Valiant and true (ish)

that guy in your MFA, except I like to think I'm self-aware 

[knightley--phillip]

I've gotten good at making up metaphors // I've gotten good at stretching the truth out of shape // And all these words are sweet and meaningless //You can't trust a single thing I say 

PHILLIP JULIAN BRENTON HARRIS HUBERT KNIGHTLEY

Nicknames: Phil, Philly (Tom and John ONLY) Birthday: May 21, 1994 Magic status: Mundus Nationality: British  Ethnicity: White Accent: Posh British Pronouns: He/him Sexuality: Bisexual Relationship status: Single and VERY ready to mingle ;) Height: 6’1 Build: lean and muscular — not as buff as Tom Complexion: very pale Eye color: light, faded blue  Hair color/length/style: light brown hair which is on the longer side of short, very unkempt in casual disarray — make no mistake, he spends a lot of time styling it to look perfectly disheveled  Tattoos/piercings/daily jewelry: A rose on his left forearm, his family crest on his right shoulder but he is thinking of getting rid of that lmfao

Occupation/Schooling: Poetry MFA student, barista at [name redacted] since Sept. 2021; B.A. in English Literature from Cambridge What would you find if you Googled them?: Marriage announcements for his brothers; maybe his name in some posh society gossip newsletters since his parents are rich society folk; if you dig, you’d find him listed in Shakespeare productions at Cambridge lmfao; basic social media  What natives would know about them: Moved to Swynlake in 2020 with his two best friends; notorious for throwing huge parties and for being an incorrigible flirt; played Bill in the 2021 community theater production of Mamma Mia   Social Media: philxknightley (instagram, twitter) Other:  a huge slut and if you’re a single into men and over 21 who wants a no-strings attached hook-up… hmu if you want to say you’ve hooked up with Phil ;); inseparable from John and Tom; keeps a white horse named Samson at the stables

bio page || inspo tag || instagram || character sheet

[poor-princejohn]

Impromptu ambushes || Order Boys

[poor-princejohn]

@knightley--phillip @captain--john

Johnny’d had a lovely time at prom, his awkward meeting with John and Phil notwithstanding. He had known he would have a good time, because he and Maddy always had a good time when they were together. Maybe he had been a little nervous about prom, just because it felt like it had a certain weight to it, but it had been fun in the end.

Yet whilst he would like to think about how he and Maddy had a nice time, what he was mostly thinking about was the twin expressions on John and Phil’s faces throughout their entire conversation. Johnny was glad it had been a short one; he was sure that if it gone on and longer, both of Maddy’s brothers would’ve tasted blood from biting their tongues too hard.

What was it any of their business anyway? Johnny kept telling himself. Maddy was a grown woman who could do what she want and keep whatever company she wanted to keep. And how was Johnny supposed to know that there was something fucked up special Order of the Prince edition of Mamma Mia happening with John, Phil and Tom? It wasn’t like any of them wanted anything to do with him (and the feeling was mutual), and it wasn’t like he and Maddy talked much about family…

Johnny was puzzling through all of this as he headed out of Benbow, fishing in his jacket pocket for his headphones. So deep in thought was he that he didn’t realise he walked right into the path of John— and Phil too, apparently.

“Oh, sh— erm, sorry.” Johnny said, ducking his head and hoping he could just scurry around them both…

[knightley--phillip]

Phillip kinda hated that he had been right.

He’d had a hunch that Maddy and Johnny’s prom night would lead to an afterparty at her place. He didn’t want to think too hard about what that might mean. Look — he’d be a hypocrite if he had a problem with Maddy sleeping around with whoever she wanted. But c’mon? Did it have to be this twerp?

The whole encounter at prom had been polite, but Phillip couldn’t shake the gnawing discomfort. Of all the single people in this damn town —

Funny that apparently she’d met Johnny before she’d ever introduced herself to Phil, Tom, and John.

Phillip wasn’t actually sure if it had been his, John, or Tom’s idea (‘cuz of course they’d filled him in when they got home), but he and John set off the following morning, intending to confront Johnny about this whole… situation.

And it had been Phillip who suggested walking around Maddy’s place. 

“Oh hey there.” Phillip smiled, all bright and warm. “Just who we were looking for!” He swung an arm around Johnny’s shoulder. “Don’t worry — we won’t keep you long. Walk with us a bit, yeah?” 

@captain--john @poor-princejohn

[knightley--phillip]

Market Research || Open

[roux-clochard]

The guy made plenty of sense, but sadly Roux knew that there were plenty of assholes throughout history--including in his home city and country--who had chosen to exclude whole groups of people, regardless of the business implications. "Oui, I can't imagine cuttin' out profits jus' 'cause you don' like someone. Guess sometimes even greed ain't all-powerful 'nuff."

Clearly it did not matter whether he came off sounding like a Magick or not, since the new pub would obviously be much more open than its predecessor. And in more ways than one. Roux's interest was definitely piqued at an adults only section. "Is dat righ'? Well I do like t' indulge in my share o' adults only activities, so you definitely got my interest now, mon ami!"

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

“A man after my own heart,” Phillip laughed. “I make a line of specialty cocktails — they usually have dirty names, hence the adults-only section. Not planning anything terribly crazy down there.” He winked here. “Not yet, of course. And besides, I’d have no control over what people do when they book for private events.”

He held out a hand.

“Name’s Phil, by the way. Nice to meet you.” 

@roux-clochard

[knightley--phillip]

Market Research || Open

[belladonna-wright]

Now, Jessie could probably point to a few people who didn't seem to relish being Swynlakers ... although they still seemed to make being unhappy about the state of the town enough of a personality trait that there was something deeply rooted about it. But she wasn't about to crush the kid's dreams right in front of him (calling it getting soft in her old age).

"It will. There's something to be said for making it feel like the place has been there for years, even if it hasn't. It'll be good for when the initial buzz dies down." All businesses went through that phase, it would be naive to think otherwise, but if he got the locals to truly buy in...

Not that she cared.

"Why? You think they'd need to worry?" Jessie asked, just on the edge of teasing. Even she was aware of Phil's reputation and how it hardly fulfilled the idea of commitment in a traditional romantic sense.

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

Phil laughed and cheerily winked.

“Everyone knows that I’m here for a good time first and foremost,” he said. “Guess I want to show them that I’m also here for a long one, y’know?”

He grinned.

“Well, it was great chatting with you — hope to see you around when I open the doors. First round’s on me.” 

@belladonna-wright

[knightley--phillip]

Business Business Business || Jaslip

[goodeveningjasper]

Jasper was pleased to hear he had himself a mentor.

Grounding one’s ideas is best when there is a second or third party interest. Even if he wasn’t very versed on this Winston - Jasper wasn’t going to judge. Phillip was at least taking the right steps.

Peaking into the manilla envelope he flipped through the first few pages. Questioned started to build - judgments were being made.

“Happy to hear you have someone helping.” Jaspers eyes shifted across to the other man. For the first time his eyes dragged over the other trying to get a read on him. “You have all your Ts crossed mate but you mind if I ask you a few questions?” Jasper brow rose lightly. “I see a lot of your structure here but I guess my questions start more with you personally.”

The documents were now sitting at the desk between them.

“What do you do now for work? Are you expecting to be the one running this business every day? Some pub owners are first in last out - service industry is a beast so hear.”

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

“I’m in the service industry right now,” said Phillip. “I work at [name redacted]. I started as a barista, but now supervise some shifts and take point on managing various after-hours events. I’ve already talked to [nameless entity] about this transition — they’re fully supportive. Gave me some tips too.” 

He nodded.

“And I don’t mind long days. Especially not if it’s in a place I own and one I’ve built up, y’know? I’ll look for capable managers for my off days and build up a staff I can trust. But in the early days especially, I’m not afraid to put in the hard work.”

He might come from a posh background, but if there was one thing Phillip’s time in Swynlake had taught him, it was that anything worth doing was gonna be hard. 

@goodeveningjasper

[knightley--phillip]

Phillip Knightley :: Prom 2026 :: Dreaming in Swynlake

DJ PHIL GOOD IS BACK BABY !!

[mycupoverfloweth]

[knightley--phillip]

Market Research || Open

[trackedbymaximus]

"I've already accepted I'll be watching the cup on my tiny office tv," he said with a small sigh. His TV at home was better (not that that was difficult), but with his shifts being what they were, plenty fo the games would stretch into his later shifts.

It was nice to think that maybe next year he could at least pop in somewhere else during his rounds. For a few minutes here and there.

"Sounds like you've got the basics in play and a strong idea. What was it you needed me for again?" The question was slightly teasing, but he as also curious. After all, it wasn't like Phil was someone who needed a confidence boost.

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

“Validation!” Phillip said easily. 

It was a bit of a joke and a bit not.

“Mostly I just want to get a feel on if its a good idea, y’know? Like is it too soon to rebuild the Deer? Or if people even want a pub at all! Maybe they’re okay with just a lounge and a nightclub.” He shrugged. 

Or if people want me to be the one to open it.

That was a big fear he had. He didn’t voice it out loud. Max knew better than most people about the whole Order scandal with Tom (and by extension Phillip). 

“But seems like I’ve at least got the sheriff on my side, eh?” He elbowed Max playfully. 

@trackedbymaximus

[memewhore]

[knightley--phillip]

Market Research || Open

[mal-mchale]

"Right, right good call on the awkward first date thing. Draw all the uni kids in." Mal could remember a time or two when she relied on an activity to save a bad date.

Mal grinned back and just snorted, "Yeah, I don't know exactly the croquet crowd in Swynlake, but I'm sure if you offer a pint and the promise of a prize, you could get a good lawn skittles tournament going."

The people of Swynlake needed low stakes things to do anyways, there were a lot of galas and dress up events. A lowkey tournament with a pint was sort of what the place needed.

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

Phil snapped his fingers.

“A tournament! Now that’s a good idea — I should start writing these down so I don’t forget.”

Talking to people on the street had been very illuminating. And all in all, it affirmed to Phillip that he was, indeed, on the right track. People wanted a pub again. This time, Phillip hoped it would be a good one.

“Thanks for the insight, Mal.” Phillip flashed a grin. “And nice to formally chat one-on-one without Maddy around.” 

@mal-mchale

[phillip-bankss]

I'm sorry your parents named you Philip ☹ I could name you something better

[knightley--phillip]

Market Research || Open

[roux-clochard]

Having the story related to him made Roux remember he had heard about that incident. It must have been while he had gone down to London for a few months. Figures that he would end up missing the excitement. "Merde, dat is wild! Though if he was bannin' Magicks, can't say I'm all dat sad 'bout it." Even if he was not out, he would not really be comfortable in a place like that, and Roux definitely did not have any sympathy for Magick haters.

"Well I sure hope you do, an' dat you welcome everybody." He paused, then added, "'Cause dat jus' seems t' be de righ' way t' do it. You do wanna make de most money, after all, so you don' wanna exclude no one." He hoped that sounded more like he was offering good advice and not that he was coming off sounding like a Magick not wanting to be excluded.

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

“Right? Like politics aside, it’s just a bad business decision to exclude who groups of people. You’d think even an asshole would recognize that.”

Phillip shrugged. He couldn’t say he was sad to see Gaston gone, though he did wish it had happened in less of a tragic way. No one deserved that.

But he didn’t dwell too much on it. 

“But yeah, this place’ll be open to all — well, the basement will be adults only.” He winked here. 

@roux-clochard

[knightley--phillip]

Market Research || Open

[belladonna-wright]

"Aright, good," Jessie agreed with a terse nod. That might make the whole place feel a little less medieval (in the strictly perjorative sense, she had a great appreciation of all of the old medieval buildings in the town, rather less so the attitudes of certain residents).

"A little corny, yes," Jessie said, feeling it was a touch twee for herself but ... "But people like corny. I mean, around here? They eat that sort of thing right up, so far as I can tell."

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

Phil laughed.

“Y’know that’s true. Nothing Swynlakers love more than celebrating being Swynlakers.”

He wasn’t counting himself as one of them, of course. He hadn’t grown up here. He was an imposter. He’d only come to town under false pretense.

Never mind that he’d shed all that. People didn’t forget. Just look at Tom, yeah?

Yet…

Yet, he did still feel a flush of warmth as he spoke. He liked this little town. Hell, he loved it. Swynlake felt more like home to him than his family’s sprawling estate ever did. He loved his crappy little house. He loved the cobblestone streets and the themed parties and the way people were always down to have a chat. He loved the small businesses and he loved the way everyone showed up for each other.

Goddamnit — maybe he was a corny person.

“It’ll be good business,” he said with a wink. “And prove to the town that I’m serious about this.” 

And that they can trust me. 

@belladonna-wright

[knightley--phillip]

The Playbook || Baslip

[basil-of-benbow]

Basil could feel little movements; the way Phillip's head lifted and so perfectly allowed him access to that sensitive little spot underneath the jaw where things tingled and tickled as Basil moved his lips their instead. He felt it in the way Phillip reached for his arm and then grazed his fingers down his arm ever so tenderly.

As if they were lovers, just for the night.

He pulled back, breathing out slowly as his eyes twinkled with mischief, watching Phillip's face for a few moments before he leaned in once more and this time, finally closed the distance between their lips and kissed the other man, slowly softening his own arms until he was melting against the other man.

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

If this was that great literary work that Phillip had waxed on about, the story would end here.

Actually, it would’ve ended right before their lips met. Couldn’t have anything too scandalous in Victoria literature after all, eh? They would’ve exited into the alley and looked into each other’s eyes and then the next chapter would start with Phillip leaving Basil’s residence. Or vice verse. At an ambiguous time of day.

Understated, poignant — and utterly boring.

Phillip was glad he lived in the 21st century. That way the story could continue.

He could see the dark gleam in Basil’s eyes and lean forward again, this time with a deeper, hungrier kiss. He could part those lips and taste Basil’s mouth and part his legs slightly, inviting the other man closer still. 

@basil-of-benbow

[no-sharks-on-the-sun]

[your-neighbours-cat]

[knightley--phillip]

Market Research || Open

[trackedbymaximus]

"Those are sounding good. And I know you mentioned having a place to watch the game, but I hope you're not going for one of those, there's a new tv every time you turn your head a quarter of a degree so you can't escape the sight of a television. Sometimes you just want the food and the drink. Or to actually focus on what the person you're with is saying."

As fun as sports could be in a group, he often craved quiet after an especially long day. Plus it was hard to flirt with someone over a pint if everyone else in the room was screaming.

@knightley--phillip

[knightley--phillip]

“Oh yeah, definitely not a different game on every screen sort of place.” Phillip shook his head. He’d seen a few American bars pop up on his TikTok FYP and it seemed like a sensory nightmare. “We’ll have a couple of TVs and yeah, when it’s a big game do a watch party — but on the day-to-day it’ll be more of a social place, y’know?”

Part of the reason why he wanted to open this pub was because he felt like Pierrot’s and The Court didn’t have that. Oh sure, they had many good things — performances, dancing, great drinks, and great fun. But they weren’t really places to talk.

“Game on in the corner for those who want it, but I mostly want it to be a place to just gather. Shame I can't magically get it ready in a month for the World Cup though." He laughed. "I guess I'll just have to pop on over to NTO."

@trackedbymaximus