What's with today, today?

Leland.Night manager at Trax. Destroyer of worlds.

[lelandpalmer-chw]

Camilla was hardly one to hide away from a party, and hiding away was far from what she was doing, but this particular house party had a gorgeous piano that she'd eyed when she'd first arrived and not that she was good and drunk, she had a melody in her head she couldn't stop thinking about so she snuck away and played until it was out of her head and out in the world via the aforementioned gorgeous piano and the messily scrawled notes that she jotted down in the small notebook she always kept on her. She had every intention to re-join the party, couldn't just yet, having a great time playing music. It was when she stopped to take a drink that she made eye contact with the person she now saw was standing at the door's threshold, "Did you hear any of that, if so what vibe were you getting from it?"

[theduchampboy]

"It's short term so I can see a new place for a bit, meet new people. And I like the outdoors, yeah. I'm not one of those people who's desperate to get out of here though, that'd just be for a little bit. Plus I look great in khaki," he added, because she had a point there. "Sustainability science or something like that, maybe. I went to Ravenwood for a bit but I never finished, I felt pretty disillusioned with the whole higher education thing. Like everyone was talking about what they wanted to do instead of just doing it." He'd started twirling the ends of Cami's hair while he spoke, and shook his head with a smile as he looked up at her. "Curious is good."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Hearing you talk about sustainability and science just got me wet, sugar." Cami bit down on her bottom lip but told herself to focus because the substance of the conversation wasn't one they broached often, considering it was apparent that Rufus was a sort of move through life one step at a time kind of guy for the most part, pretty much the anti-Prince. "Good, because I'm very curious. I like the way you see things. Let me take you on a date next week, because I just thought of the perfect one."

[theduchampboy]

Rufus couldn’t say he had many concrete plans or ambitions, he mostly coasted through life, and the ideas he had for his future were more abstract than they were quantifiable. “I don’t know, I’ve never seen myself doing one thing I guess. I thought about working at a ski resort for a bit, or a national park, shit like that. Or going back to school but I probably don’t have that in me if I’m being honest.”

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Okay what about a ski resort and national parks appeal to you? Is it the outdoors you like? I think you'd make a sexy park ranger. Cute little khaki shorts. What would you go back for? If you feel like I'm putting you on the spot just I'll cut it out, I'm just curious about you."

[brodiebalcoin]

"You should, just not today. He left me some voice note last night ranting about how much he hates what they did with the social. Apparently he and Amory wanted Bueller Parties to get to plan this and they lost the bid. Some shit like that. I don't know, he's sensitive like me." He teased but it made him smile. The thought of his friends building friendships, the reminder of how many people he had in his corner. It was what kept him afloat on tour. "You might have to tell him. He scares me when he goes into manager mode. He's like my mom but ten times more intense," he joked but kept his voice low, fully sure his mother would hear him from wherever she was right now. He took a moment to type back and saw the three dots, breathing a sigh of relief when Ozzie said he'd let him out of this one. "I don't even know why he booked the social, he thinks if I take a break I'm somehow gonna lose popularity. How scandalous would that be?"

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"You boys really need to look into the effects of stress on the human body. All work and no play." Cami worked and she worked hard, but equally important to her regarding work was her rest. She could go on for days about it, but not at the moment - it was a rest day after all. "Your mom is a pussy cat. You know my mom always says with a music career a lot of it is non stop grind time, but there comes a point where you know you'll hear legend status because long intervals without putting anything out just makes the people clamor for you more. So there's a light at the end of this grind time tunnel for you just yet. "If he needs to be shown how to relax too send him my way. I have more effect means that I could use on him."

[theduchampboy]

Honestly it'd never occurred to him that he could make a career out of skating. He knew people did it but it didn't feel like something he could do, not because he didn't think he was good enough, he just didn't consider it an option. His lips were still on her neck as she gave in, and he trailed kisses up to her cheek before pulling away enough to look at her. "I'm into it, I just hadn't thought about it before. Worst that can happen is they say no, right."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"That's fair enough. Worse that can happen is they say no. What did you think about then? Like you look at your future 10 years from now and what do you see yourself doing?" She asked curiously. She wasn't at all a 'you have to have a plan' person, but Cami had goals, a lot she'd accomplished, but she had new ones too that were big picture.

[brodiebalcoin]

"I mean he wasn't really the relationship type until he met Monroe. Before that I didn't think he'd ever settle down but talk to him now and he's all about how he and Monroe were made for each other so I guess it just takes the right person," he told her with a shrug. He was happy for JJ, even if it was a new reality for all of them. "Am I? Like not fun benjamin button or something?" He smiled as he thought about it but he saw Cami's point. He was young and available; he should be having fun. He just couldn't get past being emotionally and physically exhausted. The thought of trying to get to know someone enough to fall into bed sounded like a chore which he was sure he should probably unpack with the therapist he hadn't seen since tour started. He sat up and looked around the party. "Should we start today?" He looked at his phone as it buzzed, seeing a million texts from his brother. "Ugh, Ozzie wants me to perform today, I swear you would think he's the one going on stage."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Then I must be an oracle sugar, because I saw the vision. I think I have his number. Gonna have to tell him not to be a stranger just because he's drunk in love." Cami laughed genuinely at Prince because his references were so left field, "If you were boring you wouldn't be my best friend, but for purposes of what we're talking about sure." Cami was very aware that people didn't see things the same when it came to dating or not and everything in between and since Prince was literally or emotionally (or both) all over the place all of the kind, even she didn't know exactly what he wanted truly. She hadn't even had a chance to answer before Prince's phone buzzed, "No. Tell that sexy monster no. If you're intent on rest you should rest. Do you want me to tell him? Give me the phone."

[theduchampboy]

"Oh come on, that's not what I meant." When Cami seemed bent on dropping it, he nestled his face into her neck, kissing at the side of it. "Thank you for thinking of me. You were daydreaming about your pro skater boyfriend right, I'm not sure how you could forget about that."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

While Cami wasn't actually offended, she could be bratty with the best of them when she was in the mood to be and yeah maybe she had anticipated a happier reaction, maybe even some cool points, so she felt justified. She let him kiss at her neck, even gave him better access to do so then rolled her eyes and relented, "I don't even want the gratitude just thought you'd be into it. I guess I don't even know if you have any interest in going pro, I saw opportunity and took it. Seriously don't be compelled but if you want to talk to him he wants me to pass his number on to you."

[theduchampboy]

Of course he knew Cami was famous to some degree, but so were a lot of the people he met in Rosewood, it rarely crossed his mind. At this point he heard most, if not all, of her songs before she released them, so he knew what they were before her fans started speculating, and he didn't pay attention to much of it, but their theories were funny when he did. "You're pimping me out now?," he joked as he handed one of his drinks off to Cami, and resumed his position next to her. "Yeah I'm interested. You didn't tell him I'm like some unsigned skateboarding god or anything did you, let's manage expectations."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Pimping you out? Let me get this straight, I meet someone who hires people to do the thing that you seem to enjoy and from my per view are pretty good at so I mention you and that's me pimping you out? Never mind then." Cami's hand fluttered as if the notion flew away with it. Afterwards she took her drink with a smile and sipped? "Hmmm? I don't know what you're talking about, I must have fallen into a daydream for a little bit there."

[theduchampboy]

"Think so." Cami had him beat already though, and had her profile pulled up in seconds. Obviously non-monogamy wouldn't work if either of them were the jealous type, which was why he didn't mind when she got papped with Prince, they both just laughed about it. Rufus smiled as she kissed her cheek then reciprocated it, leaning around to kiss the other side of her face. "I still like hearing it. Do you want a drink? You don't have to get up, I was gonna grab a refill and I can bring you whatever."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

Cami was happy with her relationship with Rufus and while her other relationship with Luna hadn't been as successful she regretted nothing and there were very little hard feelings on her part, and if she had worked it out on the remix and written several songs that had sold very quickly well that was just a silver lining. "I would love something to drink, you can surprise me." Cami shamelessly watched Rufus walk away and as he came back, two drinks in hand, she bit down on her bottom lip, endeared by the sight of him, "Oh! I almost forgot to tell you. I met someone on my last trip to California , they hit me up while I was on my way here. He's like a team manager for Baker skateboards. I told him about you and he said if you're interested you could skate around with the team and see if you could maybe be a good fit. Would you be into that?"

[brodiebalcoin]

"And what will this jar be funding? My next tour?" He laughed but he knew she was right. "Wow, someone to touch my penis. You make it sound so exciting. And not yet, he's been busy with summer events and his girlfriend but I should probably hit him up to do something this week. I know he would I guess I've just been more focused on relaxing. Working on my tan. Keeping Ozzie and Willa out of trouble since they both seem to be waving that single flag much more than me." His sister had definitely been outside since her most recent break up. "But i'll think about it. If you so desperately want me to be pap'd with someone else but you," he teased, leaning over to rest his head on her shoulder.

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Probably, and a new bag for me since it's looking like we'll have a surplus. That's 20 you owe by the way." Cami tilted her head, faux shocked at Prince's sarcasm, "I could have been more graphic sugar, but I didn't want to offend your delicate sensibilities." Cami nodded, "My assumption was right, I was thinking about fooling around with him but he seemed more like the relationship type. For the best. Maybe the problem is you're an old man trapped in a young hot man's body. No don't twist my words. I don't mind, Rufus doesn't mind. and I can live with the fact that I get to be called your secret lover without any of the bonus perks."

[theduchampboy]

"Controversially hot?," he laughed. "It's vibes more than looks too, although I'm not into like cookie cutter hot. I like creative people," he motioned to Cami, "And I'm saying people, I've been with men too, I don't think that's come up. I think it'd just be easier if I showed you actually." Rufus had a pretty clear understanding of what he liked, but articulating that felt silly- like with Cami he just felt like they were on the same wavelength. He grinned, "Good name right. I don't think you know anyone then, and I'm not about to start listing names off."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

Cami put her hands under her chin and fluttered her eyes dramatically when he motioned to her. She had assumed Rufus wasn't exclusionary when it came to gender, he radiated bi guy energy in her opinion. "Great name, is that what she goes by on socials?" She asked already taking her phone out and looking her up, "Oh she looks fun." She put her phone to sleep and kissed Rufus' cheek, "You have great taste, not surprising but still had to be said."

[brodiebalcoin]

"I mean, kind of, yeah. I didn't really think about it that much. With tour and writing new music and the award shows I kind of been focused on sleeping and eating in between. I mean people flirt with me enough it's distracting." He leaned into her touch, realizing how much he missed hearing her call him sugar, how nice it was to just be himself. It was the most he had let his guard down in months. "I mean I want to have fun. Tour is over, we're taking a break until the next album. I even booked a vacation next month. I mean I'm not not in my head about it," he told her, a slight blush on his cheeks. "Maybe it just hasn't been a priority in my life for a while. Not since Bridget and then there was something with Louise but I don't know, I think she's pretty in love with J, so," he shrugged. He tried not to think about it too much. His friendship with Louise was far too important to him to try to complicate it. He wanted to be there for her no matter what and he could only do that if he pushed all of those things down.

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Sleeping and eating are kind of things that shouldn't have to be focused on and more so things that should just happen but okay I'm with you. I think I am going to have to start a tour jar at the apartment. Start it at $20 per mention and increasing if need be. "You don't have to be focused on finding another Bridget or Louise you can just find someone who gets you hard and you want them to touch your penis. Fun, Prince or if you are really not on that I just want you to have a life beyond your career. Have you linked up with JJ since you've been back?" Cami recalled that they were pretty aligned in what they wanted for Prince and she knew he was a social guy. "Maybe you could go out with him or something, boys night?"

[theduchampboy]

"That's sweet," he agreed, almost like he was admitting defeat because yeah, having some little stupid thing that made you happy was pretty important. "Oh yeah, games I can do. Of course you don't. I'm gonna sound conceited now too, 'cause, I kinda just like hot people," he told her, grimacing as he said it but in a joking sort of way. "Probably, town's only so big, right. Do you know... Vic Vinson, I think she DJs sometimes."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

Cami laughed at how the notion of a game excited Rufus; she thought it was even cuter than crab apples, "Hot people is subjective I mean there's hot, there's controversially hot, ugly hot, you've got to give me more to work with than that." Cami went through her mental rolodex, admittedly she hadn't made as many connections in Rosewood as she had in New York and LA but she knew people, just not enough probably. She came up empty, "No but with a name like that no wonder you let her crack." Cami winked.

[brodiebalcoin]

Prince was quiet as he listened to her, not that he was fully listening. He was thinking about how long it had been since he had been rumored to be dating anyone who wasn't Cami. "Fuck," he whispered after a moment. "You are my beard." He sat up, sliding his sunglasses up on his head. "I haven't been on a date in shit...I can't even remember how long. Is that bad? Is it worse that it hasn't happened or worse that it didn't occur to me til now that it might be a bad thing?"

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Wait…did you just put this together? I thought that was by design? Prince, really? Oh you are too precious, I swear." Cami practically cooed while she grazed her fingertips underneath his chin, "But sugar, it's not bad if it isn't what you want. I would love to see you get some action but just because it's fun, not because it's a requirement." She took another strawberry and ate it thoughtfully, "Prince you had better not get in your head about this."

[theduchampboy]

"Who wants apples you can't even eat?" He happily leaned into her touch, eyes fluttering shut a moment while her fingers ran through his hair. Their relationship wasn't monogamous but that was more about boundaries and how they dated individually- he could see other people, she could see other people, etcetera. They hadn't explored what that could mean for them together. "I'm not gonna start cruising the strawberry festival," he teased, "What do you wanna know about my type?"

[lelandpalmer-chw]

"Utility can be found in even the most seemingly stupid thing, even if the utility is making someone go 'aww, that's so cute'. It brings a moment of joy, I think that's worth a lot." Cami laughed, "Neither was I? I was thinking more like a game. Not to sound conceited but people come to me, sugar. I don't cruise. What it is for one? Do I know anyone you've been with?"

[brodiebalcoin]

He let out a laugh at her actions, shaking his head but he was smiling. He really did miss being home. "Palcoin is good too. Feels kind of sci-fi or superhero-ish. Makes me think of that week long roomer that I was going to be in the MCU revival. Worst and best week of my life." He almost choked on air from the laugh that left him. "My beard? That's hilarious. If anything I'm your beard. One of us here has a sustainable roster and it's not me." Since Bridget, Prince had barely had more than a fling let alone a real relationship. He found that focusing on just his music was a better way for him to stay out of trouble.

[lelandpalmer-chw]

Cami actively didn't like the lime light though she'd made peace with there was going to be a certain degree of invasiveness that she could avoid by virtue of who her mom was and now who her best friend was. Still, if it helped Prince she wasn't going to be too much of a brat about people constantly speculating into her personal life, "Please, if they think we're dating then they're not constantly hounding you about why you aren't. And I hardly have a roster these days. Rufus is my boyfriend and yeah we're open but my bedroom isn't much of a revolving door these days, sugar."

[brodiebalcoin]

"I mean I'm enjoying the view," he told her and blew her a kiss. "A musical would do big numbers in this town. I can see it. We just have to find the strawberry plug to support us." He shrugged, knowing that he didn't know how to work these days but he had a different relationship with it and he was doing his best to slow down. It was why he had come home first instead of flying off to some tropical island for vacation. "I did, they really got your angles. Our fans are gonna be fed. What do they calls us? Pami? Crince? I like Pami, it sounds like a sexy robot," he teased, pushing his sunglasses up his nose before lying back again. "Thanks for picking me up by the way. So much better than being in an uber. It was nice to see your face first thing."

[lelandpalmer-chw]

Cami pantomimed catching Prince's kiss and put it on her crotch, amusing herself. "I think there was one about corn before so why not strawberries." Wheels started spinning in Cami's head, not actually for a strawberry themed musical, but writing for a show would be something different and fun. "Personally I like 'Palcoin' and you're so amused about it because it kind of makes me your beard."