouldn’t accept it now. But she’d accept his company. “Stirred fried rice. Lots of fresh veggies, a squeeze of lemon, and the right spices. A perfect dish.” Despite her best efforts to seem casual, there was caution in her voice as she glanced sideways at him.

[kalbernal]

CASSIUS .

@elisabethstarters​

Cassius was standing outside his store in Port Elisabeth, about to open up for the morning. Leafy Keen, his dream shop, was doing… alright. There was lots of interest from people learning about his plants and their properties and their many many benefits. The thought always made him smile. Of course there were a few people who gave his shop windows dirty looks as they walked passed, but he just smiled and waved. Nothing was illegal in his shop anymore… except maybe for his cats sitting in the shop most days, but his customers didn’t mind. 

He locked his car and crossed the street, carrying a tall overstuffed box in his arms, and missed the curb entirely, stumbling forward with the contents of the box spilling everywhere. Cash grabbed his shin which had scraped on the ground and winced. “Holy Buttons, what the fuck?! How did that hurt so much?!” 

As he stood up he felt his body creak and crack with every movement. “Oh man, I’m only 29 it shouldn’t hurt this much to stand up! Is this what getting old is? Am I an old man already? What’s next yelling at kids to stop loitering in front of my store? I’m not ready to be that guy yet!” 

It didn’t take much to recognize the shop owner. With a store like his, there were calls coming to the station from time to time. Most of them from the elderly or ignorant, providing complaints without any given ground. But sometimes officers still had to check it out. However, Kal wasn’t someone who’d give a working man a hard time. Everyone was just trying to get by and as long as the paperwork checked out, well, all the power to the working class. 

 Getting out of the squad car, she turned down the volume of her radio and approached him, a smile of sympathy on her face battling the image of a cop in full uniform. “Well, you pretty much just did an equivalent of curb stomp to your leg. That’s gotta hurt like a son of a bitch.” Her hand shot out to offer help but he was getting up already, letting Kal focus on his spilled belongings instead. “Power of manifestation. Don’t think about it and it won’t happen.” Tipping the box over, she started picking up the mess and neatly placing his things back inside. “Though I can imagine you’d like pretty decent with a walking cane. You should consider it. You could even shake it in the air at those pesky kids.” She teased, her tone casual as she glanced back at him. “Are you okay? Seriously, that was a nasty spill. I’ve got a first aid kid back in the car.”

[kalbernal]

OLIVIA .

LOCATION: wherever honestly TIME: evening, after work TAGGING: @elisabethstarters​

“Are you in the market for a rosary by any chance?” Olivia asked the person in front of her, holding the chaplet up. “Some lady threw it at me at the office after she found out I used to be engaged to a woman… Needless to say, I won’t be representing her in court. But hey, at least I got this lovely little piece for it, huh?” A grin tugged at the corners of her lips. “I’ve been wearing it ironically after that happened.”

“What?” Kal asked, her words a bit shaky from a laugh of amusement at the other’s rather random question. However, her smile slipped when she was told what the reason behind it was, a feeling of annoyance and slight anger bubbling in her chest. “She should’ve shoved it where the sun ain’t shining instead.” Letting out a breath, she lightly shook her head. “Well, I’ll pass. No amount of Hail Marys can help me now. Besides, you can definitely pull it off unironically, too. You should keep it. Pray for that other lady to find some kindness in her heart - or eternally burn in hell, whatever floats your boat. I won’t judge either way.”

[kalbernal]

MASON .

LOCATION Grocery Store WHEN Mid-afternoon TAGGING @elisabethstarters​

Sometimes, he felt like he was absolutely losing his mind. He had walked down the isle in the store with intent, but by the time he got halfway down, he found himself turning on his heel, looking around, trying to get his bearings and an idea of what it was that he had been looking for. “And just like that, it’s fucking gone…” he remarked, only to get a disappointed ‘tsk’ in response from a nearby old lady before she shuffled off. “She acts like it’s the first time she’s ever heard such language, but I’ve heard her say far worse to Mr. Tribeux,” he stated of the woman and the way she could often be heard yelling at her neighbor.

Pushing her cart in front of her, she was checking off items from her shopping list, tossing in an extra box of froot loops just for good measure. And what was supposed to be a grocery run to fill her fridge became a marathon of bagging way too many sweets, sporting a cart that looked like every toddler’s dream. Weaving through the aisles, she couldn’t help but chuckle as she overheard the brief interaction, coming to a stop nearby as the elderly woman left. “Maybe so. A classic case of age privilege, I suppose. But still, you should watch it. Next time she might shove a bar of soap into your mouth.” She joked, reaching for another time from her list. 

[kalbernal]

DELILAH .

location: anywhere when: mid-afternoon tagging: @elisabethstarters​

“wait–who’s having a baby?” lila’s mouth drops at the news article on her phone. “zayn and gigi? i didn’t even know people still talked about them, oops.” she placed her hand on her mouth, feeling both embarrassed and shocked she was this behind on pop culture news. “does this mean that one director is like..all dad’s now? who doesn’t have a kid yet–wait, who does? oh wow, I feel old.” she sighed, rubbing her temples. “do you see any wrinkles? should i consider botox?”

Kal’s eyes perked up in curiosity, listening to the other’s update on celebrity gossip. It had been forever since Kalani kept up with the latest changes in la-la land. Not because it was beyond her, she simply didn’t have enough time these days. But back when she was a rookie, she lived for that stuff so it came naturally. “Wait, they already have kids? When did that happen?” She asked, genuinely dumbfounded that she apparently missed out on that information but instead on dwelling on the fact how quickly time flies, she instead focused on the woman again. “God, no. You’re gorgeous. Nothing required.” She swatted the air in front of her as if to dismiss her. “Unless  - what you require is a spa day and mimosas. I can get on board with that.”  

[fyeahfahriyeevcen]

[kalbernal]

CAROLINE .

“I’ve been in this town for like five minutes and I’m already lost. All i want is a tea latte and to be pointed towards a sandy beach.” Caroline laughed, hoisting her overly stuffed bag over her shoulder. She yawned, still tired despite her ten hours of sleep after her red eye flight. 

“Any chance you can point the way?” 

It had been a long and dull nightshift but Kal refused to give in to the temptation of taking a nap on her day off. She had only a few of those and there was no way in hell she’d sleep through them, no matter how many yawns she’d have to suppress and how many coffees she’d have to down. Which was exactly what she was planning to do. While on her way to Bean & Co to grab a cup of roasted goodness, another woman caught her attention. Coming to a stop, Kal greeted her with a smile that turned into a chuckle. “Well, you’ll definitely remain sustained. There’s plenty of tea and even more sand around here. One might even say too much sand - sometimes even in the worst places.” The woman mused with a soft chuckle. “But you just hit the jackpot. ” Kal reassured her about the place, shrugging in the direction she was headed. “I’m on my way to get coffee right now. Want to come with? I can show you the way to the beach afterward.”