Born This Way, Baby!

William Garrett & Kiran Aryal. Your favorite Drag Queen, Magika Wand. That tattoo artist you love, Kiran.

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟbaby, you light up my life like no body else. i'm beautiful in my way, i'm on the right track, i was born this way.

william garrett - intro :: interactions

kiran aryal - intro :: interactions

[penelopexluna]

PJ took her glass and clinked it to his with a grin. "Salud para ti, papi." She said and took a big sip from the colorful and sweet drink, licking her lips after. "Oh that's nice." Sweet drinks weren't really her drink of choice because they were dangerous. If you don't pace yourself, you get drunk too quickly. But that was the plan for tonight so she was all in for that type of drink.

She scrunched her nose as he poked it and grinned right back at him, nodding. "I want to dance to some Bad Bunny, I'm happy he's so popular right now cause I get to hear his music everywhere!" Taking another long sip from her drink, already at its half, PJ put it down on the bar. "A bucket list sounds great. I didn't know you had that, tell me more." It perked PJ's interest and she knew, knowing Will, that it was certainly going to be interesting.

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟHolding up his drink, he clinked it with her, chuckling. "Salud!" Generally, when he wanted to party, Will picked fruity drinks, hoping to feel the buzz faster than he would with another drink. He wanted to have as much fun as possible and PJ would always be a good companion for that! "Oh! I love Bad Bunny! I've been trying to pick one of his songs to use for a drag performance but I can't seem to decide on both a song and good moves to use."

His bucket list was an important part of his life. Will wanted to make sure that he got everything done in his life that he wanted to. If he was going to feel like he was accomplished, he had to do something. He started listing, hoping that it wouldn't weird her out that he just had some of them at the top of his head. "I've been building it for years. Some of it is really weird things. Bungee Jumping, have a threesome, have a crazy drunk story that doesn't wind up with me trouble but it amusing to tell, win a baking competition, get a standing ovation, play paint twister. There's a bunch of other things." Will knew that some of them were ridiculous, but he couldn't help it!

[artvandy]

While Art wasn't a huge fan of Valentine's Day, he still liked participating in town events. He missed all of them in the years that he was away in college. Maybe because he wasn't into those things as a teen. He felt like he had to make up for being the menace he was before he left. Even if he was in a relationship, that didn't mean that the holiday was any less annoying to him. He wished that he hadn't shown up tonight. "Right," he nodded. "It's not that I'm not happy in my relationship. It's just I think this is the worst holiday. I shouldn't have to spend money to show my fiancée I care about her. And it shouldn't be a requirement one day of the year that I have to shower someone in gifts to show how much I do care. I'll buy her gifts when I want to buy her gifts." Art sighed and maybe he sounded ungrateful. "You don't like dancing?"

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWatching him speak, Kiran listened, glad that someone else agreed with her about it. What was the point of a day where you specifically showered your significant other in gifts? If you showed them love every day, then they know. Besides, Kiran herself was rather unlucky in love and was far more bitter than she should've been. All of her past relationships cause her nothing but grief. "I agree with you. What's the point of a specific day? It's an excuse to spend money and there's many better things to spend money on." Grumbling to herself, she shook her head. "No. You always look foolish. And I do not like looking foolish. I'd much rather stand on the outside and judge. Especially if it's in celebration of this holiday." Kiran mumbled under her breath. She hadn't been in a relationship in the past few years and was rather bitter about it, as the last one ended with more heartbreak than she'd like to admit.

[forevertouched]

"I mean, yeah. I definitely ordered too much. You're welcome to try some out with me." Gen chuckles, shutting the door behind Kiran after she walks inside. "I'm trying something new for work, obviously. I'll let you know if it pans out." She thought the tinsel was cute, so hopefully her clients also appreciated it. "Oof, I'm sorry. You want some wine? I've got a bottle open already." Gen offers, halfway through her little self care night when Kiran had knocked. "Sit, make yourself at home. You wanna vent, or are we more in the mood to forget the whole thing?"

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟKiran's eyes moved down to the tinsel, grabbing a bright color, wondering how exactly how to put it in her hair. She wasn't even sure if it would work, or if it would make her look more approachable than she wanted. "Please do. I'm always curious about your endeavors, you know that. You supported me when I wanted to offer temporary tattoos for children." Following her friend toward the wine, she nodded, "Oh gosh, please. Wine would be perfect." Kiran flopped down on the couch, taking her shoes off and sinking into the couch. She grumbled loudly. "Maybe venting later? Distractions are in order first. Tell me about you. Anything that's not my building rage."

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWill had invited Eli to the mini pop up market, hoping that asking him to hang out would offer the other some fresh air and the chance to enjoy more of his town. He'd brought the present he'd bought for him, holding it carefully and safely in his hands, like someone was going to take it from underneath him. Swaying from side to side, he waited patiently for Eli to arrive, excited to see how he saw the world around him. Upon spotting him, a bright smile growing upon his face. "Eli! You made it! I'm so glad! I thought you might enjoy the little pop up market. It's calm and relaxing! Where do you want to start?" Will asked, gesturing toward the market.

@cxntslxxp

[rainbowxsouls]

"Yeah, but it's not exactly sexy is it? Come here big boy, let me get this metal real close to you." Layla said, exaggerating a lisp, before breaking off into giggles. The movie continued to play, one part of Layla's attention always on it. "I think that makes sense. We're at that point in our lives were the big questions are circling. I mean I love my job, but even I'm like, 'oh god am I really gonna do this forever?', but then I remember why I love it and I move on. You need to have that conversation with yourself. If you want to do drag forever, that's great. Rupaul's been doing it since the 80s, you could too. But if something else is nudging at you, I think you should explore that. You might find out you have a new passion or interest." Layla said, playing with a thread on the blanket over their laps. "Don't you worry about me, I'm stuck to you like glue. You'd have to use a heat gun and a crowbar to remove me. I'll always support you."

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWill laughed, one of those really good hearty laughs. Layla was one of the few people who could pull that out of him. And he absolutely adored that about her. "I mean, depending on how you say it, it could be," he explained, trying his best not to laugh again. Shifting, he grabbed more of the blanket and moved closer to her. She was right. They were all reaching that point where all of your decisions mattered for your future. "That's exactly what's happening. I love drag. It's been my whole life, but something's missing... maybe I need to teach or something, do something of my own, you know?" Will explained, letting his mind wander for a moment. He wanted to do the right thing, make the right decision and be the best himself that he could be, but he wondered what that was anymore. Reaching around, he pulled Layla closer and started running his hands through her hair. "I don't plan on removing you, ever. You'll have to pry me away too!"

[mark-not-marcus]

Mark was so focused on breathing he didn't see the kid approach. The last thing he needed right now was an audience but Mark hated how much he enjoyed having anyone else present. Mark wasn't a solitary creature, he craved human connection and the only reason he wasn't on the phone to his best friend or brother right now was because he couldn't dial and walk.

Wincing as he sucked in a deep inhale, Mark looked at the face talking to him. "I think I dislocated my shoulder again. I just gotta pop it back in but it sucks to do so I'm finding the the courage or stalling or some shit. I'm not sure, man." Mark laughed, using a bit of humor to survive this. It was good to know his vision wasn't tunneling anymore and that he felt like himself. Even with the reminder that he was getting older screaming from his side. "No way you're going to want to see this but if you still want to earn your merit badges, my bag's over by the fence and there is nothing in the this world I would love more than not having to walk back over and get it." @magikawords

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟAs he spoke, Will listened, more intently than he had in a while. He could tell that the other was in pain and wanted to do everything that he could to make sure that he was okay. From where they were located, Will guessed that he'd been playing some kind of sport where something went awry. "Oof, I've been there before. How'd you do it? Some kind of tackle on the field?" Before he went to inspect it, which he really wanted to do, he let the other explain. He might not even want help.

Will couldn't help but laugh, placing his water down on the bench. "I wear six inch stilettos for a living, I've dislocated my share of body parts before. Besides, I've got a few tricks up my sleeve." Turning his head, he saw a bag and nodded. "I got you." Will took off running toward the fence to grab his bag and slung it over his shoulder before making his way back. "Can I pop your shoulder in for you? I've got a magical cream I've made that helps soothe it."

[remyalaire]

"Are you?" Remy asked, a quirked eyebrow and an amused smirk. Maybe his friend saw something he didn't because he immediately put the idea to the side when he didn't feel confident enough. But Will, even though he was years younger than him, had more experience in the night life. "If you see something different than me, let me know."

"Oh one of Will's famous dinner parties that I can never attend cause I work most evenings. I'm jealous!" He teased with a wink. It was a joke but it was also kind of true that his new career path had him miss a lot of his friends get together because he was going into work when they finished some of the times. "Me? Oh, you know, forever in pursuit of happiness. I feel a little stuck in this single life." He missed having a partner, having someone to share his life with.

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟA smirk formed across Will's face, staring right at his friend. "You're a very attractive person, inside and out, and everything will come into place when it needs to, so please don't worry!" Nodding, he always agreed to help as much as he could, but never wanted to stress him out in any way. "You know I always will!"

He pouted and rested his head in his hands, trying to give him puppy dog eyes. "You need to come one day! Just request off in advance and say it's an emergency. 'cause having you at one of my parties is an emergency! Plus, I can cook all of your favorites or make things just for you as a special guest!" Part of the fun of Will's dinner parties were that he enjoyed making things that other people liked. He liked knowing what others wanted to eat and often experimented with things he thought they might like. "Okay, let's do this for real then. What exactly are you looking for? Personality and all of that. What is your type? I'm going to find you someone."

[theuswestwood]

where: the jasper valentine's mingle event, by the food table with: OPEN 0/4

"i'm not trying to yuck anyone's yum, or whatever it is the kids say these days, but this dj needs to pick the songs that are gonna get people to fun dance before they slow dance, y'know? we need some whitney houston, some beyonce, some sabrina carpenter. get people on the dance floor and then slow it down with something sexy. y'know?"

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWhile Kiran agreed that the music needed to change, she wasn't entirely sure that she agreed with that choice of music. "Sabrina, who?" What kind of music were people listening to these days? The tattoo artist did know that her music taste was a whole lot different than others, but there were a lot of artists that she'd never heard of. She was a rock and metal fan, something that would have a little bit of spunk to it. But perhaps they weren't thinking of the same kind of spunk. "Or perhaps we could nix the dancing and find some kind of games to play? At least that'd be slightly more entertaining."

[artvandy]

open / @jasperstarters location / valentine's day mingle

He was not thrilled at having to spend the night at the Valentine's Day Mingle event when he'd rather have spent the night at home cooking dinner for his partner and spending quality time together. However, he promised a few of his friends that he'd make an appearance before he went back home. Sometimes Arthur forgot just how much history he had with the people in this town. A lot of people remembered the days when he was a teen that caused trouble. "This might make me sound kind of bitter, but I've never understood Valentine's Day. Shouldn't you celebrate your loved ones every day?"

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWho's idea was this Valentine's event? Kiran wasn't entirely sure that this fit who she was in the slightest. She hadn't wanted to attend, but when her friends texted her saying she had to attend, she found herself wearing the only red shirt she had, trying to at least seem like she cared enough. The fact that this required dancing made her nervous. Kiran wasn't a dancer and never had any desire to be. Standing off to the side, she crossed her arms over her chest, scrunching up her nose. "It's not bitter, it's smart. I think it's more of a show off to everyone how happy you are?" Kiran shrugged, looking out at how happy everyone else was. "It's a stupid Hallmark holiday anyway. And dancing? that's even worse. I don't know why I agreed to this."

[penelopexluna]

Clinging to Will's hand, PJ let out a happy groan at the sound of strawberry margarita. She was more of a mescal kind of gal but boy did she love a sweet drink to get happily drunk slowly. The growing buzzing up her body was fun. "Por favooor!" Please. PJ begged, sitting along with him at the bar but not letting go of his hand yet. Her relationship with Will was the steadiest whatever this was she probably ever had. It was nothing serious, nothing exclusive but it meant a lot to her.

"Yes, definitely Uber back home." She nodded with a grin. Before she gave him an answer, she thought for a moment, taking a deep breath, holding it and then let it go. "I don't know, life is whatever. Work, trying to meet new people doing new things. Nothing interests me enough. Except this." PJ shrugged. There was an itch that felt she couldn't reach well enough to scratch, like she was chasing after something that she had no idea what it was and it made her restless. "But tonight I want to dance and make out and drink! You in?"

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWill loved when you could just sit at a bar and hold onto your friend's hand and just have a good time. He ordered them drinks and made sure he turned his attention completely to PJ. She was special to him and always made him feel like he could be exactly who he wanted to be. Why couldn't he have had friends like this his whole life? Laughing, he handed her a super colorful fruity drink and held it up. "Cheers to you, beautiful!"

When they were planning on drinking enough to warrant an Uber, Will knew the night would be fun. So, he sat there, stretching his toes in his shoes, getting ready to dance. PJ was in a good mood, and in a mood for fun! And he'd give it right back to her. "Life is whatever? Dang, baby, we've got to get some more fun into your life! I actually have a whole bucket list that we could start cracking through if you'd like." Tapping her nose playfully, Will grinned like a cheshire cat. He loved how much she liked hanging out with him. "Any song requests?" Taking a large sip of his drink he tilted his head to the side. "Am I in? I'm always in for anything that involves fun, you know that!"

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟRaising her eyebrows, Kiran tried to keep her opinion to herself until he stopped talking. Sipping her coffee, she looked down at the little stick figure, trying to figure out what exactly the point of the design was. "Honestly?" she started before trying her best not to snort at him. "It's cute, in a weird way, but please tell me you have other tattoos and that wasn't your first." Tilting her head to the side, she tried to look at it from another angle. "Are you even a fan of skateboarding?" Kiran asked, knowing that all of her tattoos had something to do with something she really liked or cared about in some sense.

[alxndrmrgn]

alex lets out a quiet breath of a laugh, shoulders easing as he glances back down at his wrist. “okay, good. i can live with weird-cute,” he says, nodding once like that settles it. “i’m just relieved we’re not at concerning yet. that feels like a future-me problem.” he looks back at her, brows lifting slightly. “you’d tell me, though, right? if i ever come to you with a truly horrible tattoo idea. like an intervention-level situation.”

he rolls his wrist again, studying the stickman like it might answer him back. “as for skateboarding, fan is generous. my balance is… theoretical at best.” a beat, then a crooked grin. “but i was weirdly good at the tony hawk game when i was younger, so i feel like that has to count for something.”

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟKIRAN COULDN'T HELP her laugh. She'd definitely tattooed some questioning designs, but she would never give an opinion on them unless someone asked for her honest opinion. Until then, she stayed quiet. "Nah, that's not concerning, but a flower butt on your butt is concerning," Kiran explained, shuddering at the thought of someone wanting that, completely sober. "If you honestly wanted my opinion, and you were ready for the brutal truth, yes, I would tell you. I can't guarantee I wouldn't do it without laughing though." She was abrasive and loved to tell people her honest opinion, so why wouldn't she? Besides, tattoos were her life, so he had many opinions about it. Shrugging, she thought about it for a second. "You know what, that's actually a good story for it. It's cute like that story is, reminds you of your childhood. Hell, that's why I have a miniature plum bob from the Sims hidden in one of my pieces."

[rdiotwrs]

nash had to blink twice at that response he got. well, maybe he had to blink about fifteen times, because what in the world did this man just say about his daughter? he knew that she was out there, but to hear that she got up to such antics blew his mind just a little bit. there was no hiding the look on his face that begged for the one in front of him to repeat himself. yet, nash didn't want to hear it again, so he waves his hand in front of his face and tries to get the mental picture out of his head. although he would definitely have to ask her about this claim later.

"okay, okay," nash starts with, still trying to get his mind off of his daughter up on stage with... whoever this was in front of him. "what the hell even is this place ? and do i have to pay to get in ? she's not replying to my messages."

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWATCHING HIS REACTION, Will could imagine how protective a father could get of his daughter. After all, he was very protective of any kids his friends had. While Magika enjoyed performing and wanted everyone to have as much fun as possible, he did also want to make sure that everyone was safe. He looked over his shoulder to see if he could still spot her from here, but there were so many people that it was a bit difficult, even in heels.

"She'll be alright. I don't think she had that much," Magika explained. "Plus, her friends are taking good care of her." Laughing again, he shook his head, gesturing to him. "You can come in, I'll vouch for you. You're at Alibi, I'm Magika Wand, and most people don't hear their phones in here. The music's a bit loud." He watched him, hoping that he would calm down a bit, but maybe not.

[mark-not-marcus]

closed starter for @magikawords location: the park

Mark had been a jock for as long as he could remember. He was a punk, a dad, a firefighter, and so many other things but underneath all that, he was a jock. Sports made him happy. He also didn't know who he was without them. There'd always been some sort of team he was on.

These days he had to join "senior" leagues and it was a tough blow to his ego but it was an even tougher one when he was the weakest player. He'd found a great thing with this rugby team. The perfect blend of taking it seriously and having a lot of fun.

Today was heavy on the serious and very, very light on the fun. With his left arm cradling his side, leaning over so he didn't extend his body too much, Mark hobbled to a nearby bench to try and figure out how worried he needed to be right now. The pain was pretty intense but he didn't think there was any hospital-worthy injuries happening. He might have to call in sick tomorrow though. That is if he could get home, get in his house even. Shutting his eyes tight and holding his breath, Mark got himself to sit down. Something that did not feel better (but it didn't feel worse) but there was no undoing it now.

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟIN ORDER TO stay in shape to perform, Will had to do some kind of exercise and keep himself in good condition. He had to make sure he could still dance around, do the splits, and well, walk in heels. So, every weekend, he found some kind of sports activity to partake in, and today, it was running. He'd run a few miles around the park, and was heading towards one of the benches to take a breather and drink some water. Having his water strapped in his backpack, he pulled it out as he saw someone sit as the very bench he was heading towards.

Watching him, Will tilted his head to the side, keeping an eye on him. He wasn't looking too good, and in fact, he found himself rather worried. Will ran toward him and stopped, his eyes moving toward his arm. "You okay there? Looks like your arm isn't feeling too great. Anything I can do to help?"

[rainbowxsouls]

When they had first started dating, so young and reeling with hormones, every small touch Will gave her set her aflame. She was obsessed with him and all the ways he could touch her. But now, older and wiser, and jaded from past failed relationships, the touch didn't make her feel the same way. It didn't repulse her or anything like that, but she didn't quite know what she felt. It wasn't like the excited lust of their first go-around, but it wasn't going unnoticed either. It was frustrating that she didn't know how to feel. It was times like this when she wished she could time travel, and just skip ahead to see what happens. It felt good, but good enough to take a risk? "I don't know about that. I mean, I still sleep with my retainer in." She joked, gently elbowing him. The movie had basically been forgotten, which she'd be peeved about later. But right now Will was staring at her so intently. "Of course. And you mean so much to me? Is everything alright? The mood just got very serious."

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟWILL SAT THERE, his heart beating out of his chest, wondering if he should've said anything at all. She was right. The mood had gotten really serious, and he didn't want to mess anything up, or make her feel uncomfortable in any way. She'd been his first everything, and it had meant the world to him that it was not only her, but that they could still be friends, and still be close in general. But these words, and that feeling of wondering if everything was real or not, or if they could ever do that again, lingered. "Hey, you're being healthy, and that's admirable. Not everyone cares enough," Will explained, laughing. Shaking his head, he wondered how he could shift their attention back to the movie without anything being weird. "Yeah, everything's alright, I've just been thinking a lot about where I want my life to go, you know? Do I want to do drag my whole life? Who I want in it? And I just want to make sure that you're here, always. I like being part of your life."

[forevertouched]

Genevieve had been in the middle of putting in some tinsel extensions in her hair when she heard the knock at the door, inspecting her appearance to decide of she looked too silly or not to answer. When she realizes it's Kiran, she chuckles to herself, deciding that it was good enough for now. "I'm coming, I'm coming! One sec." Gen calls out,, running her fingers through her hair to make it at least a little more presentable before going to answer. "Wine and takeout? Lucky me. Come in, come in. Everything alright?"

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟBEST FRIENDS WERE special, and Kiran always wanted Gen to know that. Knowing that she could stop by any time she had a rough day always made her feel special. Not many people could do that, and not many people could break down her tough exterior in the first place. Gen was one of those special people and Kiran couldn't be more thankful. "Got any extra tinsel for me?" Kiran asked, laughing. "Never thought I'd say that, but it looks pretty cute on you." When the door opened, she gave her friend a half hug and walked right in. "Rough customers, got mad 'cause their design didn't turn out how they wanted, even though they told me right before that it was perfect. It took everything in me not to ban them from my shop. Had to go in and fix it and give them a discount. Pisses me off." Kiran grumbled, setting the food and wine down on the table.

[flreclouds]

lila smiles at kiran, glad to have it be her that she waved over in her rush and not some stranger to keep up the ruse, since she's sometimes a bit too socially awkward for strangers. "that is good." she nods, lifting her cup to take another sip of her drink. "yes? do you have anything exciting going on with it? i keep meaning to stop by but things have just been so busy with going back to work and then preschool is apparently just as hard to get into as university, now." she sighs dramatically. lila had always been a bit neutral to the idea of children, up until astra. astra had been unplanned, but she had wanted her more than anything as soon as she found out. even though she would have linked her to her ex for life. at least until he left. and she is fortunate enough not to need child support, which means she can remain separate. "yes, i am fine. avoiding a potential client who does not understand boundaries and that people should not work for free."

[magikawords]

☆ﾟ*·ﾟKIRAN WASN'T A big fan of children unless that included Astra. She was already protective of Lila and it'd be foolish of her not to do the same for her child. No little kid should ever be afraid of anything, and she'd put all her effort into making sure they were safe and protected. "We've started a program where if you bring your kid in, we'll let them design a temporary tattoo for like $1 or more depending on the size. It's been really adorable. Kids love it, and it brings more of a community to the shop." Shaking her head, Kiran waved her off. She knew life was difficult enough without a child, but to think about how much more stressful it could be, it made her not even want children of her own. "The preschool here? I've got a connection if you'd like me to put in a good word. An ex works there, we're still on good terms, just haven't talked in a while. But I'm sure I could help out."

Raising her eyebrows, she stared at her for a moment, putting on a tough face. No one was allowed to mess with people she cared about. "Excuse me? Do I need to fight them? Or rustle them up a bit? it's been a while since I've done a good rustling. I'm overdue actually."